Image of child trapped under rubble predates Gaza war and shows signs of AI

Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed thousands of children, according to Gaza's Hamas government. An image that social media posts say shows a Palestinian child trapped under rubble, however, actually appeared online at least eight months before the Gaza war, triggered by an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants against Israel on October 7. The image also bears visual irregularities that suggest it had been AI-generated, an expert told AFP.

The image appearing to show a child trapped under concrete blocks was posted here on Facebook on October 19, 2023, and has since been shared more than 4,000…