Israeli Defense Spox Calls Out MSNBC On Its Own Air About the Hospital Blast: ‘Gave Credibility to a False Number’ of Casualties

MSNBC’s Yasmin Vossoughian locked horns with a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces who argued that claims about Palestinian casualties in Gaza cannot be trusted at face value and have been promoted in the past by MSNBC.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus spoke with Vossoughian on Sunday about Israel’s plans for a possible ground invasion as part of their ongoing counteroffensive against the Hamas terror organization. The conversation largely focused on the endangerment of civilians caught in the middle of the Israel-Hamas war, and it led to Conricus arguing, “When it comes to data coming out of Gaza, please keep in mind that everything that comes out of Gaza is not verified independently.”

“It’s information disseminated by Hamas,” he said, “and Hamas are the equivalent of ISIS when it comes to truthfulness.”

Vossoughian interjected to ask if Conricus was disputing the reported number of women and children who’ve been killed in Gaza.

“I am definitely questioning each and every piece of information that comes out of the Hamas-controlled, so-called Ministry of Health,” Conricus answered. “Each and every piece of information.”

“But many of these, colonel, are being reported by independent journalists that are in the region as well,” Vossoughian countered. Conricus responded by scolding those in the media who cited Hamas-controlled authorities who immediately claimed that Israel bombed Gaza City’s al-Ahli hospital and killed hundreds of people:

The first reports — also reported here on MSNBC, but in many other media outlets — quoting the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, said 500 dead Palestinians in the hospital incident in Gaza.

Do you know how many people were actually killed? The EU estimates that it was between 10 and 50. The 500 is what the Hamas-controlled authority said, and most of the international media fell for that and reported it. It gave credibility to a false number disseminated by a terrorist organization.

That is why I say that we should all exercise caution and skepticism when we get these figures, especially when they speak about civilians, women, and children. Those are the things that they will try to harvest. That is what they are trying to achieve.

Vossoughian then resumed focus on the other casualties of the war, saying, “Many of these reports are being reported by pictures being taken by independent journalists, who are risking their lives every day. They are reporting on what is happening inside of Gaza. I think we can both admit the innocent civilians are losing their lives.”

Watch above via MSNBC.