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Israel and Hamas Agree To First Phase Of Gaza Ceasefire Plan; FAA Reports New ATC Staffing Issues Into Thursday Morning; Poll: Most Americans Unsure About Tylenol, Autism Link. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired October 09, 2025 - 07:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:30:53]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: The major breaking news this morning, Israel and Hamas agreeing to the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. The announcement triggering celebrations -- you see it right there -- in the streets of both Israel and also in Gaza. Under the agreement, President Trump says Hamas will release all of the remaining hostages and Israel will pull its troops back to what is being described as an agreed upon line in Gaza.

The president spoke by phone yesterday with some of the hostage families.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOSHE LAVI, BROTHER-IN-LAW OF HOSTAGE OMRI MIRAN: Mr. President, we believe in you. We know you've done so much for us over the past since you became a president and even before that. And we trust you will fulfill the mission until every hostage -- every 48 of the hostages are home. Thank you so much. Blessed be the peacemaker. God bless you, Mr. President, and God bless America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Right there you saw Moshe Lavi. He's the brother-in-law of one of the hostages, Omri Miran. He -- Omri is now 48 years old and has a wife and two young daughters waiting for his return.

Moshe Lavi joining -- is joining us right now, actually, from the airport, as you are trying to get from D.C. -- get out of here and get ready to finally, Moshe, welcome Omri home.

How are you? I mean, how is your sister doing with this news?

LAVI: Thank you, Kate, for having me.

I still recall our first interview in the first few weeks of the war. It's been two years now and we are hoping that this is actually going to be the last step -- the last few days before we finally reunite with Omri.

I was with my sister in D.C. She's with me here at the airport. In the past few days we advocated with policymakers. We held a vigil for October the 7th with the Trump administration members, including Secretary of State Rubio -- Marco Rubio. It was so powerful. And what was powerful was especially getting the news yesterday from the White House, speaking to the president. Seeing how much he is excited to share the news with us and sharing our message as well to the world.

BOLDUAN: I mean, how many -- I was thinking about how many times you and I have spoken on TV and off about getting to this moment. About speaking about the return, finally, of Omri to his family.

Lishay and Omri -- their daughters are now, I believe -- Roni and Alma -- four and two years old. Roni, I know Lishay said recently -- says that she remembers some of the day. Remembers the hug that Omri gave her before he left with the terrorists on that horrible day.

Have you guys told the girls? This is so amazing but also can be so delicate when it comes to -- comes to children.

LAVI: Yeah. We made sure last night here in D.C. and morning in Israel that my parents and my other sister are with the girls. We're not sharing with them the news. This is so delicate, as you mentioned. And to be honest, until we see Omri ourselves we will not believe it. Only once we receive a confirmation that this is happening -- that Omri is returning home -- we will share it with the girls as we prepare them to meet him. It's going to be a difficult meeting for them, I'm sure, but also a happy one.

Alma was only six months old when Omri was kidnapped in front of her eyes. Will probably not remember who Omri was. I can't wait to see them reuniting. And for me to getting to know his daughter finally and for Alma getting to know him.

And Roni actually remembers everything. She knows what happened to Omri. She knows where he is. She knows bad people, as she calls them, took him with guns.

[07:35:00]

And only this week when she built a sukkah with my parents she put a wish in a balloon and I just hope that wish will come true because she said that once the balloon explode -- pops -- Omri will return, all the hostages will return, and our soldiers will return in peace from the operation in Gaza. I can't wait to see it happening.

BOLDUAN: Unbelievable. What an extraordinary little girl.

Omri is one of -- just so everyone remembers, Omri is one of the 20 hostages that are still believed to be alive. He is now 48 years old.

What have you -- I know this is all developing and happening in real time, but what have you been told about the next few days? Getting him -- like, just what happens now in the -- as you prepare?

LAVI: Yeah, Omri is 48 years old -- the oldest living hostage. We know that there are 20 living hostages and there are two more whose status is unknown. And we are praying and hoping that they're also alive out of the 48 who are still held captive.

We don't know a lot yet but there is a -- there are a lot of good people, volunteers, and also people in our government and the bureaucratic echelon of the government apparatus who are preparing for this. And I'm sure just like it was successful in the previous hostage releases in November '23 in the deal President -- the first deal President Trump executed in January '25, everything will be in order.

We just want to get home, so we'll take a flight today to Tel Aviv. And once we land there we'll prepare and -- prepare a bag for Omri and prepare mentally to meet him after such a big -- such a long journey. But we don't know the details yet and understand exactly how it's going to unfold.

And as I say constantly, we remain hopeful, but we're also grounded in reality and we know war is the kingdom of uncertainty and nothing is concluded until we see it in our eyes. And so until Omri crosses the border, until I see him hugging Lishay, Roni, Alma, his father and his siblings, I will not believe that it's going to happen. But I will keep hoping that it will.

BOLDUAN: Well, it's so -- I'm so thankful you could just share a moment with us, obviously as you're getting ready to get on a plane this morning, Moshe. Please give our love and strength to Lishay. I know she's there with you. And I cannot wait to see that image of you reuniting and also someday having the chance to meet Omri after learning so much about him.

Moshe, thank you so much. Amazing.

LAVI: Thank you, Kate.

BOLDUAN: I want to -- of course.

I want to bring in also right now Michael Oren. He is the former Israeli ambassador to the United States. It's great to see you, Ambassador. Thank you for being here.

I mean, this is just huge. But this also impacted you on such a human level, not even thinking of the bigger, broader implications, but just hearing from Moshe and what this means to everyone in Israel.

What are you feeling today?

MICHAEL OREN, FORMER ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES (via Webex by Cisco): Well, first of all, I'm deeply moved by that interview with Moshe, and we hope for the speedy return of all the hostages, the living and the deceased.

It's a very powerful, emotional moment for everybody in the state of Israel. We all know families, we've all worked with the families, and we're deeply indebted. We're deeply indebted to President Trump and to his team.

And I'll say this as not an Israeli but as a historian. The 20-point is a work of an incredible, elegant diplomacy bringing together all of these -- all of these states and leaders who don't agree with one another, much less with Israel or even the United States. And bringing them together on a plan that not only ends the war in Gaza but perhaps brings peace to the broader Middle East is an extraordinary accomplishment.

BOLDUAN: That's right. It's one thing to have a good plan. It's another thing to convince people that it's time to stop fighting and to get to agreeing to the plan.

What do you think was the thing -- the thing that made the difference this time? That made the talks successful.

OREN: Well, I think that there's a conventional wisdom in the United States that this -- the 20-points is a result of pressure on -- by President Trump on Netanyahu, and I've got to take issue with that.

That's not that Netanyahu agreed with everything in the 20 points. There were some hard things in there, including releasing convicted murderers from Israeli prisons and someday talking about a pathway to a Palestinian state. Netanyahu does not like that, and I think that's an understatement -- or even a future role for the Palestinian Authority in the post-war governance of Gaza. All these issues go against the positions of the current Israeli government.

[07:40:10]

But the -- I think the key to this 20 points was pressure on Hamas. I think whether it's Turkey or Qatar or Saudi Arabia, everybody is furious with Hamas. Hamas started a war in the Middle East that was incredibly destabilizing and destructive.

And these leaders in the Middle East know that what starts in Israel- Palestine doesn't end in Israel-Palestine. Anyway, it ends up with riots on the streets of Cairo or in Riyad or even in Doha, and nobody wants to see that.

So -- but going forward the key, again, is going to be Hamas. Now this is an extraordinary event getting these hostages out but still, the major issues are Hamas wants to keep its guns. Hamas wants to stay in Gaza and be part of the post-war governance. And getting Hamas to agree to give up its guns really goes against the DNA of Hamas, and that's going to require an immense amount of pressure on this organization to get it to, in essence, to surrender.

BOLDUAN: Yeah. I heard you say this morning that this is the end of the beginning with Hamas, which just shows how important and critical this step is but that it is -- there is a long road still ahead.

Ambassador Michael Oren, it is always good to see you.

OREN: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: Appreciate your time. Thank you so much -- John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. New air traffic control staffing shortages reported overnight linked to the government shutdown. The FAA says towers in the Denver, Albuquerque, Newark, Orlando, and Los Angeles areas were all short-staffed at some point overnight. Travelers at Reagan National Airport also experience delays. Officials say the tower there was short-staffed until late last night.

CNN's Pete Muntean is there. So what is the status this morning, Pete?

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, the good news, John, is that there are no air traffic control facilities, at least right now, on the FAA's list of concern for delays because of short- staffing. But we know that can change so fast and all it takes is a handful of controllers to call out sick -- who are going unpaid during this government shutdown -- to lead to an outsized impact when you consider the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers.

Last night, they were short-staffing here at the tower at Reagan National Airport. It led to about four to six hours of delays. A quarter of all flights delayed here at Reagan National Airport. Not alone. Yesterday we saw delays at towers at Denver International Airport. Also, short-staffing at center facilities in Albuquerque and L.A. Approach control facilities in Newark, which is not unusual. Also in Orlando.

I want you to listen now to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy who told our Jake Tapper that controllers must show up to work. Before this government shutdown began, delays due to staffing -- that accounted for about five percent of all delays. Now it's about 53 percent of all delays. And Duffy says Democrats have the power to end this shutdown -- listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN DUFFY, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: I'm encouraging air traffic controllers to show up for work. They need to go to -- they need to go to their jobs. They need to control the airspace.

The problem is when I've talked to them, they are stressed out. They are wondering how do they put food on the table and how do they pay their mortgages if they paycheck doesn't come through.

We're having maybe a bit of a rebellion by air traffic controllers caused by the shutdown. But my message to them -- they work for me -- they've got to go to work. Show up, control the airspace, and eventually you're going to get paid.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MUNTEAN: All 11,000 air traffic controllers in the U.S. right now working essentially without pay. They get one more paycheck. It's a partial paycheck that comes next Tuesday, October 14. But the union of air traffic controllers (NATCA) president Nick Daniels insists to me this is not part of some coordinated sickout effort.

By the way, we just heard from Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian. He says this is not having a major impact on the airline's operations, though we are only in day nine of the shutdown.

BERMAN: All right, Pete Muntean at Reagan National Airport this morning with the very latest from there. Thanks so much, Pete -- Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, a lot to talk about. Joining us this morning is Christine Quinn, the former executive committee chair of the New York State Democratic Committee. And also with us, CNN political commentator and Republican strategist David Urban. Thank you both for being here.

First to you, Christine. There is this signed agreement for phase one of ending the war in Gaza. Is this a huge political win for Donald Trump?

CHRISTINE QUINN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, WIN, FORMER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR, NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE: I mean, there is no way around this is a big win for Donald Trump. But more importantly, it's a big win for the world to have this war and the terrible situation in Gaza for all of those families and children come to what looks like an end. We're not there yet and I think even the president has cautioned people not to get ahead of themselves, but this is a huge step forward and you have to give credit where credit is due.

SIDNER: And, of course, we -- you know, Kate just talked to one of the families waiting for the hostages to home, and there are so many families like that waiting and hoping. President Trump saying that will happen Monday.

[07:45:05]

Now let's go to -- quickly to the shutdown. We're nine days into this. And there was this public showdown between -- in the Halls of Congress between Democratic leader -- House leader Hakeem Jeffries and New York representative, who you know well, Mike Lawler.

Let's let the audience listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MIKE LAWLER (R-NY): We got a one-year extension. Why don't we sign on right now? Why don't we sign on right now?

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Let me ask you a question. Did you know -- did you get permission from your boss --

LAWLER: Why don't we sign on right now?

JEFFRIES: Did your boss, Donald Trump --

LAWLER: You can easily extend the ACA right now.

JEFFRIES: Did your boss -- did your boss, Donald Trump, give you permission?

LAWLER: He's not my boss.

JEFFRIES: Yes, he is.

LAWLER: No, he's not. And by the way -- JEFFRIES: So let me ask you a question. Let me ask you a question.

LAWLER: -- why did you vote to shut the government down?

JEFFRIES: You -- let me --

LAWLER: Why did you vote to shut it down?

JEFFRIES: Let me ask you a question.

LAWLER: Wasted, wasted, wasted --

JEFFRIES: Listen, you're not going to talk -- you're not going to talk to me --

LAWLER: Wasted on --

JEFFRIES: You're not going to talk to me --

LAWLER: -- fraud. And non-New York --

JEFFRIES: -- and talk over me because you --

LAWLER: -- residents the same thing.

JEFFRIES: -- don't want to hear what I have to say.

LAWLER: Oh, I'm listening. Go ahead.

JEFFRIES: So why don't you just keep your mouth shut because you showed up --

LAWLER: Oh, is that -- is that the way to talk?

JEFFRIES: You showed up -- you showed up --

LAWLER: Yeah.

JEFFRIES: -- and so you voted for this one big, ugly bill.

LAWLER: I signed onto this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: David, to you. Is this sort of just another thing for clickbait or does this show you what is happening with the tensions that are building up? And furthermore, is this a real proposal -- this one-year extension?

DAVID URBAN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST, FORMER TRUMP CAMPAIGN ADVISER: Yeah. Well first, let me just go back and radically agree with Christine about the momentous occasion that occurred yesterday evening with the president's announcement of the -- of the deal in the Middle East. I think it's -- we can't underestimate how huge. I worked in the U.S. Senate back in the late '90s for former Sen. Arlen Specter and had traveled to the Middle East on numerous occasions. I was there for the Wye River accord and for many different attempts to get a durable peace.

And I am hopeful and prayerful that this will occur under President Trump's leadership. So good for President Trump and for the rest of the administration, and for the world, the Israeli people, the Palestinians, and everyone involved. I think it's just a really great thing.

On to the government shutdown. I do believe that Hakeem Jeffries and Mike Lawler -- that was -- that was genuine animus there. That wasn't manufactured for clickbait. We are at loggerheads here and there seems to be no off-ramp. I don't see an off-ramp here.

And, you know, Sara, the tough part was I think both parties were girding for a fight before this, right? We saw Sen. Schumer. The last time he agreed to a C.R. he got incredible amounts of grief from this base. His base wanted a fight in this instance.

Republicans -- I think they feel like they're in a pretty strong position as well. And so both parties I think see political advantage in this.

And the sad part is coming up here very, very shortly real Americans -- men and women who work for the government in wide ranges and different jobs -- are going to suffer.

If you're an E-1 Private in the -- in the U.S. military -- if you're a man or woman serving in this military, you're making about $2,000 a month at that base level -- the entry level job. I would hazard to guess you don't have a big, fat cushion on that $2,000-a-month paycheck. And if you're not getting that paycheck you're hurting. That paycheck is not going to be in your pocket on October 15.

So I would -- I would, you know, urge speak -- you know, Hakeem Jeffries and my friend Mike Lawler and others to kind of sharpen their pencils, sit back down, and try to get something done.

Look, I think the Democrats should really take up -- this was a clean C.R. The ACA subsidies, which are probably needed here to keep things going -- there's a huge cost associated with them. Over the next decade or so they swell about $20 billion so we've got to figure out the numbers there. But health care has become something that's very important to lots of Americans. So there probably needs to be a path forward but I'm not sure it needs to be on this short timeline.

If I were -- I would urge Democrats to pass the C.R. and sit down and negotiate with Republicans on this ACA package. They need it for the midterms. Everybody needs a win.

SIDNER: Christine, I do have to ask you this one-year extension has been sort of put out there saying we can extend this -- these subsidies for a year.

Why shouldn't Democrats just say OK, we'll take it? We'll vote to fund the government.

QUINN: The Democrats shouldn't take it until the ACA is extended and the Republicans take that step.

Look, the Republicans keep switching their position. Now they're saying we'll get it done. Do it. If you actually care about keeping this level of insurance for Americans, do it. They have repeatedly, for years, wanted to do away with the ACA. If they trust them now, they add on the Democrats for being fueled. Put up or shut up.

SIDNER: Here we go. Christine Quinn with some fighting words there for you, David.

Thank you both so much. Appreciate it.

URBAN: Yeah, Christine. Take the year. Take the year.

(Laughing)

SIDNER: All right. A note: we will have House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries right here on CNN NEWS CENTRAL. John will be having a conversation with him at 8:00 a.m. -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: New this morning a brand new poll has found that most Americans are uncertain about President Trump's claim that taking Tylenol during pregnancy can raise the risk and lead to autism. President Trump made that claim despite decades of evidence, as we have discussed, that the medicine is safe.

[07:50:10]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: First, effective immediately, the FDA will be notifying physicians that the use of -- well, let's see how we say that -- acetaminophen -- acetaminophen. Is that OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

TRUMP: Which is basically commonly known as Tylenol during pregnancy can be associated with a very increased risk of autism. So taking Tylenol is not good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: CNN medical correspondent Meg Tirrell is here with much more on this. OK, so what are you hearing about this poll?

MEG TIRRELL CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well -- so this poll was conducted by the health policy and research group KFF in the week following that press conference.

BOLDUAN: OK.

TIRRELL: So they started the day after. And what they found when they surveyed more than 1,300 U.S. adults is that people heard this message. Overall, more than three-quarters -- 77 percent of American adults said that they heard that pregnancy use of Tylenol can raise the risk of autism. And, of course, as you noted, the science doesn't actually say that. They have not proven a causal link.

But then, when you look at whether people believed it, they were confused. Four percent of the respondents in this survey said that was definitely true. Thirty percent each said probably true or probably false. And 35 percent said definitely false.

And so you have Americans kind of taking this message that they heard loud and clear from the president and being really divided as to whether they should trust it and think that they shouldn't use Tylenol during pregnancy, which doctors say can be an important and sometimes the only option to reduce dangerous fevers.

BOLDUAN: How does the -- how does this split along ideology? How do people who consider their self conservative and liberal or right and left -- how do they -- how does this divide?

TIRRELL: You will be unsurprised to know --

BOLDUAN: right.

TIRRELL: -- that there is quite a divide here. And increasingly, we are seeing the way people absorb health information really is determined by their politics, which can be pretty concerning to folks.

BOLDUAN: It is. Just in general it doesn't matter. It should be -- it should be science, and it should be for everyone.

TIRRELL: Yeah.

BOLDUAN: Yeah.

TIRRELL: And so when you look at it, Democrats were much more likely to think that this was probably or definitely false. Fifty-nine percent of Democrats in this survey said definitely false. Twenty- seven percent said probably false. Only one percent of Democrats said that this is definitely true.

If you look at Republicans, it's essentially the mirror image of those findings. Seven percent said definitely true, but 50 percent said that this was probably true.

And so what you see if this real partisan divide in how people are absorbing health information. And as we'll talk about in the next hour, this poll really found that when it comes to which health sources people trust for getting information about their health.

BOLDUAN: It's just an important baseline of, like, how the medical community can also do a better job in trying to reach out to communities regardless.

TIRRELL: Yeah.

BOLDUAN: This is some really good information.

Great to see you. Thank you so much.

TIRRELL: You, too.

BOLDUAN: John.

BERMAN: All right. Parents thought they were taking their children to a nurse, but police say she was lying. Now a Nevada woman is facing charges for treating children -- even giving shots without a license.

And hometown pope. Some Chicago kids get to meet the world's most famous White Sox fan at the Vatican.

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[07:55:47]

BOLDUAN: So a Nevada woman is facing 73 charges -- 73 charges now, including 50 felonies -- accused of posing as a nurse and injecting kids with insulin. Las Vegas police say 44-year-old Crystal Scott gave shots to at least a dozen children, some as young as five, without a valid nursing license. Investigators say that she ran her own business and used real nurse's license numbers to do it. Her attorney has not commented, and police haven't said yet if any of the children were harmed in this.

Also this morning a disturbing Halloween display has landed a homeowner behind bars. We're going to show you the scene right there in the front yard in Eastern Kentucky. Police say that they found five hanging body bags labeled with the names of local officials. According to arrest documents one of the bags labeled "District Judge" had a rope around its neck.

The homeowner told police he did not want to speak about the display. This morning he faces charges, including for making terrorist threats.

And talk about a holy cow moment. A group of Catholic students from Chicago just saw their dreams come true, getting to meet Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City. This fantastic story started in May when their school had held a mock conclave in anticipation of the new pope. They had the white smoke, the cardinal costumes -- adorable. Their reaction also adorable when the first U.S. pope was elected from their hometown and it went viral.

I'll pick it back up. They were chanting "USA, USA, USA" in their classroom. It was adorable.

Let's continue. That was then, this is now. So that led to them arriving in Rome this week unaware of what was about to happen. They did get special seats in the general audience of the Vatican and then it happened. The pope stopped to speak to them and even tried on one of their hats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is 100 percent going to be the coolest field trip I will ever take.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't even know what to say. We just met the pope. Like, what?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: I love them so much. That's so a fourth-grade reaction to anything. So cute. Anyway, congrats to all of them.

Now to Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton knows that you are worried so consider this a little bit of a PSA.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DOLLY PARTON, SINGER-SONGWRITER: Everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here.

Anyway, I wanted to put everybody's mind at ease -- those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate. And I appreciate your prayers because I'm a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I'm OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: She's the best, full stop.

The country icon took to social media to reassure fans that she's OK and she'll be working nine to five.

Her sister's love kind of got fans a little bit worried after she posted on Facebook earlier this week that she was "up all night praying for her sister."

As you know and as we have discussed, Dolly delayed her Vegas performance -- her Vegas residency -- her performances for by about a year due to the health challenges that she was having done. But she's fine and that's all that matters.

SIDNER: Just so you know, every morning I stumble out of bed and tumble to the kitchen and pour myself a cup of ambition. I yawn and stretch and try to come to life. Oh, those are the words to "9 to 5" in case --

BOLDUAN: I think that's also what you do every morning. That's also what you do every morning.

SIDNER: It's also what I do every morning. Thank you, Dolly --

BOLDUAN: Exactly.

SIDNER: -- for being here with us --

BOLDUAN: Exactly.

SIDNER: -- and bringing all your goodness.

Thank you, Kate.

All right. Breaking overnight, the Texas National Guard reporting for duty just outside of Chicago. New video showing troops arriving outside of the city. Their official mission is protecting ICE facilities there. Their deployment comes just hours ahead of two critical court hearings challenging President Trump's deployment of the National Guard in both Chicago and Portland.

CNN's Omar Jimenez is outside the Broadview ICE facility. What are you seeing, and what have you been seeing as you've been in Chicago for the last couple of days?

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Well, I mean, this day, in particular, is a very critical one for the reasons you just laid out.

One, let's start with where we are right now in Broadview just outside Chicago at this Immigration, Customs and Enforcement detention facility. As you mentioned, Texas guardsmen are now officially deployed on their mission to protect ICE and other U.S. government personnel, according to U.S. Northern Command.