but there's no let—up in the fighting — the israeli military says it's hit more than a hundred targets in the last21i hours. for many the situation is desperate. almost every hour, someone is coming in with an explosive injury or a serious injury. people are losing their legs, their eyes, their lives. disgraced former paralympian oscar pistorius is released on parole — almost 11 years after killing his girlfriend, reeva steenkamp. flooding causes chaos in parts of the uk and northern europe, with rivers bursting their banks, forcing people to flee their homes. and flavour of the year. indie rock band the last dinner party are named the bbc�*s sound of 2024.

hello, welcome to bbc news now. three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. as the war in gaza continues, one unanswered question is, what will happen when it ends? one unanswered question is, the israeli defence minister, yoav gallant, hasjust outlined his plan which will be presented to the war cabinet. it's not official government policy, but it does give an indication of what the senior israeli leadership might be thinking. under yoav galla nt�*s "four corner" proposals, hamas would no longer control gaza and israel would retain overall security control. a multinational force would take charge of rebuilding. neighbouring egypt would take on an unspecified role. but gaza would be run by palestinians, as long as they are not hostile towards israel. it's not clear who those palestinians might be, if anyone would take on that role, or if the people of gaza would be willing to accept it. the proposals are also a long way from the two—state solution, with an independent palestine

existing alongside israel. let's bring you some reaction. dr sabri saidam is the deputy secretary general of the fatah central committee. that is the highest decision—making body of the party that controls the palestinian authority in the west bank. very good to have you with this. firstly, can i get your reaction to these proposals from yoav gallant? specifically the fact that israel says that it will retain security over gaza when the war ends. , . ~ security over gaza when the war ends. , ., ~ ,, my ends. yes, thank you, let me say that the palestinians _ ends. yes, thank you, let me say that the palestinians are - ends. yes, thank you, let me say that the palestinians are not - that the palestinians are not children, we are not delegating the fate of the palestinian people to a third party. israel is an entity thatis third party. israel is an entity that is under investigation by genocide, classified as the occupier by the un. how can the occupier who is committed genocide, decide the

people —— the fate of the people who are occupies? what we need to see is an end to the conflict and before we talk about the fate of gaza, we need to talk about the fate of the entire conflict and how to resolve it and how to put an end to an madness that has lasted for too many days. we how to put an end to an madness that has lasted for too many days.- has lasted for too many days. we are talkin: has lasted for too many days. we are talking about — has lasted for too many days. we are talking about the _ has lasted for too many days. we are talking about the plan _ has lasted for too many days. we are talking about the plan today - has lasted for too many days. we are talking about the plan today because | talking about the plan today because many people have been asking for a long time what is the israeli plan in the palestinian plan as well for the day after. when israel talks about the fact that palestinians would run the territory, who do you see that being? who would step up? as i told you before, palestinian people that is recognised by the un is the palestinian national authority which has existed in gaza, so making this sound complicated as if there is a new engineering or formula that is accepted by israel and the world community is total

nonsense. the palestinian authority is there and is there to stay and you can ask the people of gaza as to whom they want to run? israel is putting together a policy and perpetrators in people who would be basically acting on behalf of israel which is not going to be accepted by the people of gaza, the people of palestine and especially by the people have been subjected to the most horrifying atrocity ever in the modern world. iii most horrifying atrocity ever in the modern world.— modern world. if you asked palestinians _ modern world. if you asked palestinians many - modern world. if you asked palestinians many of- modern world. if you asked palestinians many of them | modern world. if you asked - palestinians many of them would like to say that they would like to see hamas being part of any grouping that run gaza afterwards how does that run gaza afterwards how does that get squared when you know that the united states, israel, particularly would never allow that to happen? i particularly would never allow that to ha en? ~ particularly would never allow that to hauen? ~ ~ ., to happen? i think, you know, when the palestinian _ to happen? i think, you know, when the palestinian authority _ to happen? i think, you know, when the palestinian authority talks - the palestinian authority talks about its return, it talks about political consensus. we have said many times that we would not go with the back of an israeli tank, that still stands. we'll be talking all

members of the palestinian political scene inclusive of health and as. i know israel is saying that it wants to destroy hamas but this idea would never be... as palestinians, we will be talking to everyone, as the palestinian authority will be talking to everyone inclusive of hamas. . . , , talking to everyone inclusive of hamas. . ~ ., , talking to everyone inclusive of hamas. . �* ., , �* 4' hamas. can i assume antony blinken cominu hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back— hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back to _ hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back to the _ hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back to the region _ hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back to the region this - hamas. can i assume antony blinken| coming back to the region this week? you have asked them before to be more forceful with israel and try and bring about a cessation of hostilities, even to have a pause that so further aid can get into gaza. have you been disappointed so far in him particularly and in the united states?— far in him particularly and in the united states? indeed. let me say that we will — united states? indeed. let me say that we will be _ united states? indeed. let me say that we will be receiving _ united states? indeed. let me say that we will be receiving him - united states? indeed. let me say that we will be receiving him with i united states? indeed. let me say| that we will be receiving him with a heavy heart. we have to listen to what he has to say but we are extremely disappointed, even the fact that antony blinken was the

person who circumvented the decisions of approving arms and decided to bypass the congress and approving $1475 decided to bypass the congress and approving $147.5 million decided to bypass the congress and approving $1475 million of military aid for israel. that deepens the hatred and entrenches the complexity of the matter as it stands. still the policy of displacing palestinians. now palestinians are being pushed, next day you will see them flow for through the borders and that extremely worries every palestinians. brute and that extremely worries every palestinians.— and that extremely worries every palestinians. ~ . ., ,, . ., palestinians. we always appreciate ou takin: palestinians. we always appreciate you taking the _ palestinians. we always appreciate you taking the time _ palestinians. we always appreciate you taking the time to _ palestinians. we always appreciate you taking the time to talk- palestinians. we always appreciate you taking the time to talk to - palestinians. we always appreciate you taking the time to talk to us. l you taking the time to talk to us. thank you forjoining us. let's update you on what is happening on the ground. the israeli military says it has hit more than a hundred targets across gaza in the last 24 hours — targeting military positions, rocket launch sites and weapons depots. the bombardment came across the territory, including the southern areas of khan younis and rafah and tents in the al—mawasi coastal strip, where israel had told gazans they would be safe. gaza's health ministry,

which is run by hamas, says 162 palestinians have been killed in the last day, with almost 300 injured. many people are continuing to flee from the fighting. these pictures show people leaving the nuseirat and maghazi refugee camps in the central part of gaza, apparently heading south towards khan younis and rafah. let's hear now from yasser khan, a canadian doctor working in gaza, at the european hospital in khan younis, who spoke to journalists from the reuters news agency. almost every hour, someone's coming in with an explosive injury or a serious injury. people are losing their legs, their eyes, their lives. all the cases that we've seen are all explosive—related, and all are because of explosive, whether it's artillery or it's bombs. and so all the injuries are very severe. many of them are life—threatening. people lose their lives.

the constant sound of drones day and night in the air is always there. it's a constant buzzing. and yes, every hour or so, we hear bombs, the hospital shakes. and so that's all around us, and that's surrounding us. canadian doctor they�* re just explaining what canadian doctor they're just explaining what every moment is like they're in gaza at the moment. meanwhile, the area surrounding palestinian red crescent society builing in southern gaza that came under a fatal attack on tuesday has suffered further shelling. al—amal hospital — which is run by the society — and surrounding areas were hit multiple times. live now to nibal farsakh, a spokesperson for the palestine red crescent society. good to see you. can you just update is about what happened in the hospital and the experiences of the

people who were there at the time? thank you for having me. the situation is extremely dangerous in the area of the hospital. today in the area of the hospital. today in the early morning, again heavy and continuous bombardment happened in the surrounding area of the hospital as as well israeli drones firing live ammunition at the people in front of the hospital. we at the palestine red crescent society are extremely worried regarding the safety of our staff, volunteers, medical teams as well as the displaced people who are taking shelter inside the hospital and the palestine red crescent headquarters in khan younis. the direct attacks at our hospital and our headquarters in khan yunis, this has resulted in the killing of at least seven people and the injuries of 11 others, only in the past three days. those who

were killed inside our premises, however, the past few weeks we are witnessing continuous bombardments and attacks either directly at the hospital and the building or even in the surrounding area. this has resulted in dozens of people who were killed in front of our hospital due to this continuous bombardments thatis due to this continuous bombardments that is endangering the lives of at least we have inside our facility 14,000 civilians who are taking shelter inside our premises. this continuous attacks are endangering their lives and turning at they have sought refugee believing that they will be in a safe haven. however this place has becomejust a place of constant panic and fear for these displaced people. i of constant panic and fear for these diaplaced maple-— of constant panic and fear for these displaced people. i also understand that the vhf _ displaced people. i also understand that the vhf communication -

displaced people. i also understand i that the vhf communication system, that's quite specific, which is what is inside the hospital and what you use to communicate to your crews and ambulances as well has also been damaged. what does that mean and how does that affect the ongoing operations of your teams in that area at such a difficult time? 50. area at such a difficult time? so, basicall , area at such a difficult time? so, basically. in _ area at such a difficult time? so, basically, in khan _ area at such a difficult time? sc, basically, in khan yunis there area at such a difficult time? s5 basically, in khan yunis there is area at such a difficult time? s5, basically, in khan yunis there is no communication, no cellular, no landline communication. the vhf waves at the only communication for our ambulance teams to be able to communicate with each other and as well as we at the headquarters in the west bank, we are communicating with our staff in gaza through this vhf communication system. this means that our teams are struggling to respond on the ground to reach the ruin did people —— wounded people and those who are impacted by the

continuous bombardment. this is absolutely delaying the arrival to the wounded people and the humanitarian cases who are in urgent need for our emergency medical services. i need for our emergency medical services. . ,., . need for our emergency medical services. . ., ., ., need for our emergency medical services. ., ., ., ., ., services. i also want to ask you how ou are services. i also want to ask you how you are managing — services. i also want to ask you how you are managing to _ services. i also want to ask you how you are managing to get _ services. i also want to ask you how you are managing to get medical. you are managing to get medical supplies in and how those teams are operating in things like fuel as well? p55 operating in things like fuel as well? �* , operating in things like fuel as well? n ~' ., operating in things like fuel as well? a ~ ., ., , well? as you know, the palestine red crescent is receiving _ well? as you know, the palestine red crescent is receiving aid _ well? as you know, the palestine red crescent is receiving aid through - crescent is receiving aid through the rafah crossing. since the beginning of this war, we have received around 5283 aid trucks which have food water, medicine and medical supplies. we hand this aid to different authorities to deliver this aid to the people who are in urgent need of it. what we have received is obviously not enough. it is still a drop in the ocean of need. but we managed to support our

teams in khan yunis in the hospital by providing our facility with medicine and medical supplies but it is absolutely not enough. we are also still managing to try to save energy as much as we can through a rational consumption of the fueljust can through a rational consumption of the fuel just to keep as can through a rational consumption of the fueljust to keep as much as we can to continue providing our life—saving and medical services to the people in our hospital. regarding the situation that hundreds of thousands of displaced people, they have already started leaving our facilities because they are in constant panic of losing their lives. these families are just making very difficult decisions, to decide to leave or to stay while there is no essay for them to go. yes, you are one of many of from the aid agencies who is telling us that

there is literally nowhere safe for people at the moment in gaza, we have been hearing that. thank you forjoining us from the palestine red crescent. we will keep you across all developments in the middle east throughout the day on bbc news. now to south africa. oscar pistorius has been released from prison in south africa, having been granted parole, more than ten years after killing his girlfriend. the former paralympian left the attradgeville correctional centre on the outskirts of pretoria without being filmed or photographed. one of the conditions of his parole is that he does not talk to the media. it's thought he's now at home, with reports suggesting he is staying at a house owned by his uncle, in the upmarket waterkloof suburb of pretoria. as you can see, several police vehicles have been parked outside the residence. let's take a look at the background to this case now with daniel de simone. commentator: oscar pistorius is champion! | oscar pistorius, convicted murderer, today leaves prison on parole. he was once a paralympic and olympic superstar nicknamed the blade runner.

his victim was girlfriend reeva steenkamp, a law graduate and model. pistorius murdered her on valentine's day 2013 by shooting four times through a locked toilet door at his home. his trial absorbed the world. pistorius claimed to have shot reeva by mistake, thinking an intruder was in the house. i got to the bed and then i realised reeva wasn't there. at first only found guilty of the equivalent of manslaughter, he was convicted on appeal in 2015 of murder, withjudges saying his story was inconsistent and improbable. reeva's close friend says she's heard no evidence he's changed. i want to know, has he been given proper anger management therapy? and in saying that, this rehabilitation, have they focused on all of that? because in my opinion, oscar walking around as a free man without the necessary training and treatments and

psychiatric evaluations, he is deadly on the streets. in november, pistorius was granted parole with release set for today. for five years, he'll live under conditions and could be returned to prison if he breaches them. campaigners against male violence say his release sends a terrible signal. oscar's release is an indication that we have a serious problem, that there's, i guess, a normalisation of leniency when it comes to predators, when it comes to anyone who commits any type of femicide or gender—based violence. reeva steenkamp's mother says the void left by her murder can never be filled by anyone else. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. derek draper, the author and former

political adviser has died aged 56, his wife kate garraway has said. he had been living with extreme complications from covid since contracting the disease in march 2020. in a post on instagram, the tv presenter said derek was surrounded by his family in his final days was surrounded by his family in his final days. two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 16—year—old boy was killed on new year's eve. harry pitman was attacked at primrose hill in north london. earlier this week, three teenagers were released on bail pending further inquiries. the main rate of national insurance will be cut by 2% tomorrow, as outlined in the autumn statement. if you're employed and a basic rate tax payer, you'll pay national insurance at a rate of 10%, down from 12%. this will save the average employee £450 a year, according to the treasury. if you work for yourself, you'll have to wait a little longer.

you're live with bbc news. the us, we can show you live pictures of a massive fire that is happening right now in newjersey, it's in an industrial complex but there is concerns it was spread out to residential area. you can see what a huge fire it is. this is an industrial building known as the elizabeth industrial park, expands this building to locks and it's right outside of newark airport, it said to howes multiple businesses as well. at the moment, the authorities are saying they don't know what caused the fire or if there are any injuries. very dramatic pictures coming to us from newark and —— in newjersey. and there are huge concerns that it may spread from

this industrial park, elizabeth industrial park to residential areas. we will keep updates on that fire for you. heavy raining from storm henk has caused flooding across the uk. this was the scene as rivers burst their banks. a similar story in the french part of the calais region which has a line. many flooded for the first time in two months. the situation also critical in belgium and the netherlands. here in the uk, hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes. around 270 flood warnings in force. the majority in the midlands, east anglia and the midlands. a major incident was declared in nottinghamshire along the banks of the river trent. i can see all the places that have alerts here. you can see most of them are in southern, eastern and central england but there are a lot of

southern, eastern and central england but there are a lot of them. let's state you live now to the executive director of the flood and coastal erosion risk management at the environment agency. good to see you. just ta ke take us through what is happening across the country and where you are most concerned about.— across the country and where you are most concerned about. thank you. so we do have — most concerned about. thank you. so we do have a — most concerned about. thank you. so we do have a very _ most concerned about. thank you. so we do have a very slowly _ most concerned about. thank you. so we do have a very slowly improving i we do have a very slowly improving picture from this morning. yes, the number of flood warnings on flood alert has reduced from this morning. but we still have quite a few areas of concern that we are watching because we have some large slow—moving rivers that are bringing flooding and misery to those people who are flooded. particularly the river severn is moving down, in gloucester we are seeing record levels around the gloucester area and there is flooding ongoing in the area that we are working with local emergency services on. the river trent, the peak has moved through nottingham, it is moving downstream.

so we are very much keeping a watching eye on that.— watching eye on that. sorry to interrupt. _ watching eye on that. sorry to interrupt, just _ watching eye on that. sorry to interrupt, just to _ watching eye on that. sorry to interrupt, just to ask - watching eye on that. sorry to interrupt, just to ask on - watching eye on that. sorry to interrupt, just to ask on the l watching eye on that. sorry to . interrupt, just to ask on the river trent, this is the highest levels they've seen about 24 or 25 years? close to. close to 2011 levels but 20 metres shy of that. very close but still extraordinarily high. certainly in burton on trent they saw record levels but in nottingham it was slightly lower than the 2000 levels. �* , ., , ., levels. and where else are you concerned _ levels. and where else are you concerned about? _ levels. and where else are you concerned about? brentford i levels. and where else are you i concerned about? brentford upon levels. and where else are you - concerned about? brentford upon even as the other — concerned about? brentford upon even as the other area _ concerned about? brentford upon even as the other area we _ concerned about? brentford upon even as the other area we are _ concerned about? brentford upon even as the other area we are looking - concerned about? brentford upon even as the other area we are looking at - as the other area we are looking at the river even and other areas on the river even and other areas on the thames. so we still have water making its way from the roadways into rivers over from this making its way from the roadways into rivers overfrom this morning and overnight. so very much watching those rivers reducing concern in many places which is positive. i5

many places which is positive. is new reality for many people because of climate change? i new reality for many people because of climate change?— of climate change? i certainly think we are seeing _ of climate change? i certainly think we are seeing more _ of climate change? i certainly think we are seeing more frequency - of climate change? i certainly think we are seeing more frequency and | we are seeing more frequency and more storms and more intense flooding because of climate change. it's something we certainly know about and need to be prepared for over the last three months, we have had 117% of our three monthly average of rainfall. so that does mean that we are going to see those impacts. the rainfall that we had last night fell and already incredibly saturated ground from the rainfall in october and december. thatjust added to the levels that we saw and probably exacerbated the men made them worse. at the same time, it is something we need to be preferred for, what our alternatives are for the future to manage this going forward. are for the future to manage this going forward-— are for the future to manage this going forward. caroline, good luck over the coming _ going forward. caroline, good luck over the coming days. _ going forward. caroline, good luck

over the coming days. thank - going forward. caroline, good luck over the coming days. thank you i going forward. caroline, good luck. over the coming days. thank you for joining us. caroline douglas there. residents of two small south korean islands were evacuated after north korea fired more than 200 artillery shells into the sea off their coasts. south korean officials called the shelling near the two countries' maritime border provocative and said it would respond with appropriate measures. a spokesperson for ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, has confirmed claims that russia has been using missiles supplied by north korea in its air strikes. the original claims were made by the white house, which said the north korean missiles were used twice in the past week, including here near kharkiv. the us has also said that russia is trying to source missiles from iran to replenish its stockpiles of munitions. and finally, the �*90s girl band the spice girls are being honoured with a set of stamps in the uk. the collection of 15 stamps celebrates their 30th anniversary, the first time a complete set has been dedicated to an all—female pop group. the images include group shots

and individual portraits, including geri halliwell in that famous union flag dress. if you are a fan, lots of stamps to look forward to getting and collecting of course. let's take you back to the live pictures of this very dramatic via that we have happening right now in newjersey. this is in newark. real concerns that this fire which is at the elizabeth industrial park will spread to residential areas. it's a massive building, a massive complex planning to hold blocks. quite close to newark airport, we understand but multiple businesses are housed there. as you can see from those pictures, this is a massive fire happening right now. no word on what caused the fire and we are also not hearing yet if there are any injuries or if anyone was there at

the time although, obviously, it broke out in the middle of the night given that it is the early hours of the morning in newjersey at the moment. you can see that as well, there is water being spread on the fire, multiple fire engines and cruise at the scene. this huge fire taking place right now it newark in newjersey. don't forget you can go to the website bbc .co.uk or bbc dot—com if you would like the very latest from the middle east. we are bringing all the developments there including some analysis of this new plan for the day after by israel's defence minister, that is to be presented to the war cabinet that he has outlined his plans. we take you through it there on the web page and bring you the reaction. it is well worth logging on to take a look. do stay with us here on bbc news.

hello. it has been a very wet start to 2024. some places have seen all of their expected january rainfall in the first few days of the month. still lots of flood warnings in force on the weather is going to continue to cause some disruption. what is actually falling out of the sky as much, much dry over the next few days. there will be a lag between the rain falling on the flood water receding. high water is building and that will squeeze away most of the showers. low pleasure clearing towards the east. still low pressure close to the north of scotland. one or two showers for the rest of the day, quite heavy around the north—east of scotland. cloudy skies in central and eastern england. through this evening and even night, clearer skies. england. through this evening and even night, clearerskies. fairly light winds. the drop in temperature and a cold night, we will see some frost and mist and fog patching forming the parts of ireland. central and eastern england just about frost free where you've got more of that low cloud. but it could be quite a murky start to saturday

one way or another with the low cloud in the east in the pockets of fog elsewhere. they should clear away relatively quickly on saturday. just the odd shower coming around part of these irish sea coast and the odd spot of rain to england as well. much, much drierthan the odd spot of rain to england as well. much, much drier than it has been of late. temperatures cool in the east, seven, perhaps eight or nine further west with more sunshine. heading into the second half of the weekend, high pressure still with us. not many isobars on the maps are relatively light winds. sunday could be quite slow to clear. down towards the south—east, a bit more of a breeze just one or two showers towards east anglia and the far south—east. certainly nothing heavy like we have seen of late. a colder day across the board, only about three to seven celsius on sunday. it will feel different heading through the week and into next week courtesy of this area of high pressure. it is a large area of high pressure. it is a large area of high moving in, monday and tuesday then, we will see a change in air

mass, the cold air moving in. is that wind rotates, high pressure coming in from an easterly direction. very cold in scandinavia recently. we are tapping into something a bit colder than we have seen. a lot of dry weather thankfully. things looking a bit milderfrom mid week thankfully. things looking a bit milder from mid week onwards expecting to see some mist and fog at times. goodbye.

this is bbc news — the headlines. israel's defence minister outlines proposals for the future of gaza — once the war against hamas is over. disgraced former paralympian oscar pistorius is released on parole — more than ten years after killing his girlfriend, reeva steenkamp. flooding continues to cause disruption in parts of england and wales — forcing hundreds to leave their homes. the united nations has spoken out against criticism from israel, that it's not delivering aid quickly enough to gaza. israel has said that the process is still too slow — despite it opening new crossings into the territory. but the un's humanitarian office says its teams are being hampered by long inspections, multiple checkpoints, and constant bombardment, with aid workers being shot at and even killed. and it says it's been unable to take food and medicine into northern gaza for four days, as the fighting continues there.