Overnight, two Palestinian children were reported as being killed by "an explosion" in the northern region of the Hamas-occupied Gaza Strip. Generally, when events like this occur, the first reaction reported by the press is that the evil Zionists were responsible, with quotes from "sources on the ground" confirming the dastardly Zionist machinations to an all-to-willing press corps.
That standard storyline is what I expected to hear as soon as I heard about this event, so it goes without saying that I am very surprised to see that the press is reporting things factually for a change:
Relatives react after two Palestinian children were killed in Gaza August 7, 2007. A rocket fired at Israel by Palestinian militants on Tuesday fell short and killed two Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, ambulance crews said. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA)
Even though we get the traditional crocodile tears, I'm definitely pleased at this new honesty, and hope that it continues to find its way into more of the coverage coming from the region!
(REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
(REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
Update: The Associated Press seems to be a bit more unsure about the source of this explosion:
Palestinian rmourners carry the bodies of Hala, foreground, and Wesam Al Kafarna during their funeral in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip,Tuesday Aug. 7, 2007. A large explosion in northern Gaza on Tuesday killed eight-year-old Wesam and his six-year-old sister Hala and injured five other children, Palestinian health officials said. Witnesses said a group of children stumbled upon a homemade rocket or a mortar shell and began playing with it. The device exploded, injuring all seven children, two of whom died later of their wounds.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
It should be noted that there is only one group in the area that is notorious for building homemade rockets, and it ain't these guys. Frankly, if the AP finds itself so confused about the situation, it could do us all a favour and leave. Lord knows the press coverage would actually improve in quality if they were to do so!
Tags: mohammed salem hatem moussa REUTERS AP #Intifada
