once the war against hamas is over, as america and europe's most senior diplomats head to the region. but there's no let up in the fighting the israeli military says it's hit more than a hundred targets in the last 2a 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 in south africa almost 11 years after killing his girlfriend, reeva steenkamp. flooding continues to cause disruption in parts of england and wales forcing hundreds to leave their homes. and flavour of the year. indie rock band the last dinner party are named the bbc�*s sound of 202a.

hello, i'm ben thompson, welcome to the programme. we start with news that the israeli defence minister has said that israel will retain security control of gaza after the fighting has ended and all hostages have been reef free. this comes as america and europe's most senior diplomat ticks head to the middle east to press israel and its strategy. they do appear to reject positions put forward last year by washington. under you have gland's so called fork proposals, hamas would no longer control gaza and israel would retain overall security control. a multinational force would take

charge of rebuilding the territory. neighbouring egypt would take on an as yet unspecified role. but gaza would be run by unspecified government of palestinians as long as they are not hostile towards israel. and there would be no resettlement of israelis in the territory. well, the deputy secretary general of the fatah central committee, the hasty decision—making body of the fatah party which controls the palestinian authority in the west bank, gave us his response to these is really proposals. let me say that the palestinians are not the children of a lesser god, we have not delegated any of the fate of the palestinian people to any third party. israel is an entity that is under investigation for genocide. israel is categorised by the international law and the un resolutions and the un at large as the occupier. how can the occupier ever be given, after committing such genocide, the role of deciding the fate of the people it occupies? what needs to be done now

is that we need to see an end to the arab—israeli 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 the madness that has lasted over 90 days now. the israeli military says it has hit more than a hundred targets across gaza in the last 2a hours including military positions, rocket launch sites and weapons depots. the bombardment came across the territory including the southern areas of khan younis and rafah and even 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 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 is coming in with an explosive injury or a serious injury. people are losing their legs, their eyes, their lives. all of the cases that we have seen are all explosive related. they are all because of explosives, whether it is artillery or it is bombs, and so all of 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 is a constant buzzing. and yes, every hour or so we hear bombs. the hospital shakes. and that is all around us. that is surrounding us.

we have spoken about how this conflict could potentially open up on a number of fronts. lebanon has filed a complaint to the un security council over the killing of hamas deputy leader saleh al arouri in beirut on tuesday. the complaint says israel used six missiles in the attack that targeted him. the leader of the lebanese militant group his brother which is an ally of hamas has said in a speech that all of lebanon will be exposed if the group does not react to al rouri's assassination. tensions remain high in the west bank, following the killing, as shaimaa khalil reports. the town of al—arura in the west bank, saleh al—arouri's hometown, is in a state of mourning. but there is also deep fury and rage at his killing. protesters have come out after the friday praise protesting, chanting his name, chanting for continuation of resistance, and condemning the war.

saleh al—arouri's killing may have taken a significant name off israel's and the us�*s most wanted list. he is the man that they have accused of being responsible for many acts of terror, as they put it. but for the people in his home town, for the people in the west bank where he is from, they have lost a symbol of resistance. he was a very important figure on both the political and the military friend. he was the link between hamas and the iran backed hezbollah and iran itself. also responsible for many significant prisoner swap deals with israel. there has always been this fear, this concern among the international community since the beginning of the war in gaza that this conflict could spill over here in the west bank and the rest of the region. and the concern now that saleh al—arouri's killing could be that trigger. although it is not clear what this retaliation from either hamas or hezbollah would look like. as shiner was touching on, there are

real concerns that tensions could spill over now and for flashpoints right around the region including in lebanon. just to reiterate what we have heard from the hezbollah chief saying in that speech today that all of lebanon would be exposed if the group did not react to that assassination earlier this week in beirut. let's get the thoughts of professor nathanj brown, senior fellow at the carnegie endowment for international peace. thank you for being with us, nathan. we have talked this week about the potential for those flashpoints to spill over. we are getting a sense of how quickly this conflict could change. both comments there from hezbollah�*s chief saying that current operations at the south of its borders open a historic opportunity for lebanon to liberate the land occupied by israel. this could change and it could change very quickly, couldn't it? , ~ . ., , , ., it? yes, i think it could. ness ran a's rhetoric _

it? yes, i think it could. ness ran a's rhetoric has _ it? yes, i think it could. ness ran a's rhetoric has always _ it? yes, i think it could. ness ran a's rhetoric has always been - it? yes, i think it could. ness ran i a's rhetoric has always been strong. hezbollah�*s behaviour so far has so far been very restrained. it is a little bit less clear exactly what the israeli's intent is. there is talk and israel about a change in security doctrine where instead of trying to deter their adversaries they need to attack them directly. what started and gaza has to continue in lebanon. there has been talk of that, but there has not been much action beyond the assassination so far. ., ., , . , so far. you would expect this sort of resnonse. _ so far. you would expect this sort of response, this _ so far. you would expect this sort of response, this tough _ so far. you would expect this sort of response, this tough talk - so far. you would expect this sort l of response, this tough talk coming from the hezbollah chief, but it would also be very calculated to take into account what the response from israel may be. and given therefore what we have heard from hezbollah, what do you expect israel's response to those comments may turn out to be? i israel's response to those comments may turn out to be?— may turn out to be? i don't think it will re5pond _ may turn out to be? i don't think it will respond so _ may turn out to be? i don't think it will respond so much _ may turn out to be? i don't think it will respond so much to _ may turn out to be? i don't think it will respond so much to the - will respond so much to the comments. i think it is looking at a careful political calculation about whether or not it really wants to engage in war with hezbollah. and

that involves not only a position with hezbollah but also the position with hezbollah but also the position with the united states which has been very active in trying to prevent the spread of conflict. there may be strong voices within the israeli leadership saying this is the time to have it out finally with hezbollah. but that could lead to a crisis with the united states. as we know, the us secretary of state is heading to the region, it is a long trip, he takes in a number of countries in the region. one hopes to ratchet down some of that rhetoric but also try to talk about what happens after this war is over, whether there is any possibility of lasting peace. and i wonder, therefore, if we turn to those comments, that four corners plan we have heard from you after land, we should be really clear that they are just proposals at this stage and the do sit at odds with what we have heard from the white house but also others within the israeli cabinet. what is your assessment of what this four corners plan looks like and whether it will make any difference to the outcome of this war? i

whether it will make any difference to the outcome of this war?- to the outcome of this war? i don't think it will — to the outcome of this war? i don't think it will make _ to the outcome of this war? i don't think it will make a _ to the outcome of this war? i don't think it will make a difference - to the outcome of this war? i don't think it will make a difference to i think it will make a difference to the outcome. and the plan is described as simply impractical. it is basically asking people to do things that they are very clear that they will not do. this international force. who wants to go in while israel is still actively involved in security military operations in gaza? who is going to want to go in and make part of this international force? who is going to want to pay and conduct reconstruction when there are going to be seen as an agent of israeli reoccupation in gaza? what sort of palestinian authorities would they be willing to work with? i don't think it is a workable plan in its current stage. it may be more diplomatically aims to try to persuade the international community that the israelis do have a plan for coast conflict governments and it is one that does not involve active israeli settlement and direct administration of gaza. find settlement and direct administration of gaza. �* ., . settlement and direct administration of gaza. �* . . ., settlement and direct administration of gaza. �* ., . ., ., of gaza. and the fact therefore that

is somewhat _ of gaza. and the fact therefore that is somewhat vaguely _ of gaza. and the fact therefore that is somewhat vaguely defined, - of gaza. and the fact therefore that is somewhat vaguely defined, does| is somewhat vaguely defined, does that speak to some of the indecision, some of the conflict within israel itself about what the future will look like and who once what? what is achievable, but also what? what is achievable, but also what are the ambition is when this war is over? i what are the ambition is when this war is over?— war is over? i think there is conflict within _ war is over? i think there is conflict within the - war is over? i think there is conflict within the israeli i war is over? i think there is - conflict within the israeli cabinet right now. some ideological conflict. i think there might be a little bit more, or a little bit less than meets the eye, when you look at what these ideas are going to be if they were actually implemented. some voices within the cabinet talk about restoring israeli settlements in gaza. some have loaded the idea of expelling some of gaza's population. those are ones that aren't likely going to get much traction, but they aren't taken seriously. the defence minister's plans balances itself but if you look at what israel will be able to accomplish with his plan and if you rule out settlements are the expulsion of the population, what it really looks like is a military reoccupation of gaza, leaving

governance for other people to deal with. is governance for other people to deal with. , , ., , ., governance for other people to deal with. , , .,, ., ., . ~ ., with. is the problem here a lack of long-term — with. is the problem here a lack of long-term thinking? _ with. is the problem here a lack of long-term thinking? that - with. is the problem here a lack of long-term thinking? that might i with. is the problem here a lack of. long-term thinking? that might seem long—term thinking? that might seem like a strange question given that we have talking about long term when this war is over and we know it will not end any time soon, but if we look at what is happening around the world right now, year of unprecedented political turmoil, so many elections taking place this yearin many elections taking place this year in a of countries, is the focus on the right things? at the right people in the rightjob is to have the leadership? perhaps some of the leadership we saw at the end of the 19905 when the peace accords were signed, does anyone have an a focus on the right issues here and that sort of leadership that is needed to come up with a workable solution to this crisis? i come up with a workable solution to this crisis? ~ come up with a workable solution to this crisis? “ , w , come up with a workable solution to this crisis? ~' , ,., , ., , this crisis? i think everybody has not an this crisis? i think everybody has got an eye _ this crisis? i think everybody has got an eye on — this crisis? i think everybody has got an eye on a _ this crisis? i think everybody has got an eye on a long-term - this crisis? i think everybody has i got an eye on a long-term solution got an eye on a long—term solution that probably —— the problem is that none of these solutions are compatible with each other. when israel says that we will maintain a security control of gaza, that is

something that basically no other actors will be willing to cooperate with. it is a terribly clear vision. when the united states says we need a united palestine, it is incompatible with the position of other parties. each actor is articulating a fairly clear vision of what the future looks like but in contrast to say the 19905 when there was some sense of emerging democratic and liberal international orders, almost the exact opposite right now, it is everybody for yourself. right now, it is everybody for ourself. ., , right now, it is everybody for yourself-— right now, it is everybody for ourself. ., ., ~ right now, it is everybody for ourself. ., �* ., ., ~ yourself. professor brown, thank you for our yourself. professor brown, thank you for your insight _ yourself. professor brown, thank you for your insight there. _ yourself. professor brown, thank you for your insight there. professor - for your insight there. professor nathanj brown, seniorfellow for your insight there. professor nathanj brown, senior fellow at the carnegie endowment for international peace. gratefulfor your carnegie endowment for international peace. grateful for your time. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. let's have a look at some of the other stories making headlines.

derek draper, has died aged 56, his wife kate garraway has said. draper had been living with extreme complications from covid since contracting the disease in march 2020. helen catt reports. harry pitman was fatally stabbed as people gathered near a viewing platform in primrose hill in london to watch the new year fireworks. earlier this week three teenagers were released on bail pending further inquiries. you are live with bbc news. more than a thousand homes

are currently underwater in england, after storm henk brought a week of heavy rainfall. a major incident has been declared in the county of nottinghamshire, there are serious delays for travellers across the country, with roads and railway lines flooded and about 300 flood warnings still in place across england and wales. jon donnison reports. after days of rain on already sodden ground, large parts of the country are now under water. this was nottingham this morning where the river trent is at its highest levels for 20 years. around 1000 homes in england have been flooded, according to the environment agency. in loughborough, darren�*s father had to be rescued from his flat in the early hours of yesterday morning. anything three feet and below is gone, and that includes both beds, settees and whatnot, they are all ruined. in bradford on avon in wiltshire, the sun was shining today but overnight the damage had been done and the morning stroll for these two was cut short. it's normally like a road

into a bridge over there, but it all so flooded that no one can get through. and this is what the river avon did to alice and mark's garden in fordingbridge in hampshire, the flood defences swamped. the garden would get flooded, it did last year, so we had to start bringing all the equipment and tools we had in the garden, all of the toys for the children and start bringing them closer to the house, which is on higher ground. the water breached a couple of weeks ago and now the river— bank has gone as well. in some areas, water levels are not expected to peak until later today. they have been cleaning up in the capital, 50 properties including this book shop had to be evacuated in east london. just been scooping buckets and buckets and buckets of water. some areas are quite submerged and there is quite a lot of damage to the books. and a party boat on the thames sang, the mast is just about the only thing still above water.

some rail services have been badly affected with major disruption in the great western and south—western networks. somewhere between newton abbot and totnes, we ground to a halt. we sat there for a couple of hours and they assessed whether they could go through the flood water or not. driving also has been treacherous. in leicestershire, a number of stranded horses had to be rescued. forecasters say the rain will be replaced by a cold snap in the coming days, but for some the clean—up after one of the wettest starts to the year on record could take weeks. jon donnison, bbc news. so have we seen the worst of the flooding? our weather presenter is here. louise, what has been going on? it feels like there has been a lot of rain in a lot of parts of europe?—

europe? certainly has. it is probably — europe? certainly has. it is probably likely _ europe? certainly has. it is probably likely to _ europe? certainly has. it is probably likely to be - europe? certainly has. it is probably likely to be one i europe? certainly has. it isj probably likely to be one of europe? certainly has. it is - probably likely to be one of the wettest december is on record across the uk and for much of northern europe, france, germany, the low countries have had significant flooding and have been bombarded by heavy rain and strong winds. we have to attribute this to climate change, because we know now, the science has proved, that i won the world is a better world and potentially. that means that areas of low pressure that we are getting have the ability to be able to hold and produce more moisture. and if we take a look at the satellite picture for the uk as a whole for the last 12 days, you can see the slave of cloud spiralling across the country. one pulse eases away and another one moves in. we have had three significant low pressure is on the first five days of january. and that is just exacerbating the flooding situation that we have had it at the moment. irate situation that we have had it at the moment. ~ .,, situation that we have had it at the moment. ~ , . , moment. we saw those pictures in john's report _ moment. we saw those pictures in john's report of — moment. we saw those pictures in john's report of what _ moment. we saw those pictures in john's report of what is _ moment. we saw those pictures in john's report of what is happening | john's report of what is happening in england and wales, we looked at the weather map, but as you touched on, this is a northern europe as well. some real problems elsewhere. we have had a pretty stagnant weather pattern in europe in

general. we have had this really large area of high pressure across scandinavia and we happily been talking about record—breaking cold at times in scandinavia. they have had significantly below average temperatures and at high temperature has been deflecting all of the lows moving in across the atlantic and the uk over into europe. that means france, the low countries, germany, they have had damaging gusts of wind and this relentless rain that has brought this significant flooding. louise, for now, thank you. good to have you to talk us through that. oscar pistorius has been released from prison in south africa on parole, nearly 11 years after murdering his girlfriend reeva steenkamp. pistorius, a paralympic and olympic athlete, shot ms steenkamp at his home in 2013, claiming in court that he thought she was an intruder. reeva steenkamp's mother has said she is living a life sentence. officials say pistorius is now at home, where he will serve the remainder of his sentence

as daniel de simone reports now from pretoria. commentator: in the heats of the 400m! i oscar pistorius, convicted murderer, was once a paralympic and olympic superstar nicknamed the blade runner. his victim was girlfriend reeva steenkamp, a law graduate and model. he's been serving his sentence at this prison. earlier this morning, the authorities announced he had left, was now officially a parolee, and is at home. that is believed to be this nearby house owned by an uncle. until 2029 he will live under conditions, including being required to attend anger management sessions and not speaking to the media. he can be returned to prison if he breaches them. pistorius murdered reeva steenkamp on valentine's day 2013 by shooting four times through a locked toilet door at his home. his trial absorbed the world. he 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, with judges saying his story was inconsistent and improbable. reeva steenkamp's close friend says they've had no space to grieve. we want to mourn and we would most certainly like reeva to rest in peace. every time we start processing and coming to terms with things, oscar pops up. 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. what oscar pistorius does next will be the focus of intense interest. 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 today said those left behind after her murder are the ones serving a life sentence. daniel de simone, bbc news, pretoria. let's ta ke let's take you live now to port elizabeth in south africa and the lawyer representing reeva steenkamp's family. thank you for joining us on the programme. i am looking at some of the comments made by mrs steenkamp and she says she welcomes the positions made by the parole camp that she asked has there been justice for reeva? has oscar said enough time? what is your assessment?— said enough time? what is your assessment? ~ ., ., ~' assessment? well, we need to work with what we — assessment? well, we need to work with what we have. _ assessment? well, we need to work with what we have. our— assessment? well, we need to work with what we have. our south - assessment? well, we need to work| with what we have. our south african legal system says that if an offender has saved a certain portion offender has saved a certain portion of their sentence they are eligible to be considered for parole. and

once they have been considered for parole, the parole board takes into account all of the information that has been placed before them and then they make a decision. so oscar like any other offender has gone through that process and the parole board found that he is not a danger to society and that he is therefore placed on parole under certain conditions. june has obviously had to accept that. she knows, she has always known, that the parole board will convene. she has always known that oscar will walk out of prison one day, whether it is after serving his full term after serving a portion. and becomes eligible. and she has had to accept that, because both have always said that they abide by the legal system and that the law must take its course. so it depends on who you ask, whether that is just and depends on who you ask, whether that isjust and fair, depends on who you ask, whether that is just and fair, that of course is a different question, but that is

the system that we have in south africa. ,, . ., , ., africa. quite clearly those are the rules that have _ africa. quite clearly those are the rules that have been _ africa. quite clearly those are the rules that have been imposed - africa. quite clearly those are thej rules that have been imposed and they will be enforced with those conditions attached. and i wonder, though, and we talk about this time and time again in cases like this, is there enough focus in the legal system on the victims of this sort of crime, and crucially of course the families of those victims? that is a very good _ the families of those victims? trust is a very good question, because there is a perception that there is not. one must remember as a victim, asjun said in a statement, for them it is a life statement. the journey they have to walk through this entire process of being in court, being there for the trial, then of course the appeals, here is the important one, they were invited to form part of the victim offender dialogue which is part of south africa's justice system. then when it came to parole, jun was entitled, and barry of course when he was still alive, and they did. they

oppose this parole early in march this year. they were represented by themselves. and of course by the attorney. and then of course in november this year, by that time barry had passed and jun did not have the emotional strength to participate in that process again. and then she decided to do a victim impact statement which is entitled to do because that is one of the parole policies and procedures that the victim may do. so i have to say, yes, they were entitled to form part of the process but of course being part of the process and having shared the views of the parole board, that will never bring riva back. there is never any form of justice. i back. there is never any form of 'ustice. ., ., back. there is never any form of 'ustice. . ., ., , ., justice. i am grateful for your time. justice. i am grateful for your time- time — justice. i am grateful for your time. time is _ justice. i am grateful for your time. time is tight _ justice. i am grateful for your time. time is tight but - justice. i am grateful for your time. time is tight but thank| justice. i am grateful for your - time. time is tight but thank you forjoining the sea on bbc news. headlines of the next, stay with us. hello.

it has been a very wet start to 202k. 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 and the weather is going to continue to cause some disruption. what is actually falling out of the sky is much, much drier over the next few days. there will be a lag between the rain falling and the flood water receding. high pressure is building and that will squeeze away most of the showers. low pressure 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 overnight, clearer skies. fairly light winds. the drop in temperature and a cold night, we will see some frost and mist and fog patches forming around parts of scotland, northern 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 and 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 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 map so relatively light winds. fog on 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 moving in, monday and tuesday then, we will see a change in air mass, the cold air moving in. as 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 milder from mid week onwards but 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. but there is no letup in the fighting. the israeli military says it has hit over 100 targets in the last 2a hours. health officials in gaza say 162 people have been killed. disgraced former paralympian oscar pistorius is released on parole — almost 11 years after killing his girlfriend, reeva steenkamp. flooding continues to cause disruption in parts of england and wales — forcing hundreds to leave their homes. and a taste of music's next big thing. indie rock band the last dinner party are named the bbc�*s sound of 202a.

let's turn to another major conflict.