Daily Mirror Uses Sick Gazan Child’s Photo To "Prove" Starvation

The Daily Mirror has sparked outrage with a front-page story featuring a photo of Karim Muammar, a Gazan child with Fanconi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, presented as evidence of “starvation” in Gaza. Critics, including social media commentators and advocacy groups, have slammed the outlet for exploiting the child’s medical condition to push a narrative of famine, arguing that the boy’s visible symptoms, clearly tied to his disorder, are not indicative of hunger.

Fanconi syndrome, a condition affecting kidney function and nutrient absorption, causes symptoms like stunted growth and bone deformities, which untrained observers could misinterpret. X users and commentators quickly pointed out that genuine famine cases would not require the use of a child with a known medical condition to make the case. “If Gaza was truly facing starvation, they wouldn’t need to manipulate images of a sick child,” one post read, accusing the Daily Mirror of misleading readers.

The controversy follows a recent UN report on extreme hunger in Gaza, which Israel has disputed as biased, citing increased aid deliveries, over 90,000 tons in August alone, per N12. Critics argue the Daily Mirror’s framing undermines legitimate humanitarian concerns by conflating medical issues with famine, potentially eroding trust in media coverage of the Gaza crisis. The outlet has not yet responded to requests for comment on the backlash.