CNN came in for sharp criticism Saturday after running a segment that said Israeli hostages rescued in the daring morning operation in Gaza had been released.

Network anchor Victor Blackwell and Ian Bremmer, founder of the Eurasia Group, were both discussing the dramatic mission to save the four hostages when the word “release” appeared in a chyron.


  CNN took heat for a chyron saying Israeli hostages had been “released.” CNN CNN took heat for a chyron saying Israeli hostages had been “released.” CNN

  Freed hostages were united with their families on Saturday, Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI/Shutterstock Freed hostages were united with their families on Saturday, Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI/Shutterstock

Critics pounced, pointing out that Hamas did not willingly release these hostages.

“Come on @CNN the four hostages were RESCUED not released. Do better,” said the account StopAntisemitism in a posting to X.

Yaari Cohen, an Israeli student called the chyron “disgusting, adding that the network “should be ashamed.”

“Hamas didn’t “release” these Hostages, the IDF rescued them after Hamas held them for 8 months!!” Cohen said on X.

Neither man said the word “release,” during the interview, which was about how Israel’s war cabinet minister Benny Gantz would hold off on a press conference in which he was widely expected to quit the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.


  Hamas still has more than 100 Israeli hostages in captivity in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images Hamas still has more than 100 Israeli hostages in captivity in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images


  Almog Meir Jan, a released hostage reacts, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip. REUTERS Almog Meir Jan, a released hostage reacts, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip. REUTERS

The complex Israeli rescue mission in Central Gaza cost the life of Israeli commander Arnon Zamora.

Reps for CNN did not respond to request for comment from The Post.

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