On mobile and desktop today. Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us in the United States and all around the world. Im bianca nobilo. Im max foster joining you live in london in the coverage of the war. 9 00 a. M. Here in london. And in just the last few hours, Secretary Of StateAntony Blinken said the United States is actively working to get the people of gaza out of harms way and get them the assistance they need. Israel has been pounding regions of gaza since the attacks, Tens Of Thousands have new fled gaza. The food and water are at short supply. Hospitals mace imminent shutdown and theres very little fuel to run the generators. And bodies have been piling up on the border crossing. The only viable way in and out of gaza. The Prime Ministers Office has denied any arrangements to open that critical crossing. Joining us from tel aviv is Lieutenant Colonel peter learner, for the intelligence forces. Thank you for joining us. Thank you. We have to ask the key question about the border crossing. What is the status at the moment. And you can justify continuing to attack gaza while the humanitarian corridor that can provide to get people out is operational . Well, our operation is continuing to strike hamas exactly where it is hiding. We are determined to make sure that hamas can never, ever use gaza as a Staging Ground against israel ever again. The operation is planned in a way which is based on the rules of law. And on the rules and laws of our conflict. In a way that will enable us to distinct the distinction between the civilian population. The people that are uninvolved, noncombatants to hamas. Thats why were in day four of the evacuation plan. Weve had thousands of people listening and hearing our instructions and indeeding moving to south. As regard to rarafah, as you nod beforehand, there are no operations continuing its activity against hamas, we are continuing to destroy hamas and banishing them from the realm of existence. In terms of if the government, you know, gave support, to opening that crossing into egypt, how easy how easy would that be militarily, do you think, obviously, in chrome of the actual border. But the egyptians suggest they do not want to attend to any trucks in. But the israelis are concerned theyll attack those trucks . Max, its clear that the idf is a professional military. Were subordinate to the government. And so if the government instructs to us crease cease fire, we cease fire, thats how it works. With the diplomats, were very much in control of what were doing, were continuing striking hamas, killing its operatives and terrorists. Yes, we continue to do so even throughout the night. We continue to strike their leaders and deplete and destroy that terrorist capabilities. Just over the last 24 hours there were three different incidents of terrorists that tried to engage in the south of israel once more. And this is ten days after the brutal massacre of families in their houses. So, they are still trying to engage us. And we are our mission is to seek them out, pursue them and kill them. Theres broad concern internationally, about this conflict spilling over. And bringing in more parties, whether its hezbollah, iran, et cetera. You can give us an update on the of courses of violence, on your northern border, particularly skirmishes with hezbollah. Weve seen repeated and escalating efforts by hezbollah on the border with israel between us in lebanon, in order to challenge israel. We believe its under the instruction of iran. And we have enreforced our positions on the border with lebanon. Id say thats what hezbollah is doing is jeopardizing the state of help none. Everything that happens from lebanese territory is under the responsibility and accountability in the state of lebanon. And this is a very, very concerning and disturbing development. We are taking the necessary precautions. We will defend our civilians. Though we Just Announced we are evacuating anyone within a twokilometer distance on the border with lebanon, all of the civilians have been asked to leave from there napts around 28 different communities along the border in order to keep them safe. That is what were doing. Of course, the military forces, the idf forces have reported to you over the last few day, theres a huge amount of forces unprecedented in a state of emergency, some 300,000 soldiers and officers throughout the country. And, indeed, some of those are positioned on the frontier with lebanon, in order to prepare Fire Potential hezbollah escalation. It is of concern, we are prepared and taking the necessary steps in order to prevent that. Id also say when hezbollah does conduct a strike or attack, likely like yesterday, repeated missiles, targeting civilians even across the border, we will respond, and we will respond with force. We have no interest in escalating the situation. But we wont permit that area to be further challenged. Though, that is of concern to us, but currently, i would say, we are still focused mostly on the south. On hamas. And i would say to hezbollah, i would recommend to them, watch how we are decapitating hamas. Watch how we are destroying their capabilities. Watch how we are pursuing their leaders. Do not cross that threshold, because it will be a dear price that you pay. Youve been very clear to us in previous interviews that israel has a right to selfdefense. And thats what this operation is all about. I just wanted to get your response to what the egyptian president said, that actually tipped to selfdefense to collective punishment of everyone in gaza. Well, i dont agree with that, obviously. Our operations are specifically guided to distinct between civilians and terrorists. This is exactly what will we do, when we evacuate and called for the evacuation of moving people to the south. It is precisely to keep civilians out of harms way. Whereas, theyre doing everything to prevent that, in the harms way. Theyre trying to make sure there are more civilian casualties. We are doing it out of concern for human life. We are doing it out of the concern for israeli lives and palestinian lives. Hamas, on the other hand, they have no regard for human life, israeli or palestinian. And they will continue to hide behind the civilians. And we will defend our civilians, while we call on the people of gaza, who are not our enemy. The people of gaza are not our enemy. Hamas is the enemy, i would say hamas is the enemy of all decent people, as theyve done a huge letdown to the people of gaza in their brutal massacre of israelis, innocent people, women men and children, and in on the 7th of october. And the abduction of over 150 others into the gaza strip. So, we are fighting a brutal, ruthless, merciless enemy and we will defeat them. Lieutenant colonel peter learner, i thank you so much indeed joining from us the idf. Well, clare is here, what stood out to you from that interview . So, i think the question now for israel, and the question that youre getting from the international community, both as you point out the president of egypt, youve got the u. N. Officer of human rights saying any continues operations are going well beyond the limits of international law. I think now that we look at gaza, potentially at Breaking Point this is the point hes making, facing questions as to why he said it, day ten of thanksgiving operation, day four with the attempts to evacuate civilians, why did they wait so long to start those evacuation processes. And how do they justify the fact this is now in this enclave, 500,000 people have been displaced. They dont have the means to help themselves. The hospitals may just be a day out of running out of fuel. This is a situation that is now spiraling so much, i think directions to muddy the waters here of israels purpose, given the atrocity that hamas inflicted on the civilian people, to try and stop them as a threat again from a Public RelationsPoint Of View and practically as well. What happens if the rafah border opens, where would these people go, and how much aid will they get in, how long will they keep the border open . I dont think anyone knows at this point. This morning, weve had more warnings from regional partners on the potential for this to escalate. We heard from iran saturday saying if this level of devastation, if the attacks continue, iran wont be able to remain and observe, a bystander, i think the language was. The u. S. Is taking a stance, pressing on israel the importance of protecting civilians as much as they can and not have collateral damage. Theyve moved a second Aircraft Carrier to the region as well. Would you say the Global Community is now increasingly expecting or desperately trying to avoid a spillover . Yeah, its really intense diplomatic efforts, Secretary Blinken currently heading back intoes radio today. He was in egypt on sunday. I think this is the key focus. We do see some intense fighting, tit for tat sort of strikes across the border with hezbollah. There are serious concerns that given the situation in gaza, given more and more news is coming out of there, how bad it is, that this will spill over. And obviously, the u. S. Is both in terms of the rhetoric it was interesting biden commented in his 60 minutes interview saying he was confident thats radio el would prioritize the safety of citizens, he was confident he would act within the bounds of law. It almost sounded like an instruction, as a statement. On the israel side, even though in practice, they are making it very clear they have israels back and thats a different price as well. Its interesting, the white house also said over the last 24 hours that they were impressing upon the israeli importance of protecting civilians in gaza. But they were not offering any instructions or interfering were the planning. But it did actually sound like quite a firm instruction. Yeah, i think in terms of that. But another thing, theres a significant lack of clarity, right before the war thats currently in play here, we dont know whats happening in rafah, theres been a lot of mixed messages. Its clear, weve had pictures of people gathering outside that border. People are saying its up to you if you want to go there, the safety we dont know if its going to open for a brief period of time, its interesting what Jake Sullivan said, the u. S. National security adviser, they dont have the pinpoint information of gaza, its not happening there. Clare sebastian, thank you so much. U. S. President joe biden is warning israel against occupying gaza saying it would be a big mistake. His comments came sunday as israel prepares for a potential Ground Offensive in gaza. Israel is going after a group of people who engage in barbarianism as consequential as the holocaust. Israel has to spend. They have do goal after hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards. They put their headquarter where is civilians are and buildings to the like. But to the extent they can separate out and avoid im confident the israelis are going to do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians. Meanwhile, israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu has invited President Biden to visit israel soon. The two sides are discussing a possibility of such a trip. Since the First Time Since the deadly hamas attack last week, the Palestinian Authority has condemned the militants action. A report of Mahmoud Abbas do not represent the people. Mr. Abbas called for the rejection of violence and the release of prisoners on both sides of the conflict. His comments came on a phone call with the president of venezuela. Israeli troops are continuing to gather near gaza, The Last Time idf went to the enclave to target leaders welcome back in 2015. Nic robertson looking back at the operation then and what israel is planning now. Reporter close to gaza, preparations under way for a much anticipated Ground Offensive. Troops from different units training together. There is an urgency here, they have to be ready fast. Right now, this is a rehearsal, if and when theres an incursion, these troops could be at the front of it, tanks, or this practice, model ones right now, followed by infantry and combat engineers. A combined force, spearheading an incursion. If they do, this major will be near the front. Translator we expect to go to war. We expect to destroy the terrorist organization hamas, kill its government and kill every last terrorist. Thats what we plan to do and thats how it will be. Reporter The Last Time the idf went into gaza, targeting hamas leaders was 2014. Ariel bernstein was 21, in the special forces, one of the first to cross the border. We were justal afraid that theres something waiting for you at every corner. Reporter but his experiences then have left him questioning the tactics today. Back then, he says, the idf wants civilians to leave and hamas told them to stay. Just as it happening now. But some had stayed. His orders, he says, a shoe civilians have left. Whoever you see is basically engaged in fighting or is involved in fighting, and therefore, we call it engaging with fire, with any home you enter, with any kind of shape of a person that you see from afar. Reporter in many ways, israels actions are playing out, just as they have in the past. 2021 gun positions, freshly dug, back in use. And in gaza, the civilian death toll, according to Palestinian Health officials already higher than in 2014. And like then, israel is already facing Huge International pressure. To avoid more civilian casualties. And what we are doing is saying privately, what weve said publicly, which is that all Military Separations should be conducted consistent with the law of war. That civilians should be protected. Reporter the problem the idf says it faces just like 2014, hamas will be hiding among civilians. The whole situation were talking about with Gazaen Civilians forcefully embed said another matter with hamas. Hamas has to be fully defeated. Reporter so the responsibility is on them, not you . The responsibility is on hamas. Our responsibility is to eliminate hamas capabilities completely. Reporter the major pausing during training in a mockedup palestinian town, says they havent hurt innocents, only terrorists. But he admits if the ascent into gaza, avoiding civilian deaths wont be easy. Do you think its possible to fight hamas without civilians getting injured . Translator were concerned with overthrowing the hamas regime and killing the terrorists who are currently in gaza, if it will be difficult it will be difficult, not easy. Reporter Outside The Camp Gates as israels Military Ponder their next move, troops are saying their fond farewells. Nic robertson, cnn, southern israel. Still to come, the u. S. Says it wont send troops to fight in israel, but its still beefing up its Military Presence to send a message to the region. Plus, aide workers say the situation in gaza leads to complete catastrophe. Well speak to journalists and get a first hand account. Israels military has confirmed hamas fighters are holding at least 155 hostages. Masked men, Women And Children during the Surprise Attack last weekend, its not clear where theyre being held and under what conditions. Families of the missing met with Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu on sunday, theyre urging him and the government to do whatever they can to bring their loved ones home safely. The families of the u. S. Hostages are asking the white house to take immediate action to get their loved ones home. Some have formed a Group Calling themselves israelis in gaza. The u. S. Official said the best plan is to work with israel to secure the release of all of the hoch astages. All we can continue to do is work with israeli on hostage Recovery Efforts which we are doing and those efforts are under way. Our hope is they can produce results. We will continue to stay focused on this. Its as high a priority as the president has. Meantime, an American Woman who will said six of her Family Membered captured by hamas pleading for their return. She tells cnn, her husband david, their 3yearold twins and three cousins were taken. She learned friday, theyre still alive. She told cnn about the last message she received from her cousin sharon before they all went missing. It was saturday morning, as ive been in communication for several hours from their bomb shelter in the kibbutz. And the last thing she said was, were not going to make it. We love you. And we have we have a video of her, weve like put voice mail to a video, anyone who hears it can hear the sheer terror and fear with her voice. This is the terror shes had being close to gaza, this is her true Worst Nightmare happening. Defense military has ordered a second strike group to the sea. U. S. Warships are not intending to join the fighting, but their presence is designed to send a message of deterrence to iran. To try to assist with the separations in gaza, or in part as sort of a Hostage Rescue Operation, what its doing right now, is a show of force, a show of unity, with the Carrier Strike groups sitting in the waters off the coast. A very clear message, to other groups in the region, not even just hamas, but hezbollah, groups in syria as Well Agency A Zee Ter Deterrent to try to keep them fr