On Monday afternoon, CNN's chief international anchor, Christiane Amanpour, issued a public apology via a post on X for remarks she made earlier that day regarding Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
In her initial comments, Amanpour suggested that the hostages were likely receiving better treatment than the average Palestinian in Gaza, stating, “It’s been a terrible, terrible two years for them, because not only are they there — you know, they’re probably being treated better than the average Gazan, because they are the pawns and the chips that Hamas had.”
On CNN, arrogant anchor Christiane Amanpour snidely guessed today that Israeli hostages were “probably being treated better than the average Gazan," hours after Hamas released the last 20 living hostages. PBS actually simulcasts this woman's nasty takes on foreign policy. pic.twitter.com/lJMvWjV0v2
— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) October 13, 2025
Mediaite reports her statement sparked immediate backlash, with critics arguing that it downplayed the severe conditions and trauma faced by the hostages while perpetuating an inaccurate narrative about their treatment.
In her apology, Amanpour acknowledged that her choice of words was "insensitive and wrong," expressing regret for the pain her comments caused. She clarified that her intention was not to diminish the suffering of the hostages or to make light of the dire circumstances they endure. Instead, she aimed to highlight the complex dynamics of the conflict, but admitted her remarks were poorly phrased and failed to convey the gravity of the situation.
Amanpour emphasized her commitment to balanced and empathetic reporting, promising to be more mindful in her future commentary. The apology came amid growing calls for accountability from viewers and advocacy groups, who stressed the need for sensitivity when discussing the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the plight of hostages and civilians alike.