Israel demands answers from CNN, Associated Press and Reuters over claims that freelance photographers were ’embedded’ with Hamas to cover the October 7 attack: ‘These journalists were complicit in crimes against humanity’

The Israeli government is demanding answers from Western media outlets, including CNN, Reuters, The Associated Press and The New York Times, following a media watchdog report that suggested freelance photographers they all hired may have been hired by Hamas on October 7.

The problem – highlighted by Honest reporting – concerns four freelance photographers from Gaza whose work has been published by the media.

Among them is Hassan Eslaiah, a photographer who has now been seen on camera with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

All four media outlets deny any prior knowledge of the Hamas attack and claim they cut ties with reporters. The New York Times today slammed Honest Reporting for its “vague insinuations” defending the photographer it hired.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers are demanding more information.

‘The PMO’s National Directorate of Public Diplomacy considers with the utmost seriousness that photojournalists working with the international media participated in covering the brutal acts of murder committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7 in the communities bordering the Gaza Strip .

“These journalists were complicit in crimes against humanity; their actions were contrary to professional ethics.

‘Last night, the GPO sent an urgent letter to the bureau chiefs of the media organizations that employed these photographers, requesting clarification on the matter. The National Directorate for Public Diplomacy demands that immediate action be taken,” read a statement on the Israeli Prime Minister’s X account.

Yousef Masoud, Ali Mahmud and Hatem Ali have also been providing the Western media with photos of the conflict since October 7. They have collaborated with CNN, The AP, Reuters and The New York Times, according to an article by Honest reporting.

There are serious concerns about what each of the photojournalists knew and when.

The Israeli government has demanded an explanation from the media, all of which have denied prior knowledge of the attack.

In response to the criticism, a CNN spokesperson told DailyMail.com: “We had no prior knowledge of the October 7 attacks.

“Hassan Eslaiah, a freelance journalist who worked for us and many other media outlets, was not working for the network on October 7.

“As of today, we have severed all ties with him.”

In an earlier statement, the network said it had found no “reason to doubt the journalistic accuracy” of his work.

The New York Times completely denied the allegations.

It had hired photographer Yousef Masoud, whose photos depict violence in Gaza.

“The accusation that anyone at The New York Times had prior knowledge of the Hamas attacks or accompanied Hamas terrorists during the attacks is untrue and outrageous. It is reckless to make such accusations, which endangers our journalists on the ground in Israel and Gaza. The Times has reported extensively on the October 7 attacks and the war, with fairness, impartiality and an enduring understanding of the complexities of the conflict.

‘Although Yousef was not working for The Times on the day of the attack, he has done important work for us since. There is no evidence to support Honest Reporting’s insinuations. Our review of his work shows that he did what photojournalists always do during major news events: he documented the tragedy as it unfolded,” the paper said.

The Associated Press in its statement denied having any prior knowledge of the attack and insisted that the first photos it received were taken after it began.

‘The first photos that AP received from a freelancer show that they were taken more than an hour after the attacks started.

“There were no AP personnel at the border at the time of the attacks, nor did any AP personnel cross the border at any time.

“We are no longer working with Hassan Eslaiah, who occasionally freelanced for AP and other international news organizations in Gaza.

‘AP uses images created by freelancers all over the world. When we accept freelance photos, we take great steps to verify the authenticity of the images and show what is claimed.

“The AP’s role is to gather information about major news events around the world, wherever they occur, even if those events are horrific and cause mass casualties.”

Two photos published by Reuters on October 7 were taken near the Gaza border as Hamas’ invasion began.

Honest Reporting notes that photographers Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa and Yasser Qudih “coincidentally arrived at the border just in time for the Hamas infiltration.”

Responding to reporters, a Reuters spokesperson said the agency obtained photos on October 7 from photographers with whom it previously had no relationship.

‘The photos published by Reuters were taken two hours after Hamas fired rockets across southern Israel and more than 45 minutes after Israel said armed men had crossed the border. Reuters journalists were not on site at the locations referenced in the HonestReporting article,” the statement said.

‘Have the photojournalists who freelance for other media, such as CNN and The New York Times, informed these media? Judging from the images of the lynching, kidnapping and storming of an Israeli kibbutz, it appears that the line has been crossed not only physically, but also journalistically,” the HonestReporting article said.

In his video front of the attack, Eslaiah appears to be wearing his own clothing and is not recognizable as a member of the media.

In 2021, it was widely reported that the Associated Press was using the same office space as Hamas in Gaza.

Eslaiah was previously pictured in a loving embrace with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an undated photo.

Honest Reporting was founded by veteran Israeli journalist Gil Hoffman. The motto is: ‘The public deserves to know.’

“If international news agencies decide to pay for material captured under such problematic circumstances, their standards may be called into question and their audiences deserve to know,” reads part of their report on Eslaiah.

“And if their people on the ground were to actively or passively work with Hamas to take control, they would be called upon to redefine the line between journalism and barbarism.”