CNN reporter apologises after defending false statement regarding the Hamas-Israel war

While acknowledging that the reports were not confirmed, Sara took to X (formerly Twitter) to own up to her mistake, saying that she needed to be 'more careful' with her words. 

"Yesterday the Israeli Prime Minister's office said that it had confirmed Hamas beheaded babies & children while we were live on the air. The Israeli government now says today it CANNOT confirm babies were beheaded. I needed to be more careful with my words and I am sorry.," Sidner wrote on X.

"The words I used were the PM's office must have proof if they are confirming this. Then President Biden confirmed seeing it. And then backed tracked," she added.

Following the apology, Sidner faced widespread criticism online, prompting one user to come to her defense, calling for civility and asking people to be kind to the reporter. 

"People don't have to be so nasty on here to Sara,” said the user. “Unfortunately, the 'net can be a place where misjudgments are prematurely made and shared with others.”

While agreeing with the user, Sara responded, "I would argue we were mislead. I am going to report on what heads of governments say. That is what new orgs do. It doesn’t mean it’s true but it’s news they said it & had to retract it. In that same report I noted Hamas denied the acts." 

CNN reported separately Thursday that the Israeli government has not confirmed the claim that Hamas fighters cut off the heads of babies during the attack Saturday, citing an unmamed Israeli official.

After a surprise and bloody Hamas raid, Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to the military offensive by the Palestinian group. 

The conflict began Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.