This Image Does Not Depict a Girl Named Malak Killed in the Majdal Shams Attack

Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The image is not of a girl named Malaak, who was one of the victims of the Majdal Shams incident in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Instead, it features a girl named Julia who resides in the United States.

Julia Lives in the United States

The widely shared image is actually of a three-year-old girl named Julia, who lives in the United States, not a girl named Malaak or Malak from the Syrian village of Majdal Shams. Misbar found the original image posted alongside dozens of other photos of Julia on her mother’s Instagram account under the name Rachel Ghirarda.

The Girl Is Not Among the Announced Victims

Misbar has thoroughly reviewed the list of child victims from the Majdal Shams incident and confirmed that neither Malak nor Malaak is listed. Additionally, the ages of the victims range from 10 to 16 years old, while the girl in the circulated image appears to be much younger, around three years old.

Majdal Shams: 12 People Killed, Hezbollah Denies Responsibility for the Attack

The claim emerged after a missile struck a football field in the town of Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights on July 26, resulting in the deaths of 12 boys aged between 10 and 16 years old. About 40 others were injured, while the source of the missile and the reason for its interception failure remain unclear.

On Monday, July 28, thousands of Majdal Shams residents and religious leaders from the occupied Golan Heights gathered for the funeral ceremonies of the child victims. The event saw a substantial turnout from the local community.

The Israeli Army accused Hezbollah of targeting the village of Majdal Shams, while Hezbollah denied responsibility for launching the missile that fell on the village. In a statement issued by its media arm, Hezbollah stated, "The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon firmly denies allegations from enemy media and other sources regarding the targeting of Majdal Shams, confirming that it has no involvement in the incident and rejects all related false claims."

Residents of Majdal Shams Expel Israeli Ministers

Furious protesters from Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights voiced strong opposition to the presence of Israeli ministers at the funeral for the 12 victims killed in the missile strike on a football field. The demonstrators demanded that the ministers leave the ceremony.

Israeli media broadcast videos showing residents protesting the ministers' visit, including Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Residents of Majdal Shams urged Israeli ministers not to exploit the tragedy for political gain or to advance Israeli agendas. Meanwhile, the Druze spiritual leadership in the Golan and the grieving families requested that Israeli government ministers refrain from attending the condolence ceremony at the House of the People in Majdal Shams.

Israel Escalates Its Attacks on Southern Lebanon

On Sunday evening, July 28, the Israeli security cabinet authorized Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to decide on the "manner" and "timing" of the response to Hezbollah following the attack on Majdal Shams.

On Monday, July 29, an Israeli drone struck the town of Shaqra in southern Lebanon. The Civil Defense reported that the attack resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to three others, including a child. The drone targeted a motorcycle and a car on the road to Meiss Ej Jabal and in the vicinity of Shaqra.

Countries Urge Their Citizens To Leave Lebanon

The Israeli bombing occurred just hours after the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the Air Force had targeted locations in the town of Aitaroun in southern Lebanon late Sunday night.

In light of escalating tensions between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, as well as concerns about a possible Israeli response to the Majdal Shams incident, several foreign and Arab countries have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

Local Lebanese media have reported that several foreign airlines have suspended their flights to Lebanon in response to threats of Israeli retaliation for the Majdal Shams missile strike.

Countries including France, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Australia have advised their citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and to leave immediately "while it is still possible."

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