Netanyahu reviewed three widely circulated images, explaining that in each case the child suffered from a different illness, often genetic, and that surrounding adults and children appeared well-fed. He linked these false accusations to medieval antisemitic libels that often preceded violence against Jewish communities.

Referring to the most prominent case, Netanyahu said the New York Times published a cover photo of Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub and his mother, portraying him as starving. Netanyahu stated the boy has cerebral palsy, his mother is well-fed, and his brother is healthy. He called the newspaper’s correction “postage-size” and buried. “These are the three most celebrated photos and they’re all fake. It’s the kind of malignant lies that were leveled at the Jewish people in the Middle Ages. We won’t allow it to go unchallenged,” he said.

Netanyahu stressed that the purpose of his press conference was to highlight that “Hamas lies,” and to warn against spreading misinformation.