“CNN cannot independently confirm that it was an Israeli strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it could not comment without coordinates of the house. The family declined to provide CNN with the coordinates for fear of reprisal.”
There you have it.
Even if this did happen, were any members of the family Hamas jihadis? CNN doesn’t say. Would CNN run a similar wholly unsubstantiated story about an Israeli family losing family members in the Hamas massacres of Oct. 7? Of course not. Given the fact that “Palestinians” in Gaza have recently been caught lying about casualty figures, should CNN really be repeating such figures uncritically? Of course not. Should CNN retract this story and apologize? Of course. Will it? Of course not.
“Palestinian American family mourns 42 relatives killed in a single day in Gaza,” by Isabel Rosales, Dianne Gallagher and Devon M. Sayers, CNN, October 31, 2023:
Thousands of miles away from the brutality of war in Gaza, Tariq Hamouda and his wife Manal are in disbelief over the loss of three generations of their family.
The Palestinian Americans, who live in Maple Grove, Minnesota, say it’s been over a week since they learned 42 relatives were killed in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and they’re still unable to fully comprehend the news.
Hamouda says his wife, whose maiden name is Saqallah, lost four brothers, a sister and most of their children when two explosions destroyed the Saqallah family compound on October 19 in the Sheikh Ejleen neighborhood of Gaza City.
Hamouda and the family say it was an Israeli airstrike. Israel has launched numerous airstrikes on Gaza City since October 7, including multiple strikes in the area that day.
CNN cannot independently confirm that it was an Israeli strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it could not comment without coordinates of the house. The family declined to provide CNN with the coordinates for fear of reprisal.
A video shot by a neighbor and provided to CNN shows what is left of the family compound; charred ruins and rubble, of what relatives say used to be three buildings, now surrounded by virtually untouched homes in the residential area….
marc says
CNN must have forgotten to ask the surviving family members why they didn’t move south for their own safety as they would have been told to a dozen times.
If they existed, were they Hamas? or did Hamas block them, how? they just shouldn’t have been there, if they existed of course, which CNN can’t verify.
Basho says
CNN does not require or seek independent confirmation of its propaganda.
Larry Estavan says
This same story was broadcast on Minnesota’s CBS affiliate WCCO on Oct 20th, where the casuality figure was 30. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc97_MIwMVc
At the end of the broadcast the news anchor says they have not being able to independently confirm the story.
I called the station about this, and I was told the story was pitched to the station in a press release from CAIR’s Minnesota khalifa, Jaylani Hussein.
Keys says
Thanks for the info on CAIR being involved.
They, CAIR, need to be pressed on this. This reminds of the “Hospital Bombing” with 500 casualties including children blamed on Israel that was an errant Hamas rocket. How many times can CNN get away with this slop?
Shema says
There was a news article in a local paper maybe 5-7 days after Oct 7 saying that a local Palestinian Muslim had 36 relatives killed in Gaza. It was absolutely ridiculous.
Eva says
No tears here.
abu taleb says
Fear of reprisal from whom? Israel or Hamas? If from Israel, it doesn’t make sense because by providing the location of the house they can proof their claim. If from Hamas, why Hamas takes action against Palestinians who support Hamas (although actually Hamas does it).
The only logical conclusion is they fear of reprisal from people for their fake news, just like CNN, the fake news network.
Huapakechi says
moslems lie. It’s encouraged in their koran. Winston Churchill had the right of ’em.
OLD GUY says
If you are a true news agency why are you reporting a story like this without confirmation, I feel for any family who loses family members in these conflicts. Sadly the Palestinians Hamas political leadership started this war with their attack on Israel. It could have been avoided by the Hamas leaders who made that decision, so the death of these peoples family members is on the leadership of Hamas. Israel has the right to self defense and retaliation to these attacks by an organization that wants to kill and destroy Israel and its people.
FYI says
42 relatives
All brothers..
Abdool,Abdoool,Abdooool,Abdoooool,Abdooooool….