2016 Photo of a Fighter from Taiz, Yemen, Shared in Relation to Gaza
The Claim
a disabled resistance fighter from Gaza wielding a Kalashnikov and combating Israeli occupation forces.
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Amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, social media users widely circulated a photo purporting to feature a disabled resistance fighter from Gaza wielding a Kalashnikov and combating Israeli occupation forces.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.
A thorough reverse image search revealed the photo making the rounds to be outdated and unrelated to the ongoing war on Gaza.
The Photo is Unrelated to the Gaza War
Contrary to the viral claim, the photo was not taken during the recent clashes between the Israeli occupying forces and the Palestinian Resistance fighters.
The photo was uploaded on September 30, 2016, on the "Yemen Voice" website and shows a local Taiz fighter engaged in the battle against the Houthis during the "Siege of Taiz."
The website reported that activists shared a photo of a resistance fighter from Taiz. The photo shows his amputated foot wrapped in medical gauze, suggesting a recent injury likely sustained in one of the battles against the Houthis and the forces of the deposed Saleh.
The Ongoing Siege of Taiz, Yemen
The siege of Taiz by the Houthi militia has entered its tenth year, making it one of the most heinous sieges in history due to the extensive crimes committed against about 2 million civilians daily.
The Houthi's persistence in besieging Taiz stems from sectarian, demographic, and racist motives.
The blockade has had a catastrophic impact on Taiz residents. Basic services like electricity, water, and healthcare have ceased, and the supply chain for food, medicine, and fuel has been severed. The spread of diseases and deteriorating health conditions have put children, women, and the elderly at serious risk. Despite ongoing efforts by humanitarian organizations and the international community to alleviate the suffering in Taiz, the siege remains, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Death Toll Surpasses 37,000 After Al-Nuseirat Camp’s Massacre
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 37,084 people have been killed and 84,494 injured in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7. The recent raid by Israeli forces on Al-Nuseirat refugee camp has provoked outrage, with the E.U. labeling it “a massacre.” The death toll from this raid has risen to 274, with more than 700 others injured.
Doctors describe the situation inside al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza as a “complete bloodbath,” with one medic stating it "looks like a slaughterhouse." Doctors Without Borders reports that al-Aqsa and Nasser hospitals are “overwhelmed” by the number of casualties.
During the Nuseirat raid, Israeli forces claimed to have rescued four captives held in the camp, amidst significant criticism over the high number of civilian casualties. One Israeli officer died in the operation.
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