Tehran, May 2: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has accused mainstream Western media of actively facilitating and justifying what he described as genocide in Gaza.
In a post on social media platform X on Saturday, Baghaei cited the book How to Sell a Genocide by Adam Johnson, claiming it highlights how Western media has gone beyond bias to enable and justify mass atrocities.
He alleged that through “carefully crafted language, manipulative framing, and the relentless amplification of Israeli and American official narratives,” Western media has sanitized the situation in Gaza, downplayed human suffering, and whitewashed alleged atrocities, while presenting itself under the guise of professional journalism.
Baghaei’s remarks come amid ongoing international debate over the coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict and its humanitarian impact.
Meanwhile, figures cited in reports indicate that since the declaration of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on October 11, 2025, 823 people have been killed and 2,308 wounded in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has caused widespread destruction across the territory. Preliminary international assessments estimate reconstruction costs at approximately $71.4 billion, with $26.3 billion required within the first 18 months. Gaza’s healthcare system alone is said to require over $10 billion for rebuilding, with recovery projected to take more than five years.
Reports also suggest that more than 371,000 housing units have been damaged, while the region’s economy has contracted by 84%, reflecting severe disruption in production, employment, and investment systems.
Since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its military offensive on Gaza, at least 72,599 Palestinians have been killed and 172,411 injured, according to figures cited in reports, with women and children making up a significant portion of casualties.
