The New York Times published a front-page story lasrt Friday, titled "Gazans Are Dying of Starvation," highlighting a severe hunger crisis in Gaza, with a focus on vulnerable groups like children.
The article featured a striking image of 18-month-old Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, held by his mother, Hedaya, with a caption stating he was born healthy but recently diagnosed with severe malnutrition due to food shortages in Gaza. The story detailed dire conditions, citing cases like 17-year-old Atef Abu Khater, hospitalized for severe malnutrition, and 4-month-old Yahia al-Najjar, who died from it. It attributed the crisis to Israel’s blockade, which restricted aid, and described chaotic aid distribution, looting, and overwhelmed hospitals.
On Wednesday, The Times issued an editors’ note after backlash, admitting that Mohammed had pre-existing health issues affecting his brain and muscle development, which contributed to his condition but were not mentioned initially. The updated story clarified that his health deteriorated rapidly due to scarce food and medical care, maintaining that malnutrition was a factor.
The image, taken by Gazan journalist Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim Al-arini, appeared in multiple outlets like The Guardian and BBC, often without the health context.
The article also cited broader data, with the World Food Program noting a third of Gaza’s 2.1 million people skipping meals for days and Doctors Without Borders reporting a sharp rise in malnutrition cases. While Israel claimed it facilitated aid and blamed Hamas for diverting supplies, The Times noted it couldn’t verify these claims due to restricted access for foreign journalists. The correction sparked debate about media accuracy, with some arguing it didn’t fully retract the starvation narrative, while others emphasized that Gaza’s humanitarian crisis remains severe, with or without Mohammed’s pre-existing conditions.