BBC apologises as presenter mistakenly says Israel is ’targeting medical staff and Arab speakers’

The BBC has apologised on air after a newsreader twice mistakenly claimed that Israeli forces were “targeting medical staff and Arab speakers” at Gaza’s largest hospital. The apology came after Jewish leaders slammed the broadcaster for a “staggering lack of care”. A clip of the broadcast showed a newsreader citing a report by news agency Reuters, which described how the IDF had confirmed it would be carrying out a “precise and targeted operation” against terror group Hamas in Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital. Reuters had included a quote from an IDF spokesman which read: “The IDF forces include medical teams and Arabic speakers, who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment, with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians.“ However, the BBC newsreader told viewers that medics and Arab speakers were being “targeted” by Israeli soldiers. Shortly before 10am this morning, a BBC newsreader addressed the issue, saying: “And now for an apology from the BBC. “BBC news, as it covered an initial report, said Israeli forces has entered Gaza’s main hospital. “We said that medical teams and Arab speakers were being targeted. “This was incorrect and misquoted a Reuters report. “We should have said IDF forces included medical teams and Arabic speakers for this operation. “So we apologise for this error, which fell below our usual editorial standards. “The correct version of events was broadcast minutes later.“ Reuters has been approached for a comment. Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: Get the latest headlines: and are websites of The Telegraph, the UK’s best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.