US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, during a congressional hearing on Thursday, cited a figure of over 25,000 women and children killed in Gaza, attributing the source to Hamas. This statement quickly drew criticism for relying on casualty figures from the Palestinian Authority, which is under Hamas control. Critics, including defense analysts and media outlets, labeled the citation as irresponsible for a US official. The Pentagon later clarified that although Austin cited these numbers during the hearing, he does not personally stand by the Hamas-provided casualty figures. The incident has sparked a debate on the accuracy of casualty reports and the responsibilities of US officials in quoting such figures.
Pentagon head says over 25,000 women, kids killed in Gaza, inflating Hamas claim https://t.co/SJnFxTbfRX
This is embarrassing from DoD. “Despite citing Hamas's casualty numbers at a congressional hearing on Thursday, the Pentagon clarified to the Jerusalem Post that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin does not stand by those numbers per se” https://t.co/f8A7MQChrt
Pentagon: Austin cites Hamas casualty numbers, but doesn't stand by them https://t.co/IrCZ5O4m77
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin appeared to have cited Hama's casualty figure in Gaza during a press conference but doesn't appear to believe that claim. 🖊️by @jeremybob1 https://t.co/IrCZ5O4m77
This is clearly using Casualty Figures from the Palestinian Authority, which is literally Controlled by Hamas; I don’t know why Secretary Austin decided to say this but it is beyond Irresponsible as a U.S. Official. https://t.co/P630nmnwvn
US Secretary of Defence says Israel has killed more than 25,000 *women and children*. And then offers his complete support to the killing https://t.co/rl4BNL392A