Ben Leo staggered as activist claims October 7 was ‘overhyped’ in heated GB News row

Ben immediately challenged her characterisation, responding: "It was their 9/11. It was the worst atrocity against the Jews since the Holocaust."

The activist's controversial comments came during a broader discussion about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where she also claimed "there's a Holocaust going on now in Gaza" - a comparison that further intensified the already charged atmosphere of the television debate.

The confrontation escalated when Ridley described Hamas as "a resistance group in an occupied territory", adding: "It depends on where you're sitting if they're a terrorist organisation or freedom fighters."

When Ben directly asked if she believed October 7 was justified, Ridley maintained her stance whilst acknowledging the violence: "I thought what happened on that day was horrendous but it wasn't a 9/11."

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She went on to claim that "the first responders misled a lot of the media about what actually happened that day."

Ridley then made further controversial assertions: "We know there was a lot of slaughter by Hamas but we also know the IDF killed scores of innocent Israelis with this Hannibal Directive that's been talked about."

The debate intensified over who could end the conflict, with Leo arguing that Hamas held the key to peace.

"Hamas could stop it. Hamas were elected by the Palestinian people. They could stop it if they stop stealing aid and release the hostages. That's what it comes down to," Ben stated.

He later reiterated: "Release the hostages and it could all end. Hamas could stop nicking aid and stop the war. They could live in Palestine as they were allowed to do so years ago when Israel left Gaza. They said 'crack on with it', but the rockets kept coming."

Ben defended Israel's military response, saying: "I'm not a massive Israel bandwagon cheerleader but when you suffer the biggest atrocity against your people since the Holocaust, you cannot be surprised when someone with the power and the might of Israel hits back."

Ridley disputed Ben's assertion about hostage releases, claiming that a deal had already been within reach.

"They would have been released last year if Israel hadn't reneged on the deal agreed by Qatar and the other brokers guaranteeing the release of the hostages," she stated.

She added: "The hostage families know this, which is why they are rising up as well."

The exchange occurred against the backdrop of ongoing military operations in Gaza, where Israel's defence ministry recently ordered the military to prevent a humanitarian flotilla from reaching the territory.

The war, which began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,218 people, has now resulted in 54,880 deaths in Gaza according to the Hamas-run health ministry.