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The Situation Room

Rome Hosts Youth Jubilee; Ex-Girlfriend Supporting Sean 'Diddy' Combs; Fighting Colon Cancer; Interview With Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon. Aired 11:30a-12p ET

Aired August 04, 2025 - 11:30   ET

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

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Happening now: The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is considering expanding Israeli military operations in Gaza as a way of trying to free the remaining Israeli hostages, that according to an Israeli official.

Netanyahu has also asked the Red Cross for help in getting aid to those Israeli hostages. The request came after Hamas released this video showing the hostage Evyatar David looking frail and emaciated. Hamas says it wants humanitarian corridors in Gaza to be reopened before it will consider granting access to the hostages.

[11:30:12]

Joining us now Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon.

Ambassador, thank you so much for joining us. You're the former Israeli deputy defense minister, a member of the Likud Party.

I want to begin with the question of Palestinian statehood, which is going to be a big issue at the upcoming next month U.N. General Assembly, as you well know, and you will be there. Three close U.S. allies, Canada, France and the U.K., have all now indicated they will formally officially recognize statehood for the Palestinians at the U.N. next month.

How will Israel, your delegation, deal with this effort?

DANNY DANON, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Thank you for having me, Wolf.

Before October 7, we had a debate in Israel regarding the idea of a two-state solution. But now, after October 7, when we have 50 hostages in the tunnel of Hamas, when Hamas is still in power in Gaza, no one in Israel is considering to even think about this idea.

So we feel it's detached from reality. It's part of the circus of the U.N., detached from reality. We expect the U.N. to focus on bringing back the hostages. You mentioned the videos. The country stopped doing whatever we did when we saw those horrible videos seeing those younger innocent Israelis emaciated in the tunnel of Hamas.

We are focused now on bringing them back. Before we speak about anything else, we want to see them, all of them, the 50 hostages, back home and Hamas out of Gaza. Then we can speak about reconstruction or other ideas. But now we are not there.

BLITZER: Prime Minister Netanyahu is considering, we're told, expanding Israel's military operations in Gaza as a way to try to free the remaining hostages.

I spoke with the leader of an aid organization last hour, who warned that would accelerate the famine and potentially the deaths in Gaza. How do you respond to that?

DANON: Well, first, in the last week, we allowed the aid to come in from different directions, from the air, with trucks. The humanitarian fund is functioning in Gaza.

But we have no choice. We had a framework for a partial deal that Ambassador Witkoff facilitated together with Qatar and Egypt. And we agreed. We made compromises. And we expected that it would take place any minute. And then Hamas came.

Maybe the starvation campaign was too successful. And they came with new demands. And, basically, they told us, we don't want to have any deal with you. So, now we have to recalculate what we are going to do. We are not going to leave the hostages behind. We're going to have to take measures in order to put more pressure and to bring them back home.

BLITZER: As you know, Ambassador, the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in Gaza last week and then visited Israel as well. Where do things stand with freeing the remaining hostages in Gaza, the negotiations that were taking place, but apparently have dropped out?

DANON: Well, I think there is a lot of frustration, not only in Israel, also in Washington, in Qatar, in Egypt, because many good people worked on this deal and hoped that we would be able to see half of the hostages coming back home by now.

And the minute Hamas sends the new demands, we realize that there is no partner. And I think it's not only us. It's also our allies in different places understand that we're going to have to put more pressure in order to see the hostages getting out.

BLITZER: As you know, Ambassador, several governments around the world, including some longtime U.S. allies, are now considering and condemning Israel's actions in Gaza, blaming Israel for the starvation crisis that's unfolding.

How isolated is Israel right now, especially where you are, the United Nations?

DANON: Well, first, I don't think there is starvation in Gaza.

I think it was a campaign, a successful one. We allowed aid to come in. And I think it's very easy to attack Israel, because you cannot actually attack Hamas. You cannot apply pressure on Hamas. Last week, many countries signed a declaration here at the U.N. where they called that Hamas will not be part of the future of Gaza. But who is actually going to fight Hamas? Who is going to push them

out of Gaza? It's only us. So, yes, we see the pressure. We feel it. But, honestly, Wolf, I prefer to be where we are today, that we are capable of defending ourselves and we are being criticized for that, rather than the point where we were on October 7, where we had a lot of support with the international community, where we counted the bodies of 1,200 Israelis who were massacred.

[11:35:00]

So the best is to have legitimacy and to have the upper hand against our enemies. But if I have to choose, I choose to be where we are today.

BLITZER: As you know, the president of the United States, President Trump, says, in his words: "There is real starvation, real starvation, taking place in Gaza."

Why is the Israeli government unwilling to acknowledge the hunger crisis unfolding in Gaza? Because children are starving, as we have all seen in the videos and the pictures.

DANON: Well, I think there is suffering in Gaza.

And, for us, any suffering of civilians, it's a tragedy. For Hamas, it's a strategy. And, today, when you look at the amount of aid that actually has entered Gaza in the last few weeks, you understand there is no shortage of aid. You have issues with distribution. You have issues with Hamas taking over those trucks, threatening the drivers.

And that is the problem. You have areas where it's very hard for the aid agencies to distribute the food. But if you look at the amount of aid, you have more than enough in Gaza today.

BLITZER: Very quickly, before I let you go, Ambassador, a quick question.

Two Israeli human rights organizations, B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, are calling what's happening in Gaza right now genocide, genocide, a powerful word. And they're citing the United Nations' definition of genocide. What's your reaction to that?

DANON: Well, firstly, I tell you that I'm proud of our democracy.

During the time of war, I'm not familiar with so -- with many democracies that would actually allow radical organizations to criticize and to attack the military or the government. So that's part of our strength.

But when you look at the facts, that's a lie. There is no genocide in Gaza. In order to prove a genocide, you have to prove intention. And everyone knows that we have no intention to harm civilians. On the contrary, this war is so long. It's too long because we take measures to minimize civilian casualties. Otherwise, we would have been able to eliminate Hamas by now.

But we take it very seriously. We act with responsibility. And we pay a heavy price because we do that.

BLITZER: Ambassador Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, thank you so much for joining us.

DANON: Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Pamela.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: All right, Wolf, just ahead: a rapid rise in colon cancer in adults under 50. What new research out this morning is revealing about the surge in cases and what you need to know to lower your risk.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:41:53]

BROWN: Well, new this morning, colon and rectal cancers are rising among young adults, and now new research from the American Cancer Society suggests that a surge in screening may explain some cases.

BLITZER: All right, for more on all of this, let's bring in CNN health reporter Jacqueline Howard.

Jacqueline, thanks for joining us.

This rise in colon cancers at younger ages has been happening now for some time. What more are you learning?

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: That's right, Wolf.

But what we're now learning is that ever since screening guidelines were updated in 2021 to say that people at average risk should start screening at age 45, rather than age 50, which was previously recommended, ever since that update to screen earlier, we have seen an increase in cases being diagnosed among people in their 40s.

So, specifically, what we know now is the prevalence of early stage colorectal cancer diagnoses among people ages 45 to 49 recently rose about 50 percent between 2021 and 2022. And researchers are saying this is because more people in their 40s are getting screened, based on the recommended guidelines, and more screening is leading to more cases being identified in this age group.

Now, even though we're seeing screening being associated with more cases being identified, researchers did say that this does not explain the overall rise in colon cancer that we're seeing in younger ages, because that overall rise actually started in the 1990s, before guidelines were updated.

And many of the cases we're seeing at younger ages are being diagnosed at more advanced stages. So the cancer has spread. And with screening, screening tends to detect earlier cases. So, the good news is, with more young people getting screened, we are catching cases earlier.

But the concerning news is, screening does not explain the overall rise that we are seeing at younger ages. Screening is just a portion of what may be contributing to that rise.

BROWN: So, then, if screening alone doesn't explain this rise fully, what else could be behind it?

HOWARD: Some experts are pointing to our diet, ultra-processed foods, environmental toxins. Some people are pointing to the rise in obesity that we're seeing at younger ages, because obesity is a risk factor.

But a lot of this research is still ongoing. What we do know, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. So, for all of us, it's important to do these five things, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet that's low in animal fats and high in Whole Foods, fruits, veggies and whole grains, limit alcohol, and, number five, avoid smoking. Do not smoke.

These are all things we can do to reduce our risk really no matter your age, Wolf and Pamela.

BLITZER: Quick question from me, Jacqueline, before I let you go. Screening, describe what that entails.

HOWARD: Yes, so when I say screening for colorectal cancer, that can be a colonoscopy. That can be a fecal test. There are many different types of screening.

[11:45:00]

But the overall recommendation, if you're at average risk, so you don't have a personal history, don't have a family history, you're at average risk, start at age 45 to do your colorectal cancer screenings.

BLITZER: All right, let's see what happens. All right, Jacqueline Howard, thank you very, very much -- Pamela.

BROWN: All right, and coming up right here in THE SITUATION ROOM: An ex-girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs is pushing for his release after dropping out of testifying in his federal trial -- what's she's asking for ahead of his sentencing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROWN: New CNN reporting, Sean "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend is making a plea to the judge in support of his release on bail. Virginia Huynh was initially slated to testify against Combs in his criminal case, but then dropped out just days before the trial began.

[11:50:06]

And now she has written a letter to the judge pushing for Combs' freedom. The hip-hop mogul was convicted last month on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.

BLITZER: Those are the more serious charges, to be sure.

I want to go live to CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister, who's joining us from Los Angeles.

Elizabeth, from alleged victim to expected witness for the prosecution, to advocating now for the convicted. What happened here?

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: It's a great question, Wolf. What happened here? And I wish that we had all the answers, but you're absolutely right.

This is a real shocker to go from a prosecution witness to turning your back on the prosecution and working with the defense. The defense submitted a letter from this woman. She goes by Gina. And in the letter, she is asking the judge to release Sean Combs on bail before his sentencing, which is currently set for October 3.

Now, as you said, Sean Combs was acquitted on the more serious charges, but he still does face up to 20 years from the two charges on which he was convicted by a jury last month. Now, I want to read you part of Gina's letter here that I have obtained, Wolf and Pam.

She says -- quote -- "Our relationship, like many, was not always perfect. We experienced ups and downs and mistakes were made, but he was willing to acknowledge his mistakes and make better decisions in the future."

She goes on to say: "To my knowledge, he has not been violent for many years and he has been committed to being a father first. I am writing because I do not view Mr. Combs as a danger to me or the community."

Now, I do want to point out that you remember Cassie Ventura, another former girlfriend. She was the star witness in this case. Well, after the verdict came in, she actually wrote a letter to the judge saying that she does believe that Sean Combs is a danger to the community and that, if he were released ahead of sentencing, that she would fear for her life.

Now, let's go back to Gina. Here's where things get very complicated. Back in 2019, she actually had said on an interview with the YouTuber Tasha K that she was physically assaulted by Sean Combs. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GINA HUYNH, EX-GIRLFRIEND OF SEAN "DIDDY" COMBS: He started punching me like this. He avoided my face, but he started punching me on the side of my head.

And I was just covering my face. And he did that. And then after he got done doing that, he, like -- because he was standing -- his legs were in between me. So, he stomped on my stomach really hard. And I -- took the wind out of my breath. I couldn't even -- I couldn't breathe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WAGMEISTER: Now, I have reached out to Combs' team for comment on those allegations from Gina back in 2019, have not heard back.

But Sean Combs has admitted to being physically abusive with former partners. Of course, this will all be up to the judge when he rules on this bail motion from Combs' defense.

BLITZER: All right, Elizabeth Wagmeister reporting.

Thanks, Elizabeth, very much.

And we will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:57:41]

BLITZER: Finally this morning: Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics flocked to Rome for a festival of faith, music and religion.

CNN's Christopher Lamb has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A rock star's welcome for Pope Leo greeting an endless sea of crowds from every corner of the globe at a mega-youth gathering in Rome.

The first American pontiff facing a big test, whether he can inspire the church's future generation.

(on camera): Well, Pope Leo has arrived on the main stage at Tor Vergata. People are giving him a rapturous welcome, cheering.

(voice-over): Leo both embracing the young people's enthusiasm, but also ensuring moments of quiet contemplation, talking directly to them.

POPE LEO XIV, LEADER OF CATHOLIC CHURCH: Dear young people, Jesus is the friend who always accompanies us in the formation of our conscience. Seek justice in order to build a more humane world.

LAMB: For the young pilgrims, it's been a weeklong jamboree of music and fellowship in a festival atmosphere. And the excitement was contagious, even for the cardinals.

The Vatican says people from 146 countries flocked to the Eternal City from as far as South Korea, where the next big youth meeting will take place.

JAEHUN LEE FRANCISCO, SOUTH KOREAN PILGRIM: I wanted to meet a lot of people from around the world who believed in the same religion as me and do praise together. The religion brings people together.

LAMB: And some came from New Mexico, one of the front-line states of U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. They want the pope to stand with immigrants.

DAMIAN HERNANDEZ, U.S. PILGRIM: I think that's very important, for him to welcome many new people from many new countries, many new places, so they can come experience it all.

LAMB (on camera): Particularly given what's happening.

HERNANDEZ: Oh, yes, particularly from what is happening in the United States with all the deportations and all over.

LAMB (voice-over): But connecting with young people today means the church must reach beyond the pews, with some research showing Gen Z are interested in Catholicism.

Theology student Nicola Camporiondo says his mission is to help make faith more visible online.

NICOLA CAMPORIONDO, CATHOLIC INFLUENCER: It's important to me because young people of my age need to not feel alone. And so the videos I make on social media encourage young people to not be ashamed of practicing their faith.

LAMB: Many camping out under the stars at the site so they could catch another glimpse of the pope in the morning.

POPE LEO XIV: Good morning. Buenos dias.

(END VIDEOTAPE)