Good day to our viewers in the United States and around the world. Im kasie hunt. Its monday, october 9th, 5 00 a. M. In washington. Noon in israel where war is being waged and history is being made. Israels military the idf Just Announced theres no fighting at the moment between Israel Defense troops and hamas inside israel. A spokesman said the idf has retain control of all communities around the gaza strip. Saturday morning, armed Palestinian Militants launched a Surprise Attack. They blasted holes in the border fence, killed Israeli Soldiers and civilians and took hostages. According to their own Propaganda Videos that have been authenticated by cnn. More than 700 people are reported dead in israel authorities said sunday. In gaza, palestinian officials said overnight that the death toll is up to 436. With more than 2200 injured. President Biden Expressing Rock Solid Support for israel. At least four americans were killed in the attacks according to a source familiar with a briefing to house members. The u. S. Now sending a Carrier Strike group to the eastern mediterranean. Cnns Becky Anderson is live in tell aleve. Becky, whats the latest on the fight against hamgs militants still on israeli territory . The idf says theyve taken control of their own territory, although it did take longer than they expected. So whats next . Reporter yeah, the idf this morning, saying that they do now have control in all communities, on the israeli side of the border. But they say, they are still fighting militants on that side, so there are still breaches that they are trying to fix. Look, the massive effort over the last, what, 36 hours, or 40 hours now, has been to secure and protect the communities on that Southern Side of the israel gaza border. And we know, just the devastating impact, those breaches have had. 700 israelis dead, as awe you rightly point out. 260 of those were youngsters at a Music Festival on saturday morning. And we also know there are so many hostages who have been taken from that Music Festival and from these communities around the border. And more on that, of course in a moment. But thats been the real effort. Today, i can hear booms just behind me. Were not that far along the coastline, of course, to the north, from gaza. We know the idf has continued to target militant headquarters in gaza, overnight. And into this morning. We also know that hamas has fired upwards of 4500 rockets out of gaza into israel. And this number is absolutely remarkable. Thats more rockets in, what, 48, 50 hours, than were fired in the last conflict over 10, 12 days. I mean, this is this is really remarkable stuff. Just last night, into the wee hours of this morning, we were working through in 5 00 in the morning. And we saw the flashes in the sky here. And were in tel aviv, of incoming fire and the Iron Dome Interceptors. Im just listening to the hotel now, which is giving us an announcement, that i think they are asking to us evacuate to the shelters in the hotel. You should stay safe. Go ahead, thank you. Reporter well come back as soon as were safe. Thank you very much for that reporting, Becky Anderson is taking shelter right now which i think underscores everything we have been reporting right now. This is very much a live situation. Local Media Reporting that the Israeli Military says that they now have control in all communities on the israeli side of the gaza border. But there may still be militants in the area. They insist that tanks and aircraft will secure the breaches in the border and that the idf has almost completely evacuated residents from local communities. Nic robertson is with us now in israel. Nic, this is an incredibly difficult situation because hamas plans to be holding more than 100 hostages. You can bring us up to speed . Reporter yeah, i mean, just to give you some detail of what were hearing here, we are between where becky is in tel aviv and gaza, perhaps halfway between. And just about as becky was getting the Warning Signs to get to the shelters, we were Hearing Launch Detonations here which seems to satellite the interceptor rockets coming from gaza. So, this is you know, cnn has a lot of people around on the story, were one piece of that picture, but everyones piece is bringing you a deeper understanding, insight, into whats happening. So as beckys getting that warning that the rockets are incoming, were hearing the interceptors going out from close to here. Theyre trying to intercept those rockets. So the detail of whats happened on the ground, we were on the ground, very close to the border with gaza last night. And at that time, in the early hours of this morning, the Israeli Defense forces were still chasing down hamas suspects. Now, they have them. But weve also seen that Israeli Defense force bringing in Additional Fire power, tanks, big armored personnel carriers. Big mobile tracked howitzers. These are the big Artillery Guns that look like a tank but slightly different. Bringing a lot of those in. And these are the heavy armor thats required to securely the breaches in that fence, which is, of course, the priority for the Israeli Defense force, which they appear to be on sort of doing it at the moment. But that gets to the next question which is the one you asked, the hostages. We dont know yet and hamas certainly hasnt made it public what theyre demanding for the release of those hostages. We can all understand how theyre going to try to use them to manipulate the situation pressure. Benjamin netanyahu into not attacking the hamas leadership. But what turns, if any, are they talking about . And its perhaps too early to know that but the challenge for the Israeli Defense force, yesterday, i spoke with one of the spokesman for the Israeli Defense force. He told me we will do absolutely everything to get them out. We will not leave anyone behind. But the reality and the challenges, those hostages are likely to be dispersed in Hamas Tunnels and secure bunkers across gaza. And it will be very hard for any, even special forces, to penetrate, to know where they are, to penetrate those neighborhoods. And secure the safe release of the hostages. That seems to be almost a Mission Impossible at the moment. No doubt, its being calculated what can be done. But this presents a huge challenge. How do you deliver what the Prime Minister says he wants to do which is the dismantling and the taking down of hamas, its commanders, its structures, without incurring the potential use of the hostages as Bargaining Chips against you. This is where we stand today. Jut an impossible situation. Nic robertson, stay safe as well, my friend. Thank you very much for that reporting. U. S. Officials are still trying to figure out how iran factors into the attacks on israel. Plus, is there a plan in place to rescue those hostages nic was just talking about that are being held by hamas . Stay with us. Welcome back. We have some Breaking News for you right now, in jerusalem and tel aviv, sirens are being heard, warning of incoming rockets. Is this an noorn local time. And 5 00 a. M. Here. A cnn producer in gaza saw the outgoing rocket fire and cnn producers in jerusalem heard booms of what sounded they say of israels iron dome Defense Systems intercepting rockets. We should also note that our Becky Anderson who we were just speaking to moments ago from her hotel in tel aviv, were now being told theyre evacuating that hotel where she and other cnn personnel are staying, as these rockets come in. Were going to bring you more live from the ground as we get it. Meanwhile, u. S. Officials are still trying to figure out exactly how iran may be linked to the attack on israel. As of now, they are going as far as saying its likely that iran helped train and finance the efforts that led to the attack. Considering irans wellestablished connections to hamas. One official says iran had to have a local, since hamas doesnt have the ability to buy weapons at this scale. Cnns nada bashir is live in london with more. Nada, good morning. Is the u. S. Expected to get involved if officials do find a link between iran and the attack . Well, this will certainly be a primary concern for the u. S. , there has been a longstanding concern over the potential escalation this could lead to if iran is found to have had a direct involvement in saturdays attack at this stage. U. S. Officials as you mentioned, have told cnn that they havent been able to ascertain any clear evidence to suggest that there has been direct involvement by iran in the planning and execution of this attack on saturday by hamas. However, given the longstanding history, the relationship and backing iran has offered to hamas in the past, it is safe to assume that in the broader context of this latest flareup of violence that iran has in some way become a key consideration. Take a listen to what Secretary Of StateAntony Blinken had to say yesterday on this issue. Weve not yet seen evidence that iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but theres certainly a long relationship. Its one of the reasons why we have been resolutely taking action against iran and its support for terrorists and Terrorist Proxies and other groups over the last few years of this administration. Now, of course, since saturdays attack, we have heard vocal support from the Iranian Regime in support of hamas and its people. Iranian leadership has characterized the attack as an act of resistance by israeli option. And we have this statement from the iran president Abraham Reesecy speaking yesterday. Translator its a manifestation of resistance and standing up against the fake designenist regime, palestinian people, palestinian soldiers all palestinian groups. And the Islamic Group really should be congratulated for this is victory. Now, it is, simply, according to u. S. Officials, too early to tell whether or not iran had direct involvement in this. Its considered to be a key consideration, many point to the fact its too sophisticated, unprecedented to go ahead particularly when it comes to training and support of fighters iran. Kasie. Nada bashir in london, thank you for that. Members of congress have been told that four americans have been killed in the attack in israel. And the death toll is expected to rise. Heres Secretary Of StateAntony Blinken on sunday. We have reports that several americans were killed. Were working over time to verify that. At the same time, there are reports of Missing Americans and there again, were working to verify those reports. All right. Lets bring in cnn Global Affairs analyst and the senior Managing Editor of the Military Times tim dozier. T tim, thank you for being here, telling dana bash that americans are quoteunquote, among the scores of hostages being held. What do we know about the hostages being held right now and what if any plans are there to rye to rescue them . That is what all of israeli is asking now. People have been glued to television sets, glued to phones, listening to accounts of people getting kidnapped or murdered. But the Israeli Military has been busy just securing the areas outside of gaza. Getting militants out of those areas. And trying to figure out how this has happened. The next step is penetrating whats going on, inside gaza, trying to figure out where some of these hostages are being held. And weve seen reports that tanks, there are reinforcements around gaza which would seem to indicate that some sort of Ground Operation is being planned. Hamas spokespeople have said that the hostages are being held inside tunnels. There is likely a tunnel network, not just at gazas borders, but within the various buildings, at the various hamas storehouses, because thats one of the ways that theyve been able to stockpile all of these rockets that theyve been firing. To carry out training. And those tunnels really only find and get to them if you are on the ground. Right. And i mean, if we find that there are americans among the hostages, how might the u. S. Response shift . And what involvement, if any, if as you outlined an all but sure Ground Operation in gaza by the israelis . Well, israel has already asked for replenishment of its stocks. When you think about how the palestinian rocket fire has at times overwhelmed the Iron Dome System. Which is a system where a bullet has to hit a bullet to knock the rockets out of the sky. Theyve also conducted more than 500 strikes. The Israeli Defense forces say inside gaza that means theyre going to be running out of precision stocks. So the u. S. Would, obviously, give as much as it could, considering the fact that a lot of u. S. Weapons stores have gone to the fight in ukraine. And also intelligence. But its really israel that has the most intelligence resources focused on gaza. And focused on the west bank. Its almost a matter of pride. And professional courtesy that the u. S. Doesnt spy on the same areas that israel has covered. But as the israeli people are saying right now, theres a lot of recriminations over were the members of government who were part of the west bank settler communities so focused on the west bank that the military and the security services, intelligence services, took their eye off of gaza . Those are the kind of questions that are being asked now. And will likely cause resignations en masse, after this crisis has passed. Indeed. All right. Kim dozier, thank you very much for being with us this morning. I really appreciate your time. Thanks. Coming up here, did the hamas Attack Sabotage a potential peace deal between the saudis and israel . Well have the latest, ahead. The power goes out and we still have wifi to do our homework. And thats a good thing . Great in my book who are you . No power . No problem. Introducing stormready wifi. Now you can stay reliably connected through Power Outages with unlimited cellular data and up to 4 hours of battery backup to keep you online. Only from xfinity. Home of the xfinity 10g network. Sirens blaring over incoming rockets in jerusalem and tel aviv in just the last few minutes. Our Becky Anderson you may have seen scrambling to evacuate briefly. But shes back with us now. Becky, walk us through what just happened. Reporter yeah, we heard a huge boom here. Let me just let you know where we are, we are in tel aviv. And were about 28 minutes from the airport here. And we got a colleague at the airport, and he just sent in some video of what happened there. And what happened there is was the impact on us. You can hear the sirens going. They hit the ground. And you see, you know, the cloud from what is a huge explosion. And that is what we heard here. In tel aviv. The sirens go off. Theres an announcement from the hotel. They ask you to shelter in place. Everybody does that. Very sensibly, without any panic. I mean, look, theres a lot of israelis in this hotel. Quite frankly, this isnt something that theyre unaware of, and then you wait in place, of course, in the hotel announces that you can come out. There are shelters here and there are stairwells here that people shelter in. So, were back now. And it seems to be clear but this really speaks, kasie, to the enormity of what is going on here. What, 50, 52 hours into this conflict. What the Israeli Government has declared as a state of war. And just in those last three days, hamas militants have fired some 4,400 rockets into israel. Thats more than the total number of rockets that were fired in the conflict back in 2021. Thats the enormity of that. In time, of course, the israelis have continued to target military headquarters of both hamas and Islamic Jihad in gaza. And they have, according to the idf this morning now secured the communities on the israeli side of the border, around gaza. And that is absolutely crucial to the Israeli Military. Because, of course, there have been these enormous breaches by hamas militants into israel, into communities around them. Theres been so much death, destruction, of course, hostages taken from those communities. Thats where things stand at the moment. 700 dead on the israeli side, thousands. And we have no details as of yet what the Israeli Militarys intentions are next. But theres much talk of a Ground Incursion into gaza at this point. Becky anderson, well be back with you later on in the hour. Stay safe. As becky said the death toll in israel, 700 people, 436 olympians have also been killed. What we are witnesses are war crimes, blatant, bar baschic war crimes slaughtering civilians, taking babies from their mothers, there are no words to describe such savagery. This is israels 9 11. If this is about vengeance, then many palestinians will feel they have much to avenge. If this is about peace, then the way to it is not through further entrenching oppression and option, but by ending it. The attacks come as the u. S. Looks to broker a deal to improve diplomatic relations between saudi arabia and israel. Cnns max foster is live in london with more on this. Max, good morning. Lets talk a little bit about this Normalization Pact thats been under much discussion here in washington. Is there any chance that the Surprise Attack was meant to derail the deal which would have normalized regulations between saudi arabia and israel . I think its very interesting that we saw Antony Blinken really playing that idea down, behind the scenes, certainly, theres a lot of suspicion that iran was involved in this. We know that iran very much objected to Israel Normalizing relations with other arab countries, most notably saudi arabia, which is essential to President Bidens latest policy. I think what youre seeing here amongst Senior International figures in the west is looking at what becky was describing there. I mean, this morning, i was talking to a mother whose child, whose daughter is abducted. She doesnt she was kidnapped by hamas. She doesnt know where she is. That is a horrific, horrendous situation, as we were describing on the show thats happening now. But theyre also very aware they want to contain it, they dont want it to explode any bigger. And if iran gets involved thats exactly what would happen. Trying to contain the concerns in iran, but certainly, iran opposes any Normalization Deal with israel and saudi arabia. These are horribly complex situation what is you dont want in the middle of these moments is exploiting it further and theyre trying to contain it. Indeed, max foster, thank you very much. New in from our team, hamas has apparently said they fired rockets on jerusalem and tel aviv, whicf course, you saw play out live here. Well be right back. All right. Welcome back. Were getting right to our Nic Robertson on the ground in israel with the sirens that have been blaring this morning. Nic, whats the latest there . Reporter yeah, kasie, what youre looking at right now, the iron dome Missile Interceptor system, taking fire and aim at incoming rockets that are coming out of gaz ria right now. Look at them arcing up, this is the defensive system taking off. The sirens are going off around here. I can see black smoke rising just to the left of the iron dome. Thats new black smoke. Black smoke often indicates an impact. We dont know that right now, but weve seen at least several dozen of this interceptor rockets, the iron dome, taking off here. The sirens have gone off. Im looking down the highway. The traffic stopped here. Everyone is getting out of their vehicles to find a safe space to hide. Youre hearing the booms there of the intercepts that are happening. Look to the right, to the right now, theres another impact it appears. That dirty dust thats rising up from the fields in the distance there, that appears to be the impact of the Rocket Landing right there now. These are hamas rockets coming through gaza. Iron dome trying to intercept them, landing here. Obviously, this is part of hamas ongoing offensive. And the number of Iron Dome Interceptors launched seem to indicate quite a large barrage of rockets that have been fired out of gaza at the moment. Kasie. So, nic, can you help us understand a little bit more about the Iron Dome System, obviously, has been in place for a long time. The u. S. Obviously supply, helps israel build this system. Theyve asked for more help from it. Obviously, this entire situation has been unprecedented. But it does seem like this system is holding for now. Is that your understanding . Or what is the likelihood or danger that the iron dome might not be able to continue to work the way that it has worked . Reporter the only thing that were aware of that can compro my compromise the iron dome is a lack of ammunition. Theres no indication it has a lack of ammunition at the moment. Generally, the stocks are high in anticipation of events like this. The United States supplies more ammunition as required by israel. I think it goes without saying that those flows of ammunition will be ready, will be coming. Thats the commitment we heard from President Biden. The way the system works, the system works across the country. The iron domes, wherever they are on the ground, like the one we saw firing out there, interlocks with other Iron Dome Firing Systems throughout the country. Where missiles are fired from gaza, the system reads, detects where the missiles are precisely coming from. And where theyre calculated to be going. And the nearest and best available Iron Dome System fires off to intercept those hamas rockets, as they come into israeli territory. Thats what were witnessing right now. Nic robertson, thank you very much. Stay close. As the fighting rages on in israeli, President Biden made clear over the weekend that he fully stand behind israel, after the attack by hamas. When i spoke to Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu this morning, i told him that the United States stands with the people of israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. Israel has the right to defend itself and its people full stop. Theres never a justification for Terrorist Attacks. And my administrations support for israels support is rock solid and unwavering. Of course, this comes as the war in ukraine continues with no end in site. And there are lingering questions what additional aid ukraine may receive. Lets bring in tyler pager, a reporter at the washington post, tyler, thank you very much for being here. The president , this is the second war that the president is going to have to be dealing with here. We have incredible dysfunction in the u. S. Government as well. Lets talk a little bit about the enormous challenges facing this administration right now. Yeah. Its great to be with you, kasie, thank you for asking me. Youre exactly right, just before the war broke out in israel, obviously, the white House Republicans and democrats in the senate for that matter, too, pushing for more aid for ukraine. Obviously that effort has been stymied by the dysfunction in the house and the fight over government spending. Now, that fight continues for war in ukraine, but theres also the ongoing war in israel thats going to draw a lot of attention away from congress. Already theres a push in the senate to get a confirmation to the u. S. Ambassador to israel, that post is currently vacant. And theres a discussion about what sort of military and humanitarian assistance the u. S. May provide to israel. So, a lot at play of leaders here in washington that started to unfold over the weekend. Tyler, can we talk for a moment about the relationship between President Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu. It has been a little rocky lately, but this obviously likely to solidify ties for now between the two leaders. Yeah. The two leaders know each other for quite some time. Both have been at the top politics in their country for a long time. They just met last month in september. I was there in new york at the on the sideline of unga and it was a meeting that netanyahu had been craved though not the contact one he wanted. He wanted an official visit to the white house which he was granted by the president. Was supposed to visit washington and have that official white house meeting at the end of the year. Obviously, whether that happens, that remains to be seen. But biden has expressed a lot of concern with netanyahus leadership. Concerns about the domestic overhaul related to the usual system. About a lot of democracy advocates have been concerned about. Now, this completely transforms that relationship. Biden has obviously been a staunch and longtime ally of israel. And very concerned about the Security Situation there. So, this will bring them closer together. But it does, you know, bring into light, the fact that they have had some tensions between the two of them. You know, they have maintained a line of communication. Yeah. But biden has been concerned about what netanyahu and his party have been doing in recent months. All right. Tyler pager, thank you very much for being with us this morning. Were going now to cnns Becky Anderson, she is live in tel aviv with a special interview at this critical moment for israel. Becky. Reporter yeah, thank you very much, indeed. This is a watershed moment for israel. And indeed, for the region. At least 700 israelis have been killed in the attack by hamas militants from all sides of the aisle. Those from all sides of the aisle, calling for a unity government here including the former Prime Minister and opposition leader. He said that Benjamin Netanyahu knows that with the current extreme and dysfunctional security cabinet, he cant manage a war. Hes joining me now from tel aviv. Its good to have you, sir. I am also in tel aviv. You will be hearing what i am hearing. Booms around us has clearly been a real optic in this conflict. Just in the past hour or so. What do you understand to be happening as we speak . Well, first of all, youre right, im giving you this interview, becky, in between sirens, hopefully, we wont have one that forces both of to us go down to the shelter. Which goes to tell you what position we are and enough. We are suffering i mean, politics aside, the whole country is now suffering. And really this is, you know, the worst day in our history since the holocaust. There was not such a number of jews killed in one day. And im the son of a holocaust survivor. So it touches new places you usually dont think about. We will do everything necessary in order to make sure that israel is safe and sound. And we are taking away from hamas capabilities. Whether its from the government or from the opposition, i mean, israel will stand united. And i know we will stand united with the United States. I couldnt appreciate more what President Biden and the bipartisan support we got in the last 48 hours. What does that support look like physically . Well, apparently, i mean, everybody in his right mind understands that we are now going into a long operation in gaza. In order to make sure were taking away from hamas this horrible capabilities. And incursion is not off the table as well. And were going to need the support of i mean, iron dome is crucial. And other facilities. We are in an ongoing discussion with the administration about the tactical needs israel has. And we know i mean, the administration went out of its way telling us theyre going to be helpful in any possible way, and we appreciate that. Were protecting women and children. You saw, you hear, you saw the picture of children who were killed on the floor. Women, the elderly being kidnapped in gaza. What do they need 85yearold grandmothers that they kidnap . Why do they need them . What kind of people are doing such things . Yair lapid, lets talk about what is being achieved on the ground. And those communities, as i understand it, around the gaza border, according to the idf, are now secured. What do we know about the breaches of that border and militants who are still breaching that border . What do we know about militants on the israeli side . And is the idf Fighting Them On Israeli Soil . Yes. The idf is still fighting them on the ground soil. We still see i mean, we are minimizing this as we speak. But still the idf is fighting in israeli villages and towns and communities. And well do so in were totally certain theres not a single terrorist trying to secure the innocent, the israeli civilians. And on top of this, as you had mentioned, there is the whole attack of rockets and missiles over our towns and cities, and every now and then, we have to go down to the shelter. I mean i dont want to say were used to it. But, you know, its one of those moments in our lives that everything was mixing. I was yesterday in the hospital, i saw one of the doctors, he came to me and said, how are you . You look tired. Yes, tired. I said so many people are wounded. He said, yes, one of them is my son. I went inside with him. His son was unconscious. Took two bullets. And i thought of this need of this doctor to take care of his son be worried sick about his son. And then deal with all of these other patients while doing so for two days in a row. So this is you dont know whether you should be emotional, you should be functional, or should be both . And how to be both is how we feel, how this country feels right now. Yair lapid, Will Israel Launch a Ground Invasion of gaza . We heard this morning from the Defense Minister there will now be a complete blockade, no fuel, electricity or food, goods going into gaza. Is this with a view to a Ground Invasion . And what are you doing to ensure the safety of those israeli hostages . Hamas suggested they have more than 100 hostages. I know the idf has been very cognizant about not releasing numbers. But what is the status of What Happens Next from the israeli Point Of View in gaza . Well, we have just mentioned the complexity of this. I mean, on one hand, everything is on the table. Nothing is off, including an incursion. On the other hand, we have people there. And we are worried sick about them. And these are families. This is not soldiers. The majority of them are probably civilians. So many of them just young sisters to went to Music Festival. So, what we need to build with most, as you understand, were not going to release any operative details now. But people have to understand, this will be over only when israel wins this and is making sure that those capabilities are no longer in the hands of hamas. This has happened once. Its not going to happen twice. So, you had called for an Emergency Unity government. You said, and you just described this, its so complex. A Situation It Needs Everybody on board. Who should be in that unity government . Are you prepared to work alongside those from the right wing . Youve been so vocally against. What are your demands and conditions for a unity government and playing a part in that unity government Going Forward . Well, it says nothing to do with demands, or with politics or with positions and all we want is a functional government. What we need now is a government that will be able to handle the situation that is now on our hands. And i was just telling Prime Minister netanyahu, both in private and in public, he knows that the current government will be will have trouble dealing with it. So, we can have we can have the majority of israelis represented in dealing with this issue together. Again, if not, its okay as well, we will be supportive from the opposition. Weve done this before. We can do it again. I will do everything in my power and in the Opposition Power to be supportive to the idf to the israeli people, and to the government which i usually disagree with, because this is bigger than anyone else. Listen, its as i said, as i said, our people are being killed. I am the son of a holocaust survivor. Im not willing to tell my children the same stories he was telling me. Yair lapid do you expect to see a new government here in the hours, days to come . I dont know. I mean, as i said, i totally the Prime Minister, were going to do whatever is good for the country. Hes got his own choices to make. Some other parties in opposition will get their choices to make as well. Whatever it takes to unite the israeli people, not the israeli politicians, we will do. And this can happen both from opposition and correlation. But, becky you know, i dont tell you how to conduct your work, but im telling you, were talking about politics, way too much here. What were dealing with is the people we see and the cry of the israelis who are saying, did you see what just happened to us . How are you going to be helpful to make sure it doesnt happen again . Understood. Yair lapid, its good to have you. Its a difficult morning. Its a difficult time. We very much appreciate your time in joining us here on cnn. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, becky, stay safe as well. Thank you. Kasie, the words of yair lapid, the opposition leader, opposition, of course, with the former Defense Minister here and his perspective on What Happens Next. Yeah. But its absolutely clear. And to quote yair lapid, this is an enormously complex situation. And as described by the idf spokesperson to me this time yesterday on cnn, this is early days. It is. It is just the beginning. Lets bring in democratic senator chris coons to help us understand more of this. Hes a member of the Foreign Relations committee. Senator, thank you very much for being with us. I want to start by asking eye about the briefing that senators received from the administration. I know you received a readout. What did you learn in particular about the role that iran may have played in this . Well, kasie, we should be all be mindful of the fact that hamas publicly thanked iran for their funding, their training, their contributions for this horrific attack on israeli civilians. Iran is russias partner in their brutal war in ukraine. It is iran providing the drones carrying out deadly attacks on ukrainian civilians. And its iran that has trained and armed hezbollah, the shia milt in lebanon that has rained rockets down on northern israel. Its iran that has sent their irgc fighters into syria who threatened israel from the northeast from golan heights. And it is iran that has funded and trained hamas that has carried out this attack from gaza. Hams is a Sunni Islamist group that is designated as a Terrorist Organization by the United States. So whether or not there is specific intelligence about a direct iranian role in planning this specific attack, there is lots of evidence of active engagement by iran, in supporting the organizations and groups that have caused chaos in the middle east now for years. And i think this means it is more important than ever, that even as israel is looking to come together politically, to strengthen their defense forces, that we, in the senate and in congress, need to also come together to confirm an ambassador to israel. An ambassador and several other gulf states in middle Eastern States where we dont currently have ambassadors. How quickly can you do that, sir . Stop some of the parties that have gotten in the way of a robust defense of israel. How quickly can you do that, confirm an ambassador to israel . We can do it next week. In a matter of days. Do you anticipate a classified briefing that might help you learn more information about the iranian role as you outlined . I do. Is that on the calendar yet . Im in a number of different embassies. Im in europe this week. Im in The Netherlands right now. I just finished a very positive, productive meeting with the Prime Minister, and National Security adviser of The Netherlands. Theyre one of our trusted close nato allies who have been great partners both in our long engagement in afghanistan and iraq. And now in our work together, to push back on russias brutal invasion. But i have not yet had a classified briefing in an american embassy. Sure. Im hoping to do so in the next few days. Okay. What, if anything, did you learn from the unclassified briefing that officials gave last night about the status of americans killed or perhaps taken hostage here . That there are americans who have been killed. That there are concerns that there are americans who may well be being held hostage in gaza. And that more than anything, we are determined to show our strong support for israel to back its rights to selfdefense. And to make clear the distinction between a Terrorist Attack on civilians. And other statetostate conflict. Look, were at the 50th Anniversary of the Yom Kippur War Which was an attack on israel by nation states. It was a Military Invasion of the state of israel in 1973. This tragic, largescale assault on civilians, where hostages were taken, where whole civilian families were massacred, where citizens from around the world, but in particular from israel, were at a concert in a desert were machine gunned to death is a reminder of distinction between wars between states and Terrorist Attacks against civilians. No one should be cheering on or supporting this brutal Terrorist Attack by hamas. And some of the recent actions in congress to cut aid to israel, there was a vote taken in the house just recently that would have reduced aid to israel by 1 billion. That should be reversed. We should come together quickly and provide support for what President Biden has already pledged, additional munitions and resources. He has already directed that the Aircraft Carrier gerald ford be Rejlocated Toet East Med to provide assistance. Speaking that there is no speaker of the house, what bearing does that have on this that it makes it impossible for to us move in a crisis like this . Well, kasie, the chaos is the house is mirrored in some ways by a hold that a republican senator has now had for months on the promotions of hundreds of flagranked officers. I think that blocks against confirming ambassadors, holes against confirming admirals and generals need to stop. And its my hope that a Bipartisan Coalition in the house will agree to move forward. Even for an interim period, and provide critically needed assistance to ukraine. Provide critically needed assistance to israel. And make it clear that the United States, the american people, will stand shoulder to shoulder with our critical allies. Those who are fighting iranian and russian aggression in ukraine. And those who are fighting iranian and terrorist aggression in israel. Senator coons, a pretty basic question here, how did the israelis and how did we miss this . An excellent question to which i dont have a great answer. Look, in the same way that the 1973 war was an intelligence failure. It is entirely possible that this ends up being an intelligence failure. That is examined and reexamined for years to come. Right now, today, in this moment, we need to show strong support for the defense of the civilians of israel. But it is a key question, how did this happen. That the planning that must have been going on for months was missed in this moment. And to be blunt, kasie, theres a lot of political turmoil within israel. Yes. There have been significant protests and grave and widespread concern about a Domestic Initiative around changing the fundamental role of the judiciary. And i dont know whether that played any role in a distraction by the armed forces or the intelligence community. I would expect not. But internal political division, whether here in the United States, or whether in our country in the United States, or whether in israel, can be exploited by opponents and enemies. And so, i just call on my colleagues in the senate, republicans and democrats, to put aside some of our partisan differences. And to show unity in our commitment to the defense of israel. Senator, very important point about the domestic situation. The International Situation as well may have played a role here. How much do you think the Normalization Pact under negotiation facilitated by the United States between saudi arabia and israel has to do with what were seeing unfold on the ground . I think it may very well have encouraged or inspired iran, and more specifically, hamas. To take aggressive Terrorist Action to try and destabilize israel. And to try and drive apart, the closening relationship between the saudi kingdom and israel. There are many of us in the senate who are actively discussing what the path forward might look like for normalization. That would be a gamechanger for the middle east. That would show a path forward towards airing the arab israel conflict. I think that normalization can only happen with some significant accommodation for palestinian turns, investment in palestinian opportunity. And a clear path towards there being a palestinian role in the next stage, a twostate conclusion is something i have long supported, as has President Biden. And i do think that seeing the prospect of a normalization between israel and the saudis was something that may very well have precipitated this broad spectrum, horrific attack. Senator coons, we have just about two minutes here. But before i let you go, i want to ask you, the Biden Administration sent an incredibly large amount of money to iran in the course of hostage negotiations. Do you think in hindsight, thats going to be looked at as a mistake . Kasie, its important to be accurate. They did not send an incredibly large of money directly to iran. Well, they sent it to qatar to be on path. They sent it to qatar to be released only for humanitarian purposes. And those funds have not yet been released at all for humanitarian purposes. For those who are busy on the internet blaming our president for helping fund or facilitate this attack are not being truthful. It is something that has raised a lot of concerns. But its important for us to be truthful. That these were frozen iranian assets that are not in iran. And that are being held in qatar. And to be released only for humanitarian purposes. And you dont think they saw that and are counting on it in the context of this crisis . I dont think that is financing this crisis. And i think those who are saying so are not being truthful. I also, frankly, think it is regrettable that some of those running for president and some of those i serve with have been directly criticizing and attacking our president. In this moment, blaming him for inciting this incident. I think we should all find a moment to come together and to say that we can confirm ambassadors that we can provide Financial Support to israel. And that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with israel in this key moment of national distress. And that we can to support our common purpose in ukraine, in israel and throughout the world. All right, senator chris coons very grateful to have you this morning as we watch all these unfolds. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, kasey. We have heard of course throughout this hour warning sirens blaring across israel as hamas has fired rockets at jerusalem and tel aviv. Our own team having to take cover live on air. This is obviously an unfolding situation, minute to minut