CIA big shot’s biased bent
A high-ranking CIA official boldly shared multiple pro-Palestinian images on her Facebook page just two weeks after Hamas launched its bloody surprise attack on Israel — while President Biden was touring the Jewish state to pledge the US’s allegiance to the nation.
The CIA’s associate deputy director for analysis changed her cover photo on Oct. 21 to a shot of a man wearing a Palestinian flag around his neck and waving a larger flag, the Financial Times reported.
The image — taken in 2015 during a surge in the long-stemming conflict — has been used in various news stories and pieces criticizing Israel’s role in the violence.
The CIA agent also shared a selfie with a superimposed “Free Palestine” sticker.
The Financial Times did not name the official after the intelligence agency expressed concern for her safety.
“The officer is a career analyst with extensive background in all aspects of the Middle East and this post [of the Palestinian flag] was not intended to express a position on the conflict,” a person familiar with the situation told the outlet.
The individual added that the sticker image was initially posted years before the most recent crisis between the two nations and emphasized that the CIA official’s Facebook account was also peppered with posts taking a stand against antisemitism.
In her role, the associate deputy director is one of three people, including the deputy CIA director, responsible for approving all analyses disseminated inside the agency.
“CIA officers are committed to analytic objectivity, which is at the core of what we do as an agency. CIA officers may have personal views, but this does not lessen their — or CIA’s — commitment to unbiased analysis,” the CIA said in a statement.
12 new captives freed as pause talks falter
Twelve more Hamas hostages were released Tuesday as part of an extended cease-fire deal with Israel — which has reportedly vowed not to extend the shaky peace pause past Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Hamas freed 10 Israelis, all women ranging in age from 17 to 84, and two Thai nationals. No Americans were freed in the latest round, a White House official told CNN.
Israel and Hamas are now discussing plans to extend the deadline for another two days with the same conditions as before, Egyptian sources told the Al-Araby AlJadeed newspaper. But the war pause took a worrisome turn Tuesday when the Israel Defense Forces said three bombs were detonated near Israeli troops in two spots in Gaza, injuring several soldiers and in violation of the cease-fire. Both sides then traded gunfire.
The IDF also said three Israeli soldiers abducted by Hamas were now confirmed dead.
The 10 Israeli hostages released Tuesday were identified as Gabriela Leimberg, 59, and her daughter Mia, 17; Ditza Heiman, 84; Tamar Metzger, 78; Nurlene Agojo, 60; Ada Sagi, 75; Merav Tal, 53; Rimon Kirscht, 36; Ophelia Roitman, 77; and Clara Merman, 63.