### Washington Post Faces Backlash over Gaza Aid Massacre Report Correction

The Washington Post’s recent correction on its report about a deadly incident at an aid distribution site in Gaza has sparked widespread online backlash, with critics accusing the newspaper of bowing to pressure and displaying a pro-Israel bias.

On June 1, at least 32 Palestinians lost their lives and over 200 were injured when Israeli troops allegedly opened fire on civilians at two US-Israeli food distribution points in Rafah and central Gaza, according to local officials and eyewitness accounts.

The original Washington Post article on the incident bore the headline: "Israeli troops kill over 30 near U.S. aid site in Gaza, health officials say." The Post also shared the article on social media platform X, stating: "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."

However, on June 3, the Post issued a notice on X, indicating that it had deleted the earlier post and revised the article because it "didn't meet Post fairness standards." The clarification stated that the article had failed to distinguish whether attributing the deaths to Israel was the position of the Gaza Health Ministry or a verified fact by the Post itself.

The newspaper's update acknowledged that it “didn't give proper weight to Israel's denial” and prematurely concluded Israel's involvement in the shootings. Notably, an Israeli military statement asserting unawareness of any injuries caused by the army was included in the second paragraph of the revised article. Additionally, the updated version featured a categorical rejection of the gunfire claims by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), branding them as "completely false."

While some applauded the Post’s note, others condemned it for reinforcing perceived biases in Western media regarding Israel’s ongoing abuses in Gaza. Palestinian writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Mosab Abu Toha questioned the impartiality, arguing that the revision implies Palestinians can be killed without attributing responsibility because of Israel's denial. Investigative journalist Laila al-Arian criticized the correction, suggesting it reflects a tendency to dehumanize Palestinians while uncritically accepting Israeli government statements.

Numerous users on social media accused the Washington Post of cowardice and succumbing to external pressure. Accusations were bolstered by evidence such as a post from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, which some interpreted as an acknowledgment of pressuring the newspaper. Additionally, pro-Israel billionaire Bill Ackman's call on Jeff Bezos to investigate the "false story" prompted further allegations of editorial capitulation.

This episode unfolds amid a series of Israeli attacks on Palestinians at GHF-run aid distribution points, which have drawn accusations from the UN and aid organizations of militarizing humanitarian aid. Since the GHF initiative's launch, Israeli gunfire has caused over 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher noted that the tragic scenes of Palestinians being killed while seeking food are a consequence of "deliberate choices" that have deprived millions of basic necessities.

The Washington Post's correction has thus ignited a debate over media integrity and bias, posing questions about the fairness and accuracy of reporting on one of the world's most contentious conflicts.