The New York Times is facing intense backlash after quietly issuing an Editor’s Note acknowledging that a Gaza child widely used as a symbol of Israeli-induced starvation actually suffered from pre-existing medical conditions — a detail never mentioned in the original piece.
The child, Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, was featured in powerful images circulated by the Times, CNN, Sky News, The Guardian, Daily Mail, and others. Media reports claimed his emaciated frame proved that Israel was starving Gaza — yet his older brother and mother appeared healthy, according to an independent investigation.
Investigative Reporter: Image Was “Deliberately Cropped”
British journalist David Collier exposed what he called deliberate photo framing by major outlets.
“Wider and unpublished pictures show Mohammed’s healthy brother Joud… and a healthy mother,” Collier wrote.
“Media either cropped, blurred, or entirely excluded** the brother from the narrative.”
NYT Editor’s Note: Yes, He Had Pre-Existing Conditions
After the image and story went viral worldwide, the New York Times quietly amended the article, writing:
“We have appended an Editors’ Note to a story about Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq… After publication, The Times learned that he also had pre-existing health problems.”
Despite admitting the omission, the Times defended its reporting, saying:
“Our reporters and photographers continue to report from Gaza bravely, sensitively, and at personal risk.”
Critics Slam the Correction as “Insufficient” and “Dangerous”
The correction, posted on the NYT’s public relations account with just 88,000 followers — not their main account with over 55 million — prompted a flood of outrage on social media:
Josh Kraushaar, Jewish Insider: “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
Shaun Maguire, physicist: “This correction will get 1/1000th the reach. The story was a blood libel against Jews everywhere.”
Andrew Laufer, attorney: “Post this on your main account… This account has a mere 88k followers.”
Marina Medvin, attorney: “Reminds me of that time you buried the Holocaust in the back pages.”
