Will visit israel. Hes coming here at a critical moment for israel, for the region, and for the world. The president will reaffirm the United Statess solidarity with israel and our iron clad commitment to its security, that israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks. The president will hear from israel and help conduct operations in a way that will minimalize civilian casualties and assistance to gaza in a way that does not benefit hamas. Thats u. S. Secretary of state Antony Blinken announcing President Bidens trip to israel this week ahead of that countrys looming Ground Offensive into gaza. The president s trip comes amid a growing humanitarian crisis there in gaza and desperate efforts to get civilians out of the war zone. Well go through all of that and get a live report from israel in just a moment. Plus, well bring you the latest from capitol hill on jim jordans push to become house speaker. Well break down who is supporting the trump ally heading into todays vote. Good morning and welcome to Way Too Early on this tuesday, october 17th. Im jonathan lemire. Thanks for starting your day with us. And well begin this eventful morning with the very latest out of the israelhamas war and news that President Biden will travel to israel this week to support americas ally there in the region. The president is set to leave later tonight arriving tomorrow in what will be his second trip into an active war zone this year alone. Biden is expected to meet with Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu and other israeli leaders. Afterward, biden will travel to the country of jordan. There, he will meet with palestinian president , egypts president , and the king of jordan. Meanwhile, Israels Defense Forces launched air strikes into gaza for another day targeting the Terror Group Hamas the death toll yesterday stood at over 2,800 killed in gaza and at least 1,400 killed in israel. 29 americans have died to this point in the conflict, and there are still 14 u. S. Citizens unaccounted for while israeli officials said yesterday its believed that hamas is now holding 199 hostages in the besieged gaza strip. On monday Secretary Of State blinken attended meetings with israels war cabinet to show support. It comes as israel prepares for a potential Ground Invasion of gaza amid a deepening humanitarian crisis there and underscoring the dangers, Secretary Of State blinken had to shelter for quite some time when airraid sirens went off there in israel. Now, palestinians have been without food, fuel, or water since october 9th due it the uzeraly siege of that area. Nearly half of the population has been displaced followed an Evacuation Order issued by israel last week. Now, the white house has said israel has agreed to getting humanitarian aid to its neighbor and developing safe zones for civilians. At 3 00 a. M. Local time in Jerusalem Blinken made this announcement today following nine hours of negotiations with israeli officials. The United States and israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in gaza and them alone including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harms way. It is critical that aid begin flowing into gaza as soon as possible. Now, further details of the plan are not yet known, but aid for gaza is expected to be a key focus for President Biden when he visits tomorrow. Again, the u. N. Says more than 1 million people, which is about half of gazas population, have been displaced in the ten days since the war began. In preparation of a likely Ground Invasion, which could come as soon as this weekend, israel directed gaza residents to evacuate to the south, leaving more than 600,000 people without anywhere to go. Joining us now from tel aviv, israel, Senior National correspondent for nbc news jay gray. Jay, good to see you again. Give us the latest there on the preparations and the sense there in israel ahead of President Bidens visit. Yeah, and jonathan, were at the market here in downtown tel aviv. I can tell you a lot of people there are anxious to see the president arrive. Theyre anxious to see the president come and support israel and support the effort that they are involved in right now. As you talked about hes going to have to walk a fine line, though, during this surprise visit. Hes going to have to talk about that u. S. Support, something hes been very sure about and very vocal about since this war began but also the talk about getting aid into those who may need it in areas where right now its just not able to move. Weve talked about the rafah border and problems coming out of the border as well as the problems with getting any type of aid inside, and thats going to continue to be an issue. Theres been no closure, no nothing there thats changed, and so thats something hell be dealing with when he arrives here. Again, for the most part i think when you talk to people on the streets here in tel aviv theyre very excited, very pleased the president is coming here. A big show of support from a huge ally. Yeah, and one that comes just a few months before he travels to the war zone in ukraine for a similar show of support. Senior National Correspondent for nbc news, jay gray, be safe there. We appreciate you joining us this morning. Well now turn to Global Affairs analyst and Senior Fellow at the atlantic counsel. Michael, good to see you. You spent years in the middle east working as a unicef spokesperson. Lets talk about this deal to allow humanitarian aid into gaza. Secondly, if it does happen, how will these resources get to civilians who need it considering the dangerous situation on the ground, the strikes coming, and hamas presence. Sure, good to be with you. It cannot happen soon enough. U. N. Spokespersons have said the last droplets of water are flowing into the gaza strip. Thats the most important thing to bring to people of gaza right now is water, of course, food and shelter. You cant have a million or so people out in the open like that especially with the weather turning. In terms of aid getting in, its a very, very complicated situation. We have heard reports of hamas militants, whatever you want to call them, actually blocking or stealing aid from u. N. Facilities. Thats a problem. And also i think that israel is very cognizant that something needs to be done to release the israelis being held in gaza as well, so thats going to factor into things. I think what really needs to happen, jonathan, is for that rafah border to open as soon as possible. Lots of trucks lined up waiting to bring that aid in and we all hope President Bidens visit will push egyptian officials. We heard from President Biden over the weekend on 60 minutes saying when asked if the u. S. Had the ability to support both u. S. And ukraine he said with some vigor, yeah, of course with the greatest country in the world we can do that. But there are resources and theyre finite. And these are strained war zones. Whats your analysis not just on the u. S. But other western allies, are they going to support both particularly as the conflict of Ukraine Heads into the winter and shows no sign of abating . Sure. I can tell you theres a lot of concern here on the ground in ukraine right now even before what happened in israel, you know, attention was being diverted away from ukraine. We have the dysfunctionality happening on capitol hill, funding tied up there. And take my word for it, the worlds autocrats are watching that carefully. But i think we can put quite a bit of stock in what United States officials are saying, that it can handle both wars. There is going to be some overlap i think in terms of ammunition. Global stockpiles were low even before it happened in israel, but definitely it couldnt be the worse time right now for aid to stop flowing from the United States and their allies. I think the ukrainians feel right now theyre on the cusp of getting an advantage over the russians, so it couldnt come soon enough. And hopefully legislation can pass that perhaps ties the aid between israel, ukraine, and possibly even taiwan. Yeah, and that aid package by the white house connects all of those countries. Well see, though, if it gets to the house once they finally elect a speaker. Global Affairs Analyst and Senior Fellow at the atlantic counsel, thank you as always for your analysis. Turn to a couple more headlines now. The Department Of Justice has been investigating the killing of a 6yearold muslim boy in illinois as a federal hate crime. Truly horrific story. Attorney general Merrick Garland released a statement yesterday announcing the launch of a probe into the terrible attack. Garland writes in part this. No one in the United States of america should have to live in fear of violence because of how they worship or where they or their family come from. Investigators there in illinois say the 6yearold and his mother were allegedly attacked by their landlord because they were muslim and because the suspect was riled up by the war between israel and hamas. The child was stabbed 26 times and died from his injuries. His mother was stabbed more than a dozen times but is expected to survive. Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral for the boy as he was laid to rest yesterday in the town of bridgeview, which is just outside chicago. The 71yearold suspect faces eight counts including first degree murder and two Hate Crime Charges on the local level. Well bring you more on that story as it develops. Also before we go to break, weve got Breaking News now out of europe. Belgiums Interior Minister says a man suspected in a deadly attack last night in brussels has been identified and is now dead, ending a manhunt that lasted several hours. Authorities say the suspect opened fire Last Night Killing Two swedish nationals and injuring a third person. Theyve deemed it a, quote, brutal terrorist attack. Belgium authorities also say the suspect posted on socmedia he was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group and that he was possibly motivated to attack swedish citizens. As a result, a soccer game between belgium and sweden near the attack in the citys center was canceled partway through the match. Belgium authorities also raised the threat level in brussels to its highest level. Well bring you any new details as we get them. Still ahead here on Way Too Early, well turn to some domestic news, and well go through Donald Trumps latest gag order and show you his response to the judges ruling. Plus, why the Department Of Justice is appealing the sentences of an Extremist Group who helped coordinate the january 6th attack on the capitol. Those stories and a check on the weather when we come right back. E weather when we come right back. My skin has been so much smoother so much more hydrated. Its olay with Olay Hyaluronic body wash 95 of women had visiblybetter skin. And my skin is so much more moisturized. See the difference with olay. My most important kitchen tool . My brain. So i choose new neuriva ultra. Unlike some others, it supports 7 brain health indicators, including Mental Alertness from one serving. To help keep me sharp. Try new neuriva ultra. Think bigger. Welcome back as we turn to some of the mornings other top headlines starting with this one. Former President Donald Trump cannot make disparaging comments about prosecutors or potential witnesses in his federal election interference case. That significant decision was announced yesterday by u. S. District judge tonyah chutkan. They originally asked for a more comprehensive gag order but judge Chutkan Refewed to put reintersections on trumps statements about washington, d. C. , criticisms of the government, or the doj. But as nbc news points out, she imposed a restriction on all parties including trump to ban them from making or posting any statements publicly targeting the Special Counsel or his staff as well as court Staff Members or personnel. In a ruling judge chutkan rejected the trump teams argument that he should be allowed to say what he wants because hes running for president. She said this. Mr. Trump can certainly claim hes being unfairly prosecuted, but i cnot imagine any other criminal case in which a defendant is permitted to call the prosecutor deranged or a thug. And i will not permit it here simply because the defendant is running a political campaign. Trump responded at a Campaign Event in iowa yesterday. They think the only way they can catch me is to stop me from speaking. They want to take away my voice, and judge gave a gag order today. Did you hear that on speech, which i believe is totally unconstitutional what she did. The judge gave a gag order. The judge doesnt like me too much. Her whole life is not liking me. Trump says hell appeal the ruling. Elsewhere the Department Of Justice is appealing the sentences of five members of the proud boys Militia Group who were convicted in the wake of the january 6th insurrection. The appeals include the groups former leader, enrique tarrio, i three others found guilty of Seditious Conspiracy. Many of the final sentences fell far below what prosecutors had requested. According to the hill the move falls in line with the way the doj handled other Seditious Conspiracy cases including sentens handed down from members of the oath keepers with prosecutors like wise appealing the sentences for members of that far right Militia Group. Still ahead well turn to sports and highlights from a truly terrific night of playoff baseball. Two excellent games. Plus, a recap of monday night football, and that one went right down to the wire. Thats all straight ahead. Went right down to the wire. Thats all straight ahead. all toooo youuuuu sean i wish for the amazing new iphone 15 pro jason sean do you mean this one the one with titanium . sean no way i can trade this busted up thing for one. jason maybe stealing wishes from the birthday boy is not your best plan switch to verizon and trade in any iphone and get the new iphone 15 pro on them. sean what . jason yup, and on an Amazing Network sean and i dont have to ruin anymore Birthday Parties jason yeah, that ship has sailed. Lets go get you the iphone. Here we go, come on hon. vo its your last chance to trade in any iphone for a new iphone 15 pro on us. Only on verizon. Heres Kyle Schwarber ready to lead off. Ball swinging, and there it goes. An ambux buschwarber, and its 10 phillies. The slugging Philadelphia Phillies needed just one pitch to take the lead last night against the Arizona Diamondbacks in game one of the nlcs. The fourth lead off home run of Kyle Schwarbers Playoff Career marks the most in Major League Baseball history. He went after the first pitch, and two batters later so did bryce harper. Harper doubled phillys lead with a 31st Birthday Bash sending the first pitch he saw 420 feet over the right center, and he pretended to blow off the candles he rounded the bases. Hes scorching hot and added a solo shot of his own in the third inning. Phillies tacked on two more runs. Philly hangs on 53. Theyre up one game to zero. Game two tonight also in the city of brotherinlawly love. To houston now. The Texas Rangers now have a commanding two game lead over the astros in the nlcs and winning twice on the road. He struck out nine batters including two in a row as the rangers rode a four rf run first inning to 53 victory. The series shifts in arlington to game three. Lets turn now to the nfl and more cause for celebration for sports fans in the dallas area. Rangers win and now to los angeles heres cowboys quarterback dak prescott, he ran 18 yards right there for a first touch down and completed this go ahead touch down pass to brandon cooks. But it worked. Dallas defense did the rest stealing the victory with a sack and an interception on l. A. s final Drive Picking off justin herbert. Cowboys beat. Angie, hows it looking out there . Good morning. Things are looking pretty good actuall