WEBVTT 00:01.133 --> 00:03.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% GEOFF BENNETT: Welcome to the "NewsHour." 00:03.166 --> 00:06.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% After more than six weeks of heavy fighting, a pause in the battle between Israel and Hamas 00:08.100 --> 00:10.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in Gaza will have to wait at least one more day. 00:10.800 --> 00:15.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Israeli officials tell "PBS NewsHour" there will be no hostages released or pause in its 00:15.666 --> 00:18.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% military campaign until at least Friday. 00:18.666 --> 00:23.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The deal would lead to the release of at least 50 women and children held hostage by Hamas 00:23.500 --> 00:26.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and 150 Palestinians detained by Israel. 00:26.900 --> 00:28.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Nick Schifrin has the latest. 00:28.900 --> 00:33.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: In the hours leading up to temporary peace, there's intensified war. 00:36.400 --> 00:41.300 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Israeli jets bombed several targets across Gaza today, including Khan Yunis in the south, 00:41.300 --> 00:44.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% where many from Northern Gaza had fled for safety. 00:44.933 --> 00:48.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% When the bombing began, some were praying in a mosque, including Abu Ahmed Al-Agha. 00:48.733 --> 00:52.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% ABU AHMED AL-AGHA, Gaza (through translator): This is an entirely residential area. 00:52.900 --> 00:54.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% They bombed it completely. 00:54.933 --> 00:59.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The ones who were in these homes were children, women and young people and those that came 00:59.233 --> 01:01.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% here to find safety. 01:01.333 --> 01:05.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: In Northern Gaza, Israeli soldiers fought in alleyways and inside buildings. 01:09.500 --> 01:14.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% This is fighting on Hamas' home turf inside the residential neighborhoods they use as 01:14.333 --> 01:16.366 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% bases. 01:16.366 --> 01:20.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The army released video of what it called an operation on a Hamas outpost in a school 01:21.900 --> 01:25.200 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% filled with rocket launchers, tunnel shafts and hundreds of rockets. 01:25.200 --> 01:29.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% MAN: Now we are in the tunnel just below the... 01:29.400 --> 01:33.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% NICK SCHIFRIN: And the IDF escorted journalists through what Israel calls extensive tunnels 01:33.733 --> 01:38.733 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% underneath Gaza's Shifa Hospital that Hamas used to move and fight. 01:40.733 --> 01:44.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% All of this fighting will pause no earlier than Friday for carefully choreographed hostage 01:44.000 --> 01:46.300 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and prisoner releases. 01:46.300 --> 01:50.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Hamas promises to release a dozen women and children every day for four to five days for 01:50.800 --> 01:52.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% a total of 50. 01:52.833 --> 01:56.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And for each additional 10 women and children that Hamas releases, Israel would hold fire 01:56.800 --> 01:59.400 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% for an additional day. 01:59.400 --> 02:03.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Israel promises to release about 35 Palestinians currently in detention every day for 150 total. 02:05.800 --> 02:09.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% A senior administration official said this round was supposed to include all 90 kidnapped 02:11.266 --> 02:15.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% children and women, but Hamas could only deliver 50, in part because it's not holding all of 02:17.000 --> 02:19.633 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% them, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS Mornings today. 02:19.633 --> 02:23.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JAKE SULLIVAN, U.S. National Security Adviser: We do assess that other militant groups, even 02:23.000 --> 02:27.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% potentially criminal organizations, are holding some of the hostages and that Hamas is working 02:27.500 --> 02:30.433 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% to try to ensure that it can deliver on its side of the bargain. 02:30.433 --> 02:35.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: In Israel, there remains a tension, the desire to see through the military 02:35.000 --> 02:40.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% operation and its goal of Hamas' complete destruction and fulfilling the Jewish saying, 02:41.200 --> 02:44.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% saving one life is like saving an entire world. 02:44.366 --> 02:49.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% RUEBENA GREENBLAT, Israel: Whatever deal they will come to, whatever number of people will 02:51.900 --> 02:55.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% come back, we are agreeing to everything. 02:55.633 --> 03:00.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Just, we need all the people back, children, mothers, elder, soldiers, everybody, everybody. 03:02.566 --> 03:07.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: But some politicians opposed holding fire at all, and some Israelis who've 03:09.400 --> 03:12.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% lost family in previous terrorist attacks consider released Palestinian prisoners a 03:12.533 --> 03:14.566 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% threat. 03:14.566 --> 03:16.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% MEIR SCHIJVESCHUURDER, Lost Family Members in Bus Bombing (through translator): What 03:16.466 --> 03:19.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% comes up in today's apparent deal is that about 200 terrorists will be released back 03:19.733 --> 03:21.766 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% to Jerusalem. 03:21.766 --> 03:24.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% This means that they will roam the streets and intensify the terror to levels that I 03:24.866 --> 03:26.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% don't know we can tolerate. 03:26.466 --> 03:29.766 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% NICK SCHIFRIN: Today, the Israeli war cabinet defended the deal. 03:29.766 --> 03:33.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Israeli Prime Minister (through translator): I want to be clear. 03:33.566 --> 03:37.200 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% The war is continuing. 03:37.200 --> 03:40.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We will continue until we achieve all our goals. 03:40.033 --> 03:45.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: In the occupied West Bank, the Abu Maria family is hoping their teenage 03:46.500 --> 03:48.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% son, Ube (ph), is on the list of released Palestinian prisoners. 03:48.566 --> 03:52.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% FIDA ABU MARIA, Mother of Prisoner (through translator): I wish all the prisoners would 03:52.800 --> 03:57.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% be released, like those sentenced for high crimes and women and children. 03:57.233 --> 04:02.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: The deal will also allow 300 humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza each 04:03.333 --> 04:06.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% day, more than three times the current limit. 04:06.666 --> 04:11.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Inside Gaza, for the displaced packed into overwhelmed shelters, that assistance and 04:11.433 --> 04:14.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% a pause in the fighting cannot come soon enough. 04:14.033 --> 04:17.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% SAMEEH AL KAFARNA, Displaced From Beit Hanoun (through translator): We want many humanitarian 04:17.433 --> 04:18.466 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% cease-fires. 04:18.466 --> 04:20.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We want a full cease-fire. 04:20.500 --> 04:24.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NICK SCHIFRIN: For both sides, this was a day of aspiration, after 47 days of brutal 04:25.666 --> 04:29.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% war, 47 days of waiting. 04:29.066 --> 04:32.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Nick Schifrin. 04:32.166 --> 04:37.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% GEOFF BENNETT: The Biden White House played a key role in negotiating the hostage deal. 04:37.033 --> 04:42.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I spoke with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby a short time ago. 04:43.433 --> 04:45.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Admiral John Kirby, welcome back to the "NewsHour." 04:45.500 --> 04:46.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN KIRBY, NSC Coordinator For Strategic Communications: Thank you so much for having 04:46.300 --> 04:48.433 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% me. 04:48.433 --> 04:51.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% GEOFF BENNETT: What more can you tell us about who will be included in this hostage release? 04:51.100 --> 04:54.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And how many Americans are expected to be in this group? 04:54.000 --> 04:58.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% JOHN KIRBY: We don't know exactly who's going to be in this first increment that will come 04:58.633 --> 05:00.666 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% out. 05:00.666 --> 05:02.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And it's important for people to remember that not all 50 will come out together. 05:02.200 --> 05:05.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They will come back in smaller groups over the next few days. 05:05.366 --> 05:10.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We know that there are three Americans that we expect to be in this installment of 50, 05:12.700 --> 05:13.966 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% the whole group of 50. 05:13.966 --> 05:16.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We just don't know when they will be coming out. 05:16.766 --> 05:20.100 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% And we certainly hope that they will be in at least one increment. 05:20.100 --> 05:25.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% There are two American women and then there's young 4-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, who actually 05:26.566 --> 05:29.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - - actually, she turns 4 on Friday, as a matter of fact. 05:29.833 --> 05:31.833 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% That's her birthday. 05:31.833 --> 05:35.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So we have every expectation that, because they certainly qualify, this group of hostages 05:37.966 --> 05:41.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% are women and children, that those two American women and young Abigail will be among them. 05:41.600 --> 05:43.633 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% That's our hope. 05:43.633 --> 05:46.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% GEOFF BENNETT: There are nine American citizens and one green card holder whom are said to 05:46.800 --> 05:48.066 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% be missing. 05:48.066 --> 05:50.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% What more does the U.S. know about their status? 05:50.200 --> 05:52.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% JOHN KIRBY: We don't know a whole heck of a lot. 05:52.666 --> 05:57.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% There are 10 total that we are tracking U.S. citizens. 05:57.033 --> 06:02.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And we don't know for sure how many are all in that hostage pool, but we believe there 06:03.933 --> 06:08.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% are more Americans that are being held hostage, somewhere up to about 10 total. 06:09.433 --> 06:11.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And, again, we just don't know exactly where they are. 06:11.466 --> 06:14.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We don't have information about what condition they're in. 06:14.600 --> 06:17.666 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% We're doing the best we can to get as much information as possible. 06:17.666 --> 06:22.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But, again, the focus on this first negotiation will be on women and children. 06:22.266 --> 06:25.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% GEOFF BENNETT: Well, as you mentioned, the hostages are expected to be released over 06:25.966 --> 06:27.933 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% a period of four days. 06:27.933 --> 06:31.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Take us through the choreography, the logistics of how that will play out. 06:31.566 --> 06:36.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN KIRBY: So, sometime over the next 24 hours or so, hopefully sooner than that, we 06:37.733 --> 06:40.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% will start to see the first hostages move. 06:40.200 --> 06:45.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that will be commensurate with a humanitarian pause, a pause in the fighting by both sides, 06:46.800 --> 06:50.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to allow for the safe passage of those hostages. 06:50.600 --> 06:54.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And when that safe passage -- it'll be announced by Qatar. 06:54.800 --> 06:58.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% When that safe passage -- or -- I'm sorry - - when that humanitarian pause starts, then 06:58.900 --> 07:03.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% we can expect the hostages will start to move and we will be able to start moving more trucks 07:03.266 --> 07:06.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% of aid in over the course of those four days. 07:06.833 --> 07:11.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We're looking at hopefully several hundred trucks of food, water, medicine and fuel to 07:13.300 --> 07:15.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% be included in the humanitarian assistance over those four days. 07:15.833 --> 07:20.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% GEOFF BENNETT: Israel has said that, for every 10 additional hostages that are released, 07:22.166 --> 07:25.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Israel would pause the fighting for another 24 hours. 07:25.233 --> 07:28.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Could this pause then be extended indefinitely? 07:28.000 --> 07:30.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Is that something that the U.S. wants? 07:30.133 --> 07:34.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% JOHN KIRBY: Well, the pause could be extended in accordance with those parameters that Israel 07:37.700 --> 07:39.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% laid out. 07:39.833 --> 07:43.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I don't know that we could say indefinitely, but, certainly, if Hamas is willing to release 07:45.833 --> 07:49.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% more hostages, it certainly would appear that Israel would be willing to keep the pause 07:49.033 --> 07:50.966 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% in place. 07:50.966 --> 07:54.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% That would be a good thing if we could get even more hostages out than these 50-plus 07:54.733 --> 07:56.766 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% women and children. 07:56.766 --> 07:59.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We want to get all those hostages released to their families, where they belong. 07:59.100 --> 08:01.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They shouldn't have been held hostages in the first place. 08:01.200 --> 08:03.233 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% But we have to see. 08:03.233 --> 08:05.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I got to tell you, right now, the focus is on implementing the deal before us, which 08:05.800 --> 08:10.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% is for the four days, the 50-plus women and children, and getting that additional humanitarian 08:11.733 --> 08:13.200 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% assistance in. 08:13.200 --> 08:15.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% GEOFF BENNETT: Well, let's talk more about that. 08:15.800 --> 08:18.933 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% What is the plan to surge badly needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and into the hands of innocent 08:20.100 --> 08:22.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% civilians, the folks who need it the most? 08:22.200 --> 08:26.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN KIRBY: We're working with the U.N., we're working with relief agencies, we're working 08:26.600 --> 08:31.600 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% with the government of Egypt and, of course, Israel to stack up as many trucks loaded as 08:33.966 --> 08:37.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% heavily as they can be with food, water, medicine, and now again fuel, which the Israelis have 08:37.066 --> 08:42.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% committed to, allowing to go in tens of thousands of gallons per day over the course of this 08:42.533 --> 08:44.533 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% pause. 08:44.533 --> 08:47.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And we're getting them racked and stacked so that, if in fact we can get this pause 08:47.100 --> 08:51.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% in place -- and we're all obviously waiting with bated breath to see if it will get implemented 08:51.300 --> 08:55.233 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% - - those trucks can be ready to roll through that Rafah Crossing. 08:55.233 --> 08:59.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Before the war started, about 500 trucks a day were going into Gaza, not all through 08:59.800 --> 09:01.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Rafah, but about 500 trucks. 09:01.966 --> 09:06.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And now it's a combat zone, so it's a little bit more difficult to get that level up there. 09:08.400 --> 09:10.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But we have thus far been able to get roughly about 100 a day. 09:10.733 --> 09:11.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We fell short a few days. 09:11.733 --> 09:13.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We have exceeded it a few days. 09:13.800 --> 09:18.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We think that this deal, if it's implemented by all sides, we could get several hundred 09:18.466 --> 09:20.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% trucks in over the course of the next few days. 09:20.600 --> 09:25.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% GEOFF BENNETT: Are there concerns that Hamas will use this pause in fighting Gaza to regroup 09:26.800 --> 09:28.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and to reorient for the potential fight to come? 09:28.900 --> 09:30.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JOHN KIRBY: That's always a concern. 09:30.933 --> 09:34.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% When you're dealing with a terrorist group like this, any pause in the fighting could 09:34.666 --> 09:39.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% allow them to regroup, refit, retrain, resource their troops. 09:39.300 --> 09:40.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% That's always going to be a concern. 09:40.533 --> 09:42.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I know the Israelis are concerned about that. 09:42.100 --> 09:44.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They will certainly be watching for that. 09:44.100 --> 09:48.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And that's why this negotiation doesn't come without risk to the Israeli Defense Forces. 09:48.233 --> 09:53.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% There was certainly an aspect here of some moral courage by the war cabinet and President 09:53.033 --> 09:57.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% - - I'm sorry -- Prime Minister Netanyahu to allow for this pause, because that could be 09:57.733 --> 10:00.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% a concern there, that Hamas might use that time. 10:00.766 --> 10:04.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% That's one of the reasons why, quite frankly, we're not in favor of a permanent cease-fire, 10:04.533 --> 10:09.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% because that does benefit Hamas to a fare-thee-well, to allow them additional time and breathing 10:10.700 --> 10:13.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% space to prepare and plan for other attacks. 10:13.066 --> 10:18.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% GEOFF BENNETT: Admiral, does this deal, once it's implemented, does it provide a framework 10:18.033 --> 10:20.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% for future agreements, potentially? 10:20.000 --> 10:21.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JOHN KIRBY: It could. 10:21.900 --> 10:23.966 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It certainly could. 10:23.966 --> 10:26.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Again, we're focused on the deal in front of us, the one that we worked so hard. 10:26.900 --> 10:30.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The president was personally engaged in helping broker this deal. 10:30.433 --> 10:32.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We want to see it implemented. 10:32.200 --> 10:34.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And now we're at that moment. 10:34.733 --> 10:39.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So our focus is on the next few days and making sure that all sides meet their commitments. 10:39.333 --> 10:42.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But could it open up other opportunities? 10:42.000 --> 10:46.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We certainly hope so, in terms of getting other hostages out and getting more humanitarian 10:46.100 --> 10:48.200 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% assistance in. 10:48.200 --> 10:51.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% GEOFF BENNETT: Understanding that your focus is on the here and now, what's the plan for 10:51.833 --> 10:54.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the day after, on day five, when this pause lifts? 10:54.733 --> 10:57.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% JOHN KIRBY: Well, again, we will have to see where we are. 10:57.133 --> 10:59.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I wish I could answer that question. 10:59.233 --> 11:03.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% It's difficult for us to put ourselves five days into the future right now. 11:03.800 --> 11:05.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We want to see more hostages come out. 11:05.933 --> 11:10.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And if, at the end of the four days, there's an opportunity and a willingness on both sides 11:12.900 --> 11:16.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to extend the pause, to extend the agreement, to allow more hostages to get out, that would 11:17.066 --> 11:18.500 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% be a great thing. 11:18.500 --> 11:20.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And we certainly would be in favor of that. 11:20.166 --> 11:23.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But, again, I don't want to get ahead of where we are. 11:23.200 --> 11:26.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We really are in the very early stages here of implementation on this deal. 11:26.900 --> 11:30.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And it's really important to all of us and I know it's important to all the families 11:30.866 --> 11:35.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% out there, the families of these hostages, that this deal get implemented, and get implemented well. 11:37.900 --> 11:40.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% GEOFF BENNETT: National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, thanks for your time, Admiral. 11:40.066 --> 11:41.366 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% We appreciate it. 11:41.366 --> 11:41.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JOHN KIRBY: You bet. Good to be with you.