We are covering the israelhamas war. Were Tracking Developments late today as republicans are scrambling to agree on any replacement for ousted House Speaker Kevin Mccarthy. We have a report on that and all its implications later in the newscast. Today u. S. Secretary of state Antony Blinken was in israel for meetings with prime Minster Netanyahu as troop amass at the border. Amidst blinkens trip, the Israeli Government today released new graphic Photo Evidence of the mass atrocities. Israel says the photos show how hamas murdered and burned babies, which blinken acknowledged while pledging u. S. Support. He a reiterated bidens views that the destruction is on par with isis. Soldiers beheaded, young people burned alive in their cars or in their rooms. In a litany of brutality and inhumanity that, yes, brings to mind the worst of isis. The first accounts of those acts came initially from israeli soldiers. They recounted what they had just seen after reclaiming areas under attack. Its no
Civilians. A total siege, no fuel, water, food, and no electricity at all as the strips sole power plant has died. Gazan authorities are pleading for a humanitarian help. Its not clear how any aid can get through. The only Border Crossing point between gaza and egypt has been hit multiple times over the past 24 hours. At the same time, overwhelmed hospitals are doubling as shelters. This is the corridor of one of those today. Children, newborn babies, families, have all been huddling. And then there is israel, which is reeling from both more rocket attacks, and the spreading news of just how unspeakably awful hamas was when it brutalized and murdered innocent civilians, including children and even babies. In the israeli city of ofakeem, our reporters have been making their way through some of the homes there that were ransacked by militants and learning how some residents escaped. Others, of course, were not so lucky. They were kidnapped, including potentially americans. President bide
Gonna continue the coverage from israel. President biden had another lengthy phone call today with israels Prime Minister, benjamin netanyahu. Vice president Kamala Harris joined the phone call in which President Biden pledged more military aid to israel, after that call, at 2 24 pm, the president said this. You know, there are moments in life, and i mean this literally, when the pure, Unadulterated Evil is unleashed. On this world. The people of israel lived through one such moment this weekend. The bloody hands of the Terrorist Organization, hamas, a group who stated purpose for being is to kill jews. This is an act of sheer evil. More than 1000 civilians slaughtered, not just killed, slaughtered in israel. Among them, at least 14 american citizens. Killed. Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children. Stomach churning reports of being babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people massacred while attending a musical festival the to celebrate peace.
Our coverage of the israel hamas war continues now. It is 1 00 a. M. Local time there. You can see in its fourth day what it looks like in this war. We also lead our coverage by telling you back here in america, President Biden made his most thorough remarks on this war to date, releasing the news that the u. S. Has confirmed hamas has taken americans hostage in those surprise Terrorist Attacks. The president did not say how many. He did confirm hamas killed 14 americans there in those attacks, and he went on to condemn what he calls pure, Unadulterated Evil. You know, there are moments in this life i mean this literally when the pure Unadulterated Evil is unleashed in this world. Its abhorrent. The brutality of hamas, the bloodthirstiness brings to mind the worst rampage of isis. This is terrorism. The president s comparison there to isis is deliberate. The president is telling americans that hamas is acting like one of the worst modern enemies the u. S. Or modern world has ever faced
Picking up our continuing live coverage of the war in israel, for despite ongoing violence, the Israeli Defense forces say they have regained control their territory. My colleague lester holt is in tel aviv tonight. Tonight, israel bombing the hamas run gaza strip, ordering a complete siege. No electricity, fuel, our food allowed inside, as they the Palestinian Militants responsible for the massive Terror Attack thats left hundreds dead, including americans. Its what israeli officials called their 9 11. Tonight, israels Prime Minister says airstrikes in gaza are just beginning. [speaking in a global language] translator we just started to hit hamas. Meanwhile, the death toll is also growing inside gaza tonight. Palestinian Officials Say hundreds are dead from israeli retaliation operations, including civilians, rescuers combing through rubble. [speaking in a global language] we were sitting peacefully, and then started Feeling Debris falling on us. My dad and sister were killed, this m