The Video Does Not Show John Kirby Denying Civilian Deaths in Gaza

Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading. 

The Statement of John Kirby Was Taken Out of Context 

Misbar's team found the statement, "the right number of civilian casualties is zero" was taken out of context. The comment refers to an acceptable number of casualties, rather than the official count recognized by the U.S. government.

The circulating clip of John Kirby, was taken from a press briefing on Jan. 26, 2024. The official transcript of the briefing is accessible on the White House website. In the clip, Kirby emphasizes, "I want to be very clear - and I know I've said this a million times, and you're all probably tired of hearing it - but that doesn't mean that we excuse any single innocent life lost. The ideal number of civilian casualties is zero." 

Heavy Casualties in Gaza Amidst Ongoing Israeli Bombardment

The health ministry in Gaza has reported that within the last 24 hours, 112 people have lost their lives, while the Hamas press office has documented Israeli air and artillery attacks in the main city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, which has recently faced intense fighting.

A resident of Gaza City, Abir al-Madhun, revealed that Israeli aircraft had dropped leaflets urging civilians to evacuate the Al-Shifa Hospital compound where she had sought refuge. She expressed desperation, stating that their homes were destroyed and their children killed, leaving them with nowhere to go. Al-Madhun pleaded for the shooting to cease so that they could find a safe place to live.

According to the United Nations, nearly four months of ongoing conflict have rendered Gaza "uninhabitable," exacerbated by dire shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine resulting from the Israeli-imposed siege.

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