How a group of veterans helped a U.S. service member's mother get out of war-torn Gaza

Zahra Skaik, a 44-year-old Palestinian woman who fled Gaza City, escaped the war thanks to her American sons - one of whom is a specialist in the U.S. Army. Margaret Brennan sat down with Skaik recently as she described how she left Gaza with nothing but a small backpack and the same clothes she had been wearing since the war began.
"Face the Nation" is America's premier Sunday morning public affairs program. The broadcast is one of the longest-running news programs in the history of television, having debuted November 7, 1954, on CBS. Every Sunday, "Face the Nation" moderator and CBS News senior foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan welcomes leaders, newsmakers, and experts to a lively round table discussion of current events and the latest news.
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[@yaiarea]

Finally cbs is telling both sides of the stories

[@arktos298]

Tell it to Egypt and Jordan. SMH

[@yvonneplant9434]

They haven't before? Margaret's husband is Syrian. She knows about this firsthand.

[@arktos298]

@@yvonneplant9434 Tell it to Egypt and Jordan.

[@Lynette.usa.]

There you have it. Glad that she is able to celebrate Mother's Day with her Family 💐

[@handlewithkidgloves]

It's a miracle this woman made it out alive.It is stories like these that give us hope for a better tomorrow.Wars are for Governments and terrorist groups who create pain and suffering of the very people who live in the middle of these battles.We have civilians on both sides, Palestinians and Jews who just want this war to be over with and get back to a some kind of normalcy.Which right now is looking like a long way off .

[@chaboyle]

Only Israeli want this war to end. Palestinians only shout ceasefire when they are losing. It's only a pause until they regain the military strength to restart their endless war. And it's all due to their intolerance of Jews!

[@Heart_on_Fire1]

Very touching story. Having served with special ops in 2004 for a mission in Iraq, this is a wonderful story of rescue. Kudos to our members in uniform and ex-special forces risking their lives to save innocent lives. Happy Mother's Day and God bless!

[@ericmac8110]

i was with special ops in 2004 as well in aghanistan . glad there is a group out there that helps even after war

[@gondi365]

How about the Israeli mother who was taken as a hostage with her 2 babies how is she celebrating mother's day? And the bid question is are they alive at all? When rockets has been bombarding Israeli cities for the last 20 years and still happening, does Hamas give a warning sign to the Israelis and ask them to evacuate?!! The Israeli army ask the civilians in gaza to evacuate before their operation like no army does during the war. How about Face the Nation interviewing an Israeli mother or grandmother who lost her family because they were raped, slaughter, burnt alive, decapitated??!!!

[@SimonkaShow]

It would make a lot more sense if you actually read a history book. Europe should've taken responsibility for the holocaust instead of pushing Jews to go to a country which is not theirs

[@SimonkaShow]

The only time hostages were released was when there was ceasefire which Netanyahu is trying to avoid at all costs. What about the hostages IDF shot dead even tho they were screaming in Hebrew and waving a white flag

[@zeenaghaffar2795]

Thanks for the listing ear👂. War crimes against children,women and civiliance. #freepalastine

[@fernandomarquez3131]

Thank your excellent staff and supportive crew, why not expose the children's perspective now .

[@larryroberts4984]

The conformation is her saying it we've seen what hamas is capable of.

[@thomaslee1982]

And Israel, the same.

[@brookejennette9424]

Thank you for showing the human toll of this war in a way that is nuanced. I’m certain that someone had to fight hard to tell this story.

[@billwatt3775]

Hearing is harder than "confirming."

[@phillipcraddock8248]

THE TRUTH HURTS, I KNEW YOU WOULD REMOVE MY POST

[@jeffperteet2327]

Happy Mother's Day Nation Face

[@kingstonstreet3726]

Reporters should be allowed in to report the full story.

[@louannramirez4278]

It’s wonderful she got to escape the war. No one wants war I truly am so sorry for her loss. For all the loss. But as far as the bombing of civilians…She doesn’t know if it was deliberate from IDF, or just a mistake, or from Hamas. It was horrible but let’s put this into perspective. In her area Hamas did have rockets that were misfiring and falling on its own people. At the beginning of the war, which she was in, there was a lot of mayhem. She left in Dec. Fighting in a crowded urban area had not been done before in modern warfare. Fighting an army that dresses in civilian clothes amount its citizens,has never happened in modern warfare. But there were some critical questions never asked. Was Hamas in her building? Why does she not talk about the horrors of Hamas? Except the one statement she did make re. Hamas is not helping the people. Why is it Israel’s fault that there is a war in your town? Well because of Hamas. You were warned to leave why didn’t you leave? The neighboring countries refused to take the civilians. There were safe zones set up because of this, that Hamas has tried to keep their people from going to. A tragedy for sure, Again Hamas’ fault. Why not bring that up. No one in this interview ever blamed Hamas, or their tactics of using human shields, why? Why not mention the hostages and the conditions they are still in. Is she aware of the hostages? How does she feel about how this started? Why didn’t you ask her about the celebration after Oct 7? She was there. She lived in the north, 80% of the civilians knew exactly what was going on re. Oct 7. Was she part of the celebration? I believe she is truthful with what she is saying but It’s her own experience not the truth of the whole. I know this story was about her rescue but you had an opportunity to clear up so much misinformation that is out here. There was a lost opportunity here and I blame the interviewer. I pray this woman finds peace she deserves. I know she has the love. This was a miracle and I’m so glad they got her out.

[@zohreHakimi18]

"bombed without warning". it is a fact that hamas misfires (aiming at israel and gazans end getting hurt). it is known that hamas wants injured and dead civilians as it they gain international popularity. the premise of this mother is that the deaths are caused by israel. when reporter is asking her if basically this is because of israel, her answer is "come on". she decided its israel's fault. just because she is a mother doesnt necessarily mean she knows it for a fact. this is what she thinks. im from israel. i know israelis would never intentionally aim at civilians.

[@seynabowcali6231]

Are you still doubting the IDF don’t target the civilians? What the joke

[@JuicyCheez]

You all remember the term, "you wont know what you had until its gone" When I saw this video for 1st time what came to my mind was our freedom which almost 99% has been taken from us, and racism which has never been taken from us. So how am I making sense? I cant. That is the point I am making. This is the 1st time in my life where I was able to witness the coldness, lies after lies, acting, fakes, evil, everything I thought I had a good sense on have formed in one big ball and it went right through me. I started asking questions within myself and everything we all talked about growing up from govt cover ups to illuminati kind of ideas which all have went to "conspiracy theory" but with all I ve said we have to look at it from turning on our intelligence, knowledge, books, history, and common sense to morality. Add everything up this and this is called population control, so in another word, putting fear into our minds and creating false narrative to confuse us and break us down. I'm sure we all either talked about it or heard of it. That was what it was made to do to cause this division amongst ourselves and all around the world. Our politicians to even biden always talks about for "us" he is doing what he can "for us", he is still saying out of touch none reality comments which I can confirm for myself at least that biden does what others who has no interest to this land tells him to do. The biggest red alert was antisemitism. I have to be honest, I had 2 real good jewish friends and I've been around many different types of peoples and I did not know what antisemitism was until when all of a sudden we started to hear antisemitsm this and antisemitism that, BUT, the even most troubling part for me was when I started to really understand what antisemitism meant, and it became personal for me when our own biden camp and many other jewish communities was playing along the side which has no validity and shouild have got thrown out and called for what it is when we have actual holoucast survivors speaking against the fake antisemite campaign, and if that was not enough big parts of our brave students anti-war protesters were actually jews and communities along with jewish professors and they all got beat up and even locked up. So, please someone tell me, why is anyone still moving with this such a mind boggling agenda which will have no meaning soon the way its being used, BUT.. could it just be possible that is exactly what it was carried out to do? to lose its credibility.

[@Uno.Numero]

You mean Death Camp Gaza?

[@fernandomarquez3131]

Excellent point from the perspective of the resulting consequences the world will be confronting when these children, survivors grow to be adults after these experiences in GAZA , ,how will they Integrate?

[@darlenedowie2926]

KZbin erasing my comment doesn't my comment untrue.

[@margiewelker4711]

Your comment makes no sense. Face the Nation has been on Sunday mornings on CBS for decades.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Hamas/Islamism has been a disaster for Palestinians.

[@ummyzaki7441]

Israel and America created them.

[@marythompson4654]

Thank you veterans. You are my heroes.

[@gwenn3120]

She should have evacuated

[@kingstonstreet3726]

He died from sepsis.

[@sandyharman5067]

I don’t believe a word she says. Watch here eyes

[@vinista256]

Wow-a story where doctors are callous when someone dies and soldiers save a life. You can’t predict what people will do based on their job description.

[@rachael_grey]

Triage in the hospitals is far more stringent now because it has to be. There are so few medicines and supplies available. It's even more intense than a combat field hospital.

[@vinista256]

@@urs12a … but the doc didn’t have to say “you should be happy he died here.” I don’t dispute that conditions are horrific there, but it would have been better for the doc not to acknowledge her grief at all than to say something like that.

[@kimbershaw2006]

@@vinista256 Can you imagine if he died at home. How would she have moved his body? Given him a dignified burial? What if he was under the rubble? The doctor was right; dying at the hospital was a mercy.

[@vinista256]

@@kimbershaw2006 all of that is true, but I maintain: it’s inappropriate to say that to a loved one right after the patient has died. It obviously did not make her feel better-quite the contrary. It’s like stories I’ve heard about people who tell a grieving mother “you can still have another child 😃.” That may be true, but it’s just not the right thing to say at that moment. Stick with the old tried-and-true “I’m so sorry for your loss,” and move on.

[@DebraBrown-dc8vg]

May all involved in this true Humanitarian Efforts be Rewarded❤ When all this started on Oct.7th. Tom Waits Song "ROAD TO PEACE?!? " CONTINUE to play in my mindset. Thank you for this Miracle It has given me Hope😍

[@edwardmartens9092]

Why were they living in Gaza under Hamas rule? They had left before it took over. They must have had US legal residency if not citizenship. Their sons were born here. They went to Gaza when Hamas took over, there is something fishy about this story. Why didn't Margaret Brennan ask her that?

[@luvlivefoods]

Exactly my question. Very poor interviewing.

[@rachael_grey]

Because their families are there.

[@edwardmartens9092]

@@rachael_grey Their sons were here, they had come back.

[@bigm317]

Same reason people go to china or Russia or Iran dictatorship are hard but you get used to it people lived like that for years it’s normal

[@Theodor_Herzl]

Well, Hamas started this. She needs to blame Hamas.

[@darlenedowie2926]

So, she needs to blame the people dropping the bombs.

[@johnd.2778]

No. Blame Israel. Over half of Gazans are children (roughly a million kids) who either were not born or toddlers when Hamas was elected and even then most people did not vote for Hamas. Israel illegally occupies and blockades Gaza. It is an open air prison. You would hardly be a man if you didn't take up arms and resist. This is Israel's making.

[@SRRMCS]

what about millions in Rafah

[@DeVincey]

Should’ve called me.

[@sandywexler5282]

She was 18 in 1998 and had three sons before then?

[@luvlivefoods]

Why wouldn’t she think this wouldn’t be different . Is she in denial of the terror that Hamas unleashed on Israel on Oct 7th? I find this person hard to believe and once again the interviewers do not ask any penetrating questions. They start out with a bias and can never get the real story? Why did these people go to America to have their children and then return to Gaza?

[@richarddefortune1329]

Nice Rambo story, but a little suspicious.

[@tony91107]

Problem: Why didn't she EVACUATE as soon as Israel TOLD them to do ? She and other people stayed in the evacuation zone instead of doing exactly what the Israeli military advised them to do ??? Israel told them to do so for weeks and weeks !!!

[@aboucard93]

She said she thought she would be safe since the war was between Israel and Hamas. She said she seen other wars and was fine but that this war is different.

[@waitaminute2015]

This question is never asked. Imagine a mother not removing her children from harms way.

[@gillesuzan180]

War is just horrible, but thats war.

[@aboucard93]

This is one of our supposed ally they could stop this.

[@phillipcraddock8248]

GOD BLESS THE IDF AND ISRAEL

[@gkappa4085]

Good for the one woman saved. I guess...not so good....for the 35,000 butchered by the IDF.

[@No_nosay]

Right. It’s always some first-hand narrative like at least they have a survivors in Gaza. There’s really hardly any of that. It is kind of strange to me how these people don’t have any wounds or injuries they just have their “word of mouth” crap and her accent isn’t Arabic it sounds Israeli

[@ratateamo7296]

And butchered by Hamas as well. She said they killed Palestinians too.

[@debbiedion5731]

Un update clearly said those 35k numbers were not correct

[@ngatupomani5376]

Idf informed gaza civilians to evacuate. Its the only army that does that.

[@zohreHakimi18]

lie

[@violetkar2078]

So what her son was in army why we should put so many our off l in dangerous NO way you people are crazy everyday so many people losing the life it’s a war her life is not mor important Thant any of those in gaze shame on her who is she hell with her 🤮

[@aboucard93]

17:44 bro there is literally a video of an IDF tank firing on civilians vehicles. What do you mean you can't confirm.

[@zohreHakimi18]

photoshop. however, someone like me, who is from israel and lived there for a quarter of century can vouch israeli soldiers will never hurt an innocent civilian. are you aware 620 soldiers died whilst making sure no innocents get involved? are you aware that the air force could have just got hamas terrorists out of there? did you not see israeli soldiers die in their tanks, as they lost the surprise momentum as they always alert locals before getting in every neighbourhood?

[@craigsmith6224]

good story

[@dougpoppapodcast]

Well done, all the way around. 👍

[@bonniestanley5911]

Those men represent The United States of America. We are a kind and fair nation. We are respected and feared. One Nation under God. God rules us. This is what I was taught growing up 1964 ,

[@someothergrl16]

And you lost your ever loving mind. America can and should do better. Our government has been bought by Israeli lobbyists. We are not one nation under God. We’re 50 and something states who have been pitted against eachother by politicians who only care about themselves and the money they can make. We’re in a sad state of affairs.

[@erichudson3023]

The IDF soldiers have come forward and said that they were targeting civilians purposely

[@saharshamoon1992]

Thank God she got out safely may Allah have mercy on her husband I feel heartbroken for all the other mothers who couldn’t get out

[@mars9953]

The consequences of starting a war are harsh. That’s why humans don’t want to start wars.

[@arktos298]

Tell it to Egypt and Jordan.

[@ycohen5490]

Video please send us the video

[@mars9953]

Decent of American solders to help. Why didn’t mother get out when ask? ….because she was busy being a body shield for Hamas. Regardless , hope the son would help some Jewish mother to safety too. Do you think he would?

[@gondi365]

Of course not

[@Sbannmarie]

Linguist here in California. I’m AMAZED at her level of fluent spoken English. Here there are thousands of Mexicans living here for years- don’t speak a lick of English.

[@arktos298]

Because they prefer the language of their oppressor. Interesting the Philippines had the same 300 years of colonization and English is priority their as well as the "Native Language". If you want the keys to the kingdom better learn English. BTW, Spain is politically horrible.

[@jonnyquest1120]

You get what you put into it with language... or really anything else in life. As a linguist, I'm AMAZED you said something so silly lol

[@arktos298]

@@jonnyquest1120 Interesting the Philippines had the same 300 years of colonization and English is priority their as well as the "Native Language". If you want the keys to the kingdom better learn English. BTW, Spain is politically horrible.

[@rachael_grey]

That's because they're largely (and only) interacting with other Spanish speakers. Their children often act as translators if they need one. My ex's grandmother barely spoke English, and she moved from Ukraine 40 years ago. Her husband learned English. She only socialized with other Ukrainian and Russian speakers.

[@arktos298]

@@rachael_grey The Philippines had the same 300 years of colonization from Spain and English is priority their as well as the "Native Language" Tagalog. If you want the keys to the kingdom better learn English. BTW, Spain is politically horrible.

[@williammohan9784]

must be concerning to have a soldier in the US army who is from Gaza.

[@abumoe]

Why is that?

[@brave-i9l]

@@abumoe Gazans hate the United States.