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Isa Soares Tonight
Tens Of Thousands Of Exhausted And War-Weary Palestinians Begin Their Journey North Inside Of Gaza As A Ceasefire Takes Effect; Maria Corina Machado Wins The Nobel Peace Prize; Massive Blast At A Military Explosive Plant In Tennessee Leaves Multiple Dead And Several Unaccounted For; Gaza Ceasefire Starts 72-Hour Clock For Hostage Release; Zelenskyy: Hamas Shows Deal-Making Acumen, But Not Putin; Power Outages In Ukraine After Massive Russian Attack; New French Prime Minister Expected To Be Named On Friday; Royal Foundation Launches Suicide Prevention Network; Conservation Group: Green Sea Turtles Making A Comeback. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired October 10, 2025 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, tens of thousands of exhausted and war-
weary Palestinians begin their journey north inside of Gaza as a ceasefire takes effect. We are live on the ground in Tel Aviv with the very latest.
Then Maria Corina Machado wins the Nobel Peace Prize, telling every Venezuelan this award is yours. I'll speak to former peace prize winner
Juan Manuel Santos. Plus, a massive blast at a military explosive plant in Tennessee leaves multiple dead and several unaccounted for. And any moment
now, we expect French President Emmanuel Macron to announce a new Prime Minister. We'll have that and much more ahead in what is a very busy hour.
But first, tonight, we're phase one of the ceasefire in Gaza. In effect, the clock to return the hostages is now ticking. Israeli troops have pulled
back and thousands of weary Palestinians are making the trek north, as you can see there, knowing full well that the neighborhoods they are returning
to will likely be unrecognizable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The situation is tragic. There are no houses. There are no streets, no cars able to enter. We went on foot
and came back on foot. There's no life at all. There is destruction, total destruction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, for the first time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is publicly implying that not all of the deceased hostages still in Gaza
will return. The father of one hostage remains hopeful, but guarded over the possibility he may soon be reunited with his son.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUBY CHEN, SON ITAY TAKEN HOSTAGE BY HAMAS: I think it's a mixed bag of emotions. One is the excitement that finally, you know, many of us will be
able to see our loved ones. Anticipation that indeed, you know, there's a better future waiting around the corner.
But also there's an anxiety aspect because the agreement was put in place in such a way that Hamas only provided to do best effort on bringing back
all the 48 hostages.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, 47 hostages remain in Gaza, as you can see there, 20 of them are believed to be alive. Under the agreement, Israel will release nearly
2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, once all of the hostages are returned. Israeli police say President Trump is expected to visit Israel on
Monday.
Thousands of police officers and border police personnel will be deployed. Let's get more on the many angles of this story. Our national security
correspondent Natasha Bertrand is standing by with the view from Washington. But first, I want to go to Jeremy Diamond, who joins us this
hour from Tel Aviv.
Jeremy, a ceasefire now -- a ceasefire now in place, marking clearly a historic new chapter for Palestinians and Israelis. Talk us through where
we are right now on this first phase, as we see the IDF troops, of course, withdrawing.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. We are beginning to see the actual implementation of phase one of President
Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza. And it began, you know, as soon as the Israeli cabinet in the early hours of this morning approved that first
phase of the deal, with the focus being, of course, the release of the hostages and in exchange, the release of Palestinian prisoners being held
in Israeli prisons.
As soon as that vote went through, the Israeli military began to carry out its partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, a process that seems to have
taken about ten hours, because at noon local time, the Israeli military announced that it had completed that withdrawal, and that the ceasefire had
officially come into effect.
The fact that, that ceasefire went into effect with the withdrawal of Israeli troops set into motion that 72-hour countdown until Israeli
hostages are released from Gaza, or at least, that is the window of time during which they could be released. Meaning that the latest point when
those hostages will go free will be noon on Monday.
[14:05:00]
But that process could happen sooner, perhaps as early as Sunday, according to Israeli officials. And so, now people in Israel are eagerly awaiting the
return of those hostages. For the people in Gaza, they are awaiting the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid, which is expected to surge into Gaza
in very large quantities, similar to the way in which we have seen during other ceasefires, particularly at the beginning of this year in January
when you saw that two-month long ceasefire that delivered a lot of much- needed humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
As you were mentioning, we have seen thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of Palestinians begin to track along that coastal road in Gaza,
heading back to northern Gaza. For many of them, including Gaza city, where just weeks ago, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee as
Israeli troops began to advance in what was expected to be a plan to invade Gaza city altogether.
And of course, along that road, we saw scenes of joy as people were happy to be able to return to their homes. But then, we also saw scenes of
desperation and despair as people arrived to find many of their homes turned into rubble. And it is a reminder that even amid this joy of the
ceasefire, and the fact that they are finally getting a respite from the Israeli bombardment, and perhaps a brighter future to come, for so many,
this is only the beginning of a road that will involve a lot of repair, a lot of work in the coming weeks. Isa?
SOARES: Yes, the road ahead is long. Do you stay with us, Jeremy? Let me go to Natasha Bertrand. Natasha, as Jeremy was speaking, we're getting word
now that U.S. troops have begun arriving in Israel. Speak to us in terms of how many are we talking about? What role they'll be playing here?
NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Isa, we're getting some new information about the presence of U.S. troops in Israel.
We're told that several of them have already started to arrive there. We expect there to be about 200 on the ground in Israel by Sunday. That is
what a U.S. official tells my colleague, Haley Britzky, that all of these troops are expected to be in place there as part of this civil military
coordination cell by Sunday.
Just an indication there of how quickly they're moving as they look to enforce this ceasefire deal, which is part of what these troops are going
to be doing. They are not going to be inside Gaza. They're essentially going to be monitoring it from afar. And forgive me for reading here, just
to get this new reporting out.
According to my colleague, these troops, they are primarily army personnel. They are going to have expertise in things like planning and logistics,
engineering and transportation. They're going to focus on things like facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Of course, as this
process plays out, they're also going to be providing security assistance and monitoring the ceasefire deal, making sure that there are no violations
of it, again, from afar.
But it's important to note that how the civil military cell actually becomes set up over the next days and weeks, it could very well could
change depending on the priorities that are deemed necessary by the people on the ground there. This is a cell that is going to be not only U.S.
troops, but it's also going to be NGOs, private sector companies, international partners, a very broad array of entities that obviously want
a stake here, and ensuring that this ceasefire holds.
And ensuring that there is some kind of a system set up inside Gaza to make sure there is not this enormous power vacuum there, but also, you know, of
course, wanting to make sure that everyone is not simply stepping on each other, and everyone has very clearly defined lanes and roles here.
And so, we are expecting to see the U.S. military, including the Central Command Chief Brad Cooper, play a key role in this, but it's unclear at
this point what kind of enforcement mechanism there is actually going to be, apart from just monitoring it from Israel. Isa.
SOARES: Yes, and that is some of the questions that we have been asking in the past 24 hours or so. Let me go back to Jeremy. Jeremy, the U.S.
President, expected to travel to the region, of course, over the weekend. Do we have a sense of what he's -- what is likely to happen whilst he's
there.
DIAMOND: We don't have a lot of detail as of yet. We know, of course, that President Trump has been invited to speak before Israel's parliament, known
as the Knesset here, and that is the first time that a U.S. President has spoken before the Knesset since President George W. Bush. And so, it is
not, you know, something that happens with every single President.
And it is a reflection, of course, of the fact that so many here in Israel are crediting President Trump directly with having secured this deal that
will secure the release of all of the hostages being held in Gaza who have been held in Gaza for two years now. And the President's visit also seems
like it will coincide or, you know, roughly within a day or so, of the release of those hostages.
We don't still know exactly at what time they will be released, but it seems like the President's -- the timing of the President's visit will
certainly or is intended to coincide with the release of those hostages.
[14:10:00]
So, you could very well potentially see President Trump welcoming some of those hostages back home or going to meet them shortly after they have
emerged from Gaza. We know, of course, that the President in the past has certainly met hostages who emerged after the first ceasefire deal of this
year. At the beginning of the year, some of them going to the White House to meet him personally. And so, I think we could expect similar scenes as
well on Monday --
SOARES: Yes, Jeremy Diamond and Natasha Bertrand, thank you very much to you both. And of course, we are in the very early, as Jeremy was saying,
stages of what will be a years-long process. Still ahead is the enormous task of getting food and medicine to the thousands who desperately need it.
Later in the show, I'll speak to Hanya AlJamal, a humanitarian who work in Gaza, who knows firsthand what it's like to lose your loved ones, your
friends, and your home. That conversation in roughly 20 minutes. Well, keeping the flame of democracy burning. That's how the Norwegian Nobel
Committee describes this year's Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado.
The Venezuelan opposition leader won for her unwavering campaign for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. In a statement posted
on social media, she writes, "we have forged a formidable civic moment, overcome the barriers the regime built to divide us, and united the nation
in one powerful yearning: peace in freedom." Well, her adviser told CNN earlier, what the honor means. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PEDRO URRUCHURTU, INTERNATIONAL ADVISER FOR MARIA CORINA MACHADO: As we speak, there are a lot of people in Venezuela, they want to celebrate, they
are doing privately because they cannot do it in a public way through social media. I have received a lot of -- lot of -- like a lot of messages
from people within the country are really happy.
And I think that's the -- it's like a content happiness. But I think people really are enjoying this moment. It's a moment of joy in Venezuela. I have
no doubt of this. And it's -- for me, it's like the beginning of a -- of an even bigger celebration when we recover freedom. At the same time, I think
it's a huge responsibility. It's a huge commitment.
This is not only a prize for one person. I think it's a recognition for that movement, but it's at the same time a responsibility in order to not
only re-conquer freedom, but to complete the task.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, I spoke to Machado on the show, if you remember, earlier this year. Here's a closer look at what led to this very moment.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES (voice-over): A beloved opposition leader and a target in Venezuela. For decades, Maria Corina Machado has stood firm, showing resilience in her
fight for freedom and democracy. Known as Venezuela's iron lady, she has rattled President Nicolas Maduro's authoritarian rule, a battle that has
intensified in the last two years.
In 2023, Machado won the opposition primary by a landslide, but the regime soon disqualified her from running in the presidential election. Faced with
bans and threats of arrests, she endorsed a fellow candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, and was forced into hiding. And today, the world recognizes the
spirit of her democracy movement.
JOERGEN WATNE FRYDNES, CHAIR, NORWEGIAN NOBEL COMMITTEE: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 to
Maria Corina Machado. She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.
SOARES: For Machado, the phone call came as a moment of shock, and she was humbled by the honor.
KRISTIAN BERG HARPVIKEN, SECRETARY, NORWEGIAN NOBEL COMMITTEE: And I'm calling to inform you that in a few minutes, it shall be announced here at
the Nobel Institute that you will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 --
MARIA CORINA MACHADO, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER & NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER FOR 2025: Oh my God. Oh, my -- well, I have no words. I hope you
understand. This is a -- this is a movement. This is achievement of a whole society.
SOARES: Last year, Venezuela held its presidential election. Incumbent President Nicolas Maduro declared he won, the opposition also claimed
victory. Independent observers say it was unlikely that Maduro actually won. In January, Machado stepped out of hiding to join a protest in
Caracas. I spoke with her earlier this year where she described it not as a choice, but a personal responsibility to lead the fight. What happens
(on camera): What happens Maria Corina Machado, what happens if you're arrested?
MACHADO: Well, we're taking one day at a time, Isa, I trust the Venezuelan people, and believe me, Maduro has never been so weak as he is right now.
[14:15:00]
SOARES (voice-over): Some Venezuelans living overseas are echoing her call.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This reinforces that the fight we Venezuelans have against the dictatorship is real, and the world needs to
see it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I feel proud to say that woman is Venezuelan. I'm really happy and truly, we are very hopeful the situation
will change for the better.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Or maybe for the Abraham --
SOARES: But not everyone welcomed the decision. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he deserved the prize. For Machado, the fight isn't
over, but the award sends a powerful message of hope.
FRYDNES: The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace.
SOARES: A Nobel Peace Prize may not bring democracy overnight, but it does shine a light on those who refuse to give up in Venezuela's fight for
freedom.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Well, my next guest helped to bring peace to Venezuela's neighbor, Colombia. Juan Manuel Santos ended more than 50 years of fighting between
the Colombian government and the Marxist guerrilla group FARC. Those efforts won him, of course, as you know, the Nobel Peace Prize back in
2016.
Former President Santos joins me now live from Bogota in Colombia to discuss what Machado's win means, of course, for the wider region.
President Santos, wonderful to have you back on the show. Let me get, first of all, your reaction to this Nobel Peace Prize win for Maria Corina
Machado, and what this potentially can mean for Venezuela's opposition here.
JUAN MANUEL SANTOS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA: Thank you, Isa, very nice to be with you again. My first reaction is of happiness. I really think
that this is a very strong message to the Venezuelan opposition, and to all the people who are struggling for democracy and for freedom in that country
and in the region.
SOARES: Yes, she has thought, President Santos, as we just outlined in there tirelessly for democracy at a great risk, I may add as well, to
herself and her family. She has faced death threats, intimidations, relentless attacks, but she's never given up, and she remains important to
point out to our viewers in hiding. How then does she turn this noble win into something transformative for Venezuela?
SANTOS: Well, she has always been very optimistic that her struggle will be successful. I think this award will give her more enthusiasm, more
strength, give the Venezuelan people more strength to continue pressing the regime to at least open negotiations for a change of regime. That has been
the objective all along. And I truly believe that this award will enhance the possibilities of that becoming a reality.
SOARES: Yes, and she did dedicate, of course, this win, as you saw earlier, President Santos, to the people of Venezuela. I wonder, though, what you
make of the timing of this recognition, because this comes, of course, as the U.S. flexes its military muscle across the Caribbean, blowing up boats,
saying they're targeting narco traffickers, the Cartel de los Soles and its leader, who they say is Nicolas Maduro.
And the reason I'm asking you, this, President Santos, because there are questions over U.S. intentions here. Let me tell you what Carl Bildt; the
former Prime Minister of Sweden said on X today, speaking of Maria Corina Machado -- "that was a good choice", he writes. "Perhaps not primarily for
peace, but for democracy.
And perhaps it would fit into what seems to be a wider Trump U.S. scheme to get rid of Maduro regime in Venezuela." Is this what's at play right now?
SANTOS: Well what everybody wants is a regime change for democracy to become again a reality in Venezuela. And this will help the -- what is
happening in the Caribbean with the U.S. Navy very near the Venezuelan coast is another way to pressure the people of Venezuela, but especially
the regime to make them understand that they have no future, that the elections that they claim they won were not the one that was -- they were
stolen.
[14:20:00]
And I also think that this award is very timely because it's not only a message to the Venezuelan people, I think it's a message also to all the
people around the world who are fighting for democracy. Right now, we're seeing democracy at the defensive all around the world. And many people
trying to change that trend to again, give democracy more strength. And I think this award is a message to all people who are fighting to -- for
democracy around the world.
SOARES: Yes, fighting very much against the rise of autocracy. While you're in Colombia, and while we're on the subject of boats, I want to get your
thoughts, though, about what we have seen in the last several weeks or so. President Petro of Colombia said this week that the latest boats that the
U.S. struck in the Caribbean, he said, may have been Colombian.
The U.S. very clear on here, pushed back on this. The U.S. also revoking Petro's visas, if you remember, when he was at the U.N. General Assembly,
and now we've seen the U.S. decertifying Colombia as a drug control partner, saying here, quote, "demonstrably failed in its fight against drug
trafficking". How concerned are you, President Santos, about the tensions, the potentially, the deteriorating relations between Colombia and the
United States?
SANTOS: Well, this is a very unfortunate situation. Colombia and the U.S. have been very good partners for many decades. And what is happening right
now is completely contrary to what has been a very good relationship. There are reasons for what is happening. But what I think is that we have only 8
or 9 months of the current government in Colombia.
I hope there's a change in government, and there will be a change in the relationship with the U.S. And as in any relationship, what must be done is
to continue to have communication through diplomatic channels, stop insulting each other and not governing through the tweets, but taking
decisions, thinking in the long run and thinking in the best interest of both countries.
SOARES: Juan Manuel Santos; former President of Colombia, always wonderful to have you on the show, beautiful backdrop there in Bogota. Thank you,
President, Mr. President, thank you, really appreciate it. Thank you --
SANTOS: Thank you, Isa, and I hope to be with you again.
SOARES: Thank you, sir. And still to come tonight, a new start for France or a slide into even deeper political turmoil. President Emmanuel Macron
says he'll appoint a new Prime Minister by the end of the day after last- minute talks with political party heads. We'll be live with the very latest twists and turns on that story next.
Plus, a deadly blast in an explosive factory in Tennessee leaves several people dead and others missing. We'll bring you the very latest on the
situation after this very short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:25:00]
SOARES: Several people have died and others are unaccounted for after an explosion at a military explosives company in the U.S. state of Tennessee.
Officials there say they are working to determine the extent of the damage and of the injuries. Emergency services are on the scene, and warn there is
concern about the possibility of secondary explosions.
Let's get more on this. Ryan Young is with me now. And Ryan, these are devastating images that we have been seeing. Just bring us up to date with
what we know this hour.
RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They are, when you look at the landscape there, it's almost unimaginable that this was a working complex,
that there were several different buildings in that area. Now, it's all just flat. When you look at this video from above, you can just see some of
the cars that are on fire, and you talk about those secondary explosions, those were definitely happening.
Now, there's definitely two counties involved in this, Hickman and Humphreys Counties. That's about an hour outside of Nashville. The ATF, the
state firearms bureau, bomb and arson units are all there, this all happened around 7:45 a.m. And from a ring camera, you can actually hear the
explosion and see how it rocked the camera.
I want to see if we have that video for you, take a pause so you can listen to those -- how loud the explosion was. OK, we don't have that video right
now, but look, the sheriff is getting ready to have a conversation and talk to the press in the next hour or so. So, we're hoping to learn more, but
what we know, there are several people missing.
They believe 80 people worked at this complex, so it's not sure how many people may have been killed in this. We know some folks have been
transported to local hospitals, but take a listen to the sheriff talk about this investigation and how they move forward. OK, well, we don't have that
either.
So, the one thing that we know for sure is that within the next half hour or so, there will be more conversation about exactly what happened here.
But they did military grade explosives here. They also had commercial grade explosives here. We actually talked to an expert in the last hour or so,
who says some of these materials should have been kept separately.
So, you understand that this is going to have to be on an investigation to figure out exactly what went wrong. The mayor again, saying, this is
devastating to the small community, because a lot of people know the folks who work in this area, and it's going to be hard for them, especially the
families of the loved ones who know that right now, some of those folks are missing and have to be accounted for.
SOARES: Ryan, we do have one of the videos, a ring-camera video. We've got it now. Why don't we play it and you can talk about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(EXPLOSION)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
YOUNG: And that's what I wanted people to hear. The explosion was so loud, you're talking about a rural area in Tennessee where basically, there's a
lot of woods in this area. It's a small community. They basically had to get a lot of help from outside agencies to come in initially, but that fire
was so intense, and the secondary explosions that were happening, they had to stand back for a little while.
Once again, we're hoping to get an update with how many people have been injured, unfortunately, how many people have lost their lives and how they
move forward. But this is one of those devastating accidents that we also have to get to the bottom of, because so many people have been impacted in
that community.
SOARES: Indeed, and we'll hopefully hear in the next hour from first responders, and of course, the environmental concerns as well. That is
another question to ask --
YOUNG: We'll stay on it, yes --
SOARES: Thank you, thank you very much. I know you'll stay across it, Ryan, as always, thank you. And still to come tonight, hostages still in Gaza
could be released as soon as this weekend. Details ahead on the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. And a massive attack on Ukraine's power
grid. While President Zelenskyy questions why the U.S. can achieve peace in the Middle East, but not so with Russia.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:33:11]
SOARES: I want to return to our breaking news this hour. A new chapter in the Middle East. We've just learned that the first of 200 or so U.S. troops
have begun arriving in Israel. It comes as the first phase of the Israel- Hamas deal goes into effect. We are now within, of course, that 72-hour window for Hamas to release the remaining hostages, the hostages believed
to be alive.
It's been more than two years since Hamas and its allies kidnapped 251 people from Israel and took them to Gaza. 47 hostages, look at their faces
right there, remain in the enclave with at least 20 people believe to be alive. In Israel, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set
to be freed, and this includes 250 people who are serving life sentences.
My next guest is a program coordinator, Action for Humanity. Hanya Aljamal joins me now from Gaza. Hanya, I really appreciate you being with us this
hour. I understand you're in central Gaza. Just give our viewers a sense around the world of the mood right now as we see Israeli forces pulling
back and as we've seen those large crowds, thousands of people moving north.
HANYA ALJAMAL, SENIOR PROJECTS COORDINATOR, ACTION FOR HUMANITY: Well, thank you for having me. Right now, the overall mood is cautiously
optimistic. People are slightly relieved that this is finally happening and that, you know, it's the first -- it's a really good positive step forward
to a -- what we're hoping for is a permanent ceasefire.
With that being said, everyone is like there's no way of denying the fact that people are anxious, that they're worried that this might not be
different than the other peace plans or peace deals that didn't come to fruition in the end. But yes, that's the overall mood. People are going
back to their homes or what's left of their homes knowing that it's leveled down and it's completely lost and that services are no longer there. But
it's an act of hope and resilience and hoping that this peace deal would stick this time.
[14:35:20]
SOARES: Yes. Here's hoping. And we played some sound earlier from some people in Gaza basically saying, you know, we're happy we're going back,
but what are we going back to? It's utter destruction. And that is one of the main challenges.
What do you understand? What are you hearing regarding the humanitarian aid? At what point that's coming in? What are you hearing from your NGO?
What conversations are being had right now?
ALJAMAL: Well, like everyone else, most of our -- most of the international organizations, ourselves included, are waiting for the ramp-up of the aid
entry into Gaza. We have truckloads of aid that await in both entry points in both Jordan and Egypt. We're hoping for that to finally be greenlit.
At the moment we are working on the ground. We are basically supporting people through the locally purchased items. We are supporting people with
hot meals, with water supply, with all of these multi-sectoral initiatives to kind of give people a lifeline. But obviously, we need more access to be
doing more work to support more people. And that's where we're at.
We are ready. We are -- we have the teams. We have the capacity. We have the resources. All we need is just access. And we're hoping that it will be
granted in the following few days and that we would be able to really ramp up operations and work in the capacity that we know we're able to.
SOARES: And I'm guessing as well, you know, Hanya, the logistical challenges that come from this because humanitarian relief is critical, but
as you were talking, Hanya, we're seeing the scenes of utter devastation really as people move and destruction. The strip is basically rubble right
now and I have no doubt there will be concerns about unexploded ordinance.
How do you even go about distributing any sort of aid? Where are the hospitals? Where will people be staying? How do you facilitate meals? These
are huge logistical questions.
ALJAMAL: Honestly, it's not an easy -- it's not -- it's not --a it's not an easy task. We do multiple wreckages to multiple sites to be able to find
sites that are accessible, that are safe, that are -- so that we were able to bring services in a dignified manner in a sufficient manner to multiple
displaced communities. It's not a picnic.
And knowing that people are going to be displacing once again, this means that we will have to, again, go where the population is moving essentially.
And this doesn't come as an easy task because we are talking about a situation where most of the population is really living through a shelter
crisis. The winter season is approaching. People are living in the same tents that they've been living in for the past two years in shelters that
are sub-humane in essence and are not ready to meet any of the elements. Whether be it rain or shine, it it's not suitable.
And we all -- we know the magnitude of the need whether if it -- whether it's supplies, whether it's food shelter items or clothing or protection
services or if it's actually like just the ability to make people feel the relief and have the food safety and food security to make -- to ensure them
that the support is going to be streamlining. That is the biggest concern.
And we're looking at this kind of landscape where most more than 90 percent of Gaza's infrastructure is completely decimated. We're talking about an
education system that no longer exists. We're talking about schools that are bombed to the ground or turned into shelters. We're talking about a
lost generation of children. The highest level of child amputees are in Gaza.
Obviously, like this is not to water down the situation. The situation is unprecedented. It's terrible. But this also gives us more reason to enable
our organizations and other organizations on the ground to work in full capacity to ramp up operation through unimpeded entry of supplies.
Israel has to really -- like, the restrictions are being put on multiple, multiple items including assisted living items, including medication,
including supplies. All of this needs to be wavered. We need unimpeded entry right now so that we can give the support, so that we can ease the
suffering of the people and help them recover.
[14:40:01]
SOARES: Hanya, do keep us posted, myself and my team, and just let us know whether you're getting that access, when you're going to start getting that
access. We'll continue talking. It would be great to have you back on the show to get a sense of what exactly is happening on the ground. Thank you
very much, Hanya. I really appreciate it.
And still to come tonight, Ukraine's president response the U.S. broker a ceasefire with Hamas after Russian strikes darkened the capital of Kyiv.
Details when we return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says if the U.S. can broker a peace in Gaza with Israel and Hamas, why can't it do the same with Russia
in Ukraine? Here's what he said about continued American pressure on the Kremlin. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE (through translator): Even Hamas shows dealmaking acumen, but not Putin for now. Together with our partners,
we are creating the conditions to compel Russia to peace, and it will happen. We support all the global diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving
peace in the Middle East and we strongly expect that just pressure on Russia will bring peace to Ukraine and to our entire region as well. It is
important that the leadership of the United States continue to be effective.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, President Zelenskyy's comments come, as you saw there, as Kyiv continues to endure an intense barrage of Russian air attacks. Parts
of the Ukrainian capital were plunged into darkness. Other regions are reporting widespread power outages as well. Zelenskyy called it a cynical
and calculated attack targeting critical energy infrastructure just before winter of course sets in.
Our senior international correspondent, Fred Pleitgen, is following the story for us and joins us now. And Fred, good to see you. Look, this is --
our viewers will know this. This is a tactic though that we have seen being used repeatedly by the Kremlin. Just bring us up to date on the extent of
the damage here and how it really fits into the wider picture of what that -- we're seeing on the ground.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Isa. Essentially what the Ukrainians are saying is they believe that the Russian
military, and with that, of course, the Russian leadership as well, is essentially trying to freeze the Ukrainian population into submission by
hitting some of that critical infrastructure as it gets colder in Ukraine in the winter will set in obviously very soon.
People that we spoke to in the Ukrainian capital today already said that it certainly was very difficult, that it is already very cold out there and
that widespread areas of the Ukrainian capital were without power. And we're talking about the center of Kyiv, but also pretty much the entire
left bank of the Dnipro River. Of course, we know that giant river that runs through the Ukrainian capital, the left bank of that river without
power for a number of hours.
[14:45:20]
There's several things to all this that the Ukrainians are saying is really accelerating as far as the Russian aerial campaign is concerned. Obviously,
there's a lot more drones and missiles that are being used. The Ukrainians saying 450 drones and 30 missiles. But what we're hearing from our folks on
the ground is that they also say is that the attacks themselves have gotten a lot longer as far as the timing is concerned.
The air raid sirens apparently in the overnight hours but then well into the morning rush hour were on for about seven to eight hours. So, really a
protracted attack that was going on on the Ukrainian capital. And the Ukrainians say they are able to shoot down a lot of these drones and
missiles. But of course, there is a cumulative effect on their energy grid and also on their heating grid as well that could make things more
difficult as the winter months set in.
We also heard from the Russian military, by the way, as well. They were saying that these were targeted attacks, precision attacks that they
carried out. And they said that this was in retaliation for what they say were attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure. So, the Russians not
denying that they were behind this, but they are saying that this is retaliation. And they're also saying these are precision strikes.
By the way, they also say that hypersonic missiles, some of the most sophisticated weapons were used in this attack. Isa?
SOARES: Fred Pleitgen bringing us up to -- with the very latest there, the latest on the ground. Thank you very much, Fred. Good to see you. And
thanks for staying up on a Friday night for us. Always appreciative. Thank you, Fred.
PLEITGEN: Thank you.
SOARES: Now, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to name France's next prime minister just in the next few hours. At least we're expecting
that. Mr. Macron has been meeting with political party heads at the Elysee Palace to try and find a name who will appeal to both sides of France's
extremely fragmented political field.
Let's just say it's not an easy task. Macron's last prime minister, that one you're looking at your screen, Sebastien Lecornu, resigned after just
27 days in the job.
Rym Momtaz is editor-in-chief of Carnegie Europe's blog, Strategic Europe. She joins me now from Paris to help me make sense of what is going on. And
what is going on, Rym? It's just important to tell our viewers we were expecting to hear from President Macron because Lecornu has said that we
would hear something in the next 48 hours. We're expecting something this hour. So far silence. What are you hearing on your -- on your end?
RYM MOMTAZ, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF CARNEGIE EUROPE'S BLOG STRATEGIC EUROPE: So, even worse, actually. We were told by the Elysee Palace, the presidential
palace, that we would have the name of the prime minister before this hour. And well, we're well within this hour and we still don't have the name.
Listen, I'm going to be honest with you. It feels like Groundhog Day in France. We've been through this circus many times now, and unfortunately
too many times since 2022. I think this is the fifth time he's, you know, appointing a prime minister since his re-election. Clearly something has
broken down, you know, in the machinery. And all of the political parties - - by the way, this is not just a presidential problem, even though he obviously contributes to it. All of the political parties seem to be stuck
and can't find a way forward.
And, you know, it has real consequences. It has consequences on France's fiscal space. It has consequences for Europe's geopolitical heft, you know,
at a moment where Russia is more and more belligerent, at a moment where the relationship with the U.S. is unstable. It's a -- it's a really bad
time for France to be this unstable and unpredictable.
SOARES: And we saw that there were political parties meeting at the Elysee Palace today trying to find some sort of compromise, right, on budget or
pension reforms. I'm guessing by the silence they didn't -- they didn't agree on much. What are the options there -- then here for him?
MOMTAZ: So, you know, to cut a long story short, the expectation had been that given that he tried multiple things, which was he tried appointing a
prime minister that came from the conservatives and then he tried to appoint someone from his own centrist coalition. All of that failed. They
couldn't get a budget through with a coalition that is a centrist co conservative coalition.
You know, the general wisdom was, OK, he's going to try to go left and he's going to try to find a compromise on his landmark reform, which he's
attached to, and for good reason. It is needed, actually, given France's finances, pension reform. And the left parties have been asking for a
parliamentary debate on it and at least a suspension, not to speak, of a repeal of that reform.
And it seems from the meeting today that the -- as far as he could go, the furthest he would go on that is to agree to just postponing applying a
higher age of retirement, which isn't the same as saying he's suspending the reform. And it seems that, you know, the discussions then got very
difficult, and they couldn't get to an agreement because of that. So, now the question is, what does he do?
[14:50:37]
SOARES: Yes, that was my question. So, what are what does he do now? Does he stick to Lecornu? Does he do some sort of U-turn?
MOMTAZ: So, at the beginning of the day, the bet was that he would reappoint Lecornu even though it would be an unprecedented move. Now it
seems less likely because it seems like even his own camp is against a reappoint of Lecornu. But he also seems to have said in that meeting or
have given the impression to be more precise in that meeting that he would not be appointing a left-leaning prime minister. And at the same time the
conservatives aren't really being constructive. Let's remember that they're the ones who blew up the last government that only lasted 24 hours.
SOARES: It is Groundhog Day.
MOMTAZ: So, it's anyone's guess at this stage.
SOARES: Well, luckily we've --
MOMTAZ: It's Groundhog Day --
SOARES: -- and it is completely no clarity at this point. It doesn't seem like we have anything any sort of clarity and that doesn't help also the
economy. And the central bank chief has been talking about this today concerning, of course.
Rym, I know you're going to stay across it. We'll wait to see if we hear from Macron. Thanks, Rym. Rym Momtaz there for us. Thank you.
We are going to take a short break. We'll see you on the other side.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: A World Mental Health Day is being marked around the globe today, including by the UK's Prince William. His Royal Foundation launching a
national suicide prevention network. As part of the announcement, Kensington Palace released a video of the prince meeting with mental health
campaigner, Rhian Mannings. Mannings founded her own charity after her husband took his life following the death of their young child. Just have a
listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RHIAN MANNINGS, MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGNER: I would just like to sit him down like this and just say, why didn't you come to me? Because he's missed out
on just so much joy and we would have been OK. And I think that's what the hardest thing is we would have been OK. Are you OK?
[14:55:07]
WILLIAM, PRINCE OF WALES: I'm sorry. I just -- it's hard to ask you a question.
MANNINGS: No. It's been hard. And --
WILLIAM: I know.
MANNINGS: -- you've experienced loss yourself.
Life can throw you these awful curve balls, but by talking about it, by, you know, having hope, you can continue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: It's so true. And you can find out more about the network via the Royal Foundation's website. If you or someone you know struggling, the
International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact centers right around the world helping available of course to
offer help to those who need it.
And finally, tonight, the updated red list of threatened species features both positive and negative news for animals right around the world. The
International Union for the Conservation of Nature issued a warning for Arctic seals which are endangered due to global warming. But the good news,
and we like to end on good news, seeing green tur -- green sea turtles are actually making a comeback. Conservation efforts have helped the
populations of the turtles rebound in tropical and subtropical waters. They're now listed as of at least concern rather than endangered. Very good
news. That's how I like to end the show.
That does it for us tonight. Do stay right here. "WHAT WE KNOW" with my colleague Christina Macfarlane is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
