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Netanyahu Accepts Trump's Gaza Plan, Hamas Yet To Respond; Zelenskyy Proposes Joint Defense Shield With European Allies; Cuba Pledges Full Support For Venezuela; Activist On Aid Flotilla Headed To Gaza Speaks Out; Bad Bunny To Headline Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. Aired 12-12:45a ET

Aired September 30, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

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PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: Hello, and a very warm welcome. I'm Paula Newton.

Ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu agree to a new peace plan for Gaza. Netanyahu tells Hamas to accept it or Israel will, quote, "finish the job." And as tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela continue to simmer, a key Caribbean nation says they will stand with Nicolas Maduro. Plus, superstar Bad Bunny will take the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show. While U.S. immigration policy might steal the spotlight.

ANNOUNCER: Live from New York, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Paula Newton.

NEWTON: So U.S. President Donald Trump says he's close to a peace agreement that will end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all the hostages. Now, the Israeli prime minister says he has agreed to the 20-point peace plan and the clock is already ticking for a sign off from Hamas as the proposal calls for the release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours of Israel accepting that agreement. Benjamin Netanyahu warned of dire consequences if Hamas rejects the plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it, and then, then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way. But it will be done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Meantime, Qatar says Israel apologized for its attack on Doha during a phone call with President Trump. Qatar's prime minister says his country is still willing to continue engaging in efforts to reach an end to the war in Gaza.

CNN's Jeremy Diamond has more now from Jerusalem.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: President Trump announcing a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of the hostages, and the Israeli prime minister standing alongside him at the White House signing on to this proposal. The question now, whether or not Hamas will accept.

Now, this new proposal from the United States really goes beyond the kind of traditional framework of ceasefire and hostage release deals that we have seen in the past because it offers two pathways, one in which Hamas accepts this proposal and one in which it doesn't, but both pathways here talk about ultimately ending the war in Gaza and critically seeing Israel withdraw from territory in Gaza and handing it over to an international security force.

This is the first time that we have seen Israel publicly sign on to any plan that would see it withdraw from parts of Gaza and hand over that territory to another force. These are ideas that have been discussed for much of this war, but always behind closed doors, always in hushed tones. And so, to see Israel signing on to a plan like this is quite remarkable in and of itself.

Now, there are some caveats to that, one of which is that there is no real timeline here for how that withdrawal would actually take place in the event that Hamas rejects this proposal. But let's first talk about the scenario where Hamas does accept this proposal. Within 72 hours of Israel accepting this agreement, meaning the clock is already ticking here, Hamas would have to release all 48 hostages it is holding, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

In exchange for that, Israel would withdraw to an agreed upon line inside of Gaza and release some Palestinian prisoners, although it appears that it would have to release fewer Palestinian prisoners than were discussed in the latest round of ceasefire and hostage negotiations. If that happens, there would then be this transitional body that would be established inside of Gaza to govern Gaza and an international security force that would gradually begin taking over territory from the Israeli military.

But if Hamas refuses, the United States is going to be giving Israel the green light to carry out a full scale Israeli military offensive in Gaza to completely destroy Hamas, something that has already been a very difficult objective for Israel to actually achieve. But even if Israel moves forward with that military offensive, this plan calls for Israel to gradually hand over territory that it has conquered, cleared of Hamas militants to this transitional authority, to this international security force.

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And that is what's so notable here. But there is still one major question mark over this proposal, and that is that aside from the scenario in which Hamas agrees to this proposal and releases the 48 hostages within 72 hours, without that, there's nothing in this agreement that says how those hostages get released, how they get freed if Hamas rejects this proposal, and that will certainly be a question that the families of those hostages will have if Hamas rejects this proposal.

Now, I am told that Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's intelligence chief presented this proposal in person to Hamas's negotiators on Monday evening. Hamas said that they would look over the proposal and provide a response, but the clock is already ticking here, and we can see in this proposal that there are already several elements, such as Hamas being required to disarm, that have been redlines for the militant group and several other elements of this proposal that will be very, very bitter pills for Hamas to swallow.

So very uncertain whether this is a proposal that Hamas could accept, whether that 72-hour timeline will be enough time to actually work through all of these issues, and whether potentially it could get extended. But certainly a major moment here in the Middle East, with Israel signing on board to this U.S. proposal and now awaiting Hamas's response.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Joining us now is Andrew P. Miller. He is former deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli-Palestinian affairs. And he joins us now.

I want to ask you, the way you see it, what do you believe would be the key accomplishment of this deal? And this is my caveat here. If Hamas rejects it, because in the points here it does seem that even, and I'm using the words from the agreement here that even if Hamas delays or rejects the proposal that aid would start up again in Gaza regardless.

ANDREW MILLER, FORMER DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ISRAELI- PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS: I'm very skeptical of that -- of that claim. It may be a sincere intention on the part of the Trump administration, but given the Israeli government's actions in distributing aid to Gaza over the last two years, I find it hard to believe that they would be able to sustain higher levels of aid over an extended period of time that they would be willing to do so.

If Hamas doesn't accept this agreement, in effect, will be viewed as an endorsement or as a permission slip to the Israeli government to continue with their military campaign. And it may not be limited to Gaza City. They've referred to the Gaza City campaign as the last redoubt of Hamas. But we've seen this time and again over the last two years, Hamas just pops its head up and then moves to another part. So we could very easily see the IDF resuming operations in other parts of the territory.

So unfortunately, in the absence of a ceasefire, I don't think we can have any confidence that aid will be sustained.

NEWTON: Regionally, there does seem to be a lot more support. Is that not valid at this point in time that the Trump administration has been able to bring a lot of those parties in the region together? MILLER: Yes. It is an important accomplishment, and they had been

unwilling to exercise pressure on Hamas so publicly previously. And that is in part due to the willingness of the Trump administration to amend some of the positions they had adopted, including regarding a Palestinian state. The role of the PA, IDF withdrawal, those weren't things that the Trump administration was previously pursuing.

The problem, however, is that at the press conference today, Netanyahu raised doubts about whether Israel is actually committed to those principles. He explicitly said he does not support a Palestinian state. He said the PA would have no role. He said that the IDF would be in Gaza indefinitely.

Are the Arab countries prepared to support this proposal if Israel is not completely committed? And even more importantly, are they prepared to send and contribute forces to this international interim force that is crucial to security and stability even if this agreement gets off the ground?

NEWTON: Well, it seems that they are, and again, as you know so well, so much of that is connected to internal Israeli politics. I do sense a bit of optimism, even in Israel about this deal.

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What do you believe is the key stumbling block at this point in time? Before some would have said it was Prime Minister Netanyahu, now it seems that it's Hamas. Right? I mean, it's really over to them at this point.

MILLER: Yes, I mean, Hamas, you know, waiting on Hamas's agreement. And, you know, Hamas started this war and it would be unfair to say that Israel was always the obstacle to achieving a ceasefire over the past two years. Right now, Israel has agreed to a proposal that has the backing, as you noted, of the international community, and the Arab and Muslim worlds, and it's on them to move forward with this.

But for the -- from the perspective of Israelis and for the perspective of the Israeli government, they need to think, what do we do if this does not work out? How do we try to bring home the hostages in a no deal scenario? And unfortunately, there's little reason to believe that the application of more force is going to lead to their release. And that has been the catch 22 the Israeli government has been dealing with.

Neither able to reach an agreement nor able to secure the release through other means. We have to hope, maybe hope against probability and hope against some skepticism that this does come to fruition because at this point it is the best way to bring this conflict to an end and to finally deliver for the hostages and for Palestinian civilians who have been facing famine conditions now for several months.

NEWTON: Yes. And no amount of skepticism or cynicism about this deal is going to help them. And as you aptly note, we are very close to the October 7th anniversary here. Andrew P. Miller, we will leave it there for now. Thanks so much.

MILLER: Thanks for having me.

NEWTON: OK. Still to come for us, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia's goals for domination do not end in Ukraine. We'll hear more on his offer to help Europe develop a defense system against that Russian threat.

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NEWTON: Russia's defense minister has signed a new conscription order drafting 135,000 more people into the army from October 1st to December 31st. This comes as Russia's president insists his country is fighting what he calls a just cause in Ukraine and winning the war. Vladimir Putin says Russia will accomplish all its goals in Eastern Ukraine, though he acknowledges much remains to be done.

Ukraine's president is warning other European nations that they may be the next target of Russia's violent ambitions, and that its recent jet and drone incursions into European aerospace are prime examples. Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is, quote, "testing" how far it can go.

CNN's Clare Sebastian has our details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There's a couple of key themes that I think Zelenskyy really wanted to emphasize today in his virtual address to this Warsaw Security Forum. He obviously has been warning since the start of Russia's full scale invasion that Russia if not defeated would not stop at Ukraine. And he is essentially citing as evidence these incursions into NATO airspace by drones and jets, which Russia of course continues to deny.

He said Russians never just stop at one country. History has shown this many, many times. And there's a secondary point that I think is critically important that he really wanted to hammer home, is that given these incursions, these threats, as NATO sees it, to its security, Ukraine possesses the expertise and the experience that NATO and European allies need at this point. And this is something that he also wanted to emphasize in his address today.

Take a listen.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: Ukraine proposes to Poland and all our partners to build a joint, truly reliable shield against Russian aerial threats. And this is possible. Ukraine can counter all types of Russian drones and missiles. And if we act together in the region we will have enough weapons and production capacity for these. If Russia loses the ability to strike in the skies, it will be unable to continue the war.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SEBASTIAN: So this argument that he has again been using really since the beginning of the war that giving Ukraine aid will lead to it having these battle tested expertise, will essentially pay this dividend really now coming into sharp focus, and especially as we see in Europe European countries coalescing around the idea of a drone war, this is something that 10 E.U. countries signed on to last week.

I think these arguments are particularly powerful, and we're going to see European leaders meeting later this week in Copenhagen, a summit that has been given greater urgency, of course, by these threats, which have affected Danish air space. And so I think Zelenskyy really wanting to emphasize this point, that supporting Ukraine really does pay back in terms of these expertise that Europe and NATO allies now also sorely need.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Our thanks to Clare Sebastian for that report.

Now, Venezuela's president is giving himself special new powers in the event of a U.S. military incursion. Nicolas Maduro now has the ability to mobilize the military, take control of public services, and close all borders. This comes amid tension over the deployment of American warships in the Caribbean, which the U.S. says is aimed at fighting drug traffickers.

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President Trump announced three deadly attacks on vessels accused of transporting drugs from Venezuela. He claims more than a dozen traffickers were killed, but the White House has presented no clear evidence that those targeted were indeed criminals. Venezuela calls the U.S. naval operations a threat to its sovereignty.

The Cuban government, meantime, is pledging full support for its staunch ally, Venezuela. Cuba's foreign minister spoke with CNN's Juan Carlos Lopez about the U.S. attacks in the Caribbean.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ, CNN EN ESPANOL U.S. POLITICAL DIRECTOR AND ANCHOR: President Trump personally has announced sinking at least three fast boats which he said were transporting drugs allegedly coming out of Venezuela. And he hasn't discounted military operations in Venezuela against groups that traffic drugs.

If that were to happen what would Cuba's response be? And would there be a military component of Cuba's support of Venezuela?

BRUNO RODRIGUEZ, CUBAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: These attacks are directly extrajudicial killings, assassinations, against the international law, the humanitarian international law, and I guess against the American law. Extrajudicial killings, assassinations. No one knows who were these persons who never had do a process or tried to defend a recent violation of the -- of the laws. Second, this important, extraordinary, extravagant military buildup is

a direct threat against Latin America and Caribbean governments, on states, and a direct threat to the regional peace security and stability.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: And our thanks to Juan Carlos Lopez for that interview.

A flotilla carrying aid could reach Gaza in just days. Ahead, CNN speaks with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg about the mission and why she says it, quote, "should not have to exist."

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NEWTON: And welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Paula Newton. I want to take a look at today's top stories.

There's less than 24 hours until the U.S. reaches a deadline forcing a government shutdown. Lawmakers have been trying to reach a deal to keep the government funded, but both Republicans and Democrats have agendas neither is willing to budge on. This would, in fact, be the third shutdown under President Trump, with the most recent one lasting a record 35 days. That was during his last term.

Afghanistan has plunged into a nationwide internet blackout, according to internet watchdog Netblocks. More than 43 million citizens have been cut off from global communications in a move the Taliban calls, quote, "morality measures." Observers warn the shutdown could further isolate Afghans from the outside world and have devastating consequences for the education of girls who are already barred from most in-person learning.

Donald Trump says he believes a ceasefire in Gaza is closer than ever after unveiling a new proposal to end that war. That came after the U.S. president met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has agreed to the 20-point plan. The proposal still requires the signoff from Hamas.

An aid flotilla bound for Gaza could reach the enclave in the coming days, but the vessels will be facing Israels naval blockade of Gaza. And already the Israeli foreign minister is warning it would take, quote, "necessary measures to stop the flotilla from reaching its destination."

CNN's Ben Wedeman has our story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The ships more than 40 are heading east across the Mediterranean toward Gaza.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our mission is to break the illegal Israeli siege and create a people's humanitarian corridor.

WEDEMAN: This is the so-called Global Sumud Flotilla. Sumud is Arabic for steadfastness. Composed of hundreds of activists from Europe, the Middle East and beyond. It may look idyllic, but it's a perilous journey. In 2010, Israeli commandos assaulted a Turkish aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, as it approached Gaza, killing 10 volunteers.

The last attempt to break the blockade in June saw Israeli troops yet again board a ship, the Madeleine, detaining passengers and crew. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was among them and is back trying to reach Gaza again.

GRETA THUNBERG, ACTIVIST: We are doing this because our governments and elected officials are failing to step up., and the U.N. commission has now also confirmed that this is a genocide going on in Gaza. And that means that under international law, states have a legal obligation to act to stop that genocide from happening and ending their complicity, ending arms transfers and applying a real pressure.

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WEDEMAN: The activists say Israeli drones have already targeted the flotilla several times. Israeli officials declined to comment on the incidents.

Italy and Spain have sent navy ships to accompany the flotilla in international waters, and the Italian government has appealed to the activists to stop short of Gaza to unload their cargo in Cyprus and allow Israel or the Catholic church to take it in. The activists refused.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't stop! Don't stop! (ph)

WEDEMAN (voice-over): It comes at a time when worldwide protests against Israel's war in Gaza are multiplying.

Here in Italy and elsewhere in Europe, hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets, angry at governments that wring their hands over the war in Gaza but then do little in practical terms to stop it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Free, free Palestine!

WEDEMAN (voice-over): Israel claims the flotilla is a publicity stunt that only serves Hamas. Thunberg told us they come in peace.

THUNBERG: We pose no threats. We are not carrying weapons. We are carrying food, medical supplies, baby formula, diapers, sanitary products for the people of Gaza, who are being systematically starved and bombed by Israel, with the help from the outside world.

WEDEMAN (voice-over): The flotilla is expected to enter Gaza's territorial waters within the coming days. The chances it reaches its destination unmolested are slim.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: So, it is the biggest stage in sports: the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show. And this season's headliner is guaranteed to get people talking. Up next, why -- why the choice is already stirring debate.

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NEWTON: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have separated after nearly 20 years of marriage. CNN has confirmed the Oscar-winning actress and Grammy-winning musician are no longer living together.

The couple married in 2006 and have two daughters. They have been based in Nashville, Tennessee, with Kidman calling it home on Instagram just last week.

CNN has reached out to representatives for both stars for comment.

Donald Trump has announced that he intends to impose a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made movies. Again. The president made the same threat back in May and, like before, he hasn't specified how the policy could be applied to what is primarily a service, and one often produced with a mixture of international inputs.

His social media post says the U.S. movie-making business has been, quote, "stolen," and he has decided to solve the problem. He also suggests that the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, bears some responsibility for the situation.

So, the Super Bowl halftime show is no stranger to headline-making performers, and the NFL's latest pick, no exception. Bad Bunny will take the stage in February, a move that signals the NFL isn't shying away from cultural flashpoints.

CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Bad Bunny has been announced as the Super Bowl halftime performer for next year.

WAGMEISTER (voice-over): And not only is the global Latin superstar one of the biggest names in the music industry, but he's also anything but a safe choice.

Bad Bunny recently wrapped up a residency in Puerto Rico, where he is proudly from, and that residency brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy in Puerto Rico.

He is set to embark on a world tour this fall, but he said that he will not be making any tour stops in the U.S., because he is concerned that ICE agents could be waiting outside of his concert venues to take his fans.

Now, this is not the first time that Bad Bunny has spoken out against the Trump administration. Last year, at the tail end of the election, when comedian Tony Hinchcliffe spoke at a Trump rally, calling Puerto Rico, quote, "a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean," Bad Bunny then took to his social media to loudly endorse Trump's opponent, Kamala Harris.

He said that he was angered by Hinchcliffe's comments, and he has been a fierce and proud supporter of Puerto Rico.

Bad Bunny actually alluded to that in his announcement that he would be performing at the Super Bowl, saying, quote, "What I'm feeling goes beyond myself. It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown. This is for my people, my culture, and our history."

Now, it remains to be seen if Bad Bunny will make a political statement when he is on the world's biggest stage. The Super Bowl is, of course, the biggest televised event of the year in America.

WAGMEISTER: But it seems hard to imagine that he won't want to send a message during the Super Bowl. And if he does, this wouldn't be the first time that the Super Bowl halftime show has gotten political.

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WAGMEISTER (voice-over): When Latina superstars Shakira and Jennifer Lopez did the halftime performance, Jennifer Lopez wore a cape that, on one side, was the American flag, and on the other side was a Puerto Rican flag.

They had children join them onstage in what appeared to be glowing cages.

WAGMEISTER: And at the time, that symbolism was widely understood to be a reference to the Trump administration's handling of migrant children at the time.

WAGMEISTER (voice-over): And of course, last year you had halftime performer Kendrick Lamar, who had many political undertones during his performance, alluding to inequality and racism in America.

Now, President Trump was in attendance at the Super Bowl when Kendrick Lamar performed. He was the first sitting U.S. president to ever be in attendance at a Super Bowl.

WAGMEISTER: We will see if he will be in attendance next year.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Our thanks to Elizabeth.

And I want to thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Paula Newton. I'll be back with more news at the top of the hour, but stay with us for WORLD SPORT, up next.

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