Story Behind Iconic Gaza-Clash Photo Unravels

Israel likely not responsible for strike that killed reporter's baby: UN
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 11, 2013 6:54 PM CDT
Palestinian Rocket Killed Gaza Baby: UN
In this Nov. 14, 2012 file photo, Jihad Masharawi weeps while he holds the body of his 11-month old son Ahmad, at Shifa hospital following an Israeli air strike on their family house, in Gaza City.   (Majed Hamdan)

An errant Palestinian rocket, not an Israeli airstrike, likely killed the baby of a BBC reporter during fighting in the Hamas-ruled territory last November, a UN report indicated, challenging the widely believed story behind an image that became a symbol of what Palestinians said was Israeli aggression. Omar al-Masharawi, an 11-month-old infant, was killed on Nov. 14, the first day of fighting.

An AP photograph showed Omar's anguished father, Jihad al-Masharawi, clutching his slain child wrapped in a shroud. Palestinians blamed Israel, and the image was broadcast around the world and widely shared on social media. Now a report from the UN office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says the baby was "killed by what appeared to be a Palestinian rocket that fell short of Israel." Hamas and the BBC declined to comment, and an Israeli military spokesman said he could not confirm or deny whether Israel hit the al-Masharawi house. Click for more. (More Israel and Palestinians stories.)

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