About its main Graduation Ceremony after weeks of protests and dramatic arrests. The frightening moments during a livestreamed sermon. A man pulling a gun on the pastor. But it fails to go off. How he was stopped. The final countdown after years of delays. Tonight boeing is set to launch its first crewed flight of its starliner capsule. And a historic battleship like youve never seen before. Visitors flocking for a rare glimpse as it gets a makeover. Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening and welcome. The news traveled fast in gaza tonight, where celebrations broke out after word began to spread that hamas had accepted a deal to end hostilities in gaza. But hopes of a pause in the fighting were just as quickly shattered when israel declared the deal hamas was embracing was far from israels essential demands. And so instead of a deal tonight israel is raising the stakes, pressing forward on its threatened Military Operation in rafah, potentially displacing 100,000 people who had been told to leave by the Israeli Military as it increases pressure on hamas. Tonight, though, diplomacy is still alive. Richard engel is inside israel. Reporter in gaza tonight theyre celebrating their salvation after hamas announced it had accepted a sweeping ceasefire. But it seems theyre celebrating too soon. Israel says there is no deal yet, that the terms hamas accepted are far from israels necessary requirements and are not the original offer israel had on the table. But israel is dispatching a delegation to negotiate. While its war cabinet has also unanimously approved a targeted operation against hamas in the Southern City of rafah. Our crew capturing it starting this morning. There has been a response from hamas to the hostage deal. Were currently reviewing that response. Reporter while the Details Remain unclear, a senior Arab Negotiator directly involved in the talks tells nbc news hamass position has shifted greatly over the past 48 hours. And that the deal hamas says it accepts would see it free 33 hostages in exchange for a roughly 40day ceasefire followed by further Hostage Releases and the freeing of more than 1,000 palestinian prisoners held in israeli jails. But the source notes with israel not at the most recent negotiations hamas agreed to its own terms using its own interpretation of the offer. Israel believes 93 hostages captured on october 7th are still alive in gaza and that many of them are being held in rafah, the only remaining city in gaza where israel has not yet conducted major ground operations. Israel this morning ordered roughly 100,000 palestinians to evacuate from part of rafah, using leaflets to announce that intense Counterterrorism Operations were about to begin. President biden opposes a fullscale assault on rafah because it is packed with more than a million civilians who fled there for their safety. Richard, meanwhile weve learned the white house has stopped a u. S. Shipment of military aid to israel. Reporter this is a rare move, lester. The white house blocking a large shipment of Offensive Weapons including 2,000pound bombs just as israels intensifying Military Operations in rafah. Two Administration Officials confirming it but say that it does not reflect a shift in overall policy. The white house isnt commenting. Lester . Richard engel, thank you. Back at home, a manhattan courtroom, a new fine imposed on former President Trump for violating the gag order in his Hush Money Trial. Vaughn hillyard reports on a sharp new warning from the judge. Reporter tonight former President Trump facing a new threat of jail time at his Hush Money Trial after his tenth violation of the judges gag order. Hes taken away my constitutional right to speak. Reporter the judge directly addressing the possibility of putting mr. Trump behind bars over future violations. The magnitude of such a decision is not lost on me. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well. Adding as much as i do not want to impose a jail sanction, i will if necessary and appropriate. Frankly, you know what . Our constitution is much more important than jail. Its not even close. Ill do that sacrifice any day. Reporter the judge fining mr. Trump an additional 1,000 for complaining about the jury in deep blue manhattan saying its 95 democrat. The judge saying the former president wrongfully called into question the integrity of the jury. Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty to lowlevel Felony Charges for allegedly disguising reimbursements to Michael Cohen for Hush Money Payments to Stormy Daniels as Legal Expenses in his companys internal business records. If convicted, mr. Trump could face anywhere from four years in prison to just probation. Taking the stand this morning, jeffrey mcconney, who oversaw the Trump Organizations accounting department. Striking at the heart of the prosecutions case of falsifying business records. Testifying about invoices describing the reimbursements as Legal Expenses, saying he was ordered by another Trump Organization executive to reimburse cohen 420,000 for the 130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, most from mr. Trumps personal account. But on crossexamination mcconney said he had not spoken to mr. Trump directly about the business records. Another Trump Organization employee, deborah tarasoff, testifying about mr. Trumps process of signing checks including to cohen, which were shown to the jury saying if he didnt want to sign it he didnt sign it. It was signed in sharpie and it was black and thats what he uses. Vaughn, the prosecution also giving an indication of the timing of this case. Reporter yeah, lester. Prosecutors said they intend to call witnesses for about the next two weeks. At that point mr. Trumps team will be able to present its own defense. And of course the question of whether the former president will take the stand himself. Lester . All right. Vaughn hillyard in new york tonight. Thank you. There is a new Severe Weather threat were following tonight after that Flooding Emergency in texas led to more than 600 rescues in the houston area alone. Officials said two people were killed including a 4yearold boy. The flooding left homes submerged, cars floating and lives upended. Bill karins is here. Bill, conditions are really ripe for another tough night. Lester, we only have these highrisk tornado days about one or two times a year. And the next 12 hours, thats the heart of it for this event. And were really focusing in here on areas from oklahoma into southern kansas. Thats where we have not only the chance of tornadoes but even strong tornadoes. And they could occur well after the sun sets too through the evening. So heres where were watching for watches. Now all the way from Omaha Southwards we have what we call a particularly dangerous situation, Tornado Watch till 11 00 p. M. That includes Oklahoma City and wichita. Already a couple Tornado Warnings there now. And it should ramp up as we go through the evening. As 11 00 p. M. Rolls around, thats when the line of storms will arrive in kansas city, tulsa and Oklahoma City. And lester, were not done. Were going to deal with this storm system through the night and then were going to have the chance of severe storms the next two days right through the heartland. What a wild spring weve had. Bill karins, thank you very much. Theres word tonight that a u. S. Soldier has been detained in russia. Pentagon correspondent Courtney Kube has late details. Courtney, what do we know . Reporter yeah, lester, according to the u. S. Army, Staff Sergeant gordon black was detained in russia on thursday, accused of stealing. Now, he was stationed at a base in south korea but was actually traveling back to the United States at the end of his tour when he stopped in russia to see a woman he had a romantic relationship with. Officials here say he went to russia without permission from his superiors. Now, the u. S. State department currently warns americans not to travel to russia, saying two other americans are being wrongfully detained, paul whelan and journalist evan gershkovich. Staff sergeant black is currently being held in pretrial confinement. Lester . Courtney kube, thank you. With Campus Protests over the fighting in gaza showing no signs of easing around the country, Columbia University today became the latest school to cancel its main commencement ceremony. Maggie vespa now with late developments. Reporter the tidal wave of protests including tonight several arrests near new york citys famed met gala now colliding with Commencement Season. Meanwhile, Columbia University today canceling its main graduation celebration. Its been a tough time, honestly. Its been really i think i think its been demoralizing. Free palestine reporter also tonight, Emory University announcing it will move its main commencement off campus, citing safety concerns. Why are you doing this . Reporter last month Police Clashed with demonstrators there. Meanwhile, Commencement Season marked by disruptions. A propalestinian protester covered in fake blood stormed northeastern universitys stage this weekend. Divest reporter while demonstrators marched through the University Of Michigan ceremony. At ucla today dozens of arrests. We will not rest disclose reporter demonstrators calling on the school to divest from israel, marching and holding sitins. The administration saying classes would move fully remote the same day campus was supposed to be back to Business As Usual after police cleared an encampment there last week. Today officers called in to clear tents at uc san diego. Police arresting 64 protesters. Nbc news now tracking protests at more than 75 campuses nationwide. Arrests close to 2,500. Protesters at the University Of Chicago erecting a fence around their camp after negotiations with the administration collapsed overnight. Faculty calling on the school to avoid bringing in police. Our most immediate concern is for the wellbeing of our students. We dont want them getting beat up just because theyre camping on the lawn. Reporter the school saying students demands were inconsistent with the universitys principles. Were not going away. Were not giving up the fight. And maggie joining us now from the campus of the University Of Chicago. Maggie, there was a deadline there for students to leave the encampment. Where does that stand . Reporter yeah, lester, thats right. Students back there tell us the administration ordered them out by midnight last night. So at this point they say theyre just bracing for police intervention. Meanwhile, the school isnt commenting on the next steps. Lester . Maggie vespa, thank you. Now to the frightening moment at a church in pennsylvania. A man pulling a gun and about to shoot a pastor when the gun fails to go off. And all of it playing out on livestream. Emilie ikeda now with the video. And we have to warn you, it is disturbing. A whole different Kingdom Of God reporter minutes into the sunday sermon outside of pittsburgh and it shows reporter pastor glenn germany suddenly found himself staring down the barrel of a gun. The heartstopping moments captured on the churchs livestream. You can make out the gun jamming. This morning when i woke up reporter a close call bringing the pastor to tears. Im seeing, you know, what happened and im totally grateful but im really starting to process it right now. Reporter a fastacting Church Deacon jumped in to help. The two seen wrangling the gun from the attackers hands, who allegedly told police that god told him to do it. The pastors wife watched in horror. You ask yourself is this really happening . Reporter 26yearold bernard polite, who told authorities he didnt know the pastor, has been charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Just hours after the incident at the church polites family made a grisly discovery less than a mile away at his home. His older cousin, derek polite, had been fatally shot. No charges have been filed in that investigation yet. But germany says it makes his narrow escape all the more surreal. This is nothing less than a miracle because i truly seen that gun being pointed at me. Reporter a relative tells me the suspect has a history of mental illness. But the family is shocked by sundays violence. Its unclear if he has an attorney. Lester . Emilie ikeda, thank you. In 60 seconds the new investigation into boeing over one of their popular jets following inspection concerns. Plus, counting down to tonights crucial test flight of boeings Crewed Starliner spacecraft. Right after this. Opd things changed for me. Breztri gave me better breathing, symptom improvement, and reduced flareups. Breztri wont replace a Rescue Inhaler for sudden breathing problems. It is not for asthma. Tell your doctor if you have a Heart Condition or high Blood Pressure before taking it. Dont take breztri more than prescribed. Breztri may increase your risk of thrush, pneumonia, and osteoporosis. Call your doctor if worsened breathing, chest pain, mouth or tongue swelling, problems urinating, vision changes, or eye pain occur. Ask your doctor about breztri. Tmobile savings, take one. Focus. 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It will inspect the fleet. In the meantime, breaking news. The Starliner Flight To Space is on hold. Years behind archrival spacex, Boeings Starliner spaceship is tonight perched atop a powerful atlas 5 rocket. High stress and high stakes as two astronauts become the first to ride starliner into orbit. This is where the rubber meets the road. Reporter pilot Sunita Williams and commander butch wilmore, navy test pilots and nasa veterans, have been training for years. But starliner is over budget and years overdue. And like its commercial aircraft, Quality Control at boeing is in the spotlight. During a 2019 uncrewed test flight starliners internal clocks were misprogrammed, off by 11 hours. Mission control forced to abort. Later learning starliner could have crashed into the space station. Last june more delays. Engineers discovered flammable tape inside the capsule and parachute straps that might not hold. You know, that adage youve heard since apollo 13, failures not an option. Reporter the good news, an Uncrewed Mission did reach the station in 2022. Does this spaceship feel like its ready for prime time . I feel like were ready to go and the spacecraft is ready to go. Reporter the launch is on hold because of an engine valve problem. Theyll try again tomorrow night. Lester . Up next the massive car company youve never heard of in china and why theyre out to lap the rest of the electric vehicle field. Will we see them on the road here soon . It was one thing when my mom got alzheimers, but then we started noticing things that seemed. Off. She developed agitation that may happen with dementia due to alzheimers disease. Sometimes shed fidget with her fingers, get suddenly overwhelmed, and even throw things. And that was just never her. So we asked her doctor what else we could do. Rexulti is the only fdaapproved medication proven to reduce agitation symptoms that may happen with dementia due to alzheimers disease. Rexulti can cause serious side effects. 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Ask your childs Eczema Specialist about dupixent. Were in the middle of. Livin large and having a big day the Meeting Point of humanity and history. In the middle of being the fun uncle in the middle of being a kid again beep beep theres something for everyone in illinois. The middle of everything were back now with our series the future of the road. In the battle for the electric car market one company in china is leading the charge with cheaper models. But could it disrupt sales here in the u. S. . Lets get more from janis mackey frayer. Reporter in the competitive world of chinese Electric Vehicles its looking for a spot. Reporter that are going further and costing less than ever before, no Company Makes or sells more than byd, the chinese giant taking on tesla, offering cars for as little as 10,000. Lets drive. Reporter along with higherpriced luxury models. Zero to 60 Miles Per Hour in about three seconds. Anything like this in the u. S. . Nothing ive drove. Reporter but dont look for electric cars from Byd On American Roads anytime soon. U. S. Government need to be more friendly. Reporter stella lee is the ceo steering byds expansion in the americas. In an exclusive interview she said the u. S. Is not part of the plan. Yet. They are not ready. But for byd, we are ready. Reporter what conditions would need to exist in order to consider an entry into the u. S. Market . Thats a good question. You should go back to ask d. C. Reporter byd faces stiff hurdles in the u. S. , including a 25 tariff on imports and pushback from u. S. Automakers who see chinese competition as a major threat. I think its going to require Trade Restrictions for a limited period of time, which will allow the western automakers and the u. S. Automakers to catch up. Reporter even teslas ceo, elon musk, who just made a surprise visit to beijing to meet officials its good to see Electric Vehicles making progress in china. Reporter said that without trade barriers chinese evs will, quote, demolish other car companies. Byd began as a battery manufacturer, and with the help of Government Subsidies now controls every mile of its lowcost supply chain from parts to shipping. Among the concerns of u. S. Automakers and lawmakers, that byds plan to build a factory in mexico could allow the company to skirt tariffs under free trade rules. Byd denies thats the goal. And u. S. Officials say there are growing fears china could use Smart Car Technology to spy on american drivers. What did you make of the Biden Administration opening an investigation into Smart Car Technology because of National Security concerns that this technology was coming from china . I dont understand. There is no data like to prove that. You think National Security concerns are overblown . Overblown. Oversensitive. And misleading. Reporter byd alone is producing more than 3 million cars a year, with capacity for more. 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Reporter after floating down the delaware, battleship new jersey is now like a duck out of water, drydocked for maintenance in philadelphia, where shes getting three fresh coats of paint, nearly 3,000 gallons. That hasnt happened in decades. Shes 887 foot 7 inches long. Reporter Ryan Szimanski is curator of the ship, which is also a museum. Right now theres a lot more of her to see, like the exposed propellers. One of the most common reactions is can i touch it . Reporter the answer is yes. I actually can. There we go. Reporter visitors are coming from All Over The World to go under the 45,000ton vessel, which is propped up on keel blocks. Its incredible. And when you do get to see it . It takes your breath away. Reporter shes the nations most decorated battleship, the only one to see service during the vietnam war. Kenneth kerr served aboard as a Navy Machinist back then and is now a volunteer here. Vietnam veterans come aboard, and ive actually seen this, where they get down and kiss the deck and say that if it wasnt for this ship they wouldnt be alive today. That just touches you. Reporter when the works done, the ship will return to the water and to camden, new jersey where that history will live on. Joe fryer, nbc news. Thats nightly news for this monday. Thank you for watching. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. Good night. Fire in the israelhamas war a reality. Why its far from a sure thing and the impact its having on the protests at College Campuses across the United States. Also, Cancer Concerns about firefighters uniforms, San Francisco making an unpleasant precedented move to ban them. We investigate. I have also observed customers who