Global coverage focuses on IDF strikes

Serious escalation in southern Israel pushed aside in world's leading newspapers, websites in favor of ongoing fighting in Libya, Syrian riots

Roi Simyoni|Published: 04.10.11 , 01:31

"Death toll mounts as Israel strikes again at Gaza," read the headline on the BBC website, which has often been accused of biased reporting when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to the report, "The deaths bring the toll from several days of Israeli strikes to at least 17, including several civilians." The firing of dozens of rockets from Gaza, some of them into hearts of Israeli cities, was also mentioned, as was the success of the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

In general, it appears that the world's leading newspapers and news websites are not addressing the escalation in the south as a development requiring serious treatment. The ongoing fighting in Libya, the riots in Syria, the battles in Ivory Coast, the shooting incident in a mall in the Netherlands, and the nuclear facilities in Fukushima – are all much hotter topics both in Europe and in the United States.

BBC headline after night of targeted killings, rockets

In most news websites, the reports from Gaza and the western Negev have been pushed aside, and most were laconic and did not address the significant development recorded in the current wave of escalation – the Iron Dome's interception of some 10 Qassam rockets and Grad missiles fired at the cities of Ashkelon and Beersheba.

The news outlets which did report of the situation in southern Israel, chose to dedicate a significant part of their reports of pictures to the Israeli army's targeted killings in the Strip, focusing on the death of civilians – including children – alongside Hamas gunmen.

Focusing on Palestinian casualties

British newspaper The Telegraph chose to include a video report on its website, showing Palestinians injured in IDF strikes rushed to hospitals.

CNN is concerned that the recent escalation in the south will lead to another military operation. Its report appears to be more balanced than the BBC's. "With the latest strikes, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed since a Hamas attack on an Israeli bus critically injured a teenage boy Thursday afternoon," the American network reported on its website, and did not forget to mention the ongoing rocket attacks on Israel.

Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram reported that "since the school bus was fired on, Israel has attacked dozens of targets in the Gaza Strip," elaborating on the casualties on the Palestinian side, including a 10-year-old boy.

French daily Le Monde reported at length about the Iron Dome system's deployment and success in intercepting rockets, stressing that many southern residents were forced to spend Friday night in bomb shelters and fortified rooms.