what's up, leia? how are you doing? how are you? i can't wait. you guys ready to see what we did? yes, we're excited. yes. well, we really wanted to make that place that was your recovery, that's your love that's your space, that's where you. that's leia's place. - yes. yes. we really wanted it to match your enthusiasm for it, so-- oh, we appreciate it. --i hope we have taken it to the oasis that you dreamed we could. check out your backyard. oh, my goodness. oh, my goodness! oh, my god. oh, my goodness. this is beautiful. wow. christine: oh, my goodness. you got your own botanical garden. leia: oh, my goodness. look at this. i just couldn't believe it. the greenery. the gravel. christine: it was so beautiful to look at. i mean, it's pretty. it's more than pretty, it's gorgeous. leia: it's exciting. it's emotional. it's just-- it's boom! oh, my goodness, this is gorgeous. totally way beyond my expectations. christine: definitely. leia: oh, and the shed. oh, my goodness. christine: oh, wow. ok, i have to sit here. oh, my goodness. george oliphant: take a breath. i have to sit and take a breath. this is explosive. this is so beautiful. thank you. thank you. look at this. look at this backyard. it's so nice to see someone that you love have so much enjoyment and happiness on their face, to see that the backyard that she loved, that she loved planting in was now made even better, well suited for her, well suited for the area. oh, look at the bells. we got the bells. oh, my goodness. and because we had this big, beautiful maple tree, that's why a lot of the things you were trying to grow wouldn't grow. they just weren't getting the sun. we couldn't put a patio here because the roots would make it upheep, so we went all with pea gravel and still give you visual interest and still give you color. this is too nice. george oliphant: i have to asked-- do you recognize these pots? oh. oh, they painted the pots. oh, my goodness. we upcycled every one of your pots and all of your plants that were here, we saved. anything that was alive, we got rid of, obviously, the weeds and the roots and what have you. but your tomato plants, i bonded with one. he named it susan. she's hiding over here somewhere. i'm never leaving this is my staycation. i can't wait to be back here tonight. right. you can party. now, she wants to be back here. - yeah, i want to be back here. - now, she wants to come back. now, she wants to be in the back. you're going to have to drag me out. yeah, i'll drag you out. you know, i feel like i got a little bit of the garden itch now, just because it looks so attractive and alluring. she's going to start getting annoyed with me, ok? that's going to be my space, but no just playing. hey, rich, you hiding back there somewhere? un-uh. there he is. leia: rich. oh, my goodness, rich, they say you're the best, you're the best. thank you so much. you're welcome. we appreciate you, george. and when you first came, you said i know people. you know people, and you got the job done, so we're truly thankful for all that you did, transforming this ugly yard into an oasis. there has been a ton of memories throughout this year, and to know that you guys have been a part of the good ones, it means a lot. she's going to be out there and thriving and vibing and just chilling with susan, and all the worms and whatever insects may be, and i'm just very happy. thank you, clc. yeah. and "george to the rescue," yes. george oliphant: they make it look good. tonight fears of a broader war are growing as the u.s. sends more military resources to the middle east. israel ramping up its air strikes against hamas claiming they killed some of the terror group's senior leaders. trucks carrying aid for palestinian civilians finally rolling into gaza though humanitarian groups say it is not nearly enough. and the new claim by hamas that they offered to release two more hostages. why israel says that's not true. an american aircraft carrier group moving into the persian gulf. why the u.s. says it could help prevent a broader war. >> we are taking steps to make sure we can effectively defend our people. new details about the two american hostages released friday. their phone call with president biden and our interview with another american family pleading for the release of their son. >> i just hope that they will bring him home and my soul will come back to me. >> reporter: a beloved synagogue leader stabbed to death in michigan. police searching for a motive. and capitol hill chaos. a whopping nine candidates now running for house speaker. can any of them bring republicans together? good evening. just over two weeks since the terrorist attack on israel. the israeli military intensified air strikes as it readies for the next stage of war. tonight there are growing fears that this war could widen. to head that off the u.s. is increasing its military presence in the region. still, today on "meet the press" secretary of state antony blinken said we expect a likelihood of escalation. there are also hopeful signs this weekend. the first aid convoys were able to enter gaza from egypt bringing much needed food, water, and medical equipment. hamas said today they are willing to release two more hostages but israel denies any offer has been made. as we learn more about the two americans set free on friday. we have several reports tonight beginning with raf sanchez on the ground in israel. >> reporter: tonight israel ramping up its war from the air, claiming it has killed several senior hamas figures in strikes across gaza. while israeli troops are massing on the border they are still awaiting the command to launch an all out ground invasion while israel's president did an interview on sky news making a shocking claim about documents on a dead hamas terrorist. >> we are dealing with isis, al qaeda, and hamas. this is what we're dealing with. in this material there were instructions how to produce chemical weapons. >> reporter: tonight hamas using hostages as human bargaining chips in an apparent effort to delay the attack. after releasing an american mother and daughter friday the group says it is ready to free two elderly israelis. we don't know if the offer is sincere. >> acts are what speak not words particularly coming from hamas. >> reporter: but it is forcing the question should israel allow more time for negotiations? fears growing of a wider war including in lebanon where israeli troops are exchanging fire with the iranian backed militant group hezbollah. prime minister benjamin netanyahu tonight threatening if hezbollah joins the war he'll order attacks on targets all across lebanon. with every passing hour, gaza sinks deeper into humanitarian disaster. aid finally started arriving saturday with more today. but it is a fraction of what is needed for gaza's 2 million civilians. the u.n. warning it has just three days of fuel left and that aid efforts will collapse if more doesn't arrive >> i have been working as a doctor but i haven't witnessed anything like this before. >> reporter: in many hospitals surgeons operating by cell phone lights and according to the associated press using vinegar as the antiseptic. we joined this photographer on his first visit home since the attacks. >> to see the destruction but first hand. >> reporter: documenting the site where more than a hundred civilians were killed including his older sister and her husband. >> it wasn't time for grieving, or whatever. okay. they're gone. we need to stay focused. >> reporter: focused on healing and building once again. >> when people asked me about rebuilding this place, i will say we're israelis. we are in the business of making life, building them. creating them. >> raf joins us now. any indications on the timing for an israeli ground invasion of gaza? >> kate, we are learning tonight the leaders of france and the netherlands will be in israel in the coming days. a possible sign israel plans to delay its invasion at least until those leaders leave. kate? >> raf sanchez, thank you. u.s. officials are worried a ground war could spark a broader conflict across the region. to help prevent that the pentagon overnight announced it is moving more u.s. military resources to the persian gulf. josh lederman has more. >> reporter: with its closest middle east ally at war tonight the u.s. military is surging resources to israel's back yard, moving an aircraft carrier and attack ships to the persian gulf. deploying advanced missile defense systems to the region, and putting more u.s. troops on stand by who could de ploy on short notice. the goal? containing the israel/gaza conflict before it spirals into a regional war that could suck in the u.s. >> if any group or any country is looking to widen this conflict and take advantage of this very unfortunate situation that we see, our advice is don't. >> reporter: defense department officials tell nbc news these latest moves are intended to deter iran from threatening israel or u.s. troops in the region. iran, a major backer of both hamas and lebanon based hezbollah another of israel's arch enemies. >> we are concerned. we expect that there is a likelihood of escalation. >> reporter: tonight there are growing signs the crisis may already be spreading. the u.s. ordering its nonemergency staff in iraq to leave after reents drone attacks target -- recent drone attacks targeted u.s. targets in iraq and syria. on thursday a u.s. war ship shot down cruise missiles and drones backed by houthi forces in lebanon and the pentagon says the target may have been israel. how high is the risk right now of regional war? >> i think the primary focus is to prevent widening of the war. it is right on the cusp of a disaster. passions are high. >> josh is with us now. president biden spoke with prime minister netanyahu today. what do we know about that call? >> reporter: well, the white house says the two leaders agreed humanitarian aid should continue flowing into gaza and they also consulted on freeing the hamas hostages including u.s. citizens. kate? >> josh lederman, thank you. we are learning more tonight about the two american hostages released by hamas on friday. what they told president biden and how their story is giving hope to others. one new jersey family's emotional message to their teenage son still held captive in gaza. >> reporter: tonight a new sense of urgency to free hostages following the release of two americans held in gaza. >> i've been waiting for this moment for a long time. >> reporter: judith and her 17-year-old daughter natalie released on friday after nearly two weeks in captivity. president biden speaking to the pair from the oval office. >> i just want to say thank you for your services for israel. >> look, that's been long-serving. i'm just glad to get you out. >> reporter: this giving new hope to the families of at least 200 other hostages still held by hamas. like the family of this 19-year-old adan alexander. >> i'm sorry, like crying the whole morning. >> don't be sorry. >> i mean, mom, how are you feeling? >> it's really tough. >> reporter: adan graduated from high school in new jersey last year then volunteered to serve in israel's defense forces. >> reporter: how did it feel when you learned two american hostages -- >> okay. so all my body was like this. i was shaking. >> reporter: his mom says adan was working near the israel/gaza border on october 7th. she saw him days earlier and they spoke on the phone that morning. >> he tells me, mom, this, that. like it's crazy, world war ii here. >> reporter: he said that. >> yeah. a lot of bombing. >> reporter: so this is his room. >> yes, this is adan's room. >> reporter: that is the last she heard from him. officials tell the family adan is alive and being held hostage by hamas in gaza. >> when they told me that i was like, breathing for a second because i knew, okay. so we have a hope now. >> reporter: adan's sister miikka says they must channel their hope into action. the 17-year-old speaking at a rally in times square. >> please don't forget adan or any of the other hostages. >> reporter: eyal says she is confident in u.s. officials joining a zoom call with president biden and other families earlier this month. do you believe the u.s. government is doing enough? >> yes, yes. they are doing it and we have a proof on friday. >> reporter: the family hoping friday's release marks the first of many. if he was to be watching this whether in english or hebrew, what would you want to tell him? >> i am just wishing that he's really strong over there. every time when i spoke with idan i would say to him in hebrew [ speaking in global language ] it's my soul. and just hope that they will bring him home and my soul will come back to me. >> reporter: nbc news, tenafly, new jersey. police are searching for a suspect tonight following the deadly stabbing of a beloved synagogue leader near detroit this weekend. late today police said they have no evidence so far that her faith was a factor in her murder but they also say they continue to search for a motive. the incident of course comes at a time when jewish animus limb communities are on edge across the country. jesse kirsch reports now from detroit. ♪♪ >> reporter: tonight detroit blind sided by heart break. >> we love you so much. >> reporter: at a funeral today family and friends said good-bye to samantha woll, a jewish synagogue board president who detroit police say was found early saturday repeatedly stabbed and killed. >> she believed in humanity, which of course is a terrible irony for today. >> reporter: michigan's attorney general who knew woll calling her death a brutal murder, investigators discovering a trail of blood leading to the 40-year-old's home where they believe she was killed. >> our community has lost just a tremendous, tremendous human being. >> reporter: woll's friend sarah said she made everyone feel special. she was actively trying to bridge divides between different faith groups. >> yes, yes. >> reporter: woll's death comes as federal authorities are concerned about attacks on jewish americans, arab americans, and muslim americans because of the israel/hamas war. detroit investigators have not announced a motive but this afternoon the city police chief making a point of saying, so far no evidence has surfaced suggesting this was motivated by anti-semitism. news of the stabbing comes on an intense weekend. in new york city so many pro palestinian demonstration clark with police. earlier this month in a new york city subway station police say a woman was punched in the face. the suspect allegedly telling her it was because you are jewish. in illinois last saturday, authorities say a 6-year-old palestinian american boy was stabbed to death allegedly targeted because of his muslim faith and the war overseas. divisive times making woll's death an all the more heart breaking loss. >> sam so vehemently believed in this jewish value of repairing the world. >> jesse joins us from outside woll's synagogue. we are learning more about what was found at her home? >> reporter: yes, kate. multiple law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation telling nbc news there were no signs of forced entry or defensive wounds and sources say investigators found a large israeli flag that appeared to be untouched. >> jesse kirsch, thank you. when we come back the chaos on capitol when we come back the chaos on capitol hill as nine, yes, oooh! refill? help yourself man. dude? dog food in the fridge? it's not dog food. it's freshpet. real meat. real veggies. real weird. he was bad luck anyway. freshpet, it's not dog food. it's food - food. do you struggle with occasional nerve aches in your hands or feet? try nervive nerve relief from the world's number one nerve care company. nervive contains ala to relieve nerve aches, and b-complex vitamins to fortify healthy nerves. try nervive. and, try nervive pain relieving roll-on. febreze! your bathroom... needs febreze small spaces... the always-on, odor-fighting air freshener you set and forget. no outlets used, no batteries needed, no effort required. so your bathroom stays continuously fresh for 45 days. that's the power of febreze small spaces. family is just very important. she's my sister and, we depend on each other a lot. she's the rock of the family. she's the person who holds everything together. ♪♪ it's a battle, you know i'm going to be there. keytruda and chemotherapy meant treating my cancer with two different types of medicine. in a clinical trial, keytruda and chemotherapy was proven to help people live longer than chemotherapy alone. keytruda is used to treat more patients with advanced lung cancer than any other immunotherapy. keytruda may be used with certain chemotherapies as your first treatment if you have advanced nonsquamous, non-small cell lung cancer and you do not have an abnormal “egfr” or “alk” gene. keytruda can cause your immune system to attack healthy parts of your body during or after treatment. this may be severe and lead to death. see your doctor right away if you have cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, severe nausea or vomiting, headache, light sensitivity, eye problems, irregular heartbeat, extreme tiredness, constipation, dizziness or fainting, changes in appetite, thirst, or urine, confusion, memory problems, muscle pain or weakness, fever, rash, itching, or flushing. there may be other side effects. tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including immune system problems, if you've had or plan to have an organ or stem cell transplant, received chest radiation, or have a nervous system problem. it feels good to be here for them. living longer is possible. it's tru. keytruda from merck. ask your doctor about keytruda. if the past few weeks have seemed chaotic on capitol hill with just one candidate at a time running and failing to get the top job of house speaker, well, get ready because as of right now there are nine, yes, nine republicans running for the speaker's gavel. tracking it all from capitol hill. >> reporter: tonight it is back to square one with a whole new slate of candidates. nine house republicans now throwing their hats in the ring for the speaker's gavel before today's noon deadline. as of right now there is no clear front-runner. >> this is embarrassing for the republican party. it's embarrassing for the nation. we need to look at one another and solve the problem. >> reporter: ousted former speaker kevin mccarthy now supporting minnesota congressman tom emmer who served in house leadership with him. the candidates range from 11-term congressman pete sessions of texas to the relatively new hard core trump supporter byron donalds of florida. only two of the nine candidates voted to certify the 2020 election results on january 6th. the wide open race comes after house judiciary committee chairman jim jordan lost three votes on the house floor and majority leader steve scalise pulled out after failing to gain enough support. with the government shutdown deadline looming republicans face mounting pressure to end the infighting. >> it is too dangerous right now. the world is on fire. this is so dangerous what we're doing. >> reporter: starting tomorrow candidates will make their pitch behind closed doors. they'll need to get 217 votes potentially from among their rivals to win the speaker's gavel. >> getting 217 will obviously be very difficult and is sort of the rubric's cube of the answer to all of this. >> the rubric's cube. the lobbying for votes starts tomorrow. how long could this whole process take? >> reporter: well, kate, republicans are set to meet behind closed doors on tuesday and if there is a strong contender then, we could see a floor vote the same day but there are no signs this process is going to move quickly, kate. >> all right. allie raffa for us on the hill. thank you. still ahead the come from behind win and the major come from behind win and the major mileston ewhen my doctor gave me breztri for my copd things changed for me. breztri gave me better breathing, symptom improvement, and reduced flare-ups. breztri won't 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. don't 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. ♪ on your period, sudden gushes happen. say goodbye gush fears! thanks to always ultra thins... with rapiddry technology... that absorbs two times faster. hellooo clean and comfortable. always. fear no gush. ♪ limu emu & doug ♪ [bell ringing] and doug says, “you can customize and save hundreds on car insurance with liberty mutual.” he hits his mark —center stage— and is crushed by a baby grand piano. are you replacing me? 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