CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour apologized Monday after claiming that Israeli hostages freed from Hamas captivity were « treated better » than Gazans.
CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour apologized Monday after claiming that Israeli hostages freed from Hamas captivity were “treated better” than Gazans — remarks that provoked furious backlash from Israel supporters.
The longtime international correspondent retracted her statement on air just hours after Hamas released the final 20 living hostages under a cease-fire agreement brokered by the United States and Egypt.
“That was insensitive, and it was wrong,” Amanpour said during a broadcast on Monday.
“From speaking to many former hostages and their families, like everyone, I’ve been horrified at what Hamas has subjected them to over two long years,” the veteran anchor and correspondent said on Monday.
“They’ve told me … their stories of barely being able to breathe in the tunnels, not being allowed to cry, being starved, and made to dig their own graves. And of course, today, some of the hostages are coming back in body bags.”
Amanpour’s mea culpa came after she earlier told CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins that the hostages “were probably being treated better than the average Gazan, because they are the pawns and the chips that Hamas had.”
The remark, which aired live during CNN’s coverage of the release of Israeli hostages, immediately drew condemnation from viewers and Israeli commentators who accused her of minimizing the victims’ suffering.
