For nearly two years, Israeli television has largely overlooked the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focusing instead on narratives of national heroism, the plight of hostages, and military casualties. However, recent months have marked a subtle but significant shift, with some major outlets beginning to broadcast graphic images of malnourished children and in-depth reports on the daily struggles of Palestinians, reflecting growing domestic and international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in the ongoing war.
The change comes against the backdrop of unprecedented global condemnation of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which has sparked deep divisions within the country about the war’s objectives and moral implications. Eran Amsalem, a communications professor at Hebrew University, noted, “It’s not just about empathy for Gaza’s situation, but also a question from an Israeli perspective: Are we acting in a way that aligns with the war’s goals?”
The war’s origins trace back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages. Of those, 48 remain in Gaza, with approximately 20 believed to be alive. The attack, described by some as Israel’s 9/11, dominated local news and fueled a surge of national unity in its early stages. However, as the conflict has dragged on, international attention has shifted to the catastrophic toll on Gaza, where over 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry, staffed by medical professionals but part of the Hamas-run government, provides figures considered reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel disputes them without offering its own estimates.
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Israeli media’s initial reluctance to cover Palestinian suffering has been shaped by restricted access to Gaza. Since the war began, Israel has barred international journalists from entering the region, except for tightly controlled military-organized visits. The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists has called this the deadliest conflict for reporters in its history, with at least 189 Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli fire. “It’s a strange war,” said Raviv Drucker, a prominent Israeli news anchor. “In the 21st century, everyone has a phone to broadcast, but there’s no trusted source on the ground.”
This lack of access has contributed to a media landscape heavily skewed toward Israeli perspectives, often framing Gaza’s suffering in terms of military strategy against Hamas. However, some journalists have faced significant backlash for attempting to highlight the humanitarian crisis. In July, Yonit Levi, a well-known anchor, commented during a report on international coverage of Gaza’s famine, saying, “Maybe it’s time to understand that this is not a failure of public diplomacy, but a moral failure.” Her remark drew fierce criticism, with a pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 analyst labeling her a “Hamas spokesperson” and a right-wing activist accusing her of disrespecting Israeli soldiers.
Right-wing media outlets, such as Channel 14, have often gone further, openly endorsing the killing of Palestinians and the destruction of their homes, with commentators arguing there are no innocent civilians in Gaza. Zvi Yehezkeli, an Arab affairs correspondent for i24 TV, recently celebrated the deaths of five journalists in an Israeli strike on a hospital, baselessly claiming they worked with Hamas to spread “fake news.” The Israeli military, however, stated that none of the journalists, including Mariam Dagga, who worked for the Associated Press and other outlets, were suspected militants, and it denied targeting them.
Despite this resistance, signs of change are emerging. Mainstream Israeli news programs have begun airing interviews with Palestinians in Gaza—often with digital alterations to protect their identities due to risks from Hamas—and covering the starvation crisis exacerbated by Israel’s 2.5-month ban on humanitarian aid earlier this year. Haaretz, a left-leaning newspaper, has been a notable exception, consistently reporting on Palestinian hardships and critiquing Israel’s conduct, even before the war intensified. “After October 7, it became almost taboo to address the suffering of the other side,” said Nir Hasson, a Haaretz journalist. “But I believe the Israeli public is more ready to listen than the media assumes. The media is censoring itself too much.”
The shift in coverage, though limited, coincides with growing protests in Israel calling for an end to the war, particularly to secure the release of remaining hostages. Yet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely dismissed these demands, and appeals for Palestinians have gained little traction amid the lingering trauma of the October 7 attack. As the war continues, the evolving media narrative suggests a slow reckoning with the humanitarian toll in Gaza, though it remains overshadowed by domestic concerns and the polarized political climate. Whether this shift will influence Israel’s policies or public opinion remains uncertain, but it marks a tentative step toward acknowledging the human cost of the conflict.
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