CNN Airs ‘Graphic’ And ‘Disturbing’ Footage of Israeli Strike on Ambulance Convoy in Gaza
CNN anchor Boris Sanchez warned viewers Friday, “it may be best to turn away now,” as he introduced a graphic video of the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on an ambulance convoy near Gaza’s largest hospital.
“It shows dozens of casualties at Shifa Hospital in Gaza. We’re seeing at least a dozen bloodied bodies strewn across the ground near an ambulance,” Sanchez said as the disturbing video rolled.
Friday afternoon, CNN reported that Israel took responsibility for the strike outside the hospital. The Israeli government released the following statement:
A number of Hamas terrorist operatives were killed in the strike, and we have information which demonstrates that Hamas’ method of operation is to transfer terror operatives and weapons in ambulances.
Reuters reported that “health authorities in the Hamas-controlled enclave said [the ambulance] was evacuating wounded people from the besieged north to the south of the territory.”
The Red Cross seemed to confirm that. CNN reported Friday afternoon that the Red Cross dispelled the IDF’s claims that they bombed the convoy because Hamas was using the ambulances.
“The evidence that we’re getting from the Red Cross does seem to contradict that,” said reporter Melissa Bell.
After the strike, the Palestinian Health Ministry said: “We had notified the Red Cross, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the entire world through communication channels and the media of the movement of ambulances carrying the injured transferred to Egypt, but the occupation committed its crime in all brazenness.”
Before Israel took responsibility for the strike, Sanchez interviewed Mark Regev, advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I want to get to reports of casualties near the Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility. The cause is not yet clear, but the Hamas-run health ministry says it was the IDF. Can you share with us what you know? Was this the result of an Israeli air strike?” Sanchez asked.
“I don’t yet know. Obviously, we will examine the situation fully,” Regev said, continuing:
But let’s be clear. That is the hospital that a few days ago we proved with documented evidence that under that hospital is a command and control center of Hamas. It is a command and control — and out of it is a whole spiderweb of panels connecting Hamas’ subterranean military terror machine.
If you take pictures above ground, you see civilian buildings and you’ll see a hospital. Below them, Hamas has placed its most vital military infrastructure, and this, of course, is a war crime because Hamas is using the hospital as a shield, as a civilian shield for its war machine, and they have to be condemned for that.
Regev said that Netanyahu had been briefed on the situation.
Watch the clips above via CNN.
