Prompting new retaliation from u. S. Forces and new fears that the violence could spread. Lets bring in Aaron Gillcrist whos covering todays diplomatic meetings in washington at the white house and Nbcs Jay Gray whos in tel aviv. Jay, starting with you. What is the latest on the ground in israel and gaza as we talk about last hour the war Cabinet Meeting last night and what may have come from that. Day 81 of the war and as intense the u. N. Says it has been since the start and as deadly. They are saying the intensity of the battles on the ground as well as the air strikes has ramped up over the last 48 hours. We know that the attacks have been targeting from the air control and command centers according to the idf. They have been working also to identify and target some of the senior hamas leaders saying that one of their air strikes did kill a leader but not saying to this point who that may be. On the ground, they are continuing to try and expose and then eliminate the Tunnel Networks beneath gaza and we know that in the last 24 hours, they have found one of those Tunnel Networks and are working their way through that network as well. One last note on all of that. The u. N. Is saying that since christmas, more than 100 people have died in the fighting there. Aaron, you know, lets get straight to the discussions happening not far from where youre at. What they might be talking about, whats on the agenda and what the tone will be. We havent gotten a readout as of yet. We dont know whether the meeting has started but we know the drivers of the u. S. Israel interaction since october 7th. The two men on the u. S. Side have President Bidens ear. Two of his core advisers on most every issue and ron dermer is a top confidant of the israeli Prime Minister, american born. The expectation today is that theyre going to have a conversation about what the u. S. Has been calling the tough topics. Asking tough questions about whats been happening on the ground in gaza. What the israelis plan to do Going Forward and when they might actually tamp back some of the activities that have been happening. We know theres been a high intensity series of operations happening in gaza particularly in the last few weeks and the u. S. Has been pushing through Secretary Of State blinken, through the National Security adviser sullivan for israel to pull back a bit. To do more strategic strikes, more intel driven precision strikes on particular hamas targets and people in gaza. So thats something that will be a part of the conversation today. The other part of the conversation will be focused on hostages. There are still more than 100 of them as youve noted on the ground in gaza. So there are going to be con ver says about how negotiations can be restarted and what the u. S. And israel can do to get more hostages out of gaza, richard. Jay, as aaron is saying, its going to be a push pull in this conversation and one of those elements that are, can be contributed to the tone by which theyll be talking about is how little the Israeli Government is listening to what the u. S. Has to say about their strategy and what are you seeing there in israel and gaza . Theres no question that israel has to walk a fine line here. They are getting support, ammunition, Financial Aid from this war from the u. S. It is their biggest Support Mechanism outside of the country. I was here before this war started and as the tanks built up, the troops built up along the border and the u. S. Pushed to have a delay in the ground offensive, they were very clear at that point. We will go in when were ready, when we think its best and on our own timing and now as the u. S. Is pushing as aaron just talked about for a scaled back attack, a more precise attack, as Global Pressure is mounting for things to slow down, they have doubled down on that idea in the last couple of days. Prime minister netanyahu saying this war is going to continue. That they are not going to let up on any of the intensity and this is a fight that will continue until hamas is gone. We heard today from a Chief Of Staff with the israeli army and i want to read exactly what he said. He says the war is quote expected to continue for many more months. Many more months. Thank you both so much for your reporting. Joining us now, nbcs Tehran Bureau chief. As we bring together, the main theatre of conflict which aaron and jay were talking about, we have not too far from there, other pieces that are involved. Other conflicts. 105 attacks on u. S. Forces in syria and iraq. This is part of the conversation. Yeah, thats right. We saw the latest attack this morning on Christmas Day when the u. S. Military attacked some iranianbacked Militia Groups in iraq after some u. S. Personnel were injured. One of them critically in a drone strike on a u. S. Air base in iraq. Now the focus of these strikes were three sides used by a group in response to attacks they carried out on u. S. Forces in iraq and syria. As you know, they are Finance Armed and trained by iran. Theyve been a very Prominent Group involved in attacking the u. S. Since they were created in 2007. Theyre based in iraq. They also have a strong foothold in syria. They also surface in bahrain and lebanon depending on where and when iran needs them and this is a very key point. Its these militias that carry out all of the attacks on iran. And weve seen a steady increase in these attacks since the Israeli Palestinian war broke out on october 7th. Look, richard. There have been a big lull in these attacks between say march and october. The iranian and the saudis were trying te some sor of the iranian were trying to get the nuclear deal back on track. So you saw almost a complete lull in these attacks but as soon as this war between hamas and israel started up, there was a marked increase in these attacks and thats because iran kept warning about red lines not being crossed. Now, iran doesnt want to get involved directly in this fight and this is why theyve created what they call the axis of resistance which these groups in syria and iraq are part of and also a part of that are the houthis who have reeked havoc In The Red Sea and the strait. Now, we haveeen the u. S. Form a coalition of Maritime Forces to protect the red sea but that hasnt put the houthis off these attacks. In fact, theyve stepped up the attacks. Almost happening on a daily bases and i think while this conflict continues, youre probably going to see more attacks by iranian backed militias in iraq and syria against israel and the United States. Recently just yesterday, the israelis took out a senior irgc commander. In syria, he was said to be close to sul man. Theyre up in arms about this commander being taken out. They usually down play it. But theyre putting a lot of attention on this and it makes you wonder is that some kind of a set up for more attacks against u. S. And israeli interests in the region. I mean, the tension is certainly simmering. The iranian are issuing warnings every day and these are what these proxies axis of resistance have been created for. Exactly days like this. To put the United States, to put israel under as much pressure as possible. So, as long as the fighting continues in gaza, i think were going to see more of these proxy attacks in the region In The Red Sea carried out by the houthis, by the and by forces in syria including the Al Assad Regime which also answers to tehran. Joining us now, admiral james, former Supreme Allied Commander of nato. Admiral, lets start with alis reporting and of course well get to gaza right after that. As part of our conversation. Why are we seeing this 105th attack . On opening or is this just rules of the game this year . Youre going to see more of this and it is because iran sees opportunity. They see israel kind of totally involved. Understandably. In a war in gaza. And as a result, they are going to probe around the edges. Number two, from tehrans perspective, heres an opportunity to reduce the chances of israel and saudi arabia coming together. This is a diplomatic move that i think is inevitable. Its going to happen. But by using these proxy forces, creating a lot of sand in the ears, iran is pushing back and number three. Iran wants to appear in a commanding position in the middle east. Particularly in the eyes of their backers, russia and china. So all of that leads me to believe were going to continue to see these attacks until the United States responds more directly. And i think that is going to be a tough set of decisions for the white house, which doesnt want this conflict to expand regionally but at the moment, we have two Nuclear Powered aircraft carriers, half a dozen attacked aircraft squadrons, 2,000 marines afloat. They are there as a signal to tehran. So far, tehran doesnt appear to be listening. Quickly, arent we already expanding if were seeing an upsurge here to 105 plus attacks . Indeed, we are. And the point would be those are going to continue, in my view, until iran realizes that were not going to give them a pass simply because theyre using proxies. Ill give you an example. When they used these Proxy Houthis to attack merchant shipping, it lends the International Global commerce system and as a result, we ought to be responding not just against houthis, but against iran itself. I think thats coming if iran doesnt back it down. Link it to all of this, israel, Prime Minister netanyahu putting out an oped saying gaza needs to be demilitarized as a prerequisite for peace. His spokesperson was on last hour. Listen to what he said. Take a look at historical lessons from the second world war. And its an interesting question, the one you asked. You see that the German Society has deradicalized after a total victory of the allies against a pure evil of the nazis. Germany, the United States, the u. K. Are partners right now. Same goes for japan. We certainly hope by eliminating i just have to interrupt you there. If youre looking at that, its just, you know, apples and watermelons. With gaza here, the conflicts are very different. These are i dont know that these are great comparisons. So you heard what she said on that, admiral. Netanyahu making the same argument in his oped. Is that apples and watermelons . Its like apples and hub caps. They arent even both organic. I think that every time israel launches a 2,000 pound bomb and creates massive collateral damage, you create if you will, accidental terrorists and what was missing in those world war ii comparisons of course is the underlying radicalization within the religion in the region. That creates a passion set all of its own. I think and im sure this is being conveyed to the ambassador who is a friend of mine and someone who i have a lot of regard for, almost ten years the israeli ambassador here in washington. What is being conveyed by Jake Sullivan and blinken is look, as your friends, we are telling you you have got to dial this back because the longterm consequences, not just in the creation of terrorists, but in the creations of sanctions against israel, loss of israeli economic advantage globally, theres a host of longterm costs thats going to be associated unless the israelis start to dial it back. Some might argue looking at the oped that were not seeing much of a dial back, at least as of this hour. Thank you so much, admiral. Appreciate your time. You bet. Next, what polls are suggesting could do Donald Trumps president ial Campaign Even if he wins the republican nomination. And later, two of President Bidens top officials will head to mexico city to discuss migration. Were back in 60 seconds. Uss migration. Were back in 60 seconds mom thats a bit dramatic. A better plan is verizon. It starts at 25 dollars a line. dad did you say 25 dollars a line . sister and save big on things we love, like netflix and max dad oh, thats awesome mom spaghetti night dinner in 30 dad oh, happy day vo a better plan to save is verizon. It starts at 25 per line guaranteed for 3 years and get both netflix and max for just 10 mo. Only on verizon. Theres challenges, and i love overcoming challenges. When better money habits® content first started coming out, it expanded what i could do for Special Olympics athletes with developmental needs. Thousands of Bank Of America employees like scott spend countless hours volunteering to teach people how to reach their financial goals. It felt good. It felt like i could take on the whole world. A New York Times oped amin donald trump could have on the 2024 race. Argues like polling shows trump with a slight leadr biden, thosebers flip among key voters if a trnviction is factored into that. It cites a recent wall street poll showing trump up by four Percentage Points but if trump is convicted, theres a fivepoint swing putting biden ahead 4746. A new poll, that swing is seven points. Perhaps most alarming for the trump campaign, a New York TimesSiena College poll from this month saying almost a third of republican primary voters believe trump should not be the nominee even if winning the primary. Joining us now, charlie dent. A. J. Elrod, carol lamb. Charlie, starting with you. Trump has the loyalty of million of voters but these polls indicate its not that simple. Of course. I mean, we can see the polls today that show maybe trump has a slight lead over biden but the election is not today and were a few months away from the actual general election. I think that part of the reason christie is running because he is making the case that donald trump is far too great a risk for the Republican Party given all the legal entanglements. While right now, trump seems to be energized by the fact hes indicted, back down here on planet earth, indictments usually spell political death and a conviction is even worse. Thats why people like Chris Christie are hanging around in this race because they know the dynamics of this race can change overnight upon a criminal conviction. In that poll, it showed about a third of Republican Voters would be very uncomfortable perhaps walking away from trump in the event he is convicted. Of course, that would be the end of his candidacy. One third. Also highlighting polling that suggests the impact of a conviction we even more pronounced in the swing states. A onetime poll showing biden winning six states by ten points if trump is convicted and sentenced. So much more at stake here in the swing states. Absolutely. The campaign hasnt even really started yet. The general Election Campaign hasnt started. It certainly looks like donald trump is going toward being the republican nominee but thats not guaranteed by any stretch and i think thats why its so important. Why youve got you know a number of trials going on and why its so important these trials start sooner rather than later so that we can really see where things stand more quickly. Again, this is one of those things that weve got to look at where theres such an entrenched belief that donald Trump Supporters are with him no matter what. A number of polls have proven if convicted, he will lose a dramatic amount of support which is why its so important we see justice being served and i think President Biden is going to win regardless because again, the election hasnt even really gotten started and i think when people start hearing donald trump back on the Campaign Trial saying crazy things, using the dangerous rhetoric he uses, reminding voters of the dangerous policies hes put in place, the election will become more clear, but again, when you look at these convictions coming forward, potential convictions coming forward, it only paints a more clear picture to a lot of Republican Voters in what theyre going to do and how theyre going to vote this in the general election. Carol, could there be a fifth Criminal Case in the the Detroit News Reporting the existence of a tape where donald trump is pressuring two Election Officials not to certify the results there. Does this become an issue in the state of michigan, part of jack smiths case . Either one could happen. Jack smith could decide to what we call su supersede the existing indictment but more likely, he would add as an additional overt act or act in furtherance of the conspiracy. Again, we are all working against a clock here. Were all watching the clock with respect to when all of these trials may get to actually be tried in front of a jury and thats the big question here. Does he subpoena all of the tapes there, carol . I understand theres only two or three minutes the detroit news has right now . Yeah. Subpoenaing the tapes or even doing a warrant for them would be pa