Gigi Hadid Says ‘Israel Keeps Children As Prisoners Of War’

Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid has made controversial remarks regarding the conflict between Israel forces and Hamas fighters. The 28-year-old model has accused Israel of long standing violence against Palestinians and said, “Israel keeps children as prisoners of war.” However, her statement faced a wave of criticism. 

Taking to her Instagram, the American model and television personality accused Israel of killing, torture, rape, abduction, and humiliation of Palestinians. She also said that Israeli actions predated a surprise attack by Hamas fighters on October 7. After receiving backlash, she deleted the post.

Gigi Hadid says ‘Israel keeps children as prisoners of war’

Gigi Hadid’s Instagram story highlighted Israel as the sole country globally that detains children as prisoners of war. She highlighted the case of Ahmed Almanasra, a Palestinian boy apprehended at the age of 13 by Israeli authorities after he attacked a security guard and another young Israeli boy.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His term was subsequently reduced to 9.5 years. Amid Israel-Hamas conflict, the supermodel accused Israel of detaining numerous Palestinian children under harsh conditions in Israeli prisons.

She further alleged that Israeli forces were involved in the unauthorized harvesting of organs from deceased Palestinians. This statement fueled the backlash against her because she did not provide any evidence for her claim.

Israel responded to Gigi Hadid’s statements

Israel, a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea, condemned Gigi Hadid’s statements. The State of Israel countered her narrative by condemning the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israelis.

The authorities defended Israelis’ right to protect themselves against what they described as “barbaric terrorists.” Various countries already recognized Hamas as a ‘terrorist’ organization. 

The EU first listed Hamas as a terrorist organization in 2001. Last year, Australia listed Hamas as a terrorist organization under its Criminal Code. In 2021, the United Kingdom  listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. 

Canada calls Hamas a “radical Islamist-nationalist terrorist organization.” Paraguay also calls Hamas a terrorist organization.

The Department of State of the United States government designated Hamas and two other Palestinian groups, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), as terrorist organizations.