CNN was criticized online early Friday morning after publishing a tweet appearing to suggest that Israel broke a 72-hour cease-fire brokered by the U.N. and U.S.
"8 Palestinians were killed, 15 hurt by Israeli artillery shelling, Palestinian news agency says, calling it a 'violation of the ceasefire,'" the tweet said.
8 Palestinians were killed, 15 hurt by Israeli artillery shelling, Palestinian news agency says, calling it a "violation of the ceasefire."
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 1, 2014
The tweet made no mention of Israeli officials who denied Israel broke the truce. At the time the tweet had been posted, Israel had already said they had acted in self-defense and only retaliated after militants fired upon them.
Users on Twitter were quick to point this out to CNN.
@cnnbrk maybe ask Israeli officials before you spread PA garbage? #ResponsibleReporting#2Sides
— Mike Mazeika (@MikeShakes23) August 1, 2014
@cnnbrk Is this before or after rockets from Hamas, before or after a suicide bomber from a tunnel or before or after a possible kidnapping?
— Bridget Waldron (@bswaldron) August 1, 2014
@cnnbrk shut up already, Hamas fired first! They are bloody asking for it! You are a bunch of liars! What did U learn in journalism school?!
— Natalie Tal (@nati_lv_st) August 1, 2014
@aquil123@cnnbrk Israeli media reporting Hamas fired rockets and IDF responded
— Jason Albert (@jalbert305) August 1, 2014
@cnnbrk Guess you guys just woke up. Hamas fired at Israel 2hrs into the ceasefire, the 6th ceasefire that the terror group has broke. 6th!
— Mike Mazeika (@MikeShakes23) August 1, 2014
Hamas breaks ceasefire, CNN blames Israel @cnnbrk: 8 Palestinians were killed, 15 hurt by Israeli artillery, a "violation of the ceasefire."
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) August 1, 2014
@cnnbrk Hamas fired rockets into Israel breaking the ceasefire, #IDF then retaliated.
— Jojo Goldsmith (@jogold1020) August 1, 2014
The "worldwide leader in news" later posted a followup tweet, saying both sides were blaming each other for violating the cease-fire.
Israel later said that Hamas militants broke the truce when they fired on Israeli forces, killing two soldiers and possibly capturing another.
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