pause in the war. yesterday, hamas released 24 hostages while israel released 39 palestinian prisoners. and new video is showing dramatic reunions on friday, like nine year old ohad wound or. his mom -- grandmother ruth e. coming face to face with their loved ones after being held captive. relatives are saying that the former abductees are doing as well as can be expected. >> what is a good shape for a nine year old after being in some prison cell for nine months? the way i see is, the doctor said that they are exactly where they should be, under the circumstances, okay? so, we have to give them time, of course. but we are optimistic, a lot of love and a lot of patients, you know? recuperating and coming to terms with the new reality that has happened. >> indeed. well, the ron asher and her daughters, aviv and roz, they were also released and reunited with their loved ones, while relatives of the am still being held or questioning widespread global protests in support of palestinians. >> so, wherever in the world, they are talking about giving humanitarian aid to citizen -- people in gaza, how come they are not talking about giving humanitarian aid to our hostages? how come? well >> also new today, more than 50 aid trucks were allowed into gaza. officials say, and egypt say, they're getting positive signals from both sides for a further extension of this truce by one or two days and the potential release of additional hostages and palestinian prisoners. we've got a number of reporters in place covering all of the day's developments for you from israel to the white house. we are going to go first to nbc's erin mclaughlin, who's joining us from tel aviv. aaron, welcome. so, what are you hearing right now about the next set of hostages and palestinian prisoners that are expected to be released sometime today? >> well, alex, we are now hearing of a delay in the exchange for today. hamas, releasing a statement to nbc news, outlining the reasons for the delay, saying they are going to delay releasing the israeli hostages that we have been expecting to be released, really, at any hour. they are citing three different areas that they are alleging israel has violated the terms of this temporary cease-fire agreement. one of them being the aid. now, under the agreement, 200 trucks of aid were supposed to have gone from egypt, through the rafah crossing, into gaza. what hamas is alleging, according to this statement, is simply not enough of that aid has entered gaza, but specifically the hard-hit areas of northern gaza, where tens of thousands of palestinians still live. hamas, also alleging that the israelis are not releasing palestinians in the order that had been agreed upon, under the terms of this deal, under the deal that the oldest, the longest held palestinians were supposed to be released from israeli prisons. they are saying that that has not happened and then hamas is also citing yesterday's violence. thousands of palestinians on when the cease-fire happened rushed to the north, trying to get home, and israeli soldiers opened fire, according to palestinian health officials inside of gaza. at least one was killed and a few others were wounded. hamas, upset about that, saying that it is a violation of this agreement, and so, they are delaying the hostage exchange for today. and of course, the big question for so many families, for pretty much everyone here in israel, is, for how long? how long will this delay go on for? and how it could impact, potentially, the overall agreement, alex. >> yeah, that's a lot of information and certainly not welcome news for many who are anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones and all of us around the world watching this. but aaron, i just want to confirm -- you were given this [inaudible] hamas to -- news, so this is -- hamas -- what's happening today? >> correct, alex. this is a statement to nbc news that's -- we have reached out to government [inaudible] for reaction. we have not heard back on that. -- the qatar in this agreement [inaudible] >> -- activity about all of this, as clearly indicated by this news, anything can be setting delays back. we will stay on top of this with your health, aaron. i know you will stay hot for us and let us know if anything is developed further. let's get some reaction right now from the white house. we will go to nbc's allie raffa with some new reaction from president biden. first of all, ali, the question to you. has the white house been made aware, to the best of your knowledge, about these delays and or the reasons for them? >> well, alex, that's something that we've reached out to the white house about. we haven't received a response as of this moment that we are chatting. but that is definitely something that we will be following up on. as it relates to the hostages, the american hostages that the president and senior administration officials continue to say is their number one priority out of the cease-fire, out of this deal that came to fruition yesterday, that started and began yesterday, of the president and administration officials continue to say that they are hopeful that americans will be included in the hostages that will be released by hamas, as part of this deal. but they continue to say they will not be releasing any specifics on potential timing or any specifics as to certain cases, hostage cases. at this point, we know there is no indication that americans won't be included as part of this deal. as you will remember, those two americans, a mother and daughter, where the first hostages released by hamas two weeks after this war began. and a senior administration official told our team this morning that this was indicative of some hope that more would be released by hamas, saying, quote, the president secured the release of two american citizens as the pilot to this larger release of hoages. we are early in the process that we'll see at least 50 women and children released during the first phase of the agreement. we are hopeful that will include three dual national women and children, who are american citizens, and they go on to say again that this will unfold over the coming days. and again, they won't comment on individual cases, as this process continues to be underway. but alex, we saw yesterday, as the first phase of this began, the president, very honest with the american people about how fluid and how sensitive this continues to be, about how many moving parts have to fit perfectly together for this continue, for this to continue being successful. he was also honest with the american people about what the u.s. government does and still does not know. listen here. >> we also remember all those who are still being held. we renew our commitment to work for their release is as well. to american women and 14 year old child, abigail, who remains among those missing. we also will not stop until we get these hostages brought home and an answer to their whereabouts. we don't know what the list of all the hostages are and when they will be released, but we know the numbers, when they will be released. so, is my hope and expectation it will be soon. >> the president, going on in that speech, linking himself directly to the behind the scenes diplomacy that took place in order for this deal to come to fruition. talking about his constant communication with the leaders of israel, of qatar, of jordan, of egypt. talking through this whole process for this deal to be reached. and a senior u.s. official is telling us this morning about the president was briefed multiple times by national security adviser jake sullivan yesterday. he continues to be briefed throughout the day on the ongoing developments happening on the ground there. this official says that as developments happen, that relate to these american hostages, that they will share that with us. so, certainly, success so far, alex. but still a long way to go. the president and those officials, as i said, still optimistic that americans will be among those hostages released. >> absolutely optimism prevails on that front. okay, thank you so much for that, appreciated. ali rafah. let's go back to erin very quickly. so again, erin, as i look at the clock, 709 pm there, where you are in tel aviv. how recently were you given this update by hamas and has there been any reaction that you know of there in the area around you? are people upset about this delay? are people waiting on pins and needles? what's been the reaction that you're aware of? >> well, alex, we have literally just received this news when i first came on air. so, this is very fresh. we don't have any reaction, as i said. we reach out to the israeli government for reaction, we reach out to the state of qatar for reaction. we have not heard anything yet. it is worth noting that it is seven pm here in israel and yesterday around this time, the israeli hostages, 13 of them, had already crossed from gaza through the rafahossi into egypt. they crossed, according to the prime minister's office, at around 5:30. they were handed over from hamas to the red cross and into gaza. of course, that has not happened yet. so, you know, as this news continues or as we learn more, i would imagine we will be getting reactionary soon, alex. >> okay, so one point that you made was that hamas was not pleased with the amount of humanitarian aid, specific to visit fuel trucks? what is it that they did not think they should be getting? i believe you reported there were 30 trucks that went through. >> well, according to this statement, what hamas is alleging is there not receiving enough aid overall to gaza. yesterday, they received 196 trucks. the agreement is 200 trucks of aid into gaza. but critically, what they're most upset about, according to this statement, is the amount of aid reaching into northern gaza. now, we know from the palestinian red crescent, there is a convoy of around 60 trucks that were supposed to have crossed into northern gaza today. the largest convoy since the start of the war, according to hamas, that did not happen. some of the trucks got stuck at a checkpoint and that really is one of their key grievances, according to this statement. because remember, the northern section of gaza is the hardest hit part of gaza. israeli forces have really concentrated their efforts in the north, in areas such as gaza city, the job liu refugee camp. that's where we've seen most of the destruction, most of the bloodshed. and so, what hamas seems to be saying from the statement is that not enough aid is reaching that area, specifically, which is why they are delaying today. >> okay, erin mclaughlin, thank you so much for the deep dive into all of this. again, just getting this information. ten, 11 minutes ago. appreciate you standing by for us with whatever you do get, but i'm joined right now by a former member of the fbi's hostage rescue team and founder of sierra one consulting, rob d'amico. rob, welcome to you. so, let me run through the list of grievances by hamas at this point, for the delay of release of hostages that was supposed to happen today. keeping in mind we are approaching 7:15 pm there. that there was not enough aid going in, that there was not the release of the palestinian prisoners from israeli jails in the order that was supposed to have happened, allegedly, i guess in age or in duration of those people who've been imprisoned the longest, get them out first. and lastly, military operations by the idf when reportedly, thousands of palestinians had moved south in gaza. avoid the gunfire and the shelling there in the north by the idea we're rushing to return home. and reportedly, the idf opened fire on them. this all tells you about the very precarious, delicate nature of hostage negotiations in a situation like this and the fact is that you have spent some time with operations in afghanistan, in iraq, dealing with hostage negotiation. so, give me a sense of, based on that, what we are looking at here between israel and gaza. >> i think the best thing that happened, at least they have a list. they have a very definitive list and israel has to answer them. they have to go back and explain if it was the checkpoint. i mean, everything other is a bureaucracy, so the checkpoint might not have had -- get the trucks in earlier -- that they will have to fix, same thing with the people working back to northern gaza and that getting engaged by the idf. so, it is hard across a battlefield to get everyone to play into what's supposed to happen. but there is a list. israel has to reply to it. but these things i knew were going to happen, even in like two and three hostage exchanges. we've had problems, we're putting hostages who are captives that be released on a plane. we actually had to turn them around, fly the plane built back to qatar, and with the next day. so, i knew this is going to happen. the fact that it's a quantitative list, then they can go down and say that this is how we're going to address it and now what are we going to do the release? >> i understand a list is called, and maybe with your experience, and that would specifically to this one. i'm not, certain but it can be called the proof of life. and that will list the hostages. why is it important to stick to that? >> actual proof of life is proving a person is alive. there's many ways to do it, and when we're talking like, when we are in afghanistan, we had many false trails of people saying they had access to hostages, and they would have to prove to us that they actually had the hostage and they could release the hostage. i think in this case, it is more there is such a vague number of how many people are held hostage. in order to make this happen, it's trusted, the moment i call it. because you, have two warring factions, but you have to have trust in the moment that you both negotiating faithfully, and if you don't know how many people they totally have, you can't do the. especially when it gets out then. if you have 220 and several have died in the process, and they are down to say, 200, that is going to be a problem at the. and i think they really need to come out and say, this is who we have, this is a number we have, to make that at the moment, trust and confidence, and they're going to be looking at the last releases to be on par with what we think they have. >> so, rob, the fact that this is being done that specifically during what they are calling a cease-fire, but rather, a pause, and that it would seem that both sides are ready to pick up arms and go at it again as soon as this four-day pause, if it's not extended, and. how much does that add pressure, either way, to get this either done or can create problems, considering they know what's just around the corner? >> well, i think it is like the carrot and the stick. it's one of those things the pressure back and forth, each side has pressure to apply, and apply for israel to start the ground war, if things aren't going as planned. if the releases aren't happening. and vice versa. so, they have these, and what we were at, when we were with the taliban and the commies, we were doing prison swaps, we didn't have pause is going in. that this one is on, but i think towards the, and when you really get down to the numbers, if the releases start going better and the flow information, i guarantee who's people scrambling right now to make this happen and turn it back on aid for tomorrow, to get the releases and get everything fixed. but when you start getting down to were the crucial numbers in, this what's going to happen? are they going to say yet in the first four days, a, we had this many were going to release, and then israel is going to come back and say well, if you don't release them by this time, we're going to start with this on the ground or side? >> let me ask you specific to yesterday. 24 hostages released in the first batch. they had 13 israelis, ten hostages from thailand, another from the philippines. notably, though, no americans. does that tell you anything? >> i think hamas wants the americans in the game to the end. they understand that we apply some pressure to israel, maybe to get things, the israelis are saying they don't want to give, and then we put pressure on them to find something. so, i don't think they want to give all the americans back, and then not have america. i'm not gonna say they're not concerned, but not as involved in it. so, i think the americans will come out piecemeal throughout the entire process, to keep us more engaged. >> okay, and the challenges overall of pulling off literally just the logistics of the hostage rescue, especially when you are in the final stages here. i mean, i'm curious about the security apparatus that has to be in place to do that. what is that like? >> i have seen all kinds of flying helicopters to remote sites to pick up hostages. this one yesterday, when i saw the video, i was a little bit concerned. the chaos in the transfer of the israeli hostages in front of all the palestinians, i felt that they were somewhat in danger. if there is a faction within the hamas that doesn't want this to happen, they could've got access to hostages and them something horrible. i also feel the hostages feel like hopefully, they told them they were being released. but things have to be predictable, and i saw them very panic moment, he probably felt like animals in a zoo almost, being looked at and traded back and forth. i don't think it went anywhere helping them with their mental health, because they're going to have a serious, long term ability to try to undo this mentally. this will never, they are going to have a basically a new normal, as doctors all the time calmly, and how they did with. this >> absolutely. they need to have mental health support, get back into the loved ones, the arms of their loved ones, i'm sure those kinds of services will be provided. rob d'amico, thank you so much. again, we are still waiting, rob, to see if the hostages get released. scheduled today, as we appreciate you going not to, too far from that camera. enjoy your day until we, perhaps, call on you again. thank you. coming up later on, everybody, two big developments in donald trump's legal world. they both involve one thing he cannot keep shot. we're back in 60 seconds. n 60 seconds help prevent covid-19 from breaking your momentum. you may have already been vaccinated against the flu, but don't forget this season's updated covid-19 shot too. ♪♪ nothing like a real tree. ♪♪ oh, fudge!!! oh, fudge!!! ♪♪ the holidays are joy, except for all the snow, slush, salt, and pine needle catastrophes... weathertech's cargoliners and floorliners are laser-measured to perfectly protect the front, back, and even up the sides. order the perfect holiday gift today at weathertech.com and don't forget weathertech gift cards. king c. gillette is an award winning lineup men's health best beard trimmer for beginners among men's journal's best beard shampoos and washes and gq's best beard conditioners for soft no-itch, facial hair. your beard is our trade these are your tools king c. gillette again, developing right now for you, hamas says it has delayed the second exchange of hostages and prisoners asked the four-day truce between hamas and israel enters now its second day. the grandchildren of one of the hostages, the offer of the, or who was released yesterday, they are calling on the international community to keep fighting. >> thankfully, our grandmother returned home yesterday, after almost 50 days in captivity. we got a chance to hug her again. i want to say that the fight is not over until all of the hostages will be back from the youngest to the oldest. they all have to be home. so, i ask you, all of you, all the international community, don't stop fighting. >> joining me now, democratic congressman russia christian merkley of illinois, he is a membe