October 18, 2023 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Republican Congressman Jim Jordan’s second try for speaker of the House went more poorly than his first. In Wednesday's vote he received two fewer Republican votes than he did on Tuesday. Lisa Desjardins reports on the Capitol frozen in legislative limbo and Geoff Bennett discussed where the GOP stands and what comes next with Rep. Carlos Gimenez, one of the Republicans who voted against Jordan.

Tuesday, Gaza’s health ministry, controlled by Hamas, blamed Israel for an explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital and said hundreds died in an airstrike. That claim led to protests across the region and the cancellation of President Biden's scheduled summit in Jordan. But the U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces say the cause was a Palestinian rocket. Nick Schifrin examines what we know with Marc Garalasco.

One of President Biden's priorities during his trip to Israel was securing the release of hundreds of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. As many as 13 of those hostages are believed to be Americans. In Tel Aviv, special correspondent Villem Marx has the story of one woman with five relatives held by Hamas and the desperate hours spent to bring them home.

EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF

President Biden reinforced United States support for Israel in its war against Hamas during his visit to the country. It comes in the wake of a deadly hospital attack that has further inflamed the raging war. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest developments with the president's deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer.