The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown

New warnings that Donald Trump's re-election could pose a grave threat to American democracy with Republican Liz Cheney sounding the alarm about a potential dictatorship. The urgency heightened with the nation on the brink of 2024 and the lead off Republican contest in Iowa just six weeks away. Also, U.S. aid to Ukrainian forces is about to run out. Plus, the Israeli military now says it's objective in northern Gaza is nearly completed as the ground assault against Hamas expands in the south. The United Nations says the number of civilian deaths is rapidly increasing in this new and intense phase of the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fierce new warfare breaks out in Gaza hours after the Israel-Hamas truce expires. Also tonight, defense lawyers in Donald Trump's election interference case in Georgia argue if Trump is re-elected president he can not be tried until after leaving office. Plus, Republican George Santos has been expelled from Congress as he leaves his divided party with an even slimmer majority in the house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Six more Israeli hostages were just released hours after two other captives were freed. This comes as Hamas forces have been alerted to be ready for combat as day seven of the Gaza truce is nearing an end. Will there be another last minute extension? Also breaking, indicted U.S. Congressman George Santos remains defiant as the House considers whether to expel him from Congress. Plus, Donald Trump is lashing out after an appeals court reinstated the gag order in his New York civil fraud trial.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Qatar says 30 Palestinians, 16 minors and 14 women, are being released Wednesday as ten more Israeli hostages are now free and safe in Israel, including a woman who also is a U.S. citizen. We're standing by for new information about their release just a short while ago and their condition after more than seven weeks in captivity. All this comes as the truce between Israel and Hamas is due to end just a few hours from now following a six-day pause in the fighting. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is now in Israel amid urgent negotiations aimed at extending the truce and potentially allowing more hostages to be released. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first group of hostages were released since the temporary pause was extended for two additional days. 12 more hostages are now back in Israel and 30 Palestinians were freed from Israeli prisons. Also, new revelations from Liz Cheney, who is revealing what her Republican colleagues really think of Donald Trump and his election lies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hamas releases 11 more civilian hostages from Gaza. Hospitals in Israel are preparing to treat them after more than seven weeks in captivity. Israel also freed 33 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. So far, Hamas has released 69 hostages, primarily women and children. Israel has freed 150 Palestinians, mainly women and minors, many of whom were detained but never charged. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wolf Blitzer Anchors a The Situation Room special report live from Tel Aviv. Israel and Hamas appear to be on the cusp of a critical moment in the war, with 13-hostages just hours away from returning home from Gaza if the negotiated agreement holds firm. Plus, prominent celebrities are named in a wave of sexual assault lawsuits. And, Trump spends Thanksgiving posting attacks on social media. Also tonight: Qatar’s crucial role as a Middle East mediator.For information on the Israel-Gaza conflict, check out CNN’s podcast ‘Tug of War: Attack on Israel’. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show was preempted by CNN's continuing live coverage of the Middle East hostage release. If you haven’t already, please check out CNN’s other podcasts and showcasts at cnn.com/audio.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, we're just hours away from a truce between Israel and Hamas, with the end of hostilities set to end at 3am Eastern time, followed by the return of 50 captives. The Israeli government says the hostage release won't occur before Friday. Wolf Blitzer anchors live from Tel Aviv, with our coverage beginning with CNN's Jerry Diamond, who joins us not far from the Gaza border.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging his cabinet to approve a tentative deal to free some of the hostages held by Hamas. Hostage families are anxiously awaiting a final vote and official announcement that could come at any moment. CNN correspondents are in the region and in Washington covering this critical moment in the war. Our coverage begins with correspondent Matthew Chance in Tel Aviv, Israel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices