National Security Council spokesman John Kirby choked up while discussing gruesome images from Israel showing atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists in the Jewish state.
The White House official was at a loss for words Monday when asked by CNN host Jake Tapper about images of kidnapped children, women who may have been raped, and other “horrific” scenes after Saturday’s Hamas incursion on the border between Gaza and Israel .
“I, uh, I’m — sorry. It’s so — I’m sorry,” Kirby, visibly shaken, said as he tried to compose himself.
“It’s so hard to look at this image, Jake, and the human cost. This is human. They are family members, they are friends, they are loved ones, cousins, brothers, sisters. Yes, it was difficult and I’m sorry,” he added.
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Tapper assured Biden administration officials.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby choked up during an interview on Monday.CNN
Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, including rocket attacks and armed terrorists crossing the border, has left more than 700 Israelis dead and more than 2,150 injured.
About 100 people were reportedly kidnapped from Israel and taken to Gaza where they were held hostage.
In addition to the 11 confirmed deaths of US citizens in Israel, Kirby said that “there are other Americans who remain unaccounted for.”
“The US government is doing everything we can to determine where these US citizens are,” he said. “The president has directed his team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.”
Kirby said it was hard to see the image coming out of Israel when considering the “human cost” of Hamas’ weekend attacks. Reuters
“I can’t say for certain that we know that the American people have been held hostage,” Kirby added. “That said, we have to accept the bleak possibility that some.”
Kirby’s reaction on Monday was same as when he became emotional when discussing the violent images that emerged during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“It’s hard to look at … sorry … It’s hard to look at some images and imagine that any sane, serious, mature leader would do that,” Kirby said of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “So, I can’t speak to his psychology, but I think we can all speak to his depravity.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/