The New York Times faced scrutiny after publishing a viral image of Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, an 18-month-old boy from Gaza with a harrowing appearance that initially led to claims of starvation due to Israel's conflict with Hamas. The photo, which spread widely across social media, prompted a narrative of mass starvation in the region. However, the Times has since appended an editor's note to the original article, issued on Tuesday, which clarifies the child's health condition.
The correction followed the emergence of new information from the hospital that treated Mohammed and from his medical records. A Times spokesperson stated, "We have since learned new information, including from the hospital that treated him and his medical records." The updated report indicates that the boy suffers from a muscle disorder and is currently undergoing special nutrition and physical therapy. His mother, speaking with CNN, confirmed the diagnosis and noted that her son is "happy" and able to "sit upright."
The controversy intensified when HonestReporting, a group monitoring media bias against Israel, highlighted discrepancies between Mohammed and his visibly healthier older brother in the background of the viral photo. The group's efforts, along with those of pro-Israel journalist David Collier, brought to light a May 2025 medical report listing the boy as suffering from cerebral palsy, hypoxemia, and a genetic disorder — details omitted in the initial Times coverage.
Kenneth Roth, a former executive at Human Rights Watch, had described the image as "heartbreaking evidence" of what he deemed Israel's "inhumane blockade." His commentary remains online, despite the updated context surrounding the child's condition. This incident adds to a series of criticisms directed at the Times for what some perceive as manipulative reporting, especially regarding civilian casualties in Gaza. In the past year alone, the outlet has been compelled to issue multiple corrections post-publication.
Despite the editorial note, the original article remains available with the same headline and featured image, placing the correction at the bottom rather than at the top. This decision has led to further debate about journalistic standards and the responsibilities of media outlets in portraying conflicts accurately.
The case of Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq underscores the complexities of reporting in conflict zones, where the rush to distribute compelling imagery can sometimes outpace the gathering of comprehensive facts. It also highlights the critical role of fact-checking and the potential consequences when context is lacking or incorrect information is disseminated.
