Huckabee Accuses U.S. Media of Spreading Hamas Misinformation About Gaza Aid Incident
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly criticized major American media outlets on Monday, charging them with promoting false claims based on information provided by Hamas.
In a statement released from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, Huckabee specifically named The New York Times, CNN, and the Associated Press, accusing them of contributing to rising antisemitic violence in the U.S. by amplifying what he called a fabricated narrative.
“These claims—that Israeli troops opened fire on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid—are completely unfounded,” Huckabee stated. He pointed to drone footage and eyewitness reports that indicated no gunfire, injuries, or fatalities occurred during the incident, which took place Saturday near a U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food distribution site.
According to Huckabee, the sole source for these allegations was Hamas or affiliated individuals, and he called on the implicated media outlets to retract their stories and issue public apologies. “Repeating unverified statements from a terrorist organization is not journalism—it’s dangerous misinformation,” he said.
He warned that such reporting contributes to real-world consequences, linking it to violent incidents in the U.S., including the recent shooting of two Israelis in Washington, D.C., and the firebombing of a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado.
Highlighting the success of the GHF’s aid efforts—over five million meals distributed without prior incident—Huckabee underscored the importance of responsible journalism in times of conflict. “Publishing Hamas propaganda under the guise of reporting is not only misleading—it incites hatred and violence,” he concluded.
The IDF, which also denied firing any shots during the aid operation, reaffirmed its commitment to coordinating humanitarian aid with international partners and stated it was reviewing the origins of the false reports.
Israeli Forces Hit Hamas Strongholds in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah
As part of its ongoing campaign in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a series of targeted operations on Monday, focusing on Hamas assets in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah.
Troops from the Kfir Brigade, under the 36th Division, dismantled a weapons storage facility in Khan Yunis that contained more than 100 rocket parts and other military equipment. According to the IDF, dozens of Hamas militants were killed in the mission.
In Deir al-Balah, a joint IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) operation struck a Hamas command center used to plan attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians. Multiple operatives were reportedly eliminated in the strike, which the IDF said was carried out with precautions to avoid civilian casualties.
Across the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces and the Air Force targeted terrorist infrastructure including tunnels, weapons depots, and military sites. The IDF stated that these strikes are part of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” a broader effort to dismantle Hamas’s military network and rescue hostages.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces continued sweeping operations throughout Gaza. Intelligence-driven missions led to the elimination of several more Hamas fighters and the destruction of tunnel shafts and additional weapons caches. One strike reportedly caused secondary explosions, confirming the storage of munitions.
The Golani Brigade, also operating under the 36th Division, reported neutralizing booby-trapped tunnels and underground routes in southern Khan Yunis. The IDF emphasized that its ground and air campaigns aim to reduce the threat of attacks against Israeli civilians and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure.
Sen. Graham Mocks Greta Thunberg Over Gaza Flotilla Mission
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) drew attention on Monday with a sarcastic social media remark directed at climate activist Greta Thunberg, who reportedly joined a vessel attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
“Hope Greta and her friends can swim,” Graham posted on X, reacting to the news of Thunberg’s participation in the mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a group with known ties to Hamas.
The flotilla, which set sail from Catania, Italy, aboard the ship Madleen, is carrying what it describes as a “symbolic” amount of humanitarian aid. Organizers stated their goal is to challenge Israel’s blockade, calling it “illegal” and accusing the international community of ignoring what they claimed is a genocide in Gaza.
Israel, which has maintained the naval blockade since 2007, disputes that characterization and insists the measure is necessary to prevent Hamas from importing weapons and other materials used for terrorist activities.
This latest effort follows a similar mission earlier this year when another FFC vessel, Conscience, was damaged off the coast of Malta. The group blamed Israeli drones for the incident, though Israel has not commented on the accusation.
The FFC includes several Turkish NGOs, such as the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation and the Mavi Marmara Association—the latter linked to the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident in which nine activists died during a confrontation with Israeli forces.
As of Tuesday, the Madleen had not yet reached Israeli-controlled waters. No response has yet been issued by Israeli authorities regarding potential action against the vessel.
