(Headline USA) Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., tried to walk back her debunked claim that Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza on Wednesday, but refused to apologize for spreading misinformation.
Evidence suggests that both Hamas and Israeli forces may have misled the public to an extent in pushing propaganda that was favorable to their respective narratives. Indeed, some have begun to question whether there was any missile strike at all.
Facing widespread calls from fellow Democrats and mainstream media to fall in line with the official state narrative that the source was a misfired rocket from within Gaza, Omar issued what appeared to be something of a non-denial denial.
Our office cited an AP report yesterday that the IDF had hit a Baptist hospital in Gaza. Since then, the IDF denied responsibility and the US intelligence assessment is that this was not done by Israel.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 19, 2023
“Our office cited an AP report yesterday that the IDF had hit a Baptist hospital in Gaza,” she wrote on Twitter. “Since then, the IDF denied responsibility and the US intelligence assessment is that this was not done by Israel. It is a reminder that information is often unreliable and disputed in the fog of war (especially on Twitter where misinformation is rampant).”
Without even acknowledging that she herself had pushed false claims, Omar added: “We all have a responsibility to ensure information we are sharing is from credible sources and to acknowledge as new reports come in. It is critical that we have a fully independent investigation to determine conclusively who is responsible for this war crime.”
Omar was one of several leftist Democrats who parroted Hamas talking points earlier this week following a report that a hospital in Gaza had been bombed. Hamas blamed Israel for the attack, but U.S. intelligence said the explosion occurred due to a misfired terrorist rocket coming from within Gaza.
On Wednesday night, hours after the U.S. government had declared Israel was not behind the attack, Tlaib spoke to pro-Palestinian protesters outside the U.S. Capitol and accused Israel of blowing up the hospital.
“We continue to watch people say it’s OK to bomb a hospital,” Tlaib said. “We are literally watching people commit genocide and killing a vast majority just like this.”
Rashida Tlaib spewed the same lie that Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza just before Hamas supporters stormed the Capitol complex.
Should she be arrested for inciting an insurrection? pic.twitter.com/utNm2NPpWV
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) October 19, 2023
Shortly thereafter, pro-Hamas rioters stormed the Capitol and clashed with police while demanding a Gaza ceasefire.
Tlaib refused to answer questions from reporters after the rally on why she continues to blame Israel for the attack.