Return to Transcripts main page
Isa Soares Tonight
Smotrich Criticizes Ceasefire Deal; Israeli Cabinet Expected to vote Friday on Ceasefire Deal; Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens in Gaza; Fighting the Los Angeles Wildfires. Disputes Arise in the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal; Strikes Rain Down on Gaza in the Deadliest Day in More Than a Week; Blinken Heckled Over U.S. Policy on Israel. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired January 16, 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, a ceasefire may be agreed, but the
disagreements continue. Israel delays a key vote to approve the ceasefire hostage agreement. We are joined by a top conflict mediator to discuss.
Meanwhile, strikes rained down on Gaza in the deadliest day in more than a week. We'll speak with UNICEF's James Elder as Gaza desperately awaits, of
course, a pause in the fighting. Plus, the Biden administration's legacy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken heckled over U.S. policy on Israel.
We start this hour, though, with uncertainty, delays as well as mounting frustration in the Middle East. A deal between Israel and Hamas to pause
the fighting in Gaza and bring hostages home is hanging in the balance. In Israel, a crucial cabinet vote on the deal has been pushed back to Friday,
and there are serious doubts about whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can get key members of his cabinet to approve the terms.
Hamas, meantime, says it is committed to the deal, even as Israel is accusing the group of changing its demands at the last minute. In Gaza,
millions of people, of Palestinians are anxiously awaiting. Some say they've just had enough. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Enough with what happened to us. Enough with martyrs who are gone. Enough is enough. It is better to go back
to our homes and sit on the rubble. This is better for us. It is easier for us instead of having martyrs every day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, as delays grow, so does the death toll in Gaza. At least, 83 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the deal was
announced a little more than 24 hours ago. Israeli protests, meantime, are gathering in Tel Aviv. This is what we've been seeing in the past 24 hours,
demanding Benjamin Netanyahu bring all the hostages home. And one father says he's dreaming of the moment his son walks through that door.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JONATHAN DEKEL-CHEN, FATHER OF SAGUI DEKEL-CHEN: I've held this same image in my mind since October 8th of 2023, which is Sagui walking into a room
somewhere or down a hallway, and I hope on his own two feet and his now three little girls will run and leap into his arms.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: And what a moment. And it's also a moment families of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who will be released in exchange have also, of
course, been dreaming of. So, what exactly, you ask, is in the ceasefire and hostage deal? We're going to break it down for you. Phase one basically
includes a pause in the fighting in Gaza, during which Hamas will release 33 hostages.
That includes women, includes children, the sick, as well as the elderly. In exchange, Israel will release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli
jails. And during that six-week pause, Israel would withdraw its troops from population centers in Gaza, across Gaza that we've seen. But we'll
maintain really a buffer zone along the border, in particular the area you're seeing here.
And this is the Philadelphia corridor, this red line here. Palestinians are expected to be allowed to return to their homes across Gaza, including
moving up to the north. For many, of course, it will be a long as well as difficult journey through demolished cities. You can see along ruined
roads.
And as one Gaza guest told me yesterday on this program, how are you going to do this through this devastation? And the deal, of course, in Gaza has
many detractors. This was the scene during today's final briefing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Respect the process. Respect this process while everybody, everybody from the -- from Amnesty International, from Amnesty
International to the United States --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: He was interrupted by two pro-Palestinian protest supporters as well as independent journalists who were also escorted out after yelling
about the U.S. support for Israel. Blinken went on to discuss the complexity of the ceasefire negotiation. This was his response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONY BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE, UNITED STATES: It's not exactly surprising that in a process, in a negotiation that has been this
challenging and this fraught, you may get a loose end. We're tying up that loose-end as we speak.
[14:05:00]
I'm very confident that we -- this is moving forward, and we'll see the start of implementation of the agreement on Sunday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's go to our Alex Marquardt who joins us from Washington. Alex, we will speak about that press conference, very lively certainly in just a
moment. But can I ask you in terms of what you are hearing from the Biden administration about this ceasefire deal. What do they say is holding it
up?
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: We're still hearing confidence, Isa. There doesn't appear to be too much nervousness
that this is going to fall apart. What we've been hearing from senior officials, both in public and behind the scenes is that these are
implementation issues. Obviously, this is not the situation that the Biden administration or the incoming Trump administration wanted to be in today.
Certainly both sides claiming yesterday that the ceasefire was in effect, as well as the Qataris and the Egyptians. For now, they still believe this
is going to start happening on Sunday. What does implementation mean? Well, there are so many moving parts to this. It's not just the hostages who are
going to start coming out. I was told earlier today, Isa, that it is three female hostages who are expected to be in the first group to be released on
Sunday.
You have those Palestinian prisoners who are being released. Where do they go? Who are they exactly? You have the aid going in. You have people in
Gaza going back to their homes. So, there are all these moving parts that clearly they are still working on figuring out at least some of them. But
there is confidence here, Isa, that this is going to happen.
The other thing that they're -- that they -- most are agreeing on is that this was a joint effort between the Biden administration and the incoming
Trump administration, that certainly this was a framework that Biden put forward eight months ago as his team that did the vast majority of the
hard-work to get to this point.
But they weren't able to get to the finish line. A lot has happened in the past eight months that has put a lot more pressure on the parties. But no
doubt, Isa, the election of Donald Trump did change things. It put more pressure on the parties and it certainly got the negotiations to a place
where this is now expected to go into effect on the last full day of the Biden administration.
But it is Trump, of course, who is going to have to oversee not just this phase one, but the negotiations to get to the next phase and the end of the
war, Isa.
SOARES: Yes, we certainly saw them, both sides take credit for that. Let's talk about Secretary of State Antony Blinken there. We played a clip there.
It was certainly a lively presser. He was interrupted several times, I think I counted 3 or 4 times. That speaks really, Alex, to the anger, the
disappointment, the frustration over this administration's policy here on Gaza.
How does he answer some of this criticism? How does this administration -- how does Secretary Blinken think they have fared in this? Is a complex
answer I'm sure.
MARQUARDT: It is a complex answer. It is one that he tried to answer and said that should be questioned and should be talked about for some time to
come. He said that many argued that they did too little to restrict Israel. Others argue that there is too much done to restrict Israel. He said not to
necessarily blame an individual like Prime Minister Netanyahu or a small group of individuals.
When the Israeli response was essentially supported by what he called an overwhelming part of the Israeli population, he talked about the need to
understand the Palestinian trauma, the need to understand all the different dynamics between Israel, Hamas and of course, just regular Palestinians in
Gaza.
So, he certainly didn't make any apologies for the way that they -- that they conducted their administration and their policies. But you're
absolutely right. That was a remarkable moment. We are used to seeing this kind of anger bubble up in much more public settings. He gave a speech a
couple of days ago at the Atlantic Council.
We saw some protesters there. We see it all the time in Congress, because that's much more of an open setting where pretty much anybody can go. But
what you're looking at there is the State Department press room, which is very restricted. It's not easy to get into the State Department. Certainly,
those in the press room are expected to be accredited journalists.
And I think it speaks to the amount of accreditation that the number of people who are given a chance to go into the State Department to ask
questions of these State Department officials. But certainly, this was a much more raucous and contentious and dramatic final press conference for
Secretary Blinken than we were expecting.
SOARES: It certainly was. Thank you very much, Alex Marquardt there. And as we mentioned, we're going to put the politics aside for a moment because
as we mentioned, phase one of the deal means Hamas is set to release 33 hostages. Let's focus on the people here, and that includes women,
children, the sick, as well as the elderly.
A group representing hostage families issued a statement expressing overwhelming joy and relief at the deal after 15, of course, grueling
months, some hostages could soon be reunited with loved ones, though it is still unclear who will come home over the coming six weeks.
[14:10:00]
My colleague Bianna Golodryga, co-anchor of "ONE WORLD" here on CNN joins us now from Tel Aviv with reactions from the families. And Bianna, we'll
talk about the reactions from the family in just a moment. But you're in Tel Aviv. Just I wonder if you could explain to our viewers around the
world what is your understanding over the delay over this ceasefire deal? What is the hurdle here?
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN SENIOR GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: So, it depends on who you ask, Isa, as we've been reporting, the Prime Minister's office says
that Hamas has reneged on parts of this deal. Hamas has publicly for their side said that, that is not the case. So, whoever you want to believe, one
could argue, given the politics of this, both sides have something to gain by drawing this out and really putting up a fight given the opposition that
they are facing currently from within the Netanyahu government and far- right elements of his coalition.
And Hamas finally agreeing to this deal as well. That having been said, the cabinet will be voting tomorrow, assuming that they'll be meeting and
voting, that means that they will likely approve this deal. So, about 24 hours later than expected, it does seem as if the ceasefire-hostage deal,
as has been agreed to, will go into place Sunday.
And that's where you said the 33 hostages in phase one will start to be released over the course of six weeks. A substantial more number of trucks
will be going in with aid to provide to those in Gaza who are desperately in need of it as well as a pause in the fighting 16 days later, give or
take is when the resumption of negotiations would begin to phase two, and that is the release of the remaining hostages.
The hostages who remain alive, of course, and Israel has publicly said that about 25 or 30 of the hostages, they believe from their Intelligence are
dead, though they sadly think that number is significantly higher. And Isa, it is much more than just about numbers, though these are families. These
are all lives at stake that have been through hell and back over the past 15 months.
In this first phase of the deal, as you noted, would include the release of women, children, men over the age of 50, and those who are seriously
wounded or ill. And among those women would be the five IDF female soldiers there. The spotters who had just started their IDF service which is
mandatory here in Israel.
And I spoke with the cousin of Agam Berger, 20 years old, this was in October 7th, was the start of her military service, and her cousin spoke to
me about as we talked yesterday about this mixed sense here in Israel, both relieved to see some of these hostages come home. And obviously, knowing
how difficult this decision was, this agreement is and concern about the remaining hostages there in Gaza.
So, it's not a celebratory mood. It's not Sunday yet either, but there is this notion that at least we will start to see some of these hostages come
home. And I asked Agam's cousin how she's feeling about this moment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASHLEY WAXMAN BAKSHI, COUSIN OF HOSTAGE AGAM BERGER: She's a beautiful young girl who's been 15 months in the hands of people that we know
committed the worst atrocities against women in one day. We know what they did on October 7th. We also know from released hostages who came home what
they did to hostages in captivity.
That's the biggest fear, the physical aspect of it, and I don't need to go into detail. I think everyone who is watching understands what that fear
means, but more importantly, the mental and emotional aspect of what kind of trauma something like that can do to a young girl who is 20 years old,
who has her whole life ahead of her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: And Isa, the families of those five IDF soldiers earlier this year agreed to release some very difficult and painful video that the IDF
had obtained from GoPros on Hamas terrorists that day on October 7th. We played them for our viewers as well, and you saw them bloodied, hands tied,
yelled at, just really frightened about what occurred that day, and this was right as they were kidnapped among many of their colleagues who had
been killed.
And the family said it was important for them to release this video for the world to see, to put more pressure on Hamas and to put more pressure on
their own government, because as we've noted, Isa, this is a deal that was on the table months ago --
SOARES: Yes --
[14:15:00]
GOLODRYGA: Months ago, that was not agreed to by this government. And since then, six hostages had been killed. And so, yes, families are
relieved that it looks like some of these hostages will be coming home. But there is this question that looms above, that is, why couldn't we get to
this deal much --
SOARES: Yes --
GOLODRYGA: Sooner?
SOARES: So many lives on both sides, Bianna, could have been spared if this bill had been signed in the Spring as we heard President Biden
mentioned this time yesterday. My colleague Bianna Golodryga and her team, thank you very much, Bianna. Well, my next guest is the co-founder and
director of Forward Thinking and was involved in negotiations that led to the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit back in 2011.
Oliver McTernan joins us now from London. Oliver, really appreciate you taking your time to speak to us here on the show. Let me start with where
we are really at this juncture and on ceasefire deal. Ceasefires, I understand, are inherently fragile. But you know, yesterday, we saw
President Biden, Prime Minister of Qatar and President-elect Trump basically come out and say, there's a deal.
Today, that seems to be in limbo, Israel blaming Hamas, saying it wants last-minute concessions. Hamas says it's committed to its part. What do you
make of what the hold-up may be here?
OLIVER MCTERNAN, CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, FORWARD THINKING: Well, I think I would suspect it is with Prime Minister Netanyahu, because right at the
start of this war, remember he set two objectives. One was to oversee the complete demise of Hamas, and the second was to negotiate the release of
the hostages.
Now, I felt those were two totally incompatible objectives. He hasn't yet set aside his first objectives. So, I think there has been a conflicted
process all along. I have no doubt -- I think the agreement will or the deal will go through in time for the inauguration of President Trump.
Because I think Netanyahu will want to give it to President Trump as a gift for the new President, as it were.
But it's sad that in the meantime, the families of the hostages, the hostages --
SOARES: Yes --
MCTERNAN: Themselves have had to suffer more anxiety. And the 2.3 million people in Gaza have been living through a daily nightmare. And as you said
earlier in the report, it could all have been solved six months ago.
SOARES: Yes, and that is the frustration for so many, of course, on both sides. From your perspective, Oliver, you know, you've dealt with these
negotiations -- I suppose the question that I have and that my team had earlier today when we were all meeting was, how do you make something like
this happen?
You know, how could you make -- have made this happen six months ago when there is so -- there is a lack of trust -- distrust, I should say, between
both sides, that when both sides are really trying to maximize the political position.
MCTERNAN: It's challenging, but it's possible. I don't think deals are necessarily built on trust. I think --
SOARES: Yes --
MCTERNAN: They're transactional and people make judgments in sense of their interests. And it's not saying, oh, I've suddenly changed my mind
about you. I now trust you. In this particular case, I think it must have been impossible almost for the negotiators, because there, everything was
done in the glare of the media.
Now, that's not a criticism of the media. It's a criticism of the way it was set up, this whole process. Initially, the deal was done behind closed
doors. It went on for years without anyone even knowing it was happening. And there was no media coverage except when the family felt frustrated and
went to the media.
But the actual -- what was happening in the room, what was happening between the parties, there was no release of that at all until it was
announced that Gilad was being released. So, I think the -- it's unfortunate what we've witnessed over the past 15 months.
SOARES: Let's then talk about this three phase deal and really the implementation to start off with. I mean, I understand 16 days into that
first phase, right? Into the 42 days, they can start talking about the second phase. I mean, why wait 16 days was my first thought. I mean, many
hostage families, as you heard there from my colleague Bianna Golodryga, they are worried that phase one may not --
MCTERNAN: Yes --
SOARES: Necessarily lead to phase two. So, why not -- why wait?
MCTERNAN: And they have good reason given what happened last November.
SOARES: Yes --
MCTERNAN: You know, when we had hope that the process could be ended, it suddenly fell apart. And I can understand their anxiety. Why wait at all? I
think the ceasefire should have been called yesterday, and we should start with stage three.
[14:20:00]
It should be full and permanent. I think this drawn-out stage is fraught with risks, and the biggest risk I see are the spoilers. There will be
spoilers in Gaza, who in the past 15 months have made a lot of money through their activities of raiding food and selling it at high prices. And
there will be spoilers, I think within the IDF, who are --
SOARES: Yes --
MCTERNAN: Ideologically -- some of them, opposed to this deal, and would want to see Gaza actually become a settlement of Israel.
SOARES: Yes, and on that point, of course, many people wanting to spoil the agreement, particularly in the Netanyahu camp, I'm thinking of the far
right here. We heard Bezalel Smotrich, who is the far-right Finance Minister say that he will remain in government and won't collapse the
government if Israel returns to the war after the first phase.
So, I mean, like that's really much pointing to the -- one of the big risks for the ceasefire even going past the first phase.
MCTERNAN: This is a time when I think Prime Minister Netanyahu has to learn to lead this constituency, not be led by them. And that is the only
way you will get the grounds --
SOARES: Yes --
MCTERNAN: For a lasting peace. But I think what we don't need now is a repeat of Oslo. Oslo, I think, was a total failure and October the 7th was
a symptom of that. I think what we need now is a determination, and I hope President Trump will bring this to the table, a determination to address
the core issue.
And the core issue is the ongoing occupation. I think as long as that lasts, as long as there isn't a Palestinian state, my fear is, there will
never be security in the region for either of the people, the Palestinians or the Israelis. It's in everyone's interests now --
SOARES: Yes --
MCTERNAN: I think, to see this as an opportunity to deal with the core problem.
SOARES: His inauguration is on Monday. We shall see. Oliver McTernan, really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us. Thank you, sir.
MCTERNAN: Thank you.
SOARES: Finally, I can cry tears for all we have lost. Tears for the trauma that haunts our children. UNICEF's global spokesperson says he
received those words from a friend in Gaza just after the ceasefire deal was announced. Jim Zelda will be joining us ahead on the show to talk about
what a truce means for the people of Gaza and the enormous challenges, of course, that still lie ahead.
That's in roughly ten minutes or so right here on the show. Still to come tonight, President Joe Biden saying goodbye after more than 50 years in
public office. His emotional farewell, including words of caution about the dangers he thinks are lurking on the country's horizon. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:25:00]
SOARES: Let me take you to Jerusalem. Israeli far-right policeman -- policy Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is speaking. Let's have a listen.
ITAMAR BEN-GVIR, MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY, ISRAEL (through translator): What we wanted as far as we're concerned, we will return. I
call upon the parties of the Zionut to do what you said that you would over the past year, and even now, Avi Dichter has said this is a disaster to
give the Philadelphi Corridor back. Keep your promises. The release of the hostages will take place even with us. We want to do everything we can, but
this deal multiplies the motivation of Hamas.
This deal teaches them that they can take hostage and attack, and at the end of the day, they can get what they want. As for the hostages, there has
to be another way. We have to end the humanitarian aid, only give humanitarian aid against hostages. Stop giving them petrol.
Giving petrol to your enemies during war? What kind of country gives petrol in these circumstances? Hamas has to release our hostages. And this is a --
at this time now, I call upon the Prime Minister and I've told him to think -- do not put us back, prevent this terrible deal, and have a deal which
will really bring to the release of our hostages and a success in this war. The decision from the cabinet and from the government, Otzma Yehudit will
not follow Netanyahu.
We'll allow him to continue being the Prime Minister. But we won't be part of the -- of this government, which will allow a deal and will give a prize
to terror, prize to Hamas, and will bring upon us more hard days. Hamas will renew itself, as I've said this to the Prime Minister as a strong
entity. Thank you.
SOARES: You have been listening there to Itamar Ben-Gvir; a far-right Minister within Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition, a man who in the last
really 24 hours has threatened to resign, has threatened to scuttle the deal, and obviously a resignation could put in jeopardy Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition.
And he said today that this deal is a disaster. He was -- he also spoke, as we heard at the beginning, talking about the Philadelphi Corridor and the
importance of keeping that corridor. He said this deal teaches -- shows that Hamas can get what they want. This deal teaches Hamas they can attack
and take hostage, and they'll still get something in return.
And they started saying Hamas needs to release their -- needs to release the hostages, and then questioning why providing them with petrol and
talking about aid as well. But putting a message -- putting the message very much to Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that this is a terrible deal
and telling Prime Minister Netanyahu, telling the nation that he will resign if this agreement goes through.
So, something that he threatened to do 24 hours ago, saying he will deal -- we've had other members, Bezalel Smotrich also of Prime Minister
Netanyahu's coalition, saying he was against this deal but didn't go as far as saying that he will resign. But this is the first member of Prime
Minister Netanyahu's coalition threatening to resign if this deal goes ahead.
Remember, the ceasefire deal was agreed yesterday We heard it from the Qatari prime minister. We heard it from the U.S. We also heard it from
Israelis. We're expecting for it to start -- kickstart really on Sunday, but already, you can see how fraught it is politically. But also, the
anxiety for the hostages, for the families, and also for the people of Gaza after 15 months of bombardment. We'll stay across this story.
Still to come though, a struggle for survival. We'll talk with a UNICEF spokesperson about the dire situation in Gaza as the clock ticks down to a
ceasefire deal. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Back now to our top story. According to an Israeli official, the Israeli cabinet is now expected to vote Friday on a long-awaited ceasefire
as well as hostage deal with Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accusing Hamas of reneging on part of the agreement. But Hamas says it
stands by the deal that was brokered by Qatar -- brokered in Qatar, I should say, pardon me. U.S. officials say they expect it will be
implemented on Sunday as planned.
The deal calls for Hamas to release 33 hostages in the first phase of the truce, while Israel would release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
[14:35:00]
The deal also paves the way for a surge really desperately need a humanitarian aid for Gaza. Most Palestinians have been displaced multiple
times, facing a threat of starvation, thirst, and the spread of disease. Some of them not even facing the threat, they are facing it.
So, much rebuilding will need to happen as the vast majority of homes, schools, and hospitals have been destroyed. But for now, the people of Gaza
are just trying to make it to the ceasefire alive.
The charity, Medical Aid for Palestinians, says every minute before the truce is a potential death. And indeed, Gaza's civil defense says at least
83 people were killed after the deal was announced Wednesday, and that includes 23 children. Listen to how one father of four describes his fears.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOEEN KHODR, DISPLACED FATHER IN GAZA (through translator): We hope that the remaining hours before the truce comes into effect. God willing, we
don't lose loved ones during these hours. We don't lose someone dear to us again and we aren't harmed by this crazy war. While I'm talking to you, you
can hear the fire from all sides.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, it is hard to imagine what some families are going through celebrating the news of a ceasefire at one moment only to have loved ones
killed four hours later in the dark, of course, of night. Paula Hancocks has more. And I do want to warn you her report is very disturbing and
contains graphic scenes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Celebration erupted in Gaza as word spread that a ceasefire had been agreed and that the guns
would fall silent.
They are not silent yet. Dozens have been killed in Israeli strikes since the announcement was made. Wake up this father says the war is over. Wake
up, Haller (ph). But the war is ending too late for his daughter. This intimate moment filmed just hours after leaders stood on stage announcing
the deal, and it's too late for many caught up in a barrage of Israeli air strikes.
This is truly a tragedy, a spokesperson of the Gaza Civil Defense says. The Israeli occupation does not want this blood waterfall to stop as bombing is
continuing until this moment.
When asked about an increase in airstrikes, the IDF says it is continuing to dismantle Hamas military capabilities. Bodies are offloaded at the Al-
Ahli Baptist Hospital, as well as the wounded children are once again among the victims a recurring theme of this bloody war.
We were sitting in our homes this man says, when F-16 jets struck us, bringing the house down on top of us. Around 15 people were killed. We're
waiting for the truce, hoping those who are missing and displaced will return.
Rescuers pull bodies and survivors from under the rubble of a home with their bare hands in one Gaza City neighborhood. The director of the Al-Ahli
Hospital accuses Israel of a, quote, "desperate attempt to cause as much harm as possible," warning the hours before the ceasefire take hold are,
quote, "expected to be violent and painful for the people of Gaza."
It would not be the first time we see an increase in violence in the hours and days before a ceasefire for the residents of Gaza, joy is mixed with
fear. But Sunday's truce is still a long way away.
Paula Hancocks, CNN, Abu Dhabi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Our thanks to Paula for that report. We're joined now by the global spokesperson for UNICEF, James Elder. James, great to see you, great
to have you back on the show, and hopefully we have some good news. We shall see on Sunday, of course, if this sticks because there is some
concern that this may be in limbo.
But first, your reaction to this. I mean, long overdue, no doubt. You and I have spoken on many occasions. Just your thoughts and fears at this hour.
JAMES ELDER, GLOBAL SPOKESPERSON, UNICEF: Yes, it's a long, long overdue. So, so many lives taken. And as you said, that violence, your correspondent
covered it so aptly, just such a level of violence over 15 months, such a level of suffering that didn't need to occur. Remember, this relentless
violence is also unprecedented in that you have people who cannot leave and that's been the situation.
We've seen that overnight again as someone -- I've spent the day on the phone to people, Isa, and as one friend in Gaza said to me, happy, not
happy. You know, we were so glad that the killing has stopped. And yet, you know, we have nothing left. We have nothing to go to.
Now, of course, as we've seen, the killing hasn't stopped. So, it is a very mixed feeling right now. But the sentiment from those in Gaza -- until the
latest attacks 12 hours ago, the sentiment was one of just joy. Give them a moment, this moment of respite that should have happened such a long time
ago.
[14:40:00]
We didn't need to see thousands of children killed. We didn't need to see children starting to die of hyperthermia and malnutrition. Hostages should
have been home a long time ago. And apparently, now, these long-suffering people are to wait another 36 hours, as that person warned, with more
violence potentially on the way, remembering that once it does end, it is just the very, very beginning for a population psychologically and
physically absolutely on their knees.
SOARES: Yes, especially when we know when we heard from President Biden that these are the contours of the deal that were on the table back in
spring, right? I spoke to one lady who had family in Gaza this time yesterday, James, and she was saying people are talking in the practical
things, right? OK. We can move to the north. How are we going to get there given the scale of the devastation?
You know, roads, no hospitals, schools, all the practical things that perhaps you and I just take for granted. And in a statement from UNICEF,
you know, says here, less than half of Gaza's 36 hospitals are functional, increasing the risk of infectious disease, outbreaks, water productions,
less than 25 percent capacity, nearly all of the territory, 2 million people, levels of -- facing levels of insecurity, and 95 percent of Gaza's
school buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
So, where do you start, James, as an NGO? Where do we begin here?
ELDER: It's a brilliant question. For UNICEF, you start with medicines. you start with fuel, because that's hospitals. That's so doctors can
operate with lights. You start with fuel, because that's desalination plants. That's water for population desperately short of clean water and
tents and blankets.
As I say, we are now, Isa, starting to see children die of hypothermia. So, you start with those things and you start with food, because we have a
nutritional crisis that's unprecedented in terms of the speed at which it's declined for families. But you also start by holding those with
responsibility here, the occupying power, Israel, and the other signature here, Hamas, by holding their feet to the fire and saying, we need full
access. We need multiple entry points.
We've always said from day one, the most efficient way, the quickest way, the cheapest way to get lifesaving aid to people is through borders that
are land borders. So, they're all there. Half a dozen borders need to be opened. We need security on the ground for these humanitarian workers. We
need the rubble fixed. We need roads opened. So, we need all the things that we've worked against, Isa, for 14 months.
We need a little bit of truth. We need journalists on the ground to be perfectly honest so we don't have a he said, she said scenario. We need
foreign press to add to that very bold, brave voices of Palestinians. But we need the occupying authorities, Israel, to finally really, really open
up the doors for humanitarian aid, because, you know, this does not change with the stroke of a pen.
When you have a population that have been brought to their knees, when you have unprecedented child trauma, toxic child trauma, as a child
psychologist said to me, it will only worsen now that they go home and see their homes as rubble. We are in uncharted territory. So, we need basically
those signatories to this to operate in good faith. And we have not seen that. We have not seen empathy nor compassion for a long, long time.
SOARES: Yes, and not just Egypt talking about Israel here, getting those visas getting those and that access quickly, we're talking about the first
phase about 600 trucks a day. The security is a concern, has been a concern, has it not?
ELDER: Absolutely. A huge concern. And it's a concern because, you know, there is no security on the ground. And that's been -- that's a fault
again. The occupying authority has a responsibility to actually to provide aid, but that's fallen to the United Nations. But also, to ensure that that
aid can be safely delivered, that hasn't happened.
Again, if we have more routes -- if we're restricted to one route, it's very, very easy for criminal elements to take advantage of that. This is
not very complicated. If we're given four or five routes, that changes dramatically. Remembering as if you can flood the Gaza Strip with aid, as
we were able to do with food to ward off a famine, then you also are able to tackle some of the criminal elements.
But the last three months, Isa, 2024, just the last three months, basically, where we had the lowest amount of humanitarian trucks going in
since this war began. Now, that is a sign of that intent that we need to see a complete shift. 600 trucks a day would be a thousand percent increase
on where we are now.
So, again, on paper, good. United Nations partners. We need commercial suppliers to be able to join this. They're a critical element, as is UNRWA.
UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian aid. And we're looking at -- you know, as we hear that in February, UNRWA will not be operating. That cannot
be the case if we are finally, finally to be able to support the people of Gaza in a meaningful way.
[14:45:00]
SOARES: James Elder, as always, really appreciate your insight, James. Thank you very much.
ELDER: Thanks, Isa.
SOARES: And still to come right here on the show, we take you live to Los Angeles for the latest on efforts to contain those deadly wildfires there.
We'll have that story after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. Firefighters around Los Angeles can expect a reprieve in the strong winds, at least through the weekend. But officials
also have to be on guard for new blazes popping up, like this one in San Bernardino County. Police say they've made at least one arrest tied to the
Little Mountain blaze. Thousands of homes have been lost in the fires, and at least 25 people have been killed.
Authorities warn both the homes that have been destroyed and those still standing are not safe to go into. Toxic ash and chemicals in the area are
still posing serious health threats.
Joining us now from the site of the Eaton Fire in Altadena is CNN's Veronica Miracle. And, Veronica, I mean, it's the first time I think in
several days that we've had some positive news, right, that firefighters are getting an upper hand as these winds die down, but it's still risky for
a lot of people wanting to come back home.
VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, there's so many elements here. I mean, yes, the good news, the fire is 55 percent contained. It does feel
like firefighters are kind of now on the downslope of this blaze. But what happens next is the cleanup, the repair, the rebuilding. And as you
mentioned, so many people are anxious to get in, they're frustrated.
We're actually at a checkpoint here right outside of the evacuation zone. This is where the National Guard has been posted up all week, and we've
seen a lot of people coming by wanting to get in, just asking, why can't I go inside? And so, much of it has to do with safety concerns.
We went inside to go take a look and really, on every block you see utility workers fixing power poles that were damaged or destroyed. So, they're
trying to fix those power lines. They're trying to restore power for the homes that are still standing. And the EPA also saying that they're now
going in, they're sending personnel in here at the Eaton Fire and also at the Palisades Fire to begin the toxic cleanup.
All of that, removal of the debris, that sends toxic ash into the air. And so, there are many, many concerns. And even just walking around, there are
nails everywhere. It's just not safe at this moment. There's a lot of bulldozers. There's just a lot of equipment and people moving in and out.
But on the flip side of that, very interesting, is there are a lot of people inside who have not left. There is a little food truck there that
has been feeding some people. I don't know if you can see it, but I just spoke with them and they said they've been feeding about 300 to 500 people
who have not left. But when we spoke to some of those people who were inside, they're living inside without power, without water, without gas,
and they're managing. And they're saying that a lot -- some of their neighbors are slowly trickling out because they just can't handle staying
inside without any utilities.
[14:50:00]
So, it's a really mixed bag here. A lot of frustrations. But of course, a lot of emotions, as you can imagine. 7,000 structures just in this area
alone, damaged or destroyed. Isa.
SOARES: Veronica Miracle, thank you very much. As we look at those live pictures just now, as you were talking, truly charred properties of what
left behind and how precarious, of course, it still is. Veronica, appreciate it. Thank you very much. We are going to take a short break.
We're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: He was a filmmaker and artist so groundbreaking his name became an adjective. Lynchian, David Lynch, the surrealist director known for the
classics such as "Blue Velvet," "The Elephant Man," and "Twin Peaks" has died. He was 78 years old.
I want to bring in CNN's Lisa France with her latest. And, Lisa, he was, like we said, very much a dark visionary. Many people here on my team
remember very clearly "Twin Peaks." Just let's speak to the tributes that, I can imagine, are pouring in.
LISA FRANCE, CNN REPORTER: Yes, they are absolutely pouring in, Isa. People are so saddened by the loss of an icon, is the word I'm seeing being
thrown around a lot, because he changed television with "Twin Peaks" in a lot of ways.
People have described his work as, in some ways, almost indescribable. It's almost like a fever dream. He was able to take elements of horror and noir
and just come in life and meld them in such a way that had a lot of people saying, what did I just watch? But people really got into it. He was just a
really fascinating man.
And if you think about the fact that he started his career as a painter and a visual artist, it all makes sense. He just was a curious person clearly
who drew on his genius to really pull the audience in. And even sometimes if you didn't exactly know what you were watching, you knew what you were
watching was tremendous art on a level that a lot of filmmakers aspire to.
So, he was extremely influential and just so different. Like I said, the word icon is being thrown around by so many people, Isa, and rightfully so
I do believe, because when your name becomes an adjective, I think that speaks to your body of work.
SOARES: Indeed. And what a legacy that you've just outlined for us. Do we know any more from his family? I know he was 78 years old. But what are you
learning, Lisa?
[14:55:00]
FRANCE: Well, he did announce last summer that he had emphysema from years of smoking, and he said, as much as he enjoyed smoking, there was a price
to pay. And it's even sadder because when he made that announcement, he also said that even though he was homebound for fear of catching COVID, he
also said he never wanted to retire. He wanted to continue to be creative as long as he could. So, the world is truly mourning the loss of a great
visionary today.
SOARES: Lisa, appreciate it. Thank you very much indeed.
FRANCE: Thank you.
SOARES: Now, India has just achieved a major milestone beyond this world. It is now the fourth country to achieve unmanned space docking. That is a
huge accomplishment in space expertise. Two Indian spacecraft called Target and Chaser launched in late December. One docked with one another earlier
today. The maneuver was postponed twice earlier this month due to technical issues. Great seeing those images, isn't it?
And staying in space, excuse me, a big win for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin today in Florida. It successfully launched its New Glenn rocket
into orbit for the first time. And this is Blue Origin's first rocket strong enough to get satellites into orbit. And the milestone will likely
heat up competition, of course, you guessed it, with Elon Musk's SpaceX. As a bonus, Blue Origin also tried landing New Glenn's first stage booster on
a platform in the Atlantic. Well, that didn't work and the booster was lost. A successful landing would have allowed Blue Origin to refurbish and
reused the booster.
And a big spacewalk started just hours ago. Have a look at this. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams are conducting the mission,
completing upgrades to the International Space Station. Williams is one of the Boeing Starliner astronauts, as you may remember, who got stuck more
than seven months ago.
And that does it for us for tonight. Thanks very much for your company. Do stay right here. Newsroom with Jim Sciutto is up next. I shall see you
tomorrow. Have a wonderful day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
