CNN reporter Sara Sidner apologized after defending Israel’s claims on a live broadcast that Hamas beheaded babies during last Saturday’s attack, admitting that the reports were not confirmed.
On a social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Sidner wrote on Thursday, “Yesterday the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said that it had confirmed Hamas beheaded babies & children while we were live on the air. The Israeli government now says today it CANNOT confirm babies were beheaded. I needed to be more careful with my words and I am sorry.”
She added, “The words I used were the PM’s office must have proof if they are confirming this. Then President Biden confirmed seeing it. And then backed tracked.”
Sidner faced criticism online following her apology, prompting a response from a user who commented on the need for more civility in online discussions.
A User said, “People don’t have to be so nasty on here to Sara, I see that for myself. She erred. Unfortunately, the ‘net can be a place where misjudgments are prematurely made and shared with others.”
Sidner responded, “I would argue we were mislead. I am going to report on what heads of governments say. That is what new orgs do. It doesn’t mean it’s true but it’s news they said it & had to retract it. In that same report I noted Hamas denied the acts.”
CNN reported on Thursday that the Israeli government has not confirmed the claim that Hamas fighters cut off the heads of babies during the assault on Saturday, quoting an Israeli official.
