WASHINGTON (TNND) — CNN’s chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour apologized for implying that Israeli hostages had better treatment than “the average Gazan.”
In a lengthy post on the social media platform, X, Amanpour said the day the hostages were released was a joyous day and it will take a while for them to physically and emotionally recover.
“But I regret also saying that they may have been treated better than many Gazans because Hamas used these hostages as pawns and bargaining chips,” her post continued.
“It was insensitive and wrong. 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.”
“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,” her post concluded. “On Monday morning, Amanpour was asked her thoughts on the peace deal between Israel and Hamas.”
She implied in a long statement on air that while the hostages suffered, they were treated better than the average Palestinian.
“It’s been a terrible, terrible two years for them, because not only are they there — you know, they’re probably being treated better than the average Gazan, because they are the pawns and the chips that Hamas had. Now, Hamas has given up all of its leverage, by the way, by giving them all up,” she said. “So that is a victory for the Israeli side.”
Hamas freed the 20 remaining hostages that were still alive Monday as part of the agreement after the Israeli military partially withdrew from Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were also released by Israel.
The two-year war began in 2023 after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people. Over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war and a majority of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed.
