a surprise visit, modi becomes the first indian prime minister to set foot in pakistan for a decade. the world news coming to you from doha. russian airstrikes hit a hospital in the syrian province of aleppo. i'm at a displaced persons camp on the dominican border after many were forced to leave.

many here have died of cholera and thousands more face that risk. a day of mercy in which god our father has revealed his great tenderness to the entire world. >> also ahead, pope francis calls for reconciliation during his christmas address. >> prim prime minister modi visd pakistan. we are joined live from islamabad with more. how do they build on what a guess is really today not much more than a baby step?

>> indeed, baby step between india and pakistan is seen as a it. >> leap, given the fact that these people have not been talking, that relations were at an all time low. the other thing that is of course as you mentioned the surprise visit happening at the time when the indian prime minister hips decides to land in lahore, obviously he must have had the invitation of the pakistani foreign minister. when he did land in lahore, the prime minister told him to go to his farmhouse. they took a helicopter ride. now the indian prime minister has arrived back in the airport and is on his way out to new delhi. the important thing, however, is the fact that in the past, after a meeting between the two prime ministers on the sidelines of the climate conference in paris, the national security advisors met in bangkok. after that, the indian foreign

minister came to pakistan. modi's visit to pakistan is indeed seen as a significant step, although several problems and issues still remain unresolved. >> interesting, you talk about the problems and the issues unresolved. they can't surely discuss their relationship with central accusations, people say there is influence exerted with the taliban inside afghanistan, deliberately so to keep india from getting traction in afghanistan. if they can't deal with that, how can they deal with the relationship? >> that is an excellent question, because you have to look at the fact that modi was flying back from kabul. we are told that behind the scenes, they would have talked about kabul, the pakistani military chief is due to visit kabul in the next two days. the indian prime minister also touched upon the key fact that

pakistan could become a conduit, a bridge for trade to central asia. recently, the indian leadership, the pakistani prime minister were in turkmenistan. what india wants to see, improved relationships, because they want to get those gas pipelines to afghanistan began and kurdistan to india. the indians insisting on an expeditious trial for the mumbai suspect, so there is a lot of hard talking to be done, but it is a significant step as you mentioned, the indian prime minister visit is happening after a decade. >> could it be, you're touching on it already, real politic, because if you get big business deals on the table, the necessary diplomacy sometimes flows from those discussions, because of big dollar signs

attached to it. >> absolutely. not just that, the americans have also been exerting pressure on new delhi. i mean, if you look at it, past few months, there have been rights in india's, minority's affected. mr. modi not looking good as far as those rights were concerned. behind the scenes with are there are foreign powers, also nudging both india and pakistan to come back to the negotiating table, and as you mentioned, the economic factors are going to be high on the agenda. >> thanks so much. as he was saying earlier today, mr. modi was in the afghan capital where he held talks with the president ashraf ghani. he handed over four helicopters

and dedicated a building. we are hearing from afghan security officials here in helmand telling us reinforcement by a road just reached in the district just less than 24 hours ago, afghan security officials deployed afghan official forces to the district. we are hearing from resident that is heavy fighting is still going on at a small bazaar. afghan officials also telling us they have control of the police at the building and district. we are talking about the fighting is in a very small area. it's about 2,000 to 3,000 square meters, so we are hearing that face-to-face fighting heavy is still going on there and we are getting complaints now.

we are getting phone calls from the residents, civilians who could not afford to leave the area during the fighting and they are complaining that heavy use of artillery and bombardment is, they are the one who are suffering and there were a number of civilian casualty, at least 20 is confirmed by afghan official. >> russian fighter jets ever carried out more raised in syria, 14 killed in the attacks in aleppo. we have this report from the city. >> there have been russian air raids in aleppo on the border with turkey. the raised have sent some to hospital. this is not the first time this hospital has been hit. as you can see, there are many

injured inside the building. this is some of the damage. nearby, a pedal station was targeted. the flames are still rising. according to witnesses, the russian raised killed many people and injured others near as roun roundabouts. teams are trying to put out the fire. it wouldn't be a surprise if these planes continue their aerial strikes that started two days ago. qatar's foreign minister has been meeting his russian counter part in moscow, syria top of the agenda. there's still no agreement over the future of the president bashar al assad. sergey lavrov held a news conference with his qatar counterpart. it comes a day after china and syria agreed a framework for the

forthcoming peace talks in geneva. >> we discussed in detail what's necessary to be done to implement the agreements on the syrian settlements that was reached within the framework of the international support group of syria and the u.n. security council. >> we agree with russian party that the worsening of this crisis does benefit the interests of neither party. we are aware that the delays in the solution of this crisis is harmful to the parties and first of all to the syrian people. >> he told his counterpart that his aim was to form parties

talks. they did disagree on the legitimacy of bashar al assad government. qatar maintains that bashar al assad i guess one of the main sporters of terrorism in the region. they both did agree that only a political settlement will bring peace to syria and the qatari foreign minister in fact said without that, they would be locked into a vicious circle. rush has now said lavrov is actively engaged in trying to bring credible opposition leaders and parties to the conference table sometime in january, but qatar was a posed to russias plan to weed out what it calls terrorist organizations in the meantime. >> peter shortstop reporting there. >> isil fighters are expected to be given safe passage out of the yarmouk refugee camp in damascus in a deal negotiated with the president. the u.n. is backing the move aimed at making it possible to

deliver aid to thousands of people trapped by the fighting. the isil fighters and some members of the syrian rebel groups are expected to be transferred afterwards to the north. the armored camp has been blockaded by syrian government forces since 2012. >> almost 3,000 people arrived in haiti's makeshift camp since july. they were forced to leave the dominican republic after the government began a crack down on what it called illegal migrants. some were born in the dominican republic but can't prove it. we are live in southern haiti near the border. migrants seem to be caught in a very very difficult situation. >> they are stuck between two countries that really aren't doing much to help them. this camp is called french gift park. there are few gifts being handed

out. there are a lot of young children, and old people. people feel stuck and helpless. we visited in july right after that order from the dominican government and many say they were deported, many fled because they feared for their lives. there's a history of massacres of haitians by dough minute kens in the past, several deck kids in the past but that's a fear that's ever present in this community. walking around this camp last evening and earlier today, this morning, what we see are unlivable conditions. in fact, we see no sanitation. we see people either having to use the bathroom in the hills outside here or young children doing that here in the camp. it's no surprise that there have been dozens of cases of cholera here. at least nine people have died in this camp alone. there's another camp up the road and camps dot this border region from here in the south all the way to the north because haiti and the dominican republic share the island. it's a very fractured

relationship. they're not allies in any sense and these people feel they can go to few if any people for help. >> one remembers there is a massive aid operation pretty much on going in haiti off the back of the huge earthquake not so many years ago. why are they not benefiting from the back wash or infrastructure from that particular operation? >> there's still some 60,000 people living in camps like this who are victims from the earthquake where people without a home after the earthquake, so this few thousand more people is not impacting politics here. we're in the midst of a presidential election, a runoff was meant to be held just in a couple days. that's been postponed indefinitely. the current president has basically ignored this crisis. his wife toured this camp in july but other than giving face time, they've given little else. that said, coming here on the

24th, yesterday, we saw a member of the haitian government from the water and sanitation department installing a water filtration system promises it would be in operation last night. so far, it is still not working. those who come down with cholera here are already weak and malnourished. they eat very little here. they walk or get a tax see which is very expensive to the hydration camp. that's why we're seeing people impacted in a way that is really deadly. people are living in unlivable conditions. they're weakened. a young man looked very strong, could hardly walk. he said he feels very weak. he said the only option he has is to go back to the dominican republic, because he left his horse, his home, all his capital here. here he has no family. he said he was born in the dominican republic and doesn't feel at home here. he said what am i going to do here, there is no work in haiti.

this is a country which offers him very little opportunity at all. still to come on this program, a long walk to a new life. the challengessing refugees on their next step north from greece. plus, housing the homeless, what's being done to stop people having to camp out in the u.s. capital.

you're watching al jazeera live from doha. modi is in pakistan, the first

visit by an indian prime minister in 10 years. his surprise trip to meet his counterpart on his birthday comes after a long period of bad ties between the two nations. russian airstrikes killed at least 14 in the syrian province of aleppo. many others were injured after the raid struck a hospital. almost 3,000 people arrived in haiti's makeshift camp since july and they're still coming. they were forced to leave the dominican republic after the government began a crackdown on what it called illegal migrants. >> mosul in the north is rack's second biggest city and was seized by isil in may of last year. in ramadi, much closer to the capital baghdad, the military said it's making only slow progress. it began it's latest offensive there tuesday. they face car bombs as they face

isil forces pulling out in the city center. fighting in taiz killed 15 rebels. at least four civilians were reported to be killed in the shelling of residential areas. local aid groups there say a houthi rebel siege of the city has prevented supplies from getting in. gerald tan has the latest. >> there are no safe havens left in taiz. this mosque now bears the scars of combat. the houthis and fighters loyal to former president al saleh are locked in a bitter struggle with government forces for control of the city. fierce battles are taking place on several fronts. at the eastern and western city gates, pro-government forces are trying to fend off houthi fighters from entering. there are reports the houthis may be about to receive reinforcements from nearby towns. fornow, now a blockade means nothing can get in.

the stranglehold is meant to force the houthis out but it's also affecting this formally bustling hospital. doctors have run out of essential supplies and can't treat anymore patients. a similar scene plays out hundreds of kilometers to the south in this hospital in the port city of aden. most departments here can no longer function but the ward for kidney patients was spared from the bombs, something this man is thankful for. >> when the war started, it was impossible to go to the hospital. it would be considered a miracle if you managed just to get in. >> with aden now back under government control, the race is on to rebuild this hospital and resume much needed services. >> a lot of people come to the hospital. we have all types of military and civilian cases. some injured military fighters from taiz also receive treatment here. we work with what we have. >> it's been more than a year since the houthis took over yemen's capital, sanna and

nearly nine months since a saudi-led coalition launched its military campaign. the chaos is straining basic medical services to the point of collapse. al jazeera. back in europe, harsh winter europe haven't deterred refugees from getting to europe. they continue to arrive by sea every day, despite the cold, hoping to keep on the move. 800,000 people mostly from syria, iraq and afghanistan have entered through greece. some countries built border fences, turning greece into a battle neck. many want to settle in germany. we have this report on the border between greece and macedonia. how many people are located that

in that immediate area? >> tired, but determined to carry on, heading into the unknown to start a new life, the border here has been tightened with new restrictions, all only iraqis and syrians are allowed in. reaching northern europe is not easy. many have endured isil. this family fled sinjar, a town that until recently was under isil control in iraq. >> sinjar was cleared of isil, but everyone there wants to establish their own authority. we decided we'd live together in peace or die trying. >> the journey remains long and heart. their next goal is to cross macedonia, serbia and beyond. >> the number of refugees crossing the border to macedonia is constant, so far, over 2,000 people have crossed and wednesday, over 3500 people went through. the u.n. refugee agency said some were subjected to ill treatment and pushed back by the macedonia border police.

>> volunteer and aid groups are doing what they can to help. >> we have a camp with medical services. we have shelter which is covered and heated. >> some greek charities are cooperating. a group of chefs and volunteers are preparing hot meals. >> we give people food. if we don't give them food at the time, they need it, we are nothing. this gas station became a waiting point. >> we are giving people free magazines. that will help their life. >> handing leaflets and copies of the bible, dozens of people have their stories to tell.

muhammed is a pharmacist from syria. he says the treatment he's got here is rough. >> we slept on the bus. no toilets, no food. i want to live in dignity and have a better life for my children. >> for many here, the risk is worth it. there is hope for a better and a safer future, despite the hurdles on the way. >> many people were trapped and burnt to death in an industrial city. it is thought at truck carrying butane gas exploded. people celebrating christmas around the world, but the festivities in bethlehem, believed to be the birth place have jesus are subdued this year. violence has flared since the beginning of october with almost daily attacks. >> palestinian scouts marching through the streets of

bethlehem, playing christmas songs old and new. leading the annual christmas parade was the latin patriarch of jerusalem, the procession from his headquarters in occupied east jerusalem to bethlehem has him pass through israel's concrete separation wall which encircles the city. israel began construction of the wall more than 10 years ago, saying it's meant to stop violence. the palestinian say it is a land grab that has strangled bethlehem's tourism. thousands of palestinians of all faith came to manger square to celebrate the birth of jesus christ along with christian pilgrims from around the world. >> it is an important festivity, because it is the birth of christ, the birth of hope, the birth of resilience, the birth of love, and so this is what people are celebrating. >> palestinian leaders scaled back christmas celebrations across the occupied west bank after months of violence that

has left around 20 israelis and more than 130 palestinians dead. bethlehem has seen some of the most intense protests and many residents say that after nearly 50 years of israeli occupation, all they want is peace. >> today bethlehem lives in a state of sadness. people have been killed, are under weige. it has a separation wall and daily killings. bethlehem has carried a message of peace 2000 years ago, it has turned into a city of the tortured. >> many here do seem to want to be able to celebrate christmas in the spirit of the holiday. still, in the background of celebrations is more violence and more loss of life. >> in separate incidents across the occupied west bank, israeli forces killed at least four palestinians on christmas eve. despite the heavy crack down by

israeli's military, the anger that has fueled the months of violence only seems to be growing. even on the day which celebrates hope and peace. al jazeera, bethlehem in the occupied west bank. the head of the roman catholic church delivered his annual christmas message, pope francis urged reconciliation. he appealed to palestinians and israelis to find a peaceful settlement. he asked his congregation to pray for the people of syria and the hundreds of thousands forced from their homes. >> cities in the u.s. are launching initiatives to help people off the streets. local government recommends permanent housing. tom ackermann now reports. >> a campsite for the homeless in the heart of america's capital shortly before washington authorities tore it down, calling it unsafe and a health hazard, as well as against the law.

some didn't want to leave. >> well, it's a temporary shelter. it allows you safety. >> washington is one of a few u.s. cities where local laws require housing for all the homeless who are in need. for durees douglas, this is home after living in homeless shelters. >> the cabinets were already here. i fixed the kitchen and stuff up. >> she and her 8-year-old daughter share the apartment, the rent subsidized by the city and charities. she is glad she is required to pay at least one third. >> it's a place i can call my own. it's something that i'm paying for, so it's giving me, you know, the opportunity to be responsible. >> within the next five years, washington's local government has vowed to make homelessness in its words, rare, brief and non-recurring. its most serious challenge is a

shortage of affordable housing. providing permanent housing early on is the most cost effective strategy for the city and local care agencies. >> if they wind up in hospitals, in mental health facilities, substance use, treatment centers, jail, prison, all those costs tend to go down once people are housed. >> community of hope is one of the city's non-profit groups that back up their housing programs with health care, legal services, and help to prevent homelessness in the first place. >> sometimes, just having resources, and people there to help you, and pull you along the way, and you knowing that someone there's going to help you, it really does push people to want to do better. >> her hope is to move on in a couple of years and to own a home of her own. al jazeera, washington. lots more of course for you on our top story on

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