CNN's Christiane Amanpour apologizes for saying Hamas hostages treated 'better' than Gazans

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour has apologized for saying that Israeli hostages, many of whom were killed, raped, and beaten by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, were treated "better than the average Gazan" during the war between Hamas and Israel.

Amanpour originally made the comments on "CNN News Central" when she was reporting on the joy expressed by Israelis after the hostages were brought back home through a deal brokered by President Donald Trump. There had been 20 hostages left living in captivity that Hamas was still able to use as leverage. However, Amanpour argued that because these people were "pawns and the chips that Hamas" was using, they were treated better than those living in Gaza.

"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," Amanpour claimed. "Now Hamas has given up all its leverage, by the way, by giving them all up. So that is a victory for the Israeli side."

The comment was faced with backlash, leading her to make an on-air apology for the comments. "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," Amanpour said. "I noted that for the hostages who are finally home, it will take a long time for them to recover mentally and physically."

"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."

After the apology, Ric Grenell also posted on X about the incident, saying that the outlet forced her to issue the apology. "I’m told CNN made her. She didn’t want to say anything."

Hamas released the 20 hostages that were remaining in Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel on Monday, and they have had to undergo medical checks after being held in captivity for 738 days. None of the hostages who remained alive were women.