Our Richard Engel near the gaza border. Also tonight, that allout manhunt in maine for robert card, the suspect in the Mass Shooting that killed 18 people. Divers now joining the search after his vehicle was found at a boat launch. In cards history of Mental Health issues, were his familys warnings missed . And all 18 victims now identified, their names and ages from 14 to 76. Among them four members of the Deaf Community including a wellknown asl interpreter and father of four. What his wife told us about his final moments. The u. S. Launching air strikes inside syria targeting iranbacked militias and the new attack on u. S. Forces in the region just today. And in a moment when the people of maine are reeling from a Mass Shooting, another Community Remembers the 11 lives lost when a gunman entered a synagogue five years ago. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with lester holt. Good evening, and welcome, everyone, on a busy friday. We will have late developments from maine on that Mass Shooting in just a moment. But we start with fastmoving events playing out right now in gaza. An adviser to israeli Prime Minister netanyahu declaring tonight we are starting payback. At this moment all communications from the embattled hamasrun territory appear to have gone dark, gaza itself lit up by explosions under sustained bombardment, air strikes, tank, artillery and Machine Gun Fire heard by our team on the israeli side of the border. Tonight, stepped up attacks coming almost three weeks after the surprise hamas Terror Attack on israel and potentially signaling the opening of a new phase in this war. Tonight with internet and cell service down, gazas isolation is closing in. Millions now unable to communicate with each other or the outside world including those bearing witness to this moment. Richard engel and his team are watching it all from just inside israel. Reporter Israel Rained Fire On Gaza tonight in the most intense assault so far of its threeweek war against hamas striking with jets, tanks, and artillery. The attacks shut down communications in gaza, the internet and phones cut. The Palestinian Red Crescent says, it has lost contact with its staff Running Ambulances and emergency services. No way to reach our reporting teams. Palestinians were already trapped in gaza and under attack. Now theyre cut off from the world and each other. Tonight, an Israeli Military spokesman says, Ground Forces are expanding their activity, and this from a top aide to israels Prime Minister. Tonight, we are starting payback, and we are beefing up the pressure on hamas. Were hitting them hard. Well be hitting them harder. Reporter israel says its targeting hamas tunnels claiming they also run under gazas largest hospital, describing it as a command center. Israel accuses hamas of using civilians as human shields. The United Nations has said, there is no safe place for them to go. Earlier israel stormed into gaza in at least two brief incursions with tanks and troops pushing in from the east and another naval assault from the mediterranean sea. Hamas has still been able to launch rockets at israel but only a few. One slipping through the iron dome Defense System and striking in tel aviv. Hamas issued a threat that if Prime Minister netanyahu decides to enter gaza, quote, by land tonight, the resistance is ready, and soldiers will be swallowed up by the land of gaza. Civilians in gaza are living in a nightmare, and the white house tonight is urging a pause in the Gaza Operation to help push for the release of hostages held by hamas and to get in more humanitarian aid. And, richard, as we look at the blackness over your shoulder of where gaza lies, i keep thinking about the hostages, the israelis, some foreigners, including americans. Is there any progress in negotiations . Reporter well, we know that israel and hamas had been talking through mediators, and an israeli official said that this intensified campaign is in part designed to pressure hamas to free the hostages, but the negotiators themselves say, whats needed is a ceasefire. Lester. Richard engel tonight, thank you. Lets turn now to maine two days after the Mass Shooting that killed 18 people there. Authorities have now lifted the shelter in place order as they continue their search for the suspect. They also gave a time line of the police response. Sam brock with late details. Reporter police tonight have fanned out across the area of wednesday nights Mass Shooting in lewiston, maine, to search for suspect robert cart taking place from the air, on the ground and in the water. We dont have him located at this point. We dont have him in custody. Reporter and authorities acknowledge they dont even know if card is alive or dead. Divers scouring the Androscoggin River for evidence or a body. Im not saying the suspect we know the suspect is in the water, and this is what were doing. What im telling you is, youll see a lot of activity. Reporter Police Searching homes and dense woods throughout the region where their suspect could be hiding out. The Longtime Army reservist is the sole suspect in wednesday nights shootings that left 18 people dead and more than a dozen others injured. The first at a Bowling Alley where Officials Say police were on scene within 90 seconds of receiving a 911 call. The second at a bar grille where police responded. Diane watched hell unfold at the Bowling Alley. Maybe 30, 35 seconds before the first shot and the second shot and after the second shot was a third shot and as we were running down a fourth and fifth. Reporter she and her son chad narrowly escaping the massacre with their lives as she said chad ushered people out. It was just terrifying, terrifying. Ive never been so scared in my life. I was afraid to look back. I was afraid he was going to be behind us, just shoot at us. It was just awful, and my son was he, i swear, saved my live. Reporter authorities received more than 530 tips and interviewed 70 witnesses the first night, but there was no answer to questions about cards Family Statement to nbc news that they raised concerns about his Mental Health to both police and military. Which agencies received those warnings, and did you think at any point it might warrant the yellow flag pursuit . Im heavily involved in that conversation overall, but the reality is, i wont talk specifically about who knew what and when. Did you confirm warnings were issued . I cannot. Reporter city council linda scott lived here all her life. I had people reach out that wanted to do a vigil. We cant. Our priority right now is the safety of our community. Reporter coping with a still deepening investigation where weve learned authorities are looking at the possibility the suspect didnt randomly target Schemengees Bar but believed a female acquaintance may have been there and his cell phone was found at his house and may have been left there during the shooting and a note he left behind listed his financial records. Angela lives right down the street from one of the shootings and is confident card will be captured and is grateful tonight to be alive. At any point does it go through your head that could have been me if it were a different night . Absolutely, it could have been anybody. Our kids could have been there. So, sam, where does the search for the suspect go from here . Reporter lester, according to three Law Enforcement officials, the trail has gone cold for now. What theyre doing at this moment, bringing in more resources from out of state that includes divers. But as for the shelter in place orders, as you mentioned, lester, they lift tomorrow. The community is being told to remain vigilant, lester. Sam brock, thank you. Tonight all 18 of the people shot and killed have now been identified. They range in age from 14 to 76. Emilie ikeda with their stories tonight. Reporter 18 lives gone too soong. Their family and friends now facing the unfathomable. Elizabeth seal lost her husband josh. First and foremost he was an amazing dad to his four kids. Reporter we spoke to the family through a friend and asl interpreter. What do you want people to know about your husband . I think those people who already know my husband were lucky. He was amazing. For those who didnt know him, they lost out. He was such a fierce advocate for the Deaf Community and for kids. Reporter the 36yearold was a prominent asl Interpreter Working For the state throughout the pandemic. Josh was playing in a cornhole tournament at Schemengees Bar when the gunman burst in. When the shooting started, my husband got down and was army crawling trying to hide under one of the cornhole boards just for some sort of protection. Reporter three other members of the Deaf Community, steve vozzella, bryan macfarlane, and Billy Brackett were also killed while playing cornhole. He was, and its so hard to say was, the kindest person. Reporter billy was kellys uncle and taught her Sign Language so she could communicate with her daughter who was nonverbal. He gave me a voice for my daughter. He bridged that connection for her and i. He gave me something i could never repay him back for. Reporter so many families mourning their loved ones while sheltering in place. The seals had to join a virtual vigil to remember josh. Jason and safine are the oldest of the four kids he leaves behind. He loved hanging out with me, my sister, watching movies. He loved spending time with us as a family. My dad was always super funny, and he loved to say, youre just like your mom. Reporter at one point during our interview, elizabeth turning to address her two older kids. I just want to make sure you know that he loved the four of you tremendously. Every morning he loved his time with you guys, getting you to school, and making sure you have a gait day, telling you that he loved you, fist bumps, and hed always wake you up, safine, and say, good morning, sunshine. He absolutely adored his time with you. Reporter time cut short by the worst Mass Shooting in maines history. Emilie, what an absolutely touching moment that was. What are the families telling you about what they want people to know about their loved ones . Reporter well, lester, these interviews understandably are incredibly difficult for families of the victims, but they say they dont want their loved ones to become just part of some statistic. They want the nation to really know the innocent lives lost. Lester. Were glad we can tell some of their stories. Emilie, thanks so much. Now to those attacks on American Forces in the mideast. The pentagon says theyre being hit by iranianbacked militias provoking u. S. Air strikes in syria early today. Heres pentagon correspondent Courtney Kube. Reporter tonight, the pentagon says iranianbacked Militia Groups are at it again launching another drone attack on a base with americans, this one in western iraq. There were no casualties, but it comes just hours after a u. S. Show of force intended to stop iranianbacked attacks against u. S. Troops in the middle east. The u. S. Conducting two air strikes in northeastern syria overnight, and according to the pentagon, Hitting Buildings Housing weapons and ammunition. The pentagon saying the facilities were used by irans Islamic Revolutionary guard corps and affiliated groups. The u. S. Says its strikes are designed to stop the attacks without sparking a regional war. We absolutely do not want a bigger conflict with iran, no conflict with iran, but we will never hesitate to protect our forces. Reporter in the past ten days, the pentagon says u. S. Forces in iraq and syria have come under fire from iranianbacked militias 20 times saying 19 troops were diagnosed with traumatic Brain Injuries as a result, and an American Contractor died of a heart attack, and earlier this week, President Biden delivered this blunt warning to irans leader. If they continue to move against those troops, we will respond. Reporter iran also funds and arms hamas, and tonight israeli officials telling nbc news, iran helped train Hamas Terrorists who invaded israel on october 7th, massacring 1,400 israelis including Young Children and babies. Iran has praised the hamas Terror Attack but denied direct involvement. So far, iran has not responded to the u. S. Accusations. Meanwhile, the pentagon announced roughly 900 more u. S. Troops are deploying to the middle east. That includes forces who can operate the more advanced air Defense Systems. Lester. All right, Courtney Kube at the pentagon, thanks. And there are hundreds of Palestinian Americans who are waiting to get out of gaza through egypt. Anne thompson met with one Family Member as fear and frustration grow. Reporter tonight, growing frustration among u. S. Officials trying to get americans out of gaza. Its a puzzle, they say, getting all the parties involved to agree to open the gates at rafah as israel expands its retaliation strikes, but for families like abdullahs, there is growing dread. As soon as i hear the bombs and airplanes, screaming and crying. Reporter his wife hanin and three children are stuck in gaza waiting at the egyptian border. His family in limbo, abdullah is in hell trying to comfort his 2yearold daughter nadine on the phone. She asked me, come get me. Come get me, you know. She thinks i can go get her. Reporter he is in new jersey, the internet since the war began no longer works. I spoke to her early this morning, and then we lost the connection. No signal in gaza. Reporter his last text from his 8yearold son heartbreaking. He just texted me saying, i hope to see you again. Reporter abdullahs family, some of the 400 americans trapped in gaza. They are living in a house with 40 other people. Like faith, food and power are scarce. If you go to any grocery store, its empty. Reporter born in utah but raised in gaza, abdullah and hanin took them back there for a visit this summer. Hanin gave birth to her third child early in gaza and decided to stay a few more weeks then the war happened. Is the State Department doing enough . I think they can do and we can put more effort than this. We feel that were left behind, and its been going on for almost 20 days. Reporter hoping someone steps up to bring his family and all the other americans home. Anne thompson, nbc news, new jersey. In 60 seconds, hes accused of being behind one of the biggest financial frauds in u. S. History. Sam bankmanfried takes the stand in his own defense. What he said right own defense. What he said right after this. Arexvy is a vaccine used to prevent lower Respiratory Disease from rsv in people 60 years and older. Arexvy does not protect everyone and is not for those with severe allergic reactions to its ingredients. Those with weakened Immune Systems may have a lower response to the vaccine. The most common side effects are injection site pain, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and joint pain. I chose arexvy. Rsv . Make it arexvy. Sometimes just ordering lunch can be a lot for young homeowners turning into their parents. Look at that. Its like a science project. So what can i get you for a base . What is a base . Im falling behind already. Progressive cant protect you from becoming your parents, but we can protect your home and auto when you bundle with us. Back now with the onetime king of crypto, Sam Bankmanfried, taking the stand in his own defense today. The ftx founder on trial in new york accused of defrauding his investors out of billions. Cnbcs kate rooney was in the courtroom. Kate, good evening. Reporter good evening, lester. So a year ago, Sam Bankmanfried was on top of the crypto world, the ceo of one of the most Valuable Cryptocurrency exchanges, ftx. Today the entrepreneur once known for charming politicians, celebrities, and investors was trying to charm a jury taking the stand in his own defense testifying that while he took on too much risk and hurt customers, he did not commit fraud. Its a rare move for defendants to testify on their own behalf, but bankmanfried faces difficult odds with his top three associates pleading guilty and testifying against him. If found guilty bankmanfried could spend the rest of his life in prison, lester. Kate rooney in new york, thank you. 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The 54yearold democrat saying, its time for the torch to be passed to a new generation of american leaders and that republican frontrunner donald trump can beat President Biden. Congressman George Santos was back in court today. The new york republican pleading not guilty to new federal charges including Identity Theft and credit card fraud. Santos previously pleaded not guilty to a 13count federal indictment in may. The judge set his Trial Date For September 9th Next year. And next, after terrorists attacks in pittsburgh and the middle east, how the tree of Life Community is flourishi but not tree of Life Community is flourishi but not ng rsv can be a dangerous virus [sneeze] for those 60 and older. Its not just a cold. And if youre 60 or older. You may be at increased risk of hospitalization from this highly contagious virus. Not all dangers come with warning labels. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about getting vaccinated against rsv today. 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Reporter at the Jewish Community day school in pittsburgh, the sixth graders are planting a garden of light, commemorating five years since the Mass Shooting at the tree of life synagogue. Good work. Herb would love it. Reporter Teacher Lee Stein is overseeing the project. Being around The Little Ones has definitely helped. Reporter helped because her father daniel was 1 of the 11 killed october 27th, 2018. I just still cant believe it. Its just still so raw, even five years later. Tell me about your dad. My dad was very amazing. Family was very important to my dad, and so we spent a lot of time together. Reporter when hamas launched its deadly Terror Attack in israel, for lee, the pain from five years ago came flooding back. Very activating and very difficult, yeah. Hard to handle. Heartbroken, angry, sad, all at the same time. Reporter Jeff Finkelstein is the ceo of pittsburghs Jewish Federation says what happened in israel reverberated especially hard throughout squirrel hill, the heart of the Jewish Community here. So many memories rushed back that i had a lot of the feelings i had at that same time. You and i are both jewish. Do you ever get a little afraid to be a jew . You know, i am much more aware of my surroundings than i ever have been, and yet on the high holidays this past year, i proudly walked up the street wearing my kippah and my skullcap on my head showing publicly that im jewish. Each of them is for a specific person. Reporter the 11 trees in this park are a memorial to those lost at tree of life, whats not lost here, hope for the future. I know that this can happen anywhere, but i still wear my stronger than hate shirts, my stronger together shirts. Im not going to stop living my life. Reporter for nightly news, David Johnson, pittsburgh. And thats nightly news for this friday. Thank you for watching, everyone. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. Ht. Right now at 4 30, they are officially on the case. The new strategy in San Francisco to crack down on the alarming spike in overdose deaths. Good afternoon. Im audrey asistio. Welcome to nbc bay area news at 4 30. Christie smith will be joining us in just a little bit to tell us more about the plan in San Francisco. Also, we have lots to cover on this friday including