that's my mission here. >> rafael zimmerman, thank you for talking to us. it's unimaginable what you experienced. it's -- it is unthinkable. and i'm sorry. more ahead. new developments from the white house as well as more on president biden's uncompromising message to hamas and the commitment he made to israel's defense. >>> and later, my conversation with woman we spoke to the other day. her name is ricarda louk. her daughter shani is one of the hostages, and at first was believed to be dead. tonight her mother believes it's possible she may still be alive. details on that ahead. >>> just a short time ago, national security council spokesman john kirby told cnn's wolf blitzer that the white house is having active conversations with israeli officials about recovering americans now being held by hamas. earlier today, as we showed you at the top of the program, president biden threw his full-throated support behind israel, pledging to, quote, make sure israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack. cnn's kayla