New York Times Admits Gaza Hospital Bombing Story Relied On Information From Hamas Terrorists

The New York Times formally addressed its epic failure covering the bombing of a hospital in Gaza.

Claims spread like fire on social media last week that an Israel airstrike had killed upwards of 500 people at a hospital.

There was just one major issue at the core of the news. It was based on information from Hamas - a terrorist organization that shouldn't be trusted under any circumstances. It was later revealed a failed rocket launch from terrorists in Gaza had struck the area. Israel had done nothing wrong.

Yet, that didn't stop idiots on social media from promoting the lie, and media organizations showed zero hesitation from doing the same.

Israel continues to hammer Hamas after the October 7th terrorist attack. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

The New York Times admits messing up Gaza hospital story.

One of the most egregious examples was The New York Times hitting publish on the headline, "Israeli Strike Kills Hundreds in Hospital, Palestinians Say."

The headline was changed multiple times, but screenshots live forever. Now, The NYT has admitted it relied too heavily on Hamas for its information.

The Times stated the following in part Monday morning in a release:

The Times’s initial accounts attributed the claim of Israeli responsibility to Palestinian officials, and noted that the Israeli military said it was investigating the blast. However, the early versions of the coverage — and the prominence it received in a headline, news alert and social media channels — relied too heavily on claims by Hamas, and did not make clear that those claims could not immediately be verified. The report left readers with an incorrect impression about what was known and how credible the account was.
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Given the sensitive nature of the news during a widening conflict, and the prominent promotion it received, Times editors should have taken more care with the initial presentation, and been more explicit about what information could be verified. Newsroom leaders continue to examine procedures around the biggest breaking news events — including for the use of the largest headlines in the digital report — to determine what additional safeguards may be warranted.

NYT admits it botched Gaza hospital story.

It's amazing the following line was printed in a serious publication:

However, the early versions of the coverage — and the prominence it received in a headline, news alert and social media channels — relied too heavily on claims by Hamas, and did not make clear that those claims could not immediately be verified.

"Relied too heavily on claims by Hamas." What an absolutely incredible thing for The New York Times to say and for people to read.

Hamas is a terrorist organization. Terrorists from Hamas went into Israel a little more than two weeks ago and slaughtered more than 1,400 people and took hundreds of hostages.

In what world should anyone trust a single thing anyone in Hamas ever says? The New York Times wants you to believe it's a serious publication. Yet, it openly admitted to trusting terrorists without much thought. Does that sound like a serious outlet to you?

The New York Times admits it messed up the story of a hospital in Gaza being bombed. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

It certainly doesn't to me. The NYT and everyone else spreading lies needs to hold themselves to a much higher standard. Message me at David.Hookstead@outkick.com with your thoughts. I look forward to diving into the issue with the readers.