U.S. military leaders urge Israel to scale back Gaza assault as civilian death toll mounts

Geoff Bennett:

America's top two defense officials are in Israel today with a dual message: The U.S. supports Israel and its right to self-defense, but it must stop killing so many Gaza civilians and focus its operations.

The war continues at a brutal pace, with hundreds killed this past weekend, and some of Israel's closest European allies now pressing for a cease-fire.

Hamas today released a new propaganda video showing three elderly male Israeli hostages still in captivity. One man speaking in the video identifies himself as 79-year-old Chaim Peri, who was abducted by Hamas from his Kibbutz Nir Oz home on October 7.

Israeli media identified the other two hostages as fellow Nir Oz residents 84-year-old Amiram Cooper and Yoram Metzger, age 80. The hostages are heard pleading for Israel's help in securing their release in the video, which the "NewsHour" is not showing, as it's not clear when it was recorded or under what conditions.

That's as U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made his second visit to the region today since the start of the war, this time urging Israel to transition from its intense bombing campaign in Gaza to a more surgical ground operation.

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense: This is Israel's operation, and I'm not here to dictate timelines or terms. We also have some great thoughts about how to transition from high-intensity operations to lower-intensity and more surgical operations.

Geoff Bennett:

The U.K. and Germany today joined a growing list of European allies who are now calling for a cease-fire. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vowing to fight until the end.

Yoav Gallant, Israeli Defense Minister:

There is no clock that is running.

Geoff Bennett:

Israel's defense minister today remained defiant.

Yoav Gallant:

We need to get to different performances on the ground before we move to the next phase.

Geoff Bennett:

With each day that passes, the humanitarian situation in Gaza grows increasingly dire. The United Nations' food agency estimates 56 percent of Gaza's households are experiencing severe hunger. Displaced Palestinians are struggling just to get the basic necessities.

Eyad Hellis, Displaced Gazan (through interpreter):

Our life is tragic, very hard. The situation is very difficult. Sometimes, we run out of water by the evening and the kids have to sleep thirsty until the sun rises, and we can go out to fill up again.

Geoff Bennett:

Several more trucks could be seen carrying humanitarian aid through the Rafah Crossing today from Egypt, but not nearly enough to respond to the crisis.

For Palestinians in Gaza, it was another day shrouded by the fog of war. This was the scene moments after an airstrike pummeled the Nuseirat refugee camp in Central Gaza, a race to rescue survivors.

Witnesses say Israel attacked the camp last night and again this morning, killing at least 25 people.

Man (through interpreter):

Rescue teams are still trying to get a huge number of martyrs out from under the rubble. This is our situation.

Geoff Bennett:

Elsewhere, in Central Gaza, body bags pile up outside Al-Aqsa Hospital. Loved ones of the victims gathered in prayer and disbelief.

And prayers were also held over the weekend for the slain Al-Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa, his mother bidding a final goodbye. He was killed by what is believed to be an Israeli drone strike while reporting on the bombing of a school in Southern Gaza. Israel says it does not deliberately target journalists. Abudaqa is one of at least 90 journalists killed since October 7.

Dozens came out to pay him tribute on Saturday, including Al-Jazeera bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh, who survived the attack? His wife, son, daughter and grandson were all killed in an Israeli airstrike at the end of October.

Wael AL-Dihdouh, Al-Jazeera Bureau Chief (through interpreter):

We were targeted in a direct way, but it was God's will That I got injured and that Samer was martyred.

Geoff Bennett:

Israel is also denying claims that an Israeli sniper on Saturday targeted the sole Catholic Church in Gaza, killing two Palestinian women who were sheltering inside.

Tal Heinrich, Spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister: The IDF only targets terrorist and terror infrastructure.

Geoff Bennett:

On Sunday, Pope Francis condemned the killings, adding this:

Pope Francis, Leader of Catholic Church (through interpreter): Some say this is terrorism. This is war. Yes, it is war. It is terrorism.