The New York Times is receiving criticism for publishing an op-ed authored by Yahya Sarraj, the mayor of Gaza City backed by Hamas. Sarraj describes the situation in the Gaza Strip during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which escalated in early October. The op-ed condemns the Israeli military for its actions, particularly the invasion of Gaza on Oct. 27, following Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry controlled by Hamas, over 20,000 people in Gaza have died since Israel initiated its counterattack, leading to the destruction of approximately half of the buildings in the region. Sarraj accuses the Israeli military not only of physical destruction but also of erasing Gazan culture, including landmarks, the seafront, libraries, and economic prosperity.
The op-ed specifically criticizes Israel for destroying various structures of Gaza City, such as the zoo, the main public library, and the Children’s Happiness Center. Sarraj attributes the loss of Gazan life to the Israeli military’s actions and condemns the blockade, which he claims disproportionately affects the Palestinian population.
The publication of the op-ed has sparked backlash from online conservatives, who accuse The New York Times of amplifying the voice of a high-ranking Hamas member. This controversy draws parallels to a past incident in 2020 when a New York Times opinion editor resigned after publishing an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) advocating for military force against violent participants in Black Lives Matter protests.
