live from london, this is bbc news. israel says the three hostages who were mistakenly killed by israeli troops in gaza were holding a white flag when they were shot. the killings have increased the pressure on the israeli government to resume negotiations with hamas on the release of those still held captive. maybe now someone will understand that there is only one way to free the hostages. the aljazeera tv news network says one of its camera operators has been killed in gaza by an israeli air strike. italy's prime minister hosts a right—wing festival. rishi sunak and elon musk are among the attendees. and the missing british boy who was found in france, six years after he went missing, is expected to travel back to the uk today.

hello. the israeli army says three hostages who were mistakenly shot dead by troops in gaza were holding a white flag. early findings from an official investigation said the men were fired on in breach of the army's rules of engagement. an israeli soldier began shooting when three shirtless men emerged from a building in the suburbs of gaza city. alon shamriz, yotam haim and samer el—talalqa were killed in shejaiya, in the north of gaza. the idf say their killing was "very tragic". the killings have prompted increased pressure on the israeli government to resume negotiations with hamas on the release of captured israeli nationals. people have gathered near the tel aviv museum of art in what's become known as "hostages square". there are reports the head of israel's spy agency, mossad, is preparing to meet the qatari prime minister to discuss the issue.

in a separate development, an aljazeera journalist and cameraman, samer abu daqa, was killed on friday in an israeli strike. from jerusalem — our security correspondent, frank gardner sent this report. in the wall so much as gaza, is ready forces have committed a tragic error. in the effort to free hostages, they shot three of them, mistaken them for hamas fighters. the young israeli man were all the mid—20s, seized by hamas in the raid into israel. now i'm investigation has revealed they were carrying a white flag. relatives of the more than 100 hostages still held in gaza have been gathering in tel aviv, demanding the government do more to get their loved ones out. israel's policy is to put pressure on hamas by policy force, which they say

isn't working. translation: there is no rice for isn't working. translation: there is no price for the _ isn't working. translation: there is no price for the hostages, _ isn't working. translation: there is no price for the hostages, they - isn't working. translation: there is no price for the hostages, they mustl no price for the hostages, they must be willing to pay any price, to pay anything now. that is what i am saying yesterday. in anything now. that is what i am saying yesterday.— anything now. that is what i am saying yesterday. in gaza, another funeral, saying yesterday. in gaza, another funeral. this _ saying yesterday. in gaza, another funeral, this time _ saying yesterday. in gaza, another funeral, this time for _ saying yesterday. in gaza, another funeral, this time for a _ saying yesterday. in gaza, another| funeral, this time for a well-known funeral, this time for a well—known palestinian cameraman who worked for the aljazeera network, killed in a drone strike. friends describe him as a veteran journalist and talented cameraman. across gaza at the humanitarian situation deteriorates. eight trucks are getting in, but un workers say in many cases they are mobs and stripped of their food. washington what israel to wrap up its operation soon. israel says it needs months more to finish the job of destroying hamas. i am joined now by mark regev, a senior adviser to israel prime minister benjamin netanyahu, and a former israeli ambassador to the uk. thank you very much forjoining us

here on bbc news. the idf says the three hostages who were mistakenly killed had been holding up a white cloth on a stick. it begs the question, how could this have happened? it question, how could this have happened?— question, how could this have happened? question, how could this have hauened? , ., _ happened? it is obviously hrg and the idf is investigating _ happened? it is obviously hrg and the idf is investigating exactly - the idf is investigating exactly what happened —— obviously a tragedy. first and foremost, our hearts go out to the families of these three hostages who were tragically killed. it was obviously a combat zone. i know from that area where the three were, there had been hostile fire before, and afterwards there was also hostile fire from the area towards our forces. the whole area towards our forces. the whole area is a war zone. it doesn't justify what happened, that is why it is been investigating at the highest level by the idf. it is unacceptable. _

highest level by the idf. it is unacceptable. an _ highest level by the idf. it is unacceptable. an initial report by israel's military says these deaths went against israel's rules of engagement. what of those rules of engagement? 50. engagement. what of those rules of engagement?— engagement. what of those rules of enauaement? ., ., engagement? so, some of them we have to keep confidential _ engagement? so, some of them we have to keep confidential because _ engagement? so, some of them we have to keep confidential because hamas - to keep confidential because hamas is listening to our conversation. we want to keep some things from the enemy. it is clear we don't want to kill innocents, we don't want to kill innocents, we don't want to kill our hostages. if we find them, it is clear this was a charger, tragic error by our forces. we have to do our own check—in to make sure it doesn't re—occur. one of the problems we face is hamas don't wear uniforms, they were sibling clothes. they are terrorists. there have been incidents in the past were supposedly surrendering and then they attack our forces. it is very

difficult house to house combat. you think an area is clean and someone comes out of a door or underground tunnel and can open fire. it is difficult. i am tunnel and can open fire. it is difficult. iam notjustifying tunnel and can open fire. it is difficult. i am notjustifying what happened. if soldiers broke the rules of engagement, there has to be action taken. i havejust rules of engagement, there has to be action taken. i have just given the context of how these things happen. i did my military service. anyone who has been in the army knows there's always a danger of what the experts call blue on blue, or friendly fire casualties. in this case it is even more egregious because the victims of the tragic incident were in fact civilians. they were taken hostage by hamas. we have to get to the bottom of what happened. we have to get to the bottom of what ha ened. ~ . , have to get to the bottom of what hauened. ~ . , , ., , , happened. we are seeing protests now, and happened. we are seeing protests now. and we've — happened. we are seeing protests now, and we've had _ happened. we are seeing protests now, and we've had relatives - happened. we are seeing protests now, and we've had relatives of. now, and we've had relatives of hostages here on the bbc news

expressing their frustration. hostages here on the bbc news expressing theirfrustration. it seems to be the case that getting the hostages out by force isn't working, when a temporary ceasefire worked and resort dozens of hostages released. is it time for a change of course? we released. is it time for a change of course? ~ ., ., ., course? we would argue, and we believe we _ course? we would argue, and we believe we are — course? we would argue, and we believe we are colour _ course? we would argue, and we believe we are colour wrecked, i course? we would argue, and we i believe we are colour wrecked, that we only had the release of the hostages —— we are correct. hamas only agreed to their release when it was desperate for a ceasefire. they didn't suddenly become humanitarians, that they will release hostages out of the goodness of the heart or respect for international humanitarian law. they have no respect, their whole behaviour is against the rules of armed conflict. that is who hamas are. just as they butchered israelis, they have no qualms of butchering innocents. hamas will only release hostages if they are

under pressure, and we believe the military pressure is the way to do it. we understand the hostages families, one can only start to begin to understand their pain and suffering, having a loved one held by hamas and knowing what terrible, gruesome violence they are capable of. one feels for them. if there is an opportunity to free hostages, we will take that opportunity. we think the application of military force on the application of military force on the hamas military machine, on its leadership, is the way to release our hostages. brute leadership, is the way to release our hostages-_ leadership, is the way to release our hostages-— leadership, is the way to release our hostaues. ~ . ., , our hostages. we are hearing reports that negotiations _ our hostages. we are hearing reports that negotiations may _ our hostages. we are hearing reports that negotiations may well— our hostages. we are hearing reports that negotiations may well be - that negotiations may well be resuming again with hamas. what more can you tell us about them? i resuming again with hamas. what more can you tell us about them?— can you tell us about them? i can't no into can you tell us about them? i can't go into any — can you tell us about them? i can't go into any details, _ can you tell us about them? i can't go into any details, obviously. - can you tell us about them? i can't go into any details, obviously. i. go into any details, obviously. i can only tell you if there is a serious opportunity to facilitate the freeing of hostages. we will of course do that. fire

the freeing of hostages. we will of course do that.— course do that. are you open to reapening _ course do that. are you open to reapening the _ course do that. are you open to reopening the discussions - course do that. are you open to reopening the discussions as i course do that. are you open to | reopening the discussions as per those reports question i won't go into it, and i apologise. i am those reports question i won't go into it, and i apologise.— into it, and i apologise. i am a government— into it, and i apologise. i am a government spokesperson. i l into it, and i apologise. i am a l government spokesperson. i can assure you if there is an opportunity to have our people release, we will take it. hamas has killed hostages, they have abused hostages, the stories we've heard from the people who were released, 105 people released. we have heard stories from the children, the physical abuse, psychological abuse. it is terrible what they went through. the people have been in for 70 days currently. it is a terrible situation. we will do whatever we can to get them out. if it is possible, through the americans, with the help of the egyptians and qatari government, if it is possible to facilitate anybody�*s, we will embrace it. it will only happen

because hamas is under pressure and desperate for another pause in the fighting. desperate for another pause in the fi . htinu. , desperate for another pause in the fiuuhtin. , ., ., , fighting. these three hostage deaths come following _ fighting. these three hostage deaths come following those _ fighting. these three hostage deaths come following those comments - come following those comments earlier in the week from the us presidentjoe biden, who said israel risk losing international support because of, and i quote, indiscriminate bombing in gaza. this latest incident puts more pressure on the israeli government to change its course. what do you think to that? , ., ., ., �* , that? first of all, we don't use force indiscriminately. - that? first of all, we don't use force indiscriminately. in - that? first of all, we don't use force indiscriminately. in this i force indiscriminately. in this case, no one can say it was indiscriminate.— case, no one can say it was indiscriminate. , ., ., , indiscriminate. these are the words ofthe indiscriminate. these are the words of the us president. _ indiscriminate. these are the words of the us president. he _ indiscriminate. these are the words of the us president. he wasn't - of the us president. he wasn't talkin: of the us president. he wasn't talking about _ of the us president. he wasn't talking about this _ of the us president. he wasn't talking about this incident. - of the us president. he wasn't talking about this incident. he| of the us president. he wasn't - talking about this incident. he was talking about this incident. he was talking well before. in this case, they were misidentified as terrorists, and misidentified as a justifiable target, and that proved wrong. i was in the meetings to days

ago when we had the national security adviser, and we showed the americans, and i think they were impressed. they have to speak for themselves. we showed them the way we identify targets and make decisions, how we look at the issue of collateral damage each time, how we can make efforts to limit civilian casualties or avoid them. the idea israel is carpet bombing is not true. we are rigorously using force, only on the basis of intelligence and only on the basis of known hamas activity. obviously that can change, if our forces are on the ground and we receive hostile fire from the structure. they will return fire. that is combat reality. talking about air strikes, there is

a judicious and rigorous process of target selection. just a judicious and rigorous process of target selection.— target selection. just to say, the latest numbers _ target selection. just to say, the latest numbers from _ target selection. just to say, the latest numbers from the - target selection. just to say, the latest numbers from the health | latest numbers from the health ministry in gaza, which is run by hamas, say more than 18,700 people have been killed since the start of the war. i want to pick up on one thing you mentioned. you said these hostages were misidentified as a threat. is this another example of israeli intelligence not being up to scratch? , ., , , ., , israeli intelligence not being up to scratch? , ., , , ., scratch? obviously there was a misha - , scratch? obviously there was a mishap. but — scratch? obviously there was a mishap. but it _ scratch? obviously there was a mishap, but it isn't _ scratch? obviously there was a mishap, but it isn't one - scratch? obviously there was a mishap, but it isn't one you - scratch? obviously there was a | mishap, but it isn't one you can point to intelligence. you are in a combat so, an exchange of fire. there's been heavy fire in this area. after the combat, the israeli forces on the ground saw something they perceived as a threat, incorrectly obviously, but this was a decision taken in a combat so by

soldiers fighting against a ruthless enemy. hamas do not wear uniforms, they don't abide by the laws. they are happy to raise a white flag and opened fire. there are difficult and fanatical enemies. they buried themselves in the population. what happened shouldn't have, but i'm trying to give some background of what our soldiers are going through. if it is shown our soldiers acted in a way not according to the laws of engagement, there will be disciplinary action taken. thank you for “oininu disciplinary action taken. thank you forjoining us- _ let's go now to frank gardner our security correspondent injerusalem it is always good to talk to you. what did you make of that interview? i wouldn't necessarily disagree with what he said of the rules of engagement on the ground because, clearly, for them to open fire on

someone waving a white flag is against anybody�*s rules of engagement. there are cases it appears palestinians holding white flags have been shot. this investigation in its early stages will result in some kind of disciplinary action. the bigger question, which i think you are angling for, is the wisdom of whether or not is that right approach to force hamas by military force to give up the hostages, because the relatives have been saying for some time they want to return to negotiations. over 100 hostages came out in that pause, and only one has been released by force. it is difficult in a war zone like gaza to rescue hostages by force. very dangerous. quite apart from the fact you've got ongoing air strikes,

drone strikes, you've got the risk hamas will potentially shoot their captives if they think they are about to escape. there is a far better chance of those hostages coming out alive if it is done by negotiation. the problem with that for the is ready government is they'd got to give up something in return. there are voices in that government that doesn't want to make any concessions, people saying, why have we got to let out these palestinian prisoners in return. if we can do this ourselves, free them by military force. babe gone back in, they've been there for weeks and it hasn't produced any weeks —— they have gone back in. one of the banners being held up by a relative of the hostage, everyday, another hostage dies. that isn't scientifically accurate, but that is the sentiment among relatives, and

they are getting impatient with the lack of hostages coming out through a lack of negotiation.— a lack of negotiation. frank gardner. — a lack of negotiation. frank gardner, thank _ a lack of negotiation. frank gardner, thank you - a lack of negotiation. frank gardner, thank you very . a lack of negotiation. frank - gardner, thank you very much. the british prime minister rishi sunak is in rome today, where he has just started speaking at a political festival hosted by his right—wing italian counterpart, giorgia meloni. illegal migration is high on the political agenda in both countries, and the two leaders are expected to discuss the issue during mr sunak�*s visit. the prime minister spoke on his close relationship with giorgia meloni. indie close relationship with giorgia meloni. ~ . , ., , ., meloni. we have built a strong friendship- _ meloni. we have built a strong friendship. a _ meloni. we have built a strong friendship. a strong _ meloni. we have built a strong friendship. a strong friendship | meloni. we have built a strong - friendship. a strong friendship but a strong relationship over our shared interests and shared values. we are conservative, supporters of nato, atlantic alliance. we believe it is fundamental we stand up to

russian aggression, support ukraine on the prospect of a better future. let's cross live to the festival and speak tojohn hooper, italy correspondent for the economist. you are there in the thick of it. tell us what you made rishi sunak�*s he emphasised particularly the commonalities between the british and italian governments on immigration. he and italian governments on immigration.— and italian governments on immiaration. , immigration. he said both countries were facin: immigration. he said both countries were facing a _ immigration. he said both countries were facing a problem _ immigration. he said both countries were facing a problem of— immigration. he said both countries were facing a problem of illegal - were facing a problem of illegal immigration, which he said will only get worse if we don't tackle it soon. and he expressed the fact the british government is going to try to push ahead with the project to deport illegal migrants to rwanda. italy was doing the same thing,

trying to get migrants headed for italy and the mediterranean to go instead to albania. a problem which has just instead to albania. a problem which hasjust run into instead to albania. a problem which has just run into difficulties, that rishi sunak would recognise, the court in albania has suspended the application of this project. ok. court in albania has suspended the application of this project.- application of this pro'ect. ok. pan ou tell us application of this pro'ect. ok. pan you tell us more _ application of this project. ok. pan you tell us more about _ application of this project. ok. pan you tell us more about this - you tell us more about this conference? it is called the brothers of the italy conference. it is a right—wing gathering. who usually attended and what issues are discussed? it is usually attended and what issues are discussed? . . usually attended and what issues are discussed? , ., ., ._ discussed? it is a four-day conference _ discussed? it is a four-day conference of _ discussed? it is a four-day conference of debate, - discussed? it is a four-day conference of debate, but| discussed? it is a four-day - conference of debate, but also some entertainment. it is not the party conference of the brothers of italy, which is the dominant group. it is more an opportunity to discuss

issues, including with people whom the party does not agree. there is entertainment, a ring, for example, and lots of stalls serving food and drink and gifts. it and lots of stalls serving food and drink and gifts.— drink and gifts. it has been described _ drink and gifts. it has been described as _ drink and gifts. it has been described as a _ drink and gifts. it has been described as a festival, - drink and gifts. it has been described as a festival, but drink and gifts. it has been - described as a festival, but there are serious issues being discussed. john hooperjoining is live from the conference, thank you very much. let's look at today sports. we start with cricket. for the first time india have beaten england in a women's test match at home — after crushing the tourists in mumbai. set an improbable a78 to win — the highest—ever chase in women's test cricket — england were dismissed forjust 131 with only two batters, reaching 20 runs. the conditions very much favouring the bowlers, with india winning this one off test by 3117 runs. england's captain was taking some positives from the tour

as a whole, though. india played very well. we will take a lot from it, winning it, with the world cup coming up. we played fantastic. the conditions were super extreme, but in terms of the t20, thatis extreme, but in terms of the t20, that is our main cricket coming up and the ones we are prepping for. it was pleasing for us. australia's men are in a commanding position in their first test against pakistan in perth. nathan lyon took 3 for 66. he's now on 499 test wickets, with pakistan bowled out for 271 on day three. the aussies will resume on sunday on 811—2, that's a lead of 300 runs. in the english premier league, manchester city have the chance to move within a point of the leaders liverpool when they play crystal palace.

erling haaland is still missing. pep guardiola's side beat luton last weekend, their first win after four without victory in the league. they're up against a palace side that have lost four of their last five games, but roy hodgson's side did run liverpool close last time out and so guardiola is taking nothing for granted. always have been a tough game, it will be a tough game. definitely. how they defend is brilliance. and they don't need much web set pieces with anderson and the other players. it will be a tough game. especially against roy. elsewhere, newcastle will be looking to end a run of three straight defeats in all competitions when they host in—form fulham. chelsea take on bottom side sheffield united whilst sean dyche returns to his old side burnley for the first time since leaving there was manager 18 months ago.

everton are aiming for a fourth win on the spin. golf, and south africa's louis oosthuizen is on course to make it back—to—back wins on the dp world tour. he leads the mauritius open by a shot heading into the final round. he made three eagles in a third round seven under par 65, to take him clear of compatriot jacques de villiers. oosthuizen may have a slight advantage as he helped design the course layout at the heritage la reserve golf club. and that's all the sport for now. more on the website. a british teenager who was missing for six years is expected to come home later today. alex batty, who is now 17, disappeared on a family holiday to spain with his mother and grandfather in 2017. he was found on wednesday morning by a motorist who saw him walking through the rain near toulouse. french authorities said he ran away from his mother because she wanted to take him to finland.

and in the last hour — our europe correspondent, bethany bell, gave us this update from toulouse. we have been hearing from prosecutors about alex batty�*s condition. they said he appears composed and intelligent. they being giving details about what his life seems to have been like over the last two years. it is understood he went first to morocco with his mother and grandfather and then for the last couple of years has been in the last couple of years has been in the french pyrenees, in a region popular with people who are looking for alternative lifestyles. the authorities say he seems to have been part of what they call a small spiritual community, wandering around, doing gardening, oddjobs, carrying their own solar panels. as you mentioned, his mother recently apparently said she wanted to go to

finland, that seems to be the point where alex decided he wanted to return to england. back in england his legal guardian, his grandmother, has said she is relieved to hear from him and has also appealed for privacy as they prepare to welcome him back. south africa's former president jacob zuma has said he wil not vote for the ruling african naional congress party in next year's naitonal elections. mr zuma — who was forced out of office over corruption allegations — was a member of the anc for more than six decades. speaking at a news conference — he said he'd be voting for a small radical party and will refuse to campaign for the anc under its current leadership. i will plead with you to help this

country. it is going to be change in the country. it is in our hands. kuwait's emir, sheikh nawaf al—ahmed, has died, at the age of 86. the emir had been suffering from poor health and was admitted to hospital last month. sheikh nawaf led the oil—rich nation for three years, following the death of his half brother. crown prince sheikh meshal, seen here with rishi sunak, has been named as the new emir. a national 40—day period of mourning has been announced. nasa has released a video which it says shows the stronger solar flare emitted by the sun for several years. it happened on thursday, and there was reported caused disruption to radio waves here for a few hours. that is it for this half an hour, we are back after a short break. but as more on the bbc news website, so you

canjoin us later or go more on the bbc news website, so you can join us later or go there. it is mild across the uk, temperatures well above the average. sunshine around, notably across england, and we will see some breaks in the cloud. that milder air on a brisk south—westerly wind, blustery towards the coast, and some heavy downpours, continuing to pile into western scotland as we head through this afternoon and through the day. it is relentless. 200 millimetres perhaps in some areas, and amber warning in place. it is valid all the way to the north and some

landslips. the rain continues in the west, and we will see some breaks in the cloud, and across northern england and north—east wales. further south it is cloudy and very mild, 12 or 13 degrees pretty much across—the—board, the brisk wind continues through this evening. the rain continues to pile into western scotland, but it is mostly dry further south. a few breaks in the cloud for south—east england, temperatures dropping to eight or nine. that is mild, the chairmanship we would expect to see by day at this time of year. it is a repeat performance on sunday, some heavy downpours of rain. the rain will start to sink further south into northern ireland, perhaps north west england through the afternoon. trying out a little across the far north of scotland. temperatures of 10-14 , north of scotland. temperatures of 10—14, breaks in the cloud, just in the shelter of the pennines towards

the shelter of the pennines towards the east, perhaps for south—east england. into monday, the rain clears away, pushing further south and starting to pep up again across england and wales, particularly to the south on tuesday. some very wet weather in the south on tuesday. the rain clears away but some showers following on behind, and eventually some colder feeling air. keep an eye on the forecast for the rest of the week. goodbye.

this is bbc news, the headlines... israel says the three hostages — who were mistakenly killed by israeli troops in gaza — were holding a white flag when they were shot. the killings have increased the pressure on the israeli government to resume negotiations with hamas on the release of those still held captive. hamas is listening to our conversation and we want to keep some things from the enemy. but it is clear that we don't want to kill innocents, it is clear we don't want to kill our hostages. italy's prime minister, georgia meloni, is hosting a four—day right—wing festival. rishi sunak and elon musk are among the guests. the british prime minister is due to speak later today. doctor who is part of the christmas day line—up on bbc one in the uk for the first time in six years. global audiences will be able to watch it on disney+ at the same time.