Fact Check: "Bob Rae stated that Hamas’s attacks on October the 7th, 2023, resulted in over 1,200 people being killed in Israel."
What We Know
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a significant attack on Israel, which resulted in a high number of casualties. Reports indicate that Israel stated approximately 1,200 people were killed during this attack, along with 240 individuals taken hostage. This figure has been consistently referenced in various news reports and official statements following the incident. For instance, Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae explicitly mentioned this figure during discussions about a UN resolution, stating that "over 1,200 people were killed" in the attacks by Hamas on that day (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Bob Rae stated the death toll from the October 7 attacks was over 1,200 is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. Rae's comments were made in the context of a UN vote on a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, where he expressed regret that the resolution did not explicitly condemn Hamas's actions. His statement aligns with the reports from Israel regarding the casualties, which have been reported consistently across various media outlets (source-1, source-5).
The reliability of the sources reporting this information is high. Major news organizations such as CBC and The Globe and Mail have covered Rae's statements and the context of the UN vote extensively. These outlets are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking practices. Additionally, Rae's position as Canada's UN Ambassador lends credibility to his statements, as he is directly involved in diplomatic discussions regarding the conflict.
However, it's important to note that the figures reported by Israel regarding casualties can sometimes be contested, and different sources may report varying numbers. For example, while Israel's figures are widely cited, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reported significantly higher casualties from Israeli military actions in the months following the October 7 attacks (source-4). This discrepancy highlights the complexity of the situation and the potential for bias in reporting, depending on the source.
Conclusion
The claim that Bob Rae stated that Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in over 1,200 people being killed in Israel is True. This assertion is supported by direct quotes from Rae and corroborated by multiple reputable news sources. The context of his statement during a UN discussion further confirms the accuracy of the claim.
