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Hostage Videos Prompt Shock And Outrage Across Israel; Benjamin Netanyahu To Urge "Full Conquest" Of Gaza; Desperate Effort To Save Ukrainian Soldier From Russian Attack; E.U. Delays Countermeasures After Reaching Deal With U.S.; Texas Governor Orders Arrest of Democrats Who Fled State; U.S. State Department May Require Some Travelers to Submit Up to $15,000 Bond for Visa Applications; Fireworks Accident in Japan Sets Barges Ablaze; Florida Cop Loads Alligator Into Patrol Car With Bare Hands. Aired 2-2:45a ET

Aired August 05, 2025 - 02:00   ET

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

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[02:00:30]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world, and to everyone streaming us on CNN Max. I'm Rosemary Church.

Just ahead, Israel to consider expanding military operations in Gaza despite a growing number of hostages and Palestinians facing starvation. Also:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, they attached an electric bicycle to a drone like this.

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CHURCH: We go inside Ukraine where brutal Russian assaults are met with drone ingenuity and a daring escape for one soldier.

President Trump doubles down on his firing of an official in charge of jobs data.

And an alligator in the swimming pool. Police body cam captures a Florida officer just doing his job.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta. This is CNN NEWSROOM with Rosemary Church.

CHURCH: It is 9:00 in the morning in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to push for a, "Full conquest of Gaza" during a meeting of his security cabinet. That is, according to reporting from Israeli media that a source describes as accurate.

Now, this comes as Netanyahu faces protests and pressure to end the war, including from the families of hostages, who have warned against expanding a military campaign in Gaza.

But senior officials close to Netanyahu are saying, "The die is cast, and if the chief of staff does not agree, he should resign." A source says the defense establishment also opposes an expansion of ground operations in areas where hostages are believed to be held. Negotiations on a hostage and cease fire deal in Gaza have stalled, and Hamas is demanding the dire humanitarian situation in the Enclave be addressed before it returns to talks. The Israeli leader had this message on Monday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve all our war objectives, the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.

Later this week, I will convene the cabinet to instruct the IDF on how to achieve these three objectives, all of them without exception.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: International efforts to address Gaza's growing humanitarian crisis are expanding, with Canada now saying it air dropped more than 21,000 pounds of aid on Monday. The Canadian Armed Forces used its own aircraft to conduct the drop. Canada says humanitarian partners are facing severe challenges in delivering aid by land because of restrictions imposed by the Israeli government. They're calling it a violation of international law.

CNN footage from Central Gaza on Monday captured the desperation of hundreds of Palestinians as humanitarian aid is air dropped into the Enclave, the family of a nurse critical of such air drops says he was hit by an aid pallet and then killed after being caught in a crowd crush.

Well, videos released over the weekend showing two of the surviving hostages taken by Hamas are prompting shock and outrage across Israel.

CNN's Matthew Chance spoke to the brother of one of the hostages. But first, we must warn you, the report has some disturbing images.

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MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The fragile figure of Evyatar David, one of the surviving Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, now 24 years old and just skin and bone.

I haven't eaten for days, he says, in this latest Hamas propaganda video, crouched in a tunnel.

Not enough food and barely enough water. Look how thin I've become, he says.

CHANCE: And this here is your brother, right here. This is two photos of him.

ILAY DAVID, BROTHER OF EVYATAR DAVID: Yes.

CHANCE: Family members have approved use of the images released at the weekend. But his brother Ilay told me he could only bear to watch a few solitary frames.

DAVID: But that was a young, healthy man before he was abducted, even a bit chubby, and now he looks like a skeleton, a human skeleton buried alive. That's how it looks. And I don't exaggerate.

[02:05:05]

CHANCE: Do you think he's being starved because there is a shortage of food in Gaza, would you think he's being starved intentionally by his captors?

DAVID: I'm sure he is intentionally -- I'm sure he's intentionally, cynically being starved by his captors. We know that his captors have plenty of food. They haven't lost a pound, and they are doing the same to their own people, to the people of Gaza, they are starving them, although they have food.

CHANCE (voice over): Israeli television, the newly released videos of emaciated hostages held captive since October 7th, 2023 are provoking outrage amid calls for negotiations with Hamas to quickly restart, very quickly.

This is 22-year-old Rom Braslavsky, another Israeli hostage shown writhing in pain in his Gaza prison. There's barely anything to eat. I can't sleep. I can't live, he says. His own mother, who approved the release of these latest horrifying images, say her son's weak voice sounds like he's accepted he may never come out alive.

Now, hostage families are calling for renewed international pressure on Hamas, not just Israel, for the agony in Gaza to end.

DAVID: If they want the people of Gaza to starve, they'll do it, and they are the ones to blame, and we cannot -- we cannot blame only Israel for that. Hamas is holding all of us hostages right now, all of us, the people of Gaza as well and they need to be out of the picture.

CHANCE (voice over): What I'm doing now is digging my own grave, says Evyatar David, as he scrapes the dirt in his cramped tunnel. Every day, my body becomes weaker and weaker, he says. And time is running out.

Matthew Chance, CNN Jerusalem.

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CHURCH: CNN Political and Global Affairs Analyst Barak Ravid weighed in on Benjamin Netanyahu's plans in Gaza and why he appears to be leaning into expanding Israel's military operations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BARAK RAVID, CNN POLITICAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: I think Netanyahu is kind of stuck in a situation where the negotiation over the partial hostage deal went to into a stalemate. It failed, and now the only way forward is to go back to some expanded military action in Gaza, because at the moment, he's not interested in really cutting a deal that will end the war.

But on the other hand, the IDF tells them that any expanded military operation in Gaza now will be in areas where the IDF hasn't operated yet. And the reason it hasn't operated there is because there are hostages in those areas. And the IDF stressed several times to the cabinet that such an operation in those areas would likely lead to those hostages getting hurt. This is why it is such a hard decision. Netanyahu is at least trying to put out trial balloons that his direction is to go to this expanded military operation.

But as you said, as far as I know, a decision hasn't been made. The Security Cabinet will only convene on Thursday, and this is the body that is legally -- that has the legal authority to take such a decision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: A White House official says the Trump administration's foreign envoy will travel to Russia, Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive on Wednesday. That's two days before President Trump's deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make a peace deal with Ukraine or face more sanctions.

But Witkoff's diplomatic trip comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries.

On Friday, President Trump said he was ordering two U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarines to move to, "Appropriate regions." He blamed what he called foolish and inflammatory statements from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The Kremlin now says everyone should be extremely careful with nuclear rhetoric.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies are stepping up with more aid. The Netherlands says it will donate $578 million to provide U.S. sourced weapons to Ukraine. Dutch officials say the shipment will include Patriot missiles.

Russia's president claims his forces are gaining ground all along the front lines in Ukraine. It's not clear whether that's accurate, but what is true is that Ukrainian forces have not lost the will to fight or to live. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh brings us the story of the incredible rescue of an injured Ukrainian soldier pinned down by Russian attacks.

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NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This Russian assault brutal, even throwing land mines into the bunkers had left all three of his fellow soldiers dead in the trench next to him. and Andre, with his leg wounded, unable to run, thought like so many Ukrainian soldiers in tiny, isolated positions, pinned down by Russian drones that he was done.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I didn't think I would get out of there. Because I couldn't move. My leg was seriously injured. I could not walk.

WALSH (voice over): But back at his command bunker, watching on drones, they had an idea. Maybe Andri had the strength to cycle out. So, they attached an electric bicycle to a drone like this, moving it slowly, perilously in pieces to the front. It was dropped to Andri hole, and then, remarkably, he cycled out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I thought, do or die. Either I make it or I don't. I was just riding in one direction. If I make it, good. If I don't, so be it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Come on 'Tankist' speed up, speed up. As fast as you can, as fast as you can.

WALSH (voice over): The Ukrainians had tried to ensure the skies were free of Russian drones. But that wasn't enough, Andri hit a land mine. The drone operators' heart sank. Had it all come to nothing? But then, this tiny figure emerged, limping out of the smoke, somehow alive, walking on his bandage, leg visible.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It gazed my forehead a bit. The wheel and fork were torn apart. But I was fine. I just fell on my side. That's all.

WALSH (voice over): Greeted by a Ukrainian and helped into another bunker, where he had to wait two more days for rescue. Necessity is the mother of invention in Ukraine, but nothing can beat luck.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Kyiv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: The cost of fondue and raclette could soon skyrocket if painful U.S. tariffs take effect, we will look at what's being done ahead of the deadline and the wider impact of the trade war. Back with that and more in just a moment.

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[02:16:56]

CHURCH: Welcome back everyone. Donald Trump says he'll pick an exceptional replacement soon for the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner he fired on Friday. The U.S. president continues to claim, with no evidence, that last week's jobs report was rigged to favor Democrats.

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday that there were massive record setting revisions aimed at making what he calls a great Republican success look less stellar. Trump's top economic adviser says it's quite possible.

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KEVIN HASSETT, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL: They could be politically, politically manipulated because they're so un transparent.

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CHURCH: Many economists are pushing back on those claims, saying the job market is slowing and fewer Americans are responding to the surveys the Bureau uses to compile its reports.

New U.S. tariffs for dozens of countries are set to kick in on Thursday, meaning countries like Switzerland have just two days to negotiate before higher taxes on their exports to the U.S. take effect.

Switzerland, which is facing a steep 39 percent tariff, said it's changing tactics and trying to present a more attractive offer.

Meanwhile, after reaching a deal with the White House last week, the E.U. is delaying the retaliatory tariffs it intended to impose on the U.S. by six months. Those E.U. counter measures included levies on agricultural products, whiskey and appliances. European goods will still face a 15 percent tariff.

Dan Ives is a managing director and senior equity research analyst at Wedbush Securities. Great to have you with us.

DAN IVES, GLOBAL HEAD OF TECH RESEARCH, WEDBUSH SECURITIES: Great to be here.

CHURCH: So, President Trump's new tariffs go into effect this coming Thursday. What impact do you expect they'll have given the markets don't appear to be spooked by them just yet, if stocks on Monday were anything to go by?

IVES: Yes. Look, I think the market's also anticipating that these tariffs are not in pen and marker, they're in pencil and chalk, right? I mean, they could definitely change.

But I think, you know, off the bat, in terms of the copper and steel tariffs, that's really front and center. I think that's something that you're going to see real impacts, and you're seeing, you know, come as a GM, Ford and others talk about that in terms of the price increases, and look, you're going to start to see price increases for consumers. It's essentially a tax for consumers, and that's happening globally.

CHURCH: Right. So, President Trump says the U.S. is going to make a lot of money on the back of these new tariffs, but some economic analysis suggests that tariffs could become addictive and perhaps even risky if the U.S. economy starts to rely on that money. What do you say to that?

IVES: Look, tariffs are essentially a tax on the consumer. I mean, the consumers ultimately is paying for it, and it's a headwind for businesses. And I think that's -- it's a slippery slope when you go down, especially you go from, you know, call it a 3.4 percent tariff rate to now it's going to be 18 percent, that's the danger, especially for the U.S. consumer.

[02:20:15]

CHURCH: And Dan, you mentioned Main Street. So far, consumers haven't felt the full impact of these tariffs, but that will likely change, of course, after these new tariffs go into effect, how will these new tariffs likely impact consumers, and when will they start to feel the economic pain? Because presumably that will be trickling down.

IVES: Yes, it's going to trickle down and you'll start to see that in August in terms of the price increases. I mean, first, from an e- commerce perspective, you'll see it on Amazon, through some of the sours, you'll see it in the stores. And then it will increase as it goes into September and October, especially as some of these shipments, as they hit U.S. ports and the tariffs actually hit.

Look, there's no way around it. That's ultimately where it's really heading for consumers and businesses are going to have to absorb it as well, and that's the concern, especially given the economic impact.

CHURCH: And how bad do you think it would be? I mean, what's your assessment if you were talking to the average American citizen, what would you say to them about what you're going to be up for in the year ahead?

IVES: Look, I think it depends what, right, when it comes to whether it's sneakers, whether it's, you know, buying clothes, you know, whether it's some of the bigger ticket items, but you're going to see legit increases.

And I think it's something where OK could be, could be viewed as a one time increase, a 357 percent increase, but that's real increase that a lot of consumers don't have to -- the money to spend. And I think that's the worry here when you go down these routes with tariffs, it doesn't seem real so you're actually paying for it.

CHURCH: Yes, exactly. And of course, on another issue, Dan, what are the economic consequences of President Trump without evidence, calling Friday's jobs data rigged and firing the person in charge of those jobs numbers because the president doesn't like the results, and reportedly because she was a Biden appointee?

IVES: Well, you don't fire the messenger, right? I mean, that's the reality. I mean, the inflation numbers, when they were good, they were ultimately held positive, right?

And I think, look, it's a dangerous slope, because you need statistics that you ultimately trust, but when it makes it more and more political, I think that's something the market and economists don't want to see, because these stats have always been trusted. And you know, you don't want this to become political grandstanding, and I think that's the nervousness of it. CHURCH: Dan Ives, thanks so much for joining us. Appreciate it.

IVES: Thank you.

CHURCH: Tesla is giving CEO Elon Musk a pay package worth $29 billion. Musk will receive 96 million Tesla shares, currently worth more than $300 each, but he will only have to pay about $23.00 per share. That was the purchase price offered in his 2018 pay package, which was struck down by a Delaware court. Musk is still appealing that ruling. Tesla says Musk has not received meaningful compensation for eight years and is owed a big pay day. He promised back in May to focus full time on his companies after delving into politics.

Just ahead, fleeing lawmakers arrest warrants and a redistricting battle in Texas that could determine who controls half of the U.S. Congress next year, we'll take a look at that.

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[02:28:19]

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers have fled the U.S. state of Texas to block a controversial Republican plan to redraw congressional districts to gain as many as five U.S. House seats in next year's midterm elections. Monday's vote could not be held because not enough lawmakers were present.

Angry Republican leaders are now threatening to arrest, investigate and fine the Democrats, it's not clear how long they can hold out. The Texas governor lashed out at them earlier, threatening to remove them from the state legislature. He also mocked their strategy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. GREG ABBOTT (R-TX): To run to states like New York and Illinois to protest redistricting. It's kind of like running to Wisconsin to protest cheese. It's just kind of outrageous. Those are New York and Illinois, two hallmark states. They've already done redistricting to eliminate Republicans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Now, that allegation is unproven, but the governors of powerful democratic run states seem to think more can be done, and they are plotting retribution.

Here you can see how the redistricting could also help Republicans in presidential elections. On the right, you see Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris with three fewer votes had the 2024 election been held under the redrawn lines.

Well, the stakes are extremely high. Republicans currently hold a very slim majority in the U.S. House, and a blue wave in the midterms could stymie President Trump's agenda.

CNN's Ed Lavandera explains. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Texas Democrats left the House chamber relatively empty in the state capitol. 56 Democrats did not show up in business ground to a halt.

[02:30:00]

DUSTIN BURROWS, TEXAS HOUSE SPEAKER: Members, a quorum is not present.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Democrats fled the state in a last ditch attempt to sabotage Republican plans to add five GOP seats ahead of the midterm elections.

BURROWS: They've left the state, abandoned their posts, and turned their backs on the constituents they swore to represent.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): The Texas House Speaker then issued civil arrest warrants to be issued for representatives who were not present at the special session, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Department of Public Safety to return them to the House chamber. On Sunday, the state representatives flew to places like Chicago, New York, and Boston. We spoke with Rep. Mihaela Plesa just after she landed in New York.

LAVANDERA: What is the ultimate goal here with leaving?

REP. MIHAELA PLESA, (D-TX): It really is the nuclear option to stop democracy crumbling in the United States.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Some Democrats say the redistricting is a rigged power grab that has been orchestrated by Republicans with the support of President Donald Trump.

GOV. KATHY HOCHUL, (D) NEW YORK: We are at war and that's why the gloves are off and I say, bring it on.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): It's a war that Democrats say began with moving lines on a Texas map.

PLESA: Redistricting should be about representation, but what's happening here is map manipulation.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Redistricting is normally done every 10 years and it's tied to U.S. census results. But for Republicans who want to hold onto the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, the stakes couldn't be higher.

LAVANDERA: And the Texas governor is threatening to unseat Democrats who left the state saying that they need to return to the capital and the House chamber. And the Governor also went on to say that there is nothing illegal about gerrymandering.

GOV. GREG ABBOTT, (R) TEXAS: And I believe they have forfeited their seats in the state legislature because they're not doing the job they were elected to do.

REP. LIZZIE FLETCHER, (D-TX): The idea that a governor of Texas could remove all the sitting legislators of one party, that should shock every American.

LAVANDERA: The Democrats who left the state also face a $500 fine for every day of the session that they miss. And the Texas governor is also threatening these lawmakers with criminal charges of bribery, if they accept donations to cover those fines.

REP. GENE WU, (D-TX): The $500, whatever they're going to fine us, that is nothing compared to the pain that the American people have felt and the people of Texas have felt.

LAVANDERA: Are you concerned that this could backfire on you guys, that there could be political backlash?

PLESA: I think that democracy is something worth fighting for. We were elected to represent the constituencies of Texans, not of Donald Trump.

LAVANDERA: Texas Democrats face a $500 fine for every day they miss as part of this legislative process. And the Texas governor is also threatening these lawmakers with criminal charges of bribery if they accept donations to cover the cost of the fines or any of the travel expenses to flee the state.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Austin, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWSROOM": An unexpected passenger in the back of a police car, see how one Florida officer wrangled an alligator with his bare hands and even buckled it in for the ride. We'll take a look.

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[02:37:46]

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, people looking to travel to the U.S. for business or tourism could soon face a new challenge. The State Department is proposing that some visa applicants meet new requirements to enter the country. It's starting a year-long pilot program to protect the U.S. government from financial liability if visitors don't comply with the terms of their visas. The program would require some travelers to post a bond of between $5,000 and $15,000.

It would apply to applicants looking for both business and tourist visas, and focus on travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates or deficient document security. The State Department says the program would take effect within 15 days of its formal publication. The bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program.

One worker was injured in a fireworks show gone wrong in Japan. Officials say fireworks hit two launch barges during a festival in Yokohama on Monday setting them ablaze. Five workers jumped into the sea and had to be rescued, one suffered minor injuries. The event organizer told police the fireworks launch system went out of control during the show. Authorities are investigating the incident.

Well, it's not your typical video captured on a police body cam, just take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got you. You're fine. Calm now. You are super mad (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not allowed to tape.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: A police officer in Florida removes an alligator with his bare hands. The sheriff's office says he relocated the animal to a nearby pond, but not before he buckles up the gator because, of course, safety comes first. The officer was responding to a residential call in northern Florida when he plucked the unexpected guest from a backyard pool. He managed to take hold of the gator unfazed, as one of the residents could be heard saying. Obviously, you grew up here. Of course, he did.

[02:40:00]

CHURCH: Well, thanks so much for joining us. I'm Rosemary Church. "World Sport" is coming up next. Then, I'll be back at the top of the hour with more "CNN Newsroom." Do stay with us.

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