Jerusalem, 5 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli agency COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories: Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip) refuted claims made by Hamas that a 7-year-old boy named Anwar Al-Ashi died this morning only because Israel denied him passage from Gaza for medical treatment.
“Contrary to claims, Anwar’s information was never submitted to Israel for exit. Never,” said COGAT.
“Once again, Hamas is using photos of sick children to push the narrative that suits them and blame Israel,” it added.
COGAT further explained that Israel works with the international community to facilitate the exit of patients and their companions for treatment in third countries. The scale of medical exits, it said, is entirely contingent on a third country submitting a request and agreeing to receive those exiting Gaza.
The comments came after Hamas posted a picture of a healthy-looking boy on social media with a caption that said he died of kidney failure while he was waiting for Israel to approve his “urgent medical treatment abroad.