Once again, CBS News blurs the line between reporting and advocacy for Hamas-adjacent positions. And tonight, it veered into spokespersonship.
Watch as CBS correspondent Lilia Luciano helpfully conveys Hamas’ offer in exchange for the remaining hostages taken captive during the barbaric October 7th terrorist attack:
NORAH O’DONNELL: CBS's Lilia Luciano will start us off tonight with all of the new developments from Tel Aviv. Good evening, Lilia.
LILIA LUCIANO: Good evening to you Norah. And just moments ago, we saw Secretary of State Antony Blinken's motorcade arrive here in Tel Aviv, all part of the U.S.'s efforts to extend that ceasefire, to increase aid to Gaza and, of course, to free all the hostages. And tonight, a leader from Hamas telling CBS news that they are willing to release every hostage, that includes men and soldiers, in exchange for every Palestinian prisoner.
The last time we saw Luciano, she was mischaracterizing violent pro-Palestine campus protests where Jews were threatened as “vigorous debate”. Now she’s on the ground in Israel, conveying Hamas’ offer. What, exactly, is Hamas’ offer? What do they mean by “every Palestinian prisoner”? We don’t know because she segued right into her video package.
And here, again, while mentioning the two kids shot during the IDF counter terror raid in Jenin (West Bank), Luciano made certain that viewers knew who the true aggressor is:
And today, it was clear again that a temporary truce does not mean safety for Palestinian children.
There is no context or details that could provide insight into the shooting, or what happened beforehand. There is only the suggestion that, despite the ceasefire, Israel will continue to find a way to kill Palestinian children.
Instead of serious journalism, CBS viewers get journalisming that dangerously borders on terror advocacy.
Click “Expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on CBS Evening News on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023:
NORAH O’DONNELL: CBS's Lilia Luciano will start us off tonight with all of the new developments from Tel Aviv. Good evening, Lilia.
LILIA LUCIANO: Good evening to you Norah. And just moments ago, we saw Secretary of State Antony Blinken's motorcade arrive here in Tel Aviv, all part of the U.S.'s efforts to extend that ceasefire, to increase aid to Gaza and, of course, to free all the hostages. And tonight, a leader from Hamas telling CBS news that they are willing to release every hostage, that includes men and soldiers, in exchange for every Palestinian prisoner.
The sixth wave of hostages released included the first time an American woman, Liat Beinin, was freed from captivity. But for her father Yehuda, the joy is incomplete. Her sister Tal flew from Portland, Oregon, for the reunion.
What's in your mind, what’s in your heart today? Right now?
TAL BEININ: I'm just very grateful to be here with my family right now. I think that’s the most important thing to me right now. And I am going to feed off of that energy.
YEHUDA BEININ: I need to point out that her husband, Aviv, is still captured in Gaza. And getting him out of Gaza is a more complex issue than getting women and children out.
LUCIANO: And tonight, they heard from the president.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I talked with her mother and father. They are very appreciative and things are moving well. She will soon be home with her three children.
Reporter: Raaya Rotem and her daughter, Hila, separated in captivity just before the 13-year-olds release Saturday, are expected to be together again tonight. The fate of eight more American hostages hangs in the balance. And tonight, a devastating blow to all who awaited news on the release of the Bibas family. Hamas claims 10-month-old Kfir, his 4-year-old brother Ariel, and their mother Shiri, were all killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza. A Hamas leader tells CBS news they are willing to provide evidence. The IDF briefed the Bibas family and said they are investigating those claims. Relatives said in a statement, “we are waiting for the information to be confirmed and hopefully refuted by military officials”.
And today, it was clear again that a temporary truce does not mean safety for Palestinian children. [Gunfire] And in the West Bank today, shocking video emerged showing the shooting of an 8-year-old, 1 of 2 children, the other 15, that the Palestinian Ministry of Health alleges were killed by IDF soldiers. We’ve reached out to the IDF but have not heard back. And today, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs joined the director of the CIA in the region in those efforts to extend the temporary truce, which is still set to end at 7:00 A.M. Local time, which means that they have less than five and a half hours to do so. Urgent. Norah.
O’DONNELL: A critical moment. Lilia Luciano, thank you.
