Hamas Caught Lying Again: Teen in ‘Starvation’ Photo Treated in Israel
COGAT revealed that a 14-year-old Gazan boy used in Hamas’s “starvation” propaganda was treated in Israel for a genetic illness, exposing the group’s manipulation. Israel continues to facilitate medical evacuations for thousands of Gazans, urging global action to address the humanitarian crisis.
The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has debunked yet another Hamas propaganda campaign that falsely claimed 14-year-old Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi was starving in Gaza. COGAT revealed that Abdul, featured in a widely circulated photo, suffers from a genetic neurological disorder and received medical treatment in Israel in 2018. “Once again, Hamas is using photos of sick children to push the ‘starvation’ narrative and blame Israel,” COGAT stated. “But the truth tells a different story. Abdul was one of hundreds of Gazan children suffering from similar diseases that were treated in Israel prior to Hamas destroying the Erez Crossing on Oct. 7.”
Despite Hamas’s attack, which killed 1,200 and abducted 251, Israel has facilitated medical evacuations for approximately 38,000 Gazans since the war began, including 3,700 patients and escorts, 80% children, through Israeli territory. On July 30 alone, 180 patients and escorts were transferred to the EU and Jordan via the Kerem Shalom crossing, operational for evacuations since March 2025 after Rafah’s closure.
COGAT emphasized, “Israel continues to coordinate medical evacuations to third countries. Hamas, meanwhile, keeps cynically exploiting them for its own twisted agenda, and part of the international media buys it.” A security official added, “Israel is not restricting the evacuation of patients from Gaza; in fact, we are facilitating it regularly and consistently. The countries of the world must take initiative and act. If there is indeed concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, then we would have expected that countries take action, not just make declarations.”
The exposé comes amid Hamas’s ongoing manipulation, with 50% of aid trucks looted, per UNRWA reports, and 50 hostages still held. Social media on X amplified COGAT’s message, with one user stating, “Hamas lies about starving kids while Israel saves them, shame on the media for falling for it!” COGAT concluded, “Hamas continues to cynically exploit Gaza’s residents to advance its own twisted agenda, and some international media are falling for it.”
