the hamas—run health ministry says israeli strikes on the jabalia refugee camp killed 110 palestinians. voters in egypt wait on election results, with president abdel fattah al—sisi widley tipped to win a third term. heavy security outside a hong kong court, for the trial of pro—democracy campaigner, jimmy lai. his son says the hearing is just for show. hello, welcome to bbc news now — three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. israel's assault on gaza is showing no sign of slowing down. the hamas—run health ministry said today 110 people were killed in air strikes on the jabalia refugee camp in the north of the strip on sunday. a residential block was hit, with reports of many more people being trapped under rubble. the israeli military

hasn't given any details about reported air strikes. but the idf says operations injabalia, like this one on friday, have destroyed hamas tunnels, explosives and military equipment, and soldiers found more than £1 million claimed to be "designated for terrorist activity". our gaza correspondent, rushdi abu alouf, who is now based in turkey, says the area has been a focus for israeli forces recently. the camp is in the north, and the air strikes were intensified in the location overnight. as international pressure mounts on israel to reduce

civilian casualties, and with growing calls for a ceasefire, the us secretary of defence has returned to israel. lloyd austin has met his israeli counterpart and is also due to talk to prime minister benjamin netanyahu with a focus on how israel plans to move to the next phase of the war. the un security council is expected to vote on monday on a resolution calling for an "urgent and sustainable cessastion of hostilities". the us blocked a previous resolution that called for a humanitarian ceasefire. over the weekend the uk, france and germany stepped up calls for a pause in the fighting. conditions in gaza keep getting worse. supplies are arriving, but as you can see in these pictures, trucks crossing from egypt are quickly surrounded by desperate crowds. aid agencies are reporting widespread starvation and desperation, as the fighting continues. live now to juliette touma, the director of communications at the un relief and works agency, one of the united nations�*

largest programmes. thank you for taking the time to speak to us on bbc news. if you could give us an understanding of how desperate the situation is right now in certain areas of gaza. weill. now in certain areas of gaza. well, we have passed — now in certain areas of gaza. well, we have passed 70 _ now in certain areas of gaza. well, we have passed 70 days _ now in certain areas of gaza. well, we have passed 70 days since - now in certain areas of gaza. well, we have passed 70 days since the l we have passed 70 days since the start of what has been a very, very brutal war, and a big siege, and the longer this war continues, the more desperate people become, and the more hungry they become, and the more hungry they become, and the more they lose any hope for a prospect that this comes to an end, and it should come to an end. there are eiuht and it should come to an end. there are eight trucks _ and it should come to an end. there are eight trucks coming _ and it should come to an end. there are eight trucks coming into - and it should come to an end. there are eight trucks coming into gaza, but tell me how much they are making a difference because we are seeing pictures of trucks coming in from egypt and many people surrounding them out of sheer desperation. == them out of sheer desperation. -- aid them out of sheer desperation. » aid tracks. yes, people are hungry

and desperate, and we have witnessed this first hand when these aid trucks come in, as important as this is, people are actually coming onto the trucks and grabbing the third and they start eating it then and there. it isjust and they start eating it then and there. it is just one and they start eating it then and there. it isjust one indicator as to how bad the situation has become. and we are seeing a great number of people internally displaced and sheltering in areas, and what conditions are they living in right now, and how safe are those areas? we have seen an increase in the people coming to use our facilities. 1.4 million people now live in these facilities and i visited one recently in kahn younis, and it is just appalling. people are literally on top of each other will stop all they are asking for is a sip of

water, a piece of bread. people continue to come to these shelters and we are seeing diseases that are starting to spread. it is cold, it is raining. i saw children walking around with that summer shoes and summer clothes. there's not enough blankets, there's not enough mattresses. and we will continue to see this increase. are they safe question mark no, they are not safe. it was recorded 150 hit on our facilities which should be protected in accordance with international law. ~ ., in accordance with international law. ~ , ., ., in accordance with international law. we spoke earlier on to a spokesperson _ law. we spoke earlier on to a spokesperson from _ law. we spoke earlier on to a spokesperson from the - law. we spoke earlier on to a | spokesperson from the israeli government and he talked about the fact that the israeli government says it is trying to protect civilians as much as possible in gaza. what reaction do you have to that? ., ., 4'

gaza. what reaction do you have to that? ., ., ~ _, ., .,, that? look, we continue to lose colleagues- _ that? look, we continue to lose colleagues. the _ that? look, we continue to lose colleagues. the latest - that? look, we continue to lose colleagues. the latest update . that? look, we continue to lose colleagues. the latest update is that 136 of our colleagues have been killed. a number of civilians who are killed among them many women and children, according to the reports, 70% of those killed are women and children, so it very high. and much more needs to be done to protect civilians and to spare civilian infrastructure from attacks, or from being hit during this war. it is good to talk to you. thank you for taking the time to speak to us. to northern ireland next. the bbc understands the democratic unionist party has ruled out the prospect of a deal to restore devolution at stormont before christmas. the region has been without a devolved government

for almost two years, after the democratic unionist party withdrew support following brexit. the westminster government wanted the devolved assembly to be recalled this week for ministers to be appointed — but it's understood the dup's position is that the negotiating process is not yet complete. live now to professor of politics at the university of liverpool, jonathan tonge. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. let me ask you first of all your reaction to what has happened today. i’m your reaction to what has happened toda . �* ., , , , your reaction to what has happened toda. .,, ,, ., your reaction to what has happened toda. ., , today. i'm not surprised at the dup has said they _ today. i'm not surprised at the dup has said they will _ today. i'm not surprised at the dup has said they will not _ today. i'm not surprised at the dup has said they will not do _ today. i'm not surprised at the dup has said they will not do a - today. i'm not surprised at the dup has said they will not do a deal - has said they will not do a deal before christmas. there is still a possibility of a deal in the new year, and i think the next deadline we are probably looking at is january the 18th because if a power—sharing executive has not returned to northern ireland by that date in january, returned to northern ireland by that date injanuary, then the secretary of state is obliged to call fresh elections within 12 weeks to the northern ireland assembly. no one thinks those elections would solve the problem, and in all likelihood

the problem, and in all likelihood the secretary of state may pass legislation to avoid having to call fresh elections, but nonetheless, thatis fresh elections, but nonetheless, that is a deadline. i think trying to solve everything given the dup has been out of the parish level so long, trying to solve everything in the week before christmas was always on the ambitious side. so the week before christmas was always on the ambitious side.— on the ambitious side. so it's ambitious — on the ambitious side. so it's ambitious now _ on the ambitious side. so it's ambitious now in _ on the ambitious side. so it's ambitious now in terms - on the ambitious side. so it's ambitious now in terms of. on the ambitious side. so it's - ambitious now in terms of timing, so what do you think the timing will be moving forward? i what do you think the timing will be moving forward?— moving forward? i think there is still a lot to _ moving forward? i think there is still a lot to be _ moving forward? i think there is still a lot to be sorted _ moving forward? i think there is still a lot to be sorted out - moving forward? i think there is still a lot to be sorted out and i still a lot to be sorted out and thatis still a lot to be sorted out and that is the problem. even trying to get a deal done injanuary will be difficult. all the parties across the spectrum in northern ireland say they want more money from the british government, which has already offered £2.5 billion, and the dup is the most strident voice of all in wanting more cash. but then there is the bigger issue, the one that has downed power sharing for the best part of two years, and that's the fact that the dup does not like the post—brexit trading arrangement for northern ireland. the dup was offered a better deal and got one in terms of the windsor framework which was agreed between

rishi sunak and the eu earlier this year but that still leaves some eu rules applying to northern ireland and it does have some elements of an irish sea border that is checks on goods going between great britain and northern ireland. the dup have issued seven tests that they want passing which basically involves removing much of the windsor framework and i don't think that's a realistic possibility. so this stalemate could go on for some time yet. stalemate could go on for some time et. �* ., ., , stalemate could go on for some time et. ~ ., ., , . stalemate could go on for some time et.�* ., , yet. and what has the impact been northern ireland _ yet. and what has the impact been northern ireland in _ yet. and what has the impact been northern ireland in terms - yet. and what has the impact been northern ireland in terms of - yet. and what has the impact been northern ireland in terms of the i northern ireland in terms of the crisis there?— northern ireland in terms of the crisis there? ,., . ., ., crisis there? the impact on northern ireland has been _ crisis there? the impact on northern ireland has been huge. _ crisis there? the impact on northern ireland has been huge. you've - crisis there? the impact on northern ireland has been huge. you've got i ireland has been huge. you've got the worst waiting lists in the nhs anywhere in the uk, public services are in crisis, there is no decisions or very few decisions being made and those that are being taken are either on the basis of ad hoc direct rule from westminster, or they are taken by civil servants in northern ireland, who are taking decisions that politicians should be taking. the secretary of state has cut the salaries of all the assembly members but that has still not got the dup

back into the institutions, and if you look around at how long devolved power sharing has been down, 40% of the time since it was created in northern ireland, the longer this goes on, the bigger the sense of well, does a power—sharing actually work in northern ireland? and the bigger that question may loom. finally before i let you go, we talk about the solutions, the resolutions, where do you think the answer lies, given all the difficulties that you have just outlined? i difficulties that you have “ust outlined? ., �* ~' �* difficulties that you have “ust outlined? , ., , outlined? i don't think i'll be any chance at outlined? i don't think i'll be any change at all _ outlined? i don't think i'll be any change at all to _ outlined? i don't think i'll be any change at all to the _ outlined? i don't think i'll be any change at all to the windsor- change at all to the windsor framework. so the dup is going to have to compromise on some of the demands within the seven test. it's how far that party is prepared to compromise and that is where the solution lies. fresh elections won't solve anything. the only option for the british government is potentially to reform the institution and how they work in northern ireland, in order to prevent a collapse of them in future. professor from the university of liverpool, good to get your analysis, thank you for talking to

us. the outcome of egypt's presidential election is due to be announced shortly. the election is expected to give president al—sisi a sweeping victory and a new six—year term, given the absence of real competition. the election took place against a backdrop of a struggling economy, with inflation running at nearly 40%, and basic commodities often beyond the reach of egyptian households. live now to cairo, and our correspondent sally nabil. a foregone conclusion, really, the result of this presidential election. result of this presidential election-— result of this presidential election. , ., ., , , election. explain to viewers why that is. actually, the results have already been decided. this is what we have heard from many people, even before the election started. everybody here knows that president al—sisi is not facing any sort of competition whatsoever. it was more or less a one—man show or a one—horse race,

and this is what we have heard from so many people before the elections. his team agree he was being challenged by three local politicians who do not even have their names are known by people. many people did not know who the other competitors are. there was only one potential frontrunner but he dropped out of the race, and he accused the authorities of cracking down on members of his campaign and now he is standing trial as he is accused of circulating election papers without authorisation. he was the only potential frontrunner from that position who could have posed a real challenge to the president. this is why a lot of people believe that president al—sisi is going to secure a very easy win for his third term in a row, but it is notjust about who is going to win. it is about who is going to win. it is about the key challenges waiting for the president to be, and above all it is the economy that is in

everyone �*s mine. inflation rates are nearly 40%. a lot of egyptian families are struggling to make ends meet. we have been talking to people over the past couple of weeks and i remember one housewife saying she had not bought meat in three years because she can't afford it any more. people are pretty apprehensive that tougher times might lie ahead because the economy is not doing well at all, and all the economic prospects for this country are pretty grim. prospects for this country are pretty grim-— prospects for this country are pretty grim. prospects for this country are re rim. , ., ~ , pretty grim. sadly, thank you very much indeed. _ much indeed. as always, you can get more on the election in egypt and everything else going on around the world on our website. the front page at the moment has a really in—depth life page on the very latest from israel. it is updated minute by minute by correspondence not only in the middle east, but also here in london, so do go to the live page to get the very latest on the israel gaza conflict. you are watching bbc news.

the government says it will set out plans in the coming days to modernise the laws around spiking — putting drugs or alcohol in another person's drink or directly into their body without their knowledge. more training for door staff at pubs and clubs and funding for testing kits are among a package of measures announced. campaigners have been calling for drink and needle spiking to be made a specific offence. two people have been taken to hospital and 50 people evacuated from their homes after a gas explosion at a property in blackburn. the detonation caused the walls and roof of a terraced house to crumble. their injuries are not believed to be life—threatening. police say there is no ongoing risk from either gas or the building collapse. the government is expected to announce that it's planning a provisional increase of 6.5 in its funding for local councils in england next year. a final figure will be agreed by the treasury early in the new year. councils have been warning that they face significant budgetary pressures.

you're live with bbc news. the trial of the prominent pro—democracy campaigner, jimmy lai, has begun in hong kong. the 76—year—old was arrested in 2020, accused of undermining the territory's national security through articles published in his apple daily newspaper and on social media. mr lai has been held in solitary confinement for the past three years. his writing was deemed to be illegal under laws imposed by beijing. security was tight outside the court for the start of his the hearing, which his son has labelled a show trial. mr lai — who is also a british citizen — has pleaded not guilty to all charges. the united states and britain have condemned the trial and have urged the authorities in hong kong to release businessman. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale has more. jimmy lai used to be a powerful media boss in hong kong, and he used his apple daily newspaper to criticise china's communist party.

he also took part in, and supported, pro—democracy demonstrations in the former british colony, which led the authorities to impose tough national security laws. three years ago, they arrested mr lai and jailed him forfraud, which he denied. and now they're trying him for sedition and collusion with foreign governments, which he also denies. mr lai, who's 76, was born in mainland china, but he's also a british national. last week, lord cameron met his son, sebastian, at the foreign office. in a statement, the foreign secretary said he was particularly concerned at the politically motivated prosecution of mr lai, who'd been targeted, he said, for exercising his freedom of expression. he added... mr lai's supporters do not expect a fair trial. if convicted, he could face life in prison.

the proceedings, which may last months, will be seen as a fresh challenge to media freedom in hong kong, and will shape its reputation for global investors. china has urged the uk to stop meddling in its affairs. james landale, bbc news. let's cross live now to the hong kong activist and politician, nathan law. good to get you on the programme and such an important day today, and many people are saying that this trial is pretty much a sham. what trial is pretty much a sham. what are our trial is pretty much a sham. what are your thoughts? _ trial is pretty much a sham. what are your thoughts? this - trial is pretty much a sham. what are your thoughts? this is - are your thoughts? this is definitely a show trial. there are more than 250 defendants in the national security court which has no jury national security court which has no jury and the judges are being hand—picked and there is a restricted media access. all of them are convicted. for now, there is no realistic thought that mr lai will

be the exception. talk realistic thought that mr lai will be the exception.— be the exception. talk to me a little bit about _ be the exception. talk to me a little bit about the _ be the exception. talk to me a little bit about the role - be the exception. talk to me a little bit about the role of- be the exception. talk to me a little bit about the role of the l be the exception. talk to me a l little bit about the role of the uk and the us, because we have heard lord cameron speaking out to the chinese about what is happening. how significant is it? how important is it that the uk diplomatic or at least speaks out to the chinese about this?— least speaks out to the chinese about this? �* , ., ., ., about this? best of all, the foreign secretary met _ about this? best of all, the foreign secretary met with _ about this? best of all, the foreign secretary met with sebastien, - about this? best of all, the foreign secretary met with sebastien, the l secretary met with sebastien, the son of mr mr lai, and for the past year the british government has been avoiding meeting with the representatives of mr lai, so this is a healthy signal and shows that he is a british citizen and as such is getting the support that he needs. in terms of the british government meddling with the internal affairs of china, it is

ridiculous because the hong kong government is putting a british citizen on trial in such a ridiculous fashion, and if mr lai is convicted he could face a life sentence. convicted he could face a life sentence-— convicted he could face a life sentence. ~ . ' . ., ~' sentence. what difference do think it will make to _ sentence. what difference do think it will make to have _ sentence. what difference do think it will make to have that _ sentence. what difference do think it will make to have that kind - sentence. what difference do think it will make to have that kind of. it will make to have that kind of from the foreign secretary after a yearin from the foreign secretary after a year in which the uk government has been reticent about engaging, as you described it yourself? iuntimely been reticent about engaging, as you described it yourself?— described it yourself? when you understand _ described it yourself? when you understand the _ described it yourself? when you understand the current - described it yourself? when you understand the current political| described it yourself? when you - understand the current political and judicial system of hong kong, and the current courts are heavily tilted to the beijing government and they have become an extended arm of they have become an extended arm of the incarceration system which put democratic activists in jail for no reason. mr lai is on trial because he published articles in hong kong and stood up for freedom.

he published articles in hong kong and stood up forfreedom. he he published articles in hong kong and stood up for freedom. he does not advocate for violence or call for independence, he isjust merely exercising his freedom of speech to stand up for democracy and freedom. so in that case, this is a really significant example and how the whole hong kong system has become so authoritarian they have to put a 76—year—old businessman injail in order to make a point about hong kong. nathan, good to talk to you. thank you for talking to us.— you for talking to us. thank you so much. emergency services in australia have been trying to rescue hundreds of people trapped by flooding in the state of queensland. authorities say people were stuck on the roofs of their homes.. as rising waters cut off entire areas. severe weather warnings remain in place, with the heavy rains that have swollen rivers and engulfed roads expected to continue for most of monday. if that wasn't enough, take a look at this. a crocodile was seen swimming in a storm drain, in the town of ingham.

you can just see the croc�*s face in the water. not what you want to see when you are looking out of your window, i am sure. let's cross live now to michael kerr, he's the mayor of douglas shire, one of the worst hit areas in north queensland. you must be so busy looking after these very frightened people in the area you are in, but talk us through how bad it has been. last area you are in, but talk us through how bad it has been.— area you are in, but talk us through how bad it has been. last week there was a cyclone — how bad it has been. last week there was a cyclone crossing _ how bad it has been. last week there was a cyclone crossing the _ was a cyclone crossing the queensland coast and ended up only being a category two cyclone, and we thought the worst was over. there was just tree damage and a lot of branches down. unfortunately, the weather system does not move on like it normally would and it stayed directly above us and kept dropping rain down. 0ver directly above us and kept dropping rain down. over 1500 directly above us and kept dropping rain down. 0ver1500 millimetres within three orfour rain down. 0ver1500 millimetres within three or four days, and rain down. 0ver1500 millimetres within three orfour days, and it just continues. even last night, some areas received 650 millimetres, which caused a lot of water going

through properties. 0ther which caused a lot of water going through properties. other areas, rivers have burst their banks and some houses were up to their roofs. people were sitting on the roofs, as you mentioned, and in other areas a main street was completely inundated with water. a lot of damage has been done and a lot of roads have collapsed and there have been landslides all over the place with big boulders falling onto main roads. so each community is isolated, and at this stage we are waiting for military intervention to try to get assistance in there. what try to get assistance in there. what kind of an impact _ try to get assistance in there. what kind of an impact has _ try to get assistance in there. what kind of an impact has had - try to get assistance in there. what kind of an impact has had this on people and on their daily lives, for example hospitals and people getting on with their daily lives? weill. on with their daily lives? well, there has _ on with their daily lives? well, there has been _ on with their daily lives? well, there has been no _ on with their daily lives? well, there has been no daily - on with their daily lives? well, there has been no daily life - on with their daily lives? well, i there has been no daily life going on, and that has been the problem. these people have been stranded in their areas with no power and no communication, no internet. you know, they have just been there, most of them with no water as well. so they have been dealing with tough conditions in the last few days which is why it is imperative to get the military in as fast as we can to

get that area done. the famous tourist town has been the least affected and it is where our main income comes from. we certainly don't want people cancelling holidays to come here because within a couple of weeks we will be operating back to normal again. what operating back to normal again. what ou exect operating back to normal again. what you expect from _ operating back to normal again. what you expect from the _ operating back to normal again. what you expect from the military? i i you expect from the military? i think so, yes. it's important we get these people evacuated when these things happen, and as it was they were evacuating themselves with their own boats. the rows that have collapsed and are blocked currently, we can't get to them to even intervene. we need to get food and water and bodies back on the ground. at the moment, the emergency services that have been working here, they have been going since last tuesday. a lot of them with very little sleep. fatigue has kicked in and they are absolutely exhausted so it is important we get other people here as well to start doing this work.— other people here as well to start doing this work. currently, all the main roads _ doing this work. currently, all the main roads to _ doing this work. currently, all the main roads to us _ doing this work. currently, all the main roads to us are _ doing this work. currently, all the main roads to us are blocked. it l doing this work. currently, all the i main roads to us are blocked. it has been really good to talk to you. i

know you are very busy and i appreciate you taking the time to speak to us. best of luck to all of those who have been affected in your area, and indeed in north queensland generally. area, and indeed in north queensland renerall . . ~ area, and indeed in north queensland renerall. ., ,, area, and indeed in north queensland renerall . . ~' ., ~' area, and indeed in north queensland renerall. ., ,, ., ,, the united states has condemned north korea's latest test firing of an inter—continental ballistic missile, as a violation of un security council resolutions and a threat to its neighbours. the japanese prime minister also condemned the launch, which he said threatened peace and stability in the region. the launch over the sea of japan on monday morning is the fifth long—range test carried out by pyongyang this year. tokyo said the missile was capable of reaching anywhere in the united states and flew for 73 minutes before crashing into sea.

i want to leave you this half hour in festive mood, with not one, not to, but three mass santa runs. what is a santa run quest market we go. festival in kosovo, where thousands of santa during the annual run and about 3500 father christmases of all ages and sizes raise money for local families in need and a local hospital. next up is mexico city. i'm not sure that snow is real! 2500 runners and 200 through the mexican capital. the organisers say it was their love for christmas that was their motivation. and finally, caracas in venezuela, whether young and old took part in the festive race. back in a few minutes.

hello. it was a cloudy and mild start to the day for many, there's hope of some sunshine coming through, particularly across the north. but as we head through the week, there will be further rain at times, there'll be some particularly windy weather mid week onwards and behind that it turns colder. so this is the weather front for today, introducing that cloud and rain across much of england, wales, more coming into the north west of scotland as well. but for the meantime, we've got the south—westerly winds, a fairly brisk south—westerly wind, keeping it mild, keeping it rather grey as well. the heavier rain, i think, arriving across parts of wales and north west england through into the afternoon. any brightness in the east limited, it's more likely across parts of scotland and northern ireland after a rather grey and drizzly start. but there's more rain waiting in the wings up in the north west of scotland and temperatures actually a little lower for scotland and northern ireland compared with the weekend. so, a little bit chillier. and a chillier night to come as that weather front slips southwards.

but not for england, wales and northern ireland. some really heavy rain for a time. some of these showers following into the north and west could be a little bit wintry over the hills. temperatures getting down to frost levels, at least in the glens of scotland. but we are then confronted with yet more rain as we go through the night and into tuesday morning. so that will take its time to clear from wales, from northern england, but should have cleared northern ireland and scotland by the morning and eventually it clears the far south and east into the afternoon. so most places will see some brightness, more than today, as we get through into tomorrow afternoon. but it's a chillier day. temperatures dipping away as the day goes on and these showers pestering the north and west will be falling as hail, some thunder and some sleet and snow, particularly on the hills. by wednesday, we're into a brisk west north—westerly wind and yet more cloud piles in. so after a chilly start and a bright start, the sunshine will disappear, mostlyjust light rain and drizzle in southern areas, but something a little bit more persistent coming to the north and west and with it bringing back some slightly milder air. 11 or 12 degrees celsius the high. but that windy weather as this low pressure passes close

to the north of scotland, giving us severe gale force winds. and as they come down from the northwest, introducing some cooler air to all parts by the end of thursday. not particularly cold, but cold enough for those wintry showers in the north to turn to snow even at lower levels, particularly by friday. as ever, you can keep up to date online.

this is bbc news. the headlines: this is the israel—gaza border this morning. the hamas—run health ministry says israeli strikes on the jabalia refugee camp killed 110 palestinians. international pressure for a ceasefire intensifies, as us defence secretary lloyd austin lands in israel for talks. ukraine admits artillery ammunition shortages, but a leading government official remains optimistic that international funding will continue. the bbc understands northern ireland's democratic unionist party has ruled out any deal to restore devolution before christmas. the us defence secretary, lloyd austin, has met his israeli counterpart and is also due to talk to prime minister benjamin netanyahu with a focus on how israel plans to move to the next phase of the war. the visit is seen as a test for the biden administration's unwavering support for israel.

washington is facing increasing pressure to urge israel to do more