designated a terrorist organisation by many western countries — aimed at securing a truce and a hostage deal. it's now been six months since hamas — designated a terrorist organisation by many western countries — attacked israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. let's take a look at these pictures displaying what the city was like before and after the severe bombardment of gaza since october seventh. in the war that has followed the seventh october attacks, gaza's hamas—run health ministry says more than 33 thousand people have been killed there. much of the city is now in ruins as palestinians have onlyjust started to return to the devestated city of khan younis, after israel said it was reducing the numbers of soldiers in the area. an israeli government spokesperson says the reduction

in troop numbers was not an indication of a pause infighting. but i will say is that the movements of most soldiers indicates anything special, we are committed to our aims to destroy hamas and bring home watch a 43 hostages and to ensure that gaza does not pose a threat to us any more. qatar's foreign ministry has told the bbc it's cautiously optimistic about a new proposal in the gaza ceasefire talks. let's now speak to oliver mcternan on this. he's a former hostage negotiator who's in touch with people close to the talks on all sides and also the director of forward thinking, an ngo which works to promote an inclusive peace process in the middle east. what you make of these conflicting reports tonight and some suggestions that a deal is creeping closer and at the same time, some teachers suggesting that hamas has dismissed

it entirely. the suggesting that hamas has dismissed it entirel . ., , ., ., ., it entirely. the operative word for the spokesman _ it entirely. the operative word for the spokesman is _ it entirely. the operative word for the spokesman is cautious - it entirely. the operative word for the spokesman is cautious and i l the spokesman is cautious and i would be extremely cautious because what i have heard is in fact that the proposals put on the table are a must almost irreconcilable. there is no clear definition of when the cease—fire would happen or how long it would last and there is also no commitment to withdrawal of israeli troops from gaza and i think even more problematic, is the families as i understand it, are not going to be allowed to return to their neighbourhoods in the homes that are still standing but can return to refugee camps set up specially in the north of israel. i cannot see how these two positions can be

reconcilable.— how these two positions can be reconcilable. ., . reconcilable. you have highlighted some of the _ reconcilable. you have highlighted some of the details _ reconcilable. you have highlighted some of the details of— reconcilable. you have highlighted some of the details of the - reconcilable. you have highlighted i some of the details of the proposals for a six—week truce in the hostages would be freed in exchange for 900 palestinian prisoners and also involving the return of displaced palestinians in northern because images of the state of gaza right now and that seems all but impossible in the delivery of 400 and 500 trucks of food aid to daily and 500 trucks of food aid to daily and has been at the moment, barely in the getting through and they'll be a significant breakthrough blunder you're suggesting a long way off right now. blunder you're suggesting a long way off right "ow-— off right now. when you get enough of this public _ off right now. when you get enough of this public briefing _ off right now. when you get enough of this public briefing and _ of this public briefing and negotiations are going on i wonder whether the negotiations are indeed serious or are they a distraction from what is happening on the ground. from what is happening on the round. , . ,., ., ., ground. yes and important that we mention that _

ground. yes and important that we mention that as well, _ ground. yes and important that we mention that as well, tonight - ground. yes and important that we mention that as well, tonight the l mention that as well, tonight the israeli prime minister said a date, public debate. you are back with us. sorry, i wasjust public debate. you are back with us. sorry, i was just saying that all these public briefings and especially details like that have been given makes me wonder whether in fact the negotiations are serious or are they a distraction from what is actually happening on the ground. my fear and suspicion is that we are going to see this war in gaza get a lot worse and i fear it could spread to the region and so, i am not at all optimistic regarding who is saying it, whether the deal can be reached and what is needed when we look at what is the reality in gaza today and the reality of 2.3 million people living and life changing

circumstances, their lives will never be the same again. what is really needed is an immediate cease—fire and a permanent cease—fire and a permanent cease—fire so the reconstruction of gaza can start now, not in several weeks' time and god only knows what will happen if there is a ground invasion of rafa which prime minister netanyahu keeps saying he intends to do. is a minister netanyahu keeps saying he intends to tie-— intends to do. is a question is auoin to intends to do. is a question is going to ask— intends to do. is a question is going to ask you _ intends to do. is a question is going to ask you because - intends to do. is a question is i going to ask you because tonight intends to do. is a question is - going to ask you because tonight as you've touched on, the israeli prime minister sang a date is set for that invasion and he hasn't confirmed when they have decided and whether all of that is a distraction i talked about that reduction in numbers and he said that does not indicate a reduction in the offensive in some suggestions there that all of this could be a way for that all of this could be a way for

that invasion of rafah to go ahead. and that could well be true. we dipali worries me is that there could be a complete lack of awareness, especially in the biden administration and i fear and awareness, especially in the biden administration and ifear and earn government that israel is an extremely traumatised country because of what happened on the 7th of october. when it struck me very much is benjamin netanyahu has 100% support for the military operation. right across the parties. it is not just those in government with them but also his greatest critics agree with them that they should go into rafah and then move north. if a country and especially the political leaders are so traumatised they really need friends who say stop, you are not considering the consequences, you're not really thinking about what is going to happen the day after and the more we

see these dreadful pictures coming out of gaza and the hospitals in the consequences of the latest assault on that. ijust consequences of the latest assault on that. i just fear what consequences of the latest assault on that. ijust fear what is going to be in the region the day after the cease—fire and western terrorist get in and see directly what we are now getting from i would see the citizen journalists in gaza. always . rateful citizen journalists in gaza. always grateful for _ citizen journalists in gaza. always grateful for your _ citizen journalists in gaza. always grateful for your insight _ citizen journalists in gaza. always grateful for your insight into - citizen journalists in gaza. always grateful for your insight into the i grateful for your insight into the sort of insight and co—founder and director of forward thinking. continued coverage of that and if you're familiar with the context, you're familiar with the context, you know we have a regular panel but things are be different tonight because of the live coverage of the eclipse. let me introduce you to the panel. peterwalker (pres) finally let's bring in our panel. joel rubin, former deputy assistant secretary of state

for house affairs. might makea might make a date is set to the invasion of rafah and those who are against that assault against them. what do you make of the timing of this and while those peace talks continue? it this and while those peace talks continue? , ., this and while those peace talks continue? , . ., , ., continue? it is a death grip that israel continue? it is a death grip that israel and _ continue? it is a death grip that israel and hamas _ continue? it is a death grip that israel and hamas are _ continue? it is a death grip that israel and hamas are in - continue? it is a death grip that israel and hamas are in right i continue? it is a death grip that l israel and hamas are in right now and for— israel and hamas are in right now and for benjamin netanyahu, he sees the strategical as theyjust said as destroying hamas and that includes hamas— destroying hamas and that includes hamas leadership and that involves killing _ hamas leadership and that involves killing the _ hamas leadership and that involves killing the hamas leadership and they think that leadership is in rafah— they think that leadership is in rafah and for benjamin netanyahu to stay in _ rafah and for benjamin netanyahu to stay in power, the critical challenge that we all have in assessing this war is for benjamin netanyahu to stay in power company has to _ netanyahu to stay in power company has to ensure that his right flank stays— has to ensure that his right flank stays with — has to ensure that his right flank stays with them so the situation does _ stays with them so the situation does collapse and yes to continue

moving _ does collapse and yes to continue moving forward to go into rafah i believe _ moving forward to go into rafah i believe and if you fall short of that, — believe and if you fall short of that, i— believe and if you fall short of that, i think his coalition could quite — that, i think his coalition could quite frankly collapse and as we know _ quite frankly collapse and as we know from pulling in israel, he would — know from pulling in israel, he would he — know from pulling in israel, he would be out of office quickly and putting _ would be out of office quickly and putting himself in personal legal peril as — putting himself in personal legal peril as well. and seems to me like a legitimate point the strata may, notiust_ a legitimate point the strata may, notjust pure posturing to a legitimate point the strata may, not just pure posturing to try to -et not just pure posturing to try to get a _ not just pure posturing to try to get a better deal of the negotiating table than the cease—fire. talk table than the cease-fire. talk about the _ table than the cease-fire. talk about the politics _ table than the cease—fire. “ha; about the politics behind table than the cease—fire. t:ia; about the politics behind this. can you go in good faith and peace negotiations whilst also on the same day announcing that you have set the date for an assault over a country that you are trying in theory to have peace negotiations with? shill have peace negotiations with? jill normal logic would seem to suggest not and there's so many different moving parts in this it's not only benjamin netanyahu feels he needs to do to stay in office which is to create extent is the biggest factor here but it's also what if any

influence he has and invasion of rafah has been put as a deal—breaker for explicit with the indicated that he very closely was told not to do that. and i think there's going to be a lot going on and let a very rude people because they know that the optics are not that good for the site and there are lots of ways this could go wrong and the invasion of rafah and the situation gets worse and worse and that is was for western leaders and dealing with public leaders of the face. and then you face an increased risk of this movement and that is the nightmare that the us and uk fear the most and all they can really do is watch and

urging caution and see how it plays out and it's stressful moment. stat; out and it's stressful moment. stay with us. out and it's stressful moment. stay with us- an — out and it's stressful moment. stay with us. an interested to see what you think of this because a group of a group of former senior british officials and diplomats are calling for radical reform of uk foreign policy — including for the foreign office to be abolished. the groups prepared a pamphlet which slammed the current foreign office as elitist and "rooted in the past". in addition to changes to remits and workflows, the group wants to see changes to the building itself. it added, "modernising premises — perhaps with fewer colonial—era pictures on the walls — might help create a more open working culture and send a clear signal about britain's future." computer, with make of this prospective foreign office was set “p prospective foreign office was set up to establish a very grand building and it talks about the uk history in place in the world and this pamphlet, this leaflet suggests

that it's outdated and not representing the sort of country that we should be presented to the rest of the world, do you agree? t rest of the world, do you agree? i think it is a tricky one. every memoir involves an mp who was a minister of every sort and always recounting the moment asking this team and civil servant comes and sits around basically detects and dictates their day, everything from morning coffee to what trips they go on to what policies they look at. and i think that is true of all departments if the foreign office is quite different, even as a journalist for you deal with it, you realise this is a different beast and adding to an extent, a lot of us cannot win because we are criticised of being the high bed and stuck in the past and they're working from home much and i think, the foreign office, to an extent is in this case, this report is undoubtedly true but it's also untrue of the fact that the uk itself is never

quite realised what sort of power it wants to be. the report says, we should have a strategy to become a non—eu member and if that hasn't been worked out yet, that's not necessarily the fault of the people, i think the politicians leading have a lot to do with that.— a lot to do with that. you're noddin: a lot to do with that. you're nodding along _ a lot to do with that. you're nodding along to _ a lot to do with that. you're nodding along to this, - a lot to do with that. you're nodding along to this, joell a lot to do with that. you're i nodding along to this, joel and a lot to do with that. you're - nodding along to this, joel and this nodding along to this, joel and this leaflet makes it really clear, the very name of the foreign commonwealth formerly colonial in development offer is anchored in the past and that's the point, that is to change with the times, doesn't it? 5 to change with the times, doesn't it? ,, ., to change with the times, doesn't it? ,,., , ., . , to change with the times, doesn't it? , ., , ., it? s and bureaucracies need to reform in _ it? s and bureaucracies need to reform in order _ it? s and bureaucracies need to reform in order to _ it? s and bureaucracies need to reform in order to keep - it? s and bureaucracies need to reform in order to keep up - it? s and bureaucracies need to reform in order to keep up and | reform in order to keep up and advance — reform in order to keep up and advance with the national goals of any country in a serve in the state department is a career officer and later as _ department is a career officer and later as a — department is a career officer and later as a political appointee and add a _ later as a political appointee and add a chuckle when peter described it as a _ add a chuckle when peter described it as a civil— add a chuckle when peter described it as a civil service there and maintain _ it as a civil service there and maintain stability where the

political appointee is coming in who are sensibly the decision—makers and is always— are sensibly the decision—makers and is always a _ are sensibly the decision—makers and is always a balancing and even my time _ is always a balancing and even my time at _ is always a balancing and even my time at the — is always a balancing and even my time at the state department earlier in the _ time at the state department earlier in the war— time at the state department earlier in the war on terror which is in the early— in the war on terror which is in the early 2007— in the war on terror which is in the early 2007 we remember after 911, we believe _ early 2007 we remember after 911, we believe that _ early 2007 we remember after 911, we believe that europe worked towards europe _ believe that europe worked towards europe was obsolete and now we needed _ europe was obsolete and now we needed to— europe was obsolete and now we needed to invest in the middle east and that— needed to invest in the middle east and that is— needed to invest in the middle east and that is the future and where are we? fighting back against russia in a court _ we? fighting back against russia in a court award dynamic now back in ukraine _ a court award dynamic now back in ukraine all— a court award dynamic now back in ukraine. all these layers matter is my point— ukraine. all these layers matter is my point and i think you should continue — my point and i think you should continue to promote reform and modernise — continue to promote reform and modernise the workforce in particular but not throw out all of the past — particular but not throw out all of the past either because history is not linear— the past either because history is not linear and one never knows when or what _ not linear and one never knows when or what items are going to come back and he _ or what items are going to come back and he the _ or what items are going to come back and be the new item of the moment and be the new item of the moment and i_ and be the new item of the moment and i think— and be the new item of the moment and i think it is very complicated for these — and i think it is very complicated for these bureaucracies but modernisation does not necessarily

mean _ modernisation does not necessarily mean throwing out we currently have in starting _ mean throwing out we currently have in starting a — mean throwing out we currently have in starting a new. a mean throwing out we currently have in starting a new.— in starting a new. a lesson for all of us. in starting a new. a lesson for all of us- good _ in starting a new. a lesson for all of us. good to _ in starting a new. a lesson for all of us. good to have _ in starting a new. a lesson for all of us. good to have you - in starting a new. a lesson for all of us. good to have you both - in starting a new. a lesson for all| of us. good to have you both with in starting a new. a lesson for all. of us. good to have you both with us and around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

now, it's time for the panel. we let the panel take over and talk about what is affected and bothering them right now and living from personal experience, you want to talk about college debt in the us and amish that the students are racking up? shall and amish that the students are racking up?— and amish that the students are rackinu-u? ., ,, ., racking up? all politics is personal ofthe racking up? all politics is personal of the end of— racking up? all politics is personal of the end of the _ racking up? all politics is personal of the end of the day _ racking up? all politics is personal of the end of the day in _ racking up? all politics is personal of the end of the day in the united states— of the end of the day in the united states cost of college is insanely hi-h states cost of college is insanely high and — states cost of college is insanely high and registered my daughter and she's a _ high and registered my daughter and she's a senior in high school to a college — she's a senior in high school to a college visit with her expecting 70 per year— college visit with her expecting 70 per year for for your because that's the undergrad degree and we have a

real problem here in the united states— real problem here in the united states in— real problem here in the united states in terms of our people get educated — states in terms of our people get educated and pay for it and those overseeing a national movement to eliminate _ overseeing a national movement to eliminate college debt. president biden— eliminate college debt. president biden is— eliminate college debt. president biden is spent but forgiven under $50 billion of student debt and we have people who are decades into their careers suffering under this debt and — their careers suffering under this debt and this has to be addressed and i_ debt and this has to be addressed and i don't — debt and this has to be addressed and i don't believe there is an easy fix for— and i don't believe there is an easy fix for it— and i don't believe there is an easy fix for it but — and i don't believe there is an easy fix for it but certainly, as a parent— fix for it but certainly, as a parent looking at hand, my daughter's making decisions, after nod my— daughter's making decisions, after nod my head to her decision to be more _ nod my head to her decision to be more fiscally prudent in college needs— more fiscally prudent in college needs to — more fiscally prudent in college needs to be something they can afford _ needs to be something they can afford and quite frankly, they cannot — afford and quite frankly, they cannot be worried about paying off their bills — cannot be worried about paying off their bills into their 405 or 505. a their bills into their 405 or 505. common theme of racking up all that debt in the world of work. and peter, talk to us about one big issue we see images of today and this is exploding e bikes. the

biggest threat of fire and just explain what is going on here. tz�*fid�* explain what is going on here. vfd bikes as in — explain what is going on here. vfd bikes as in the _ explain what is going on here. qfd bike5 as in the uk, it is something bikes as in the uk, it is something that the battery is quite small and can only up to 15 mph at most and generally incredibly safe and from an urban planning appointment, they are vital things they've been proven time and time again to help people and people need fewer cars and we were driving around by different means you have e cargo pikes to connect bikes or people in their completely good. but it is incredibly easy to go to the website and ordering e bike which is not according to the eu in uk rules and it's often has a powered speeder in the batteries are fast and you live in the city initially seen, they often have two or three batteries

strapped onto them. and there very cheaply built in the can catch fire very easily and there's a fire risk and they also are putting people off e bikes which is a shame because these are good motorbikes. find e bikes which is a shame because these are good motorbikes. and where these are good motorbikes. and where the from, these are good motorbikes. and where they from. who's _ these are good motorbikes. and where they from, who's regulating _ these are good motorbikes. and where they from, who's regulating them - these are good motorbikes. and where they from, who's regulating them and | they from, who's regulating them and things about speed and safety and peterjewel, slowly curtailed today but thank you for being with us. our top story is the eclipse, the ride around the world that is right across the us in the certainly cut peoples attention and people are cheering on that solar eclipse and before i go, want to leave you with some of the highlights.

everton are going to appeal against the two point deduction for a second breach of the premier league's profitability and sustainability rules — everton have already been hit with a 10 point deduction in november reduced to 6 on appeal, that was for the previous rolling three year period. here's our sports news correspondent laura scott. we have heard from everton in a statement that they put forward a number of mitigating factors including the war in ukraine which we know affected sponsorship deal. they also said their cooperation and early admission should have worked in their favour,

the mitigating factors were listened to, but they have said they will appeal. they have said in their statement that they are extremely concerned by the inconsistency of different commissions in respect of points deductions applied. we know the premier league feel that any breach of these rules requires a sporting section, but you have seen of the course of the season with nottingham forest as well, breaching these rules, that there have been a number of different points deductions applied. this will be frustrated not just for these clubs, but the fans as well. it is leading to a pretty chaotic picture as the premier league season comes to an end. the first of the champions league quarterfinals are coming up on tuesday. we've heard from the managers and a few of the players. the stand out match sees the european champions manchester city take on the i4—time winners

real madrid once again they met at the semi—final stage last season with pep guardiola's side going through 5—1 over the two legs. the first leg is again at the bernebeu, where they drew i—0 before city ran riot at the etihad. that was the start of a a 10 match winning run in the champions league, we have experience of winning this competition and we came here with a different mentality with more composure and to be fair, we know that nothing is going to be done tomorrow and we need to have a good result because we know how tough it is and i see and i wish and hope that the experience of winning this treatment gives us the confidence to do things right. real madrid will hope that jude bellingham could prove the difference this time round. the england midfielder is thejoint top scorer in spain in his debut season in la liga after signing from borussia dortmund.

at the beginning i was a bit surprised because i didn't know much about him, to be honest. he is a big personality already. if you talk to him you feel like he has already seen everything in life. i am not surprised any more. the premier league leaders arsenal are at home to bayern munich in the first leg of of their quarterfinal. the gunners are in a three way battle for the title with city and liverpool — and though bayern are struggling domestically they are six—time european champions and the arsenal manager won't underestimate them. i'm a big fan of mouse thomas. he sees the way they play and judge and looking at analysing deeply and you'll see why are attempting. we have prepared

very well and we have to take our game wherever he wanted and then we do that, we'll have a chance to win. we will try to be the team who find solution _ we will try to be the team who find solution again5t we will try to be the team who find solution against them and it not league. — solution against them and it not league, it5 solution against them and it not league, its european competition in the style _ league, its european competition in the style is— league, its european competition in the style is a bit different to the 5tyle is a bit different to the premier— the style is a bit different to the premier league and we have more experience — premier league and we have more experience in this competition and this is— experience in this competition and this is how— experience in this competition and this is how we are going to started but full— this is how we are going to started but full credit to the staff and the whole _ but full credit to the staff and the whole club how they transform this team, _ whole club how they transform this team, it _ whole club how they transform this team, it is — whole club how they transform this team, it is amazing. the clay court season is well underway, building up to next month's french open. it wasn't a good opening day for british players at the monte carlo masters cameron norrie was beaten in staright sets by the russian 15th seed karen khachanov. the british number one lost the first set 7—5 and had his moments to level the matrch before losing the second on a tie break.

british number three dan evans was knocked out in straight sets by austria's sebastian ofner in just over an hour. evans is having a poor year, he hasn't won back—to—back matches on the atp tour yet and that's all the sport for now. hello. . it's been really wet first week and that unsettled _ . it's been really wet first week and that unsettled then - . it's been really wet first week i and that unsettled then continues for the next few days and blustery spots of rain at times and turning will be cooler than it has been in low—pressure driving or whether the moment and it's gradually easing its way eastwards through the rest of the ceiling overnight into the next 24 hours or so. more wet and windy

weather. some thunderstorms initially for the far south of east anglia. they clear northwards and then the bulk of the rain through tonight will be northern ireland, scotland, perhaps western parts of england and wales. across scotland, in fact, we could see some flooding by dawn because that rain is falling on very saturated ground. it's not going to be a cold night, 6—9 degrees, but it is going to be windy for many of us, particularly down towards the south—west of england, through the english channel, through the north channel as well. more of this rain for tuesday lingering for scotland, parts of northern england in particular as well, followed by sunshine and a few blustery showers from the west. driest for parts of southern england through the day, but gusts of wind 45 miles per hour or so inland, but stronger than that, gales around some of the coastal regions. and we've got really high tides with a full moon at the moment, so we could be seeing some coastal flooding as well. top temperatures 8—12 on tuesday, so cooler than recent days, especially so when you add on the wind chill. so the blue colours, the colder air mass with us for a time through the middle part of the week. but later on wednesday, the next warm front moves in from the atlantic, bringing some warmer air and some rain, too. could be an early frost in the east,

i think, on wednesday. but the cloud increases, the rain moves its way in and the winds are going to be picking up through the day as well. so another unsettled day, more fairly unwelcome rain for some of us — heaviest in the north—west. temperatures — about 10—15 for most of us — so just starting to edge up, certainly, compared to tuesday. and then we've got this lingering front. we're heading into thursday now, i don't think there'll be too much rain on that, but there's likely to be quite a lot of low cloud, mist and murk around some southern hills and coasts, for instance, first thing on thursday. brighter skies from the word go towards the north. and i think through the day the sunshine should tend to break up that cloud. so a bit of a drier, brighter sort of day for many of us and a touch warmer. we're looking at highs in norwich, in london, up to about 19 degrees or so. 20 celsius possible in the south for friday and saturday. then things turn cooler and more unsettled into next week.

at 10:00 — one of the most viewed total solar eclipses in history — millions across north america are plunged into darkness. from the coast of mexico across the united states into canada — huge crowds gather as the moon completely blocks the sun. also tonight... a manhunt is launched for 25—year—old habibur masum after a woman pushing her baby in a pram is stabbed to death in bradford. palestinians return to what's left of khan younis in gaza, as israeli forces withdraw. i'll be telling you about the telltale signs left in the blood by long covid that could help in the search for new treatments.

and getting closer to the relegation zone — everton are docked another two points by the premier league. on bbc london... and on newsnight at 10.30, we'll go deeper behind the headlines and speak live to key players on today's big stories. plus — a first look at tomorrow's front pages. good evening. tens of millions of people across north america have witnessed the first total solar eclipse for 50 years. the rare phenomneon lasted for around four minutes as the moon moved in front of the sun, completely blocking it. this was the reaction from crowds on the pacific coast of mexico, who were the first to see the sky go completley dark just after 11:00 there this morning.