Transcripts For CNNW CNN 20240703

Hello and welcome everyone. Im Michael Holmes with the latest on the israelhamas war. The Israeli Military says its bombardment of hamas targets will become even more relentless forward of any other incurrence. Israeli troops appointedsed to strike at hamas on a moments snow. On saturday the idea of Chief Of Staff repeated what they heard all week, we will enter gaza. A spokesman told cnn, it is not a question of if, its when. And the time line, you know, that changes according to many variables in the air and across the sea. The important thing is that the idf will conduct significant Military Operations in order to defeat hamas, in order to bring our hostages home and in order to fundamentally change the Security Situation that we have in southern israel and frankly all of israel. I am the confident that decisions are made by those who make decisions in israel in order to achieve both these aims ive said before, to defeat hamas and all other terrorists in gaza and to bring home our people. It is a very difficult equation to square and we are not going to spare any efforts, intelligence, combat, diplomatic, whatever we can do to bring our people home. Only Israel Military said it carried off an attack, 80 jihad, israel using air strikes but they did in genine, what more do you know . It is michael but jineen has been a hotbed of militancy. When i was in jerusalem at the time reporting on Attack Helicopters being used to provide cover for israeli troops after clashes and indeed after Improvised Explosive Device was used. What we know happened in the strike in israel, used a command and control center, joint attack by hamas and islamic jihad, thats why this was carried out, the cell had previously earlier in the month set off, detonated an explosive by the Security Fins between israel and the west bank and this strike was carried out in order to provide what it described as an imminent Terrorist Attack michael. The Ground Operation in gadsa was imminent, now we think its just coming. What is the latest indicators of timing . Michael we heard about it being imminent and ever since hamas carried out that attack, when 1400 israelis have now died in that. And we have been waiting for it to happen. Israeli has called up 360,000 reservists, it deployed its entire armored corps, it cant be on stand by indefinitely, perhaps plans to go inland were imminent, israel was never dwb going to go into the gaza strip over land while President Biden was in town. But when israel does go in clearly it is going to be a very complicated operation. Not just because of the possibility of very high numbers of civilian casualties but because of the network of Tunnels Hamas maintains underground and because of the 200 plus hostages that hamas is holding and the other militant groups are holding inside the gaza strip. We heard from the spokesman for the idf talking about the main objectives and these are the objectives that israel maintained have been its objectives ever since the flareup of the war and that is to maintain hamas infrastructure and to try and bring hostages back home, is not going to be easy to do and perhaps as we have heard israel is going to be ramping up air strikes in order to provide additional cover which would pave the way for some kind of Ground Incursion. There is a risk to the lives of israeli troops and others to be taken hostage by hamas as an when they go in. But as you say michael, it is a question of when not if. We dont know precisely how or when that will be but we understand it is inching closer. El the yot in london, thanks. Aid organizations are calling for unrestricted access to gaza. Saying in a joint statement from the u. N, time is running out to help Tens Of Thousands in need of medical assistants, selma abdul azis, report includes disturbing video. Hospitals in gaza are crumbling. Everything is running out from Surgical Equipment omedicine. And the tiniest lives are left hanging in the balance. We need power. We need access to clean water, this doctor set. Without basic services, this will be a humanitarian catastrophe. Already, seven hospitals and 21 primary Health Care Facilities here are out of service, according to palestinian officials because of shortages. After intense gloik diplomatic efforts, as a trickle of aid was loud in from egypt but the trickle is in an ocean of need here. What entered this enclave daily prior to the conflict. More than 200 additional trucks of assistance remain stalled on the egyptian side according to the u. N, and every hour costs lives and so far no civilians can leave the enclave. 10yearold american aden is among those trapped. We have Nowhere To Go, all the streets are bombed. How are we supposed to go out and how if all closed . Even if these people are allowed out, most likely only a limited number, with foreign passports. Half of them children into this housing scape. But some refuse to go even if they could, fearing Israel Intends to bomb and bee technologically them in their homes never to return. Even as mahmoud buries his children he says he will keep fighting just to exist here. We will be patient, as long as we are alive on this world we will be patient, we will never leave this land. When hamas killed more than 1400 people in israel in a brutal surprise incursion, israel vowed to wipe out hamas. But with hundreds of air strikes pounding the densely populated enclave a day, innocent blood is being spilled. Innocent children were struck down when they were sleeping, this woman yells, these are innocent children who know nothing. Tell us when will this end . There are calls for a cease fire to get civilians out of the war zone and allow more aid into gaza but the pleas fall on deaf ears so far. Israel is preparing for the next phase of its operations a potential Ground Incursion that can only bring more suffering. Joining me now have new york, frances cca albanase, im glad o be able to get you on. Lets start with that aid thats gotten in minimal as as it is. Something rather than nothing. How minimal is it, on top of whats needed . Before the incursion the situation in gaza was already horrific, israeli and palestinian organizations, and back then there were hundreds of trucks getting in every day. So how can 20 trucks meet the needs of a population that has been bombarded for two weeks with 30 of the Housing Units destroyed, the hospitals being barely able to function, they have finished most of the supplies and medical supplies needed but also the convoys that are entering gaza do not transport fuel. And fuel is needed for desalinization of water, because people in gaza are now allowed to consume 3 liters per day, versus the 100 liters a day as recommended. And the children who risk to die in incubators and prays that and operations that cannot be there. The situation is beyond dramatic. It is beyond an epic hoounl taken failure. They need fuel to run generators to pump it to where it needs to go. Some of the statistics of fighting, the u. N. Ocha is estimating more than 160,000 homes in gaza have been damaged or destroyed so far. 1. 4 million gazans more than half the population have been displaced. What is the human impact of those numbers . What are you hearing from staff and civilians inside about that impact . I hope that these numbers do not come across as sister ills, 1. 4 million displaced. Yes as you said it is more than half of the gaza population, without a roof on their head. And half of the population of gaza is made of children. 4300 people have already been killed. 1400 of them are children. Of course this we are talking of a population whos extremely, extremely distressed, traumatized also because they come from six years of unlawful vacate, already gone through six major wars. Look the situation is disastrous. And i do not think that by all any means, Security Response was what the situation between israelis and palestinian needed. And surely, this is not going to bring more peace to this tormented land. I wanted to ask you you know,. Johnny we know the blockade by israel, no food no fuel no water no medicine. Do you know of people who have died as a direct result of the blocking of water, food, fuel and so on, as distinct from the bombardment . Im just curious if you know whether the closing off of literally everything has caused lives there as opposed to the potential to do so . Michael i understand this question. But its impossible to give an answer amidst this chaos. You asked me about my opinion of the people of gaza. My first entry points are humanitarian actors, Human Rights Actors and even the house he of the directors of the most renown Human Rights Organizations as raji surani who is the head and icon of human rights engagement, hes been taken out of the rubbles. And im glad to know that he is alive but these are the kind of challenges that the people in gaza are facing. It is very difficult to have information, in the first place because they do not have electricity to communicate and the situation is just too volatile to be able to provide to indicators who are referring to. Yes. What do you know about the capabilities of the facilities inside gaza, schools, other facilities, most of which are being used as shelter for many thousands of civilians. How overrun are they, are they under threat . They are critically under threat. Half a million are sheltered in schools, i think over 170,000 im sorry, 170 schools have been hit including 20 schools, hospitals, mosques and schools are all targeted. So there was a hospital who was bombed, hospital a few days ago and now there is another Hospital Alkuds hospital who is hosting 1200 patients and 12,000 idps internal gl displaced peo. There is no reason to postpone it. It is clearly desperate. You know israel dropped fliers over gaza city saturday and basically it told civilians who dont head to the south that they, quote, might be considered as a partner for a terrorist organization in the event of a Ground Incursion. That is a pretty dire and direct warning. That is our translation of a leaf let that was in arabic. How worse can things get in a Ground Invasion . I just hope that your viewers appreciate is how unlawful all this is. You cannot tell civilians that if they dont leave a given area, if they do not abide by a Mass Evacuation order, to where north to south of gaza, is being bombed, there is Nowhere To Go and there are sick people, elderly people, people with sick and newborn, it is absolutely outrageous to equate anyone who doesnt move to terrorist. There is powerful dehumanization of people in gaza that emerges clearly from israeli statements but also not appreciated by leaders in the rest who dont rally around israel and its right to defense. This is not right to defense michael. We are far beyond what could ever be allowed as a right to defense. There are limits to international law, that any Action Musting proportionate and respect the principle of distinction, proportionality. Special envoy, thank you,. Thank you. Working out of israel and back to safety. More on those efforts after a quick break. Hamass Military Wing says it is prepared to release two more hostages using the same procedure it used to release two american captives on friday. But israeli officials are dismissing those claims as quote, false propaganda. It will do everything it can to bring all the hostages home. Those two american hostages that were released on try have reyou a nighted in israel. Is jude i. T. Tai raanan and her daughter natalie, come home to illinois to celebrate her 18th birthday on tuesday. Natalie and her mother spoke on the phone with u. S. President joe biden after they were released. The white house posting a copy of the call on social media. Hello, how were so glad youre home, not home, im glad youre out. Thank you so very, very much. Nat how are you . God love you. Look, thats been long serving, im just glad we got you out. Working on it a long time. Well get you all out god willing. I hope you not only feeling good but in good health as well. Yes, sir. Yes, we are. And thank you very much. God bless you. God bless you guys. The Israel Defense forces say it believes 210 people are still being held hostage in gaza. And the idf has said getting all of them back is a top priority. But at the same time they have to get ready they say for the next stages of war against hamas. Hamas, in the last day, in especially in the last day, is trying to convey as humanitarian organization by releasing the hostages. But we the world should remember that hamas is worse than isis. Entered israel, massacred and massacred soldiers, babies, elderly women, everyone that was in its way. Israeli government officials now put the number of foreign nationals killed during hamass Surprise Attack at 235. They say they were from 41 different countries. Israel released the new numbers on saturday, in addition, 74 foreign nationals are also still missing, according to the updated count. Now in the two weeks since israels war on hamas began, countries around the world have been working to bring their citizens home to get them out of danger. Out of harms way. Countries around the world are flying their citizens out of israel. On repatriation flights filled with foreign nationals fleeing the israelhamas war. Many of the people leaving israel were there to earn a living, better than they could in their home lands. Officials in thailand say at least 30 of their citizens have been killed since Israel Attacked hamas two weeks ago. Many of the dead worked on israeli farms. Thai government said its working to return the teams and repatriate the thousands of thai citizens who want to leave israel. The number of thai citizens who want to return home keeps increasing, we are trying to get thai people back as much and as soon as possible. Many of the evacuate ease were employed as caregivers. They still cant shake what they saw. From the gun fights, explosions were heard along with the sirens. I felt nervous. I was slaking from fear. More than 200 agricultural students from a Work Study Program in israel, ten of their group were killed on the attacks. On saturday the bodies of four students were flown back to katmandu. Grief filled families said it was hard to return home. Bring all of us together, now even his body is not here. The families say the students were fult of home when they left, a chance to earn money, as much as 15,000 and learn new skills in israels high tech agriculture sector. This man says his son was going to use his savings to start a Farming Business Back in nepal. If i knew about this i would have stopped him. I thought he was going on a visa and a bright future. Like so many others caught in the middle of a conflict far from their home. Still to come cnn has gained access to some shockingly accurate maps and other materials, some of the intelligence hamas used to carry out its bloody rampage. Our Matthew Johns will have a report after the break. Is it possible my network could take my business to the next level . It is with comcast business. Powering all your devices with gigspeed wifi. And you get fast downloads and uploads. Pick it up pick it up oh we got this because its powered by The Next Generation 10g network. More speed for your business . Its not just possible. Its happening. Get started for 59. 99 a month for 12 months. Plus, ask how to get an 800 prepaid card with a qualifying internet bundle. Comcast business, powering possibilities. Tens of thousands of israeli troops are preparing for a Ground Incursion of gaza as israel says it will step up air strikes on the enclave. The idf chief of instead of says they will enter gaza and initiate an operation to take out hamas but didnt specify a time trail. A spokesman also told cnn earlier that their focus is on eradicating the militant group. The only thing i can say is that hamas will not be in charge at the end of this war. That is for certain. What will happen, who will govern, that will have to see and people in suits will have to tell the people in uniform exactly what the end game is. Hamas maps and documents obtained by cnn are revealing just how much hamas killers knew about the israeli communities where they slaughtered 1400 people just two weeks ago. The material included detail attack plans, specific information about security and homes, and even the best rooms to hold hostages. We do caution you, some of the images are graphic. Cnns Matthew Chance shows us the chilling evidence. Reporter cnn has gathered chilling new insights. And details on the hamas assault inside israel. Including disturbing video taken by the attackers themselves. As they ram paged through israeli homes killing on sight. And then being killed. I should have known. Searches of their dead bodies revealing atrophy of highly specific hamas battle plans. Including atrophy of highly specific atrophy. These were the terrifying scenes inside. As gunmen recorded themselves moving freely through gardens of israeli homes. Code red, code red, the israeli speaker in hebrew, after attack, the israeli Asaw Bloodstains in room after room in what looks like a coldly methodical killing spree. Some Israeli Community managed to repel the hamas gunmen and save lives. The kibitz scene, resident pushed back the hamas attack and pushed back genetics the militants they killed with disturbing highly accurate intelligence on their hopes. Including precise number of armed guards there, Regional Defense force at least 20 residents one document reads and ten soldiers. They new basically the size of our security team, they knew about other three or four entrances to the kibitz. Sounds like they knew everything. They knew everything, where the generators are, they knew where the armory is, they knew about rural roads around the kibitz. How hamas gunmen killed an israeli outside the kibitz gates, even with detailed intelligence on their targets not every hamas objective was achieved. Nearby kibitz saad was not even attacked, although, we had evidence that the hamas intended to commit mass violence, identified and assessed for their military value. The communal kitchen for example, is described as the main place, suitable for holding hostages. Inside the guardroom, the soldiers must be neutralized the hamas instructions say. While the kibitz Dental Clinic is designated a place for first aid for both enees and friends. Israeli residents of saad said they also found that level of detail astounding. Shockingly, the details are very accurate. The map is a map of our kibitz. Its very accurate. Its horribly accurate. If they were to come to your settlement they would have known exactly where to go, exactly where to cause the most damage . Yes, and we now see that their goal was to take hostages. Including children. Israeli Officials Say they found other documents too, that Advise Attackers to kill anyone posing a threat or causing a distraction, to keep captives away from arms or means of suicide, and to use them as cannon fodder. It is a dark turn even for a group seen here parading before the attacks. Its come to symbolize the uncompromising face of Palestinian Resistance and violence against israel. Israeli Officials Say a document referencing isis and al qaeda which cnn is not able to authenticate, on kibitz behr ri, given to a official against jews and crusaders, that says that global jihad, an assessment many have officials tell cnn the joining me from washington, d. C, Senior Fellow of the middle east institute, good to see you again sir. It is looking like this incursion into gaza is going to happen, part of why israel says it wants to dismantle hamas. What do you feel it will result in or lead to . I think what it will result in is what we have already seen, civilian suffering on a massive scale. I think it will be even greater once they go in on the ground. At which point, very long messy very bloody Battle Inside Gaza where you know its going to be house to house, building to building. And based on what weve seen from israels bombardment from the air we can expect massive civilian casualties, and the more suffering, unfortunately. Yes, and worrying when you hear the idea that say basically anyone who hasnt managed to get out of the Northern Areas could well be seen as part of the battle which is very worrying. We saw that regional summit in cairo and with no result. How will you evaluate the regional temperature right now and how precarious is the mood at the Arab Street Level . Well, i think mood in the Arab Street Level is quite angry. People are outraged at the mass civilian casualties were seeing as the report said, at least 1600, probably more children have been killed. They didnt just die as the report said. But they were killed by israeli air strikes. And so were seeing i think, in addition to i mean part of the anger is directed of course at israel or the committing, you know, these atrocities. But also, at the United States and the west for their seeming indifference to palestinian suffering. I mean, the fact that israel has cut off i think you know this story doesnt get enough play. But, you know, it is not just that israel is Bottom Bearding from the air, which it is doing, but it has cut all food, Medicine Water and fuel to gaza for now more than 15 days. And so this is an entirely man made deliberate humanitarian catastrophe that were witnessing. And so of course, the arab public has been outraged. Weve seen now the largest demonstrations in the arab world since the revolutions a decade ago or month. And theres a lot of pressure on arab leaders to respond. But there it doesnt look very likely because the United States is simply not interested, neither the United States nor israel are interested in a cease fire. What hamas did on october 7 is your honor questionably terrorism, it was abhorrent. Sure. But its interesting the most recently polling from gaza, before october 7th, says massive, half of gazans wanted hamas to negotiate a two State Solution. What are the risks that the level of destruction and death in gaza the suffering will actually reverse that and increase support for militant groups . Oh, absolutely. And this is one of the reasons why i and, you know, a handful of other analysts in washington are so alarmed at the indifference of the Biden Administration or more like the kind of blank check that theyve given to israel. Even if you set aside the human cost which i hope we never do because, you know, ultimately thats what matters most, but even if we for the Sake Of Argument Set that ra side and you look at this in cold, calculating terms, its phenomenally short sighted and reckless and maybe i would even say stupid to allow this kind of death and destruction at this scale to continue indefinitely. Because, you know, the same way that israelis feel the trauma of october 7th, and even a desire for revenge, what you now have, three times as many palestinians have been killed and they have been under nonstop bombardment and just the sheer terror of that is going to stay with them for a very, very long time. And its not the sort of mindset that we should be instilling. If you care about the future stability of this region. Great to get your analysis, well talk again, thanks so much. Thanks for having me. Many israeliamericans say they feel helpless watching from the u. S. , what is done to help their fellow countrymen, thats when we come back. A phase summit called by egypt, ended without accord. Arab leaders had gathered in cairo on saturday to try to protect its civilianans. However, officials werent there. Calling for resumption of negotiation for a two State Solution and the establishment of an independent palestinian state. Israels ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was quote unfortunate that some of those attending had difficulty condemning terrorism. Thousands are continuing to demonstrate on protests and demonstrations around the world over the israelhamas war. Estimate more than 100,000 marched through london on saturday and to the prime ministers residence. Demonstrators yelled free palestine, other palestinian protests took place in germany, spain and washington, d. C. Many israeliamericans are working to collect humanitarian supplies, camilla brunal reporting. Collecting as many supplies as possible, but fighting misinformation. A lot of these israeli americans began to watch and see what was going on in israel and say they were shocked heartbroken and also felt helpless in a way, many of them that were maybe idf members were able to travel back to israel. But others say that its just better to stay here and do everything they can to help from the u. S. I talked to the organization bullet proof israel and they said in the beginning they were in need of tactical gear, bullet proof vests, anything they needed to help the military but they are now also focused on medical supplies, they were able to ship from l. A. , new york, miami and continue to do so over the next couple of days. They say they want to send as much hem as possible. Here is the ceo there bullet proof israel. For me, the sense is not to go back but knowing what theyre going through, my goal is to do everything i can to help them out. Everything, everything. Doesnt mean theres no limit to what i would do. It doesnt matter. They are there they are fighting for us and they are trying to get my family out. Leon told me two members of his family have been kidnapped which is part of the reason why he is doing everything he can to help from the u. S. Now we also reached out to organizations helping palestinians in gaza and what theyve told us is that its impossible for them to send supplies. So instead they are extremely focused on trying to raise as much money as possible. But again, its americans who feel like they need to do something from the u. S. To then send that help. Camilla bernal cnn, los angeles. The leaders of a synagogue in detroit, in the u. S. Was found stabbed to Death Outside her home on saturday morning according to police. They say samantha wolls death, they are still trying to figure out what happened. A motive was not known. She treed everyone with love and compassion. She was such a bright light and had done so much to contribute to the vitalization of the city of detroit. Sam was energetic, she always had that bright smile that you are seeing now. She greeted everybody with love and compassion. She really led she is somebody who embodied her values. The mayor said her death has left a huge hole in the community. Helping with the investigation. Still to come on the program, at a latest on the Wash On Ukraine and how Special Forces are focusing their attention on crimea. Ukrainian fighters have received a much needed boost of morale this week. Thats thanks in part to a secret u. S. Delivery of longrange attacker missiles. Ukraine has been pleading for the weapons for months, and theyve already been using them to destroy russian equipment in occupied territory. Another morale boost comes from Ukrainian Special forces who are making daring raids into russian occupied crimea. Fred pleitgen explains. Reporter a brazen attack from the sea. Ukrainian forces using jet skis to land in russian occupied crimea. The Fighter Speaking goes by The Call Sign musician. He tells me the operation was successful but tough. While we were landing the sea was stormy, he says. The waves were up to 2 meters high plus russian warships were patrolling, the raptors. Ukrainians say they also managed to destroy Russian Military gear before racing off across the black sea using larger boats to carry fuel for the jet skis on the long journey back to ukrainian held territory. Musician says these missions are militarily essential. It helps our forces in the trenches, he says. We distract the enemys attention towards us and the enemy is forced to relocate their personnel and vehicles to the crimean seaside. Ukraine has started a Major Campaign against Russian Military targets in and around crimea. Hilting the hq of moscows black sea fleet, damaging a submarine as well as hitting an air base. The ukrainians use drones and missiles for some of the attacks but rely on a network of undercover partisan groups Inside Crimea for information and targeting. One of the groups agreed to answer our questions but only in writing for security reasons. We constantly monitor all Military Facilities on the territory of the Crimean Autonomous region with the helps of our agents and residents of crimea who constantly inform us the group writes. A wide and developed system of agents allows you to make a choice. One of the key targets ukraine has hit several time, The Bridge Linking Crimea to the russian mainland. Russian leader Vladimir Putin vowing revenge. There will definitely be a response from russia, he said. The Ministry Of Defense is preparing proposals. For ukrainians missions like these are also psychologically important, one of the planners of the jet ski raid tells me. We are fighting a trench war on the front lines and the armed forces success is not so obvious, he says. And Special Operations of this kind in the rear or in the sea, they inspire i give energy to keep fighting. And the fighters in the unit say their next infiltrations are already in the works but they wont say when, where, or how. Fred pleitgen, cnn, kyiv. Im Michael Holmes. Thanks for spending part of your day with me. I will be back with more of our continuing coverage of the israelhamas war in just a moment. From chrome to duckduckgo. Duckduckgo is a browser you download to your mobile and desktop devices. Unlike chrome, the Duckduckgo Browser has privacy builtin. It comes with a private alternative to google search, which doesn■t spy on your searches, and it blocks cookies and creepy ads. And theres no catch. Its free. We make money from ads, but they dont follow you around. Join the millions of people taking back their privacy by Downloading Duckduckgo On Mobile and desktop today