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Isa Soares Tonight
IDF Advances Plans For A Ground Offensive In Gaza; Nine Killed In Russian Airstrikes In Ukraine; Trump Says He'll Join Patrols On The Streets Of Washington D.C.; New Syrian Government To Rebuild International Ties; IDF Warns Hospitals And Aid Groups To Prepare Evacuation Plans; Hurricane Erin Remains A Category 2 Storm. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired August 21, 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]
PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: And a very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Paula Newton in New York in for Isa Soares. Tonight, a
massive assault on Gaza city. The IDF advancing plans for a ground offensive, as are Palestinians again forced to leave their homes with
nowhere left to go.
And no closer to peace. Nine civilians killed in Russian airstrikes in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy offering a compromise while Russia continues
to send mixed signals. Plus, President Trump on patrol. He says he'll join law enforcement on the streets of the U.S. capitol in the coming hours. We
will have all the details.
Now, Israel's military is warning hospitals and aid groups in northern Gaza to start making evacuation plans. That's ahead of a full scale assault on
Gaza city. The IDF says it's advancing preparations for the ground offensive amid heavy strikes from the air. It says forces are already
operating in the city's outskirts.
The IDF says there will be a full evacuation of Gaza city to the south, a city of more than 1 million people. Now, just a short time ago, Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has approved the takeover plan, but he also says Israel will immediately begin negotiations for the release of all
hostages in Gaza, and the end of the war on Israel's terms. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL (through translator): I came to approve the IDF's plans for taking control of Gaza city and defeating
Hamas. At the same time, I instructed to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and the end of the war, under conditions
acceptable to Israel.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Now, aid groups across the board are warning against the mass forced displacement of Gaza city's residents. Medical aid for Palestinians
says people already exhausted by war and hunger are now facing a horrible decision. Either stay and risk annihilation or flee into total uncertainty
and risk being driven into exile.
The U.N. says many people are too weak to endure yet another displacement. It says 1 in 3 children in central and northern Gaza are severely
malnourished and may not survive a forced evacuation. A UNICEF spokesperson in Gaza spoke with CNN earlier. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TESS INGRAM, SPOKESPERSON, UNICEF: They've got an impossible decision before them, and families feel torn. They feel torn about the fact of
staying in their home or moving once again. One family has moved 14 times already, and they don't know where they will go this next 15th time to find
safety in a place that's inherently unsafe.
They're worried about leaving elderly grandparents behind who cannot move, but they want to take their children out of the offensive in Gaza city. So,
what do they do? The family will likely be separated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Now, an attack today underscores the dangers people in Gaza city may encounter if they do flee south. A powerful strike hit a tent
encampment in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. We do want to get more on all of this from our Nic Robertson, who is in Jerusalem following late breaking
developments.
And I do want to get to that statement from Benjamin Netanyahu, not to make too much out of the fact that he says they will restart negotiations, but
what is he getting at here? And what does this shorten timeline mean for actually beginning this operation in Gaza city?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, the Prime Minister really didn't give away too much when he spoke today. His priorities, he
said to defeat Hamas, or at least to win the war and end it on terms that are satisfactory to Israel and get all the hostages back. And is standing
by his decision to go for a comprehensive deal with Gaza, which -- with Hamas, which is to get all the hostages back, not what Hamas is offering at
the moment.
But he didn't specifically address that. And I think to your point, which is a hugely significant one, what does it mean when he says accelerate the
operation. Well, that means it's not like the early phases of the war in October, November 2023, where the soldiers went relatively slowly. This
means that there will be a lot more heavy bombardment, and the soldiers coming in after.
[14:05:00]
And in essence, what Netanyahu is signaling here, because the IDF has not gone in to try to take control of Gaza city. So far, they control about 75
percent of the country, 80 percent of the country is under evacuation orders, that only leaves that small 20 percent for that perhaps a million
people from Gaza city to go and crowd into.
But what does it really signal to Hamas? It signals this, that Netanyahu is saying the hostages no longer have a value because I'm willing to come and
chase you down in the area where we believe that some of them are held in the tunnels, and we've seen what Hamas has done before in that situation,
which has killed the hostages.
So, that's a clear signal that is saying that the hostages don't have a value. But the other thing that is signaling this, perhaps, you know, more
relevant to Hamas' long-term future. If the IDF goes fast into Gaza, that Gaza city, that's heavy into Gaza city, that means it will look like all
the other places that the IDF has been into, all the towns and cities up and down the Gaza Strip, that it's been into so far, which is pulverized,
which means the biggest city in Gaza will be reduced way more to rubble than it is at the moment.
Because remember, the IDF hasn't gone in, in this way so far. That's why some of the city is still standing. So, this essentially would deny the
city to the population, deny the city to Hamas, putting a political price on Hamas' head with the -- with the population in Gaza. But it's multiple -
- it's multiple threats. And the biggest dangers, of course, are to the civilians.
And as you say, some of them really -- they've moved so many times they don't want to move again. The IDF is telling the hospitals and NGOs in Gaza
city to evacuate and move to the south. They're giving them warning. The IDF says that they're handing out tents to the citizens there, but we
don't know where the tents are being handed out.
How many of them are being handed out? What sort of assistance? The medical -- you know, the doctors, nurses in the hospitals in Gaza city are going to
get. And what we've seen before when the IDF has done this hugely contentious situations, the doctors don't want to leave their patients
behind.
Patients sometimes almost too ill or too ill to travel, it's never a good scenario, and it's building up to that. But because the Prime Minister is
not putting a timeline on it, because the Prime Minister is not saying yay or nay to Hamas' latest offer, it is. It looks a lot like pressure on
Hamas, and buying himself time to make his final decisions. And of course, that's what Prime Minister Netanyahu does a lot. He leaves his decisions --
NEWTON: Yes --
ROBERTSON: Until the last minute.
NEWTON: And as you rightly point out, the fate of hundreds of thousands of people now hanging in the balance in the coming hours. Nic, I also want to
get to -- you know, another point of contention, not just within certainly the region, but beyond. We do have another statement from some European
countries and others really protesting the fact that these settlements will go ahead in the West Bank.
Now, their words exactly is, we condemn it, and call for an immediate reversal. Nic, there is no sign, right? That the Netanyahu government is
listening to anybody on this issue.
ROBERTSON: No, and one of the signatories to that agreement today, if you will, was signed by Australia Foreign Minister, not of -- not of Europe. Of
course, Australia is going through a huge spat with Israel at the moment and the Israeli Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has been criticizing the
Prime Minister of Australia.
So, it is clear that from the Prime Minister, through his ministers, the government of Israel at the moment shows no sign whatsoever of backing away
from this decision. The -- interestingly, the one person who's been able to influence previous Israeli governments in the past not to do what they've
done here, which is to extend settlements into area E1, has been the U.S. President.
That's been absent this time. When we went there yesterday to talk to people, we found them deeply concerned about what this means for their
future in the area.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON (voice-over): In days, these Palestinian farmsteads in the occupied West Bank could be gone. The Israeli government has just signed
off on the demolition to make way for 3,500 new Israeli settler homes, expanding the nearby settlement of Ma'ale Adumim.
(on camera): When are they coming to demolish these houses?
ATALLAH MAZARA, HEAD OF VILLAGE COMMITTEE, JABAL AL-BABA: Maybe tomorrow and the night, in the -- I don't understand. (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
--
ROBERTSON: Atallah has lived here 50 years, has no idea what to expect.
MAZARA: My prayers for the children, for the women, for the animals. Where you go?
ROBERTSON: This is Jabal al-Baba, everyone here is waiting to be evicted now, 450 people, about 80 families, they tell us Jabal means hill or
mountain.
[14:10:00]
And for many people here now, this feels like it could be the hill upon which the idea of a Palestinian state dies.
(voice-over): The reasons they say that best understood on this map, Jabal al-Baba is an area E1 where there will be more evictions and a new road
restricting Palestinian movements. So, Israel's biggest settlement, Ma'ale Adumim can grow. Area E1 links the West Bank to east Jerusalem.
Palestinians pick for a future capital and connects the north and south of the West Bank.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
ROBERTSON: On another hill just a mile from Jabal al-Baba, Israeli peace activist Hagit Ofran shows young Israelis what Israel's expansion into area
E1 means.
HAGIT OFRAN, CO-DIRECTOR, SETTLEMENT WATCH: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE). The government wants to fill in the gap and to make Israeli corridor into
the heart of the West Bank, and in fact, to cut the Palestinian territory from southern area and northern area.
ROBERTSON (on camera): Well, so what does that mean in reality, when you cut -- when you cut the Palestinian area like that?
OFRAN: It means that you cannot develop a viable economy, not to say a state.
NETANYAHU: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) --
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Twenty years ago, then lawmaker Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to expand the huge Ma'ale Adumim settlement.
NETANYAHU: Sharon won't build here, I will.
ROBERTSON: Today, PM Netanyahu's pro-settler government says their area E1 evictions are legal and justified, and appear intended to outmaneuver
European decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.
BEZALEL SMOTRICH, FINANCE MINISTER, ISRAEL (through translator): We will continue to build a fulfilling Jewish reality. This reality definitively
buries the idea of a Palestinian state simply because there is nothing and no one left to recognize.
ROBERTSON: On the fringes of area E1 in the bustling streets of Isawiya, Smotrich's words are also having a chilling effect.
(on camera): This is where Palestinians say the new Israeli road is going to be built on this busy highway -- thank you. In cutting across the road,
right along here, so, this will be completely -- thank you, completely shut off. And these stores have closed already because of the demolition order.
(voice-over): Municipality official, Mohammed Matar points to stores already shuttered. Tells me demolition orders on more than a 100 premises
have already been served, says the new road will destroy their fragile economy. Back on the hilltop, Atallah, the Bedouin leader, tells me
confiscating these lands is like cutting a cake down the middle.
Jabal al-Baba isn't only the end of the Bedouin's dreams here, he says, it's also the end of every Palestinian's dream of having a state in the
future.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: And I think going back to that letter, the joint letter that was sent by 21 different countries, many of them Europeans, really shows the
level of frustration with Prime Minister Netanyahu's government by all these leaders. Of course, one of the significant countries that wasn't a
signatory to that was the United States.
And it was very interesting talking to people on the street. One man we met whose premises had been -- were going to be shuttered there on that busy
main thoroughfare, he'd invested $2.5 million into properties there. He formerly worked at the State Department. He's 65 years old. It was sort of
his life's investment there, and he said he had no idea what was going to happen.
But he said, look, back in 2012, he said when the Israeli government was about to make the same expansion in area E1 back then, he said President
Obama's government stepped in and warned the Israeli leadership not to do it. He said, why is President Trump today doing that? And a quite a few
people, Palestinians there told us the same thing.
They really would have looked to the U.S. President to try to curb the ambitions here of the Israeli government. So, I think you really see a
dichotomy between the Europeans really protesting and the U.S. standing side-by-side with the Israeli government on this apparently.
NEWTON: Absolutely, and yet, it does seem that as if the United States would be the only country to exert any leverage here. Nic Robertson really
grateful for that report. Appreciate it.
[14:15:00]
Now, joining us to discuss more of this is Dr. Rotem Sivan; she is the co- founder of Moms Up 23, a group of more than 10,000 parents of IDF soldiers who want this war to end. And first, doctor, I really appreciate you
joining us. And firstly, I want your reaction to what is going on in Gaza now, because we had just heard from our correspondent, Nic, and he made the
point saying, look, this really does seem a betrayal to the lives of the hostages still in Gaza at this hour.
ROTEM SIVAN, CO-FOUNDER, MOMSUP23: This is very exact. This is how we feel. We feel terrified by the thought that we're going back into fighting,
knowing that it will endanger the lives of the hostages and will not save them. You know, our kids, the soldiers are fighting in order to bring them
back.
This is what they're all dreaming of. For years, more than almost two years now, and knowing it might endanger them and will not end the war, and will
not bring quiet and peace to the region is terrifying as citizens and as mothers.
NEWTON: As citizens and as mothers, and yet, you're hearing from your children as well, I was so struck, you know, that they say they went in
thinking they would save hostages, that they would bring them out alive. And now, you say they understand that they --
SIVAN: Yes --
NEWTON: With this operation, are killing them instead?
SIVAN: Yes, they might endanger them. We're not sure it will happen, but we know that it's not bringing them back. This is -- we know for sure from the
last operation that none of them came back and soldiers were killed during this operation before. I don't understand how they think something will
change now.
Even Zamir; the commander-in-chief of the -- of the IDF, said, he's -- he doesn't think it will bring the goals of the government, and yet he's going
in. He's -- you know, fulfilling the government orders and going into war again. Although, he himself think it might not bring all of the hostages
back. So, we try to, you know, to stand up and ask the government not to go, not to go back into war, and to think again about the agreements.
Without agreements and without striving to get agreements, we don't think this will end.
NEWTON: You know, can you give us some insight just into the kitchen table conversations within your families? And I know some of you are not
together, so that would mean --
SIVAN: Yes --
NEWTON: The chat group, the FaceTime calls, you know, the Israeli government has always had this sacred responsibility to Israeli families.
Mothers like you, fathers give their children to the Israeli government, to the military in the prime of their lives. Do you feel like the movements in
the last few months have been a betrayal of that trust?
SIVAN: Exactly. We feel -- we feel this contract between the mothers and the country was betrayed a long time ago, I have to say. Ever since
Netanyahu refused to sign agreements, refused to stop the war and bring back the hostages, sending them again and again in, and as time goes on, we
feel it is doing it only for his own safety, to keep his position in power.
And so, yes, we feel betrayed. And it's a very difficult conversation since we taught our kids to go to army, we send them to the army to protect
Israel. This is how I was raised. This is how my -- I raised my kids. Israel must protect herself. Israel must have a strong army in order to
protect herself. And it's not something that is questionable.
And now, after they went in and gave their lives and lost friends and keep on fighting for so long, it's very difficult conversations with them. We
understand the -- we need again, we need a strong army. It's not a question. But we ask the government again and again, and we will keep on
doing it and going and protest and do whatever we can in our power to stop the war that we feel does not bring the goals that it was meant to bring.
And we'll do everything within our power.
NEWTON: You know, I want to ask you, there has been more discourse and debate in Israel about the humanitarian disaster in Gaza itself. Do you
feel that there is space, that there is room in all of Israel's pain since the terror attack? Do you think that there is room in your families, in
your larger discourse, to have that debate and to have that discussion?
SIVAN: Well, first of all, there's always room for the pain of both sides. But again, what we went through on October 7th, and since what we heard
from the hostages when they came back is very difficult to understand the other side when such a horrible things are happening when citizens were
slaughtered, kids and women.
[14:20:00]
And so, again, as you said, it's a huge conflict. On the other hand, the continuing, the ongoing war is never a -- good for anyone on either sides.
And again, this is what happened when you don't try to achieve agreements and to finish it in the way wars always ends in achievements, always.
So continuing the war, I don't think will bring it. We know it from the history from all over the world. And so, this will bring peace and quiet to
both sides, I think it will be -- will bring security, if we achieve agreements, wide agreements with the allies around us with the Islamic
countries around us, which some of them are less extremist, and they want to sign agreements as we do.
The people of Israel want to end the war. This is what's really important to say, the people, not only the mothers, the people of Israel, wants to
end the war, wants to achieve peace. We all understand the only way to do it is to finish the war and get agreements. And the government, and
Netanyahu right now is not doing -- is not acting for the people and by the people and by the name of the people.
And this is something that really must be heard. And this is why we all go out and the protests in the last week were huge. The largest we saw in
Israel in the last year and a half. The people --
NEWTON: Doctor, we would --
SIVAN: Would like to say --
NEWTON: Go ahead.
SIVAN: Again, we stand and say, and it's huge call from everyone to do everything within the power of the citizens and the government and the army
to end the war in the right way. And I think it will be good for the whole region, not for only for the Israelis, of course.
NEWTON: Understood, Dr. Sivan, thank you so much for your insights on what is an incredibly fragile time --
SIVAN: Thank you --
NEWTON: To come in the region, appreciate it. Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's willing to compromise on his demand that a
ceasefire be reached before he'd meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as long as Ukraine is given those crucial security guarantees.
Now, earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump seemed optimistic that Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy would meet face-to-face. But the Kremlin is
downplaying that possibility now. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGEY LAVROV, FOREIGN MINISTER, RUSSIA (through translator): The Ukrainian regime and its representatives are commenting on the current situation in a
very specific way, directly showing that they are not interested in a sustainable, fair and long-term settlement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Now, all of the talk about diplomacy hasn't changed anything. As you see on the ground, Ukrainian officials say massive Russian air attacks
killed at least nine civilians overnight. President Zelenskyy says Russia launched nearly 600 drones and 40 missiles, the largest assault in more
than a month. CNN's Ben Wedeman is in Ukraine with an inside look at how Ukrainians are preparing for a possible Russian military surge.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This complex of bunkers and trenches is not the front line. It's well back in
the rear, but the purpose of this, is that it is a position that is ready in the event the Russians push forward. And in fact, what we're hearing
from senior officials in the Ukrainian military is that indeed, they are seeing that the Russians are moving more men and equipment to this part of
eastern Ukraine in preparation for some sort of attack.
And certainly, what we've seen in recent days is an intensification of Russian drone strikes and missile strikes on a variety of parts of Ukraine.
And this is, of course, is one of them. This despite the fact that it was not just -- it was just a few days ago that President Trump met with
President Putin in Alaska.
And certainly, one would have thought that this would lead to a lessening of the fighting. But in fact, what we're seeing is that in the days
following that Alaska summit, if anything, the Russians are intensifying their fire, and as many here fear, preparing for yet another push on the
eastern front.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: And we thank Ben Wedeman there for us in Ukraine. Still to come, we may see the U.S. President himself on the streets of Washington with
members of the police and military. That's in the coming hours. We will explain why? Plus, a need for shelter, clean water and health care. Later
this hour, we look into the growing displacement issue unfolding in Syria.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:25:00]
NEWTON: U.S. President Donald Trump says he intends to join law enforcement on the streets of Washington in the coming hours. A senior White House
official says they are still working out the details, I bet. The President's comments come as fear and confusion spread among the city's
homeless population.
Sweeps of homeless encampments began about a week ago, and Mr. Trump's crackdown on what he calls bloodshed, bedlam and squalor. White House
officials have said they'll send homeless people to shelters or jails if they refuse those shelters, but advocates claim, this would be not only
unlawful, but counterproductive and costly.
Joining me now is Alayna Treene who is following all these latest developments for us from the White House. Alayna, look, this is, of course,
performative, right? A move truly born of the President's reality show roots. So, what is the White House trying to get at here? Because in me,
following the story, look, there is crime in Washington D.C., and it is by and large still going on in neighborhoods where residents say, look, we
haven't seen the extra law enforcement.
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, so much of this is something. And I think it's so important to think about just how the President
operates and what his mindset is when it comes to this. I mean, this is something, this federal crackdown on Washington D.C. is long something the
President wanted to do, not just during this term in the last few months.
But even if you look back on his first administration, Paula, this is something the President wanted to do at that time. You know, the people who
surrounded him kind of cautioned him against doing so. This time around, not the case. They were telling him, it is your prerogative to try and have
this really federal takeover of D.C.
And ever since then, he's been wanting to tout this at every turn. Now, as for what's going to happen tonight, still very much unclear. The first we
heard of this was when President Donald Trump went on a radio show and he essentially said, quote, "I'm going to be going out tonight, I think with
the police and with the military, of course", and didn't say much beyond that.
It seemed to appear that he said he was going to potentially be patrolling the streets with federal law enforcement from some of our conversations
we're having here at the White House. It might be more of him going to a center of some kind, all to say, we're still waiting for the details on
that.
And White House officials here say that those details are still being worked out. But of course, it is a bit performative. This is going to be
something that the President wants to get a ton of media coverage. And part of that is because he wants people to see what he is doing in this city. We
already know that he's called this what he's done in Washington, a potential test case for other cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York,
et cetera.
He really does believe that this issue is something that will help not only his administration, of course, but Republicans more broadly when it comes
to one of the key issues in his mind, which is crime. We all know that the President wants to be a law and order President. He tries to paint himself
as such.
He's also been someone to really push the boundaries of his executive authority ever since he's been in office in this term.
[14:30:06]
And that's kind of the culmination of what we're seeing, what he's done here in Washington, D.C.
But I think tonight will definitely be kind of a showy thing, kind of similar to what we saw, Paula, yesterday, actually, when Vice President J.
D. Vance, along with the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, they went to the train station in Washington, Union Station, bought some of the law
enforcement there lunch at Shake Shack. And you know, it was kind of supposed to be a message of encouragement for what they were doing. We saw
a lot of that actually kind of interrupted by protestors of Vance. But it's a similar thing if we do see the president tonight kind of out in force
with law enforcement, it's really to show, look at what we're doing to this city. This could be an example for others.
But we'll have to see how it all ultimately plays out, but it's definitely something this administration, this White House are leaning into. They
definitely think the politics of this is a winning message despite, you know, some of the criticism we've seen from people here locally, but also
around the country.
NEWTON: Yes. It will be quite a security operation if he does go through with it as well. Alayna Treene watching all of that for us from the White
House. Appreciate it.
Still to come for us, a story of reconstruction and survival. We'll take a closer look at the humanitarian situation in Syria several months after the
ousting of former leader Bashar al-Assad. Plus, the latest on Hurricane Erin and where it's making an impact.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
NEWTON: So, after more than a decade of conflict, Syria is in a new chapter and is focused now on rebuilding. It has only been eight months since the
world watched former leader Bashar al-Assad ousted as an Islamist-led rebel rebellion. The new leaders have pledged to prevent a resurgence of the
Islamic state and have joined an anti-ISIS alliance.
While the new Syrian government works to rebuild international ties, much still needs to be done on the humanitarian level. As of this week, the U.N.
reports nearly 2.5 million Syrians inside and outside the country have now returned home. But many are finding nothing but ruins.
The Norwegian Refugee Council says the world is failing the Syrians who have returned home. NRC's secretary general, Jan Egeland, has been meeting
with Syrian families, sharing their stories of survival amid the destruction. His team says that there is an urgent need for shelter, clean
water, and healthcare. And UNICEF reports that the recent way that clashes have led to nearly 192,000 people being displaced once again within Syria.
Jan Egeland joins us now. I want to thank you for bringing this story to our attention. You've been in Syria all week. I want to ask you, when you
look at these signs of recovery in Syria, and we do have some video of you in a school, and many will be able to make out the fact that, look, this is
a makeshift classroom. It's in the middle of a building that was clearly damaged by war. And yet, what I saw, what you saw was that enthusiasm on
the part of the children there. I mean, how can you convince an otherwise distracted donor community that they should pay attention to this?
JAN EGELAND, SECRETARY GENERAL, NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL AND FORMER U.S. UNDERSECRETARY FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS: Because it's such a historic
opportunity for once to put aside one of the biggest humanitarian emergencies of our generation, namely the 12 million people displaced from
the Syrian war, 6 million in the neighboring countries, 6 million inside Syria.
Now, most of them can't go home. There's nothing preventing them from going home except the ruins that they meet when they return. So, the Europeans
say, north Americans, the Gulf countries, was -- were longing for this moment that the Assad regime is gone, that cost the people fleeing for
their lives and now, we can help people home, but that is an investment, but it's a very good investment.
NEWTON: A very good investment. And then, you yourself point out though, that the recent hostilities and outbreaks of horrific localized violence,
your words, are still a threat. And they are incredibly fragile at this point in time of the revival in Syria. Are you confident that this will not
spiral into violence yet again? This has been an all-consuming civil war already, as you point out, for more than a decade. What happens if it --
you know, if it continues?
EGELAND: What happened with the Druze and other minorities in the south and with the Alawites that were, in a way, the top dogs during the Assad regime
now being themselves persecuted, it's very, very bad really. And tens of thousands have been displaced. But the millions who can return home will
return home, should return home at the same time as we push, as I did with the government today on the highest levels, them to provide protection and
safety for all minorities in these very complex situations.
I'm optimistic for Syria now for the first time in these last 14, 15 years and -- but the world needs to engage also by pushing the new authorities in
the right direction, but also investing in hope.
NEWTON: And you say you had met with the government, and trust is probably the wrong word, forgive me, but did you have any modicum of trust after
coming out of those meetings?
EGELAND: Well, they -- I mean, they're listening. They're saying that they're doing whatever they can to provide reconciliation. Of course,
there's a lot of bitterness and there's a lot of tension among groups, among religious communities, among so many in this complex country. And the
government has been slow to protect some of the communities. They need to be more proactive.
However, it's a vast difference from the Assad regime where we were prevented from doing work, where we were controlled at every moment. I'm
crisscrossing the country now without any obstacles. I'm meeting people freely and I'm seeing their needs.
[14:40:00]
So, my question is, where are the donors? Where are the development banks? Where are the Gulf countries? Where are they North Americans and Europeans
who said that they had their highest wish to help people home? They're not here yet.
NEWTON: Yet, as you say. Listen, I have to ask you about what is going on in Gaza. You and I have had conversations over the last year and a half
about that. It is -- must be disquieting for you to see this renewed operation in Gaza. What are your fears about what happens next there?
EGELAND: That we will get bloodshed again that is totally unnecessary. Tens of thousands of children are dead since the 7th of October. When some
children were killed in a horrific way in Israel, tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza. It's totally unnecessary.
I mean, the majority of Israelis themselves say there's no need for this. This bloodshed, this military campaign is not needed in any way. There
should now be negotiations to put an end to the senseless fighting and there should be a return of all of the hostages as there should be a return
of all of those Palestinians arbitrarily detained and that we would get access to Gaza, which we still do not have.
NEWTON: Yes. Which is still a problem. Mr. Egeland, I have to -- you know, I have to say again, when we -- you speak to people in Europe, and when I
say people, I mean the governments of Europe, right, they have been doing all they can to protest this operation, and yet, it is the United States
that seems to be giving the green light for this. Have you had any discussions, have you been in any way, shape, or form able to lobby those
that could actually have influence with the Israeli government?
EGELAND: It's very difficult for us actually to communicate both with Israeli government and also with the U.S. government about this. So, in a
way, it's really up to the United States to push the stronger party here, Israel, to do the only sensible thing, which is to end the bloodshed, end
another military operation.
My staff on the ground, I have 65 colleagues inside Gaza, these are -- many of them Palestinian women who have been fleeing with their family 10 times
already. So, now they're asked to flee an 11th time because Netanyahu says, we just need one more military operation, that we need the 101st military
operation, that will end it. It's nonsense really. And it's a nonsense that is causing the innocence lives every single day.
NEWTON: Yes. And to point out the obvious here, they will flee. There's no guarantee of safety even if they do go further south. Jan Egeland, we will
have to leave it there. Thanks so much. Appreciate it.
Now, still to come for us tonight, the latest on Hurricane Erin. We'll have a live report on the impact it's making on the Eastern United States.
And the U.S. Open underway now. The last of the four Grand Slam tennis events. How are things looking for defending men's champion, Jannik Sinner,
and top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the world's women draw. We'll have that when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:45:00]
NEWTON: Hurricane Erin remains a category 2 storm as it moves up the U.S. East Coast. Now, it's not expected to make landfall, but its large size is
still having a big impact. Virginia and North Carolina are feeling the effects of the storm and many beaches have shut down due to rip currents
and of large waves.
Joining us now is CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar. You guys have been kept busy by the storm and it didn't even make landfall. It's not going to.
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Right. I think this all really just comes down to size. If this was a much smaller storm, we probably wouldn't
really be talking about it all that much. But because it is so large, the impacts can be felt hundreds of miles away, and that's been the big
concern.
So, you have places like Bermuda and much of the U.S. East Coast that are under tropical storm warnings, because, again, not we anticipate a direct
landfall, but because the size of the storm is allowing those impacts to be felt very far away.
Now, the good news we have is that it's starting to make that north eastward trend, meaning from here on out, it is actually going to be moving
farther and farther away from the United States back out over open water. So, conditions, especially for some states, are actually expected to begin
improving here over the next several hours.
But again, it's still a very large storm. You're talking about 550 miles wide. Again, this is very large, given that, again, it's not going to make
landfall, but this is why we have some of those impacts that can be felt from a lot of these areas, and some of that is the gusty winds.
Also, the other thing is the storm surge. Most of these areas up and down, it's about two feet. That may not sound like all that much, but keep in
mind for a lot of these areas, they are very low lying and they are very prone to things like beach erosion and coastal erosion, even from small
numbers, say like two feet. So, this is going to be a concern.
Here's a live look right here. This is Ocean City, Maryland. You can kind of see some of those rough waves out there and the dangerous surf, that is
by far the biggest concern we have with this storm, and that is the rip currents and the dangerous surf. It's why you have. So, many beaches that
are saying, please just simply don't get in the water. If you stay on shore, you are going to be fine. It's the folks that are entering the
water, that's where the biggest concern is. And again, it's for a lot of these areas.
Now, we will are going to likely start to see a lot of these rip current risks drop for states like Florida and South Carolina as the storm begins
to make its way off to the north and it lessens that threat. But they're still likely to stay up and down much of the northeast coast as we head
into the day Friday until that storm finally pushes well out to sea.
So, here's a look at the forecast satellite. Again, you can start to see that trend of its sliding off to the east and getting farther and farther
away from the U.S. coastline. But until we get to late Friday, we do still have some of those impacts, like I said, in the form of the dangerously
high surf, as well as some of those rip currents.
NEWTON: Yes, and quite a bit of rain I see there as well for the Canadian East Coast. They should brace themselves there as well. Allison Chinchar
for us, thanks so much.
Now, still to come for us tonight, while the new mix doubles match had tennis fans talking, the game's first U.S. Open Champions, they can relax.
So, what more can we expect as the tournament? It's underway.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:50:00]
NEWTON: Some good news for our planet, and we need it. Scientists have created a new superfood that could save honeybees. Researchers engineered a
yeast supplement by using gene editing. The special yeast contains the essential compounds found in plant pollen, which has been hard to come by
in many areas. Its hope the superfood could boost global bee colonies after years of decline.
OK. The U.S. Open Tennis Tournament continues today. Our Patrick Snell is on board here to fill us in on all of the action. And, Patrick, please let
me know because there was a lot of controversy over the mixed doubles. We are looking right now at some pictures of who eventually won.
PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: You have, Paula, so much to reflect on. And, you know, much controversy. I think controversy is probably the right
word because it's something we'd never seen before when it comes to the mixed doubles at any Grand Slam event. This one then, of course, at the
U.S. Open New York City they actually moved it. They actually, actually moved it to get it sort of in place. And that's why there was so much focus
on this with Errani and Vavassori really, really going into this. They actually moved it before singles play started to try and get attracting
some of the best players, which they did. It was only a two-day event, but boy did it have many eyeballs on it. A million dollars going to the winners
in the end.
The reigning champs, Errani, Andrea Vavassori, they've been critical, I will say, of the new format, Paula, but they basically shut out all other
sort of traditional mixed doubles teams. But Italians made it back to the finals where they faced off against six-time Grand Slam Champ Iga Swiatek
and Casper Ruud. The match did go to the third set, the tiebreaker, but it would be Errani and Vavassori coming out on top. While the Italians weren't
fans of the changes originally, they did say the event was a great success. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREA VAVASSORI, MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPION: Tonight was amazing. The atmosphere was crazy. The last match was unbelievable. Also, the level. So,
I think so many good points, so many highlights. And I think these two days will be really important for doubles in the future because we showed that
doubles player are great players and I think this product can grow in the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNELL: Yes. We'll see. It's probably here to stay. It's certainly an intriguing revolutionary development, Paula, and it's only a bit of a
tension. We're all talking about it.
NEWTON: Yes. I mean, it seemed to grow even on them, right? They said, OK, well, it seems to be good changes.
SNELL: Yes.
NEWTON: All right. So, fill us in. We've got the big tournament starting now. The main draw, of course, American Star Coco Gauff. She's already
making headlines.
SNELL: She is. And you know, this is a player, again, it attracts a lot of attention. She won the French Open earlier this year in Paris. She also won
the U.S. Open Singles Crown a couple of years back as well for her first major title. She's parted ways with her coach in the buildup to this year's
U.S. Open, that's according to reports on Wednesday. The two-time Grand Slam singles winner hasn't yet publicly announced the decision, but reports
suggesting that one of her coaches, Matthew Daly, will no longer be part of her team.
[14:55:00]
Gauff will continue to work with longtime coach Jean-Christophe Faurel. Coco has struggled with form in recent months, crushing out of Wimbledon in
the first round, but there's just no other way to put this, Paula, she remains one of the biggest box office star attractions in the draw. Gauff
beginning her campaign. We've just found out actually a short while ago against the Australian player Ajla Tomljanovic.
And of course, on the men's side of things, look no further than defending champ Jannik Sinner. The Italian player and his captivating rivalry with
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. These two have combined to win the last seven Grand Slam singles titles, and there's more than a good chance that seven becomes
eight I feel in the big Apple.
Sinner as won the past three hard court majors, while Alcaraz say three championship points against the Italian in that five-set epic to
successfully defend his Roland-Garros title in Paris earlier this year. But Sinner did win his first ever Wimbledon title when he defeated Alcaraz in
four sets at the All-England Club.
And I know, Paula, you'll be keeping an eye on Canadian teen Victoria Mboko who won her first pro title recently in her homeland. She begins against
Barbora Krejcikova. A talent she is, Young Victoria. Back to you.
NEWTON: An entire country pulling for her, that's for sure.
SNELL: No pressure.
NEWTON: We will be -- no pressure. We will be watching. Stay tuned with CNN. "What We Know" with my friend and colleague Max Foster is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
