Abstract
This study thematically analyses the frames employed by United States (US) media outlets, specifically Cable News Network (CNN) and The New York Times (NYT), during the Israeli military assault on Gaza between 7 October 2023 and 26 February 2024. By means of Entman’s framing theory and reflexive thematic analysis, the study sought to examine how news headlines portray Israeli hostages, Palestinian prisoners, and Palestinians collectively, reflecting the asymmetrical and inconsistent representations of these groups. It places the current genocide in the larger historical context of settler-colonialism and the alliances held between the US and Israel. This has allowed Israel to operate above international law and act with impunity. This study indicates an inclination of American media to politically align with the Israeli narrative, portraying Palestinians through conflict and episodic framing to dehumanise them and shield Israel from accountability. Additionally, responsibility framing is used to credit US diplomatic and humanitarian efforts while hiding the military and financial support given to enable Israeli genocidal actions. Through the strategic frame, Israeli actions are not portrayed as war crimes or colonial violence, but rather it is represented as strategic choices made by a democratic state. From the analysis, it is apparent that US media coverage warrants consideration in relation to recurrently applied propaganda models and frameworks of media imperialism. This study makes a contribution to the discourse surrounding propaganda and media influence, especially in terms of the colonial agenda that exists between Israel and Palestine.