Gaza Child Claimed Dead by IDF Found Alive, Rescued with Mother

An eight-year-old boy reported killed by the IDF during a humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza has been found alive, according to a bombshell Fox News report confirmed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Thursday.

The child, previously misidentified as “Amir” by former contractor Lt.-Col. Tony Aguilar, is actually Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hamdan. He and his mother, Najlaa, were safely extracted from Gaza this week by GHF and international partners, after weeks of covert operations.

"Outside the Gaza Strip is nice," Hamdan said during a recorded interview before their extraction, smiling as he described his first glimpse of a safer future.

Aguilar, a retired U.S. Green Beret contracted by UG Solutions on behalf of GHF, had publicly claimed he witnessed the boy being shot and killed by IDF soldiers at an aid site in May. His story, broadcast in July by the BBC, went viral and was cited in political and media discourse as a sign of Israeli misconduct in Gaza.

But GHF, which had immediately launched a quiet search, determined the story was false. "The young boy falsely claimed to have been killed by the IDF and misidentified as 'Amir'... is alive and safe," said GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay during a press briefing. She described a “high-risk effort” involving local contacts, U.S. veterans, and biometric verification.

Hamdan was seen on video in August “playfully interacting” with GHF staff after arriving at another aid site, according to the foundation. Facial recognition and biometric tools confirmed his identity.

Najlaa told Fox News that they had been in hiding due to threats from Hamas and only sought aid once it became possible. “My son and I suffered a lot. But we thank God. I thank everyone who helped me and stood by me,” she said.

Aguilar, who has since been dismissed by GHF and labeled a "disgruntled contractor," had accused the IDF of indiscriminate fire, including claims of tank shelling civilians. The IDF denied the allegations, and GHF disavowed Aguilar’s statements even before confirming the boy’s survival.

GHF Executive Chairman Rev. Dr. Johnnie Moore celebrated Hamdan’s rescue as “a story that ends in hope.” He added, “When this lie was shared from the press to Congress, our team set out to find this little boy not to prove a point, but to save his life.”

The child and his mother are now in an undisclosed safe location. Their case underscores the dangers of misinformation in conflict zones and the stakes for those caught in the crossfire.

"While this story ends happily, it could have ended in tragedy," Moore concluded. "When a child’s life is at stake, facts must matter more than headlines." Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.