Israel Condemns UK Daily Mirror for False Gaza Starvation Images

The UK Daily Mirror has faced significant criticism for its front-page depiction of a 3-year-old Gazan child, Karim Ali Fouad Abu Mu’amar, portrayed as starving due to the conflict in Gaza. However, Israeli authorities and multiple reports have clarified that Karim suffers from Fanconi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting nutrient absorption, which explains his condition independent of the ongoing war or food shortages. This incident is part of a broader pattern where media outlets, including the New York Times and BBC, have used images of children with chronic illnesses or genetic conditions to symbolize starvation in Gaza, often omitting crucial medical context. Israeli officials have accused these outlets of spreading Hamas propaganda and manipulating public opinion by ignoring verified medical facts and using these images to push a narrative of deliberate starvation by Israel. While the existence of food shortages in Gaza is acknowledged, experts caution that underlying health conditions complicate the interpretation of such images. The controversy has fueled debates over media bias and the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Western media.