Seattle Fox Affiliate Accused of Inflating Gaza Death Toll

KCPQ-TV segment described Palestinian deaths as 'hundreds of thousands,' a massive overstatement according to media watchdog group.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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KCPQ-TV, the Fox affiliate in Seattle, is facing criticism from the media watchdog group CAMERA after a broadcast segment described the Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war as 'hundreds of thousands,' a figure significantly higher than public reporting. The segment also featured claims from a former Amazon employee about the company's involvement in a cloud computing contract with Israel impacting 'violence in Gaza' and 'wiping out nearly half the population.' However, experts and data analysis indicate the actual death toll is much lower, with Hamas manipulating casualty figures.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about media accuracy and the spread of inflated or disputed claims, especially around sensitive geopolitical conflicts. It also raises questions about corporate ties to military and government contracts and the responsibility of companies to address the human impact of their business decisions.

The details

During a Feb. 13 'Washington News Wrap' segment, KCPQ-TV reporter Matthew Smith discussed a former Amazon employee's criticism of the company's involvement in Project Nimbus, a cloud computing contract with the Israeli government. The employee, Ahmed Shahrour, claimed the project was 'used to commit a genocide that has wiped out nearly half the population in Gaza.' However, the UN estimates Gaza's population at around 2.1 million. The segment also stated the conflict had led to 'hundreds of thousands of deaths,' a figure much higher than the 71,667 deaths reported by the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health as of January 2026. Media watchdog CAMERA argued the broadcast did not challenge or contextualize these inflated claims.

  • On Feb. 13, 2026, the KCPQ-TV segment aired the disputed claims.
  • On Jan. 31, 2026, Fox News reported the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health's death toll figure of 71,667.
  • On Feb. 14, 2026, Fox News reported that military experts and researchers reject the 'genocide' allegation in Gaza.

The players

KCPQ-TV

The Fox affiliate television station in Seattle, Washington.

CAMERA

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis, a media watchdog group that criticized KCPQ-TV's coverage.

Ahmed Shahrour

A former Amazon employee who criticized the company's involvement in a cloud computing contract with the Israeli government.

Danny Orbach

A military historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who rejected the claim of genocide in Gaza.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who confirmed the IDF's estimate of 25,000 Hamas terrorists killed since the war began.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about media accuracy and the spread of inflated or disputed claims, especially around sensitive geopolitical conflicts. It also raises questions about corporate ties to military and government contracts and the responsibility of companies to address the human impact of their business decisions.