Shaun King’s latest article spins a heartbreaking photo into a false narrative about Gaza starvation, and Israel’s not letting it slide.
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, King published a piece claiming a Palestinian child, Adel Madi, starved to death in Gaza, but the image he used was of 14-year-old Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi, who suffered from a genetic neurological disorder, not starvation. The article’s inflammatory headline and sub-headline pinned blame on Israel and the U.S., ignoring the boy’s documented medical history. King’s story, built on a viral photo, crumbled under scrutiny.
King’s headline screamed, “Adel Madi Was Starved to Death,” painting a grim picture of deliberate cruelty. His sub-headline, describing ribs and shoulder blades “pressing through skin,” tugged at heartstrings but dodged the truth. Emotional manipulation doesn’t make facts optional.
Misleading Claims Spark Outrage
Israel fired back on Thursday, August 7, 2025, calling the image of Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi misleading. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) clarified that the boy had a genetic neurological condition, not starvation. King’s attempt to weaponize the photo ignored this critical context.
Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi wasn’t a stranger to Israel’s medical system—he received treatment there in 2018. Far from the villain King portrayed, Israel provided care for the boy years before his image was misused. Facts like these don’t fit neatly into a one-sided narrative.
King’s article claimed, “This is what the U.S. and Israel have done to Gaza.” That’s a bold accusation, but it falls apart when you consider Israel’s documented efforts to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Blaming Israel while ignoring Hamas’s role in looting aid trucks is a convenient oversight.
Viral Images Fuel False Narratives
Images of emaciated Gazan children, like Abdul Qader, have sparked global alarm and accusations that Israel blocks food aid. Yet, the truth is messier—Hamas and other armed groups routinely attack and loot aid trucks, complicating delivery. King’s story sidesteps this reality to push a simpler, angrier tale.
Earlier that week, another viral image of a skeletal Gazan child, 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab, was also debunked by the IDF. Like Abdul Qader, Osama suffers from a serious genetic illness, not starvation, and is receiving treatment abroad. These cases expose a pattern of exploiting sick children for propaganda.
The New York Times, caught in a similar trap, added an editor’s note to a starvation article, admitting a front-page photo featured a boy with “pre-existing health problems.” Even mainstream outlets can get suckered by a compelling image. It’s a reminder to dig deeper than the headlines.
Humanitarian Aid Faces Real Obstacles
Israel has ramped up humanitarian aid to Gaza, countering claims of deliberate starvation. Meanwhile, the United Nations and other agencies struggle to deliver aid effectively. Bureaucratic gridlock and security risks don’t make for clickable headlines, but they’re real.
Hamas’s attacks on aid trucks aren’t just a footnote—they’re a major hurdle. Armed groups looting supplies meant for civilians undermine the very aid King claims is being blocked. Pointing fingers at Israel while ignoring this chaos is intellectually lazy.
The United Nations refuses to work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed group that’s delivered about 100 million meals to Gaza. The GHF uses private security to protect its trucks, a practical move the U.N. could learn from. Ideology shouldn’t trump feeding people.
Truth Takes a Backseat
King’s article thrives on emotion, not evidence, using a tragic photo to fuel outrage. His claim that starvation was “deliberate” ignores the boy’s medical history and the complex realities of aid delivery. It’s a masterclass in cherry-picking facts for maximum impact.
The broader Gaza crisis deserves honest discussion, not manipulative soundbites. Children like Abdul Qader and Osama suffer from illnesses, not just war, and their stories shouldn’t be hijacked for political points. Compassion demands clarity, not distortion.
Shaun King’s narrative collapsed under the weight of truth, but the damage lingers. Viral images and bold claims spread faster than corrections, especially when they feed a woke agenda. Conservatives know better—stick to the facts, and the story tells itself.
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Author: Benjamin Clark
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