to bring the m to bring the i'm azadeh moshiri in london. the other headlines this hour... slovakia's elected a new president — peter pellegrini is a nationalist who's sceptical of sending military aid to ukraine. and as millions prepare for the solar eclipse in north america, we look at how to safely watch the total blackout. and within the next few hours, russell cook, nicknamed the "hardest geezer," is set to complete his mammoth task — running entire length of africa. you join us youjoin us in you join us in southern israel. we are in the town of sderot, which lies not farfrom are in the town of sderot, which lies not far from the gaza boundary. you can see the northern gaza strip on the horizon. it was here and

october 7th six months ago that hamas fighters stormed into towns and that they then took more than 250 hostages and killed more than 1000 people. the attack sparked what's become the deadliest and most destructive israel—gaza war, killing over thirty—thousand palestinians according to the hamas run health ministry. the un says it gaza is now on the brink of famine. here in israel, the hostages are described as an open wound.

there are there a re protests there are protests across tel aviv demanding that the government does more to bring hostages home. their anger was intensified by news that our body was recovered in another military operation. elad katzir was taken on october and seventh, along with his mother and father. his father was murdered that day, and his mother was released that —— was released in november as part of a temporary ceasefire deal. pressure is mounting on negotiators to try and achieve a more lasting ceasefire. indirect talks between israel and hamas have resumed in the egyptian capital, cairo. six months on, israel's staunchest allies, including the uk in the united states, who gave such very public and powerful backing to israel, when

six months ago said israel had a right, and are questioning its methods. we'll be looking at all these issues, but let's return first to one of the areas which suffered immensely on october 7th. our international editor, jeremy bowen, has covered the war since the start and has returned to one of the kibbutzes in israel that was hardest hit by the hamas attacks. six months after the attacks, it is a bit like going back into a time machine because all the damage is still here. and the reason for that is that in this kibbutz, nir oz, one in four of the population

of the more than 400 people was either killed, or taken into gaza, about a mile away on the border, as hostages. looking around at the damage here and hearing the stories also of what happened, hamas came in around 6:30 in the morning and were here until early afternoon, undisturbed, going house to house until the army arrived. the war is still going on, that is outgoing fire from an israeli battery into gaza. this is now one of the typical houses in this kibbutz, abandoned and burnt out.

six months on, it still smells of burning on the sofa, there is still some neatly folded laundry, perhaps done the evening before october 7th. going around this place you can understand why israelis believe very strongly that they are fighting a just war in gaza. of course, their allies feel the same. their quarrel is with the methods that israel has been using that has cost so many innocent palestinian lives. and as for the family who lived here in this house, they are dead. the pain of that day still raw, and the grief still deep, but so many israelis are now asking when their loved ones will come home and wondering whether they are still alive. let's speak to efrat machikawa, whose parents played a key role in

establishing that kibbutz we heard about from jeremy bowen. thank you forjoining us. about from jeremy bowen. thank you forioining ve— for 'oining us. thank you, today is a forjoining us. thank you, today is a very painful _ forjoining us. thank you, today is a very painful day. _ forjoining us. thank you, today is a very painful day. it _ forjoining us. thank you, today is a very painful day. it is _ forjoining us. thank you, today is a very painful day. it is very - forjoining us. thank you, today is a very painful day. it is very hard, | a very painful day. it is very hard, especially as we received the news of elad katzir yesterday. i'm about to read very soon back to nir oz for his funeral. you have seen the pictures, but you have not smelled the smells and heard the atmosphere. it is terrible, it is devastating. this war, as previously said, it is a just war, it is a global war against terrorism, and it is awful. our beloved ones are still there, held, we have no idea whether they drink water can see sunlight, eat

enough, we have no idea what is going on and it is painful. it is painful, because it has been six months that we can hardly breathe, and to so hard to imagine what is happening with them. you and to so hard to imagine what is happening with them.— and to so hard to imagine what is happening with them. you lost four of our, happening with them. you lost four of your. five _ happening with them. you lost four of your. five of— happening with them. you lost four of your, five of your _ happening with them. you lost four of your, five of your family. .. - happening with them. you lost four of your, five of your family. .. six. l of your, five of your family. .. six. six of them- _ of your, five of your family. .. six. six of them. six _ of your, five of your family. .. six. six of them. six were _ of your, five of your family. .. six. six of them. six were taken - of your, five of your family. .. six. six of them. six were taken that i six of them. six were taken that da . six of them. six were taken that day- four _ six of them. six were taken that day. four were _ six of them. six were taken that day. four were taken _ six of them. six were taken that day. four were taken back. - six of them. six were taken that day. four were taken back. my i six of them. six were taken that - day. four were taken back. my uncle was murdered. _ day. four were taken back. my uncle was murdered, my _ day. four were taken back. my uncle was murdered, my father _ day. four were taken back. my uncle was murdered, my father still - day. four were taken back. my uncle was murdered, my father still there. he turned 80 and march 12, 80 years old, wonderful, sweet, loving grandfather. —— my grandfather is still there. we have no idea how he is, or where he is, and we are waiting, you can see his picture on the screen, this lovable person has been helping people all around the

world. he is a specialist, and he has been helping communities in third world countries really all over the world. he is a great teacher, he is a wonderful volunteer stop he loves making his wine, and he has a little lime production with his son —— wine production with the sun. she is, as you can see in his smile, a loving person. and he, like the rest of the family, was taken away on saturday morning from his home. you all the homes of mir oz. this is how the kibbutz looks like. one of four, think of your neighbours, one of four. it is an incredible, sad number. i’m

neighbours, one of four. it is an incredible, sad number. i'm sure you have been following _ incredible, sad number. i'm sure you have been following the _ incredible, sad number. i'm sure you have been following the protests. . have been following the protests. you may even have taken part in them. the anger of the families of them. the anger of the families of the hostages seems to be growing, with a call for the government to make their return a greater priority. some of them calling for a ceasefire, not all of the day, but many do. what do you say should be done now? i many do. what do you say should be done now? ~ ., , many do. what do you say should be done now? ~ . , , many do. what do you say should be done now? ~ ., , , ~ done now? i think war is 'ust. we are all done now? i think war is 'ust. we aufuu— done now? i think war is 'ust. we are all full back i done now? i think war is 'ust. we are all full back fighting _ done now? i think war isjust. we are all full back fighting the - are all full back fighting the terror —— we are all fighting the terror. i must admit myself, i have joined the cause. i think six months have proved us that what ever is going on now is probably going on wrong. it is time for our prime minister to show leadership and to give someone who can bring the deal in to do so. we see so much

suffering, we want this to end. we concentrate on bringing our beloved ones back home. they are citizens of the israeli state. they deserve the full... the full deal that can be done to bring them home. there is no price for the 133, unfortunately, 33 only, left in gaza. there isn't any price that is a high price. they cannot be taken as something that has a price. their lives are secret, and they have to be back home —— sacred. we are waiting for them back home, and for that today, we released a song, a song written by a

clinical psychologist who took care of my aunt when she came back. i met her at the hospital. it is also by a very young talented singer who is singing it. we released today, and it is a song of hope. it is talking about our heroes, because each and every one of the hostages is our heroes, not only mine or my family, but our state and our citizens. and you know, we end the song saying, in a day of is shadow and hope and storm, we pray for you to come home. this is what it is all about. israel cannot go on, i don't think the world should go on unless we have them back home. they must come home,

come home. that is all we ask for. let them come home, bring them home now. we let them come home, bring them home now. ~ ., ., , let them come home, bring them home now. ~ ., , i. let them come home, bring them home now. ~ ., . now. we do hope your uncle, the 80-year-old. _ now. we do hope your uncle, the 80-year-old, does _ now. we do hope your uncle, the 80-year-old, does come - now. we do hope your uncle, the 80-year-old, does come home l now. we do hope your uncle, the | 80-year-old, does come home as now. we do hope your uncle, the - 80-year-old, does come home as well 80—year—old, does come home as well as the remaining hostages being held in gaza. thank you for sharing your story stop and in gaza. thank you for sharing your sto sto -_ . ., ~ in gaza. thank you for sharing your sto sto_ . ., ~ , ., story stop and thank you, the friendship _ story stop and thank you, the friendship between _ story stop and thank you, the friendship between israel- story stop and thank you, the friendship between israel and story stop and thank you, the - friendship between israel and the rest of the world is very important, and your support in this horrific time is extremely appreciated. thank you so much. time is extremely appreciated. thank you so much-— you so much. thank you. expressing her profound — you so much. thank you. expressing her profound grief— you so much. thank you. expressing her profound grief over _ you so much. thank you. expressing her profound grief over the - you so much. thank you. expressing her profound grief over the plight. her profound grief over the plight of her uncle and all of the other hostages still being held in gaza. the israeli government says it is doing everything it can to bring them home, pro—minister netanyahu

saying continuing the war will do that. he is under pressure from the international community too. president biden has urged him to do more to empower negotiators to reach a deal, but also to do more to protect the civilians in gaza as the death toll rises, and also to ensure more aid features the strip as the united nations once a famine. —— reaches the strip. israel has opened the main northern crossing, the erez crossing, opening the port at ashdod, and also the route at jordan. is that enough? that is what i asked the director of the world food programme, cindy mccain. as the un said and as what i have said, also famine is imminent said also, famine is imminent

in the north, and this is something that if we wait much longer, we're going to go over the edge and not be able to recover from it. that's why it is so important that we be able to get food at scale in. we at wfp are grateful that there's consideration to open the erez border point and ashdod port. we're hoping to see that happen very soon. all of those things and more along with the airdrops, along with everything else that's going on, will help us get food in at scale. but it can't stop. it can no longer be a dribble of seven or eight trucks a day or seven or eight trucks a week. it has to be multitudes of trucks and quickly. there have been calls right up to the top of the united nations that, while welcoming these new moves, saying that all of the crossings should be open, and if not that it will still be difficult to get the amounts of aid in that are needed. is that also your view? that is absolutely our view. we would like every gate open. we need to get food in and get it in at scale.

we can no longer wait to be considered or wait to see if our drivers are cleared or wait to see if the checkpoints are actually going to be open. we need to get in now. children are dying. as we speak, they are dying of hunger. that's why it is so important that we do what we do best, and that is take large amounts of food and feed those who are desperately hungry. as you know, those who are delivering the aid also feel at risk. in the wake of the killing of seven aid workers with world central kitchen, some aid agencies suspended their operations. is it, do you feel it is still safe for your wfp staff to operate, and are they still doing so? well, this is dangerous work, no matter how you look at it. but we at wfp are not going to to halt or suspend any of our operations. we continue to do the best we can to get aid in again,

we continue to do the best we can to get aid in. again, the these new openings and these new ports, etc, if we do get them to scale and get them get them operational will be of great help. but we should have done it a while ago. this is something that has allowed the northern part of gaza to simply die. and so for those of us at the un that work with work on humanitarian principles and believe in delivering food and aid in a principled fashion, we feel very strongly about how much needs to go in and why we should be in there. and once again, aid workers should be safe. it was unconscionable that that wck was hit. it's a terrible situation. and but let me say, there's been more aid workers than just those that have been killed. and we're sorry for all of them. we have to keep going. we have to. cindy mccain, the executive director of the world food programme. for

many months now, the main aid agencies, going right up to the top of the united nations, has said that the only way to get aid into gaza is to actually achieve a ceasefire. many six months on since the start of this grievous war, they are asking when this war will end. in the last hour, there has been used from the israel military that it has withdrawn all of its forces from the south of the gaza strip, except for one brigade. so, let's find out more from what lies behind this decision. let's speak to israel defence forces spokesperson lieutenant colonel peter lerner. can you tell us what is the reasoning behind this withdrawal of troops from southern gaza? thank ou, it is troops from southern gaza? thank you. it is great _ troops from southern gaza? thank you, it is great to _ troops from southern gaza? thank you, it is great to see _ troops from southern gaza? thank you, it is great to see you - troops from southern gaza? thank you, it is great to see you again. i | you, it is great to see you again. i just want to wait one second on the words ofjeremy bowen, and while i mine service, i am a reservist, i retired from the military seven

years ago. on the morning of the 7th of october, when we were watching on horrors the images of the paraglider is coming over the border, not far from where you are now, my wife looked at me and said peter, they are coming for us. that is the sense of most israelis today, but nowhere is safe, that hamas or hezbollah could take advantage of the situation and come for us wherever are. that is why the idf embarked on this word to change the paradigms, to get rid of hamas once and for all, and listening to the heartbreaking story of family members killed or abducted is precisely why we have embarked on bringing back the 133 that remain of the gaza strip. with regards the specific announcement of this morning, the idf has and is regrouping, conducting its preparations for the next age. the war is not over as long as there are

133 israelis being held by hamas. what can only be over when they come home and when hamas is gone. the reality is one that is unacceptable. we can't accept that hamas will govern the gaza strip, precisely because we have seen what they do with the powers of government. they take advantage of that, they built a terrorist army but they came into our bedrooms, abducted, killed, murdered, massacred. that needs to change. murdered, massacred. that needs to chance. ., ,, murdered, massacred. that needs to chance. . , ., murdered, massacred. that needs to chance. ., , ., ., murdered, massacred. that needs to chance. ., ., ., , change. can you provide more details on this movement? _ change. can you provide more details on this movement? is _ change. can you provide more details on this movement? is at _ change. can you provide more details on this movement? is at a _ change. can you provide more details on this movement? is at a rotation? l on this movement? is at a rotation? will they be replaced? or does this represent a significant shift in the military campaign? the represent a significant shift in the military campaign?— military campaign? the military camaian military campaign? the military campaign is _ military campaign? the military campaign is continuously - military campaign? the military i campaign is continuously evolving. this just another stage campaign is continuously evolving. thisjust another stage in campaign is continuously evolving. this just another stage in war effort. as we completed our mission in khan younis, in the khan younis area, troops rotate out, and we have other trips that are operating elsewhere. it is important to understand this is a decline in the

forces, but there are more operations that need to be conducted. rafah is clearly a stronghold where there are four battalions, untouched. when we released two hostages from just last month. we need to be able to get all the hostages back, wherever they are. we need to dismantle hamas's capabilities, wherever they are, we will mobilise our forces accordingly. the forces are notjust in the gaza strip to take control of gaza. that is not the intention by any stretch of the imagination. the intention is to get rid of hamas and take back hostages. i’m intention is to get rid of hamas and take back hostages.— intention is to get rid of hamas and take back hostages. i'm sure we will seak take back hostages. i'm sure we will s - eak to take back hostages. i'm sure we will speak to you — take back hostages. i'm sure we will speak to you again, _ take back hostages. i'm sure we will speak to you again, thank _ take back hostages. i'm sure we will speak to you again, thank you - take back hostages. i'm sure we will speak to you again, thank you very i speak to you again, thank you very much for hearing your observations on october 7th, and also for giving us more details about this announcement by the israeli military. that was the israeli military. that was the israeli military spokesperson confirming what we have been hearing, that there is no movement of israeli forces from south of the gaza strip.

israeli forces are still operating there. as i mentioned, you can see on the horizon, gaza city from here. six months ago, and in the weeks and months that followed, we could see the constant plumes of black smoke rising from gaza. the israeli military carried out daily and nightly aerial bombardment, and ground forces went into accelerate the campaign. six months on, israel says it is still committing to destroying hamas. pressure is growing on israel to fight this war in a different way and to end it. we'll provide more special coverage from here and across the region, but thatis from here and across the region, but that is all from us, and back to london. studio: thank you, lyse.

ceremony in the rwandan capital is being led. events are being held across rwanda to mark three decades since the beginning of the genocide against ethnic tutsis and moderate hutus. nearly a million people were killed in a hundred days in 1994. a ceremony in the rwandan capital, kigali, is being led by president paul kagame. world leadersjoined the president in laying wreaths. those present included the south african president, cyril ramaphosa, and the former us president, bill clinton, who has previously called the massacre of ethnic tutsis and moderate hutus the biggest failure of his presidency. 351 days ago russell cook, nicknamed the "hardest geezer", set off to run the entire length of africa to raise money for charity. since then he's fallen victim to an armed robbery and suffered a health scare — but finally the end is in sight. russell should cross the finish line in tunisia this afternoon, and our reporter ellie price has been looking back at his journey. let's go! day three!

day four! day six! his nickname on social media is hardest geezer. day 349 of running the entire length of africa. after more than 350 days, 10,000 miles and 19 million steps, he's probably earned it. he's run through deserts, rainforests, savannahs, mountains, jungle and 16 countries, and he's raised well over £500,000 for the running charity and sandblast, posting updates on his progress on social media. originally, he'd planned a mere 9,000—mile trip, but complications with visas, health scares, geopolitical issues and even an armed robbery meant the 26—year—old was forced to extend the challenge. but he's taken it all in his stride. i was absolutely bricking it, to be totally honest. everything goes through your head in those moments. and i was...i was pretty terrified, i won't lie. your achievements are amazing. thanks. can ijust also compliment you on your beard? there's something else to be proud of too, as he told charlie back injanuary. i'd decided that i wasn't going to cut my hair for the entire mission, beard included. the locks are really coming into their own now.

i started with a skinhead and now i've got some weird, little slicked—back look going on, but we make the best of it, you know. to celebrate, he says, he's looking forward to a strawberry daiquiri on the beach in tunisia, before heading home to worthing to visit his local bakery. and there might even be time for a trip to the barbers too. ellie price, bbc news. finally this half hour, i want to show you some amazing pictures out of italy. mount etna has been sending these rare smoke rings into the sicilian sky. a new crater opened on the summit of europe's largest active volcano leading to an unusual display of vortex rings. they're made of gases and propelled upwards by a circular vent in the volcano. it's a relatively rare phenomenon. locals said that the last time it happened was last december. the mesmerizing display has been captivating visitors. the rings have led locals

to re—name the volcano "lady of the rings". all right, well, stay with us here on bbc news. there is plenty to come. hello there. storm kathleen yesterday brought us some curiously warm, but also some very windy weather indeed. it was warmest out towards parts of east anglia, 21 degrees celsius, the warmest day of the year so far. but towards exposed western coast, we saw gusts of wind of 60 to 70mph. and it's another very blustery day again today. here's the deep area of low pressure that is storm kathleen. it's gradually pushing further northwards, but still very tight squeeze on the isobars. so it's very windy once again, it won't be feeling quite as warm as it was yesterday. some cooler—feeling conditions,

but still mild for the time of year. now, as we head through this afternoon, there are still plenty of blustery showers around. they'll generally be tracking eastwards. longer spells of rain across northwest scotland, some of the showers with some hail and some thunder in them, particularly out towards the west. but it's drier across parts of east anglia and southeast england. again, lighter winds here, but widely gusts of a0 to 50 miles an hour, maybe gales, severe gales possible across northwest scotland. these will be the day's highs — not the 21 degrees that we saw yesterday, admittedly, but still 13 to 17 degrees. it's above the seasonal average. now, as we head through tonight, the low pressure pulls away and weakens. but another deep area of low pressure will start to swing in from the southwest in time for tomorrow morning. the winds, though, will be lighter. so this is how we're starting off monday morning. again, it's mild for the time of year. there'll be cloud, outbreaks of rain gradually pushing northwards across these western spots. further south and east, a dry start, but some rain here later. could stay largely dry across the midlands and across scotland for much

of the day, but clouding over from the south as we head through the afternoon. temperatures, again, still above the seasonal average. now, that deep area of low pressure will really strengthen, there will be some strong, gusty winds. you can see that squeeze on the isobars there towards the south coast as it all pushes northwards and eastwards through tuesday morning. so it's going to be quite a wet start to the day for many of us. again, the details could change on this. windy towards channel coast, particularly across the channel islands, the rain pulls away, sunny spells, but look at the drop in temperature here. we've got more of a northwesterly wind and it will be feeling cooler with highs of 8 to 12 degrees celsius. but we don't have to wait too long before we see mild air spinning in from the south and the west again, along with more low pressure systems that will be wet and windy again at times.

this is bbc news, the headlines... israel says it has withdrawn all ground troops involved in active manoeuvres from southern gaza. an israeli army spokesperson says that only one brigade is remaining for now after a major operation in the southern city of khan younis was completed. the israel— gaza war reaches its sixth month mark. on october the 7th, hamas attacked israel killing about 1200 people and taking hundreds of hostage. in the war that has followed, the hamas run

health ministry says that at least 33,000 palestinians have been killed. slovakia has elected a new president. the nationalist is sceptical of sending military aid to ukraine. he won by a greater margin than expected, defeating the pro—western candidate. and as millions prepare for the solar eclipse in north america we look at how to safely watch the total blackout. here in the uk, the prime minsiter, rishi sunak has said britain continues to stand by israel's right to defend its security, six months on from the start of the israel—gaza war. but mr sunak said the nation remains "appalled" by the deaths of three british aid workers in an israel defense forces strike this week. the deputy prime minister, oliver dowden, has been answering questions on gaza. our political correspondent, tony bonsignore was watching. the question was, for oliver dowden, specifically about what the advice,

the legal advice, that the government had been given on whether israel was acting