Pentagon Cleans Up After Lloyd Austin’s Congressional Testimony: ‘We Cannot Independently Verify’ Gaza Death Toll

Isaac SchorrFeb 29th, 2024, 3:34 pm
 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made waves while discussing the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas at a congressional hearing on Thursday.

After being asked “about how many Palestinian women and children have been killed by Israel since October 7,” by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Austin replied “it’s over 25,000.” His response was notable because it appeared as though the American government was citing its own figures to confirm the casualty count of the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza.

But the Pentagon has since clarified that Austin was simply citing the health ministry’s estimates. The total toll of more than 30,000 dead cited by the ministry includes Hamas-affiliated terrorists. Here’s the statement that Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh offered to the Jerusalem Post:

During the hearing today, Secretary Austin was asked how many women and children have died in Gaza. To clarify, the Secretary’s answer was citing an estimate from the Hamas-controlled health ministry that more than 25,000 total Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. We cannot independently verify these Gaza casualty figures.

Online, both supporters and opponents of Israel reacted to Austin’s initial claim.

“DefSec Austin says Israel has killed more than 25,000 women and children killed in Gaza. That means that the remaining 5,000 killed are men. Even if ALL these males are Hamas – which they are not – then ~83% of those killed by Israel are innocent!” declared Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute.

“Can we see Austin’s evidence? The Biden regime is disgusting! Of course, Biden paid for Oct. 7 and everything that has followed,” argued Fox News’ Mark Levin. “By the way, how many women and children have Biden and the Democrats killed from their open borders policies?”

The Israel Defense Forces estimate that between 11,000-13,000 of those killed in Gaza have been members of Hamas.

Tags: