Accounts on X have cast doubt on the authenticity of a photograph capturing the moment a child carries another to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. These accounts labeled the image as staged.

The Palestinian Observatory “Tahaqaq” debunks these claims through an in-depth examination of live and open sources. The investigation confirms that the image was taken by journalist Saeed Jarrus, documenting the arrival of a child at the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, carrying in his arms another child with severe injuries to the face and head. The photograph was published on Jarrus’ Instagram account on December 14, 2024.

In a statement to Tahaqaq, journalist Saeed Jarrus explained that while he was at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital to document the arrival of casualties from the airstrike on the Deir al-Balah municipality building, a child arrived on a cart holding a younger child in his arms. Initially assuming they were siblings, Jarrus recounted how the older child was crying out, “He’s still alive! He’s still alive!” This prompted Jarrus to capture the image within seconds at the hospital’s emergency entrance.

Jarrus further noted that two days after the incident, the child, Firas, returned to the hospital seeking the photographer. Firas revealed that the injured child was not his brother but someone he had found lying on the ground near his workplace following the attack on the municipality building. Firas’ heroic act of carrying the injured child to the hospital exemplifies the courage of Palestinian children. Jarrus later conducted a filmed interview with Firas to recount the incident and confirm the injured child’s identity.

Casualties in the Bombing of Deir al-Balah Municipality Building

At least ten people were killed, and many others injured on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in an Israeli airstrike targeting the Deir al-Balah municipality building in central Gaza.

According to media reports, Israeli warplanes bombed the building, which was sheltering dozens of displaced individuals. The attack claimed the lives of ten people, including the mayor, and left dozens wounded.

This claim’s circulation comes amid the ongoing war in Gaza, now in its 452nd day since the events of October 7, 2023. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 45,541 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, and left 108,338 others injured. These figures remain incomplete as thousands remain buried under rubble or stranded in streets unreachable by rescue and ambulance teams.