In a remarkable display of media controversy, CNN’s seasoned international correspondent Christiane Amanpour has once again solidified her position as a purveyor of contentious narratives. During a recent broadcast, she suggested that hostages held by Hamas were somehow afforded a better standard of treatment than the typical Gazan, merely because Hamas views them as “valuable leverage.”
“Once those doors are opened, it will be a scene of absolute, abject horror,” Amanpour remarked, highlighting the trauma endured by the hostages, many of whom suffered starvation, torture, and sexual abuse. “It will take a long, long time for them to recover physically, but also mentally,” she added.
Amanpour continued, stating, “It’s been a terrible, terrible two years for them, because not only are they there—they’re probably being treated better than the average Gazan, as they are the pawns and chips that Hamas had.” She noted that this shift constituted a victory for the Israeli side since Hamas relinquished much of its leverage by releasing the hostages. However, she recognized the horrific conditions they were subjected to, claiming, “Many of them were in the war zone, underground.”
WATCH:
“The Israeli hostages have probably been treated better than the average Gazan because they are the pawns & chips that Hamas had.”
Evyatar David was literally forced to dig his own grave.
This is absolutely unacceptable from CNN.pic.twitter.com/ji5ShHpeOG
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 13, 2025
Voicing their outrage, Israel’s Foreign Ministry reacted swiftly, calling out Amanpour on social media: “@amanpour, what on earth are you talking about?? The hostages were starved, tortured, and subjected to sexual violence. Your words are Hamas propaganda on steroids.”
.@amanpour what on earth are you talking about??
The hostages were starved, tortured, and subjected to sexual violence.
Your words are Hamas propaganda on steroids. pic.twitter.com/hGQepIZNot— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 13, 2025
One individual shared a harrowing image of Evyatar David, a former hostage who appeared emaciated and was made to dig his own grave under pressure from Hamas, commenting, “CNN’s Christine Amanpour said that the Israeli hostages were treated well. Here is Evyatar David completely emaciated, as Hamas forces him to dig his own grave.”
CNN’s Christine Amanpour said that the Israeli hostages were treated well.
Here is Evyatar David completely emaciated, as Hamas forces him to dig his own grave. pic.twitter.com/9AhVAEZNkw— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 13, 2025
Another critic weighed in, exclaiming, “Hey @amanpour, is this your definition of ‘Israelis were treated better’ than others in Gaza? Resign in disgrace, Hamas cow.”
Hey @amanpour this is “Israelis were treated better” than others in Gaza? Resign in disgrace, Hamas cow. pic.twitter.com/CU7s5CgBVv
— Jay Collinwood (@collinwood_j) October 13, 2025
Breitbart’s Joel Pollak chimed in, critiquing Amanpour’s insights: “@amanpour knows the hostages did not receive the aid Israel allowed into Gaza or the medicines sent specifically for them. This sparks questions about either a cognitive lapse or something more alarming.”
.@amanpour knows the hostages did not receive the aid Israel allowed into Gaza or medicines that were specifically sent to them. This is either just a brain malfunction or something much more disturbing. https://t.co/Cs0AFVc5gK
— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) October 13, 2025
Richard Grenell, the Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions of the United States, also voiced his disappointment, stating:
. @CNN’s @amanpour just said that the Israeli hostages were treated better than other people.
She’s literally pro-Hamas.
You can sense her frustration with the release of hostages by Trump.
And she says “The Abraham Accords aren’t peace deals.”
She’s a sick woman.— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) October 13, 2025
Amidst the widespread condemnation, Amanpour eventually backtracked, issuing an apology:
“Earlier live on air, I spoke about what a day of real joy this is, for Israeli families whose loved ones are finally being returned from two years of horrific Hamas captivity, and for civilians in Gaza, who have finally had a reprieve from two years of brutal, deadly war. I acknowledged that the hostages who are finally home will take a long time to recover mentally and physically.
However, I also regret stating that they may have been treated better than many Gazans because Hamas used these hostages as pawns and bargaining chips. This was insensitive and incorrect.
Listening to former hostages and their families, I am horrified by what Hamas has subjected them to over these two long years. They’ve recounted their stories of suffocating in tunnels, being denied the right to cry, being starved, and being forced to dig their own graves. Tragically, some hostages are returning in body bags.”
Earlier live on air, I spoke about what a day of real joy this is, for Israeli families whose loved ones are finally being returned from two years of horrific Hamas captivity, and for civilians in Gaza, who have finally had a reprieve from two years of brutal, deadly war.
I noted that for the hostages who are finally home, it will take a long time for them to recover mentally and physically.
But I regret also saying that they may have been treated better than many Gazans because Hamas used these hostages as pawns and bargaining chips.
It was insensitive and wrong.
From speaking to many former hostages and their families, like everyone I’ve been horrified at what Hamas has subjected them to over two long years.
They’ve told me their stories of barely being able to breathe in the tunnels, not being allowed to cry, being starved and made to dig their own graves – and of course today, some of the hostages are coming back in body bags.”— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) October 13, 2025
