London, UK (December 16, 2024): A new report by the Henry Jackson Society (HJS) titled “Questionable Counting: Analysing the Death Toll from the Hamas-Run Ministry of Health in Gaza” raises serious concerns about media coverage of the recent conflict in Gaza. The report argues that media outlets have uncritically relied on casualty figures provided by Hamas, which the report claims are inflated and unreliable.
The HJS report highlights several key points:
- Unreliable Source: The Ministry of Health in Gaza is controlled by Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. The report alleges that Hamas manipulates casualty figures by misclassifying deaths, including combatants as civilians and natural deaths as war casualties.
- Media Bias: The report claims that 98% of media outlets surveyed by fifty.global cited Hamas casualty figures without questioning their source. The report further alleges that media coverage often fails to distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.
- Real-World Consequences: The report argues that uncritically reporting Hamas figures fuels antisemitism. By portraying Israel as the sole aggressor and minimizing Hamas’ role in the conflict, the media is said to legitimize hatred against Jews worldwide.
The report emphasizes the importance of accurate casualty data for fair reporting and policy-making. It argues that inflating civilian casualties undermines Israel’s right to self-defense and obscures Hamas’ responsibility for civilian suffering.
Media Response and Call for Change:
The report criticizes the media’s lack of diligence in verifying sources, particularly in conflict zones. It calls on journalists to scrutinize all sources of data and ensure balanced reporting of complex issues.
The report concludes by stating that the misreporting of Gaza casualty figures is “an ethical crisis” that has fueled antisemitism. It urges the media to uphold journalistic integrity and prioritize accurate reporting to prevent further harm.
This report also challenges the assumption that MoH fatality reports from previous conflicts are reliable and reveals evidence of efforts to hide militant fatalities. We also identify critical differences in the demographic breakdowns reported by the MoH and the Hamas Government Media Office.