A recent report has brought to light that a CNN reporter, Hassan Eslaiah, was “embedded” with Hamas during the terrorist group’s attacks on Israel on October 7. Eslaiah, who has also contributed to the Associated Press, shared images and videos on Twitter/X from the attack. One post included a clip showing Hamas fighters looting a burning Israeli tank, with Eslaiah informing his followers that all Israeli soldiers in the tank were kidnapped.
Despite having prior knowledge of the attacks, Eslaiah chose not to raise the alarm. In response to these revelations, CNN has issued a statement, announcing the suspension of all ties with Eslaiah. The decision follows a report from media watchdog Honest Reporting, which identified Eslaia, along with Yousef Masoud, Ali Mahmud, and Hatem Ali, as the four photojournalists who joined Hamas during the October 7 assault. The work of these reporters, obtained during the attacks, was used in reporting by various corporate media outlets, including CNN and the Associated Press.
Honest Reporting highlighted that Eslaiah deleted several posts from X that he had shared on October 7, where he mentioned being “Live from inside the Gaza Strip settlements.” In response, a CNN spokesperson stated that while they do not “doubt the journalistic accuracy of the work he has done for us, we have decided to suspend all ties with him.” The Associated Press also commented on the matter in a statement to The Washington Times.
“The Associated Press had no knowledge of the October 7 attacks before they happened.
“The role of The Associated Press is to gather information on breaking news events around the world, wherever they happen, even when those events are horrific and cause mass casualties.”
Two photos published by Reuters on October 7 were taken close to the Gaza border as the Hamas invasion began.
Honest Reporting notes that photographers Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa and Yasser Qudih “happened to be at the border just in time for Hamas” infiltration.
“Did the photojournalists who freelance for other media, like CNN and The New York Times, notify these outlets?” Honest Reporting asked.
“Judging from the pictures of lynching, kidnapping, and storming of an Israeli kibbutz, it seems like the border has been breached not only physically, but also journalistically.”
In the video, Eslaiah is seen standing in front of a terrorist attack without wearing a press vest or a helmet, appearing to be part of the Hamas group. In 2021, reports circulated that the Associated Press shared the same office space as Hamas in Gaza. Additionally, Eslaiah has been photographed in an embrace with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an undated photo. It’s worth noting that Honest Reporting was established by veteran Israeli journalist Gil Hoffman.
Its motto is the “audience deserves to know.”
“When international news agencies decide to pay for material that has been captured under such problematic circumstances, their standards may be questioned and their audience deserves to know about it,” one section of their report on Eslaiah reads.
“And if their people on the ground actively or passively collaborated with Hamas to get the shots, they should be called out to redefine the border between journalism and barbarism.”
