If it's Monday, the new year brings new clashes in the Middle East as an Iranian

warship enters the Red Sea amid an intensifying series of confrontations

with the US military while Israel pulls thousands of troops

from Gaza even as it warns of a long war ahead. Plus can anyone catch Donald

Trump? The former president's Republican rivals Blitz Iowa in the final days

before the 2024 presidential contest officially kicks off with one of the most

important contests now just two weeks away. And we're following emergency rescue efforts out of

Japan where tens of thousands of people are facing mass evacuations and tsunami

threats after a powerful earthquake rocked the island nation. Welcome to Meet the Press Now, I'm Garrett Haak, reporting in Washington.

As we officially kick off 2024 and prepare for what is expected to be an historic and

historically divisive year in American politics with a frustrated nation

bracing for a bruising presidential election likely between a deeply unpopular incumbent facing impeachment, and a challenger plagued by 91 criminal counts across four trials, including one tied to his role at provoking an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

We'll have more on what will almost certainly be the story of the year in a moment, but we begin

with the top story of the day, the ongoing Israel-Hamais war. Nearly three months since the war began the Israeli

military says it's pulling thousands of troops out of Gaza. But this weekend

Prime Minister Netanyahu again pointing to a prolonged conflict saying that this war will

last many more months. Today Hamas claimed credit for a New Year's Day rocket

barrage fired towards Israel as fighting intensifies in Central Gaza and the southern city of

Khan Yunus where the Israeli military continues its ground and air campaigns.

For Palestinians fleeing the fighting few places to go as the humanitarian crisis on the ground

remains dire.

Now some limited aid has trickled across the Rafa border crossing and Israel has signaled

...