I welcome you both. Ali, to you first. U. S. Officials, confirming americans are among the dead. But, what do we know of any specifics, around those statistics, this hour . Yeah alex, this is something that we heard, first mention by Secretary Of StateAntony Blinken this morning, when he said that u. S. Officials were working overtime, to confirm reports that americans were among those killed. Since these attacks began yesterday, as well as reports that americans, were among those taken hostage, into gaza, by hamas militants. And tonight, we have a new quote from a National Security council spokesperson. Confirming that the deaths of several u. S. Citizens since this attack began, but also on these reports of americans being taken hostage. They would only confirm that there are americans, quote, Unaccounted For. They say in a statement, quote, we are aware of reports of unaccounted american u. S. Citizens, and we are working to confirm, we are closely monitoring information of hostages taken by hamas. They, say i can imagine the heartbreak and pain families must be experiencing right now. And, our thoughts are with them, during this difficult time. We stand ready to provide assistance, alex. And that is something that we know, from white house officials, this intelligence is still very fluid, they are still working to confirm, exactly where these people, are how they were taken, getting in contact with their families, before announcing anything more firm, alex. Okay. And, we were hearing reports, in the last hour, ali, about gps locators on phones and the like. Do you know that kind of thing is being employed by State Department, or any other services . To see if we can find these americans . Yeah, that point. At this point, alex we dont have any information confirmed, from white house officials, from the National Security council, confirming the use of that specific technology, to be able to find these americans that were taken hostage, alex. Okay, well you know, they are going all to try to find. Thank you ali for that. And so to you, ali velshi. First of all, let me ask you why you are in. Nine member watching yesterday morning, you held multiple hours, as this is all unfolding. And it was my presumption that you are bound for israel, if you could get there. But you are in a mom, what is going . On thats right. There were no flights, going into israel at that point. The reason being, bengurion airport, is between lebanon and gaza, it could be hit, and this has been proven in the past, by hezbollah, which outbreaks out of southern lebanon. And now, by hamas. Hamas sent over 2000 rockets into israel yesterday. Its amazing, because there are these apps that show you sirens, and rocket attacks all over israel. I started to see them just after midnight on friday night, and they were in specific areas in israel. Within 20 minutes, everything in israel was covered with. These rockets were going everywhere, so a number of airlines, particular americanbased airlines, had discontinued flights. They had a couple of flights leaving to get americans out, but we have seen as late as this evening, more attacks on. So i am in a mom, which is 57 kilometers from the israeli border. As soon as it is light, it is two in the morning. Now as soon as it is like, we will head for the border, the border will open up. We will, that it will probably be a very long exercise, but we will get into israel with other nbc teams, and well expand our coverage from israel. But we do have this, we do have teams in the right now, and what is happening right now, is that they are continuing to be more volleys of missiles, and attack between israel and hamas. Hamas has targeted in southern israel, there has been damage there. There are Emergency Services on the scene there, they have targeted they have targeted tel aviv, all tonight. On the other side, israelis have got drones, helicopters, and rockets going into gaza. All electricity has been cut off, into gaza. Now electricity and, gaza is generated by diesel feel, in many cases. It is controlled by israel, so if you look at those pictures of gaza tonight, what you are seeing has buildings that are lit by generator power. Everything else, in one of the most populous places in the world, is dark. So that is whats happening right now. You see a big patches. This is a very popular city, it is dark. There is auxiliary lighting in the city, and that is all there is. The bottom line is, israel has warned that it is going to retaliate very harshly. What they have been doing is targeting hamas, known hamas installations, weapons caches, and things like that in gaza. The problem is, the hostages. The hostages have been taken into gaza, there are no israeli troops in gaza. Gaza is impossible to get into, or out of. The israelis dont go in there. And so, if they need to go into rescue hostages, that becomes a street battle, thats urban warfare. In a place that Israeli Soldiers have intelligence, but they havent lived, or havent been around there for decades. So, i think the israelis need to take stock of where everybody is, try to get accurate numbers on who is in there. Hamas has acknowledged there holding the hostages, and they have said, you want your hostages back . Every single Palestinian Prisoner has to be released. That is a nonstarter for israel. But what it is preventing israel from doing, is taking Ground Forces into gaza right now. We do know from our reporters, Ground Forces have started moving south, they are assembling at the gaza border. And, israel has told all of the villagers, in all of the residents, and the People Living in, they would seem around gaza, get out, it is going to be a war zone. Yeah, we heard from our colleague ralph exactly what your reporting, ali. He was there, close to the southern border. And he said yesterday, what you saw was tremendous movement of military individuals, soldiers, racing, he said. Racing to the, border to try to stop any further incursion from the southern border there. But also to shore that up, and potentially, to get in there and try to rescue hostages. He said today, there has been tremendous movement of actually military vehicles, Military Armor meant, moving that way. Im presuming that is to, what . Back at any sort of incursion, or rather military action, theyre going to do, taking into gaza . Well, i think there are two things happening. What you saw yesterday with raf, were. Police and military in cars, they were getting there fast, there are several villages around gaza, that had actually been overtaken by hamas soldiers. The issue here is, at some point. Israel has declared war. At some point, they are going to go in with Ground Forces, into gaza, but they need to have everybody assembled. Remember, israel has some stuff going on at three front. There is the west bank, where there has been trouble for almost a year, now on a daily basis, theyve got a lot of troops, and theyve called it reserves to go into the west bank. And then, theyve got the north of the country, where the Lebanese Army has sent troops down there, to try to keep things calm. Bu hezbollah has already startedlobbying some missiles in parts of israel, st to show solidarity. But this is the area around gaza. All of these towns that you are looking at,including the border crossing. These are all places, that hamas soldiers had been out, theyre fighting. So yesterday, you saw that. They were taking back towns. Now, the columns are getting ready to goto gaza, to do battle, esumably to get those es out. We are not sure, it could sph of strength to tell hamas, stop with iraq, as we are assembling the might of the israeli army, at your doorstep. But for the moment, they are sending actual troops down to that border. Thats where well be heading, once we cross in to see it. But, this is what you are looking at, it is actual armament, and military going into the gaza border. So, when hamas and hezbollah are uttered in the same sentences, as you are doing ali velshi, its headed to you allie raffa, you think about iran. What more do we know, about irans potential involvement here . Yeah alex. So, my colleague had some conversations with former u. S. Intelligence, and military officers, who told him that because of the sheer sophistication in the planning, and resources used during this attack. Think of the multi pronged approach to it, by air, land, and see, that these former officers told him that it is likely iran had a significant role in the planning of it. And from the beginning of this attack, it was clear that this wasnt just hamas at play. That is something that even Secretary Of StateAntony Blinken acknowledged earlier, saying that, acknowledging that the long relationship, and partnership of the hamas has had with iran, and acknowledging that iran has used hamas as a proxy in the past. But, Secretary Of StateAntony Blinken was a very careful to say, just how fluid the situation was, and how flu the information and intelligence, was that they were getting, as we still dont know, who was behind this attack, and how much of a role they played in supporting the resources used by hamas, to be able to attack israel, to the extent that it did. Think of how much they were able to breach the iron dome, as well as the border with israeli technology, and intelligence, and defense technology, among the best in the world. And right now, we know that three current u. S. Officials are pushing back on this, and they say that at this time, they dont have enough evidence, enough information at this point, to be able to corroborate the extent to which iran played a role, and providing resources to hamas for this. Well i, think theres a lot of work thats gonna be done, to try to figure out many many things. One more question to you ali velshi, what will be your first task, once you are able, by light of day, to get into israel . Are you going to be going someplace, where there have been skirmishes . Because, israel, to my understanding when i got off the air about three hours ago, there were still militants, hamas militants inside of israel, who were doing a hand combat battle, or hiding out, more scarily, hiding out in homes, having embedded themselves in there and. The Israeli Military threw them out. So that aspect of things has not yet been eradicated your hundred sent right there, is not an allclear that has been given or of the area around gaza, largely because there are lot of issues going on hamas used to build tunnels the tunnels come out of houses. They are just not sure the situation. As hamas continues to talk about having taken hostages or more hostages, there have a clear number that. And so, the israelis want to be completely sure about that area. They have issued, as i said, a warning to residents around their. So, we are not going to end to places where the warning is were attacks by take place. But, the whole country is at this point. So, if we go to where raf is, which is entirely possible, or in ashkelon, where there have been, where there has been missiles fired tonight. You just dont know whats gonna happen. You are now in a region, that is at war, and there is danger in all of those places, as you know alex, we traveled with very well trained teams, heres so we employ as many Safety Precautions as we can. But we are going to go down to places where some of these hostages were taken, or Family Members are. And, where theory continues to be fighting, to see what is going on. Were also the touch base with whats going on in the west bank, which has been a place of a lot of energy, and it has been where the Israeli Military spent most of his time, in the last year. Because, 11 other people dead so far, are in the west bank so there are still skirmishes going on even. Theyre so anywhere you go in israel, today or tomorrow, it is a place that feels unsafe, to both israelis, and. And palestinians absolutely. Let me tell you, you go with for a job i know you will be doing very well. And safely. Ali velshi, we will be looking forward to all those reports for me. Now as well as my admiration to you from the white house. Allie raffa, thank you so much. Coming, up we will take you to the pentagon and find out exactly what the u. S. Has planned with regard to supporting israel and its military efforts. We will get in and its from courting kiwi after the break. Ter the break. My name is marie. Im 49 years old and im a business owner. I own a lemonade and Ice Cream Shop in florida, so i can feel and see that my lines have gotten deeper just from a year out in the sun. Im still marie and i got botox® cosmetic. I did not want a dramatic change. I wanted something subtle. And im really, really happy with the results. Its still me, but with fewer lines. Botox® cosmetic is fda approved to temporarily make frown lines, crows feet, and Forehead Lines look better. The effects of botox® cosmetic may spread hours to weeks after injection, causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems, or Muscle Weakness may be a sign of a lifethreatening condition. Do not receive botox® cosmetic if you have a skin infection. Side effects may include allergic reactions, injection site pain, headache, eyebrow, eyelid drooping, and eyelid swelling. Tell your doctor about your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions, and medications, including Botulinum Toxins as these may increase the risk of serious side effects. See for yourself at botoxcosmetic. Com. Its not just designed to look good. As these may increase the risk of s its built tofects. Command attention. Its not just a comfortable interior. Its a quiet refuge. Theyre not just headlights. They light the way forward. The new fully electric audi q8 etron models. Detect this living with hiv, i learned i can stay undetectable with fewer medicines. Thats why i switched to dovato. Dovato is a complete hiv treatment for some adults. No other complete hiv pill uses fewer medicines to help keep you undetectable than dovato. Detect this most hiv pills contain 3 or 4 medicines. Dovato is as effective with just 2. If you have hepatitis b, dont stop dovato without talking to your doctor. Dont take dovato if youre allergic to its ingredients or taking dofetilide. This can cause serious or lifethreatening side effects. If you have a rash or allergic reaction symptoms, stop dovato and get medical help right away. Serious or lifethreatening lactic acid buildup and Liver Problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have kidney or Liver Problems, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering pregnancy. Dovato may harm an unborn baby. Most common side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, tiredness, and anxiety. Detect this i stay undetectable with fewer medicines. Ask your doctor about switching to dovato. Cmon, were right there. Cmon baby. I stay undetectable with fewer medicines. Its the only we need. Go, go, go, go ah Touchdown Baby touchdown are your neighbors watching the same game . Yeah, my 5g Home Internet delays the game a bit. But you get used to it. Try these. Theyre noise cancelling earmuffs. I stole them from an airport. Its always something with you, man. Great solid greek salad . Exactly dont delay the game with verizon or tmobile 5g 16 past just moments ago the Home Internet. Catch it on the xfinity 10g network. U. S. Officials confirmed reports of u. S. Citizens on accounted for in israel. Also today, the pentagon confirming that it is moving u. S. Military assets closer to israel. The correspondent Courtney Kube gives us information. What do we know about the sport in the region, how large might it be . How close is it to israel. What is the significant message it sends. So, its both a big presence and its a very significant capability that the u. S. Is providing. Starting at sea, they will send it. Its already on its way there. The uss gerald r for curator strikes groups thats the area calf career and its a missile guided cruiser. And for missile guided destroyers. Those have the ability to fire off missiles and they have torpedoes. Those are not only the kinds of missiles that can hit a target on land but they also have the ability to do missile defense. Lets say theres a missile coming in. They have ones they can go up and intercept. In addition to that, to the carrier and some of the ships, they have fixed wing aircrafts. They have helicopters. They have surveillance. 6000 sailors. Huge capability at. See this is largely a show of presents or force or support for israel at sea. In addition to that, the u. S. Has also sent a number of aircrafts. We are tolding someone in the neighborhood of 25 additional aircraft going into the region. Those include 15 f16s and a tens all attacked fighter aircraft. Its addition to the f18s in the eastern mad. In addition to that, the u. S. Is sending 35. Why thats so important, its not only an attack, aircraft it has intelligence, surveillance capabilities, very extensive capabilities. And also has Electronic Warfare abilities. That includes being able to jam. This is a huge sweep of assets that the u. S. Is sending to the region. It provides not only to potential deterrence to hamas and other groups who might be supporting hamas from continuing these attacks, furthering their tax, it provides a real ability to respond if necessary. Again, i want to stress here, at this point, the u. S. Officials on talking to are not talking to about the u. S. Getting actively evolved in the Ground Conflict there in israel. Theyre putting assets in place if need be. I guess a couple of questions from that, courtney. First of, all for how long . We know from the Biden Administration that they are promising an extended campaign. Listen to Benjamin Netanyahu