As we previously reported, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) took out a building that they said contained Hamas military intelligence operation.

It also contained offices for the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, among other media outlets.

Prior to hitting the building, the IDF warned the media outlets and others in the building to get out before they took down the building.

Some in media were upset that Israel took out the building. But as we noted, how could media not know that Hamas had an operation going on in the building, if they were sharing the building with them? What’s their explanation for that?

Now, the AP is responding to all this and saying in a statement that they are “shocked and horrified” that Israel would target their building. Their CEO is also claiming that they had no idea that Hamas was in the building, even though the AP has been there for years.

AP CEO: "AP’s bureau has been in this building for 15 years. We have had no indication Hamas was in the building or active in the building. This is something we actively check to the best of our ability. We'd never knowingly put our journalists at risk."https://t.co/8UOXMXqwc2 pic.twitter.com/cd4nJFBEiL

— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) May 15, 2021

We are shocked and horrified that the Israeli military would target and destroy the building housing AP’s bureau and other news organizations in Gaza. They have long known the location of our bureau and knew journalists were there. We received a warning that the building would be hit.

The Israeli government says the building contained Hamas military intelligence assets. We have called on the Israeli government to put forward the evidence. AP’s bureau has been in this building for 15 years. We have had no indication Hamas was in the building or active in the building. This is something we actively check to the best of our ability. We would never knowingly put our journalists at risk.

This strike is an incredibly disturbing development. We narrowly avoided a terrible loss of life. A dozen AP journalists and freelancers were inside the building and thankfully we were able to evacuate them in time.

The world will know less about what is happening in Gaza because of what transpired today.

No, you were able to evacuate them because Israel told you to get them out. Had it been Hamas, you would have had no warning because they don’t care about civilians.

I’m not sure that admitting to being ignorant is a best take for the AP to have here. Kind of makes everyone think you really aren’t very good at your job. You know, that whole journalism thing, or that they’re just not wanting to admit that they knew. If the choice is between believing Israeli intelligence and the AP, I’m going to go with the Israeli intelligence.

We’d also like to make another observation about the AP’s response. They did lose their offices, so they have some reason to be aggrieved although no one was hurt. But let’s recall the way that they responded during the BLM/Antifa riots, with millions of dollars in property destruction.

Israel says your building also housed Hamas military assets. All of you were given warning to evacuate, which you did, before the place was destroyed. And AP last year released guidelines saying journalists shouldn’t focus on property destruction. https://t.co/ve6i2NTwIe

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) May 15, 2021

AP stated we must not focus on property destruction it is only the underlying grievance that matters! https://t.co/qnZsQJNrtK

— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 15, 2021

Suddenly they realized that property destruction does matter — when it’s their own. But the destruction of the property of Americans apparently didn’t matter, when the AP had no problem with the ideology of those doing the destruction.

HT: Twitchy