Meet the Press NOW — October 20

Meet the Press

NBC News

Russert, Government, Road To 2020, Congress, Republicans, Politics, 2020, President, Chuck Todd, Campaign, Primary Election, Nbc, 2020 Election, Public, News, Democratic Presidential Debate, Meet The Press, 2016, 2018 Midterms, Political, Debate, Issues, Democrats, Analysis, Policy, News Commentary, Democratic Primary, Washington, Elections, White House, 2018

3.6 • 3.8K Ratings

🗓️ 20 October 2023

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Sec. of State Antony Blinken holds a briefing following the release of two American hostages held by Hamas. Former NBC News Correspondent Martin Fletcher, who is related to the released hostages, discusses how his family is coping and what this may signal for other hostages. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Maj. Doron Spielman (Res.) says the country’s preparations for a ground invasion “has not changed.” White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk reveals that President Biden spoke to the family of hostages Natalie and Judith Raanan.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Welcome to Meet the Press.
0:12.9	Now I'm Kristen Welker in Washington, where we are covering breaking news in both the
0:17.1	Israeli, Hamas war and the Speaker Fight on Capitol Hill.
0:20.8	We will get to the latest on the ongoing paralysis on the Hill coming up.
0:24.8	But we do begin with the latest developments after two American hostages held in Gaza,
0:29.8	Judith and Natalie Rahman have been released by Hamas.
0:33.7	Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has just briefed reporters at the State Department
0:37.2	just moments ago.
0:38.8	He confirmed those two Americans are safe, but he noted that more American hostages remain.
0:47.5	About an hour ago, two American citizens held by Hamas since October 7th were released.
0:55.4	These two Americans are now safely in the hands of Israeli authorities in Israel.
1:00.8	We expect the team from the U.S. Embassy to see them very shortly.
1:05.3	Over the coming hours, they'll receive any support and assistance they need, and of
1:09.8	course, we're very anxious to be able to reunite them with their loved ones.
1:13.5	We welcome their release.
1:15.1	We share in the relief that their families, friends, and loved ones are feeling.
1:21.1	But there are still 10 additional Americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict.
1:27.6	According to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Israeli security forces received the
1:31.3	two women at the border with Gaza, and they are now in their way to a military base in
1:36.2	central Israel where their family is waiting for them.
1:39.5	In a statement, President Biden said, quote, our fellow citizens have endured a terrible
1:44.0	ordeal these past 14 days, and I'm overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from NBC News, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of NBC News and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.