Michigan

Tim Walz has come under heavy scrutiny after a video went viral on social media, showing the Democrat vice presidential candidate making a swift dash for the exit when quizzed about the discovery of six Israeli hostages killed in the Gaza Strip. 

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The Minnesota governor was posed the question at his home state's state fair in St. Paul, hours after the bodies had been discovered. 

"What's your reaction to the six hostages being found in Gaza?," the Democrat leader was asked as he thanked everybody and left the scene. 

Although it is difficult to ascertain from the footage if Walz heard the question but as soon as it was asked, he left the gathering. 

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The netizens were surprised by Walz's reaction and questioned him for not condemning the killings. 

"This is one of the worst "pretend like he didn't hear the question" acting jobs I've seen in recent years," said one user, while another added: "He’s following the example set by Biden and Kamala. Lay low and don’t answer any questions."

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A third commented: "That is who he is, he turns his back and walks away. Just like he did when he was in service. How can people not see this?"

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As the controversy snowballed, Walz's campaign issued a statement, late on Sunday (Sep 1), condemning Hamas as a "brutal terrorist organisation". 

"The anguish of losing a child is something no family should have to endure. Gwen and I send our deepest condolences to the Goldberg-Polin family, after Hamas' murder of their son Hersh," read a post on Walz's X (formerly Twitter) account.

Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Massive protests hit Israel after six hostages killed in Gaza

What happened in Gaza?

The bodies of six hostages were recovered from a tunnel in the Gazan city of Rafah on Sunday. The hostages were killed before they could be rescued, according to the Israeli military. 

Hersh Goldberg-Polin (23), Ori Danino (25), Eden Yerushalmi (24), Almog Sarusi (27), Alexander Lobanov (33) and Carmel Gat (40) have been identified as the hostages killed by Hamas. 

Also read | 'Blood on their hands': Donald Trump blames 'crooked' Biden, 'comrade' Harris for Gaza hostage killings

Notably, Israeli-American hostage Goldberg-Polin's parents had made an appearance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), held in Chicago last week. 

(With inputs from agncies)