On Israel’s northern front, the terror group Hezbollah increased its rocket attacks on Israel’s Galilee, including the city of Safed, in mid-February. The IDF responded with rockets and artillery fire. Hezbollah was in every case the initial aggressor, with the IDF answering fire with fire. But that was not how the Western media reported the story. More on the attempt to paint Israel as the aggressor in many of the reports, or to blame Hezbollah and the IDF equally, can be found here: “Media Ignore Anti-Israel Rocket Attack, Focus on Israel’s Military Response,” by Chaim Lax, Honest Reporting, February 15, 2024:
On the morning of February 14, northern Israel was subjected to a barrage of indiscriminate rocket fire from Lebanon. Rockets reportedly landed in the city of Safed and an Israeli military base, killing a female soldier and wounding eight others.
In response to this attack, the Israeli air force undertook a “widespread” bombing campaign against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, killing several terror operatives as well as a number of Lebanese civilians….
While some news outlets (like the BBC and Fox News) did properly convey the necessary information in their headlines, explaining that Israel’s airstrikes came in response to the rocket barrage earlier that day, several media organizations failed in this regard, with their headlines leaving out the vital context and turning Israel’s defensive campaign into one of aggression.
For example, The Washington Post‘s headline only mentioned Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, informing its readers that Israel was responding to a rocket barrage only in the report’s third paragraph.
Many readers do not get beyond the headlines of stories, or stop after a paragraph or two. How many of those reading the report in The Washington Post managed to read far enough to discover that the Israeli strikes mentioned in the headline were a response to Hezbollah’s rocket barrage?
As did CBS News‘ headline, which only mentioned Israel’s strikes in Lebanon.
Further, their report indicated that Israel’s strikes were “raising fears of a war” between Israel and Lebanon. It would appear that only Israel’s response raises fears of war, not attacks from Hezbollah against Israel.
It is not Israel that seeks a war with Hezbollah. The IDF has its hands full in Gaza, where Hamas has not yet been dismantled. It is Hezbollah, following orders from Iran, that is trying to divert IDF resources from Gaza to the northern front, and that has shown a willingness to repeatedly attack Israel in the Galilee, despite the punishing responses by the IDF. Hasan Nasrallah knows that Israel is keenly aware that Hezbollah is many times more formidable a fighting force than Hamas, with 150,000 rockets and precision-guided missiles in its armory, more than five times what Hamas possessed on October 7. If war comes, it will be after a Hezbollah barrage that kills many more — likely dozens — of Israeli civilians or soldiers,
Reuters‘ headline only mentioned Hezbollah’s vow that Israel will “pay price” for the “deadly day.”
It took 12 paragraphs for Reuters to even mention at all that Israel’s strikes in Lebanon were in response to a rocket attack.
Reuters’ headline doesn’t mention that Hezbollah had first struck Israel with rockets. Instead, an aggrieved Hezbollah threatens to retaliate, vowing that the aggressor Israel will “pay the price” for its aggression. It took 12 paragraphs for Reuters to note that Israel’s strikes were in response to those rockets. How many readers even make it to the 12th paragraph of any story?
For its part, two Sky News headlines failed to inform its readers that Israel was bombing Lebanon in response to an earlier rocket attack.
The first read: “Israel launches wave of deadly attacks on Lebanon — as Hezbollah vows revenge” while the second headline read: “Children among 11 people killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, say security sources.”
Nothing in the first Sky News headline conveys the fact that Israel’s “wave of deadly attacks” occurred after Hezbollah had fired rockets into Israel. And in the second headline, Sky News uncritically accepts the casualty figures that are supplied by “security services” — that is, the serial liar Hezbollah. That headline, to many a casual reader, will be misread as “Israeli attack kills 11 children.” What Sky News ought to have written is “Hezbollah claims children among 11 people killed in Israeli airstrikes.” The word “claims” introduces the necessary note of skepticism.
Wellington says
The so-called Western media is so compromised, so uninformed, so biased, so shallow, so morally stupid, that nine times out of ten I would suggest viewing said entity the way I do Marxism, i.e., conclude the exact opposite of everything it avers and you will then have at least a 90% chance of being aligned with the truth.
If only what remains of the West had a media which ruthlessly pursued the truth no matter where that path would take it. Alas, this is not the case or even close to the case. Those arguing otherwise reveal either their ignorance or their mendacity.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
The mainstream media empire used to act as a “check” on government – and holding leaders accountable.
Used to…
Over time, it has morphed into being a radical advocate for the Leftist Democrats.
SC says
There is no such thing as collateral damage when fighting Islamic terror. Women, children and even the mentally challenged are used to carry bombs so they become equally legitimate targets. When the brave adult males hide their weapons and themselves in or under schools, hospitals, mosques and UNWRA Offices, those location also become legitimate targets.
Sue says
Isaiah 59:14 KJV — And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
FYI says
If children ever tragically die in any conflict or accident{they do like to explore !} they instantly go to the place where Jesus christ says they go.
“The kingdom of God belongs to them”
Matthew 19 v 14
As tragic as it is for the parents{ it is NOT the will of God!}they will see their children again;and they are in a better place than the world.
I am not just saying that:Jesus Christ does.
Small children{Christian,Muslim,Hindu,Jewish etc}go to the same place
Jesus Christ does not differentiate.Besides small children are innocent..
Kuffar says
Children killed in Israeli strike? That happens when Hizballah hides behind women and children.