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CNN International: Israel Marks Third Anniversary Of October 7 Hamas Attack; Spanish P.M. Calls Snap Election As Housing Protests Grow; WHO: War Creating A "Complex Emergency" For Healthcare. Aired 4- 4:30a ET

Aired October 07, 2026 - 04:00   ET

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

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[04:00:32]

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome. I'm Lynda Kinkade.

Ahead here on "CNN Newsroom," Israelis gathered to mark the anniversary of the October 7th attack, three years after the Hamas-led massacre traumatized the nation and reshaped the region.

Plus, how the escalating conflict between the Yemeni government and the Iran-backed rebels is overwhelming the country's already fragile health system. We'll speak with Doctors Without Borders, the Yemen coordinator.

And later, CNN is on the ground in Mexico City speaking with migrants hoping to reach the U.S. Their plea to President Trump.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is "CNN Newsroom" with Lynda Kinkade.

KINKADE: We begin in Israel where memorials are taking place across the country marking the anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attack.

On this day three years ago Hamas-led gunmen stormed Israeli communities along the border with Gaza killing more than 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages to the enclave. Those slain included children, women, elderly people and entire families.

Earlier, mourners gathered for a memorial at the Nova Music Festival site in southern Israel. And more than 370 people were killed, 44 others taken hostage three years ago today.

The anniversary comes at an inflection point for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political future. In less than three weeks Israel will hold a national election. This marks the country's first vote since the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack.

CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us now live from Abu Dhabi. Paula, good to have you with us.

So, just give us a sense of the mood in Israel today, particularly among those who were directly impacted by this attack. And take us through how the anniversary is being marked.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lynda, three years ago today was the deadliest day in Israel's history. It all started in the early hours, 6:29 a.m., when militants fired thousands of rockets into Israel, then thousands of Hamas-led gunmen breached the border security fence and attacked Israeli communities all along the Gaza Strip.

Now, we saw more than 1,200 killed. We saw 251 people taken into Gaza as hostages. It would take another two years before all of those that were taken were returned home.

Now, we're seeing commemorations, memorials throughout the day in Israel today. We heard from the -- the start of this day at 6:29 a.m. a national minute of silence marking the start of the deadly attacks.

We've also been seeing commemorations at the site of that music festival, which we saw hundreds killed at in the Negev Desert, 44 taken hostage from there as well.

And throughout the day, we will be seeing more commemorations of those affected, of bereaved families, families of the hostages throughout this day.

Now, it also was a day that changed life in Gaza for Palestinians there. The Hamas attack sparked an Israeli military assault on Gaza, which left more than 74,000 Palestinians killed.

Now, we also know that the United Nations has said that some two- thirds of the population is still displaced. This is a year after a ceasefire was called and they are living in tents and shelters. And, of course, this all comes less than three weeks before that critical Israeli election. Lynda?

KINKADE: All right. Paula Hancocks for us in Abu Dhabi. We really appreciate you. Thanks so much.

Well, I want to turn now to the mental health crisis, because even after three years, the trauma of the October 7th Hamas attack continues to have a major impact on people in Israel.

According to a new report from Israel's largest emotional and mental well-being non-profit, ERAN, Israelis are still facing major mental health struggles right across the spectrum.

Well, joining me now is David Koren, the CEO of ERAN. Good to have you with us, David.

[04:05:07]

DAVID KOREN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ERAN: Good morning, Lynda.

KINKADE: So, three years after the October 7th attack, Iran has assisted more than 928,000 people. What does that number tell you about the psychological impact of the war that may not be visible in everyday Israeli life? KOREN: It -- it tells us the story behind the -- behind the people and behind the story. The people in Israel haven't got back to -- to their normal life. There is no way to even imagine that thousands of people, that their life has been changed over the last three years of this war

And the -- the trauma, the fatigue, the loss of so many people has changed the -- the -- the Israeli -- the Israeli society, the Israel mental health of so many people. And the line that we're keeping 24/7 for throughout the whole year is so busy with so many stories, so many people that are devastating, so many people that are just waking up in the morning or even people who can't sleep at -- at night and looking and trying to look for -- for their next horizon to come. And for three years, the -- the trauma is -- is -- is so big.

And I have to say something about the volunteers that are the -- 1,900 volunteers that we're having. They're all under such a heavy burden of taking those calls and being there for so many people, whether it will be kids, family of -- of -- of adult, Holocaust survivors, soldiers and their families.

As -- as you can see, and -- and you can tell that so many people are hoping for better days and -- and -- and hopefully will be there for them. And the mental health mission for us is going to be there for -- for the next couple of years, couple of good years. And I very much hope that we'll be able to meet the task that ahead of us.

On a certain day, just given day, we have almost 1,000 call. And each call is like story of -- of -- of one person or family. And we -- we just looking and hoping for -- for -- for better days.

KINKADE: Yes. You, of course, have described this harsh and enduring reality. What are you hearing from callers today that is different from what you were hearing in the immediate aftermath of October 7th?

KOREN: The difference that we're -- that we're hearing from people is some sort of -- of tired. People are looking and they are -- you know, the war of three years is just so long. And the -- the burden of so many people, so many -- so many families, so many families that lost their loved -- loved ones.

And also the -- the rate, the amount of calls that we're getting from people who are thinking of taking their lives because of they can't take anymore their -- their pain.

So, this is pretty much -- much of a different from -- from what we used to getting on our line, which used to be very busy even before October 7th.

But right now, the fatigue and the trauma and the pain that we're -- that we're hearing from so many people is so much different and just giving us the -- the -- the task that we have to go on and be there for so many men and women, children and -- and -- and adults and whoever.

[04:10:09] And it's -- it's very -- very easy to -- to reach us because it's just a four-digit number, 1201, or even there is a lot of people who are approaching us over -- over the internet, chat, and WhatsApp and whatever. And we just bombard with so many people that need our help 24/7 every day and every night.

KINKADE: Well, thinking of you and all the work that you do and the people who desperately need your help. We wish you all the very best.

David Koren, thanks so much for joining us.

KOREN: Thank you, Lynda.

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MANES NADEL, FORMER PRESIDENT, UNION SYNDICALE LYCEENNE: The strategy of the government since the beginning without giving any answer, any political answer, any real discussion to the social movement. They are just creating violence.

And the -- the -- the methods used by this power to -- to repress this movement is unknowingly violent.

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KINKADE: Protesters in France are accusing the government of ordering police to crack down on student-led demonstrations. Teachers, parents, and union members joined Tuesday's nationwide protests over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of resources.

More than 400 people were detained. Organizers say 450,000 people took part across the country. Addressing Parliament Tuesday, France's prime minister denied trying to silence student protesters and condemned what he called the extreme violence.

He also urged officials to listen to students' concerns and demands. More protests are planned for Thursday.

Earlier, I spoke with Lina Gras, she is the former National Secretary in charge of the fight against sexual violence and discrimination at Union Syndicale Lyceenne, as well as a protester. She tells us why this movement is gaining such momentum.

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LINA GRAS, FORMER NATIONAL SECRETARY IN CHARGE OF THE FIGHT AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION, UNION SYNDICALE LYCEENNE: I think it's gaining in force and in hope because everyone is seeing what is happening really in schools because the videos and the social medias are highlighting the fact that we are like -- there is a lack of -- of educational staff. There is a lack of chairs, of tables, and the buildings are not right to study. So, that's why I think.

KINKADE: I mean, we've heard those problems described missing teachers, overcrowded classrooms, the length of the school day and, of course, the state of the buildings. But these protests, you know, started just over those sort of issues, but we've seen so much violence, serious injuries, including a teenager who lost their hand, their arm, school set on fire.

What are students telling you about their experiences with police during these demonstrations? And do you worry that clashes and property damage could overshadow the original demands?

GRAS: I think we -- we face something that is like not seen before, but you -- you can know about police violence in the United States. These violences (ph) today in France are just an answer to the institutional violence that we are enduring every day.

I do not support what -- I do not support the violences, but I think the ones that are highlighted by the media's are the ones that come from the students, but they never really show how the police is behaving with kids.

We were gassed yesterday while the demonstration was going on extremely peacefully. There are obviously tensions between the protesters and the police since these demonstrators are also there to represent their comrades who lost teeth, arms, or even eyes.

I don't think the -- the main issue is the violence. The main issue is that we don't have enough teachers and we can be educated like we want to -- to be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, Spain's government has approved two housing decrees, as protests grow over the country's housing crisis. Parliament rejected the proposals last week, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call an early election for November.

CNN's Pau Mosquera has the latest reaction from Madrid.

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PEDRO SANCHEZ, SPANISH PRIME MINISTER (through text translation): One only needs to look ahead to understand that the world is facing a very complex era. You, the people of Spain, must decide what role you want to play in it.

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Spain's prime minister's decision to call an early general election has come as little surprise. It was widely expected to happen, but what do people think?

[04:15:08]

LARA EZQUERRA, MADRID RESIDENT: I think it's the right thing to do, because extending a government that is no longer working for us young people, especially that's why we're here.

And I think it was the right decision. But it was a decision made because of the pressure that we're making here. BENITO, MADRID RESIDENT (through translator): I think it's the right move because they didn't really have another option. I think they were forced into it after parliament failed to ratify the housing decrees aimed at people like me.

STEVEN, MADRID RESIDENT (through translator): Obviously, Sanchez has a political strategy behind this, but even though it may seem like a smart move, I think it could backfire on him.

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MOSQUERA: The announcement comes with another development. The Spanish government decided this Tuesday to resubmit to parliament the two royal decrees that lawmakers rejected on Friday, the reason, with parliament dissolved, the permanent deputation, the body tasked with ensuring the legislature continues to function could approve at least of them.

Only 20 percent of lawmakers who seat in full chamber are represented on the body, potentially making it easier for Sanchez to secure enough votes for approval.

LUCIA, MADRID RESIDENT (through translator): The government has had years to pass measures like this. Now, they're trying to ask and see what they can push through and what they can't.

This could have been done a long time ago. It's also true that other parties, just for the sake of opposing them, don't think about people, they think about themselves.

MARIA JOSE, MADRID RESIDENT (through translator): I think they need to pass something so people can buy homes or rent at an affordable price and live with dignity. Because young people here right now simply can't afford housing.

EZQUERRA: I think the two decrees are not enough, but I think it's a good thing that they're going to come forward and they're going to reinforce them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MOSQUERA: We still don't know when both decrees will be debated. The only thing we know for sure is that it must happen within the next month.

Pau Mosquera, CNN, Madrid.

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KINKADE: Well, there's much more to come here on "CNN Newsroom." Yemen's fragile healthcare system is struggling to keep up with traumatic injuries, malnutrition, and disease that stem from recent fighting.

Doctors Without Borders is on the ground to help. We'll hear from them, next. Also, Germany's federal prosecutor says the country's former spy chief has been arrested and his property searched. The allegations he's facing, coming up.

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[04:20:33]

KINKADE: Qatar says indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran remain active, but the White House says it's unclear who in Tehran is actually in charge.

President Trump says part of the problem is that nobody knows who's running the country and who to deal with.

Well, according to state media, Iran's president has dismissed the negotiations as meaningless in the face of sanctions and the threats from the White House.

Well, fighting in Yemen is ramping up the Saudi-backed government forces about to reclaim territory from the Iranian-backed Houthis. The Houthi-run health ministry claims at least 83 civilians have been killed, dozens more injured since the launch of the offensive. Much of the fighting has been in the south, near Yemen's third-largest city.

Well, the war is wreaking havoc on Yemen's already fragile healthcare system. On Saturday, a hospital in the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa suffered damage from an airstrike on a nearby building.

The healthy -- Health Ministry says a strike hit the area during peak visiting hours, damaging medical equipment and wards inside the hospital. Yemen's government denies it targeted anything other than legitimate military targets.

Well, the World Health Organization says almost 198,000 Yemenis have been displaced from their homes since the fighting escalated. Most of them are struggling to find healthcare, whether for malnutrition or trauma care or basic maternal care.

And hospitals are facing dire shortages of medicine and supplies. Local healthcare officials and international aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, are sounding the alarm that the war is pushing Yemen's healthcare system to the verge of collapse.

Well, joining me now is Itta Helland-Hansen. She is the Yemen country coordinator for Doctors Without Borders. She joins me now from Aden, Yemen. Thanks so much for your time.

ITTA HELLAND-HANSEN, YEMEN COUNTRY COORDINATOR, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS: Thanks, Lynda.

KINKADE: Just give us a sense of big picture how dire things are in the region right now given that Yemen is already one of the world's poorest countries already dealing with debilitating system that was on the brink of collapse. How is the system coping right now? HELLAND-HANSEN: So, indeed, as you're saying, it's a protracted crisis, chronically underfunded. And hospitals were functioning to not -- not a full degree from before, and it's certainly not a system that is set up to cope with any major -- major escalations.

So, on the one hand, yes, on trauma, what we're trying to do now is to capacity build local health authority's frontline staff, so they're able to respond better with also donations that we are providing to hospitals that -- that don't have the medical supplies that they need to be able to respond.

At the same time, there's also a lack of referral options, so we are trying to also support with the ambulance facilitation.

So, in -- in a situation like this, one thing is that you have the direct trauma cases, but as you accurately also mentioned before, there is a lot of people that are fleeing the violence.

[04:25:01]

And, yes, it might be hard to -- to imagine what it is like for women and children to walk through the harsh conditions of the Yemeni deserts. They are walking very long distances to try and reach undefined locations where we are seeing more and more different sites for internally displaced people.

And these are areas that are often also distant from healthcare facilities. So, we are setting up mobile clinics to try and respond to this.

KINKADE: So, I'm just wondering what are the most urgent needs right now? Is it medicine? Is it medical supplies? Is it staff, fuel, or something else?

HELLAND-HANSEN: Well, yes, to be general, needs are -- are widespread. And -- and -- and certainly, we need -- we need a bigger response on -- on every part of that spectrum that you're mentioning.

Look, when you're setting up camps for internally displaced, there are big needs for -- for instance, also water and sanitation. We see now that cholera is on the rise. So, we are setting up also a cholera response.

When people are coming to our mobile clinics, they come with injuries from the -- the -- the walks in the desert itself, like the blisters on their feet, infections in ears and eyes.

But this is also a population where, for instance, malnutrition is very widespread from before. Even before this latest escalation, almost half of the women presenting when they were in labor in our hospital in Mocha were malnourished.

That's not to say that half the population is malnourished, but it is clearly a -- a situation where also people are less resilient to -- to other infections and so on. When you have children that are malnourished and may not be vaccinated, you will have complicated cases of measles and so on and so forth. So, I would say that the -- the situation is that every additional challenge gives a greater burden that is impossible to carry for the local healthcare system.

And that we as Doctors Without Borders are also not able to cover as -- as one health actor. And it comes with also challenges on nutrition, water, and sanitation, all of these things as well.

The capacity of setting up camps for -- for displaced people is also limited. So, there's many people who are living informally in schools, in mosques, places like this that don't have the water and sanitation set up to host this amount of people.

KINKADE: Yes.

HELLAND-HANSEN: And it means that diseases such as cholera will just continue to rise, unless we have urgent and comprehensive responses.

KINKADE: A dire situation. Itta Helland-Hansen, joining us live from Aden, Yemen, from Doctors Without Borders. Appreciate all the work you all do there. Thanks so much for joining us.

HELLAND-HANSEN: Thank you.

KINKADE: Russia's Transport Minister says a Liberian flagged oil tanker was attacked by unmanned boats near the Black Sea city of Sochi. He says all 23 crew members who are Indian nationals were rescued.

Video posted on social media shows a large plume of smoke rising from the water off the coast. Russian officials say oil is still burning on the water and firefighters will begin to put out the flames when it's safe.

The Trump administration is seeking answers from Moscow about the scope of an incident at a Russian plague lab. President Trump says he'll speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin very soon about the death of one of the researchers there.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also urging the Kremlin to be more transparent.

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MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: It's incumbent upon Russia to obviously share more information with the world.

The more we can learn about what happened, the better all of us can be in a position of responding. And -- and maybe, you know, there's nothing there, maybe it's bigger than we thought. We don't know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: So far, Kremlin officials have offered little insight and -- and do insist that the situation is under control.

But international communities remain concerned after a regional Russia news outlet reported that dozens of people were being quarantined.

A source tells CNN that the U.S. has now issued a formal request to Moscow, known as a demarche, escalating efforts to get more information through official diplomatic channels.

Still to come, U.S. President Trump is making campaign stops to a number of red states ahead of the midterms. How he's hoping to drum up support for Republican candidates while touting his own.