Gaza, israel bonds areas to the south where itd previously told palestinians to seek safety. And berlin bands propalestinian demonstrations as protesters rally around the world. Critics say the measure limits of free speech and others claim it chose zero tolerance for antisemitism. To all of you joining us on pbs in the United States and everyone watching around the globe, welcome. Hamas says it has released two american hostages for what it calls humanitarian reasons. They are from chicago. The mother and daughter were among some 200 captives abducted by hamas during terror attacks in israel october 7. The Israeli Prime Ministers Office assess the freed hostages are being taken to a military base. Lets bring in a journalist in jerusalem. What more can you tell us about the hostages released . Reporter the mother and daughter from outside chicago were visiting israel and staying in a kibbutz just outside the gaza strip, visiting family when the attack took place on the seventh of october. They were hiding in a safe room and that was the last time they communicated with their mobile phones. From there, they were taken captive to the gaza strip by hamas. Today they were released. Anchor among the hostages, many need care, elderly and sick people, babies. Can we expect more of them to be released . Reporter this is exactly what hamas announced today. They said you can see it on their telegram channel, there is a hamas decision to release the civilians, according to the statement. They will release them once they have the proper security situation that would enable it. That means they cannot release them, thats what i would read into the statement, they cannot release them while israel is bombarding the gaza strip, while there is no possibility technical possibility to release them to the other side. Anchor we know very little at this point. This could be the result of negotiations. Who has taken the lead in the back channel talks with hamas . Reporter its very clear qatar is emerging as an important player in all of this. Qatar has very good relations with United States of america and at the same time very good relations with hamas. In the statement that hamas released, they are seeing they released these two women because of qatar. In another statement, they are saying their efforts, they are thinking both egypt and qatar. It seems like these are the main players acting behind the scenes in order to release at least at the first stage, the civilians outside the gaza strip. Anchor a release that the u. S. And red cross have also been taking credit for. Thank you. We can get the view from washington, d. C. We are joined by our correspondent. These are the first hostages released by hamas since the october 7 attacks. What have u. S. Officials said . Reporter it feels like today is a small light at the end of what has been very dark days for this administration. The u. S. President has released a statement about the two hostages that have been released from hamas. President biden said he was thrilled that these two hostages have been released and they have the full support of the u. S. Government as they heal and try to recover from this ordeal, that we hope the worst of it is behind them. In that same statement, the president said the administration has not seized the effort to release though still being held, confirmation that there are indeed more u. S. Citizens among the dozens being held by hamas in the gaza strip. This administration has been pretty tightlipped about what kind of efforts at theyve not gone into detail about what efforts they are doing to secure the release of hostages but there have been some media reports suggesting the u. S. Government and european governments are trying to convince the is really counterparts the israeli counterparts to stop ground offensives to allow for secret talks to release more civilians. We also know from reports that hamas, a group designated as a Terror Organization by the u. S. And other european countries, has signaled a willingness to release more civilians with nothing in return. So no exchange. Another thing that jumped out to me in the statement is the president of course thanked israel but he also thanked qatar. Qatar has emerged as a perfect mediator, as it has very good relations with the u. S. And hamas. There are several hamas leaders that live in doha and qatar has played this role before. They were the mediator in a controversial Prisoner Exchange between the u. S. And iran. As this moves forward and the administration tries to release more hostages we can expect that qatar, given its unique role, will continue to contribute in the hopes of releasing more hostages. Anchor we certainly hope they succeed. What we know about the other u. S. Citizens held by hamas, briefly if you can . Reporter we dont have many details. We know these two hostages that have been released, reportedly the mother was in poor health. Perhaps that is why she was released, because hamas they have taken these hostages but they also have to take care of them and perhaps that is more difficult given the constant bombardment. There are around 200 hostages taken by hamas during the terror attacks. This ordeal is far from over for many more families. Even though this is a glimmer of hope. Anchor thank you for the update. The United Nations secretarygeneral has visited the rafah Border Crossing between egypt and palestine. The you in says more than 2 Million People are at risk of diseases. People are lining up the border but are not being allowed into gaza. This is not a normal humanitarian operation, is in operation in a war zone. That is the reason why i have appealed for a humanitarian peace cease fire. It is a precondition for delivery. We dont want to punish the gaza people twice. First because of the war and second because of the lack of humanitarian aid. But it is clear that a humanitarian cease fire would make things much safer for everybody. Anchor gazas Hamas Run Health Ministry says that more than 4000 palestinians have been killed. Israel has continued shelling, including in the south where it had previously told those in gaza to go for their safety. Palestinians are waiting for the humanitarian aid to cross the border from egypt. Reporter they are ready and waiting. A percentage of these aid trucks supposed to be allowed through the rafah crossing, the only crossing into gaza not allowed by not controlled by israel. 20 in all aid trucks. 2. 5 Million People need assistance. 20 trucks is a drop in the ocean of need right now in gaza. Reporter on the others of the crossing, mayhem and despair. Even if Southern Gaza is where israel told northern gazans to go for safety sake. The overflowing hospital in the south took in even more wounded for critical care. There is no safety, nowhere safe in gaza. You have to be ready to die than stay in your house paid your house. When there is a threat conducted against israel from the south we will strike. Reporter israels army will soon move into the gaza strip. I promise you whoever sees gaza now from afar will see it from the inside. Good luck. Reporter an Israeli Ground operation will likely first focus on the north with hamas expected to put a fierce resistance. All of that pushing more gazans southward in need of food and medical supplies. On the others of the rafah crossing, aid supplies stream into the airport, destined to join the backup waiting to get into Southern Gaza. Anchor if israel launches a ground offensives offensive into gaza it will have to deal with a Sophisticated Network of tunnels under the territory used by hamas and others ballistic groups, perhaps hundreds of kilometers long. It is known as the gaza metro. Reporter one of many israeli airstrikes on gaza, this one targeting the Tunnel Network according to israel. Destroying the tunnels used by hamas has long been a priority for israels military. The network runs underneath gaza, connecting its cities, running to the border with israel and also connecting this trip with egypt. The tunnels let militants store weapons, launch attacks and are believed to contain command centers. They are also the lifelines to the outside world. Passageways for essential goods and weapons under a longstanding israeli blockade. This animated video released by israel shows what they supposedly look like inside. Hamas has been developing the Tunnel Network since i came into power in 2007. Recently hamas claimed it is 500 kilometers long. Groups use tunnel exits to launch rockets, and the launchers are then brought back underground, making them nearly impossible to see and target. Israel has tried palm boarding the tunnels, in 2014, 2017 and 2021, to destroy the network, without success, but with significant civilian casualties. The Tunnel Network is reportedly woven underneath marketplaces, apartment blocks and hospitals. Anchor a former u. K. Military Intelligence Officer believes the tunnels will be a considerable challenge for israeli troops if they enter gaza. Frank the first reason is what youve just seen, the extensive Tunnel Network, the gaza metro described, which gives an underground element to this. Israeli soldiers wont have to just look at two their sides to their sides or up, but they will figuratively and literally be looking underground. That means they have to look behind as well, because even if they secure an area they can never be sure if they secured all of the tunnel entrances and exits. But they are more than aware of that. Theres a more hightech element as well on both sides israel will probably be deploying drones, systems that may be driven or directed by ai, there is some evidence theyve already done that. Reconnaissance drones flying through buildings looking for human beings so planners can select targets. As Israeli Soldiers look up, they will look for drones. Anchor we saw briefly how tunnels have been used to this point, but with a ground offensive by the Israeli Forces imminent, how do you expect hamas to use them . Frank they will be using them first of all as passive defense and we saw that in the film. All that means is it is shelter. Their headquarters, command and control systems and communications will all be centered around the tunnel system. That is one reason why you are seeing such an extensive series of airstrikes in this preparatory phase, what the defense minister said, there were three phases. They are trying to collapse as many tunnels as they can as well as deliver as much intelligence. Thats where we are with that, and hamas will be using the tunnels to transport weapons of course and personnel, which is why israels troops will have to be really careful, even if they clear in area, they can never be quite sure it is truly clear. Israel has prepared for this, they have special tunneling units, they have used the highest and latest form of technology and will use that to destroy, or if necessary, if hostages are there, enter the tunnels. But it will be tough. Anchor is there any way to know how successful they have been the airstrikes in destroying this vast system of tunnels under gaza . Frank every one of those airstrikes you see on your screen is subject to Battle Damage assessment. That will assess the results of the bombing against the objective. They will have some assessment as to what is achieved. Frankly the only way of doing that is to wait and see. If the tunnels are still there is really is will find out soon enough because ambushes will appear from them. Anchor a pleasure speaking to you again, byebye. Palestinians took part in friday prayers in East Jerusalem as worshipers under 50 were barred from the mosque. Some roads were also closed. Joe biden is urging americans to support tens of billions of dollars in funding for israel and ukraine. He says they are fighting for democracy. He stressed that backing both nations was vital for u. S. National security. The German Foreign minister has called for the Immediate Release of hostages held by hamas. After meeting israeli leaders, she says israel has the right to defend itself but urged protection for civilians. She also announced an aid package for gaza. Meanwhile, families of hostages taken in the terror attack have traveled to israel to take more action. A minister said germany is doing everything in his power to secure their release. My sister. In this picture, she is knitting hats for newborn babies in the hospital. She was kidnapped with hamas by hamas terrorist along with other family members. Their relatives have come here to keep pressure on the government. This is mr. Scholz and me. I told him we dont want to interfere with german politics but you have to do something. Reporter the attacks have left them with sleepless nights and endless thoughts about loved ones. Our mission here is to try our best that germany react against terror. Not only that doesnt help. We need now work and not sympathy. Anchor israel is planning to evacuate a city following days of clashes with hezbollah fighters along the border with lebanon. The city is home to 20,000 people and is just two kilometers from the border. Israel has been steadily evacuating communities along the northern frontier. Reporter these people have driven north to pick up their father. They are taking himself and out of range of rockets fired across the border by hezbollah. My father is leaving and we will take him to my home and try to survive. [air raid siren] reporter this is why they are leaving, sirens wail as rockets stream into israel from lebanon. This city has already been hit by those munitions. The army says it is time to go. This kind of evacuation allows the idf to expand operational freedom to act against hezbollah terrorists. Reporter many residents have already left before the enforced evacuation. But they are confident they will return. Right now it is very difficult, like my brother said, but we are going to win. No one can beat us. That is it. That is what the world needs to understand. We are going to fight and fight hard. Reporter residents fleeing the north are joining tens of thousands of israelis who have left their homes in the south near gaza. Anchor in berlin, demonstrations have been banned with police siding fears for public safety. Hundreds of people have been arrested at rallies in support of palestinians and that has raised questions about freedom of speech. Reporter for days, large groups of angry men throwing rocks, bottles and even fireworks at police, who responded with water cannon. Hundreds have been arrested. Parts of the city on a knife edge since police band propalestinian protests, and officials said they have been used to incite hatred, calls for the killing of jews or the destruction of israel. At this mosque in berlin, worshipers say banning protests is the wrong approach. This is also included in german law as long as they are not violent. You have the feeling the state uses freedom of speech when it wants, that means for the Israeli Citizens but not palestinians. Reporter speaking at a Jewish School in the capital, the head of the centerright cdu party said he baxley band backs the ban. There has to be a ban on certain activities by certain people and there will have to be a ban on demonstrations if what happens is what we have seen often enough. Too often in the last 10 days. Namely that there have been violent demonstrations. Reporter that an echo of the political mainstream. For germany, the focus now very much on zero tolerance of antisemitism. Anchor our correspondent told us more about the demonstrations. Reporter weve just seen pictures of the demonstrations, which were banned for fear of incitement, for fear of antisemitism turning into calls for violence for instance against jews or israel. These bannings led to clashes. This is an assessment that the authorities have to make. There have been similar demonstrations elsewhere in germany that have been entirely peaceful. It is possible this situation is particular to berlin where it is particularly heated. There were other antisemitic incidents such as stars of david being sprayed on certain buildings and even an attempted attack on a Jewish Cultural Center with molotov cocktails. So yes, these kind of things have been increasing. Maybe one should say that antisemitism itself is not illegal in germany but what is illegal is calling for violence or acting in a violent manner. Anchor lets look now at some other stories making news around the world. A Russian Court has extended the detention of a journalist accused of violating the law. They work for Radio Liberty funded by the u. S. , the second u. S. Journalist to be arrested in russia since evasion of invasion of ukraine. The north Korean Leader has discussed closer cooperation with moscow during a meeting with the Russian Foreign minister. The kremlins top diplomat proposed regular security tax talks with pyongyang about what he called u. S. Regional threats. Three people have been killed in england as a storm has bettered scotland and northern england. Emergency services in scotland are struggling to rescue families trapped by floodwaters. The storm has also disrupted flights and Ferry Services in scandinavia. Authorities in columbia have seized a property that belonged to the late drug lord pablo escobar. It housed a Popular Museum devoted to the narco trafficker. It is said that he bought the building using drug profits. Here is a reminder of our top story. Hamas says it has released two american hostages for what it calls humanitarian reasons. They have been named as judith and natalie raanan. The mother and daughter were among 200 captives taken by hamas on october 7. Stay with us, after a short break i will be back to take you through the day. Hope to see you then. It is 10 00 p. M. Here in the french capital. You are watching live from paris, and here are the stories making headlines. Two americans being held by hamas have been released. A mothe