Trigger warning: This article discusses sensitive topics such as starvation, sick children.
A picture of a skeletal dying child in the Gaza Strip, whose picture has been used in world media to claim Israel is starving Gazan children, is actually due to the child suffering from cerebral palsy, Israel's official X/Twitter account confirmed on Tuesday.
The child, Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, is shown in a condition highlighting how sick he is, being coddled by his mother.
However, the post on X also shows his older brother standing nearby, looking distressed but relatively healthy. Their mother also does not appear to be suffering from any symptoms of starvation.
"BBC, CNN, Daily Express, and The New York Times spread a misleading story using a picture of a sick, disabled child to promote a narrative of mass starvation in Gaza — playing into the hands of Hamas's propaganda war," Israel accused.
"Without proper disclosure. Without medical context. Without journalistic ethics," the post concluded.
COGAT revealed a different child also suffering from genetic disorder used in starvation propaganda
On Monday, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) revealed that a different Gazan child with a genetic disorder, whose photo went viral over claims of starvation, had been evacuated from the Gaza Strip in June and is receiving care in Italy.
Five-year-old Osama al-Rakab, along with his mother and brother, were evacuated through the Ramon airport on June 12, COGAT revealed.
“Tragic images rightfully stir strong emotions, but when they’re misused to fuel hatred and lies, they do more harm than good,” COGAT wrote in a statement.
“Don’t let compassion be exploited for propaganda. Check the facts before parroting blame.”
IDF brings aid into Gaza
The IDF, led by the Coordinator for the Government's Activities in the Territories (COGAT), facilitated the entry of 52 aid packages into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon, the military confirmed.
The UAE, Jordan, and Egypt all cooperated in the aid packages, which contained food for residents in both the south and north of the enclave, the military noted.
The aid packages were airdropped, the military clarified.