Israel Counters False Starvation Claims: Gaza Woman Died of Leukemia Amid Ongoing Propaganda Efforts

August 18, 2025 - Israeli officials refuted media reports claiming a 20-year-old Gaza woman, Marah Salad Mahmoud Zohry, died from malnutrition after evacuation to Italy, revealing she succumbed to promyelocytic leukemia.

Evacuated August 9 via Israeli-Italian coordination, Zohry died August 15 after brief treatment in Pisa. BBC and AP reports highlighted her emaciated state as evidence of starvation in Gaza. COGAT released her Nasser Hospital file showing leukemia, pancytopenia, pleural effusion, and convulsions.

"This young woman suffered from leukemia, not starvation," COGAT stated. Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein labeled the coverage "Hamas propaganda."

This incident exemplifies a pattern of misleading narratives demonizing Israel. Similar cases include NYT retracting a July 2025 story on a "starving" boy with cerebral palsy, and viral images of malnourished children with pre-existing conditions used by media and aid groups without context.

Israel facilitates extensive aid: 1,700 trucks entered Gaza last week via Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings, carrying food and supplies. COGAT reports over 25,000 trucks since October 2023.

UN agencies claim 600 trucks daily needed for Gaza's 2 million residents, but Israel attributes shortages to Hamas hijackings and UN distribution failures. UN reports confirm armed groups, including Hamas, looted 87-88% of aid pallets and trucks in 2025, with Reuters noting executions for looting and suspensions of deliveries due to hijackings.

Netanyahu highlighted such disinformation as an "eighth front" in Israel's defense against Iran and proxies, urging truth to combat lies.