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One World with Zain Asher
IDF Warns Gaza City Residents to Evacuate "Dangerous Combat Zone"; King Charles, Queen Camilla will Host State Dinner for Trump; FBI Director Kash Patel Faces Tough Questions from Congress; Israel Begins Ground Offensive to Occupy Gaza City; Trump Heading to Britain for his Second State Visit; Hollywood Legend Robert Redford Dies at 89. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired September 16, 2025 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAIN ASHER, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Israel's military has begun a ground operation to Gaza City after vowing to take control of the city. "One
World" starts right now. The offensive follows days of attacks, including the bombing of residential buildings, killing hundreds and displacing
thousands.
Plus, a man accused of killing Charlie Kirk will make his first appearance in court later, where we expect to learn more about the evidence and a
possible motive. And President Trump heads to London today for a rare second state visit. I'll discuss with the Former Downing Street Chief of
Staff.
All right, coming to you live from New York. I'm Zain Asher. You are watching "One World". Gaza is burning, the Israeli Defense Minister posted
this on social media today as Israel launched a ground incursion into Gaza City with tanks and troops. The unprecedented escalation nearly two years
into the conflict comes despite mass protests and international condemnation of the plan.
The Israeli operation began with an intense wave of aerial bombardments. Israel says it's targeting some 3000 Hamas militants in Gaza City. That's
less than 1 percent of the local population. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are once again being forced to flee.
The U.N. Human Rights Chief called on Israel to, quote, stop the carnage, while UNICEF warned further military operations would multiply the
suffering of children exponentially. The ground assault comes on the same day as an independent U.N. commission concludes Israel is committing
genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel refutes that report. President Trump says he doesn't know too much about the operation to take control of Gaza City. He spoke ahead of his
departure for the UK. But sources tell CNN, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio told Netanyahu that Israel has the full support of the U.S. for the assault
on Gaza City. Before leaving Israel, Rubio stressed the operation should move quickly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: I think we have a very short window of time in which a deal could happen. We don't have months anymore, and we
probably have days and maybe a few weeks. So, it's a key moment, an important moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: Let's bring in CNN's Paula Hancocks, who joins us live now from Abu Dhabi. So, Israel is no doubt going to deal with a lot of political fallout
as a result of moving into Gaza City. Obviously, I mentioned the U.N. independent investigation into whether or not Israel is committing genocide
in Gaza.
That's one that's obviously the regional fallout after the strikes in Doha, not to mention the mass protests we've seen across Israel as a result of
fears about what this means for hostages. Just talk to us about what the latest is on the assault on Gaza City. And also, what this will mean for
not just hostage negotiations, but the very real issue of hostage rescues in Gaza City too, potentially?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So, Zain, what we have heard today from the Israeli Prime Minister, statements attributed to him, was that he has
called it an intense operation. Now, most of the information we have in a military sense of what is going to happen is from an Israeli military
official, and they have said that it will be a phased and gradual operation.
They say that it started on the outskirts of Gaza City. And we have certainly been seeing in recent days an uptick, an acceleration in the
number of high-rise buildings, for example, that have been targeted and brought to the ground by the Israeli military. Now, the military official
says that they believe there's between 2 and 3000 Hamas militants within Gaza City that they are targeting.
But of course, that there are up to a million civilians that are in Gaza City as well. According to recent estimates, of course, not just the
residents of Gaza City, but those that have been displaced from other areas. The military saying through this military official that they have to
target those Hamas militants.
They have to target the tunnel infrastructure that is within the city as well. But there is confusion as to how many civilians are still in the city
at this point. We did hear from the military official that some 40 percent of those within the city have left already. Those evacuation orders came a
week ago from the military.
[11:05:00]
And we heard on Monday that some 320,000 have left and gone south to what the Israelis call the humanitarian zone Al-Mawasi. So, it means that there
are a tremendous number of civilians still within Gaza City itself. Now, throughout the day, we have been seeing an exodus.
We've been seeing it for days now, of people trying to get out. Many of them on foot, carrying as much as they possibly can. The lucky few have
been on trucks or donkey carts with whatever they can carry to go to the next place of displacement. But there is a concern for those civilians that
are still in Gaza City at this point, Zain.
ASHER: And just in terms of one of the other sorts of main humanitarian issues. How are hospitals, you know, the water supply, sanitation, all of
that, how is that going to be affected within Gaza City by this ground incursion?
HANCOCKS: Well, we have been hearing throughout the day from medical officials from the Ministry of Health as well calling for urgent supplies.
These are hospitals that are in Gaza City, in Northern Gaza as well, that say that there is a catastrophic depletion of supplies at this point.
That they haven't been getting the supplies that they have been needing for days, weeks, if not months, and that has been well documented throughout.
And of course, these are the hospitals that are now taking in the casualties from this accelerated and this increased military operation and
this ground incursion into Gaza City, whether it is gradual or not from the Israeli side.
We are seeing a number of injuries and a number of bodies being brought to these hospitals. We are seeing, as well, from the footage, a number of
those our children that are being impacted by this increase in operation and, of course, the area. It's worth pointing out that that the Israeli
military has told hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians to move to Al-Mawasi.
They have called it a humanitarian zone, but no NGO, no part of the U.N. calls it that. They say that it is overwhelmed. They say it is completely
overcrowded, and that there is not enough food, water or shelter for those that need to get there. So, it is an incredibly desperate situation for
hundreds of thousands in Gaza City, all those making their way south now, Zain.
ASHER: All right, Paula Hancocks, live for us there. Thank you so much. Let's take a closer look at these developments with Steven Cook. He's a
Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council of Foreign Relations. He's also the Author of "The End of Ambition: America's Past,
Present and Future in the Middle East".
Steven, thank you so much for being with us. So just in terms of how this ground incursion is going to affect, you know the diplomatic landscape. I
mean, obviously the ceasefire negotiations were already hanging by a thread, especially of those after those strikes in Qatar.
What does this change? How does this potentially make things worse as it pertains to negotiating a ceasefire?
STEVEN COOK, SENIOR FELLOW FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES AT THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: Well, although the Israelis have said that they remain
interested in diplomacy, and the Qatar is have also said that they remain interested in mediating.
I think that the escalation and the incursion into Gaza City would suggest that Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that the time for diplomacy is
over, and that taking Gaza City the last major populated area where there are estimated to be large numbers of Hamas fighters will finally bring this
terrible conflict to an end.
I think that that is an idea that is contested, mostly by the senior command of the Israel Defense Forces, which does not necessarily believe
that that is going to be the case. But nevertheless, here we are. I don't expect that diplomacy will result unless, of course, Hamas is under so much
pressure that they call for negotiations once again, but it's very unclear whether the Israeli government will listen.
ASHER: Just based on what the IDF has said, there is believed to be around 3000 Hamas militants in Gaza City, but when you think about the fact that
Gaza City is home to 1 million Palestinian residents, that is obviously lopsided statistic, just in terms of the collateral damage some of these
civilians may end up facing.
Just walk us through how Hamas might adapt their tactics in order to sort of tackle a ground incursion by Israel. And also, at the same time, might
Hamas militants to sort of leave the city along with civilians and go elsewhere, just in terms of Israel's stated goal of trying to rid Gaza City
of Hamas militants.
[11:10:00]
How possible is that realistically?
COOK: Well, that's exactly what the IDF Senior Command has relayed to the political leadership of Israel, which is that there's no way of knowing who
is moving to this quote, unquote, safe zones, whether they are Hamas fighters or not. Then, of course, there is the ongoing problem of small
cells of Hamas fighters emerging from tunnels, emerging from basements, using civilian infrastructure to target Israeli forces.
I think that the major concern is huge numbers of civilians will be harmed. Large numbers of Israeli soldiers will be harmed, and the mission will not
be completed because it can't be completed because, as you point out, with the movement of people out of Gaza City, as the Israelis have called for.
It is relatively easy for Hamas fighters to disguise themselves as civilians and those who don't have this fairly sizable urban area in which
to engage in urban warfare. And what we've seen over the course of the last two years. It is extraordinarily brutal and extraordinarily bloody.
ASHER: How do you think this ground incursion into Gaza City is going to compare to previous ground incursions by Israel and to other parts of Gaza
in the past?
COOK: Well, it's hard to tell. I remember in the run up to Israel's incursions into Rafah there were dire, dire warnings about what might come
that did not actually materialize. Every military operation, however, is different. And once again, to underline the point, there are military
professionals who don't think this is a good idea.
At the same time, I think the Israeli government believes that as long as Hamas has a sanctuary, this war can never come to an end. And I think that
the Trump Administration accepts that point, and President Trump wants this war to come to an end, whether by negotiation or by military force.
ASHER: When you think about the large numbers of protests that we've seen in Israel, from hostage families, from people who want Netanyahu to
prioritize the release of hostages. You know, what recourse do they have at this point? I mean, obviously, if Israel is launching a ground incursion
into Gaza City, especially if that doesn't necessarily get Hamas to sort of cave in, what happens to hostage negotiations from this point forward?
COOK: Yeah, this is a terrific question, because now we are seeing massive numbers of Israelis across the political spectrum, not just left center,
center, but also to the right of center, who demand that the government prioritize the return of hostages. The government seems to be impervious to
these demands, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has a majority in Israel's parliament the Knesset.
So, other than protests, the people in the streets really don't have any recourse. Israel is going to have to face elections within the next year.
But I think the effort to pressure the government or bring it down in order to facilitate the release of hostages is something that I think these
protesters hope will happen, but doesn't seem likely.
ASHER: Right, Steven Cook, live for us. Thank you so much. Donald Trump is heading to the UK for an unprecedented second state visit. The U.S.
President, along with First Lady Melania Trump, left the White House a short time ago. Before taking off, he told reporters, visiting England was
a great honor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who's now king, is my
friend. And it's the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honored twice, so it's a great honor.
And this one's at Windsor. They've never used Windsor Castle for this before. They use Buckingham Palace. And I don't want to say one's better
than the other, but they say Windsor Castle is the ultimate, right? So, it's going to be nice, but basically, up there also on trade.
They want to see if they can refine the trade deal a little bit we made a deal, and it's a great deal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: As the president just mentioned, the focus of the visit will be Windsor Castle and its 900 years of British royal pageantry. The Fanfare
will include a royal salute and carriage procession, state banquet, and, of course, the company of the king and queen. But the visit isn't all about
pomp and circumstance.
There will also be some business too, on Thursday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. I want to bring in CNN Senior White House Reporter
Kevin Liptak. So, you've got to imagine that President Trump is certainly going to be in his element, being celebrated and fated by a king, but just
in terms of what the UK is hoping to achieve.
I mean, this is unprecedented to have not just a first but a second state visit for a U.S. President, especially a U.S. President that is quite
controversial in the UK. What is the UK hoping to achieve by this, Kevin?
[11:15:00]
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah, and I think when Keir Starmer came to the White House back in February armed with that written
invitation from King Charles, the hope was to try and cultivate a leader with whom he has virtually nothing in common, politically and really kind
of pull out all of the trappings of the royal, sort of soft power that no one quite does like the Brits.
And I think that's probably what he'll get. You'll see the carriage procession, you'll see the gun salutes, you'll see the big state banquet on
Wednesday evening. I think it's a little less clear what exactly Starmer is going to be able to get out of this. You know, his goal had been to try and
develop a relationship with President Trump, and he has been able to do that.
He probably has one of the better relationships of any member of the G7 with the president at that point, but what it's got, him isn't exactly
clear. You know, they do have this trade deal in place, but some of the finer details haven't been released about some of the stickier topics, like
tariffs on steel and aluminum.
They will announce as part of this visit agreements on nuclear civilian power. They'll have some tech investments that they're announcing. But one
of the stickiest issues, which is the war in Ukraine and the pressure that Starmer and other European leaders are trying to put on Trump to put new
sanctions on Russia, it doesn't appear as if he's any closer to doing that.
And in fact, he just said this morning that the Europeans would have to stop buying Russian oil, start putting new tariffs on China, if the
president is going to go along with it. So, I think you're going to see some of the limits of the flattery here. But certainly, President Trump is
someone who is very receptive to this kind of thing.
You know, he's long been fascinated by the royals, by the House of Windsor. You know, his mother was born in Scotland, and he said that one of his
earliest memories is watching her sort of sitting wrapped in front of the television at Queen Elizabeth the Second coronation.
And actually, President Trump hosted Charles when he was the Prince of Wales at Mar-a-Lago back in the 1980s when the prince was making a polo
tour of the United States. So, this is in some ways repaying the favor. And he has also said that his state visit back in 2019 was one of the
highlights of his term.
Of course, the prime minister back then, Theresa May, found that the limits of flattery were sort of bound. You know, she was subject to criticism by
the president in the lead up to the state visit. She actually steps down only three days afterwards. And so, I think if Starmer is watching that for
any sort of precursor, he will be aware that his own political sort of predicament isn't necessarily going to be buoyed by a visit from the
President of the United States.
ASHER: Yeah, flattery gets you far, but only so far. And just in terms of and you touched on this, but just if you could expand the UK's influence
over the U.S. when it comes to issues like, for example, Ukraine, Gaza, and you touched on this idea that some of the stickier topics, like steel and
aluminum tariffs are going to be addressed as it pertains to expanding that trade deal that was agreed upon a few months ago.
But how much influence in other areas, especially when it comes to foreign affairs. Does the UK have over the U.S., Kevin?
LIPTAK: I think just based on what we have seen, it's extraordinarily limited. You know, Starmer, along with President Macron in France,
Chancellor Merz in Germany, has been trying to pressure President Trump to apply sanctions directly on Moscow for the last several months, but
President Trump appears no closer to doing that than he was, you know, some months ago, same as in Gaza.
You know, you've heard a number of European countries come out today to criticize Israel's incursion into Gaza City, which just began overnight.
President Trump is doing exactly the opposite. He was out on the South Lawn just earlier, saying that he didn't know much about that operation, and
turning things back to Hamas and their continued use of hostages as human shields.
And so, I don't know that there is much evidence at all that Britain has a great deal of influence on how the president is approaching some of these
issues. I think the hope for Keir Starmer is that by bringing out the royals, by putting out all of these sort of pomp and circumstance and
pageantry that he knows that the president likes.
That perhaps that will lubricate some of their conversations that they have up at Chequers, the Prime Minister's Country House on Thursday. But it's
not evident that the president will be any more receptive to what he's saying than he was beforehand.
ASHER: Right, Kevin Liptak, live for us there. Thank you so much. All right, still to come here on "One World", senators are grilling the
Director of the FBI on Capitol Hill right now. Why some of them say he is the wrong man for the job? We'll talk about that more when we come back.
Plus, the suspect in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk goes before a judge today, what he's facing and whether it will include federal charges. That's
ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00]
ASHER: All right amid controversy on numerous fronts, the Director of the FBI is testifying before Congress right now. Kash Patel is facing probing
questions from both Democrats and Republicans. He's been grilled about his handling of the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Specifically, senators asked why Patel mistakenly announced that an arrest had been made in the shooting before authorities even knew who the shooter
was. They also questioned him about the Epstein files and why more information has not been released about Jeffrey Epstein's friends and
associates.
Our Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez has been watching the testimony by the FBI Director, which is still ongoing as we see live on our screen
now. Evan joins us live now. So obviously this happens once a year, but the timing is significant, because obviously it comes at a time where we've
seen a significant number of firings at the agency, and also a lot of questions, especially by Democrats, as to the direction of the agency.
And then with the killing of Charlie Kirk last week, the social media posts that Kash Patel posted that raised a lot of eyebrows as well.
EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR U.S. JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, absolutely. It's very unusual for the FBI Director, or even prosecutors really, to be
discussing specific evidence that has been gathered in an investigation, especially one in which the subject of the suspect, the alleged shooter is
still alive and he is expected to be charged.
We expect that the state charges might come as soon as today. And of course, the federal prosecutors are also looking to bring federal charges
against the alleged shooter. And again, you know you can see some of that sort of the dichotomy of how this is being handled, with Patel delivering
some of those sound bites on social media and also in TV.
And then Pam Bondi, the FBI, sorry, the Attorney General, his boss, being a lot more circumspect, saying she's not going to discuss evidence. And also,
the Utah public safety officials who are also looking to bring charges, they have been very circumspect, saying that they're not really going to
discuss specifics, including the motivation of the shooter.
That's not what Patel is doing, and he defended some of his conduct. He said that what he's doing is trying to be more transparent, because that is
what he promised the American people to do. But as you pointed out, Democrats are asking some very tough questions, including Dick Durbin, who
is a top Democrat on this panel.
You know, one of the things he said to Patel is to simply get out of the way, shut up and let the professionals do their jobs. Here's him discussing
what he wanted to see today from Patel with Kate Bolduan earlier today. Listen.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): He is -- my mind, the most incompetent FBI Director in history, and to think the importance of this agency to keep
America safe. Patel made it clear. He wrote a book called government gangsters, and said, when I get my chance, if I had my chance, I'd go in
and address the rot at the core of the FBI, and he's done just that.
Politically he has dismissed professionals who have decades of experience in keeping America safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PEREZ: And you can -- you've heard Patel push back on some of those accusations today, including some very fiery response at some of the
Democrats, and he has said that the agents at the FBI, as he previously promised, will not be fired simply for doing their jobs, which is something
that we've heard allegations from people who have been let go, including people that were elevated under Patel.
People who have since been fired, they said that Patel told them that in the end, there might be thousands of people who might be fired simply
because they touched cases that had to do with President Trump. Of course, Republicans on this panel have been a lot more supportive of the FBI
Director, and have try to come to his rescue on what the way he has carried out his job. Back to you.
ASHER: Our Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez, appreciate it. Right, in the coming hours, the suspect in Charlie Clark's murder will make his
first appearance in Utah State Court. The county attorney will file formal charges against Tyler Robinson just ahead of the hearing, including the
counts of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm and causing serious bodily harm.
The U.S. Deputy Attorney General, says the Justice Department is still deciding whether or not to bring any federal charges against the 22-year-
old as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TODD BLANCHE, U.S. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL: Well, it depends on if there's a federal charge. So, look, the federal charge, there's not that many
murder charges that are federal, very and very few. And so, look, they're stalking. There's certain declaration of rights charges that we possibly
could bring.
But that goes after going through all the evidence and trying to understand what would this man's motivation was in doing what he did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: President Trump says he plans to speak at Kirk's funeral service set to take place this Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. Joining us live now is CNN
Correspondent Danny Freeman from Provo, Utah. Danny, what can we expect today?
DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Zain, it's really fascinating because we actually have learned a lot more information, I would say, over
the past 24 hours about the main suspect here, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, but when it comes to what to expect today, Utah officials have promised
that we should get a lot more information released to the public when these formal charges are finally put on the books here.
But before I get to that specifically, I want to talk about some of the new things that we have learned in the past day or so, including a really
remarkable report last evening by "The Washington Post" concerning an apparent confession by the main suspect here, Robinson.
So, this, according to "The Washington Post", just hours before he ultimately was arrested and turned to himself -- authorities, Tyler
Robinson was in a group chat on the social and gaming app discord. And in that group chat, he said, quote, hey guys, I have bad news for you all.
It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this. Now, this particular reporting about a discord group chat comes on the heels of a report from
"The New York Times", which actually describes what Robinson was doing or thinking during the actual manhunt himself.
Basically, Robinson was joking at one point in another group chat that a doppelganger was trying to get him in trouble. Basically, the context
there, Zain, is that, that was happening right around the time where authorities had released the first suspected photos of Robinson.
Of course, they didn't know the time it was Robinson, but then someone who knew Robinson in one of these group chats said, essentially, hey, where you
at? Is this you? And that was how Robinson responded by joking. Now Zain, I want you to listen to how the Director of the FBI, just last night,
characterized even more new information about a text that the FBI believes they have in their possession. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KASH PATEL, FBI DIRECTOR: What was found in terms of information a text message exchange where he the suspect, specifically stated that he had the
opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and he was going to do that. And when he was asked why, he said, some hatred cannot be negotiated with.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FREEMAN: All right, Zain, so let's now walk through what we're expecting to see specifically this afternoon. So, at 02:00 p.m. Eastern Time, we're
expecting to hear from the Utah County attorney, the prosecutor, essentially in this area, that's when they're going to hold a press
conference.
That's when those formal charges are going to be announced, and then a few hours later, at 05:00 p.m. Eastern Time, that's when we're going to see
Robinson make his first court appearance.
[11:30:00]
It will be virtual, but we will be able to hopefully get a look at Robinson again as he basically sits in front of a judge for the first time after
being accused of this killing, Zain.
ASHER: All right, Danny Freeman in Provo, Utah for us. Thank you. All right, still ahead, a mass exodus from Gaza City on a scale not seen in
months as old and young move towards an uncertain future. More on the Israeli operation in Gaza when we come back. Plus, as Donald Trump heads to
the UK, we speak to a Former Downing Street Chief of Staff to ask what we can expect from the landmark visit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Zain Asher in New York. Here are some headlines we are watching today. Israel has launched a long-expected
ground operation in Gaza City. The operation began early Tuesday. Officials say the assault will proceed gradually, targeting up to 3000 Hamas fighters
still believed to be in the area.
Meantime, Gaza health authorities report that overnight, airstrikes have killed dozens more civilians. Donald Trump is on his way to the UK, where
he's set to meet King Charles and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trade will be high on the agenda as the UK aims to finalize the details of
a major agreement with Washington.
President Trump will arrive at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in a royal procession. And Hollywood icon and charismatic star Robert Redford has died
at the age of 89 revered for his roles in "The Way We Were" and "All the President's Men". Redford was also the Oscar Winning Director of "Ordinary
People".
He's also known for creating the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, where he lived, and a champion for the environment and the American West. Poland's
Foreign Minister suggests NATO institute a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He says it could protect Europe from Russian drones.
This after up to 21 Russian drones were detected in Polish airspace last week. Just days later, Romania scrambled jets against a Russian drone in
its airspace as well. All right, more now on that Israeli ground incursion into Gaza City nearly two years into its war with Hamas.
[11:35:00]
The Israel Defense Forces is calling on residents to evacuate, quote, the combat zone, saying it's destroying Hamas infrastructure. Around 1 million
people. Nearly half of Gaza's entire population lived in and around Gaza City. The IDF estimates some 300,000 have fled in recent days.
That leaves hundreds of thousands of Palestinians on the road again, desperately trying to flee. CNN's Jeremy Diamond has more on the lead up to
today's incursions. And a warning some of the images you're about to see are disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Gaza City trembles with each new blast. Lately, its residents have faced one strike
after another. The reality on the ground is even more terrifying. Bloodied and shaken, the injured are rushed out amid swirls of smoke and ash.
Wounded children carried, once again, into hospitals ill equipped to handle the rising tide of casualties that accompanies Israel's intensifying
bombardment of Gaza City. More than 140 were killed here over the weekend, according to local hospitals. A wave of attacks that shook many here into
fleeing the city.
Sleepy children bundled into their parents' arms, essential belongings lugged by those forced to move once again. At daybreak, their numbers
multiply. A mass exodus on a scale not seen in Gaza in many months. More than 100,000 people were displaced this weekend alone, according to Israeli
military estimates.
I'm coming from death, indiscriminate bombardments, martyrs in the streets, Mohammed (ph) says. It is a miracle we survived. Old and young press south
towards an uncertain future. Those who can afford it pay to ride on top of trucks and trailers. For many here, this is not a first.
They have been forced to pile their entire lives on top of cars and makeshift carts, before they have already lost so much and they are
exhausted. This man says 25 of his relatives have already been killed. I left only for these children, but I wish a rocket would hit me and I die
and find comfort, because this is not life, he says, is frustration rising.
The hundreds of thousands who still remain in Gaza City will face much more destruction and loss as Israel prepares to send ground forces into the city
in the coming days. Ahmed (ph) is inconsolable as he walks amid the rubble of another Israeli strike. A military evacuation order allowed him to
escape with his life, but little else.
The house is gone. Where will we stay? He cries. But he won't find any answers here. And so many others are asking themselves the same question.
Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ASHER: Many thanks to our Jeremy Diamond for that report. And of course, we now know that the ground operation to occupy Gaza City has begun. Meantime,
a U.N. commission inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. That report from an independent commission under the U.N. Human
Rights Council was released this morning.
However, the U.N. itself has not concluded that Israel is committing genocide. The new report says acts include the killing a Palestinians in
Gaza, calling Palestinians seriously bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its
physical destruction in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group as well.
The Israeli government is denying accusations of genocide and says it is maintaining the war in Gaza as self-defense in accordance with
international law. We'll right back with more after the short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:00]
ASHER: All right. Right now, Donald Trump is on his way to the UK where he will receive the full royal fanfare as he arrives at Windsor Castle on
Wednesday, accompanied by military bands and riders on horseback. The U.S. President will meet the king and queen as well as the Prince and Princess
of Wales.
He's also set to meet the British Prime Minister too. Trade, defense and security will likely be high on the agenda. UK leaders hope to finalize a
major new trade deal with the U.S. Let's get a bit more information. What we can expect from this. Gavin Barwell was downing Street's Chief of Staff
under Former British Prime Minister Theresa May, who President Trump visited during his first term. He joins us live now from London. Gavin,
thank you so much for being with us.
GAVIN BARWELL, FORMER DOWNING STREET CHIEF OF STAFF: Thank you.
ASHER: So, this is the second state visit for the U.S. President. I mean, obviously this is very, very rare for an American President to have not
just one, but two state visits. If you look at what was happening in the UK during his first state visit, this was back in 2019 obviously he traveled
to the UK twice.
In rapid succession, he had the working visit back in 2018 under Prime Minister Theresa May as well, and then he had the state visit in 2019. And
obviously it was right after Theresa May had effectively announced her resignation. So, she was essentially a caretaker prime minister.
But there had been so much controversy over her handling of Brexit, we remember that President Trump met with potential successors as well. He
actually criticized her handling of Brexit too, and said, listen, she should have taken my advice. I gave her advice that she didn't essentially
listen to.
There is some controversy over hanging over this visit too, just in terms of what's happened with Lord Mendelsohn as well, and his sort of forced
resignation, and the controversy over that surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. Just walk us through how the two visits differ.
BARWELL: So, I think you've got that similarity, as you said, in terms of both governments and both prime ministers in quite a bit of trouble at the
point in which the president is arriving. But as you said, by the time of the state visit in 2019, Teresa had announced that she was standing down as
Leader of the Conservative Party.
So, we were in the process of choosing a new party leader, and therefore there was someone going to take over as prime minister very shortly.
Whereas Keir Starmer has a huge majority in parliament, he's in quite a bit of political grief at the moment, but he ought to, if he can sort those
problems out, he ought to be carrying on as prime minister beyond the end of President Trump's second term.
So, I guess the president will be thinking that the most likely scenario is this is the person he's going to be dealing with as UK Leader for the rest
of his term.
ASHER: So, I mean quite rightly, Keir Starmer is in a relative position of strength, though, especially given that, you know, Theresa May was a
caretaker prime minister at the time of the first state visit, but just in terms of protest. I mean, remember back in 2019 there was this sort of dump
Trump mass protest across London, and then you had the Trump baby blimp.
We all remember seeing it. And a lot of people felt that, you know, Donald Trump's values just simply didn't align with the UK's values, and obviously
Theresa May was in a weakened political position, which heightened public anger. Just walk us through what we can expect this time around in terms of
the domestic political fallout over not just hosting Trump once in a state visit, but also twice.
[11:45:00]
BARWELL: I think there'll be some more protests. If you look at the opinion polls, most UK voters don't approve of President Trump's policies, but I
think they also recognize the United States is the most important ally that the United Kingdom has, and if you the Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom, you need to form a good working relationship with the president.
So, I'm sure there'll still be some protests, but most voters think that Keir Starmer needs to be working with President Trump, both to try and
improve the trade between our two countries, but also to try and work together on some of the really difficult international issues that we've
got at the moment.
We've obviously, in the last few days, had these Russian drone incursions into both Poland and Romania that you were just reporting on. We also got
the horrific situation Gaza still hostages that haven't been returned. So, there's a whole load of international issues there for the two of them to
talk about, as well as the economic and security relationship between our two countries.
ASHER: Yeah, I think a lot of leaders around the world do have a basic understanding that in order to have Trump's ear of some degree of flattery
is involved. So obviously, the last time the two men met, I see you laughing, but it's true. Last time the two men met -- Keir Starmer extended
a second state visit to him, knowing that that would potentially have an impact.
But just in terms of actually how much leverage the UK has over the U.S. in all of this? I mean, you mentioned some of the international issues that
going to be talked about. And obviously trade, it's really important to sort of hammer out the final details of the trade deal that was agreed to
in May.
But when it comes to international issues like Ukraine, like what's happening in Gaza, like the sort of humanitarian issues, and obviously the
ground incursion has just been launched by Israel into Gaza City.
BARWELL: Yeah.
ASHER: How much sway does the UK have over someone like Trump, who is mercurial, controversial and unpredictable?
BARWELL: Yes, I think limited, but not zero. So, I think on the economic front, the UK has got one of the best deals of any of the U.S. trading
partners. So, I think Starmer has done quite well on that. I think on the international issues, you've got to be realistic.
You're not going to get the president to completely change his mind, right? He's a strong-willed person. He knows what he wants to do, but you can, I
think, in kind of one-to-one face time, if you approach it in the right way, you can shift his position a little bit. So maybe I can give you two
examples, one from Theresa May and one from the current prime minister.
So back in 2018, the Russian military intelligence used a chemical weapon on UK soil, and initially President Trump's reaction was that he was not
prepared to expel any Russian military intelligence officers from the United States. And he kind of challenged Teresa and said, let's see what
the Europeans do.
And she then worked with other European countries, got a whole load of them to agree to a series of mass expulsions. And then once she'd done that,
actually, he shifted his position. And if you look at the current prime minister, I would say on Ukraine, he has slowly, very carefully, managed to
shift the U.S. into a more positive position in terms of offering some security guarantees to Ukraine if we can get some kind of peace deal.
So, you can't, you're never going to be able to completely change his mind. But that doesn't mean you can't exercise some influence if you've got good
arguments and you present them in the right way.
ASHER: Yeah, some influence. But at the end of the day, the U.S. President just often ends up just doing whatever he wants.
BARWELL: Yeah --
ASHER: And he might say one thing to your face, and then do something completely different at the end of the day. So obviously, quite
unpredictable still.
BARWELL: So -- he is a person is unpredictable, but also, like the United States is going to do, the United States President is going to do what he
thinks is in the interest of the United States. So, no country, UK, France, Germany, whoever they're not -- you're not going to be able to get the U.S.
President to do something they don't want to do.
ASHER: Yeah.
BARWELL: But I think at the margins, you can present them with good evidence. If you can try and make an argument that doing X will actually
help them achieve one of the objectives they've set out. Then you can exercise a little bit of influence. That's what this is about.
ASHER: Yeah, he does have a habit of making all sides nervous in any kind of negotiating deal. So, Gavin Barwell, we have to leave it there. Thank
you so much. Appreciate it. All right, one of Hollywood's brightest stars has gone out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT REDFORD, HOLLYWOOD ACTOR AND DIRECTOR: When you're born, you -- when you're being raised, you want to make the most of your life. I mean, I
guess that's what I decided. I want to make the most of what I've been given.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: He did exactly that. After the break, we'll look at the phenomenal career and life of Robert Redford.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ASHER: One of Hollywood's giants has passed away. Robert Redford, whose good looks and charm made him a popular leading man, but who later
transformed his career into a top director and advocate for independent film has died. Redford was a force in Hollywood for more than five decades.
He won an Oscar for directing "Ordinary People", but is probably best known for his acting as star of the natural "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
and "All the President's Men". Let's Bring in CNN's Entertainment Correspondent, Elizabeth Wagmeister with more.
I mean, Elizabeth, he did it right. Robert Redford did it right. He was an actor, and not just any actor, a really successful and talented actor, plus
a successful and talented director. Plus, he left this enormous legacy and changed the lives of countless other filmmakers through the Sundance Film
Festival.
And was also somebody who gave and dedicated a lot of his life to caring for and protecting and advocating for the environment as well.
ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: That's absolutely right, and this is a huge loss for Hollywood, but also really for the
world, you see him right there getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Former President Obama in 2016.
And as you said, he did such incredible work as an environmentalist, really setting the way for Hollywood activists like Leonardo DiCaprio, who
followed in his footsteps to raise the alarm with climate change, but when it comes to his work on screen and also behind the camera, as you said, he
won the Oscar for directing.
And he just had an illustrious career, this is truly the loss of a Hollywood legend, and we're at the time sadly when we don't have many
Hollywood legends and true icons left. Now I want to read you a statement that we obtained at CNN from his publicist, announcing that he had passed.
No cause of death was given, but his publicist, Cindi Berger, says, quote, Robert Redford passed away on September 16 at his home at Sundance in the
mountains of Utah, the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly, and of course, they asked for privacy for the
family.
Now, as you said, Zain, he started the Sundance Film Festival. He moved to Utah in 1961 and that is because of his love of nature, and that's where
his environmental activism really started. Now, I've covered the Sundance Film Festival for years, and as you said, that is where many filmmakers got
their start. Everyone from Quentin Tarantino to Steven Soderbergh.
[11:55:00]
So, Robert Redford was not just an icon on screen, but he was really a champion for independent film. Now, his final major film role, Zain, was
back in 2018 at the age of 82. And I actually interviewed him on the red carpet at that premiere of his final major film role.
Now, I wasn't at CNN yet. I was at variety, but I pulled the clip and let's take a quick look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WAGMEISTER: Are you retiring from acting?
REDFORD: No, that was a mistake. That was a mistake. I should never have said that. If I'm going to retire, I should just slip quietly away from
acting, but I shouldn't be talking about it, because I think it draws too much attention in the wrong way, because you want to be focused on this
film and the cast --
WAGMEISTER: So, this is not your final film?
REDFORD: I'm not answering that.
WAGMEISTER: You are not answering, you want to keep the mystery?
REDFORD: Keep the mystery alive.
WAGMEISTER: What has been the biggest change that you've witnessed since you started in the industry?
REDFORD: That the Me-Too movement. The fact that women now have a voice that's going to be heard, and they're going to raise it louder and louder,
I hope, because they've been pushed aside for so long. I'm very happy to see what's going to be happening with women in terms of leadership roles,
executive roles, acting roles. It's time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WAGMEISTER: You saw him playing around there with me a little bit. He was so kind, and I really couldn't believe that I was in the presence of a
Hollywood legend. So, rest in peace to Robert Redford.
ASHER: Yeah, what an amazing guy, very charismatic and so caring. I mean, just what he said about still advocating for women just so important. He
really cared about others. Elizabeth Wagmeister, thank you so much. Stay with CNN. There's more "One World" after the break with my colleague Bianna
Golodryga.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
