live from london, this is bbc news. israel says it's working to secure the release of more hostages held in gaza as relatives stage a protest in tel aviv. the world health organisation says it has delivered crucial medical supplies to gaza's al shifa hospital. the british teenager alex batty, found in france after being missing for six years, has returned to the uk. luton town captain tom lockyer is "stable" after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch in a premier league match. and... i will be representing the uk at the eurovision song contest. pop star and actor olly alexander is to be the united kingdom's entry for next year's eurovision song contest.

hello, i'm catherine byaruhanga. we start with the latest on the israel—gaza war. the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says israel is working with egypt and qatar to try and secure the release of hostages held by hamas. relatives of the hostages staged a big rally in tel aviv on saturday night. many carried placards bearing large pictures of their loved ones. they said the current policy of using military force wasn't working. mr netanyahu insisted that the military campaign would continue, but said israel is working for a possible deal. hamas, which is deemed a terrorist organisation by the us, uk and other western governments, says it will not agree to another deal for the release of hostages, unless what it calls the aggression against palestinian people stops "once and for all".

meanwhile, the world health organisation says it has delivered crucial medical supplies to gaza's al shifa hospital which has been working under much reduced capacity following israel's military offensive. the organisation said the team supplied medicines, surgical and other medical equipment to the hospital which it said was "currently minimally functional". one member of who staff posted this update from the hospital. it this update from the hospital. is completely overw with it is completely overwhelmed with patients, very few staff, we have been here for the last 30 minutes, non—stop stream of injured people coming in, on trolleys, on donkey carts and stretches been pushed down the road. there are almost no medical staff here, this largest hospital here in gaza has become a trauma stabilisation point. they can only provide the most basic care for people with very

serious injuries and very serious injuries and very serious illnesses. palestinian media say at least four people have been killed in clashes with israeli forces across the west bank. a sixteen—year—old boy was shot dead near ramallah and injenin, a man died of his wounds after being hit by an israeli drone. ourfirst report is from our middle east correspondent, hugo bachega, who has reaction to the confirmation from the israeli army that three hostages mistakenly killed by israeli soldiers in gaza were shot dead while holding a white cloth. for the families of the hostages who remain in gaza, it's an agonising wait made worse by a tragic mistake. the israeli military has given new details of how three israeli captives were shot dead by its own soldiers. yotam haim, alon shamriz and samer talalka emerged shirtless from a building, carrying a makeshift white flag.

one of the soldiers misidentified them as a threat and opened fire. two were killed instantly. a third, injured, returned to the building and was later killed. translation: we will draw the lessons, implement - the lessons and remain relentless in our military and diplomatic efforts to bring back all the hostages home safely. with all the terrible sadness, let me clarify — the military pressure is necessary both for bringing back the hostages and to achieve victory. the instruction i'm giving the negotiating team is predicated on pressure. without this pressure, we have nothing. here in tel aviv, thousands have gathered in what is known as hostage square. their message — bring the captives home, now. there's shock and anger across the country after the killing of the hostages and fear that without a deal, many other hostages may not return alive.

the families say time is running out. everyone that was taken out of gaza was a body. and we don't want them as bodies. and what is your message for the government? make a ceasefire until all the hostages are back, alive cos every day that passes by, we are just discovering more and more names of hostages that were taken alive and now they are coming back dead. gaza, too, is mourning its dead. 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. israel says military force will help bring back the hostages, but many here disagree. hugo bachega, bbc news, tel aviv. udi goren�*s cousin tal, who was kidnapped by hamas

on october the 7th, has now died. he told us he rejects benjamin netanyahu's message that the military operation is necessary to force hamas to free the hostages. this is nowjust buying time. we could have understood this in the past, when it was proven to us that following the military operation, we went onto the first hostage deal and some of the hostages began coming home and then, we were asked to wait again for 1.5 weeks. during this time, we've learned that at least ten hostages that went into gaza alive are now dead. we know this for a fact. so, this means that when the government or the idf was telling us to wait because the military pressure is going to bring the hostages home, well, every day we're waiting we're losing another hostage. we know that there's now a deal on the table. we know.

there is talk. the government can pull off a deal now. it's up to us. of course, it's not easy, of course, it's a difficult negotiation, but it can be done so as long as the mantra is "we need to keep on fighting because this is the only way "that the hostages are coming back," that is a false statement. britain and germany are calling for an urgent need for a sustainable ceasefire in gaza. writing in the sunday times, the british foreign secretary, lord cameron, and his german counterpart, annalena baeerbock, say too many civilians have been killed in the fighting. our political correspondent, damian grammaticas has more. what seems clear is what we are seeing is not so much a shift in position but certainly a shift in tone and emphasis from the uk and the german government, and their is a

joint article, uk foreign secretary lord cameron and his german counterpart, try to set out the uk and german position. remember, early in the week we had a vote at the un general assembly, 150 plus countries calling for supporting an immediate ceasefire in gaza. two dozen countries abstained including the uk and germany, the us voted against it at that point, and what uk and germany are saying is they do back a ceasefire but it will have to be a permanent one. so they do not support it right now but they say the recent experience has shown that pauses in the fighting to work to allow for a to go in, and ideally, hopefully force hostages to be released and come out. they want to see more of that but importantly they do say they want to see ceasefires be permanent and that should

happen as soon as possible. so it is a direction of travel if you like, and crucially where they do shift able but the emphasis is the talk about civilian casualties, and writing jointly, civilian casualties, and writingjointly, uk civilian casualties, and writing jointly, uk and german foreign ministers both say too many civilians have been killed in gaza and the israeli forces have to target hamas, not civilians and there i think we get a sense of how the growing civilian casualty toll is leading to shifting opinions internationally. even saw the us in the last few days, kristin biden saying he had told the israeli leader that the civilian casualty toll was leading to or undermining international support for israel were his words. this is if you like, giving a sense to israel about shifting opinion on what could happen if the conduct of the war in gaza does

not change. our political correspondent, damian grammaticus. well, this is the scene live over the israel—gaza border as seen from israel. we have, in the last hour, seen smoke rising on the skyline. the afp newsagency is reporting that witnesses said there had been israeli air and artillery strikes on bani suhaila east of khan yunis. joining me in the studio is bbc arabic correspondent, said shehata. there had been several developments over the last 24—hour is an as we have seen their calls from the uk and germany for what they are calling a sustained or sustainable ceasefire. now israel is saying it is open to negotiating with khan younis — hamas for a fresh ceasefire and fresh hostage releases. what are you hearing from the region

about how these releases could happen? about how these releases could ha--en? . about how these releases could ha en? . ., about how these releases could hauen? ., ., happen? the head of mossad met with the qatari _ happen? the head of mossad met with the qatari minister _ happen? the head of mossad met with the qatari minister in - with the qatari minister in oslo and they discussed remedying how to negotiate another deal a ceasefire or a truce, and the head of massad and his team are likely to meet also egyptian officials because egypt is part of this mediation thing. so i think it is going to happen soon, a truce, because israel mistakenly killed three hostages and it has put pressure on the israeli army and there was demonstration within israel from the family of the hostages on the israeli government to do more to get the hostages back. all of that and america also pressure on israel to stop fighting and in order to have a truce in order to make aid to go in and relieve the humanitarian situation. so

negotiation is ongoing, there is hope within the next few days, a truce would be struck and hostages because the military operation showed they could not do the job. the truce for a week before when it happened for a week it released several hostages, so the negotiation will revive the hope for getting back some hostages back to israel and pressure from the inaudible. what are we hearing in terms of what is up for discussion, hamas says it wants the conflict and suffering of palestinian people is to end once and for all. could we see a similar ceasefire as it was before or are there other issues back for discussion now? there are several issues, the main issue is to reach a truce, the long—term one is a two state negotiation a negotiation

for lasting peace. lord cameron in his article with the german foreign minister talking about a ceasefire avoid the casualties because there are now more than 18,500 civilians killed in gaza, and also clashes in the west bank and some people died and some sources from within the west bank saying 200, 291 killed or died since seven october. there is a fear of the spread of the conflict out of the gaza to go there because we can look at there because we can look at the houthis sending drones and the houthis sending drones and the british and there is fear from hezbollah also they also launching some strikes against some israeli targets, so there is fear of expanding the conflict outside gaza. so the

talk now about negotiation to reach a truce and then a two state solution. the minister of defence is coming to the region in order to progress this kind of negotiation.— in order to progress this kind of negotiation. thank you very much. of negotiation. thank you very much- from — of negotiation. thank you very much. from bbc— of negotiation. thank you very much. from bbc arabic. - the united states says one of its warships shot down more than a dozen attack drones fired from houthi—controlled areas of yemen on saturday. the national security adviser, jake sullivan — who is on a trip to the middle east — described the houthis as a "material threat" to shipping. the iranian—backed group has carried out numerous drone and missile strikes on vessels passing through the red sea in recent weeks. four of the world's five—largest shipping companies have announced they're suspending sailings through the route — one of the main arteries of global maritime trade. the houthis say they are targeting israel—bound ships, but experts say they're firing indiscriminately.

away from the middle east, more than 60 migrants, including women and children, are feared dead after their boat sank off the coast of libya. the international organization for migration quoted survivors saying the boat, carrying around 86 people, departed the libyan city of zwara and was headed to europe. a british teenager who was missing for six years has now arrived 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 near toulouse in france. greater manchester police confirmed he was in the uk. a warning there is some flash photography during assistant chief constable, matt boyle's statement. it gives me great pleasure to say that alex has now made his safe return back to the uk

after six years. earlier today alex met with a family member alongside greater manchester police officers, at toulouse court before heading back to the uk. this moment was undoubtedly huge for him and his loved ones and we are glad that they have been able to ch other again after all this time. speaking with him at a pace that feels comfortable to him will ultimately determine how this case progresses and whether there is a criminal investigation to institute. our continued focus is supporting alex and his family in partnership with local agencies to ensure that they are safe, their well—being is looked after and his reintegration into society is as easy as

possible. assistant chief constable, matt boyle. our correspondent, lorna gordon, sent this report from toulouse on reaction to alex batty being found there. this is the secluded guest house 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 adult 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 marbella 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'd 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 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. but speaking to locals today, the bbc was told by three people that, in fact, his grandfather had been seen alive at the guest house here where they had been staying as recently as last week. tonight, alex batty is on his way back to will be reunited there are many questions which the authorities will now be trying to answer. lorna gordon, bbc news, in the french pyrenees. football now and a premier

league captain is in a stable condition in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch. luton town's tom lockyer collapsed during the match at bournemouth. joe lynskey reports. luton town's manager was visibly moved. his team and bournemouth came back out when their match had been abandoned, brought to an end as players from both teams saw luton�*s captain fall to the ground. tom lockyer had suffered a cardiac arrest. he was treated on the pitch and was responsive when he went off on a stretcher. he was transferred to hospital where his club said... this is not the first time this has happened to this player. back in may, lockyer collapsed in the championship play off final. as luton won promotion, his teammates held aloft his shirt. lockyer was diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation,

but, aftersurgery, injune he was cleared to play again. it's an abnormal rhythm that occurs in the upper chambers of the heart. although we are able to fully screen individuals, we don't always identify every condition that may be underlying, and there may be also an evolution of that which may have changed. lockyer had resumed his career in the same way as christian eriksen. he's now at manchester united, two years on from a cardiac arrest while playing for denmark at the euros. tom lockyer is 29 and a wales international. he'd worked his way up to his first year in the top flight. a whole sport is now behind him on a day when match results became irrelevant. joe lynskey, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news now. polls are due to open shortly in serbia for parliamentary and local elections. the progressive party which has been in power since 2012 is facing a largely united opposition.

the serbia against violence coalition includes 15 opposition parties from left wing to centre right. the movement started after two mass shootings horrified the country in may. people in chad are going to vote in a referendum today on a new constitution as the country tries to transition from the military to civilian rule. eight million voters are expected to turn out although there have been concerns over transparency and voter intimidation. both the military led transitional government and the main opposition party support the new constitution. it was a significant day at one of the most revered landmarks in paris on saturday, almost four years on from the fire that ravaged notre—dame cathedral. a crane hoisted a new gold copper rooster back to the top of the cathedral�*s spire.

the new flame—shaped bird, which is also a weather vane, was blessed by the paris archbishop. workers are racing to finish rebuilding the cathedral in the next 12 months. it's one of the world's biggest tv contests. we're talking the eurovision song contest. well, the united kingdom has revealed that the pop star and award—winning actor olly alexander will represent the country at next year's contest in sweden. the surprise announcement was made during the final of strictly come dancing. yes, ican yes, i can exclusively reveal that i will be representing the uk at the eurovision song contest! well, our music correspondent mark savage sat down with olly alexander to get his reaction to the news being made public. i feel like it is a ifeel like it is a bit like i feel like it is a bit like a spiritual homecoming for me because i love it so much and i

feel like, i don't know, i am excited to be a part of it. it is a celebration ofjoy and fun and i love how the theatrics, the drama, the amazing chaos, it is a mixture of different music and performers and there is so much in one night and camp. there is a quick turnaround, wowing everybody, what it will look like, what you will do. i am thinking about it now.— you will do. i am thinking about it now. . , ., . about it now. have you decided on the song — about it now. have you decided on the song yet? _ about it now. have you decided on the song yet? i _ about it now. have you decided on the song yet? i wrote - about it now. have you decided on the song yet? i wrote the i on the song yet? i wrote the son: on the song yet? i wrote the song with — on the song yet? i wrote the song with a _ on the song yet? i wrote the song with a collaborator- on the song yet? i wrote the song with a collaborator and| on the song yet? i wrote the i song with a collaborator and it will be coming soon, next year and it is... really good? william lee—adams is an author and eurovision experts. he thinks that olly is potential winner. when the uk did poorly at eurovision in liverpool, people worried that the bbc gave up

but now have responded with this, the best possible outcome. there is so much hype. olly alexander is not a star on the rise who needs eurovision to make his career go places. he is a huge deal who has already arrived. he waited with kylie minogue among others, his have won awards for his acting, his had number one albums and five top ten singles. he is already an icon and the fact that he wants to do eurovision is just beautiful. that he wants to do eurovision isjust beautiful. he is supported by polydor, his record label here in the uk and they also represent abba in the uk and lorraine. who are two swedish megastar acts who also won eurovision. and when you have that kind of backing behind you it is hard to see how things can go wrong. olly is not intimidated by any stage. he has been on the west end, acted withjudy dench. he

was in a critically a slant acclaimed series it's a sin. acting skills, music skills, pushing boundaries. this feels like a potential winner. staying with the entertainment theme, the legendary singer cher has taken part in the final of the bbc hit show strictly come dancing. #dj # dj play a christmas song # i wanna be dancing all night long # it is tough outside but it is love in here... . the megastar performed her new song dj play a christmas song while the public votes were counted ahead of the moment the winners were announced. ellie and vita! actress ellie leach and her partner vita coppola were crowned winners.

stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. part two of the weekend looks pretty similar to saturday's with a lot of cloud around for many, glimmers of brightness here and there, and it remaining pretty mild for mid—december. there will be some very wet weather, though, continuing across the north and west of scotland, thanks to almost stationary weather front here. but you can see on the air mass charts, the mild air moving up on a brisk south—westerly wind. however, this weather front will continue to bring some problems across northwest scotland, some heavy rainfall. it does start to weaken a little bit as it sinks southwards into more central parts of the country for sunday evening. but we're concerned about the northwest highlands. by the end of sunday, we could be looking at up to 200 millimetres of rain falling in places. that's likely to lead some localised flooding and even some landslips in some sensitive areas. so the amber warning the met office have enforced throughout sunday continues for the north and west highlands. the rain beginning to edge a bit further southwards into argyll, towards the end of the day pushes into dumfries and galloway,

northern ireland, into the evening, probably across cumbria and northwest wales. elsewhere it's rather cloudy, glimmers of brightness, southeast england, east of the pennines, east wales, and that'lljust make it feel even more mild, with temperatures at the low to mid—teens for many. that weather front begins to weaken as it moves southwards during sunday night. but it starts to reinvigorate across wales, south west england by the end of the night, and it turns a bit colder for the very far north of scotland. otherwise, it's a largely mild night to come for most 8—11 degrees. for monday, we have a couple of weather fronts across the country. these will reinvigorate as they move their way eastward. so it starts off again, rather cloudy for many, limited brightness. the rain peps up across northern ireland, central southern scotland, northern england, the midlands, wales for a time and then pushes out into the north sea, leaves the legacy of cloud, further spots of rain and drizzle. and once again, for the time of year it'll be fairly mild, temperatures low to mid—teens. as we move out to monday to tuesday, this more active weather front

will bring some wet weather for england and wales throughout the day on tuesday. turns briefly colder across the far north of the country, you can see there. but generally we're in the influence of low pressure. so next week will remain fairly unsettled. rain at times, generally mild for most of us, but it will start to see a little bit colder, particularly towards the end of the week across northern areas. and you can see that evidence here for the end of the week. but generally speaking, generally mild for mid to late december with outbreaks of rain, a little bit of brightness here and there.

this is bbc news. the headlines: israel says it's working with with egypt and qatar to secure the release of more hostages held in gaza as relatives stage a protest in tel aviv. the world health organization says it has delivered crucial medical supplies to gaza's al shifa hospital which has been working with a much reduced capacity following israel's military offensive. the british teenager alex batty, found in france after being missing for six years, has returned to the uk. luton town captain tom lockyer is "stable" after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch in a premier league match. i will be representing the uk at the eurovision song contest! pop star and actor olly alexander is to be the united kingdom's entry for next year's

eurovision song contest.