Layla Bashar al-Kloub called Palestinian killers ‘martyrs’ and defended TV presenter accused of Holocaust denial

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

BBC Arabic reporter Layla Bashar al-Kloub has faced criticism for social media posts perceived as anti-Israel and for her involvement in maintaining a casualty list that included individuals linked to militant groups like Hamas. This has raised concerns over BBC’s impartiality and led to a review of their reporting practices and the accuracy of their conflict-related casualty data.

Layla Bashar al-Kloub, a reporter for BBC Arabic, has come under scrutiny for a history of social media posts that some critics say glorify violence against Israelis and express anti-Israel sentiments, raising questions about her impartiality in covering conflict-related casualties.

Investigations into BBC Arabic’s reporting revealed that al-Kloub played a role in compiling and periodically updating a list on the broadcaster’s website naming individuals killed during recent hostilities as “journalists.” However, many on the list were found to have affiliations with Hamas or other militant groups, with some allegedly involved in the October 7 attacks against Israel or supporting violent actions. The discovery has prompted concerns about the accuracy and objectivity of the BBC’s coverage.

Al-Kloub’s online history, dating back to at least 2014, includes statements that refer to Israel’s Jewish population as “terrorists” and describe Palestinians who have killed Israelis as “martyrs.” She has called for divine support for a Palestinian television presenter who faced disciplinary action over accusations of Holocaust denial, though the presenter has denied those claims. In several posts, al-Kloub has rejected Israel’s legitimacy, asserting that the territory “from the river to the sea” belongs to Arabs.

Among those listed as journalists by BBC Arabic was Abdullah Darwish, described as a cameraman for Al-Aqsa TV. Subsequent evidence indicated he was a member of Hamas’s Al-Qassam brigades and participated in combat activities before his death in an air strike in December 2023. Following this, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent American organization advocating for press freedom, removed Darwish and eleven others from its casualty list, determining that they were not journalists or had engaged in hostilities.

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) highlighted al-Kloub’s tweets as problematic and questioned the rigor of the research behind her work. A spokesperson commented on her recognition by the British Council for her Gaza coverage, suggesting that her social media record cast doubt on her suitability to cover such sensitive topics.

In response, a BBC spokesperson stated that the Arabic report, last updated in August 2025, reflected information available at the time and covered casualties from Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel regardless of their affiliations. The broadcaster is reviewing the list in light of CPJ’s June 2026 updates and is examining broader editorial practices. Regarding al-Kloub specifically, the BBC confirmed it treats social media guideline violations seriously and is investigating the matter but declined to comment on individual personnel actions.

Al-Kloub was contacted for comment but did not provide a response.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.