The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) confirmed yesterday that the young boy, falsely claimed to have been killed by the IDF and misidentified by Tony Aguilar, a former contractor for UG Solutions, as “Amir,” is alive. He has been taken to a secure, undisclosed location together with his mother. His real name is Abed al-Rahim “Aboud” Mohammed Hamdan.

The announcement follows weeks of efforts by GHF humanitarian aid teams and US veterans, who worked closely with members of the local community to verify the boy’s identity and ensure his safety.

“Thanks to our exceptional relationships with Gaza’s residents; thanks to our aid team, US veterans, and the deep trust built through GHF’s daily aid deliveries, we were able to track down Aboud, and he is now safe,” said GHF Director John Acree. “We are grateful to all the people who worked day and night and contributed to this remarkable mission—including the US Embassy in Israel and regional governments that closely cooperated with GHF to ensure the safety of a child. It is sad that some exploit the tragedy in Gaza for personal or political purposes. Such behavior endangers lives and creates false narratives that harm the Palestinians we are trying to feed.”

“We are overjoyed and feel immense relief that Aboud is safe and that this story has a happy ending. Without the courage and perseverance of our American hero team—veterans who tirelessly worked to find him and bring him to safety under the most difficult conditions imaginable—this would not have been possible,” said Board Chairman Pastor Dr. Johnny Moore. “While this story ends happily, it could easily have ended in tragedy. Too many people—in the media and civil society—were quick to spread unverified claims without asking the most basic questions. The public and policymakers should ask themselves what other stories about GHF are false. When a child’s life is at stake, facts must matter more than headlines. Thank God we were able to save him.”

Tony Aguilar, a former contractor who was fired for inappropriate behavior, fabricated a story claiming that a boy named “Amir” was allegedly shot by the IDF on May 28 after seeking help at a GHF location. Aguilar repeated these claims multiple times in the media, describing in false detail the boy’s “final moments.” He spread photos of the boy in international media, misrepresented their connection, and changed his story each time.

Another lie by the anti-Israel mob exposed!
A month ago, the world was outraged when a security guard who was fired from the Gaza Humanitarian Fund later claimed that a Gazan child who was recorded kissing the officer’s hand to thank him for the food he received was shot shortly… pic.twitter.com/EXsr98dBUj

— יוסף חדאד – Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) September 4, 2025

However, video footage showed that Aguilar’s only interaction with the boy was brief and dismissive—he merely said, “Go home.” Aboud returned home unharmed, but Aguilar’s lie spread quickly—shared by journalists, influencers, and even politicians—putting the boy and his family at potential risk from Hamas.

GHF immediately launched a discreet search for the boy. With the help of community contacts, the organization first located him with his extended family and eventually with his biological mother. His identity was confirmed through multiple methods, including biometric data and the clothing he wore on the day Aguilar falsely claimed to have witnessed his death.

Photo: GHF

The successful operation involved extensive coordination with the US Embassy in Israel and regional governments, which worked with GHF to ensure Aboud’s safe evacuation.

“At the end of July, when Mr. Aguilar published his lies, he spread photos of the boy in international media and deliberately misrepresented their interaction to create a false viral story. This publication directly put the boy and his family in Hamas’s crosshairs, which greatly benefited from Aguilar’s lies and their amplification in the media. If it had become known that the boy was alive, it would have destroyed their propaganda, exposed Aguilar’s lies, and debunked the narrative Hamas used to fuel anger and violence,” said GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay at a press conference today.

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