Israel says another ‘starving’ Gazan in viral image actually suffers genetic disorder, in fresh debunk

The Defense Ministry is pushing back against claims that viral images of 14-year-old Palestinian Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi reflect starvation in Gaza, saying the teen suffered from a genetic neurological disorder and was treated in Israel in 2018.

In a post on its English-language X account, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) accuses Hamas of exploiting images of ill children to spread misinformation and blame Israel.

Once again, Hamas is using photos of sick children to push the “starvation” narrative and blame Israel.
But the truth tells a different story.#TheFacts: 14-year-old Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi was treated in Israel back in 2018 for a genetic disease.

Abdul was one of the hundreds… pic.twitter.com/4CcB2Md1ao

— COGAT (@cogatonline) July 31, 2025

“Hamas, meanwhile, keeps cynically exploiting them for its own twisted agenda, and part of the international media buys it,” the statement reads.

Reports out of Gaza last week claimed al-Fayoumi had died of starvation, describing him as a child. The COGAT post does not dispute his death.

COGAT says al-Fayoumi was one of hundreds of Gazans with similar conditions who were treated in Israeli hospitals before Hamas destroyed the Erez Crossing on October 7, 2023, as part of its surprise attack on southern Israel.

Since then, Israel has shifted medical evacuations to third-party countries via the Kerem Shalom Crossing and Ramon Airport. Over 3,700 Gazans — mostly patients in need of treatment and their escorts — have exited this way, according to Israeli officials.

According to COGAT, 180 patients and their escorts were transferred yesterday for further treatment in unspecified European countries and Jordan.

Images of starving Gazan children have intensified worldwide alarm and revulsion of the situation in the Strip, bolstering allegations that Palestinians are starving and that Israel is not doing enough to get aid to them.

Earlier this week, COGAT also responded to the circulation of a photo of 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab, clarifying that he too suffers from a genetic condition unrelated to the war and had been transferred for treatment in Italy last month.