From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 28, 2025
COGAT: Viral image of emaciated 5-year-old with genetic illness falsely used to accuse Israel of starving children in Gaza
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleStav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
The Defense Ministry agency responsible for coordinating aid deliveries to Palestinian territories says a viral photo of 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab has been falsely used to accuse Israel of starving children in Gaza.
According to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), al-Rakab suffers from a serious genetic illness that is unrelated to the war. On June 12, Israeli authorities coordinated his exit from Gaza via the Ramon airport, along with his mother and brother, and he is currently receiving medical treatment in Italy, COGAT says.
“Tragic images rightfully stir strong emotions, but when they’re misused to fuel hatred and lies, they do more harm than good,” reads the statement on COGAT’s English-language X account. “Don’t let compassion be exploited for propaganda. Check the facts before parroting blame.”
The statement does not address broader reports of widespread food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza, which have been raised by multiple international aid organizations. Rather, it focuses on correcting what it says is a specific misuse of a personal tragedy for misinformation.
A photo of 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab has gone viral, used to falsely depict Israel as responsible for his condition, claiming Israel is starving children.#TheFacts: Osama suffers from a serious genetic illness unrelated to the war. On June 12, we actively coordinated Osama's… pic.twitter.com/7IY826P0JZ
— COGAT (@cogatonline) July 28, 2025
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