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Pulitzer Prize for Gaza Photo Sparks Outcry Over Correction

Supported

Claim checked

“NYT PHOTO CONTROVERSY ERUPTS AFTER PULITZER WIN A New York Times contributor won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for a viral Gaza photo that was used to promote claims of starvation, despite the paper later issuing a correction acknowledging the child suffered from cerebral palsy and “pre-existing health problems.” The original caption stated: “He was born healthy.” Israeli Consul General to Toronto Idit Shamir said: “One of the oldest lies in human history, that Jews deliberately harm children, is award-winning journalism.” Sen. Rick Scott added: “When so-called journalism receives an award for spreading fake news about Israel, it tells you everything you need to know about where the mainstream media currently is.””

Published

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Verdict

Supported

The claim that a New York Times contributor won a 2026 Pulitzer Prize for a viral Gaza photo that was later corrected is supported.

Saher Alghorra was awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for a series of images depicting starvation and devastation in Gaza. One of the most prominent photos in the series, featuring an emaciated 18-month-old boy named Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, was the subject of a significant correction by the Times in July 2025. The paper acknowledged that the child suffered from cerebral palsy and other pre-existing health conditions, contradicting an original caption that suggested he was "born healthy."

9 reviewed sources behind this verdict.

Reasoning

Evidence from multiple sources, including The Jerusalem Post and Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), confirms that Saher Alghorra won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for his photography in Gaza.

The Correction: In July 2025, the New York Times issued an editors' note after it was revealed that the child in the viral photo, Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, had a genetic disorder and cerebral palsy that affected his muscle development. The original reporting had quoted the mother saying the boy was "born healthy," a detail the Times later removed while adding context about his medical history.

Public Reaction: The award has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials and U.S. politicians. Israeli Consul General Idit Shamir and Senator Rick Scott both issued statements on May 10, 2026, condemning the award as rewarding "fake news" or "lies," as cited in the JNS report. While the Times corrected the specific details about the boy's medical condition, they maintained that the broader reporting on starvation in the region remained accurate.

Source quality: The evidence includes contemporary reports from May 2026 confirming the Pulitzer win and the specific reactions from public figures, as well as archived reports from July 2025 detailing the original New York Times correction.

Key checks

  • Pulitzer Prize Award: Saher Alghorra, a contributor to the New York Times, was awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for his series on Gaza.

  • New York Times Correction: The New York Times issued a correction in July 2025 acknowledging that the child in the viral photo suffered from cerebral palsy and pre-existing conditions, removing a claim that he was born healthy.

  • Public Criticism: Senator Rick Scott and Israeli Consul General Idit Shamir both publicly criticized the award on May 10, 2026, using the specific language mentioned in the claim.

Confidence

High

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