live from london, this is bbc news. israel's military says three hostages who were mistakenly killed by its soldiers in gaza were holding a white flag. families of the hostages hold a rally in tel aviv, to urge the israeli government to resume negotiations with hamas. and the funeral is held for an aljazeera camera operator who was killed in gaza by an israeli air strike. the missing british boy who was found in france, six years after he went missing, is expected to travel back to the uk shortly. and luton�*s premier league football match at bournemouth is abandoned after their captain, tom lockyer, collapses on the pitch. and cardinal angelo becciu has been sentenced to jail for embezzlement. he's the highest ranking church

official ever to stand trial before a vatican criminal court. hello, i'm tanya beckett. welcome. the israeli army says three hostages who were mistakenly shot dead by troops in gaza had been 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 the north of gaza. the idf say their killing was "very tragic".

an army spokesman said they had made a mistake and would not be punished. frank gardner, sent this report. for the families of the hostages that await in gaza, it is an agonising wait. the israeli military has given new details about how three is really captives were shot dead by its own soldiers. yotam haim, alon shamriz and telecom emerged shirtless waving a white flag. one of the soldiers identified them as a threat and opened fired. two were killed instantly, a third injured, returned to the building and was later killed. it is injured, returned to the building and was later killed.— and was later killed. it is clear that we don't _ and was later killed. it is clear that we don't want _ and was later killed. it is clear that we don't want to - and was later killed. it is clear that we don't want to kill - and was later killed. it is clear that we don't want to kill our i that we don't want to kill our hostages. if we find them. it is clear that this was a tragic, tragic error by ourforces clear that this was a tragic, tragic error by our forces and we have to do our own checking to make sure the maxim that it will not occur.

friends and relatives of the hostages have been gathering here in tel aviv in what is now known as hostages square. this place has become a symbol of the agonising wait of the families, many are angry with the government. freeing the hostages should be the main priority, they say. but their protests haven't been able to stop the israeli military offensive in gaza. the families say time is running out. translation: ~ , ., translation: we must reach the deal for the release — translation: we must reach the deal for the release of _ translation: we must reach the deal for the release of all _ translation: we must reach the deal for the release of all hostages - translation: we must reach the deal for the release of all hostages now. - for the release of all hostages now. we are in a kind of russian roulette. every day, we don't know which of the families of the hostages will get a knock on the door with horrible news.- hostages will get a knock on the door with horrible news. gaza, too, is mourning — door with horrible news. gaza, too, is mourning its _ door with horrible news. gaza, too, is mourning its this _ door with horrible news. gaza, too, is mourning its this was _ door with horrible news. gaza, too, is mourning its this was the - door with horrible news. gaza, too, is mourning its this was the funeral| is mourning its this was the funeral for samer abudaqa, a well—known palestinian cameraman who worked for the aljazeera network. and was killed in an israeli drone strike.

he is a compassionate soul. he is very dedicated to bringing the coverage to the world. he had the opportunity, by the way, to emigrate to belgium, to brussels, where his family— to belgium, to brussels, where his family is— to belgium, to brussels, where his family is now residing. but he refused — family is now residing. but he refused. he said, gaza's story is my siory~ _ refused. he said, gaza's story is my siory~ in_ refused. he said, gaza's story is my sto . �* ., story. in tel aviv tonight, the viuil story. in tel aviv tonight, the vigil continues. _ story. in tel aviv tonight, the vigil continues. premier- story. in tel aviv tonight, the - vigil continues. premier benjamin netanyahu is under pressure. israel says it needs more time to eliminate hamas and that only military force will bring back the hostages. but many here disagree. hugo bachega, bbc news, tel aviv. british palestinian families have urged the government to create a visa scheme for stranded relatives in gaza. a letter sent to the foreign secretary on behalf of 80 families because for a scheme similar to the ukraine family to scheme visa. a petition on parliament pass website calling for

a new visa scheme also has more than 22,700 signatories. with me now is a british palestinian journalist and documentary film—maker who lost eight members of his family in gaza. welcome to the programme. please tell us first about these family members who have lost. last friday, an israeli members who have lost. last friday, an israeli air— members who have lost. last friday, an israeli air strike _ members who have lost. last friday, an israeli air strike struck _ members who have lost. last friday, an israeli air strike struck their - an israeli air strike struck their home in the eastern part of gaza city. my sister in her mid—30s was killed, alongside seven of her children, my nieces and nephews. the eldest is 17. the youngest is only one—month—old. she was born during this war. they are still under the rubble. we are unable even to bury them. and ifeel really rubble. we are unable even to bury them. and i feel really heartbroken that civilians are being killed, including my family. and it is really sad that we are in the

situation. i do not know the fate of my mother, father, four brothers, two other sisters. we live in the dark due to lack of communications and the disruption of the internet. and i'm worried about them all of the time. we are concerned about their safety. the time. we are concerned about their safety-— their safety. you said about the family members _ their safety. you said about the family members that _ their safety. you said about the family members that you - their safety. you said about the family members that you had . their safety. you said about the i family members that you had lost, that they were east of gaza city. what about your mother and father, where are they?— what about your mother and father, where are they? some of them, they manared where are they? some of them, they managed to — where are they? some of them, they managed to evacuate _ where are they? some of them, they managed to evacuate to _ where are they? some of them, they managed to evacuate to the - where are they? some of them, they managed to evacuate to the south, l managed to evacuate to the south, khan younis and a raffle, but the majority are still in gaza city because of the intensity of the bombardment, they could not make it. they are being starved now. last time i spoke to them, they say they are running out of food, there is no medicine, there is no water stop you know, it is very cold, there is no heating. each time they survive, it is a miracle. i was heartbroken, i was collapsed when i heard the news,

and i'm worried about the rest of my family. i have also lost scores of my relatives in gaza across the gaza strip. gaza has been subjected to relentless air and bombardments, and civilians were caught up in this. it is the world's largest open—air prison, and the siege... we are urging the british government as a british citizen... just urging the british government as a british citizen. . ._ british citizen... just to interact here, british citizen... just to interact here. you _ british citizen... just to interact here. you are — british citizen... just to interact here. you are a _ british citizen... just to interact here, you are a british - british citizen... just to interact here, you are a british citizen. l british citizen... just to interact i here, you are a british citizen. you are urging the government to open a family scheme, similar to what occurred at the time russia invaded ukraine. and there are two parts to that scheme, but one is that relatives of british citizens were able to come. aha, relatives of british citizens were able to come.— relatives of british citizens were able to come. �* . ., ., ., , able to come. a humanitarian family scheme. equivalent _ able to come. a humanitarian family scheme. equivalent to _ able to come. a humanitarian family scheme. equivalent to that - able to come. a humanitarian family scheme. equivalent to that scheme l scheme. equivalent to that scheme that was designed for ukrainians. i understand the complexities but gaza should be given this opportunity because, you know, i need my family

to be with me. each time, each moment i have to check my phone, i have to make some contact us to make sure they are safe, so i urge the british government, the foreign office, the home office, to help us bring them to safety. because, you know, britain has to play a role in portraying itself as a place of sanctuary. the uk welcomes refugees from all over the world, and i have got a list here. there are some countries already that have evacuated the relatives of citizens of different countries, including portugal, australia, canada. so british should play a role. we have not received a reply from david cameron pass office.— not received a reply from david cameron pass office. would you acce -t cameron pass office. would you accept that _ cameron pass office. would you accept that there _ cameron pass office. would you accept that there are _ cameron pass office. would you i accept that there are complexities associated with doing that that perhaps were not there when ukrainians came to the uk? i understand the complexities, yes. but but gaza has been under bombardment for the last 17 years. i

understand there is differences. britain evacuated its citizens from israel, and they were stuck in gaza for many weeks. the delay is not in our favour. for many weeks. the delay is not in ourfavour. there has to be something. the death is ongoing around the clock, so please, the uk government, david cameron, anybody who is able to help, please intervene. we are worried about the safety of our families. this intervene. we are worried about the safety of our families.— safety of our families. this will not address — safety of our families. this will not address the _ safety of our families. this will not address the safety - safety of our families. this will not address the safety of - safety of our families. this willl not address the safety of others within the gaza strip, but you are seeing now perhaps a change of tone in terms of how the international community sees this conflict, and we have also heard today from relatives of the hostages. what do you think the preconditions now will be for this conflict to stop?— this conflict to stop? israel says its war against _ this conflict to stop? israel says its war against gaza _ this conflict to stop? israel says its war against gaza is - this conflict to stop? israel says its war against gaza is to - this conflict to stop? israel says its war against gaza is to bring i this conflict to stop? israel says i its war against gaza is to bring an end to hamas rule... bud its war against gaza is to bring an end to hamas rule...— end to hamas rule... and to neutralise — end to hamas rule... and to neutralise the _ end to hamas rule... and to neutralise the threat - end to hamas rule... and to neutralise the threat from . end to hamas rule... and to - neutralise the threat from gaza. yes, but we have seen from the last

70 days that it is all civilians who have been killed. i think there must be a peaceful settlement to this negotiation, to sit at the table and put the terms. because israel has failed to achieve its goals and we have seen civilians being killed day after day. i think the situation needs more intervening on the part of the uk. it all started from this country. i'm british, but this conflict started from britain, 1970. you are talking about the history, 100 years ago. i understand that. you are a film—maker and you have done a significant amount of work in gaza. how do you see now the future of gaza, given the bombardment that we have seen over the last 70 odd days? we have seen over the last 70 odd da s? , , ., ~ we have seen over the last 70 odd das? ,, days? the future is bleak. israel has destroyed _ days? the future is bleak. israel has destroyed much _ days? the future is bleak. israel has destroyed much of- days? the future is bleak. israel has destroyed much of gaza - days? the future is bleak. israel has destroyed much of gaza and j days? the future is bleak. israel i has destroyed much of gaza and it will require maybe 5—10 years to rebuild gaza. because israel

controls gaza air space, territorial crossings and the coastline. so anything has to be approved by the israeli authorities. going to gaza is not easy because we have to fly to cairo, from cairo to go to rafah. the beauty, landmarks, historical sites of gaza, and i am working on this documentary film that will be screened worldwide. i would like generations to come to see that gaza was flourishing, because i was destroyed and what is happening in gazais destroyed and what is happening in gaza is a man—made disaster. thank gaza is a man-made disaster. thank ou ve gaza is a man-made disaster. thank you very much _ gaza is a man-made disaster. thank you very much indeed _ gaza is a man-made disaster. thank you very much indeed for _ gaza is a man-made disaster. thank you very much indeed forjoining - gaza is a man—made disaster. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. the uk defence secretary says a royal navy warship has shot down a suspected attack drone, believed to be targeting merchant boats in the red sea. the hms diamond destroyer was deployed to the middle east two weeks ago, due to concerns over missile attacks from yemen's iran—backed houthi rebels. two major shipping companies

have suspended sailings because of the threat. the red sea is a key global shipping route connecting the mediterranean to the indian ocean via the suez canal. a british teenager who was missing for six years is on his way home. 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. a local resident said the teenager had been living in la bastide on and off over the past two years. french authorities said he ran away from his mother because she wanted to take him to finland. his grandmother, susan curuana, who is his legal guardian, says she can't wait to see him. lorna gordon reports. it is the secluded guesthouse where alex batty is thought to have lived with his grandfather for the last two years. off the beaten track, high in the foothills of the french pyrenees. it is the home and

community that he left for good last week. now 17, alex disappeared while on a family holiday to spain with his mother and grandfather in 2017. neither adults had parental guardianship of the teenager. he told the authorities he had spent the last few years on the move from country to country. alex had left his home in the north of england to go to mar bay are on holiday with his mother and grandfather. it was in malaga a week later that he was last seen, on the day they were due home. alex's grandmother said she had believed he had been taken to morocco to live with a spiritual community. the french police said he could have been there for around two years before moving to spain. then finally coming to france and living with a travelling community in the mountains. the teenager reappeared after he was picked up by a motorist in the early hours of wednesday morning. the driver took him to the

police for safety. alex told them his mum had wanted to move to finland and he had had enough of his nomadic lifestyle. he also told them that his grandfather had died around six months ago. speaking to locals today, the bbc was told by three people that in fact his grandfather had been seen alive at the guesthouse here where they had been staying as recently as last week. tonight, he is on its way back to england where he will be reunited with his grandmother. the authorities left trying to piece together whom he has been with, why he left and how they managed to avoid the search for him for so long. bbc news in the french pyrenees. let's now return to our top story, the israeli army says three hostages who were mistakenly shot dead by troops in gaza had been holding a white flag. frank gardner

joins us now. he is our security correspondent injerusalem. what is the idea of saying about this now? they have been unreservedly apologetic for it, they have said they expressed their deep remorse, they expressed their deep remorse, they began an investigation straightaway, they were very quick to announce their findings, which are deeply embarrassing. the rules of engagement they said had been broken. rows of engagement are the kind of guidelines, the tram lines which dictate when soldiers can or cannot open fire on what they believe it is an enemy. in this case, they were broken. they will not reveal what the idf, the israel defense forces, rows of engagement are, but it is pretty clear that firing on someone waving a white flag is against pretty much everybody pass rules of engagement, and it is quite tragic for the families of these three because they had survived 70 days in hamas captivity. these are young men in

their 20s. captivity. these are young men in their205. it captivity. these are young men in their 20s. it is not clear yet what they were doing and accompanied by a mass captors, so there is speculation that they might have escaped or that they had been abandoned by their captors, but either way they emerged from the building only to be shot. two were killed on these spot, another one was wounded and retreated back into the building, called out for help in hebrew, he came out again and then one of the shoulders shot him. and they were stripped to the west to show they were not carrying any explosives, and yet they still shot them. of course, this is tragic for them. of course, this is tragic for the families, but you have got to see this in the wider context of this war which has killed 19,000 nearly the palestinians, of whom are around 7000 maximum art hamas fighters. the majority of those killed are women and children. does it also raise — killed are women and children. does it also raise a _ killed are women and children. does it also raise a question _ killed are women and children. does it also raise a question here about whether this dual goal of eradicating the threat from hamas and also retrieving hostages are in

fact compatible? it and also retrieving hostages are in fact compatible?— and also retrieving hostages are in fact compatible? it certainly raises that question. _ fact compatible? it certainly raises that question, and _ fact compatible? it certainly raises that question, and the _ fact compatible? it certainly raises that question, and the hostage - that question, and the hostage families are very clear on this. you cannot have both. they are saying time is running out, they have had this very emotional vigil today in tel aviv outside the museum of art and what is called hostage square. one of them held up an egg timer with the sound running out saying time is running out to save our loved ones. there are still nearly 130 hostages held. some of them are going to be very difficult to negotiate their release, some of the more senior officers in the israeli defence forces, from which hamas demands a very high price. but the fact is, what these relatives are angry about is that they feel the government is going about this the wrong way. the israeli government view is that only force will get hamas to give up these hostages. but

the families say, "hang on, actually it was careful negotiation that got the other ones out earlier." during that seven day brief respite in the fighting, around just over 100 hostages were released. that is after careful, painstaking diplomatic negotiation by qatar and egypt, backed by the united states. the intelligence agencies of usa, qatar, israel, the heads got together, the hostages came out. yes, israel had to give out hundreds of palestinian prisoners from its presence and it had to open the borders, that aid in, puts the fighting, but in the end it was a success. that is not what was happening right now. trying to rescue hostages under fire happening right now. trying to rescue hostages underfire is notoriously dangerous. i have watched this go wrong in yemen, i have reported going wrong in afghanistan. it rarely works out for the best. there is nearly always

fatalities in it. the families are seriously worried and they want their government to listen to them. we are seeing now as we are talking to each other, frank, life pictures from tel aviv and protests there. so benjamin netanyahu is not only receiving pressure from home but also from the international community, and particularly the us president. community, and particularly the us resident. , ., ., community, and particularly the us resident. , . ., , president. yes, i mean that is because the — president. yes, i mean that is because the us _ president. yes, i mean that is because the us is _ president. yes, i mean that is because the us is the - president. yes, i mean that is because the us is the staunch president. yes, i mean that is - because the us is the staunch backer of israel right from the beginning. they said they have got your back, whatever it takes. but privately, the us, and increasingly publicly, the us, and increasingly publicly, the us, and increasingly publicly, the us is growing concerned at the enormous death toll and destruction thatis enormous death toll and destruction that is being wreaked upon the citizens of gaza. and they have said they would like israel to wrap up its military operation by the end of the first week of january at the latest. israel says, particularly the defence minister, "we need

months to finish the job." they are talking about degrading or destroying hamas's military capability. why? because they say mas, if they stop now, they will simply rebuild and attack them again as they did on october the 7th. and hamas has made it clear they would like to do that if they could. in a way, the israeli government has got itself to be very tight spot here. it has vowed to stop this ever happening again but its own time is running out because the international community is putting more and more pressure on them to stop this, because 19,000 people killed, of whom a minority—owned fighters, is too much. i mean, one civilian that is too much. but if you carry on a fight like this in a built—up area like gaza, you are going to get an awful lot of civilian casualties. a lot of people around the world are saying this is unacceptable. around the world are saying this is unacceptable-— around the world are saying this is unacceptable. difficult to imagine a wa out unacceptable. difficult to imagine a way out when _ unacceptable. difficult to imagine a way out when you _ unacceptable. difficult to imagine a way out when you have _ unacceptable. difficult to imagine a

way out when you have a _ unacceptable. difficult to imagine a way out when you have a finite - way out when you have a finite number of hostages to be handed over at the end of which what happens? well, there is certainly room for manoeuvre here. that is why i think we are hearing reports that the head of mossad, israel's external intelligence agency, is likely to be meeting with the qatari prime minister and foreign minister. meeting with the qatari prime ministerand foreign minister. he has both portfolios. to discuss a possible resumption of mediation. because there are still civilians being held, although i think it is going to be very difficult to get out someone like an israeli colonel. the price is going to be very high. not impossible but it is going to be painfully high for israel. but there are negotiations ready to be done potentially. and that is what the hostage families would like their government to be doing, saying you are not doing enough, you keep telling us we vow to get them out alive, meanwhile they are dying.

someone held up a placard today saying, every day, a hostage dice" and a report has come in today that another one has been murdered. this is incredibly tough for them. i don't know this is been said before, but the carnage continues in gaza. that place is being levelled. thank ou ve that place is being levelled. thank you very much _ that place is being levelled. thank you very much a — that place is being levelled. thank you very much a need _ that place is being levelled. thank you very much a need for - that place is being levelled. thank you very much a need forjoining . that place is being levelled. thank you very much a need forjoining us, frank gardner there. an english premier league football match has been abandoned after a player collapsed on the pitch. luton town's captain, tom lockyer, was taken off on a stretcher midway through the second half of the game against bournemouth. after having cardiac arrest. he underwent heart surgery earlier this year following a similar incident at wembley stadium. lockyer was reportedly "alert and responsive" shortly after being brought off the pitch. a vatican court has convicted pope francis�* former adviser to 5.5 years in jail for financial crimes,

at the end of a historic trial. angelo becciu — who was once considered a possible future pontiff — had strongly denied charges that included embezzlement and abuse of office. emily brown reports. well, it's being called italy's trial of the century. and that's because this is the most senior vatican official ever to be charged with financial crimes. the vatican court has sentenced italian cardinal angelo becciu to five years and six months injail. the 75—year—old is a former adviser to pope francis and is the most senior clergyman to face a vatican criminal court. at the heart of the trial was a 350 million euro purchase of a property in london, 60 sloane avenue, which used to be a harrods warehouse, bought with church money. but it incurred a huge loss and ended up costing the vatican tens of millions of euros. the trial, which began more than two years ago, has shone a light

on the holy see's finances and has been seen widely pope francis gave the vatican's civilian courts the power to trial cardinals and bishops, where previously they were judged by a court presided over by cardinals. angelo becciu abruptly resigned in september, 2020 after being informed of an investigation against him. angelo becciu and nine other defendants had strongly denied charges that included embezzlement and abuse of office. the panel of three layjudges met just a few hours ago before retiring ahead of their verdict. and this brings an end to an historic trial of a once powerful italian cardinal. rishi sunak has called for changes to global refugee rules, to tackle illegal migration — and warned migrants could "overwhelm" european countries. speaking at a gathering of italian conservatives and right—wingers in rome, mr sunak said "enemies" want to use migration as a "weapon"

and may deliberately drive people to europe "to try to destabilise society". earlier, we asked our political correspondent why rishi sunak decided to attend the event. it is a aood decided to attend the event. it is a good question- _ decided to attend the event. it is a good question. the _ decided to attend the event. it is a good question. the answer - decided to attend the event. it is a good question. the answer i - decided to attend the event. it is a good question. the answer i think| good question. the answer i think has a lot to do with political leaders liking to find sort of help allies on the big stage, and these two leaders have found a common purpose, even though they come from slightly different political traditions. rishi sunakfor the conservative party uk seen more as a traditional centre—right party, giorgia meloni in italy much more from the far right, her own political background on the sort of extreme right of italian politics. since she has come to power, roughly the same time rishi sunak did, she has taxi little bit more to try to soften her edges a little bit, and he has been looking for allies

internationally stop and they bond over one particular issue, which is immigration and the need to control that. they both see themselves as countries on the sort of tackling this, italy about crossings across the mediterranean, uk boat crossings across the channel. and both pushing policies that many who looked on think push the boundaries of international law. in mind, there are some significant differences. you heard rishi sunak saying that his policy is one being copied by italy, but italy's policy is to process its own migrants in albania, the uk is looking to outsource it to rwanda. . , ., ., rwanda. damian grammaticas there. sta with rwanda. damian grammaticas there. stay with us — rwanda. damian grammaticas there. stay with us here. _ hello there. good afternoon. well, it's cloudy, it's windy.

a very pretty and to the daycare. mild air coming in on a south—westerly wind. it is really quite brisk, it is blustery towards the north—west facing coasts. that wind is driving in further rain overnight tonight across western scotland. rain totals will really start to stack up. particularly for western slopes of the highlands, could see as much as 200 millimetres of rain. met office amber weather warning in force from our guile and butte stretching as far north as sutherland. there could possibly be some landslips, and the south highlands and argyll. the rain sinks a little further southwards, still dry for eastern scotland. if you breaks in eastern scotland for south—east england. temperatures could be back to a degree celsius. these are the sorts of values that would be seen by day at these times of year. another mile start to

sunday morning. the rain is going to be relentless as we had through sunday through western scotland again. this brisk south—westerly wind pushes further southwards into northern ireland and perhaps north—west england as we go through to the end of the day. some breaks in the ground. possibly some breaks across south—east england. it is very mild steel for the time of year. temperatures well above the seasonal average. turning colder is that rain clears scotland through the day on monday. more rain edging into western scotland. moving south on tuesday to find this weather front moving other eastwards, and it is likely to reinvigorate. a very wet day across england and wales through tuesday. there could be some wintry showers further north across scotland. much of northern england staying largely dry. here is the outlook as we move through the rest of the week. things are still likely to change. it will turn milder through the middle part of the week and then colder as we head towards

the end of the week. a lot of uncertainty about how far south that colder air is likely to get, so do keep an eye on the forecast. 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 families of israelis still held in gaza have intensified their calls on the israeli government to resume negotiations with hamas — to try to secure their release. a spokesman for the israeli prime minister defended their approach. if there is an opportunity to free hostages, we will take that opportunity, but we think the application of military force on the hamas military machine and its leadership is the way to expedite the release of people. aljazeera — the tv news network — says one of its camera operators was killed by an israeli air strike in southern gaza. italy's prime minister georgia meloni is hosting a four—day right—wing festival , rishi sunak and elon musk are among the guests. hello and welcome to sportsday this

saturday night — i'm chetan