TEL AVIV, Sep 7: Israeli media coverage of the Gaza war is beginning to shift, with some outlets now highlighting Palestinian suffering after largely ignoring it for nearly two years.
Early coverage focused on Israeli casualties, hostage families, and military efforts following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and sparked a prolonged war. Graphic reports of malnourished children and life under siege are slowly appearing, driven in part by growing global outrage.
However, critical voices like anchor Yonit Levi have faced backlash, with right-wing commentators accusing them of sympathizing with Hamas. Despite the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, most Israeli media still prioritize domestic narratives.
International journalists remain barred from Gaza, complicating reporting. Some journalists at outlets like Haaretz continue covering Palestinian stories in-depth, though they remain outliers.
Communications experts say the shift reflects internal debate, but has had little impact on government policy or widespread public discourse. (AP)
