Tonight, a major escalation in the Middle East. A US warship retaliates after a series of missile strikes on commercial vessels in the Red Sea as Israel expands its ground operations to include the entire Gaza Strip. First, the confrontation at sea. A US Navy ship springs into action after an attack on commercial ships believed to have connections with Israel. Iranian-backed, hoothy rebels are claiming responsibility. The US ship opening fire, shooting down multiple drones. Israel, intensifies its deadly assault from the air and on the ground, Israel confirms soldiers are now fighting in Southern Gaza. Hundreds reported killed in one of the deadliest bombardments since the cease-fire collapsed. Victims buried under rubble, many of them children. Tonight, US officials warned Israel to protect civilian lives and what we're now learning from the newly released hostages, what they endured in captivity. Tom Sufi-Burge reports from Israel. Just weeks before Christmas, Paris on high alert after a deadly attack near the Eiffel Tower. Police are investigating it as a possible terrorist attack. Also tonight, dangerous winter storms on both coasts. As much as a foot of snow could pile up in parts of New England. In the west, several days of heavy rain and snow expected, our weather team times it out.

The shocking crime scene in New York City, where police say a man went on a deadly, stabbing rampage. Danger in the skies? The New York Times reports the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers could put travelers at risk with some showing up for work drunk, others falling asleep on the job. How the FAA and Union are responding tonight. A break in the case after that weeklong manhunt for a suspected serial killer. What we've just learned about the suspect accused of murdering at least four people, including three homeless men, the technology that helped them track down the suspect, and why police think there could be more victims. Back in action, LeBron James' son, Brani, returns to the court months after suffering cardiac arrest. And America Strong Tonight remembering a woman who taught us to love every moment. From ABC News, world headquarters in New York, this.

Is.

World News Tonight. Good evening, everyone. Thanks so much for joining us on yet another busy Sunday. I'm Lindsay Davis. Tonight, there are renewed fears that the war between Israel and Hamas could expand after multiple attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea that were in the vicinity of a US Navy destroyer. Us officials say the assault by Yemen's Iranian-backed, Huthi rebels lasted for hours. The USS, Carney operating in international waters, engaged and shot down several drones traveling in its direction just weeks after it shot down missiles and drones potentially headed toward Israel. This major escalation comes as Israel said it was expanding its ground operations throughout Gaza. The death told now more than 15,000 according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry. After some of the strongest calls yet from the White House for restraint by Israel, the Vice President says too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. We have team reporting tonight. Tom Sufi-Bird is standing by in Israel. But Mary Alice Parks leads us off from the White House.

Tonight, a major escalation in the Middle East. The US pointing the finger directly at Iran for a series of missile attacks on multiple vessels in the Red Sea and drones flying towards a US warship. Over the course of six hours, the USS. Carney took out three drones, the Pentagon says, acting in self-defense. The drones flying overhead right in the direction of the American warship and other vessels. The hostilities began when several commercial ships fell under attack. Ballistic missiles fired from Huthie-controlled areas of Yemen, hitting three vessels in busy shipping lanes. The USS, carney responding to their various distress calls, defending the civilian ships and finding drones overhead. Us officials telling ABC News the drones were also launched from Huthie-controlled territories of Yemen. The Huthies claiming their goal was to target Israeli ships. A US official tells ABC News some of the commercial vessels may have had connections to Israel. No one was reported injured. It's the latest attack on commercial shipping by the Huthie rebels. Last month, they released a video showing armed members using a helicopter to hijack a cargo ship. The carny, one of several US warships and aircraft carriers sent to the Red Sea after the outbreak of Israel's war with Hamas.

The US has been very careful not to turn.

The Red.

Sea into a.

Shooting gallery. The Huthies claim this unverified video shows them shooting down a US reaper drone last month. And in late October, the carney already intersecting four missiles and 15 drones headed from Huthy controlled territories towards targets in Israel.

Mary Alice joins us now from the White House. Mary Alice, what are you hearing from your sources about how the US might respond?

Lindsay, the Pentagon put out a formal statement saying it will consider all appropriate responses in coordination with allies and partners. Several countries had civilians who were under attack today, but this is delicate. The US is trying to protect this area. They will likely feel the need to hit some Huthy targets. But of course, they are trying not to escalate things too.

Much, Lindsay. Certainly a delicate situation there. Mary Alice, thank you. Tonight, the Israeli Army is ordering more evacuations in the southern part of Gaza and says it has now expanded its ground offensive to every part of the Gaza Strip. Many of the Palestinians say they're running out of places to go. Abc's Tom Sophie-Burge reports from Israel and a warning that some of the images may be difficult to watch.

Tonight, Israel expanding its assault on Gaza. For the first time, confirming its ground forces are now operating in every area of the Strip, including the south. Massive missile strikes as Hamas fired rockets into southern Israel. The Israeli military claiming it hit hundreds of terror targets in Northern and Southern Gaza.

This weekend. We see here a fighting tunnel of Hamas, 15 meters deep, right outside a school.

Entire residential blocks destroyed. The UN says hundreds buried in the rubble. A wounded rushed through the streets. The Hamas-run health ministry calling today one of the deadliest days of the war. More than 700 killed since the cease-fire collapsed Friday. Little Saeed covered in dust, kissing his lifeless brother, Muhammad, refusing to stop as they zip the body bag around him. Saeed pleading, bury me with him. And the cries of wounded children echoing through this hospital. For any officials now expanding evacuation orders in the south, where nearly two million people have fled seeking safety. But Israel striking there too. Residents in Karnunis running for cover. Unicef saying, Nowhere is safe.

Children with shrapnel, with third-degree burns, with broken bones, with head injuries, those were children who were meant to be in a safe place.

With the death toll mounting, the US warning Israel. If it doesn't protect Palestinian civilians, support for Hamas.

Could grow. If you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace.

A.

Tactical victory with a strategic defeat.

Vice President Kamala Harris, also not mincing words.

Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.

Tonight, the fate of 130 hostages still uncertain: protests in the streets of Israel. We spoke with Lee Segel, his brother, Keith, one of eight Americans in captivity. Keith's wife, Aviva, was released days ago. Her first sentence was I went through hell.

No freedom, not knowing when their next.

Meal is coming. And above all else, you want another pause in the fighting.

We want whatever.

Needs to be done.

Done quickly to allow Keith and all the.

Hostages to be returned.

That's the hope of so many tonight. Tom Sufis joins us now. Tom, with the fighting resumed, what pressure is Israel getting from the international community to protect civilian life?

Israel is under increasing pressure, Lindsay, from the US and other allies with France, the UK, Spain, and Belgium publicly expressing concern or even criticism. Israel promising it will make the maximum effort to safeguard Gaza's civilian population. Lindsay?

Tom, thank you. French authorities are on heightened alert after a deadly knife attack near the Eiffel Tower. Police say the suspect had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State. Abc's Lama Hassan is following the latest developments from London. Lama. Lindsay, tonight Paris is on high alert. After a man wielding a knife and a hammer went on a rampage on Saturday night near the Eiffel Tower. Now, according to the French prosecutor, just after 9:00 PM local time, he lunged at a German tourist, killing him, then fleeing on foot. He attacked two passes by, armed police quickly swarming the area, using a stungun to subdue him, then arresting him. Now, the accused man is in his mid-20s. He's a French national known to intelligence services. He's already served a four-year prison sentence for conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack, and he'd been under psychiatric treatment. As his motive, he told police he's upset at seeing so many Muslims dying in Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories, and that he believes France is complicit in the death of Palestinians in Gaza. Lindsay. Mama, thank you. Here at home, we're tracking storms that are bringing unsettled weather to both coasts.

The same system that hit Florida this weekend is dumping heavy rain and some snow in parts of the northeast. In the west, winter weather alerts from a series of storms leading to hazardous road conditions. These images coming in from Northern Utah. Abc meteorologist, Samara Theodore, joins us now. Samara, what's in store for the week ahead? Well, Lindsay, we have an active weekend shaping up out west, but first we have to get through this rainmaker here on the East Coast. The last of the showers are now moving out of the Northeast. However, the Northern tier of the storm will bring disruptive snow to parts of far north New England tomorrow. The worst of these conditions arriving during the Monday morning commute, snow totals will range from six inches over a foot. Meanwhile, the West Coast is gearing up for a barrage of storms, leading to multiple weather warnings and advisories. With this next system being so warm and rainier, avalanche warnings have been issued for parts of the cascade Mountains. Lindsay. A lot going on there, Samara, thank you. Here in New York, authorities are searching for a motive after horrific, fatal stabbing. Police say a man killed four people, including two children, in what's believed to have been a family dispute.

Two officers were also wounded before the suspect was killed. Authorities say the suspect tried to then set the home on fire. Here's ABC's Morgan Norwood.

Tonight, a horrific scene in far, rockaway, Queens, where police say a man went on a stabbing rampage before setting the house on fire and then attacking officers.

This scene was chaos, multiple victims, a.

House.

On fire, and a mad man on a rampage.

On a mission.

The.

First calls for help coming in around 5:00 this morning from a young girl telling dispatchers her cousin is killing her family members. First responders racing to the home, police confronting the suspect 38-year-old Courtney Gordon in.

The driveway. The male draws a knife on our officers. He stabbed one officer in the neck, chest area. He strikes the second officer in the head.

Officers immediately shooting Gordon, he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officers tried to go inside, but the flames were tearing through the living room. Once the fire was put out, police say they made yet another disturbing discovery. We found.

Another three victims.

All dead. In all, a family of four, an 11-year-old girl, 12-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman, and a man in his 30s. Tonight, authorities are working to determine what caused Gordon to snap and turn on his own family. And, Lindsay, we're learning those two officers are expected to be okay. In fact, one set to be released from the hospital as soon as tonight.

Lindsay. All right, glad to hear that. It's true, Morgan, thank you. New concerns tonight about the safety of America's skies after a series of near-mises. An investigation finds repeated lapses by air traffic control personnel, including sleeping on the job and the use of alcohol, according to The New York Times. The controllers union is denouncing that report. Abc's Reina Roy reports from New York.

Tonight, an alarming new investigation into air traffic controllers as millions prepare for the holiday travel rush. The New York Times detailing multiple incidents where air traffic controllers were allegedly sleeping on duty or using alcohol and drugs. The report, not independently confirmed by ABC News, covers hundreds of complaints to the FAA Hotline over two years, saying one employee showed up to work this summer drunk, joking about making big money, buzzed. The FAA telling ABC News the report in The New York Times is not reflective of the overall high safety standard that exists throughout the nationalairspace system, flying has never been safer. The industry already facing scrutiny after an unprecedented number of near-misses across the country, like this one earlier this year. Southwest aboard.

Fedex is on the go.

A FedEx flight cleared to land in Austin came within 100 feet of a Southwest plane taking off. And back in June at Boston's Logan Airport. Oh, it's not good. It's not good.

Oh, it did.

Just last month, a government report found high levels of overtime among air traffic controllers, leading to, quote, absenteeism, lower productivity, and fatigue. And despite more passengers and planes in the air, there are about 1,000 fewer air traffic controllers than there were 10 years ago. The Air Traffic Controlors Union is firing back, saying the report is an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of their professionalism and skill, but did acknowledge the ongoing staffing issues and fatigue introduce unnecessary risk into the system.

Lindsay. All of it disconcerting there, Reina, thank you. Police in Los Angeles are trying to determine if the alleged serial killer arrested in the fatal shootings of four people has killed before. Those four murders took place over the course of four days, three of the victims were experiencing homelessness. More now from ABC's Jacqueline Lee.

Tonight, police in Los Angeles are searching for more possible victims of an alleged.

Serial.

Killer, now being held on $2 million bail after a weeklong manhunt.

What makes you believe there are additional.

Victims out there?

Based on his criminal history, he didn't just start doing this a week ago. Officials say.

33-year-old.

Jared Powell killed four people, one.

Each day between November 26th and 29th. Three victims were unhoused men between the ages of 37 and 62, each shot separately while they were sleeping alone on a sidewalk or in an alley, according to police.

It was chilling, the cold-blooded.

Manner in.

Which he walks up and shoots.

This individual without any hesitation.

Authorities say Powell followed a fourth victim home to rob him, gunning the husband and father of two down in his own garage in San Dimes. Investigators identifying a gray BMW of interest and running it through an automatic license plate reader system, leading to Powell's arrest in Beverly Hills.

The result of their work has positively identified.

The handgun.

Recovered from Mr. Powell's car.

As being the murder weapon of our three homicides.

Lindsay, the LA district attorney said he and his team will review the case tomorrow and decide on charges. Lindsay. Jacqueline, thank you. There's still much more head-on-world news tonight. This Sunday, LeBron James's son, Bronnie, takes another big step on his road to recovery. And up next, how did she survive after falling hundreds of feet on Oregon's Mount hood? Next tonight, a miracle survival story from near the top of Oregon's Mount hood. As one climber was making her way down from the summit, she fell several hundred feet. First responders who happen to be nearby witnessed that fall. It took seven hours for teams to bring her down from the mountain. Remarkably, though, the woman, Lea Brown, sustained non-life threatening injuries. She says one day she'll return to that mountain. Lebron James's son, Brani, has taken yet another major step in his recovery. On Saturday, he took to the court with his USC teammates before their game against Gonsaga. James, a freshman, has been cleared to return to basketball five months after he went into cardiac arrest during a workout. He hopes to actually play in a game in coming weeks. And when we come back, a new college football controversy, which big-name teams won't be going to the playoffs, plus the winter storm that paralyzed Central Europe.

To the index now, Central Europe is digging out after a powerful winter storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow. Muniq's airport was shut down on Saturday. Plane after plane was stuck in the snow, seemingly frozen on the tarmac. Trains were also canceled and roads closed. For some, the best way to get around was on cross country skis. Some fans are understandably disappointed tonight after the matchups were announced for the College football playoff. Undefeated Florida State in last year's champion Georgia, both did not make the cut. Michigan will play Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Washington faces Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Both games on ESPN on New Year's Day, those left out could have better luck next year when the playoff expands from four teams to 12. And when we come back, America Strong, we remember a woman who faced death by living life to its fullest. Finally, tonight, America Strong. Last Sunday, we featured Michelle Earle, an example of gratitude, personified. This week, she lost her battle with breast cancer, but leaves behind quite a legacy. Eighteen months ago, when 55-year-old Michelle Earle, a mother of three from Wisconsin, was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer, she didn't let the doctor's prognosis decrease her faith.

It would have been really easy to lose hope and lose faith. But then what happened was.

I just changed what I was dreaming about.

One, two, three, whoo! Her dreams of tomorrow became her plans for today, as she embraced the time she had left. Michelle and her husband, Joe, made a conscious decision to love every moment, creating a bucket list, crossing off each and every item, including skydiving, a family trip to Hawaii, taking a hot air balloon ride together.

That was amazing.

And getting baptized again. Michelle and Joe also gave back, walking with supporters to raise more than $12,000 for the American Cancer Society. Last Sunday, surrounded by dozens of her family and friends, there's Michelle watching our America Strong segment. Two days later, she passed away. But not before her story inspired people from around the world to send messages to her family, noting Michelle's strength and positivity. The message is to love every moment in that place, time, because.

You can't get.

It back. Their neighbors' homes now lit up in pink in honor of Michelle and the countless others battling breast cancer. Her husband, with some of Michelle's words of wisdom. Do not wait for someday. Make some day today. Laugh with others, but most importantly, laugh at yourself and be vulnerable in life and love. Great advice there. Thanks so much for watching. I'm Lindsay Davis. David Muir, right back here tomorrow. I'll see you first thing on GMA until then. Good night.

Thank you for making World News Tonight with David Muir, America's most-watched newscast.