Media outlets and news websites published news that Nathari Molkan, a Thai woman and a Hamas hostage, gave birth to a child in Gaza while in detention, reporting that the matter was confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While other reports said that Sarah Netanyahu, the prime ministers wife, sent a letter to Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, explaining “her grief that a woman had given birth while held by Hamas.”
Kashif verified the authenticity of the information by searching public sources and found it to be misleading, in addition to lacking any official information.
- Journalist for the newspaper “ATmag” Dalia Ben Arry interviewed Mulkan’s mother who confirmed that she was not pregnant at all, in addition to confirmation by her friend, who works with her.
- The Israeli Center for Refugees and Migrants, in cooperation with the Workers’ Hotline and the Israeli Agricultural Workers’ Assistance Organization, issued an appeal to journalists last Monday, on 20 November 2023: “Please stop spreading unfounded rumors about the birth of a foreign worker in Hamas captivity.” The statement also confirmed that the claim that she was abducted at an advanced stage of pregnancy is unfounded.
Source of Verification | Source of Claim |
atmag Walla Kan Walla | times of Israel New York post the media line Daily Mail y net news times of Israel |