"Israel demands answers from CNN, Associated Press and Reuters over claims freelance photographers 'embedded' with Hamas to cover October 7th attack:
'These journalists were accomplices in crimes against humanity'.
In response to the criticism,
a CNN spokesperson told:
'We had no prior knowledge of the October 7th attacks'.
'Hassan Eslaiah, who was a freelance journalist working for us and many other outlets, was not working for the network on October 7th'
'
As of today, we have severed all ties with him.'
In a previous statement, the network said it had not found 'reason to doubt the journalistic accuracy' of his work.
The New York Times issued a full-throated denial of the allegations.
It had hired photographer Yousef Masoud, whose photographs portray the violence in Gaza.
'The accusation that anyone at The New York Times had advance knowledge of the Hamas attacks or accompanied Hamas terrorists during the attacks is untrue and outrageous.
It is reckless to make such allegations, putting our journalists on the ground in Israel and Gaza at risk.
The Times has extensively covered the Oct. 7 attacks and the war with fairness, impartiality, and an abiding understanding of the complexities of the conflict'.
'Though Yousef was not working for The Times on the day of the attack, he has since done important work for us.
There is no evidence for Honest Reporting’s insinuations.
Our review of his work shows that he was doing what photojournalists always do during major news events, documenting the tragedy as it unfolded,'
the newspaper said.
The Associated Press, in its statement, denied having any prior knowledge of the attack and insisted the first photos it received were taken after it began.
'The first pictures AP received from any freelancer show they were taken more than an hour after the attacks began'.
'No AP staff were at the border at the time of the attacks, nor did any AP staffer cross the border at any time'.
'We are no longer working with Hassan Eslaiah, who had been an occasional freelancer for AP and other international news organizations in Gaza'.
'AP uses images taken by freelancers around the world. When we accept freelance photos, we take great steps to verify the authenticity of the images and that they show what is purported'.
'The role of the AP is to gather information on breaking news events around the world, wherever they happen, even when those events are horrific and cause mass casualties'."
Photojournalist Hassan Eslaiah has been filing images of the conflict since October 7 for western outlets including AP and CNN. Photos show him posing with Hamas leaders.
www.dailymail.co.uk