Israel refutes viral claims blaming it for a Gaza child’s condition, confirming 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab suffers from a rare illness unrelated to the conflict and is now receiving treatment in Italy.
Viral Photo Debunked: Gaza Child’s Genetic Illness Wrongly Blamed on Israel in Manipulative Propaganda Campaign
A heart-wrenching photo of 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab has gone viral online, falsely used to accuse Israel of starving Palestinian children—but according to official Israeli sources, the image is being weaponized to spread misinformation.
In a rare and detailed public clarification, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated unequivocally that Osama’s condition is not related to the Gaza war or food shortages, but stems from a serious genetic disorder.
“The facts: Osama suffers from a serious genetic illness unrelated to the war,” COGAT posted. “On June 12, we actively coordinated his exit from Gaza with his mother and brother through Ramon Airport.”
✈️ From Gaza to Italy: A Humanitarian Transfer Ignored by the Narrative
Despite the online uproar, Osama is not starving, nor abandoned—he is now in Italy receiving advanced medical treatment, thanks to Israel’s direct coordination.
“Tragic images stir emotions—but when twisted into false narratives, they fuel hatred,” COGAT warned. “Don’t let compassion be exploited for propaganda. Check the facts before echoing the blame.”
📸 Viral Misinformation: The Power and Danger of a Misused Image
The photo of the frail boy has circulated globally with captions blaming Israel for his condition—part of an increasing trend of misinformation surrounding the Gaza conflict, according to Israeli officials and fact-checkers.
This case underscores how images, while emotionally powerful, can be deceptively used to spread falsehoods, especially on platforms where context is easily lost.
🚫 The Broader Warning,
COGAT’s warning serves not just to clarify Osama’s case, but to highlight a larger issue: the use of humanitarian suffering for propaganda purposes. In the fog of war, misinformation spreads faster than truth, often drowning out facts and polarizing public opinion with manipulated narratives.
“Israel facilitated Osama’s medical evacuation. That’s a fact. Claims of starvation in his case are a dangerous distortion of reality,” said an official familiar with the transfer.
