A recent story about a young boy from Gaza, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces during an aid distribution, is now surrounded by controversy. New evidence, including body camera footage and statements from the boy’s stepmother, raises questions about the accuracy of the original claims.
The boy, identified as Abdul Rahim Mohammed Hamdan Al-Jarabe’a, was said to have been shot on May 28 while at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid site. Tony Aguilar, a former contractor for GHF, shared his account of the incident, claiming he witnessed the boy being killed. His story gained traction online, leading to widespread criticism of Israel and the GHF.
However, Siham Al-Jarabe’a, the boy’s stepmother, insists that her stepson was alive after the date Aguilar claims he died. She states that Abdul Rahim went missing on July 28, two months after Aguilar’s account. Al-Jarabe’a believes her son may have been kidnapped, as she has not seen any proof of his death, such as a death certificate or a body.
In an interview, Al-Jarabe’a explained that she left Abdul Rahim at home on the morning of July 28 while she went to the GHF site for aid. When she returned, he was gone. Just two days later, she saw Aguilar’s video and realized he was the last person to supposedly see her son.
Aguilar’s initial account described a touching interaction with the boy, claiming Abdul Rahim kissed his cheek and thanked him in English before being shot. Yet, body camera footage from another contractor present during the incident tells a different story. The footage shows the boy approaching the camera operator and kissing his hand, not Aguilar’s, and does not capture the emotional exchange Aguilar described.
The contractor with the body camera disputed Aguilar’s narrative, stating that the interaction was exaggerated and calling Aguilar’s story "fabricated." Aguilar, however, maintains that the key moments of his encounter with Abdul Rahim took place off-camera.
In response to the controversy, Aguilar clarified that while he saw the boy lying on the ground during the chaos, he could not confirm that Abdul Rahim was dead. He expressed concern about the use of force by Israeli forces but also acknowledged that he could not definitively say what happened to the boy.
The GHF has stated that no incidents involving Israeli fire occurred at their aid site on that day. They emphasize that Aguilar’s claims are not credible, as contractors are restricted from leaving secure areas during distributions.
Al-Jarabe’a remains hopeful that her son is alive. She has searched hospitals and morgues for any sign of him. The confusion surrounding the timeline and details of the incident has only deepened her distress. She firmly believes that if Aguilar truly witnessed her son being shot, he should be able to provide more concrete information.
As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered. The conflicting accounts highlight the complexities of reporting in conflict zones and the impact of such narratives on public perception.
