Following the recent events in Gaza, renowned actress Jessica Chastain took to social media, expressing her concerns about the credibility of mainstream media outlets. Chastain highlighted her dismay at the quick conclusions drawn by major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post after the Gaza hospital incident.
In her post, Chastain stated, “It’s distressing that established outlets like @nytimes and @washingtonpost appear to jump to conclusions in their race to keep up with the rapid pace of social media. Can someone recommend a trustworthy place to get well-researched news? Social media, after all, is not the gold standard for credible information.”
The comments came in response to accusations that certain media outlets and individuals amplified incorrect information about an incident in Gaza. Initial reports suggested that an Israeli airstrike was responsible for the death of 500 Palestinian civilians at a Gaza hospital.
However, further details revealed that the actual cause was likely a misfired rocket from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group, which landed in the hospital’s parking area, resulting in fewer casualties and minimal damage to the hospital itself.
Despite these revelations, prominent figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, condemned the alleged attack on the hospital, reinforcing the initial incorrect narrative. Many others echoed these sentiments without waiting for a complete assessment.
In Amman, Jordan, large crowds gathered outside the Israeli embassy compound. The local police had to resort to tear gas to disperse and control the situation.
In Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, demonstrators surrounded the US and French embassies but were unsuccessful in their attempts to breach them. Additionally, there were reports of disturbances near the United Nations Mideast program’s headquarters in the city, with videos from local sources displaying fires near the United Nations building.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, significant gatherings were reported in the capital city of Ankara, the major city of Istanbul, and other towns. According to the secular newspaper Cumhuriyet, a group assembled outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, causing traffic disruptions and raising concerns for the building’s security. Major city squares in Istanbul saw numerous demonstrators, predominantly men, displaying Palestinian flags and voicing anti-Israel sentiments.
Separately, Chastain has been under the media spotlight for her associations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Critics argue she’s part of a celebrity trend of offering public relations support to Zelensky. Last year, on the Fourth of July, Chastain made headlines with a social media post emphasizing her stance on reproductive rights.
