Fury as Kay Burley makes ‘astonishing accusation’ in Sky News Israel interview

Sky News’ Kay Burley left viewers gobsmacked after asking a bizarre question to the Israeli government spokesman.

Eylon Levy, appearing on Ms Burley’s show, could barely contain his amazement at the question, which suggested Israel does not value the lives of its citizens.

Israel and Hamas came to an agreement for a four-day truce this week to facilitate the handing over of hostages on both sides.

150 Palestinian prisoners will be returned by Israel of the approximately 8,300 currently held in Israeli jails in exchange for 50 of the roughly 200 taken by Hamas in their October 7 attack.

Ms Burley said to Mr Levy: “I was speaking to a hostage negotiator this morning. He made the comparison between the 50 hostages that Hamas promised to release, as opposed to the 150 prisoners that are Palestinians that Israel has said that it will release.

“He made the comparison between the numbers and the fact that…does Israel not think that Palestinian lives are valued as highly as Israeli lives?”

Mr Levy could not hide his astonishment at the question, and as he later stated on social media, was briefly “speechless”.

He responded: “That is an astonishing accusation. If we could release one prisoner for every one hostage we would obviously do that.

“We are operating in horrific circumstances. We’re not choosing to release these prisoners who have blood on their hands – we are talking about people who have been convicted of stabbing and shooting attacks.

“Notice the question of proportionality doesn’t interest Palestinian supporters when they’re able to get more of their prisoners out.

“But really it is outrageous to suggest that the fact that we are willing to release prisoners who are convicted of terrorism offences, more of them than we are getting our own innocent children back, somehow suggests that we don’t care about Palestinian lives.

“Really, that’s a disgusting accusation.”

Rachel Riley was among the dozens expressing outrage on social media, responding: “Astonishing, illogical and utterly revolting from Kay Burley.”

Another user posted on X: “I thought I had seen it all. That was the most ridiculous and insane question I have seen.”

Express.co.uk has approached Sky News for comment.

A four-day pause in the fighting was due to come into effect on Thursday, with the hostage releases taking place thereafter, but that choreography was hit with a late hitch.

A senior Israeli official has said the pause will now not take place until Friday at the earliest.