NBC News made a misleading social media post claiming thousands of Palestinian babies were in imminent danger of dying the day before an anti-Israel radical allegedly gunned down two Israeli diplomats in Washington, DC.
“Around 14,000 babies could die in the next 48 hours if many more aid trucks do not reach Gaza, the U.N.’s humanitarian chief says,” NBC News’ since-deleted post said.
The incendiary — and factually inaccurate claim — was initially made by the United Nations’ humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, on BBC’s Radio 4 Today, garnering international headlines.
The BBC later added a correction to its article, including a walk-back of Fletcher’s comments from a separate UN spokesman, who emphasized the threat of malnourishment instead of impending death.
“We are pointing to the imperative of getting supplies in to save an estimated 14,000 babies suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Gaza, as the IPC partnership [Integrated Food Security Phase Classification] has warned about. We need to get the supplies in as soon as possible, ideally within the next 48 hours,” the UN statement to the BBC read.
For its part, NBC News issued no apology and quietly posted an updated version of its story after outrage spread online over the overt lie.
“Around 14,000 babies face severe malnutrition if a lot more aid trucks don’t reach the Palestinian enclave soon, UN aid group said,” the new post read.
In a follow-up post, the news agency pinned the dramatic tweak on the UN’s clarification to the BBC.
However, the story did not exhibit any change in tone and suggested Israel is “killing babies as a pastime” in Gaza, which some online likened to blood libel.
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The contentious post circulated to millions just one day before anti-Israel radical Elias Rodriguez allegedly gunned down two Israel Embassy diplomats in Washington, DC.
Rodriguez, 31, chanted “Free, free Palestine” as he was led away in handcuffs after he allegedly shot Yaron Lischnisky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, near the Capital Jewish Museum Wednesday night.
The 31-year-old suspected terrorist was charged with murder of foreign officials, double first-degree murder charges, causing death by firearm, and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence.
