Gazan Boy Reported Killed by IDF Found Alive, Safely Evacuated

An 8-year-old Gaza boy named Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hamden, known as Abboud, who was widely reported to have been shot and killed by Israeli forces, has been found alive and safely extracted from Gaza with his mother. The false narrative originated from Anthony Aguilar, a former contractor with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), whose conflicting accounts were later discredited. GHF conducted a thorough investigation using facial recognition and biometric data, ultimately locating the boy and his mother in hiding, reportedly due to threats from Hamas. The case highlights the dangers of misinformation in conflict zones and led to criticism of media outlets for publishing unverified reports. Abboud and his mother were moved to a secure location for their safety, with GHF emphasizing the importance of verifying facts over sensational headlines. The successful rescue is seen as a rare positive outcome amid the ongoing conflict and propaganda challenges in Gaza.