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The Source with Kaitlan Collins

Israel & Hamas Truce Extended By Two Days; Niece On Aunt's Hostage Experience: She Was In Tunnels, Helped Other Elderly Hostages Held Under Gaza; Three Palestinian College Students Shot In Vermont In ICU. Aired 9-10p ET

Aired November 27, 2023 - 21:00   ET

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

[21:00:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN HOST: The very personal podcast, as you might remember, focuses on grief, how to talk about it, how to deal with it, and conversations with very special guests, including President Biden. Again, the first episode is Wednesday morning. It will be available, on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Also on Wednesday, the premiere of "KING CHARLES," the program, hosted by Gayle King and Charles Barkley, will take a unique look, at the day's news, as only Gayle and Charles can do. That airs at 10 PM, on Wednesday night.

All right, that does it for us, tonight.

"THE SOURCE WITH KAITLAN COLLINS" starts right now.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN HOST: Good evening. And welcome to THE SOURCE.

I'm Kaitlan Collins, live here, on the ground, in Tel Aviv, tonight, where 11 hostages have just arrived, back on Israeli soil, after being held hostage, by Hamas, for 51 days.

The Ministry of Health confirms that all 11 are now at the Sourasky Medical Center, here in Tel Aviv, undergoing medical evaluations, while also being reunited, with their families. Nine of them are children. The youngest, 3-year-old twins, Yuli and Emma. Their mother, Sharon, was also freed today.

But these kids have one tragic thing in common. Yuli, Emma and every single child, who was released today, have fathers, who are still being held hostage, tonight. Think about that for a moment. How bittersweet it is, to finally, finally, be out of Gaza. Yet return home, knowing that your dad is still in the clutches, of terrorists?

The hostages released, tonight, were all kidnapped, from the same kibbutz, Nir Oz, in southern Israel. They're all also dual citizens. But no one, I should note, released today is an American.

The Israel Defense Forces released this video, tonight, showing the moment that the hostages returned home.

Also home tonight, 33 More Palestinian prisoners. Their release, following that announcement, that there may be more to come.

Qatar confirmed CNN's reporting that this temporary truce will now go on, for two more days, meaning two more days of hostage -- hostages, potentially being freed, Palestinian prisoners being released, and more aid going into where it's desperately needed, Gaza.

I want to bring in CNN's Chief Global Affairs Correspondent, Matthew Chance, for more on what we saw happen here, on the ground, today.

And for the hostages, who were released, we talked about the fact that so many of them still have fathers, who are being held, all of the kids still have -- being have -- fathers being held. What else do we know, about the ones, who were released, today?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think that's really important, though, that they've all got fathers that are still being held hostage, because it shows you that even though they've gone through this terribly traumatic event, of October, the 7th, and their captivity, for weeks on end, inside Gaza, that hasn't ended.

There's relief, of course, that they've been set free. But they still got to deal with that trauma that they've got loved ones, who are either dead, or in some cases, they've got loved ones, who are dead, or their, as you say, their father's captive.

There's some of the details about them, which are quite interesting. They're all dual citizens, as you mentioned. And I think that underlines just how international this disaster has been.

It's not just about Israel. There's a whole group of people, from -- with joint nationalities and, of course, foreign nationals, as well, who are also affected, by this. And the fact that you've got 11 people, dual nationalities, with fathers, still hostages, underlines both those points.

COLLINS: Yes, and not clear when or if their dads are going to be negotiated for, to also get out.

We're learning more, you're learning more, about how they're being held, how these hostages who are now coming out, are telling us what it's been like, for 51 days.

CHANCE: A bit more, because we've spoken to a relative, earlier today, of some hostages that were released, in the first group of -- under this Israeli hostage deal. And I spoke to that relative, about what they've been told, about how they were treated, and what conditions they lived in, inside Gaza.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MERAV RAVIV, RELATIVE OF HAMAS HOSTAGES RELEASED FRIDAY: She doesn't know exactly where it is, because they took them from place to place. But they were all together, all of them, the three of them were together all the time.

But I can tell you that they ate. But they ate a lot of rice. Sometimes, they didn't have rice. So, they ate only bread. It wasn't that they were eating fruit, and vegetables, and vitamins, and whatever things that you need.

She told me that if you want to go to the toilet, you have to knock on the door, and only after one and a half hour, two hours, they opened the door, and you can go to the bathroom.

CHANCE: Yes.

RAVIV: They weren't beaten or tortured. They got -- they were in a closed room. They weren't with them, that the room was locked.

CHANCE: Right.

RAVIV: And they were by themselves. And that's it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHANCE: Yes. And so, a good picture there of the sort of conditions that that group of hostages, were kept in.

[21:05:00]

But of course, there are so many people, still in Gaza, so many hostages, all in very different situations, some with different militant groups, some with families, I mean, who knows, criminal groups. And so, everybody's going to have a different story, when it comes to the treatment.

COLLINS: Yes. The other thing, part of this, is the Palestinian prisoners, who are being released.

CHANCE: Right.

COLLINS: As soon as the Israeli hostages are back, that's when they're sent back to the West Bank. It's 33, I believe, today. What more do we know about who was released?

CHANCE: Yes, 33, because it's a ratio of three to one that's been agreed. And by the way, a senior government official told me, earlier tonight, that that ratio will continue, under the next releases --

COLLINS: OK.

CHANCE: -- that take place as well, because that was previously agreed to, letting 10 for every day of pause, in the fighting.

These people are women and children. They're often -- in often, in number of cases, detained, under, yes, they're in prison because of the special rules, in Israel, which allow the authorities, to arrest people, to prevent them, from committing crimes, in the future.

It's a very -- this is administrative detention, it's called. It's a very controversial law, in Russia. But a lot of the people, who have been detained, in Israeli jails, and they're being released, as part of this prisoner deal, have been detained, on that basis, so, without trial and without being accused publicly, of any crime.

COLLINS: Yes. I guess, we will see that continue, based on what you're hearing.

CHANCE: Yes.

COLLINS: Matthew Chance, thank you, for that reporting.

Of course, what today meant, for so many, and with the release of the nine more children, who are Israeli hostages, that means 30 children total, kids who are hostages, for over seven weeks, are now free. But there are many, who are not, including a 10-month-old baby.

In the last four days, we have seen some incredibly emotional reunions. Today, 9-year-old Emily Hand discharged from the hospital that she was at here, in Israel. Her father, Thomas, initially believed, and was told that she had been killed, on October 7th, only to find out weeks later, that she was a hostage. Tonight, she is back, in her father's arms, doing better than expected, he tells us.

Maayan Zin's nightmare came to an end, when she got to hold her 8- year-old and 15-year-old daughters, Ella and Dafna.

And for 4-year-old Abigail Edan, she is also back with her family, tonight, as you can see here, in these photos, released from the hospital. She's with their aunt and her grandmother. But notice she is not with her parents, who were murdered, in front of her, by Hamas, on October 7th.

That's why these reunions are the definition of bittersweet, if you can even call it that. Many of them are coming home, to families that are no longer whole, tonight. Roughly 107 people -- 170 people are still being held hostage, by Hamas, and other militant groups, in Gaza, tonight. For those hostages' families, all they can do is hold out hope for their return.

You can count Yarden Roman's loved ones among them. She was captured, on October 7th, along with her husband, and her 3-year-old daughter, Geffen (ph). At one point, the three were able to escape, by jumping out of a car that was taking them to Gaza. They fled, on bare feet, as Hamas shot at them, which is when Yarden handed Geffen (ph) to her husband, knowing that he could outrun her.

Her husband and the 3-year-old daughter survived, by hiding for hours. But she was recaptured.

And I'm joined now, by her cousin, Maya Roman, back here, again with us, tonight.

And thank you, for coming back, tonight.

MAYA ROMAN, COUSIN OF YARDEN ROMAN-GAT, HOSTAGE SINCE OCTOBER 7: Sure. COLLINS: I just wonder what, was your reaction, when you heard that they announced that there would be a two-day extension to the truce that was supposed to end tonight.

ROMAN: We were very pleased, of course. We knew or we could -- we believed that Yarden would not be released, among these first 50 hostages, because she is a mother, currently separated from her child. But she's not within the categories highlighted for these first 50 released. And so, we were very pleased.

We would like to see the release go on, because we're not sure she'd be back, even within these two days. We actually just got word that she won't be among those released tomorrow. And so, we are hoping that the more we can see, more releases, that maybe we'll get her, and her sister-in-law, Carmel (ph) also kidnapped, we can see them back home.

COLLINS: And just for people, who aren't familiar, with how this is working, on a daily basis, when Israel gets the list, from Hamas, they call not only the loved ones, whose family members are on that, but they also call the families, whose are not. And you all -- you got a call tonight that Yarden was not on the list, for tomorrow.

ROMAN: Yes, true.

COLLINS: I'm so sorry.

ROMAN: We think it's very important that they call every day, even to those, whose loved ones won't be released. Today, actually, the release was so postponed, that the call was just a few hours, before the release. And yes, it's very hard, very hard days are -- it's very hard days, for the families.

COLLINS: Have you been able to hear, from any of the other hostages coming in? Have they seen her? Do they have any updates, on her condition? Anything?

[21:10:00]

ROMAN: Unfortunately, we don't have any concrete knowledge. We understand that the hostages are kept, in smaller groups. So, it's not that surprising. But no one -- we haven't received any word so far.

COLLINS: You and I spoke, the other night. And we talked about what it's like for her. And I didn't realize she turned 36, on October 22nd. And you're just a few months older than she is. You talk about how at these family events, you're always together.

You wrote something that it just touched me. And you said, "I strongly feel her absence in time, when things get out of control, when everyone is working and talking in a frenzy, she's not there to calm us down, to remind us that what matters is life and death." And you said this -- this is a situation of life and death.

You said, "For the last two weeks, I have been trying to write sophisticated texts for the press and explain why there is a moral obligation to return the hostages, but in the end, I just want my cousin back because our family is incomplete without her."

ROMAN: Yes, that's exactly it. Her absence is strongly felt. She is very different amongst the cousins. She's the quiet one. She's the one who likes nature. And, on the one hand, we believe that she's the one best-equipped, to handle what she's probably going through. She's so mentally strong.

And, on the other hand, we just really miss her dearly, and especially during this week, when it's been a very hard week, every day, waiting for the call, hoping that maybe, even though we try to keep our expectations low.

COLLINS: I mean, I can't even imagine that feeling that you're just waiting, every night, for the phone to ring.

ROMAN: Yes.

COLLINS: And either it's really good news or it's not the news that you want.

ROMAN: Yes. It's terrible. I mean, I think, there are a lot of families, going through the same thing. And we're very happy, for the other families. We know some of them very closely. And it's been -- it's very moving to see them come back.

But yes, but it's really hard to go through it every day. You try to keep your expectations low. But still, you always have this, little inkling of, but maybe just maybe we'll hear that today is the day.

COLLINS: And, of course, she has --

ROMAN: And, again, it's not.

COLLINS: -- her 3.5-year-old daughter that you said, every time she insists on opening the door?

ROMAN: Yes.

COLLINS: But doesn't look to see who it is.

I know you were also at the Knesset, today, hearing about the atrocities that happened that day, and the sexual assault, the rape of women, in a hearing. What did you hear, from those survivors?

ROMAN: It was very hard day. We were there, to really talk about how the issue of the kidnapping, forcibly separating a mother from her child, is also a case of violence against women, which we believe the world should acknowledge.

And at that same hearing, we heard testimonies, from ZAKA, who treat the dead bodies, and from the armed forces, about just atrocities, bodies mutilated, things that I won't even repeat, because they're so explicit, I don't know if you want them on your show, but terrible, terrible things that the ZAKA representative started crying, at a certain point. And it was a very hard hearing, for everyone involved. But I think it was very important. All of the -- there were a lot of

ambassadors present, who talked about how they're going to take these testimonies, back to their countries, and also try and effect organizations such as U.N. Women, and global organizations, dealing with women's rights, which have been much too silent.

And it's very hurtful, especially for us, in the feminist community, in Israel, which I am part of, to see our sisters, now stay silent, or not to believe the testimonies of women. It's just horrendous, I think.

COLLINS: I completely agree. And thank you, for saying that, and for being there. And that could -- was only incredibly difficult for you to be there.

And thank you, for coming, even though you did not get the news that you wanted. We are hoping that you do get that. Thank you, Maya.

ROMAN: Thank you.

COLLINS: As always.

Ahead, there are many more families, like Maya's, who are still waiting, on word, tonight. Their families, their loved ones, still hostages in captivity. Some have new hope, tonight, with this truce, being extended, for two more days. Major question, though, is whether or not it is going to hold.

We also have new reporting, about the White House's expectations, why two Americans that they hoped would be released, today, were not.

Our coverage, on the ground, here in Israel, will return, in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[21:18:30]

COLLINS: Two American women that the White House was anticipating, would be released today, were not. And instead, they remain in captivity, in Gaza, tonight. A senior Biden administration official says they do not believe that Hamas was intentionally holding back the Americans.

But the confusion, over their fate, is just one of the ongoing issues that the White House is dealing with, as they are closely monitoring this ongoing temporary truce.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KIRBY, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SPOKESMAN: As it -- as it has come out, over the last three days, we don't really know until you get into the endgame who's going to be actually on that list. And then, even then, you got to watch closely to -- seeing if who's on the list is the folks that actually come out. So, we're watching and hoping.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: With me now is prominent Israeli journalist, Nadav Eyal.

Glad to have you back here, because obviously you've been such a helpful voice, on this.

With the Americans not being released, the White House is trying to anticipate, why is this happening? Why are they not on list they thought they would be?

NADAV EYAL, COLUMNIST, ISRAELI YEDIOT DAILY NEWSPAPER: Yes.

COLLINS: What's your sense of whether or not Hamas is using them, as leverage, as they are all the hostages?

EYAL: I would guess that they are used as leverage. And we have been seeing Hamas playing, and playing these sadistic games, all along, including this night.

They wanted those twins, Kaitlan, that you spoke about, in the beginning of your show, Emma and Yuli, 3-year-old, to be released, without their mother. It's not only the dad, who stayed behind, because Hamas wouldn't let him go. They wanted to release them, without their mother, at the beginning. And they said --

COLLINS: Is that why there was such a delay today?

EYAL: Yes, that was one of the reasons that we had this delay, because Israel simply wouldn't have it.

[21:20:00]

And they've been doing this, all along. And they know the American hostages are a powerful coin (ph), in Washington, and for them, going forward, and they're playing for time.

COLLINS: What do you make of -- I mean, it's quiet here, right now, first off, I should note.

Last time I was here, you could hear -- Gaza is not that far. You could hear the bombardment that was happening there. Obviously, that's because this temporary truce is in place. It got extended today.

Why do you think Hamas agreed to a two-day extension here?

EYAL: Hamas is playing for time, because it wants to have a permanent ceasefire.

A permanent ceasefire for Hamas means a win. It means a victory. They did this. They invaded Israel. They had their ethnic cleansing, and their massacres, here. And now, they get a ceasefire, and negotiated prisoner release, as far as they are concerned. And this is where they want to go.

So, every day of pause is actually playing for them, as long as Israel is releasing its prisoners for them. And these prisoners, it's very important to note, are being released to the West Bank, mostly, most of them.

By the way, those who will be released, tomorrow, some of them will be released to the sovereign State of Israel. So, these are Israeli citizens, convicted of terror attacks, or terror attempts, and they will be released into Israel.

This is a big win for Hamas. This means that for Hamas, it's presenting itself, in the West Bank, and here, even with sympathizers of terror, within Israel, as you know that that flagbearer (ph). And this is something that they want to continue.

COLLINS: Well, and there are some of these Palestinian prisoners, who are being held here, on -- they don't have any charges. They have -- they've not faced any trials. I mean, it has raised a lot of questions. It's deeply controversial, for those reasons.

But the other issue that I've heard, from Israelis here, that they raise is, they worry about the cycle of terror, because there have been previous prisoner swaps, where Israel has agreed to let 1,000 Palestinian prisoners go, to get one IDF soldier back. And now, we've seen that person is the head of Hamas.

EYAL: Yes. Yes, Yahya Sinwar is the head of Hamas. And he was released in the Shalit deal, in which 10,017 prisoners, and many of them convicted of murder, one of them was Yahya Sinwar.

By the way, he was convicted for murdering Palestinians. He was labeled, in the Gaza Strip, as the Butcher of Khan Younis. And this is the place he comes from. And he was murdering people, who were negotiating, or talking with Israeli security services. And this is the reason he went to prison, not for murdering Israelis, but for murdering Palestinians. And he became the leader of Hamas.

And there is an incredible story that's been published, by Channel 12, and verified by Yediot Ahronoth, where I work, about Sinwar actually meeting some of the Israeli hostages. Underground, in the tunnels, the door opens, Yahya Sinwar walks in. He says, in Hebrew, to the Israeli hostages, "My name is Yahya Sinwar." They identify him. And he says, "You're safe here."

And of course, the reason he came there, Israeli sources are saying, is not to make sure they're safe. He came there to send a message. And he also came there, as these types of leader do, to see what he has done, to see in front of him, those Israelis that were kidnapped.

COLLINS: So, what you're saying is the head of Hamas, went underground, to the tunnels, where some of these hostages are being kept. He spoke to them, in Hebrew, and told them that they were safe?

EYAL: Yes, this --

COLLINS: And that they've just been kidnapped, their families had just been murdered. Many of them have been raped. And he was talking to them?

EYAL: He was just saying that. So, this message, he knew that they'll be carrying this back home.

And he, of course, didn't go underground. He's living underground. These are the areas, in which he is operating, for the last 50 days. And you can assume that when he ordered this attack, against Israel, he knew full well, that he needs to be prepared, to being underground, for a very, very long time.

COLLINS: Out of fear for his life.

I mean, but why do you think he went and spoke to them? I mean, he knew some of them would likely be released, would come back, and would tell people that that happened.

EYAL: Well, the only thing I can think about is the sort of a psychopath killer that comes to the scene of the crime. This is the only thing I can think about.

And the message is, "I'm in control here. And I want to see those victims, and to see what I have done." And I think that this was his message coming back to Israel. "I'm in control here." And to those hostages, to those Israelis, that came from these kibbutzim, "Look at me," you know, "I am responsible for you right now."

This reassurance, of course, means nothing for them, the fact that he's saying, "You're safe." He didn't need to do that by himself. He wanted to do that. And this is something, about Sinwar. There's a reason he was called the Butcher of Khan Younis, many years, before ordering this attack, against Israel.

COLLINS: It's remarkable.

[21:25:00]

Nadav Eyal, thank you, for that reporting, which your outlet, you said, confirmed. Just remarkable, as we follow this two-day extension. Thank you for being here.

EYAL: Thank you.

COLLINS: There's more to come tonight, on the release of 11 more hostages, today. My next guest had four of her relatives freed. Her uncle though, who was seen, on the right here, in these photos, he is still missing. He is still believed to be, being held hostage. He is also critically ill.

She's not only pleading to bring him home, but she's also asking, where's the Red Cross, and why have they not checked on him, and the other hostages, who are still in Gaza, tonight?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EFRAT MACHIKAWA, FOUR RELATIVES RELEASED BY HAMAS: We only saw the Red Cross moving people, from the kidnappers, to the cars. We didn't hear anything else. And one wonders, what is the role?

(END VIDEO CLIP) COLLINS: More on that question, right after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: For some families, here in Israel, the past few days have been a mixture of elation and agony.

[21:30:00]

Imagine for a moment that after 50-plus days, held captive, several of your loved ones are now back in your arms. There are tears of joys. But your other close relatives are still in the hands of terrorists, tonight. My next guest is experiencing just that.

Four of her family members have now been freed, as a part of this temporary truce, including her 34-year-old cousin, Doron Katz Asher, and Doron's two children, 4-year-old Raz, and 2-year-old Aviv. Her 78- year-old aunt, Margalit Moses was seen here, rejoicing, hugging her niece, Efrat, in an Israeli -- in Israeli hospital.

But her 80-year-old uncle, Gadi Moses is somewhere, in Gaza, tonight, still in the hands of Hamas. He's ill. He needs his medicine. And his niece says that she's praying for his return.

And joining me now is Efrat Machikawa.

I'm so glad to have you here, especially now that you have gotten some hopeful news. I know that there are still some of your family that is being held. But for Margalit, and for the others, who have made it home, even the two tiny ones? I mean, they're so young. How are they doing? What can you tell us?

MACHIKAWA: First, thank you very much, for having me. Thank you for covering this continuing situation.

They're all good. It's a complicated situation. But there's so much love, within the family, and the friends, and the community that we hope that we'll somehow help them, and make up for the terrible experience, they went through. But we're hopeful. We're very hopeful.

COLLINS: What have they told you, about how they were held, what kind of conditions they were kept in? Were they fed?

MACHIKAWA: My Aunt, Margalit Moses, is a hero. She's a very special woman. But these days, I really adore her, especially after hearing her story. She was very calm.

And once, they got to where they go down, in the tunnels, she actually took the role of taking care of others. And she helped many of them. Even in the tiny little things, like getting up, from the mattress, they're all very old. They were old -- the old -- all the oldies together. So it was -- it was challenging.

And knowing she was there for all the others, I think, made her even stronger. And I think it's a lesson for all of us. We don't have to be masculine, or we don't have to have special powers. There is something inside us that is growing stronger when we're in the weakest point. And I adore that in her. And we were very, very lucky. She was -- she was OK.

But from what I hear, I understand that what -- it wasn't the same with everybody. And that's our worry. And this is the worry that we have regarding my uncle, Gadi Moses.

COLLINS: Who is still being held tonight.

MACHIKAWA: He is still in another place. We have no information at all. We have no idea whether he's alive or not. We hope he is.

He is critically ill. And now, for two months, without his medicine, we're fearing for his life. And so, for all the others. There's so many elderlies, and kids with chronically diseases, and so many of them, there are tens of them, critically, probably in critical condition now.

COLLINS: Because he takes medication, on a daily basis.

MACHIKAWA: Yes. He does.

COLLINS: Until going without it, for coming in, on two months now.

MACHIKAWA: Yes.

COLLINS: And yet --

MACHIKAWA: That would kill anyone, you know? I mean, this is why we're so worried about it. And this is why I think one of the urgent subject, we have to talk about, and get an immediate solution, is the medicine and the medical care.

We need information, a sign of life. But we all -- also need some, somebody to go and make sure they are alive, and they get their medication, because chronically-ill people cannot go, for such a long time, without it.

COLLINS: Well and what do you make --

MACHIKAWA: It's a life-saving.

COLLINS: The Red Cross was supposed to be able to go in.

MACHIKAWA: Yes.

COLLINS: And visit the refugee -- or the hostages, excuse me, who have not been able to come out. But so far, we have not heard anything that they've been able to go in.

[21:35:00]

MACHIKAWA: Yes. I mean, I don't want to be unkind. But we only saw the Red Cross moving people, from the kidnappers, to the cars. We didn't hear anything else. And one wonders, what is the role of either the Red Cross, or any other international institution, or body? We are talking about two long months. It has been for us like a long, long one nightmare, you know? And how come nobody have seen them? How come no one knows where they are? And how come they're not being treated, with the basic, basic needs to survive?

And really, the medicine is what worries me the most now. And I just think that everybody should know, every minute that passes, that mean -- might mean death, for one of the kidnapped.

COLLINS: And you're worried that even if they get to negotiating, for men, for the elderly men, that they may not survive that long?

MACHIKAWA: No, they'll not. And they're not only, by the way, elderly with the chronically-sick. We know that there are young kids, and young men, within that group as well. And I think this should be the top priority, of the negotiations.

COLLINS: Yes.

MACHIKAWA: Somebody must be there for them, with the medication. But definitely also bring them all back home.

COLLINS: Efrat, I know that this is a bittersweet time for you. Thank you, for coming on, to talk about your uncle.

MACHIKAWA: Yes.

COLLINS: And we will continue to talk about him.

MACHIKAWA: Thank you so much. Thank you for your kind sympathy and for understanding this is such an important issue, to cover, for all the world.

COLLINS: Absolutely.

MACHIKAWA: Thank you very much.

COLLINS: Thank you.

Also tonight, back in the U.S., there are three Palestinian college students, who are in intensive care, right now, after they were shot, over the weekend. Authorities are investigating the possibility that it was a hate crime. With the suspect, now in court today.

We'll give you the latest developments, and also speak to the uncle of one of the victims. That's in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[21:41:04]

COLLINS: We're learning new details, tonight, about the moment that police arrested the suspect, who is now accused of shooting three Palestinian college students, who were visiting Vermont, on their holiday break. Police say that when they approached 48-year-old Jason Eaton, at his

home, on Sunday, he said, and I'm quoting him now, "I've been waiting for you." He then however pleaded not guilty, to three counts of attempted second degree murder. He is now being held without bail, tonight. Police are still investigating if this shooting was a hate crime.

Here's what happened, for those who don't know. On Saturday, Eaton allegedly walked up to the three 20-year-olds, as they had passed his apartment building, and he shot at them, without saying a single word. All three remain in intensive care, tonight. We did get word that one may be released soon.

Kinnan Abdalhamid (ph), a student at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, was shot in the glute. His friend, Tahseen Ali Ahmad (ph), a student at Trinity College, in Connecticut, still has a bullet, in his chest, tonight. And Hisham Awartani, a student at Brown University, in Rhode Island, has a bullet lodged in his spine.

Hisham's uncle, Rich Price, joins me now.

And Rich, I just want to say thank you, first off, for being here, tonight. And we are thinking of all three of them.

Can you just tell me how they're doing, how all three of them are faring, tonight?

RICH PRICE, UNCLE OF SHOOTING VICTIM HISHAM AWARTANI: Well, first of all, thank you for having me, and have a chance to talk about these three incredible young men. I've been with them, since -- they've been our houseguests, our guests, for Thanksgiving, as they have been, the last few years.

And they have demonstrated incredible resilience, incredible strength. I think it's especially my nephew, Hisham, who is -- has no movement, from the waist down, as you said, has a bullet lodged in his spine, he faces a very long road to recovery.

COLLINS: Have doctors given you any indication, about just how long that road could potentially be?

PRICE: We're trying to stay optimistic, Kaitlan. And we know that in a circumstance like this, it's not just medical help. It's also the strength, and resilience, of the individual. And in that department, Hisham -- if anyone can do it, Hisham can do it.

COLLINS: I'm glad to hear that. I mean, we're just -- I can't even imagine, being in this position, being an uncle, and knowing that this has happened, to your nephew. And we're hoping that that road to recovery is a lot shorter than even they're saying it could be.

Have they been able to shed any new light, on what happened? I mean, the fact that they were just walking by this suspect's apartment that he said nothing to them? Is there anything else that they've offered, about what unfolded? PRICE: As I said, they were our houseguests, for Thanksgiving. On Saturday, it was our 8-year-old twin's birthday party. These three young men, college juniors, agreed to come to this birthday party, with us. Very graciously, they played with our boys.

We just come back, from the birthday party. And they decided to take a stroll, around the block, to get some fresh air. They were just walking, talking amongst themselves. They were wearing their keffiyehs, which are traditional Palestinian scarves.

And this gentleman stepped out of the dark, and pulled out a handgun, and fired four times. And my nephew, Hisham, was struck twice. And -- but all three were struck by bullets. And it's inconceivable that something like this could happen in our community.

[21:45:00]

And these three young men grew up in Ramallah. They're best friends, from growing up. They grew up under military occupation. And who would imagine that they would come to a place, like this, to celebrate Thanksgiving, and this is when their lives will be at risk.

COLLINS: And just to think that this is something that they do every year that they were just there.

I mean, I know that you've said you don't want your comments to interfere with any ongoing investigation. We'll be respectful and cautious of that for sure.

But is it clear to you that this was a hate crime?

PRICE: I believe that there is a right to presumption of innocence, and due process, and that there is a legal threshold that attorney, George, here in Vermont, and federal agencies need to -- need to pursue that.

But for us, for the families, I think it's quite clear that this is a hate crime, that this is driven by hate, and that it's probable that these young men were targeted, because of what -- how they looked, how they were dressed, and what language they were speaking.

COLLINS: It's just despicable.

And Rich Price, I want to thank you, again, for coming on, tonight, to talk about something that is so painful. Please tell all of them, your nephew, Hisham, every single one of them that we are wishing them a speedy recovery, tonight, and we're all thinking of them.

PRICE: Thank you.

COLLINS: Thank you.

We'll continue to follow that story, and the updates, as that investigation is ongoing. We're hearing from federal officials, about the matter. Also, continuing to follow the news that we got here, in Tel Aviv, tonight that that temporary truce will be extended by two days. Also, what the Pope told the son of one hostage. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[21:51:28]

COLLINS: Good evening. We just learned, also breaking news tonight, that Israel has received the next list of hostages, from Hamas, who are slated to be released, tomorrow. They have started to notify the family members of those who are on that list.

Of course as we saw today, that list can change. It remains to be seen what happens with this one. But that is breaking news tonight.

And it comes as one Israeli community is welcoming home 11 family members, and friends, tonight. What we have learned is that every hostage, who was released by Hamas, today, was taken from that kibbutz, Nir Oz.

But others, from that same kibbutz, remain held, in Gaza, tonight, including 75-year-old Alexander Dancyg, who is not only a son of Holocaust survivors. He's a renowned expert on the Holocaust, himself. Tonight, his family is desperate to get him home. And even the Pope knows Alexander's story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (voice-over): Every night, Yuval Danzig watches, from his living room, as Israeli hostages are released, and reunited, with their families.

YUVAL DANZIG, SON OF HOSTAGE ALEXANDER DANCYG: For me, everyone that go out is like one of my family members.

COLLINS (voice-over): He watches, knowing that his 75-year-old father, Alexander Dancyg, won't be one of them.

DANZIG: I'm sure that he would want all the children out before him, yes. I'm sure.

COLLINS (voice-over): On October 7th, Yuval's dad was at home, in Nir Oz, when Hamas attacked, killing or kidnapping more than a quarter of residents, of the kibbutz.

DANZIG: My uncle is also kidnapped, my -- the brother of my mother. And all of them were in the kibbutz.

COLLINS (voice-over): He had 14 family members, in Nir Oz, that day, including an uncle, who was kidnapped, and Yuval's brother-in-law, and mom, who fought off the terrorist.

DANZIG: My brother-in-law fought the -- fought the terrorists for like, one hour -- hour and a half, with only a pistol. And my mother, also another American (ph) that she holds the door for seven hours, while they tried to open it, with two nephews inside.

COLLINS (voice-over): His dad wasn't as lucky. Yuval was the last person, to speak with him, that day.

DANZIG: Said everything will be OK. We can manage this. And then, finished the talk. And from this time, he didn't answer again.

COLLINS (voice-over): For 52 days, his father has been held, in Gaza, without the daily medication that he's taken, since his heart attack, four years ago.

COLLINS: How worried are you about him?

DANZIG: Very much, very much. And we don't know if he can survive this situation, for 50 days, you know? He needed to take medication. He needed to eat properly.

COLLINS (voice-over): For Yuval, and his family, a glimmer of hope, as two of his dad's neighbors were released, Nurit Cooper, and Yocheved Lifshitz.

DANZIG: They say, he was -- he was alive and fine, when he was kidnapped.

COLLINS (voice-over): Five days, after the October 7th attack, Yuval's 13-year-old son had his bar mitzvah, without grandpa there, to celebrate.

DANZIG: Yes, it was a really tough day, because we were really waiting to this bar mitzvah, because he's the only -- only boy, in this family of (ph) children. So, we really waited for this bar mitzvah. But we had to do it without him.

COLLINS (voice-over): For weeks, Yuval has always been traveling to Poland, where his dad was born, to raise awareness, about the hostages, and to Rome, where he met with the Pope.

DANZIG: When I told him, about my dad, he stopped me. He say, they know his story from before. And they know the -- they know him from before.

COLLINS: The Pope knew about your dad?

DANZIG: Yes, it was really amazing, for us.

[21:55:00]

COLLINS (voice-over): When they are reunited, Yuval says he has so much, to tell his dad.

DANZIG: I want to tell him what happened here, from the beginning.

COLLINS (voice-over): For now, Yuval says he has no choice, but to believe that one evening it will be his dad, on the news, on his way home.

COLLINS: Are you hopeful that he'll be released?

DANZIG: I am sure he will be released.

COLLINS: Why are you so sure?

DANZIG: Because we have to be. We have to have hope. Because if we don't have hope, we can do nothing, you know?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (on-camera): He's thought so much about his dad's eventual release. He's even thought about which hospital he should go to.

We'll be back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[22:00:01]

COLLINS: Tomorrow, Jimmy Carter expected to attend the memorial service, for his late wife, Rosalynn. And he and Rosalynn were married for 77 years. They were the longest married presidential couple.

President Biden and, first lady, Jill Biden, will also attend that tribute, tomorrow, along with every living former first lady, we are told.

Tonight, Rosalynn Carter is lying in repose, at the Carter Center, in Atlanta, where members of the public, are paying their respects, to her.

We will be covering that live, here on CNN, tomorrow.

I want to thank you so much, for joining us, tonight, from Tel Aviv.

"LAURA COATES LIVE" starts right now.