EXCLUSIVE: A young Gazan boy identified as “Amir,” who reportedly visited a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site and was believed to have been killed by the (IDF) in May, has been discovered alive and was residing with his mother.
In an exclusive interview, the 8-year-old boy, whose actual name was confirmed by the GHF as Abdul Rahim Muhammad Hamden but is known as “Abboud,” and his mother responded to questions provided by Digital through a GHF translator. The pair appeared enthusiastic about their forthcoming extraction from the Gaza Strip.
Abboud and his mother, Najlaa, were safely removed from the Gaza Strip on Thursday; their current location is being withheld for their protection.
“Outside the Gaza Strip is pleasant,” Abboud remarked, according to a translation validated by Digital.
Abboud’s story garnered significant attention after Anthony Aguilar, a former GHF contractor, a 25-year U.S. Army veteran, and retired Green Beret Lt. Col., claimed he witnessed the boy, whom he called “Amir,” being shot by IDF forces outside a facility on May 28.
Aguilar’s account included body camera footage showing the boy approaching him and another contractor, clutching bags of food.
Aguilar asserted that he and Abdul, also known as Abboud, shared a poignant moment where the boy expressed gratitude for the food supplies by kissing his hand and then his face.
The former Green Beret stated that the boy then rejoined other Palestinians who, he claimed in an interview, were subsequently forced to leave the aid site after the deployment of pepper spray, tear gas, and stun grenades.
Aguilar, who was employed as a security contractor for UG Solutions, a GHF subcontractor, then reported hearing gunshots after the Palestinians had departed. Upon reaching the scene, he discovered Abboud and others had been shot by the IDF.
“Shot in the torso, shot in the leg – dead,” he described Abboud’s condition to the outlet.
In his various accounts of the incident to multiple media outlets, and to Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on July 29, Aguilar initially stated the killing occurred outside GHF aid site Secure Distribution Site-1 (SDS). He later told MSNBC on August 2 that the shooting happened near SDS-2, and then informed Dialogue Works late last month that the events transpired outside SDS-3.
The GHF, which terminated Aguilar’s contract in June, initiated an investigation at the end of July to identify the boy and ascertain the circumstances of the event.
Through their investigation, which involved interviewing local residents, they eventually located Abboud’s mother and her son.
GHF verified the identities of Abboud, his mother, and other relatives using facial recognition software, comparing images of the boy with those captured by Aguilar, alongside biometric data shared with Digital.
Exclusive footage obtained by Digital shows Abboud playfully interacting with a GHF representative after he first arrived at SDS-3 with his mother late last month.
“We are overjoyed and profoundly relieved that Abboud is safe, and that this narrative concludes with hope,” GHF Executive Chair Johnnie Moore stated in a release to Digital. “Such an outcome was never guaranteed and is attributable to the bravery and steadfastness of our team of American heroes; veterans who tirelessly sought to locate him and ensure his safety in an incredibly challenging environment.”
As Aguilar’s story gained global prominence, concerns grew that there was an interest in Abboud remaining undiscovered, as his discovery would undermine allegations of brutal and lethal conduct by the GHF and the IDF against Palestinians.
“While this story has a happy resolution, it could easily have ended tragically,” Moore further commented. “Many individuals, including members of the press and civil society, were swift to disseminate unsubstantiated claims without posing fundamental questions.
“When a child’s life is at risk, facts should take precedence over headlines,” he concluded.
A GHF representative involved in the operation confirmed to Digital that Abboud’s mother brought him to SDS 3 late last month, heavily disguised, before the two, along with four male relatives (at least one of whom had received threats from Hamas), were evacuated from the Gaza Strip.
“He and his mother have been relocated to a secure location. We are not disclosing their current whereabouts for their safety and security, but we are confident they are embarking on a new life,” GHF spokesman Chapman Fay informed Digital.
Najlaa expressed her desire for her son’s future, stating she wished him to be “at ease.”
“My son and I endured considerable hardship. However, we are grateful to God,” she added. “I extend my thanks to everyone who assisted and supported me.”