Exclusive: Uncover the Complete Conversation on "Face the Nation" - April 28, 2024

On this "Face the Nation" broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:

• Hanna Siegel, sister of Keith Siegel, who is being held hostage by Hamas
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky
• Rep. Summer Lee, Democrat of Pennsylvania
• University of Chicago political science professor Robert Pape
• Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director

Click here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation."

MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm Margaret Brennan in Washington.

And this week on Face the Nation: Pressure builds to try and get the Hamas-held hostage negotiations back on track, and campus protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict spread across the country.

On Saturday, more Hamas proof-of-life propaganda featuring another American hostage held in Gaza appearing very much under duress.

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(MAN SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

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MARGARET BRENNAN: President Biden vows that he will not rest until every hostage is returned and sends his top diplomat back to the region.

Plus, with $61 billion in aid now headed to Ukraine, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell apologizes to Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Senate Republicans' role in that delay that took its toll on the country's war effort.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you feel your party is responsible for those setbacks?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL (R-Kentucky): Many of them, yes. We – we took too long.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Plus: What's helping fuel those campus protests from coast to coast? We will tell you.

It's all just ahead on Face the Nation.

Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.

We begin today with foreign correspondent Debora Patta in Jerusalem.

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DEBORA PATTA (voice-over): Like most days in Rafah, this one began with mourning…

(SINGING)

DEBORA PATTA: … after more Israeli strikes hit what is mostly a tent city in the south sheltering over half of Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians crammed up against the Egyptian border.

There were heartbreaking farewells to tiny bodies wrapped in shrouds. This infant has known only war her entire life. It's been a brutal week for children. Even miracle baby miracle Sabreen al-Ruh, who was saved from her dying mother's womb a week ago, lived just five days. She's been buried next to the rest of her family.

Rafah is already under daily bombardment, but Israel keeps threatening a ground invasion. And Palestinians who've already fled multiple times keep asking, where will they go? Much of Gaza lies in ruin, the destruction on such a scale it is uninhabitable.

In the latest development, additional humanitarian aid was dropped over the region this morning. IDF footage captured the construction of a floating pier by the Americans along the Gazan coastline, set to be finished by early May to facilitate the influx of supplies into Gaza.

Despite these efforts, the looming threat of famine persists. Shockingly, the U.N. reports that one in three children under 2 years old is severely malnourished, a stark increase from before October 7. Even with the uptick in aid, the U.N. warns that it may not be sufficient to prevent famine, which could escalate across the northern areas next month.

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DEBORA PATTA: As a potential escalation looms, there are eleventh-hour attempts to reignite cease-fire negotiations.

Hamas has intensified pressure by circulating propaganda videos featuring three hostages, among them two Americans, visibly distressed but confirmed to be alive.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Reporting from Jerusalem, our Debora Patta.

Joining us now is Hanna Siegel, the niece of Keith Siegel, one of the American hostages.

Good morning, Hanna.

HANNA SIEGEL (Niece of Hamas Hostage): Good morning, Margaret. Thank you for having me.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for sharing with us.

I understand that the Biden administration has been in contact with you and your family. The FBI is currently examining the video that was released yesterday. What caught your attention? Is this the first evidence of life that has been received so far?

The belief that he is alive has always been strong within us. It is a belief we must hold on to. His wife, my aunt Aviva Siegel, was held captive for 52 days and was released in a deal back in November. She confirmed his survival upon her release. However, seeing him and hearing his voice for the first time is truly surreal.

The number "205" represents the days he has been in captivity. In the video, under pressure, he mentions the ongoing protests in Israel urging the government to make a deal. Do you believe a deal can be struck now, and is the responsibility on the United States to facilitate it?

I am optimistic that a deal can be made. We have seen it happen before in November when numerous women and children, including my aunt, were released. The United States has a crucial role to play in these negotiations, as it did in the past. Ultimately, it is a negotiation between Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Israel.

My family and I are deeply concerned that Prime Minister Netanyahu may not have the political motivation to reach a deal, despite the urgency of the situation. Recent videos, such as the one featuring American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, highlight the seriousness of the issue.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.

It seems that Hamas is signaling their willingness to negotiate through these videos, emphasizing the presence of American hostages like Keith. There are currently 133 known hostages, five of whom are American. Why do you think Prime Minister Netanyahu is hesitant to secure their release?

HANNA SIEGEL: Political dynamics in Israel are complex, and I prefer not to delve into that.

Negotiations have been ongoing for over 200 days, with elusive deals on the table. I fear that Netanyahu's stance may be hindering progress. This is a critical juncture where action is needed.

I believe a deal can be reached now, but if not, the Biden administration should explore other avenues to bring our citizens home.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is en route to the region to discuss a potential cease-fire and a hostage agreement.

Is the Biden administration contemplating a deal to bring the Americans back without involving the Israeli government?

When asked about this possibility, Hanna Siegel responded, "I don't know."

Margaret Brennan pressed further, "But is that something you would like them to explore?"

Siegel expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support from the Biden administration towards her family and other hostages' families.

She emphasized that the administration's top priority is to bring all hostages, including the Americans, back home, and assured that every possible effort is being made.

In a heartfelt moment, Siegel mentioned a video where Keith, one of the hostages, conveys his love for his family despite the difficult circumstances he is facing.

She shared that Keith appears frail and distressed in the video, highlighting his longing for his family, especially during significant moments like Passover.

Those of us Siegels in America gathered for Passover, while those in Israel also celebrated the holiday. Despite Keith's absence, we hold onto faith and the commitment from the Biden administration to bring him back.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Keith's daughter delivered a message to protesters in Israel last night.

She stated: "I urge the country's leaders to watch the video and witness their father's plea for help."

Hamas used this as propaganda. Why do you believe viewing the video is crucial? What do you think the government fails to grasp?

HANNA SIEGEL: Firstly, Keith's children and his wife, who is a survivor of hostage situations herself, demonstrate immense courage.

Every day, they tirelessly reach out to anyone willing to listen worldwide, emphasizing that lives are in jeopardy. Amidst the political chaos, it's crucial to remember the human aspect. Keith is not just a captive; he is a grandfather, a husband, a brother, and an uncle.

We are a tight-knit family, and above all the political discussions, our primary sentiment is the longing for our loved ones to return home.

The U.S. accuses Hamas of obstructing a potential agreement.

Do you fear that if there is an incursion into southern Gaza, specifically Rafah, your relative might be in danger of losing his life?

HANNA SIEGEL: I am extremely worried. He mentions in the video how he hears explosions all around him.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I see.

HANNA SIEGEL: So, we are concerned about his situation being captive underground by a terrorist organization, naturally.

We are concerned about his lack of food. When Aviva returned...

MARGARET BRENNAN: Alright.

HANNA SIEGEL: ... she informed us how they were starting to go hungry.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well...

HANNA SIEGEL: And I can't fathom that it hasn't become much worse.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes.

HANNA SIEGEL: It's evident on his countenance. And we also worry about the explosions occurring in his vicinity.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Naturally. Naturally.

Hanna, thank you for bringing attention to the human aspect of this. We wish you the best of luck.

HANNA SIEGEL: Thank you so much for having me.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We met with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on Capitol Hill Thursday just after he expressed regret to President Zelenskyy for the delay in passing the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine.

Leader McConnell acknowledged to us the six-month process, four in the Senate, was a costly delay for the Ukrainian war effort.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: In the time of the delay, Russia's military land forces have grown back to where they were before the invasion, the army is 15 percent larger, and they've reinforced the 20 percent of Ukrainian territory that they hold.

These are all the words of the supreme allied commander himself. Do you feel your party is responsible for those setbacks?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL (R-Kentucky): Many of them, yes.

We – we took too long. This issue was like a family reunion, if you will, with a lot of different points of view being expressed around the table. All the Democrats were for Ukraine. There is no question that the debate was in our family, on our side.

And there was a lot of skepticism for a long time, but I think it got better. And I think we proved that earlier this week.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What do you think changed minds?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: The actual facts.

Once we realized we were not going to get a border result, I think our members really started focusing on the – the package. It was – it was clear that it was not going to have a border provision attached to it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: And there are almost no good arguments against this. Every argument that made it – made by the opponents is provably wrong. And the facts, I think, were convincing for a number of our members, and they changed their minds.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You are leader for another eight months.

But you've said you're going to stay and serve out your term. Donald Trump may again become president. According to our latest CBS polling, 79 percent of self-identified Republicans told us that the source of information they most trust on Ukraine and Russia is Donald Trump.

This sentiment doesn't seem to be disappearing. How are you going to counter that?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: What I want to do and what I'm focused on is not the presidential race, but getting the Senate back.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But this isn't the race. This is persuading public opinion.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: Yes.

Ensuring my successor becomes the majority leader is my top priority, regardless of the outcome of the presidential election. The decision of our nominee to halt efforts to sway individuals against the package is a positive signal. I will push for a boost in defense spending, irrespective of the election results, to prepare for the future threats posed by China, Russia, and Iran.

The defense budget requests from this administration have failed to keep pace with inflation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned that the Republican nominee chose not to rally against the package, essentially advising lawmakers to support it.

If that's the core belief of the upcoming commander in chief, how do you counter it?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: My focus is on reshaping the Senate to secure a majority, regardless of the presidential election's outcome.

I cannot dictate that. However, I can exert some influence in the Senate. I am committed to leveraging this influence, no matter who becomes president, to enhance our defense budget and prepare for the forthcoming challenges.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yet, you may find yourself once again acting as a barrier within your own party and against its leader.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: I have been willing to do that. I had something to do with changing opinion in the Senate on this issue. And I think a lot more of my members now understand the importance of it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: About a month after January 6, you voted to acquit Donald Trump after he was impeached.

And you said on the Senate floor: "Trump"…

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SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: Didn't get away with anything yet.

We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being accountable by either one.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you still believe that former presidents are not completely immune from liability?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: Let's put it this way. I addressed that issue on February the 13th…

MARGARET BRENNAN: It's active before the Supreme Court as we speak.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: … and January the 6th of 2021. I stand by everything I said then.

Obviously, it'll be up to the Supreme Court to decide whether I was correct.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Part of what you said is part of this case in some ways, because you argued for the Senate not to convict Mr. Trump.

And central to his immunity argument is the claim that a former president who was impeached and convicted by the Senate can be criminally prosecuted. He was not.

Do you regret your choice? It's part of the defense.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: I don't regret anything I said then. I haven't taken anything I said then back.

But the answer to your question is going to be in the courts. The Supreme Court's going to decide that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So you stand by your description of Trump as practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of January 6, and potentially criminally responsible and liable?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: I don't know how many times you're going to ask me the same question. I stand by everything I have said on January 6, and February 13, 2021.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I'm asking you the question because, since the past few months have passed and our last conversation, you've endorsed him for reelection.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: You need to get better research. I was asked that question three years again, if he were the nominee, would I support him?

MARGARET BRENNAN: And you said you would support whoever the nominee was.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: And I said yes, because the voters of my party across the country have made a decision. As the Republican leader of the Senate, obviously, I'm going to support the nominee of our party.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: Affirmative. Under no circumstances would I have pulled out of Afghanistan. I would not have presented four consecutive defense budgets that fail to keep pace with inflation.

I have numerous disagreements with the current administration. Whether I will have disagreements with the next administration is uncertain. I am clear on my stance. The outcome of the presidential election will not affect my focus for the remainder of my Senate term.

MARGARET BRENNAN: If I understand correctly, you are suggesting that you can oppose Donald Trump if he becomes commander in chief. Even if you are not the leader, you will strive to counteract this isolationist perspective and mitigate...

(LAUGHTER)

MARGARET BRENNAN: ... or restrict his actions if he is reelected.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: I will oppose, regardless of who becomes president, any proposals that I believe are detrimental to America.

My concern lies in the actions of the elected individual in the end.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Should Mr. Trump, as a candidate and a representative of your party, visit Ukraine in person?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: I – I'm not going to give him any advice. I – I'm focusing on turning the Senate Republicans into the majority here and focusing on advocating, as I think I successfully did this very week, for moving away from the isolationist movement that began with Tucker Carlson.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It began with Tucker Carlson?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: It did. He has a huge – he had a huge audience among rank-and-file Republicans. And I think it was very destructive, very impactful on regular Republican voters and created a big problem.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Because he mimicked Republican propaganda and amplified it, and then that's been repeated on the House floor, as the House Intel Chairman said?

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: Well, I certainly disagreed with him. And he certainly ended up where he should have been all along, interviewing Vladimir Putin.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Will you fact-check Donald Trump when he says these things? Because he has also repeated some of these claims.

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL: I'm not going to give any advice to our candidate in the – in the presidential election. What I'm focusing on is turning the Senate into a majority Republican.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Our full interview with Leader McConnell is on our Web site and our YouTube channel.

We will be right back.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

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MAN: Back up! You back up!

All the noise on campus continues to escalate, a clash that goes beyond just ideas. At Ohio State, riot gear is out, while Tasers are used at Emory University in Atlanta. The majority of protesters at these events are pro-Palestinian, occasionally getting into altercations with the police and encouraged by school officials, resulting in numerous arrests. Communities like the University of Texas are now divided.

Israel's conflict with Hamas has found another battleground...

PROTESTERS: Free, free Palestine!

PROTESTERS: Let my people go!

This is not just a campus debate on free speech and hate speech; it's a real-world issue.

STUDENT: If you believe in protecting free speech, then you shouldn't disrupt peaceful protests.

GREG LUKIANOFF (President and CEO, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression): The situation for free speech and academic freedom on campus was already dire, but it became more apparent on October 7.

MARK STRASSMANN: Greg Lukianoff from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an organization advocating for free speech rights.

Do you think any of this is making progress?

GREG LUKIANOFF: Some of the protest methods on college campuses are pushing away more of the public than attracting support.

MARK STRASSMANN: At Columbia University, civil disobedience is taking place on the west lawn, with a continuous tent city sparking nationwide demonstrations. They are calling for the university to divest from Israel and companies profiting from the oppression of Palestinians.

PROTESTER #1: Send them home!

Dueling demonstrations at Columbia University, representing pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian sentiments, mirror a broader spectrum of opinions, emotions, and perceived biases.

PROTESTER #2: People would be up in arms and protesting that right away. But because it's the Jews, I feel like nobody cares.

MARK STRASSMANN: All this coast-to-coast commotion is well into its second week, and what began here at Columbia has now rippled overseas.

From Paris to London, university students occupied buildings and marched in the streets. They're echoing this U.S. student movement, at times a moment that's been unflattering, even dark, from intolerant protesters to stumbling universities.

GREG LUKIANOFF: A lot of campuses are teaching young people to think like activists and less like scholars. When you're reduced to just shouting at each other, that is a failure of some of the things that makes higher education so special.

(End VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We will have more on what's fueling those protests coming up.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Join us next week, when we will talk to South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem about her new book, "No Going Back."

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We will be right back with a lot more Face the Nation, so stay with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

Welcome back to FACE THE NATION and the kickoff of our 2024 battleground tracker polls. Our CBS News battlegrounds are those seven key states where things could go either way. Today we're looking at three of them that Biden won in 2020, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In effect, Trump and Biden are running even. The former president is up 1 percentage point in two of those states, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The current president is up two over Trump in Michigan.

Joining us now is our executive director of elections and surveys, Anthony Salvanto.

So, Anthony, why are they so close if Biden won them in 2020?

The reason this time is, I just asked people, to start to campaign, how do these candidates make you feel? And the top answer for each of them was, worried. Then you look at the Biden numbers particularly, and he gets feelings of insecurity, which could be kind of tough for a sitting president, although calm is one that accrues to his benefit. But then for Trump you get feelings of anger, right, that's particularly true for Democrats, also some insecurity. And neither one of them does very well on eliciting confidence.

The economy is always issue number one for voters. How is it faring in these three states?

And it is again here. But what's interesting is this story starts back in 2020. When we polled these states, at the time the pandemic was going on. People then said the economy in those states was bad.

Upon questioning, it was revealed that very few individuals believe that the current situation has improved; in fact, many claim it has worsened, citing inflation as the primary reason for their dissatisfaction.

Interestingly, when asked to reflect on the economy during the Trump administration, a majority recalled it as a positive period.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Is this selective memory due to overlooking the impact of the pandemic?

ANTHONY SALVANTO: It appears that many are indeed disregarding the effects of the pandemic, evident in their recollection of that time. This selective memory also influences their belief that they would be in a better financial position under Donald Trump, which directly influences their voting preferences, benefiting the former president.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Given that abortion rights are protected in these states, how significant of a factor will this be in motivating voters to participate in the upcoming elections?

MARGARET BRENNAN: You just heard our CBS polling in reference to your home state. I know last weekend Governor Shapiro told us, "if President Biden's pause on natural gas permits goes on a long time it will cost Pennsylvania jobs." And we're seeing in our polling the perception that Donald Trump would be better, 49 percent of voters said, than Joe Biden, 33 percent, on these oil and gas exploration issues. This seems to be a headwind for Democrats in your state. Are you concerned?

SUMMER LEE: Yes. I think that there's - I think there's a lot to be concerned about, right? I think that when we look at these polls, you know, we'll pull out one issue at a time. But the reality is, is that there are a number of issues mixed together that make voters feel confident, that make voters - some other voters feel hopeless or feel like maybe there's a little reason to participate. And I think that we're dealing with that a lot, right?

When we talk to voters throughout my election, we talk to a lot of voters who, whether it's the economy, the price of, you know, goods, gas, food, things of that nature, or abortion, like all of these different issues, made voters feel like there was very little options that they had and that they didn't want to participate. And we have to figure out something very quickly to address that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: In your primary, which you won, your Democratic challenger's point of attack was your willingness to break with President Biden in his unequivocal support for Israel with its war with Hamas in Gaza. You've called for a ceasefire.

If you believe that this is such a matter of conscience and so important, can you truly ask progressive voters to go and vote for Joe Biden in November?

SUMMER LEE: Yes, I think that we do that every year. Every two years we ask voters, progressive voters, we ask black and brown voters, young voters, and we ask them to weigh the totality of our options, right? The totality of a candidate. The totality of the things that we care about, that we come to the polling places with. And that's not new, right? This is an issue that gets a lot of issue. And there are going to be very reasonably a lot of people who will feel apprehension about that. And I think that is not a foregone conclusion that there's just nothing that Democrats can do.

When we look at an election like mine, we've seen how popular it is to take a pro-(INAUDIBLE) stance, how popular it is to call for a different direction in the policies that the United States has towards the war in Gaza, towards sending unconditional weapons, offensive weapon to Netanyahu, and our government still has time to react. We still have time to listen to the folks who have feelings about that. And that's what we have to do.

In a recent meeting with campus protesters in Pittsburgh, Summer Lee expressed her support for young people protesting against the events in Gaza. When asked if these protesters are excited to vote for Joe Biden, Lee admitted that voting for Biden is not a common topic of discussion among them. Their primary focus is on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza to end the indiscriminate bombings and killings. Despite distractions and noise surrounding their protests, the central message remains clear: they want their government to take action and acknowledge their demands for a change in direction.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It's clear that you are making a distinction between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel, but some individuals interpret criticism as anti-Semitic when it is directed at Israel.

The prime minister of Israel has expressed concern about the events taking place on American college campuses, labeling the protesters as anti-Semitic mobs. He drew parallels to the situation in German universities during the 1930s.

How do you address this statement, or the potential perception of it among your constituents?

SUMMER LEE: Indeed. The prime minister's choice of words is deliberate and calculated. However, it is important to note that Benjamin Netanyahu has not visited any college campuses in the United States. He has not engaged with these students, witnessed their protests, or heard their message. It seems he is not interested in understanding their perspective. His primary focus remains on his objectives overseas, and he will deflect attention from anything that may hinder or assist in achieving those goals.

We'll be right back.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is not showing signs of fading away. The escalation in the region is now impacting campuses and cities, causing spillover effects.

Recently, Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, visited Columbia University along with four Democratic lawmakers who are Jewish. They expressed solidarity with Jewish students at the university and even threatened to withhold federal funding. The question arises whether this political involvement is helpful or if it is adding fuel to the fire.

ROBERT PAPE: The current approach is exacerbating the situation by being so one-sided. If Speaker Johnson and Hakeem Jeffries had collaborated on a concrete plan to promote peace - which we can discuss further - the outcome would be different. However, by taking unilateral actions, issuing threats, and implementing surprises such as 'do x or face consequences,' without prior notice, this approach is counterproductive for crowd management.

My research also focuses on the violent aspects of such situations. The key principle during escalating protests is to avoid surprises. For instance, in Portland during the George Floyd protests, the Department of Homeland Security caught the city off guard, leading to further escalation. This strategy is highly ill-advised.

Therefore, a more strategic approach is required to de-escalate tensions, one that transcends mere crowd control and doesn't rely on a 'my way or the highway' mentality to achieve resolution.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, who should take the lead in initiating this approach? Are you suggesting university presidents or law enforcement?

MARGARET BRENNAN: There's a lot of focus on the physical protests right now, but going back to October, you had those three Palestinian boys shot in Burlington, Vermont. You had congressional hearings grilling college university leaders for not reigning in the language used on campus. I mean this has been going on for six months now. Does it stop when the school year ends?

ROBERT PAPE: I don't think we can count on that for several reasons. Number one, we have graduation season to get through. Number two, many of our colleges now have summer programs that are quite extensive. So, for many colleges and universities, things don't completely come to a halt during the summer. But also next fall, fall is all - not that far away. And this could also happen again. It could happen in - in the middle of our election season as well.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You betcha (ph).

ROBERT PAPE: So, there are many, many reasons, the Chicago convention, there are many reasons why we should take calming steps now.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes.

ROBERT PAPE: And again, not just keep assuming, oh, yes, everything's fine. We just need to get through the next day or two or the next week or two and then things will just fade away. I think that was an assumption by many quite important and credible leaders.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes.

ROBERT PAPE: That assumption now needs to be pushed aside.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Professor, thank you for your insights.

ROBERT PAPE: Absolutely.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll be back in a moment.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

Were you satisfied with the responses?

2023 marked the deadliest year for children in the West Bank since monitoring began in 2005. Amidst the focus on Gaza, the plight of children in the West Bank cannot be overlooked.

Challenges faced by children in the West Bank are immense, from navigating obstacles on their way to school to dealing with checkpoints and restrictions on movement. The situation is dire and demands attention.

Violence has escalated, resulting in the tragic deaths of 40 Palestinian children and 2 Israeli children this year alone. The impact on children, who are the most vulnerable in these conflicts, is devastating.

Families of hostages are also suffering, with some children still held captive and others traumatized by the violence and loss they have witnessed. The pervasive sense of pain and suffering is overwhelming, underscoring the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.

CATHERINE RUSSELL: Let me address a few key points. Firstly, the humanitarian situation, especially for children, is extremely concerning globally. In the northern regions, access for aid workers to deliver food has been challenging. Specifically, children require therapeutic feeding such as plumpy nut or medical interventions. Merely providing food is not sufficient; we must do more for young children.

The current aid situation is far from adequate. While we appreciate efforts like using ports and air drops to deliver aid, the most effective method is through road access. This approach is the safest, most efficient, and allows for easier movement for humanitarian workers.

However, there are significant obstacles to this method, including damaged roads and security concerns. These challenges create a complex situation that we must navigate.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Agreed.

CATHERINE RUSSELL: We must explore multiple strategies to address these issues.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Can you provide an update on the crisis in Sudan, which is currently the largest displacement crisis affecting children worldwide?

In a recent discussion, Catherine Russell highlighted the dire situation in Sudan, emphasizing the impact on children. She pointed out that millions of children are displaced, with the majority out of school and facing various forms of violence, including sexual violence. The issue of malnutrition among children was also raised, painting a devastating picture of the current state in Sudan. Russell stressed the importance of paying more attention to this crisis and the need to protect and educate these vulnerable children for the future.

Margaret Brennan acknowledged the significance of addressing the plight of these children, emphasizing the role they play in shaping the future generations. Russell further emphasized the need to ensure the well-being and education of children in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti, underscoring the importance of safeguarding their future for the benefit of all.

As the conversation concluded, Brennan thanked Catherine Russell for her insights on the matter, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the collective responsibility to act.

In closing, Margaret Brennan wrapped up the segment, thanking viewers for tuning in and signing off for the day, promising more insightful discussions on the next episode of FACE THE NATION.

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