Welcome to the lead. Im jake tapper. Live on a rooftop overlooking tel aviv, israel. Its just after 11 00 p. M. Here. Its been 16 days since the horrific Terrorist Attacks by hamas caught this country and, frankly, much of the world by complete surprise. Well start with breaking news. Hamas has released two more of the hostages it kidnapped from israel during the october 7th terrorist attack. Thats according to multiple sources who say the hostages are nurit cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz. The lifshitz family said in a statement the women were handed over to the red cross and will shortly return to israel. We happened to be at the time with Israeli Defense spokesperson Jonathan Con Reek Cass when the news came in. This is part of his reaction. They are differentiating, distinguishing between only israelis and double citizens or perhaps only foreigners which rings familiar for me as a jew and Third Generation holocaust survivor, rings familiar from other types in our history. Israel belie
People during its deadly heinous invasion On October 7th, 222, it is believed, and negotiating the release of these remaining hostages is one of the big reasons the u. S. Wants israel to delay its Ground Incursion into gaza. The Israeli Defense minister saying an operation by air, ground, and sea will be coming, quote, soon. The idf today said Israeli Soldiers are taking part in training exercises to improve their capabilities for future ground operations. The other reason the u. S. Wants israel to delay any Ground Offensive is to make sure that more humanitarian aid can get into gaza to help the innocents the innocent palestinians. As of now 54 aid trucks 15 entered gaza but Relief Groups warn much, much more help is necessary. To put this into context, the area normally gets about 455 aid trucks every day. Since october 7th gazas more than 7,000 truckloads short of normal standards. But a senior israeli official told cnn there will be no ceasefire. The idf says it hit more than 320 t