Secretary of state Antony Blinken we ask him about it. Was that an acknowledgement that iran might have been involved in this attack how he answered, and what he said about efforts to free americans held hostage by hamas and the faces of war. The Festival Goer marking her birthday as a captive of hamas. What her family is asking people around the world to do. Our Special Edition of nightly news begins now. Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt, reporting tonight live from israel. Good evening and welcome, everyone. Well show you some of what we saw in ashkelon closer to gaza earlier, but we start here in tel aviv tonight, where for six days now, the world has watched and waited for the full might of the israeli response to the horrific at attacks inflicted upon it anticipated by many to be a massive invasion of the gaza strip, making good on its promise to destroy hamas, after last saturdays brutal terrorist rampage in southern israel. The toll keeps getting worse. In israel now reported killed. 1,300 in israel now reported killed. More than 1,500 lives lost in gaza, as israel steps up its bombing. At least 27 americans have been killed and the fate of as many as 150 hostages, including some americans, remains the u. S. Is doin. Secretary of state Antony Blinken, who was here today, says the u. S. Is doing everything it can to secure their release i pressed him on when, when we spoke oneonone all as the humanitarian crisis in gaza deepens a u. N. Agency ns have been displaced as israels estimates 340,000 palestinians have been displaced, as israels air campaign intensifies. Tonight, israeli air strikes relentlessly bombarding gaza, with ating here for six days now. A potential Ground Invasion looming, tensions escalating hostages during hamas attack. Here for six days now. This newly released Body Camera Video from saturday shows Israeli Forces firing at militants and freeing hostages during hamas attack but perhaps the most disturbing images of this war so far were released today by israeli Prime Minister will not show you. Hamas has shown itself to be an enemy of civilization. Benjamin netanyahu on social media photos of babies so horrifying that we will not show you. Hamas has shown itself to be an enemy of civilization. Netanyahu sharing those images with Secretary Of State Antony Blinken, who traveled to israel in a show of support from the u. S. Its simply depravity in the worst imaginable way and Secretary Blinken had this emotional moment with a survivor from the Music Festival were strong here were powerful here, in this place now, in tel aviv and everywhere i sat down with him soon after is there a risk, a greater risk of a regional war at this point . Were determined that there not be. We deployed the largest Aircraft Carrier group that we have, the gerald r. Ford, to the region weve taken other steps to make it very clear to anyone who might take advantage of this moment that that would be a big mistake. Were working with many other countries in the region, countries that might have influence with those who might consider doing something, to use that influence to prevent it, to avoid it. I also traveled to aveled the israeli city of the israeli city of ashkelon, not far from Gaza Ashkelon is a virtual ghost town, except for a few people we saw at a cafe around us, the distant rumble of explosions, air strikes hitting targets inside gaza. And here just a few miles from the gaza border, evidence of those rocket attacks weve seen so much of. The crater here in the street and the shrapnel flying in so many directions, destroying this car. The people left here now bracing for the next phase of this war. Many told me they support a Ground Invasion of gaza we must destroy them completely. How will this period be remembered in israeli history it will be remembered as as the biggest wakeup call we ever had since the holocaust. This is the time to act, not to talk i met 26yearold Daniel Tertarian at a f peacetime here. In your view, is it going to be necessary to put israeli troops local barbershop, still giving haircuts, a rare relic of peacetime here in your view, is it going to be necessary to put israeli troops on the ground . One thing that i know for sure, that this thing called hamas, we need to finish them. Whatever it takes. Whatever it costs. People here are determined to help any way they can this is kind of a Citizen Relief organization theyve been delivering food to troops at the front line i believe theyre taking these now to some troops about 15 minutes from here, but very, very close to the gaza border. Sally schiff is a dual israeliamerican citizen. Would be joining that army. And if i was young enough and i was able enough, i would be joining that army. And i think everybody here everybody here would be doing the same thing we dont fear war. We want peace. But theyre not giving us peace Israeli Forces say 6,000 bombs on gaza. With power cut off, they have already dropped more than 6,000 bombs on gaza. With power cut off, hospitals are chaotic and overwhelmed. Israel vowing no humanitarian aid will be allowed into gaza until all hostages are released meanwhile, 14 americans remain unaccounted for. 27 now confirmed dead. Including Adrienne Neta mom would be found alive. I am confident, mom, im confident that youre holding i met her son nahar earlier this week, holding out hope his mom would be found alive. I am confident, mom, im confident that youre holding on were waiting for you. We love you. Tonight, another family torn apart by this war on both sides of the border, a Sense A Ground War is imminent israels military massing, while in gaza, which is roughly the size of philadelphia but with a third more people, there is no way out. Richard engel is near the border tonight reporter there is an air war in gaza tonight, with hamas Firing Barrages of rockets towards israel, to little effect israels iron dome Missile Defense system launching tiny projectiles at supersonic speed, intercepting and destroying nearly all of them. Israels air strikes are not being stopped. Theyre slamming into gaza where there are no air defenses the United Nations is sounding the alarm of a growing humanitarian crisis human Rights Groups are calling for civilians to be allowed to leave and for aid to enter the 139square mile territory thats home to 2 million palestinians, 40 of them under 15. Israel says it will keep Attacking Gaza until hamas is destroyed. The Israeli Military says it only targets hamas, but what about the children medical Officials Say more than 1,500 palestinians have been killed and 6,000 wounded. And those numbers could grow quickly israels military is amassing tanks and troops along the border with gaza its Chief Of Staff saying, now, it is time for war and that the head of hamas and all those who operate under him deserve to die. 22yearold Felicia Al Assad lives in gaza. The media is barely covering any news because of the situation. There is no electricity. There is no connection the israelis are literally bombing everywhere there is nowhere to stay these words, life in gaza, they dont make any sense to any gazan living in here, because we dont know what the word life means. Were expecting death at any minute. Were expecting that the whole gaza strip will be erased at any minute reporter the gaza strip is bordered by israel, the mediterranean sea, and egypt. All exits are closed and blocked. Refugees are not streaming out. This isnt ukraine no one is taking in the people we couldnt handle this amount of injuries, and its just heartbreaking reporter dr. Sarah al sakah is a palestinian surgeon based in gaza. She says shes working 24hour shifts, and when she can, is posting to social media to show conditions there no one can leave gaza no one can enter gaza. There is no crossing borders, nothing left for anyone to do its a huge, big cage that we are that we are trapped inside, nonstop and someone from outside is just keep on bombing, nonstop bombing. And there is nowhere else to go reporter israel says it had no choice but to attack, to disarm and deter hamas, after more than 1,500 gunmen stormed into israel, butchered entire families, desecrated their bodies, killed at least 1,300 jews, and took hostages, including chuildren and the elderly. Israels reprisal is under way tonight. It is massive, intensifying, and could trigger a regional war richard, ive been watching your camera feed out of the corner of my eye. Youre by the gaza border, and it looks quite active there tonight. Reporter yes, lester israel i continuing to carry out air strikes into the gaza strip all night. And we know there are between 500 and 600 palestinian americans in gaza, and that negotiations are under way with the u. S. , israel, egypt to evacuate them. And based on what we see here, they are in imminent danger. Lester richard engel, thank you. And tonight, were getting a devastating firsthand look at the site of that music site of that Music Festival where more than 250 people were by festival, where more than 250 people were killed by hamas. Raf sanchez reports on a night of joy interrupted by terror. Reporter the sun was rising, but the music played on. 3,500 young people at the super nova Music Festival dancing into the early hours. At first, moments of confusion. And then sheer terror. Heavily armed Hamas Gunmen Closing in from all sides. Some joining a desperate stampede across the field others hiding and praying for rescue i saw a group of girls in the cars just so afraid to get out and i realized if theyre going to stay there, theyre going get killed so i just take them and just scream at them and run so fast, because i understand if the people, they freeze, theyre going to die reporter more than 260 People Killed in a massacre that went on for hours. Others kidnapped and dragged into gaza. Today, we walked the ghostly site ourselves. This was a place of music, a place of joy, a place of dancing and now there is just a deathly, deathly silence here people had been making art. They were expressing themselves, and many of the people here are likely to have lost their lives. An empty bar stil lined with half we walked among the ransacked suitcases, personal documents, and an empty bar still lined with half finished bottles the silence briefly shattered. Israeli troops are running for the other side of the festival weve heard gunfire. It seems like somebody has come in. This palestinian man carrying a knife according to the Israeli Military had somehow entered the grounds. He was quickly detained with the site so vast, israeli authorities struggled to collect all the bodies oriya ricardos family waiting four agonizing days before she was confirmed dead an and for the Israeli Military, the Festival Site today echoes with painful questions. There are so many families across israel asking, where was the army why didnt they stop this what do you tell those families i tell them the responsibility of the army, the responsibility of the army for intelligence. Its our responsibility to guard the people of israel we failed on saturday. This is our to make sure wha responsibility but now were fighting reporter fighting to make sure what happened here never happens again. And raf, tonight were hearing reports of a shooting in jerusalem. Thats right, lester Israeli Police say a terrorist armed with a Submachine Gun shot and wounded two officers, and thats raising fears that the violence in gaza could spread to jerusalem and the occupied west banknk you. Wi lester all right, raf sanchez, thank you with 27 americans dead and more than a dozen missing, americas top diplomat came to israel to reassure families. I spoke to Secretary Of State Antony Blinken about the stakes of israels growing war effort mr. Secretary, you and the president Have Made Clear the u. S. Has israels back during this time is there a limit to that support, especially as we lean toward what could be the beginning of a ground war lester, what weve seen here is something to most of us almost unimaginable i think there is both an absolute revulsion at what weve seen, and also a determination to stand strongly against it. So, we stand with israel it has not only a right, but i think an obligation to take the steps necessary to defend its people, and also to ensure to the best of its ability that this cant happen again. You havent discussed any red lines with Prime Minister netanyahu we are talking to them about their plans, how they propose to proceed, but im not going to get into any of the operational details. And again, were determined to support them you had a chance to meet with americans who have loved ones who are missing, many of them presumed kidnapped. Ive had conversations with many of those same folks they want their government to stand up and take responsibility and find these folks and bring them safely home what assurance can you give them . First, lester, you know this from talking no to some of these families no one can actually fully put themselves in their shoes no one can know what this experience is like we are doing everything we can to secure the freedom of those who have been taken hostage. I also asked Secretary Blinken that the u. S. And qatar have agreed to deny irans access to 6 billion which was due to be released as part of a recent Prisoner Swap was that an acknowledgment that iran might have been involved in this attack well, two things here first, when it comes to iran and its possible involvement, irans had a long relationship with hamas. Hamas wouldnt be hamas without the support over many, many years from iran when it comes to this specific attack in this moment, we dont have direct evidence that iran was involved in the attack, either in planning it or carrying it out. But that could change. Now when it comes to 6 billion, its important to be very clear, because unfortunately, some people are either misinformed or theyre misinforming the money in question, iranian money, not american taxpayer dollars, is money that was allowed to accrue in a bank account from the sale of iranian oil. What we did is we moved the money from one account in south korea to another account in qatar, where the money could actually be used, but under the supervisio of our treasury department, only for humanitarian purposes, and not a dollar of that money has been spent to date. And we retain the right to freeze that account. In 60 seconds, Breaking News in the case of Elijah Mcclain. How a jury ruled against two Police Officers, next control is everything to me. Feel significant Symptom Relief with skyrizi, including less abdominal pain and fewer Bowel Movements at 4 weeks. Skyrizi is the first and only il23 inhibitor for crohns that can deliver both clinical remission and endoscopic improvement. The majority of people on skyrizi achieved long lasting remission at 1 year. Serious allergic reactions and an increased risk of infections or a lower ability to fight them may occur. Tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms, had a vaccine or plan to. Liver problems may occur in crohns disease. Ask your gastroenterologist how you can take control of your crohns with skyrizi. Control is everything to me. Learn how abbvie could help you save. And now, to some Breaking News in the case of the death of Elijah Mcclain Erin Mclaughlin has late details erin reporter thats right, lester. A jury has returned a Split Verdict in the case against two aurora, colorado, Police Officers charged with 23yearold Elijah Mcclains death in 2019 one officer was found guilty of criminally negligent reckless homicide and third degree murder. The Second Officer was acquitted of all counts the officers were charged after nationwide protests following the death of mcclain, who was stopped by Police Walking home from a convenience store. Police had gotten a call about a suspicious man wearing a mask he died after police tackled him, placed him in a neck hold, and ems sedated him with ketamine. Prior to the trial, an independent investigation found the officers involved never identified a Crime Mcclain was suspected of committing, and that the Ems Responders gave him a grossly inaccurate and inflated amount of ketamine two paramedics are also charged in mcclains death. 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Finally, the story of the last week here lived those who are being in israel and in gaza is written on the faces of those who have lived through it, and those who are being remembered here is Kelly Cobiella reporter noa argamani turned 26 today. Her family posting this picture not the horrifying image from six days ago of noa being kidnapped from the super nova Music Festival whats happening with her . How is she living . How is she coping . Her father asks. Theyre the images of war, shielding children from rockets in israel and trying to comfort them from bombs in gaza. The smallest victims hurt, scared, and those who couldnt be saved. Parents grieving at the funeral of a 23yearold soldier killed while battling hamas militants. An 85yearold grandmother held hostage and paraded through the streets. She is strong she is strong Lady Reporter in gaza, images of homes crumbling and already destroyed. Charred shelters in Israel Bullet Holes in a kindergarten window. Nathan kenning has seen even worse, recovering bodies from kibbutz beeri we couldnt believe the horror we were seeing, he says today, noas family doesnt want to see the horror they sang, had cake, and asked the world to spread the message, happy birthday noa and in jerusalem at the western wall, mourners creating a new image, lighting 1,300 candles for the lives lost Kelly Cobiella, nbc news, jerusalem. Thats nightly news for this thursday thank you for watching, everyone im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night im raj mathai. Next on nbc bay area news tonight. Weve seen those problems with driverless cars, now one of the companies, cruise, is making safety changes. But will they work . We investigate. Plus fallout from the israelhamas war happening in the bay area. A propalestinian rally will be joined by mayor matt mahan. Also, you want to visit google