Welcome to the lead. Im jake tapper. We start with Breaking News. The Israel Defense forces announced this evening it is expanding its Ground Operations against hamas in gaza. This was the scene just moments ago. It has been nearly constant rocket fire and explosions. Gaza residents tell cnn that these are the most intense air strikes that they have experienced since the war began 20 days ago. And there are reports of widespread power and cellular and internet outages across the gaza strip. It is unclear what these ramped up attacks will mean for Hostage Negotiations. Today israel said it believes hamas is Still Holding 229 innocent people that they kidnapped october 7th. In the United States, the white house says it is in, quote, active conversations with israel about a humanitarian pause to work on the release of the hostages. Diplomatic sources told cnn earlier today that significant progress had been made. U. S. Officials are insistsing those talks are going to continue, although t
This is cnn Breaking News. We are following Breaking News at this hour, israels military says its Ground Operation in gaza is expanding. Im Anderson Cooper in tel aviv. We are seeing live pictures out of gaza right now. Large explosions over the gaza strip, the idf says it is, quote, operating forcefully. Those are their words on all fronts and will continue striking gaza city and keep calling upon civilians to evacuate south. This comes as were learning more about Hostage Negotiations with hamas. U. S. Officials insisting Hostage Talks will continue even as the Israeli Military ramps up its air strikes and expanding its operation on the ground. Jeremy diamond is in ashelon for us. We have been hearing the ste steady thud of these intensified Bombardment Thes and Artillery Fire on the gaza strip. This has been the loudest and most intense, perhaps even the most sustained bombardment of the gaza strip that we have heard in three weeks of covering this war. All of this as the idf says it
And welcome to cnn news rooms continuing coverage of israel at war, im michael holmes. Its 1 a. M. In atlanta, 8 a. M. In gaza where estimated one million more than that have been displaced by the war between israel and hamas but theres been a major news break regarding hostages. American woman and daughter undergoing medical evaluation in israel after being released by hamas on friday. Judith and her daughter were visiting family at a kibbutz when they were taken hostage by hamas two weeks ago. Lambs is believed to have holding 200 hostages. Idf spokesperson had there to say after the women were released. These are the first two and what we see and what we know is that hamas is trying to paint itself as a Human Rights Organization now by having given back two of the hostages. Rockets are raining down on israel as im speaking and lets get back all the hostages and then we can speak with them. Cnn katie joins me live from london with more on what was a surprising development. Katie tell
War. It is when i am here in atlanta, atm in gaza city where the Ministry Of Health now reports 471 people have been killed in tuesdays deadly Hospital Blast. Israel was quick to claim and then deny responsibility, but now to review i u. S. And idf intelligence, the u. S. Publicly backs israels claim that in errant rocket fired by an Islamic Group caused the explosion. There is new video that appears to show a Rocket Flight from gaza and exploded both of gaza city just before the blast. On the ground, this was the moment of the explosion outside the hospital. U. S. National Security Council raised a statement reading, and part, the u. S. Government assesses that israel was not responsible for an explosion that killed hundreds of civilians at the hospital. Based on available reporting, missile activity, and open source video and images of the incident. That assessment came as the u. S. President arrived in israel, wednesday. Earlier on air force one, he was asked for his message to thos
Hello and welcome to our viewers in the united states, and around the world. Im john vause at the cnn center in atlanta, with our breaking News Coverage of israels war with hamas. Israeli airstrikes continue to pound gaza more, than 1000 targets have now been hit according to the idf. All of them liked the idea all of them lying to. Hamas when the deadliest attack this weekend on israeli soil in many. Years this is just a beginning of an israeli response, that price that Prime Minister netanyahu said will resonate for generation. As explosions continue to rock gaza, these raley Defense Minister has ordered a complete Siege Cutting off electricity, and water from israel, as well as food fuel, and other supplies. Has been lit up from rocket fire and gaza, targeting Southern Israel. Right now dozens of hostages are being held by hamas somewhere in gaza, a spokesperson for the military wing of hamas warning a civilian hostage will be publicly executed in response to israeli airstrikes on p