inquiry begins this week. former subpostmasters tell the bbc those responsible must be held to account. and millions of people are gearing up for a total solar eclipse, which will plunge parts of north america into darkness. hello, i'm geeta guru—murthy. welcome to bbc news now. we start in the middle east, where palestinians have begun returning to the devastated city of khan younis in southern gaza after israel said it was reducing the numbers of soldiers in the area, six months into the israel—hamas war. israel's defence minister said troops are being redeployed and preparing for further operations against hamas. the israeli military could still mount an offensive against hamas�*s last stronghold in rafah — despite the us

leading international pleas for restraint. israel and hamas are now looking at fresh proposals on the table at talks in cairo aimed at securing a truce in gaza and a hostage release deal. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is injerusalem. let's cross to her live for the latest on the ground. eugenics injerusalem, eugenics in jerusalem, where eugenics injerusalem, where there is much speculation here about what is much speculation here about what is the signal being sent by israel. as it announced yesterday, it will now be withdrawing all of its forces from southern gaza, except for a brigade which is maintaining a corridor now dividing the strip into. this is a new chapter in the war, or is it simply pause? a moment for the troops in the south to rest from that aberration in the last

corner of gaza, in rafah, and the primacy benjamin netanyahu has already said it will have to be carried out if israel wants to achieve the aim of destroying hamas. he and jerusalem this morning, as much speculation of the end of the ground operation. whatever it is, past and it has started to their homes in the southern gaza strip. kindliness is the second biggest urban area and all of the gaza strip. it would be great relief that they can return home from the tents and houses where they sought shelter, as fighting raged in the south, but they will also see a territory, a city which now lies in ruin. this is after months of intense israeli bombardment, and it

is really ground operations, including intense fighting, as well as fighters of hamas and other groups against the israeli forces. israel's move comes as the israel gaza war now approaches its six month mark. it is a war which was sparked by the horrendous events of october seven when hamas fighters breached israel's price defence and went on a monstrous rampage across southern israel. israel claimed they killed 1200 israelis, and taking more than 200 hostages. it's backed watches now the most longest, grooviest israel gaza war. according to the matter and health ministry, more than 33,000 palestinians have died in israeli operations, and the

united nations says that gaza is now experiencing famine. all of this is the backdrop to resumption of talks in cairo, in direct talks between israel and hamas, and pressure has been put on negotiators, both hamas and israel to try and reach a deal, and israel to try and reach a deal, and there is hope that at the very least, a truce, a temporary truce, can be reached as the islamic month of fasting comes to an end. palestinians will be hoping to mark the festival of eat. we are hoping now to cross to the qatari capital to speak to the chief spokesperson for the qatar government. we hope to join him soon in this programme, but for now, we will keep an eye on all of the latest developments here in israel, in gaza, in the occupied west bank, and across the region.

will hand you back to the studio in london for now. we are expected to go back in the next few minutes. we will be expecting the spokesperson for the foreign ministry of qatar. the next phase of the uk post office horizon public inquiry begins this week. it will be the second to last chapter of an independent investigation into one of the nation's biggest miscarriages ofjustice. between 1999 and 2015, more than 900 sub—postmasters were wrongly prosecuted because of faults with the horizon computer programme, which was developed by the japanese it company fujitsu. the former royal mail chief executive adam crozier, and the campaigner alan bates will be among those testifying this week. former subpostmaster, sharon brown, told the bbc that she and her husband spent their life savings trying to make up the shortfall, when money started disappearing from their post office account. the error impacted their finances,

relationships and mental health for 20 years. it was horrible. it was really horrible. it was the worst years of my life... and that's life lost... ..with the kids, everything. theyjust don't know what they've done to people. the post office minister, kevin hollinrake, has been speaking to bbc breakfast and says the inquiry is important to make sure those responsible are held to account. evidence is being established, and people should be prosecuted. that is my view, and i think you and other people i've spoken to — i certainly feel people who work within the post office and possibly further afield should go to jail. with more on this our correspondent, garaham satchell. is this line from kevin hollinrake a significant development? they have said this before, but i think it's an interesting

intervention. the inquiry starts tomorrow. the timing is interesting. he was speaking in a room full of sub—postmasters who are angry about what has happened to them. they were falsely convicted of stealing many from the post office, when in fact, there was a faulty computer system and cover—ups... the post office's biggest system scandal in years. i think it shows where the government is now, saying people should go to jail. it's not up to him to decide, but he says he was the police to investigate and the courts to decide. ~ . , ., , ., decide. what is the latest on the key question _ decide. what is the latest on the key question of _ decide. what is the latest on the key question of compensation i decide. what is the latest on the | key question of compensation for decide. what is the latest on the - key question of compensation for the sub—postmasters? he key question of compensation for the sub-postmasters?_ key question of compensation for the sub-postmasters? he was asked about asked repeatedly _ sub-postmasters? he was asked about asked repeatedly by _ sub-postmasters? he was asked about asked repeatedly by people _ sub-postmasters? he was asked about asked repeatedly by people in - sub-postmasters? he was asked about asked repeatedly by people in the - asked repeatedly by people in the room today. a huge amount of upset of the amount of time this is taking. the problem with all of

this, 800 sub—postmasters were convicted of stealing many, and its taken ages for those connections to get across. legislation was passed quashed all of those convictions in one swipe move. there is a way that a government minister saying he certainly recognised that this needs to be sped up, and people need to be paid. to be sped up, and people need to be aid. �* , ., to be sped up, and people need to be aid. �* , . ., ,, , paid. briefly, what happens next? the ublic paid. briefly, what happens next? the public inquiry _ paid. briefly, what happens next? the public inquiry starts _ paid. briefly, what happens next? | the public inquiry starts tomorrow. we will hear from time of the top bosses, and will try to find out who knew what, why, when. the chief executive of the post office, in charge for a good period of time, so it's the people sitting in the big chairs who are making the big decision to be put and strict routinely in the coming days and weeks. ., ~ , ., routinely in the coming days and weeks. ., ~' , ., , routinely in the coming days and weeks. ., ~ ,, , . around the world and across the uk.

this is bbc news.

let's return to jerusalem let's return tojerusalem now. israel withdraws almost all of its forces from southern gaza after months of ground operations. they are maintaining only a corridor to divide the strip into. they're trying to achieve some of agreement, including protected talks, in direct talks between israel and hamas, to achieve a hostage and prisoner swap, and a ceasefire. let's cross to the qatari capital tojoin and a ceasefire. let's cross to the qatari capital to join the chief

spokesperson for qatar. he is an adviser to the qatari prime minister. welcome to bbc news. thank ou for minister. welcome to bbc news. thank you for having — minister. welcome to bbc news. thank you for having me- _ minister. welcome to bbc news. thank you for having me. as _ minister. welcome to bbc news. thank you for having me. as you _ minister. welcome to bbc news. thank you for having me. as you know - minister. welcome to bbc news. thank you for having me. as you know now, i you for having me. as you know now, for many weeks. _ you for having me. as you know now, for many weeks, the _ you for having me. as you know now, for many weeks, the progress - you for having me. as you know now, for many weeks, the progress of - you for having me. as you know now, for many weeks, the progress of the | for many weeks, the progress of the talks there was very little. the prospects seem to be bleak, there seems to have been an acceleration. can you tell us whether talks are now? we understand a new proposal is on the table and that they hamas and israeli delegations are studying it. israeli delegations are studying it. is that correct?— is that correct? yes, as you probably — is that correct? yes, as you probably heard _ is that correct? yes, as you probably heard and - is that correct? yes, as you | probably heard and reported is that correct? yes, as you i probably heard and reported in is that correct? yes, as you - probably heard and reported in the last couple of days, people have beenin last couple of days, people have been in cairo, which is encouraging. it's now followed by technical teams that are still meeting in cairo. as you mentioned, there is a proposal at the moment which we find encouraging. we are waiting for the reply from both sides, of course,

and obviously the situation is still difficult and flew it on the ground. we, by no means, are at the last stretch of the stocks, but if you asked me for a more optimistic today than i was couple of days ago, i would say yes. than i was couple of days ago, i would say yes-— would say yes. why are you optimistic? _ would say yes. why are you optimistic? what _ would say yes. why are you optimistic? what has - would say yes. why are you optimistic? what has been | would say yes. why are you i optimistic? what has been put on would say yes. why are you - optimistic? what has been put on the table? we understand it's an american proposal to try and reach a breakthrough?— american proposal to try and reach a breakthrough? there are a myriad of ro osals breakthrough? there are a myriad of proposals on — breakthrough? there are a myriad of proposals on the _ breakthrough? there are a myriad of proposals on the table _ breakthrough? there are a myriad of proposals on the table right - breakthrough? there are a myriad of proposals on the table right now, i proposals on the table right now, including the american proposal. we appreciate the help we have been getting from all of our partners, including the united states on this, as we have always said, the pressure from the united states will always be instrumental in making these talks succeed. i can't go to the details of these proposals, but i can tell you that it bridges the gap in a way that hasn't been done in the last couple of months, and we hope it will lead to more talks which leads to a hostage release

eventually. it which leads to a hostage release eventually-— which leads to a hostage release eventuall . ., ~ eventually. it took about american ressure eventually. it took about american pressure come _ eventually. it took about american pressure come out _ eventually. it took about american pressure come out we _ eventually. it took about american pressure come out we understand| pressure come out we understand there has been pressure to step back of its conditions that are being put down on the table, which are utterly unacceptable to israel, described as delusional by the israeli prime minister of hamas? i delusional by the israeli prime minister of hamas?— delusional by the israeli prime minister of hamas? i don't believe that we can _ minister of hamas? i don't believe that we can say — minister of hamas? i don't believe that we can say there _ minister of hamas? i don't believe that we can say there was - minister of hamas? i don't believe| that we can say there was pressure applied in qatar, but remember carter is a mediator here. we don't have low average over the parties. we have engaged with the united states and other parties since day one. we have been working with a very closely, and i'm sure everyone has the same view of reaching an agreement as soon as possible. the way we have been approaching this as addressing both sides�*s concerns, making sure they are addressed in

the talks and pressuring for a deal, pressure on both sides at the same time. of course, we have seen a lot of pressure in my country, but will not deter us is playing the role of the mediator in the steel. you mention the — the mediator in the steel. you mention the attacks _ the mediator in the steel. you mention the attacks in - the mediator in the steel. you mention the attacks in your country, use of criticised what you say is qatar bashing. the israeli ministers have accused you of giving refuge to hamas, and not doing enough to address these talks?— hamas, and not doing enough to address these talks? yes, we have been saying _ address these talks? yes, we have been saying very — address these talks? yes, we have been saying very clearly _ address these talks? yes, we have been saying very clearly that i address these talks? yes, we have been saying very clearly that we i been saying very clearly that we hope all parties will engage with the talks. the humanitarian questions over this issue, and not prioritise political posturing. we have seen a lot of that in israel

and other places, and we have seen the rhetoric takeover and impact the mediation efforts. we have taken heat before, we understand that there are those who would prioritise their electoral goals over the lives of people on the ground, but first, the goal is very clear. it is stopping the bloodshed, stopping the war, getting the hostages back on. finally, could you confirm, is the focus now on a short—term temporary truce during the festival of eat, which would be from either tuesday or wednesday until friday, and into something long—term? brute or wednesday until friday, and into something long-term?— something long-term? we remain ho eful something long-term? we remain hopefulthat_ something long-term? we remain hopeful that we _ something long-term? we remain hopeful that we will _ something long-term? we remain hopeful that we will be _ something long-term? we remain hopeful that we will be able i something long-term? we remain hopeful that we will be able to i something long-term? we remain hopeful that we will be able to get the phase one of the humanitarian pause introduced. the first days, of

the pauses, would be a few days. we are encouraged by the entry of aid into gaza, but there is nowhere near what is needed right now. we hope that through these talks and through age we can push for more aid to go in. it is very sad that in this occurrence, the humanitarian aid has been used as leverage the talks, but this is the reality of the situation. with the international committee, we can hope for a humanitarian corridor at this time. let's hope you are right in your book cautious optimism that the deal can at last be reached. from cat eye, thank you forjoining us here and bbc news. eye, thank you for “oining us here and bbc news.— eye, thank you for “oining us here and bbc news. thank you for having me. these

and bbc news. thank you for having me- these two _ and bbc news. thank you for having me. these two sets _ and bbc news. thank you for having me. these two sets there _ and bbc news. thank you for having me. these two sets there in - me. these two sets there in jerusalem — me. these two sets there in jerusalem with _ me. these two sets there in jerusalem with that - me. these two sets there in jerusalem with that key i me. these two sets there in i jerusalem with that key guest on me. these two sets there in - jerusalem with that key guest on the state of potential talks going on at the moment. just some breaking news from the us at the moment, former president trump has released a video statement on his position on abortion. he says that abortion should be determined by the us states. he says he is in favour of exceptions of rape, insist and saving the life of the mother. we will bring the video statement to you as soon as we can do, but it did know that he was going to put something out on his position on this. it's expected to be one of the key election issues later this year. people go to the polls in the us in november. staying in the us, and millions of people in north america are gearing for a total solar eclipse today. the path of totality in the area will be tension to darkness as the moon blocks the

sun's lights, and acting parts of mexico, the us and canada. let's speak now to megan argo, senior lecturer in astrophysics at the university of central lancashire. what are we expecting to see? from the uk, not — what are we expecting to see? from the uk, not much. _ what are we expecting to see? from the uk, not much. mexico, - what are we expecting to see? from the uk, not much. mexico, the i the uk, not much. mexico, the mainland of the us, and the east of canada will expect an eclipse that tracks most parts of the american continental state. tracks most parts of the american continentalstate. in tracks most parts of the american continental state. in that part of the chateau of the moon, cast on the earth's service, they will see them and completely cover the sent�*s service. this guy will go back, the sun will come out, and we will see that corona of the sun. we can't easily see because that is bright. eclipses are rare chance to see this

of the atmosphere in detail. what of the atmosphere in detail. what exactly bursitis _ of the atmosphere in detail. what exactly bursitis looking _ of the atmosphere in detail. what exactly bursitis looking at at this time? �* , ., ., exactly bursitis looking at at this time? �*, ., ., ,. . time? there's lot of scientific efforts that — time? there's lot of scientific efforts that are _ time? there's lot of scientific efforts that are planned. it's| time? there's lot of scientific| efforts that are planned. it's a follow—on from experiments done in 2017 when last eclipse past the continent. they have several aircraft that are in conjunction with nasa and their scientists around the us, and will be following the path of totality across the us. they can chase it because it's moving fast, they can spend longer in the shadow of the moon than static on the ground. it allows a more detailed shapes of the corona, and one of the experiments being done this time is trying to predict exactly what the corona will look like from our understanding of what the current activity of the sent�*s service is. space weather is determined by charged particles coming from the centre, from the corona, two explosions and mass ejection. those streams of charged

particles can expect our satellite communications, electronics, so can impact our communication infrastructure here on earth. it can cause power grids to go down if there's a sudden change in these particles. it can induce currents in undersea pipelines. understanding this and's activity and it its activity on us on earth is so important for modern society. the interest in the _ important for modern society. the interest in the sun, the worship of the sun goes back for ever, doesn't it? as a lot of people interested in astrological aspects of this, in countries like india where astrology is very big. the spiritual sized tool. if you're lucky enough to be able to see it, what precautions do you have to take, you honestly must not look directly at the centre? it's really important to never look directly at the centre. you can significantly damage your eyesight, the human eyes are a very delicate

organ, and looking directly at the son can cause permanent damage. there is a myth that it's more dangerous to look at the centre during an eclipse, but that is not true. if you're going to watch the eclipse, use eclipse glasses that you know a safe, or use a method of projection, so under trees is a good one. look at the shadows cast on the floor if you've got trees nearby. if you have trees nearby, a colander or sieve can give you multiple images, or a piece of paper with a very small punched through give your projected image on the ground. that is the safest place. haifa projected image on the ground. that is the safest place.— is the safest place. how uncommon are the ? is the safest place. how uncommon are they? when's _ is the safest place. how uncommon are they? when's the _ is the safest place. how uncommon are they? when's the next - is the safest place. how uncommon are they? when's the next and i is the safest place. how uncommon are they? when's the next and if i is the safest place. how uncommon l are they? when's the next and if you this one? , ., , , this one? they happen somewhere around every _ this one? they happen somewhere around every 18 — this one? they happen somewhere around every 18 months, _ this one? they happen somewhere around every 18 months, so - this one? they happen somewhere around every 18 months, so we i this one? they happen somewhere i around every 18 months, so we won't get the next total solar eclipse until 2090, so a very long wait here

in the uk. but somewhere on the fa happened roughly around 18 months. there are not many people in the ocean, where it covers a large area. thank you very much for talking us through that. for continuing coverage of the build—up to the total solar eclipse from our correspondents across north america — check out the live page on the bbc news app and website. he's known as the hardest geezer. russ cook from west sussex has earned that nickname — by running the entire length of africa, for charity. he set off last april from south africa southern—most tip and covered the equivalent distance of 385 marathons. the route took him north through countries including angola, nigeria and ivory coast, before ending in the north of tunisia. ellie price reports.

russell cook has run almost nearly day running of the 2000... his rent through deserts, rainforests, savannas, mountains and 16 countries. so far, he has raised more than £700,000 for the running charity. more than £700,000 for the running chari . ., more than £700,000 for the running chari _ ., ., more than £700,000 for the running chari . ., ., ., more than £700,000 for the running chari . ., ., , charity. soon enough will all be in tunisia sipping — charity. soon enough will all be in tunisia sipping daiquiris _ charity. soon enough will all be in tunisia sipping daiquiris in - charity. soon enough will all be in tunisia sipping daiquiris in the i tunisia sipping daiquiris in the beach — tunisia sipping daiquiris in the beach. he— tunisia sipping daiquiris in the beach. . , . tunisia sipping daiquiris in the beach. ., , ., beach. he has had competition with his health, visas, _ beach. he has had competition with his health, visas, the _ beach. he has had competition with his health, visas, the weather... i his health, visas, the weather... highs of 39 degrees acted today. find highs of 39 degrees acted today. and other highs of 39 degrees acted today. fific other man—made threats. highs of 39 degrees acted today. a"ic other man—made threats. but he is taking it all in his stride. in this final stretch, the 27—year—old had

help from his friend. view my running mates then he is used to. he has achieved something no one else in this world has ever managed. and that strawberry daiquiri. so what motivates the man himself — here's russ cook speaking a short while ago. when i think about when i have kids and what i want to pass on to them. that is the deepest level of motivation for me. they have been a bunch of times where it was very difficult, the sahara desert, sandstorms... pushing that mileage up sandstorms... pushing that mileage up for the last couple of months was really hard as well. the amount of people that have been following, come out to support and stuff. it would be awesome to get people moving more, i'm a big believer in sports. ourwhole moving more, i'm a big believer in sports. our whole goal is to use the power of running to try and power young people going through hard

times. he young people going through hard times. , , ., , . times. he must be exhausted. well done to him- _ times. he must be exhausted. well done to him. we _ times. he must be exhausted. well done to him. we will _ times. he must be exhausted. well done to him. we will be _ times. he must be exhausted. well done to him. we will be back, i done to him. we will be back, talking about the nuclear power plant and the safety there. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. we're in for another changeable week of weather. yes, there'll be some sunshine at times, but we're also looking at some wet and windy conditions. it's going to be cooler, especially so on tuesday. and then it turns that bit warmer later in the week. by the weekend, london, for example, could be back up to 20 degrees. now, this low pressure to the northwest of scotland is what's left of storm kathleen pulling away. but we have another area of low pressure which is bringing in weather fronts with rain attached to them. you can see a weak weather front pushing northwards, producing some showers. but we've got some heavier rain moving north across parts of wales, northern england and also

northern ireland with showers following on behind. they're going to be pushing eastwards, some of those heavy and thundery. the brightest skies across the north of scotland, with the wind continuing to ease here, and temperatures 10 to 18 degrees north to south. if you're hoping to see the partial solar eclipse tonight, well, you'll be lucky. it's likely to be in the west, but there's a lot of cloud and rain around. you might see it in the western isles, possibly the west of northern ireland as well. but as i mentioned, a lot of cloud and rain around. temperatures falling away to between 4 and 9 degrees. heading on through tomorrow, then, we've got all this rain, some of it still heavy and persistent, drifting towards the east. for a time, there'll be snow in the mountain tops in the highlands and behind it, sunshine and showers, but blustery showers. it's going to be windy wherever you are with coastal gales in wales and the english channel coasts as well. temperatures cooler than today, 8 to about 12 degrees north to south. as we head on into wednesday, well, we start off on a bright

note with some sunshine, but the cloud will build quite quickly. this is a warm front bringing in rain. behind it, the winds change direction to more of a southwesterly, which is a milder direction for us, so there'll be a change in the temperatures, they're going back up. we're looking at 8 in lerwick, to 15 as we push down towards norwich. into thursday, thursday's looking like a bright and breezy day. there'll be a few showers knocking around and at times large areas of cloud as well, but for the most part it's going to be dry with a fair bit of sunshine, and temperatures continuing to climb, 17 in aberdeen to 19 in norwich and london.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the mozambique ferry tragedy. nearly 100 passengers are confirmed dead. emergency workers are still searching for survivors. and the life and music of amy winehouse is the subject of a new film, back to black.

the head of the un's nuclear watchdog has condemned a drone attack on europe's biggest nuclear plant, the russian—occupied zaporizhzhia plant in ukraine. rafael grossi said there had been three direct hits on the plant's main reactor containment structures. he said no one could benefit from such attacks. russia's nuclear agency said three people were injured when a canteen was hit... and blamed ukraine for the attack. ukraine has denied responsibility. i'm joined now by rafael grossi, director general of the iaea do you know who was responsible for the attacks? not exactly about that. we have been focusing since yesterday when this happened stop first of all to assess the situation there. there has been in the past situations that were less clear in terms of the reality