TIMES OF ISRAEL
Washington Post fires one-third of staff, including all its Middle East journalists
David Bauder
February 4, 2026

The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff Wednesday, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage in a widespread purge that represented a brutal blow to journalism and one of its most legendary brands. All the paper’s Middle East correspondents and editors were among those fired. The Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, called the move painful but necessary to put the outlet on stronger footing and weather changes in technology and user habits. “We can’t be everything to everyone,” Murray said in a note to staff members...As of midday, the Post did not have any news of the changes on its website. READ MORE