christmas celebrations are "called off" in bethlehem — the usual christmas tree is replaced by a nativity scene in the rubble. the uk home secretary james cleverly has apologised afterjoking about spiking his wife's drink with a date rape drug. hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. we start with the war in gaza — where israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has dismissed reports that the us has convinced israel not to expand its military activity. he was speaking during a weekly cabinet meeting. on saturday, the wall streetjournal reported that president biden had urged the israeli prime minister to halt a pre—emptive strike against hezbollah forces in lebanon, days after hamas militants launched the october 7 assault on southern israel, warning that such an attack could spark a wider regional war.

this was the view across the israel—lebanon border earlier today — where we've seen a thick plume of black smoke in the sky — as hostilities continue in that border area. so, let's start this hour by hearing from israel's prime minister. translation: last night, - i talked again with president biden. i do appreciate us�* steadfast position at the security council — a position which backs our war effort. yesterday, i told president biden that we will fight until total victory, as long as it takes. the us understands this. i saw false reports that claimed the united states has prevented us from operational activities in the region. this is not true. israel is a sovereign country. our war decisions are based on our operational considerations. this is the live scene over the israel—gaza border, where we've seen continued

bombardement this weekend. an israel military spokesman says it's expanding its ground operations in the southern and northern parts of the gaza strip. reuters is reporting that at least 166 palestinians have been killed in gaza in the past 2a hours — they're citing the hamas—run health ministry. earlier, my colleague matthew amroliwala spoke to elon levy — an israeli government spokesman. he started by asking about those reports ofjoe biden�*s intervention. was israel considering a pre—emptive strike against hezbollah and that had to be dissuaded byjoe biden�*s intervention? the prime minister announced immediately after the october the 7th massacre, we are focusing on destroying the monsters who perpetrated that massacre. we don't want to fight on two fronts and have been warning from the beginning that we do not want to fight on two fronts, but the situation in the north now is escalating, as hezbollah appears

hell—bent on driving lebanon into a needless war. we are warning that un security council resolution 1701 from 2006 must be implemented, which is supposed to keep the peace by keeping the iran—backed hezbollah militias away from the northern border. unfortunately, they have been stepping up more terror attacks that have destroyed half the houses in a village on the israel—lebanon border. are you now considering action against hezbollah? we are saying the situation in the north, with 80,000 displaced israelis, is intolerable. we are trying to deter hezbollah from dragging us into a war, but until an effective diplomatic situation is found, we will continue making preparations to repel this threat from our northern border. why do you thinkjoe biden had to remind israel of the critical

need to protect civilians? president biden has been a stalwart supporterfrom day one, when he said that if the united states had faced the sort of massacre that we had on october the 7th, its response would be swift, decisive... that's not the question i asked you. why again has america, the president, had to remind you to protect civilians? we've told the americans through the rigorous steps we take in selecting targets and showing them how we are going after the monsters who perpetrated the october 7th massacre. unfortunately in the gaza strip, hamas is playing a cynical and evil game. it has spent 16 years embedding itself under schools and homes and hospitals in a deliberate strategy to hide behind civilians and evade justice, making it impossible to apprehend them after they attack our people. we are trying to get civilians out of harm's way so we can go

after the monsters who perpetrated the october the 7th massacre. you're saying you are doing everything you can, but we have 20,000+ palestinians killed since october 7. your own estimates suggest between 5,000 and 6,000 hamas fighters are included in that number. that's a terrible ratio of 4:1 civilians. according to your numbers, it would be 3:1 and when you compare that to other western counterterrorism campaigns — the uk and us in afghanistan, iraq and isis — the ratio shows the extents that israel is going to protect civilians. you asked me why the americans have to keep reminding people. secretary blinken says this war can end tomorrow if hamas surrenders and lays down its arms, and we think anyone who is concerned for civilians in gaza —

as we are — should be demanding that the monsters who burned, beheaded and raped innocent israelis surrender, return the hostages, and no—one else needs to be hurt. let's ta ke let's take you to the scene. this shows guards are, the view from the israeli border there. this is a live shot, huge plumes of smoke there. a reminder that the israeli military campaign is continuing. according to the hamas—run health ministry, more than 20,000 people have been killed since october 7 in gaza. hesham al sayyad works for penny appeal — a charity that provides medical aid and emergency food in the middle east and africa. he's just got back from cairo. firstly, i know you were listening

to the interview from the israeli spokesperson. i wanted to get your thoughts on that? i spokesperson. i wanted to get your thoughts on that?— thoughts on that? i 'ust wanted to no back on thoughts on that? i 'ust wanted to go back on that, _ thoughts on that? i 'ust wanted to go back on that, he— thoughts on that? i just wanted to go back on that, he mentioned - thoughts on that? i just wanted to - go back on that, he mentioned anyone displaced is not right, but we go back now to the amount of people displaced in gaza, especially now because of the bombings that have been happening in the south. you have a place which is basically desert that people have been displaced. there is 1.2 million people living in that place which probably houses at most 200,000 people in an aide at the size of heathrow airport. if you can imagine one point among people living in an aid at the size of heathrow airport, living on top of one another, with no irrigation, no water supplies, may be sick survival needs for a human being like myself to survive. we are looking at christmas from the

warmth of our own homes, they have no one, hardly any shelter, and we are trying to provide for them. the numbers are harrowing. and you the secretary general of the un, mentioned that four of the 500 people in world are now now in gaza. we heard the warning there could be a famine as well because of the inability to get aid, particularly essential food inability to get aid, particularly essentialfood items, into gaza. you havejust essentialfood items, into gaza. you have just come back from cairo. essentialfood items, into gaza. you havejust come back from cairo. i assume you have been dealing with getting some aid across the rafah border. tell us about that.- border. tell us about that. age is tricklina border. tell us about that. age is trickling in. _ border. tell us about that. age is trickling in. it— border. tell us about that. age is trickling in, it is _ border. tell us about that. age is trickling in, it is not _ border. tell us about that. age is trickling in, it is not enough, - border. tell us about that. age is trickling in, it is not enough, it i trickling in, it is not enough, it is hardly enough. —— aid. the average is roughly 100 trucks a day entering gaza. that is for a

population the size of birmingham, manchester and liverpool put together. on a normal day, though cities would not survive on 100 trucks. before the war there were 300 trucks going in and people were hardly getting by on that. it should be ten times that at the moment. the difficulty of getting aid and has been hard, to say the least. what difficulty of getting aid and has been hard, to say the least. what is the priority — been hard, to say the least. what is the priority in _ been hard, to say the least. what is the priority in terms _ been hard, to say the least. what is the priority in terms of— been hard, to say the least. what is the priority in terms of loading - the priority in terms of loading things on to those aid trucks? when we be to aid agencies, the list of needsis we be to aid agencies, the list of needs is just we be to aid agencies, the list of needs isjust huge — power, fuel, clean water, and food. what are you loading on as a priority at the moment?— loading on as a priority at the moment? , , ., , , moment? amber priority is food, shelter items, _ moment? amber priority is food, shelter items, we _ moment? amber priority is food, shelter items, we are _ moment? amber priority is food, shelter items, we are now- moment? amber priority is food, i shelter items, we are now providing tense and heavy blankets for the winter in gaza. in terms of food, we

make sure that the food has an expiry minimum of one year, possibly 1-2 expiry minimum of one year, possibly 1—2 years, just for the length of time. alsojust 1—2 years, just for the length of time. also just to 1—2 years, just for the length of time. alsojust to make 1—2 years, just for the length of time. also just to make sure that the food is distributed in a timely manner. taking in any delays with trucks getting across the border. we have got food, shelter, also some medical items as well.— medical items as well. thank you very much _ medical items as well. thank you very much for— medical items as well. thank you very much for sharing _ medical items as well. thank you very much for sharing that - medical items as well. thank you | very much for sharing that update for us. the us military has claimed a drone launched from iran hit a chemical tanker in the indian ocean last night. iran has been accused of backing houthi rebels, who support hamas in its war with israel. the houthis have been attacking shipping in the red sea in recent weeks. america says it's also shot down four drones in the same waters. iran denies any involvement. anbarasan ethirajan reports. a bruised oil tanker being escorted by an indian coastguard ship in the arabian sea. for the first time, the pentagon

blamed iran directly for the drone attack on the mv chem pluto. but iran's foreign minister denies this. translation: for us, _ regional security is very important. we are not seeking to expand the scope of war. the solution to the problem is not to establish a so—called coalition in the red sea, but to stop the bloodshed of women, children and civilians in the gaza strip and the west bank. iran is also thought by the us to be backing houthi rebels in yemen who have been targeting commercial ships with any connections to israel passing through the red sea. they are an ally of hamas and stoutly opposed the israeli military action in gaza. speaking earlier in the week, america made it clear it was important to all nations that shipping in the red sea was protected. the houthis aren't attacking just one country. they're really attacking

the international community. they are attacking the economic well—being and prosperity of nations around the world. the strikes and hijacking of ships by the houthis marked an escalation in a series of maritime attacks, threatening the commercial shipping industry. the us wants international support to patrol the red sea to protect the shipping routes. anbarasan ethirajan, bbc news, delhi. with me is our uk political correspondent, rob watson. how significant is this development? when we are talking now about activity in the indian ocean. potentially it is very significant indeed. up until now the attacks have been confined to the red sea. if it was to spread out into the indian ocean, that would really be something. if it also indicate that

perhaps iran was willing to up its involvement in the conflict. i think it is worth bearing in mind that despite iranian denials of involvement in any of the attacks on shipping, just a few days ago at the head of the iranian revolutionary guard fretting to make the mediterranean unsafe, gibraltar and other shopping areas. plenty of reasons to take it very seriously. on the other hand, if you think about it and step back a bit, since october 7, the iranians have been very careful not to push things so far that they would get a retaliation from either israel or the united states. they have supported proxies come in yemen the houthis, in yemen, hezbollah. but they haven't done anything to push conflict with the united states because they are very anxious to have a regional war. we because they are very anxious to have a regional war.— because they are very anxious to have a regional war. we have also been reporting — have a regional war. we have also been reporting that _ have a regional war. we have also been reporting that commercial i been reporting that commercial vessels have been targeted in the

red sea in the recent days. how does that fit into this picture?— that fit into this picture? that's one of the _ that fit into this picture? that's one of the things _ that fit into this picture? that's one of the things that - that fit into this picture? that's one of the things that makes i that fit into this picture? that's one of the things that makes it | that fit into this picture? that's i one of the things that makes it so serious. just as things stand, they have been over 100 attacks on vessels from 35 different countries. essentially, what this is done is put up the price of containers. you have already had over 300 ships having to go around africa instead of through the red sea and the suez canal. if you were to suddenly find that problem spreads to the indian ocean, if you are a commercial shipper, my goodness, it begins to look like a nightmare. christmas is subdued this year in bethlehem — the biblical birthplace ofjesus — after christian leaders in the town cancelled all public festivities as a mark of solidarity with the people of gaza living through months of bombardment and fighting.

the town in the occupied west bank would normally be packed with pilgrims and tourists celebrating christmas. but a senior catholic leader, the latin patriarch ofjerusalem, did pay his traditional christmas visit to bethlehem. this is some of what he had to say speaking in manger square. we are here to pray, but the night to ask notjust for the ceasefire. ceasefire is not enough. we have to stop these hostilities and to turn the page because violence generates only violence. and the message of christmas is not violence, it is peace. earlier, a large palestinian flag was carried around manger square. it followed the inauguration of an art installation — nativity under the rubble — showing figures among the ruins of buildings in solidarity with palestinians in gaza. here in the uk — the home secretary,

james cleverly, has apologised forjoking about spiking drinks. the remark is alleged to have been made on the same day he announced new measures to tackle the problem. our political correspondent, leila nathoo, told us more from the home office. well, yeah, a spokesperson for the home secretary, james cleverly, has apologised on behalf of the home secretary for what he called an ironicjoke made earlier this week at a reception at downing street forjournalists, ministers and number ten aides. remarks, comments at these sorts of events normally remain private but the mirror newspaper said it decided to report the home secretary's comments because of what it said was his role and the subject matter. so, they say that he joked, as you heard, about the drug rohypnol, the drug commonly used in drink spiking, and alsojoked about his own marriage, saying that a secret to a long marriage was insuring your spouse was someone who was always mildly sedated so she could never realise they were better men out there. so, the spokesperson for the home secretary not disputing

that he did make a joke about that issue, but said the home secretary couldn't remember the exact wording used, given that it was a private event. but clearly, he has come in for a lot of criticism already. labour are describing his remarks as appalling and women's groups also criticising the home secretary for downplaying a serious issue. now it's time for a look at today's sport with chethan pathak. we start with a rare christmas eve game in the english premier league, the first one for 28 years. chelsea are playing away at wolves, and with close to an hour played wolves have taken the lead through a mario lemina header. even if they win, chelsea will remain tenth having in scotland, rangers have closed the gap on the leaders celtic at the top of the premiership. they've won 2—0 at

second—from—bottom motherwell, thanks to goals from kieran dowell and todd cantwell in the first half. it means rangers are now two points behind the leaders, celtic, but still have a game in hand. anthonyjoshua says he knows everyone still wants to see him face deontay wilder, despite a night of mixed fortunes for both fighters in saudi arabia. joshua himself took another step back to the top of heavyweight boxing, after a terrific performance to stop otto wallin early on — the swede's corner pulling him out of the fight at the end of the fifth round. that bout was the headline event. but former heavyweight champion deontay wilder suffered defeat tojoseph parker, who won on a unanimous points decision. wilder, who's 38 now, saying he came up short, but doesn't believe it's the end. and anthonyjoshua insists their fight against each other could still be on the cards. i'm not too sure what can happen from here, but i'm sure that the fans will be more annoyed.

for me, i understand how this game is, you never know. this is elite—level boxing. it was an amazing card. wilderjust came up short, but he will live to fight another day. me and him can still get it on, get it cracking. i believe that he is a massive threat, i'm a threat, and it could be amazing numbers if we get it on. in cricket, india's women have made history, getting their first test win over the number one side, australia, in a one—off match in mumbai. the tourists began the final day with five second innings wickets in hand and a lead of a6, but india ruthlessly dismissed them for 261. the hosts then chased down a modest target of 75 shortly after lunch, thanks to smriti mandhana's unbeaten 38. india's win is their first in 11 women's tests against australia, with the sides first playing each other in 1977. they now play each other in three odis and three t20s starting on thursday.

tom curran's appeal against a four—game ban in australia's big bash league has been dismissed. the england player was suspended by cricket australia for intimidating an umpire during a warm—up for his sydney sixers side earlier this month. the conduct commisson found he "attempted to perform a practice run—up — and ran at pace straight towards the umpire with the official having to step away to avoid the risk of collision." curran says he deeply regrets the incident. and that's all the sport for now. millions of people are expected to be travelling today as the christmas rush continues. it is considered to be one of the busiest day of the year for travel. rail disruption is predicted — with london paddington shutting, and some other stations running reduced services. the windy weather could also cause problems, with yellow warnings in place from the met office. we are joined now by the independent�*s travel

correspondent, simon calder, who is at euston station here in london right now. there is always a lot of factors that play into the usual annual christmas travel delays. we talk about weather, engineering works. but i was also reading staff sickness is a factor of this year. tell us about those things. staff shorta . e tell us about those things. staff shortage is _ tell us about those things. staff shortage is unfortunately trashing the plans of a number of travellers today. we saw quite a lot of the heat at london euston yesterday when there were dozens of avanti whiskers trains to places like manchester, glasgow, birmingham council because of staff shortages. london north—western railway, which runs from here to northampton, birmingham and up to crewe, they are warning that they have got such high levels of staff sickness that they may struggle to run more than half of the services. in fact, things aren't looking too bad here. across the nation there are some kind of

piecemeal cancellations. for instance we had trains from birmingham and derby to newcastle cancelled earlier on cross country. that is, though, an increasing sense of urgency he had because, of course, as always, the train stopped to close down from round about now “p to close down from round about now up until that evening, by which stage they are all nicely tucked up for christmas. no trains anywhere in the country of course tomorrow. they very last train from bristol to newcastle is leaving in about 15 minutes, so you better hurry to temple media station. then after that, the last train from here to glasgow is half past four, six o'clock to manchester, 20 past seven to birmingham. if you want to make an intercityjourney tonight, then at london liverpool street is probably the place to start. they have got a nine o'clock to lovely norwich. but london paddington is closed, the main hope for the west

of england and south wales. and also, london's king's cross on the east coast main line which connects the capital of yorkshire, north—east england and scotland. the capital of yorkshire, north-east england and scotland.— the capital of yorkshire, north-east england and scotland. simon calder, our very own — england and scotland. simon calder, our very own rail— england and scotland. simon calder, our very own rail announcerlet's - our very own rail announcerlet's look about the row situation across the uk. it look about the row situation across the uk. , .,, , look about the row situation across the uk. , , a, the uk. it is mostly well and caettin the uk. it is mostly well and getting people- _ the uk. it is mostly well and getting people. we - the uk. it is mostly well and getting people. we were - the uk. it is mostly well and | getting people. we were won the uk. it is mostly well and - getting people. we were won by motoring organisations i was going to be really horrible roundabout now. they said get yourjourney done by 11am or start after 6pm. in fact, things are flowing fairly briskly. there are some hold—ups in the big towns and cities, in particular where you have got out of town shopping centres and motorway junctions and so on. the main problem is wind. the national highway saying that the motor mic 48 severn bridge is close in both directions because of the wind. but the prince of wales bridge on the

moto mac for is open. many places and countries close to high sided vehicles because of strong winds. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. there is plenty more on all of those rail disruptions across the uk on the bbc news website, so do take a look if you want to know more. king charles will deliver the second christmas message of his reign from a buckingham palace room decorated with a living christmas tree. natural and sustainable decorations including hand—turned wood, dried oranges, and pine cones hang from its branches. the king is a long—term environmental campaigner, so the tree will be replanted after the broadcast. before we go — i want to show you some spectacular pictures from the new york neighborhood of dyker heights. the locals there have lit up the night sky with an amazing display of festive illuminations. the south brooklyn neighborhood has become a holiday

tourist attraction — there are even tours and street vendors selling treats. it's all because of the over—the—top decorations, with houses featuring elaborate light displays, inflatable snowmen, santa scuplture, and even snow machines. i'm sure there is plenty of that where you are, as well. that is outfought as half an hour. that is plenty more on the bbc news website. i will be back with you after a short break, so do stay with us. there could be some problems there. northern england and scotland are

going to see the biggest problems. there are a couple of yellow warnings from the met office in force. even to the east of the pennines, we could see some pretty strong crosswinds for those north to south role showers coming into northern and western areas. further south, cloudy with outbreaks of rain. but also very mild. we could see some temperature records being broken for christmas eve, one of the warmest christmas eve is on record. we will be keeping a close eye on that through this afternoon. this evening for is strap micro stays fairly cloudy across the south. perhaps cold enough across scotland to get a touch of frost into christmas day. another very mild for many of us, double figure temperatures in the south. for

christmas day, we have a boundary of cold air across scotland and a very mild air across the rest of the uk. with that cold air in place, there could be some snow over the higher ground. that would technically make it a white christmas. but further south, heavy rain across south—west, south—east england. but still very mild. eventually that colder air will move its way further southward as we go through the night and into boxing day. those blues taking over the chart. it will be colder, but lots of fine and sunny weather around on boxing day, perfect if you are getting out and about for a christmas walk, walking off that christmas walk, walking off that christmas lunch. one or two showers could be wintry across the far north of scotland. temperatures will drop down for northern ireland, england and wales. that's all from me. hope

you have a wonderful christmas eve. bye—bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines: israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has dismissed reports that the united states had convinced him not to expand its military activity, earlier, joe biden said he told mr netanyahu, of the �*critical need' to protect the civilians in gaza, including aid, as the heavy

bombardment continues. the us has accused iran, of launching a drone attack that damaged an israeli—affiliated oil tanker, off the coast of india. a fire on board the ship was extinguished and no casualties were reported. iran has denied any involvement. christmas celebrations have been �*called off�* in bethlehem, the usual tree, has been replaced by a nativity scene in the rubble. organisers had asked their congregations to forget the customary celebrations, while still upholding the spiritual aspects of christmas. now on bbc news we look back at the year's biggest stories. there's a huge barrage going on overhead just at the moment.