The American newspaper New York Times has responded to Israeli accusations that reports and documents highlighting war crimes and the sniping of children in Gaza are fabricated, affirming that all the documents published in its report two days ago are authentic.
In its statement, the New York Times said: “A recent investigative report gathered firsthand testimonies from 65 health professionals based in the United States who worked in Gaza over the past year. They shared more than 160 images and videos with the Times’ opinion section to corroborate their detailed accounts of pre-teen children who were shot in the head or chest. Following the publication, some readers questioned the accuracy of these accounts and the credibility of three CT images displayed. These criticisms are unfounded.”
The newspaper further stated, “We carefully edited this article before publication, verifying the accounts and images through supporting photographic and video evidence and profile data. We also reviewed the credentials of the doctors and nurses, ensuring that they indeed traveled to Gaza and worked there as claimed. When questions arose regarding the authenticity of the images included in the article, we conducted additional work to review our previous findings. We presented the scanned images to a new round of independent experts specializing in pediatric gunshot wounds, radiology, and trauma, who confirmed the credibility of the images. We compared the photos with video footage of corresponding CT scans, as well as images of the young children’s injuries.”
The statement added, “Although our editors have images to verify the CT scans, we decided, due to their shocking nature, that these images—depicting children shot in the head or neck—were too graphic to be published. We made a similar decision regarding more than forty images and videos provided by the doctors and nurses involved in the study, which depict young children with similar gunshot wounds.”
A Shocking Report:
The New York Times published a detailed report revealing what was described as horrific and shocking details from doctors and nurses who worked in Gaza’s hospitals amid the ongoing aggression launched by the Israeli occupation against the Strip.
The newspaper reported, “A massive amount of information on the scale of destruction in Gaza has been gathered from satellite data, humanitarian organizations, and the Gaza Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, the occupation forces restrict journalists and human rights activists from entering Gaza, except on very limited press coverage trips with the Israeli military. Reports from Palestinian journalists in Gaza have not gained widespread attention, despite the immense risks they face while reporting there.”
The report continued, “Forty-four doctors, nurses, and paramedics witnessed multiple cases of pre-teen children who had been shot in the head or chest in Gaza. Sixty-three health workers observed severe malnutrition among patients, Palestinian medical workers, and the general population.”
The New York Times report added, “The newspaper sent questions about the experiences of these American healthcare workers to the Israeli occupation army. In response, a spokesperson for the army issued a statement, which did not directly address whether the army had investigated reports of shooting pre-teen children or if any disciplinary action was taken against soldiers for targeting children.”
The report further stated, “Fifty-two doctors, nurses, and paramedics noted psychological disorders among young children, some of whom showed suicidal tendencies or expressed a desire to die.”
New Report on War Crimes:
In a related context, the newspaper published another report stating that occupation soldiers forced Palestinian civilians to explore and photograph tunnels and transport objects they believed were booby-trapped.
The New York Times highlighted how the Israeli occupation used detained Palestinian civilians as human shields to avoid endangering their soldiers during reconnaissance missions in the Gaza Strip.
The newspaper, quoting unnamed soldiers and occupation officials, reported that the army, which has been attacking Gaza since October 7, 2023, utilized detained Palestinian civilians as human shields.
The report confirmed that at least 11 teams composed of occupation soldiers and intelligence operatives used Palestinian civilians as human shields in five cities across Gaza.
The newspaper detailed how soldiers forcibly sent detained Palestinian civilians to areas where they believed Hamas fighters had set up ambushes.
The report mentioned that the soldiers forced the Palestinians to explore and film the tunnel networks they suspected were still hiding Hamas fighters. They also made the detainees transport objects they thought were booby-trapped in these tunnels, such as electrical generators and water tanks.
In their statements to the New York Times, seven Israeli soldiers admitted to witnessing or participating in these practices.
These soldiers revealed that the use of detained Palestinian civilians as human shields was a routine, organized practice carried out with the knowledge of their commanders.
