The BBC has firmly rejected claims from the White House that it misrepresented facts surrounding its coverage of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary for President Trump, accused the BBC of citing "the word of Hamas" in its reporting about a deadly incident near an aid distribution site. Leavitt also incorrectly asserted that a story had been retracted. The BBC quickly countered this statement, declaring, “The claim that the BBC took down a story after reviewing footage is completely wrong. We did not remove any story and we stand by our journalism.”
According to the BBC, the updates made to their coverage regarding the number of casualties were a standard practice for fast-evolving news events, ensuring that the numbers were always clearly sourced—from initial figures provided by medics to the latest data from the Hamas-controlled health ministry and the International Red Cross. The organization stressed that these updates were clearly attributed, with confusion arising from fluctuating reports on the ground.
The disputed incident occurred on Sunday in Rafah, where civilian accounts, NGOs, and health officials indicated that individuals waiting for food were targeted by gunfire, but the Israeli military denied these claims, calling them false. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and Israel, characterized these reports as "outright fabrications."
Compounding the conflicts, the situation on the ground remains difficult to verify as Israel restricts access to international journalists. On the same day of the White House comments, local authorities reported that Israeli forces fired upon civilians, resulting in at least 27 fatalities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) justified their actions, claiming they targeted suspects deviating from designated routes.
In response to allegations that the BBC retracted a related story due to a lack of evidence, the broadcaster clarified a report from Monday that investigated a viral video, showing it was unrelated to the aid distribution center. This footage did not influence their reporting—a point the BBC asserted was vital for transparency and accuracy amidst the restricted flow of information. “International journalists are not currently allowed into Gaza, and we would welcome the support of the White House in our call for immediate access,” the statement concluded.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, particularly since Israel commenced a military action following Hamas’s attacks in early October, with casualties in the Gaza region exceeding 54,470, according to reports from Hamas's health ministry.
According to the BBC, the updates made to their coverage regarding the number of casualties were a standard practice for fast-evolving news events, ensuring that the numbers were always clearly sourced—from initial figures provided by medics to the latest data from the Hamas-controlled health ministry and the International Red Cross. The organization stressed that these updates were clearly attributed, with confusion arising from fluctuating reports on the ground.
The disputed incident occurred on Sunday in Rafah, where civilian accounts, NGOs, and health officials indicated that individuals waiting for food were targeted by gunfire, but the Israeli military denied these claims, calling them false. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and Israel, characterized these reports as "outright fabrications."
Compounding the conflicts, the situation on the ground remains difficult to verify as Israel restricts access to international journalists. On the same day of the White House comments, local authorities reported that Israeli forces fired upon civilians, resulting in at least 27 fatalities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) justified their actions, claiming they targeted suspects deviating from designated routes.
In response to allegations that the BBC retracted a related story due to a lack of evidence, the broadcaster clarified a report from Monday that investigated a viral video, showing it was unrelated to the aid distribution center. This footage did not influence their reporting—a point the BBC asserted was vital for transparency and accuracy amidst the restricted flow of information. “International journalists are not currently allowed into Gaza, and we would welcome the support of the White House in our call for immediate access,” the statement concluded.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, particularly since Israel commenced a military action following Hamas’s attacks in early October, with casualties in the Gaza region exceeding 54,470, according to reports from Hamas's health ministry.
