Washington Post update on Gaza aid group killings article sparks online backlash
A recent correction by the Washington Post regarding its reporting on a deadly incident at a Gaza aid distribution site has ignited a firestorm of criticism and accusations of pro-Israel bias on social media.
On 1 June, at least 32 Palestinians were killed and over 200 wounded after Israeli troops opened fire on civilians gathered at two US-Israeli food distribution points in Rafah and central Gaza, according to local officials and eyewitnesses.
The original headline of the Post article on the deaths read: "Israeli troops kill over 30 near U.S. aid site in Gaza, health officials say". The Post shared the article on X in a post that said: "At least 31 people were killed Sunday morning in southern Gaza, according to the Strip's Health Ministry, when Israeli troops opened fire on crowds making their way to collect aid".
On 3 June, the Post issued a notice on X, saying it had deleted the earlier X post and edited the article because it "didn't meet Post fairness standards".
"The article failed to make clear if attributing the deaths to Israel was the position of the Gaza health ministry or a fact verified by The Post," the newspaper said.
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"The Post didn't give proper weight to Israel's denial and gave improper certitude about what was known about any Israeli role in the shootings," it added. An archived version of the article indicates that an Israeli military statement about being "currently unaware of injuries caused by" the army was included in the second paragraph.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 3, 2025
Among other changes, the newest version includes a categorical rejection of gunfire claims by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which called them "completely false".
'Obsequious apology'
While some social media users welcomed the note from the Post, others accused the newspaper of reinforcing biases in western media coverage of Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza.
"So we in Gaza get to be killed and then the media cannot be sure who killed us simply because Israel denied responsibility? So we are killed but no one killed us? That simple?" asked Palestinian writer and Pulizer Prize winner Mosab Abu Toha.
"Why do you not ask Israel to provide videos from that site showing the world how their soldiers fired 'warning shots' in the heads and chests of starved people?"
Investigative journalist Laila al-Arian said: "This correction only came because Palestinians are dehumanized and deemed untrustworthy, while the Israeli government—engaged in mass slaughter and repeatedly caught lying to the media—is taken at its word."
Absolutely reprehensible journalism. There were thousands of Palestinian civilian witnesses to the massacre who could easily corroborate the report. Of course the criminal denies their crime, it should not be given 'more weight.' https://t.co/lflbaQH6Fq — eli n. (@elinachos) June 4, 2025
Several people accused the Post of "cowardice" and of "backing down" from what they said was a more accurate version of the story.
"We apologize for initially telling the truth," said one user sarcastically in reponse to the newspaper's post.
"The Washington Post is now reporting, about Sunday's massacre: 'While three witnesses said the gunfire came from Israeli military positions, the Israel Defense Forces denied the allegations...' And that led to the obsequious apology below," said another.
So you made the rare mistake of accurately reporting, got yelled at and retracted it.
Cause clearly you guys never cared about fairness and that's why you've been doing Israel's propaganda for years. — B L A K E L E Y™℠©® LLC (@_iamblakeley) June 4, 2025
Others accused the paper of capitulating to pressure from political and other figures.
Some pointed to an X post from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quoting the Washington Post's update: "We told you we'd hold the Fake News accountable."
"The White House all but confirms that it pressured the 'correction' from the Washington Post," wrote one journalist.
The White House all but confirms that it pressured the "correction" from the Washington Post.
If you are at the Post and know what happened, I'm on Signal at harb.12 https://t.co/2KDBSsHSA9 — Ali Harb (@Harbpeace) June 3, 2025
Others pointed to a recent post from pro-Israel billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman calling on Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post, to investigate what he said was the publication of a "false story", prompting further accusations of bowing to pressure.
I had to read this 3 times to make sure it wasn't a parody account.
Nope. Just a formerly reputable publication bowing to institutional pressure, in an embarrassingly ineloquent manner I would add.
Stumbling over words left, right( and centre. https://t.co/HbaHewWEEo — Carmen Alvarez (@maybeitscarma) June 4, 2025
The X post comes amid a string of Israeli attacks on Palestinians seeking aid at distribution points run by the newly established GHF, which the UN and aid organisations have accused of militarising humanitarian aid.
Israeli gunfire has resulted in over 100 deaths and hundreds wounded since the initiative's launch, according to the Gaza-based Government Media Office.
On Wednesday, Tom Fletcher, the UN's aid chief, said that recent "horrifying scenes" of Palestinians being killed by Israeli forces while trying to access food aid were the result of "deliberate choices".
"The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," Fletcher said in a post on X.
"This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."
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