Israel and the US have rejected the findings and have raised questions about the methodology used, pointing out that some 200 people would be dying of starvation each day following the report’s logic, something not even Hamas claims. Other analysts have noted food prices are falling in Gaza, indicating availability has improved in recent days.
The double-page spread inside the newspaper features another image of the child, with the caption “Desperate Karim, three, is skin and bone from malnutrition”. An image of a different child, whose ribs clearly protrude, being bottle-fed, is also featured, along with the caption: “Child’s agony: Starving Dalya gets fed in Gaza.”
The images, sourced from major photo agency Getty, while powerful and likely shocking to readers, are however, missing some vital information that may contextualise the children’s disturbing condition, it has emerged.
Karim is suffering from a rare genetic condition, Fanconi syndrome, according to a Palestinian woman working as a local journalist, Doaa Albaz. Weight loss is a common symptom of the condition.
Karim is said to be suffering from malnutrition, though also has a series of other serious health problems (Photo: Getty)Middle East Images/AFP via Getty
Meanwhile, Dalya Mohammed al-Zuweidi, has neurological damage due to oxygen deprivation to the brain, which may have had a bearing on her condition.
In the case of Karim, Getty Images, included some information about his medical issues on the original caption it uploaded along with the photos, which media organisations can view when they select the pictures they wish to use.
It failed to mention specifically that Karim has Fanconi syndrome, and that weight loss can be a symptom, though images from the set do detail some of the health problems Karim has.
The accompanying caption from Getty on one image reads: “Karim Muammer, who suffers from many serious conditions such as severe malnutrition, liver enlargement, bone softening, kidney leakage, and severe chest infections, continues to receive treatment at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis under limited circumstances, on August 21, 2025 in Gaza. Karim Muammer, a 3-year-old Palestinian boy living in the Gaza Strip under Israel's attacks, is struggling for his life due to his worsening health condition.”
The image of Dalya used by the Mirror came with the Getty caption: “Five-year-old Dalya Mohammed al-Zuweidi, who lives with her family in a makeshift tent in Nuseirat Refugee Camp after fleeing from Beit Hanoun due to Israeli attacks, suffers from severe malnutrition and neurological damage caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain, on August 20, 2025. She is unable to stand, crawl, or eat without assistance. The ongoing blockade and lack of access to basic food and medicine continue to threaten her condition.”
Israel does not currently allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza unless they are accompanied by a military escort, making it difficult for news organisations to provide accurate and independently verifiable coverage from within the region.
A spokesman for Getty said: “Editorial integrity is of the utmost importance to Getty Images and as such we work with trusted and respected image partners to provide us with factually correct content. In the case of Gaza, we represent content from various editorial partners.
"Where a customer raises a specific concern around a particular image we have open and robust dialogue with our partners to ensure the content stands up to our editorial standards.”
Mirror publisher Reach has been approached for comment.
