Gaza ‘starvation’ Poster Child Has Genetic Condition, Left Strip with Israel’s Help

“Osama suffers from a serious genetic illness unrelated to the war,” stated the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit.

By: JNS Staff – Jewish News Syndicate, jns.org

A Gaza boy who became the poster child for the alleged famine caused by the war in the Strip suffers from a genetic illness and was evacuated for treatment last month, the Israeli Defense Ministry said on Monday.

A picture of Osama al-Rakab, 5, was “used to falsely depict Israel as responsible for his condition, claiming Israel is starving children,” including in Italian media and on Al Jazeera, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit stated.

“Osama suffers from a serious genetic illness unrelated to the war. On June 12, we actively coordinated Osama’s exit from Gaza with his mother and brother through the Ramon airport,” stated COGAT.

The boy is currently being treated in an Italian hospital, it continued.

“Tragic images rightfully stir strong emotions, but when they’re misused to fuel hatred and lies, they do more harm than good,” said COGAT. “Don’t let compassion be exploited for propaganda.

cont’d…

https://www.jns.org/gaza-starvation-poster-child-has-genetic-condition-left-strip-with-israels-help