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This Photo Depicts a Real Incident of a Gazan Child Rescuing Another

Wesam Abo Marq Wesam Abo Marq
News
2nd January 2025
This Photo Depicts a Real Incident of a Gazan Child Rescuing Another
The photo was taken after an Israeli airstrike targeted Deir al-Balah (X)

The Claim

If a child needed rescuing, shouldn’t the adults in the back be helping instead of filming? Even though this is probably staged, I am sure it happens a lot in Gaza, where the safety and well-being of children is irrelevant for the adults, especially for the decision-makers.

Emerging story

Pro-Israel users widely circulated a photo purporting to feature a Gazan child rescuing an injured kid, claiming that Gaza people are faking their injuries.

An X user shared the video and claimed, “If a child needed rescuing, shouldn’t the adults in the back be helping instead of filming? Even though this is probably staged, I am sure it happens a lot in Gaza, where the safety and well-being of children is irrelevant for the adults, especially for the decision-makers.”

A supporting image within the article body
A supporting image within the article body

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.

Misbar’s investigation found the circulating photo to show a real, not a staged incident.

A Photo Shows a Gazan Child Rescuing Another Kid After Israeli Airstrike

Contrary to Israeli trolls’ claim, the photo is real and was shot in Deir al-Balah on December 14, 2024. 

Palestinian photographer Saeed Jaras confirmed to Misbar that the photo captures a real scene. 

It shows a Gazan child rescuing another kid after an Israeli airstrike targeted the municipality building in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza.

A supporting image within the article body
A screenshot of the original photo (Instagram)

Jaras also shared other photos of the rescued child, showing his severe injury following the Israeli airstrike.

The photographer also told Misbar that he initially believed Firas, the rescuer, was carrying his injured brother when he arrived at the hospital. However, two days later, he met Firas, who said that the injured kid was not his brother.

The photographer then interviewed the boy, asking him about his heroic act.

In the interview, Firas described how he saved a child thrown from his mother’s grip by the blast as debris from the airstrike struck her.

Firas carried the boy to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, ensuring his swift transfer to the ICU. 

Israel Hit Deir al-Balah Municipality Killing 12 Civilians

On December 14, the Israeli military struck the Deir al-Balah municipality building in central Gaza killing twelve people, according to reports.

Sources confirmed that among those killed was the mayor of Deir al-Balah, engineer Diab al-Jarou.

Furthermore, several videos posted online show civilian vehicles and wagons transporting dozens of injured displaced individuals to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Israel Killed Over 45,581 Palestinians Since October 7

According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, Israel’s war on Gaza claimed the lives of at least 45,581 Palestinians and left 108,438 injured since October 7, 2023.

Displaced people continue to suffer from the aftermath of days of heavy rain, which flooded makeshift shelters.

A seventh infant died from the cold in Gaza, raising the total number of hypothermia-related deaths to eight.

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Misbar’s Classification

Misleading

Misbar’s Sources

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