A boy from Gaza, previously believed to have been killed by Israeli forces, has been confirmed alive. The initial claim, made by Tony Aguilar, a contractor for UG Solutions, stated that a child named “Amir” was shot on May 28. Reports from the Daily Wire indicate that the boy’s true name is Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hamden, and he is safe.
After misinformation about his death spread by American contractors, video footage was released showing Hamden in a secure, undisclosed location.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has stated that Aguilar created a false narrative, alleging the boy was shot after seeking help from their site. Following investigations over several weeks, it was discovered that Hamden had been living with his biological mother since leaving his stepmother’s house in July. The child’s identity was verified through biometric data, and he still possesses the shirt worn in Aguilar’s viral video.
Rev. Johnny Moore, executive director of the foundation, expressed concern about the reckless dissemination of unverified information, emphasizing that the goal should always be to protect children rather than spread sensational stories. “People need to think critically about what they hear and share,” he remarked, highlighting the potential dangers of such misinformation.
Moreover, Aguilar’s actions led to his dismissal due to fraudulent behavior, where he repeatedly shared vivid but false details about the supposed event. He had been spreading images and stories to various media outlets, each time altering the narrative.
Aguilar had a dramatic outburst during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, accusing the U.S. of complicity in genocide, which further marred his credibility.
In a pointed critique, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation noted the recklessness of Aguilar’s actions, stating, “It’s shocking how someone could endanger a child’s life for the sake of fleeting attention.” They also called on the media who reported on Aguilar’s claims to retract their statements and apologize.
Israeli ambassador Mike Huckabee added that he hopes those who spread Aguilar’s narrative will recognize their role in this misinformation.
