welcome to bbc news. i'm tim willcox. our top stories: international aid starts arriving in gaza — as the damage from 11 days of fighting on both sides is assessed. gunfire. but will the truce hold? palestinians throw petrol bombs and israeli police respond with stun grenades at friday prayers injerusalem. the world health organization warns the number of deaths from the global covid pandemic could be three times higher than officialfigures. committing to keeping temperatures down: global leaders set ambitious targets ahead of the g7 summit in glasgow. and get your best sequins out — the final rehearsals are underway for eurovision 2021 after a pandemic—enforced

break. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. president biden has said that a two—state solution is the only way to resolve the conflict between israel and the palestinians. is the only way to resolve the conflict between israel and the palestinians. his comments come as the first un aid convoys arrive in gaza after israel temporarily opened two border crossings. palestinian officials say reconstruction costs will run to tens of millions of dollars. earlier, there were clashes between israeli police and palestinians around the al—aqsa mosque in occupied eastjerusalem. violence at the holy site was one of the flashpoints that

led to the 11—day conflict, which has ended with both sides claiming victory. it is one of the holiest sites in islam. our middle east editor jeremy bowen reports from gaza. first light in gaza was not a new start. the conflict with israel runs deep. first light in gaza was not a new start. the conflict with have no regrets. they paraded in khan yunis, one of gaza's towns, to bury nine men from their unit. they were killed in a strike on a tunnel on the fourth day of bombing. hamas thought the tunnels were safe. locating and hitting them from the air was a significant achievement for israel. prayer over loudspeaker. thousands came to honour the dead men. here in gaza as well as in israel, there is no sense that they have come to the end of their fight.

the bodies could only be recovered after the ceasefire. they are digging for others. high morale here will infuriate israel nationalist politicians. one said israel had surrendered to terrorism. this is a huge demonstration of support for the armed wing of hamas, the qassam brigades, and they are sending a message as well that despite the hammering they have taken from the israelis that they are still here, they are still ready to fight and they are talking as well aboutjerusalem — that has been the theme of many of the chants here in the cemetery. and injerusalem, more violence between palestinian worshippers and israeli police at the al—aqsa mosque. the holy places in the city are charged with national as well as religious significance for israelis and palestinians. now, the israelis are keeping a close eye on what is going on here — the whole time i have been standing here, i can hear a military

drone in the air above — but i think they are pretty confident the ceasefire is going to hold. on the way down from jerusalem, i could see them packing up their iron dome anti—missile system, at least from some of the batteries, and taking it away on a lorry. now, southern israel was absolutely paralysed by the attacks, even though there was that big disparity in casualty levels, and here in gaza, there is a lot of rebuilding to do. people have lost their homes but, as well as that, the militant groups will be rebuilding their smashed—up positions, probably their tunnels and, most of all, their arsenals. in gaza, hamas claimed victory, as israel did too. the ceasefire stops the killing, until the next time. it does not settle the conflict or even freeze it. but it has transformed gaza's streets. the people are out of hiding.

a day ago, going out could get you killed. now, there is a chance to feel alive. jeremy bowen, bbc news, gaza. we can now speak to behnam ben taleblu who is a senior fellow at the foundation for defense of democracies, where he focusses on political and security issues in the middle east. hejoins us from washington, dc. asjeremy was as jeremy was saying, it seems unfortunately inevitable there will probably be another cycle of violence. just looking at the recent conflict, though, who has gained the most? it is pretty clear that militarily, israel has but what about psychologically?- israel has but what about psychologically? great to be with yom — psychologically? great to be with yom i _ psychologically? great to be with you. i think _ psychologically? great to be with you. i think one - psychologically? great to be with you. i think one of- psychologically? great to be with you. i think one of the l with you. i think one of the things about the hamas and palestinian islamicjihad

palestinian islamic jihad strikes that palestinian islamicjihad strikes that we ought not to forget about is not the casualty rates or the destruction but the effect psychologically on the israelis. there is so much there and one of the reasons that palestinian terror groups are able to claim victory or disputed victory, i should say, is because they have a much lower bar, they need to survive to lick their wounds and fight another day and continue to receive outside financial political and material support from the world's foremost aid sponsored terrorism, iran. in the struggle between fatah and hamas, i mean, fatah has been very flat—footed, hasn't it, over the last fortnight or so? indeed, and you could say while the shooting has stopped the kinetic part of the war has ceased or there is a ceasefire and the political part really begins, there is a battle of

narratives within the competing palestinian camps and the narratives between israel and gaza and may even be between the asia and us as to who have brokered the ceasefire and again we will see how long it lasts but while the ceasefire is in effect, several other wars, political wars as you mentioned between the west bank and the gaza strip are likely to heat up, particularly given the fact that elections are inaudible.— the fact that elections are inaudible. what about the sectarian problems - inaudible. what about the sectarian problems we - inaudible. what about the i sectarian problems we have inaudible. what about the - sectarian problems we have seen as well between israeli arabs and israelijewish people in the mixed cities which of course had not actually come to the surface before and how much of a problem is it going to be the next prime minister, be it bibi netanyahu or another? it is something that on a non—partisan basis the israeli prime minister will deal with as well as society and of course you saw some northern cities, haifa, the old city,

experience violence and not necessarily related to rockets but between the groups that you mentioned and the social tension and some had said it was the largest wave of domestic violence since the second intifada so there are multiple second, third, fourth effects of the conflict that just because the rocket stopped being fired does not mean that peace is at hand. it is in any way cold truth.— peace is at hand. it is in any way cold truth. 0k, thank you indeed for _ way cold truth. 0k, thank you indeed forjoining _ way cold truth. 0k, thank you indeed forjoining us. - behnam ben taleblu. the world health organization says the number of deaths from the global covid pandemic is as much as three times higher than official figures suggest. the current official number is around 3.4 million. but after analysing what are known as �*excess deaths' by comparing the number of deaths to the predicted average, the world health organization says a more realistic figure would be between six and eight million. courtney bembridge reports. more than 3 million people worldwide have officially died

from covid—i9 but the world health organization believes the true death toll is far higher. the true death toll is far hi . her. ., the true death toll is far hiaher. ., ., ., ., , higher. four out of ten deaths are reported _ higher. four out of ten deaths are reported globally - higher. four out of ten deaths are reported globally so - higher. four out of ten deaths are reported globally so there| are reported globally so there is a lot of already pre—pandemic and we don't have a good account of deaths which is a fact of life and every country must have good systems to track births and deaths and causes of death. in to track births and deaths and causes of death.— causes of death. in latin america _ causes of death. in latin america the _ causes of death. in latin america the death - causes of death. in latin america the death toll. causes of death. in latin i america the death toll has causes of death. in latin - america the death toll hasjust america the death toll has just passed i million. most of those have been in brazil. translation: the pain of losing someone to covid—i9 is inexplicable. i lost my father, who was a doctor, at the beginning of the year and i still cannot describe it. i think it is a mixture of anger and indignation and a huge void and indignation and a huge void and i know the pain is a pain thatis and i know the pain is a pain that is shared by more than 430,000 families in brazil. over the past week, the eight

countries with the most coronavirus deaths per head of population have all been in latin america. mexico and colombia are among them and this is the situation in argentina after a record number of infections this week. translation: of infections this week. tuna/mom- of infections this week. translation: ., ., . translation: social, economic, educational. _ translation: social, economic, educational, religious _ translation: social, economic, educational, religious and - educational, religious and sports activities will be suspended in person. it will only be possible to circulate in the vicinity of your home between six pm and six pm each day. these men are gravediggers in one aires. they wear bodysuits, face masks, goggles and gloves to bury coronavirus victims. �* ,, �* and gloves to bury coronavirus victims._ there | and gloves to bury coronavirus i victims._ there are victims. translation: there are many things _ victims. translation: there are many things that _ victims. translation: there are many things that can _ victims. translation: there are many things that can affect - many things that can affect you. on top of it all, we have covid—i9 and that is unhealthy, it is a daily war in this place. it is a daily war in this lace. �* , it is a daily war in this lace, �*, , ., it is a daily war in this lace. �*, ., ., place. in peru's capital lima, atients place. in peru's capital lima, patients are _ place. in peru's capital lima, patients are being _ place. in peru's capital lima, patients are being treated i place. in peru's capital lima, patients are being treated in | patients are being treated in hallways and the car park is full of body bags. this doctor holds a sign saying i don't want to die. vaccinations in latin america lagged behind

much of the world. this is the world health organization on that. g , ., world health organization on that. just 3% of latin americans _ that. just 3% of latin americans have - that. just set of latin | americans have been that. just set of latin - americans have been fully vaccinated against covid—i9. and we still have a long way to go to ensure that everyone is protected. go to ensure that everyone is protected-— protected. the united states has promised _ protected. the united states has promised to _ protected. the united states has promised to send - protected. the united states has promised to send 80 - protected. the united states - has promised to send 80 million vaccine doses to other nations by the end ofjune and says latin america will be a priority. courtney bembridge, bbc news. nigeria's chief of army staff, lieutenant general ibrahim attahiru, has been killed in a plane crash. nigeria's military said one of its aircraft came down near kaduna airport. an unknown number of the general�*s aides were also killed. the cause of the crash is under investigation. general attahiru was appointed to lead the nigerian military injanuary in a shake—up intended to improve the army's ability to fight the islamist insurgency in the north. to myanmar now, where the militaryjunta regime

will dissolve opposition leader aung san suu kyi's national league for democracy party — that's according to local media and the shadow government there. the junta overthrew aung san suu kyi after november's elections, in which she won a landslide victory, claiming voterfraud. they have promised to hold new elections in two years, but it looks unlikely that ms suu kyi, who has been under house arrest since the military coup, would be allowed to run. kenneth roth is the executive director of human rights watch and joins me now. what do you make of this news from the junta?— from the “unta? well, as you note, it from the junta? well, as you note, it is important - from the junta? well, as you note, it is important to - from the junta? well, as you| note, it is important to recall that the november elections were won overwhelmingly by aung san suu kyi's party, the national league for democracy

and indeed, the head of the military senior general blunt lung had hoped that the primary party would win enough seats that he would negotiate a deal to become the figurehead president but the victory was so overwhelming that the plan was scrapped —— min aung hlaing. instead thejunta hlaing. instead the junta launched hlaing. instead thejunta launched a coup that claimed fraud that frankly only the generals had seen. they are not exactly known for their credibility but their power. this is now the next step, it is bad enough that they overturned the election but they now were, the people of myanmar want to simply reinstate the november election results and the junta is saying no, we will hold new elections but first, let's get rid of the opposition... but first, let's get rid of the opposition. . ._ but first, let's get rid of the opposition... crosstalk. the promise. _ promise, will not promise, commitment to hold new elections in two years, is it for the birds?— elections in two years, is it for the birds? well, let's put it this way. _ for the birds? well, let's put it this way, the _ for the birds? well, let's put it this way, the people - for the birds? well, let's put it this way, the people of. it this way, the people of

myanmar are firm that they want the november election back —— recognised, where aung san suu kyi's party won overwhelmingly and the generals don't want that which was the reason for the coup and they are now saying maybe in two years but what they seem to be doing is laying the groundwork so they could hold an election, they just get rid of the opposition. this is not going to persuade anyone but of course, these people are less interested in legitimacy than power. frankly, i think this is an act of desperation because the military is overwhelmingly unpopular at home. it is facing global condemnation and increasing number of governments are imposing sanctions. just this week the japanese government that it would stop development assistance, the us imposed sanctions actually on the junta itself, so the revenue it needs to pay the soldiers to keep oppressing the pro—democracy demonstrators is evaporating and so, this is an effort, i suppose, to try to move forward

but frankly, it is not... crosstalk. just briefly, we're not seeing those mass demonstrators anymore but is myanmarfunctioning? myanmar functioning? are people myanmarfunctioning? are people withholding labour? or is society back to where it was before or not?— society back to where it was before or not? not at all. of course the _ before or not? not at all. of course the big _ before or not? not at all. of. course the big demonstrations are reduced because more than 800 people have been shot so it is rational that the demonstrations are smaller and quicker and in the neighbourhood and they disbursed but what you are seeing is a massive civil disobedience movement where the economy has come to a standstill and so the military is not getting revenue at home, they are facing sanctions from abroad, they are panicking and thatis abroad, they are panicking and that is what this latest move looks like, to say we will hold elections but no opposition. all right. thank you for joining us. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: it's camp, it's kitsch, and now it's back — the eurovision song contest returns after a pandemic—enforced break.

we've been at the final rehearsals ahead of the big contest on saturday. this morning, an indian air force plane carrying mr gandhi's body landed in delhi. the president of india walked to the plane to solemnly witness mr gandhi's final return from the political battlefield. ireland has voted overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage. in doing so, it's become the first country in the world to approve the change in the national referendum. it was a remarkable climax to what was surely the most extraordinary funeral ever given to a pop singer. it's been a peaceful funeral demonstration so far! - but suddenly, the police - are tear—gassing the crowd — we don't yet know why! the pre—launch ritual is well—established here. helen was said to be in good spirits, butjust a little apprehensive. in the last hour, east timor

has become the world's newest nation. it was a bloody birth for a poor country and the challenges ahead are daunting, but for now, at least, it is time to celebrate. this is bbc news, the latest headlines: a day after the ceasefire in gaza commenced, israelis and palestinians have been assessing the damage. but tensions are still high. after friday prayers, fresh clashes erupted at the al—aqsa mosque. the official global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic is around 3.4 million — but the world health organization says the number of deaths from the pandemic is as much as three times higher. some of the world's biggest economic powers have raised their ambitions on tackling climate change. g7 environment ministers say they'll now aim to keep

the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees celsius — a much more demanding target than the 2 degrees celsius they are currently committed to. so what action will they take? our chief environment correspondentjustin rowlatt has been taking a look. the uk is due to host a landmark international climate conference in glasgow in november. so here are the key commitments made today. india and many other developing countries receive subsidies for polluting coal plants from foreign donors, including japan. today, the environment ministers of the uk, the us, canada, japan, france, italy and germany said they will stop any new funding for coal—fired power stations in poorer countries by the end of the year. now, that isn't a big move in itself, but they say they will eventually phase out such support for all fossil fuels. the ministers said they'd safeguard 30% of land for nature by 2030.

the idea is to give space for wildlife and to help soak up carbon emissions. and they agreed much more cash is needed to build solar and other clean technologies in fast—growing economies like india and indonesia. they restated a promise to provide $100 billion a year to help developing countries make the transition to low—carbon technologies. the meeting was hosted by the uk's environment minister george eustice. we've been doing huge amounts of engagement with countries all around the world. we want all of them to raise their ambition in their nationally determined contributions to reducing climate change, getting their carbon emissions down, and we want all of them, as well, to do more to recognise the value and the importance of nature and the role that nature can play in tackling climate todayjohn kerry, the us's climate envoy, called on the nations of the g20 to adopt the same commitments. now, that would include china, the whole european union and russia —

and that is the point. the g7 countries are some of the biggest economies but if they can encourage the rest of the world to raise its carbon cutting game in glasgow in november, now that could be a game changer. our chief environment correspondentjustin rowlatt reporting. rachel kyte is dean of the fletcher school at tufts university, and she is a climate action advisor to the un secretary—general. she's in lexington, massachusetts. leading by example, pretty significant, no?— significant, no? very significant. - significant, no? very significant. if - significant, no? very significant. if the - significant, no? very significant. if the g7| significant, no? very. significant. if the g7 can significant, no? very- significant. if the g7 can do this, all the pressure now goes to other countries, what they have committed to is to stop financing coal overseas, now that puts pressure on china who remain as the major finance of coal overseas, and then by committing to really getting rid of coal from their own energy systems and making their energy systems and making their energy systems and making their energy systems d carbonised in the 20 30s, energy systems d carbonised in the 20 305, it energy systems d carbonised in the 20 30s, it put energy —— pressure on countries like

australia which are still dependent for domestic gdp on coal. it dependent for domestic gdp on coal. , , ., ., , . coal. it seems that domestic pressure _ coal. it seems that domestic pressure is _ coal. it seems that domestic pressure is not _ coal. it seems that domestic pressure is not really - coal. it seems that domestic. pressure is not really enough, if you are not going to get unanimity which you never are, is that the only way? i unanimity which you never are, is that the only way?— is that the only way? i think this is actually _ is that the only way? i think this is actually a _ is that the only way? i think this is actually a very - is that the only way? i think this is actually a very good l this is actually a very good day for british diplomacy, the british climate diplomacy, there has been a lot of pressure on them to use both g7 and the hosting of the climate talks this year to maximum effect. so this was a good day and it now leads the way into the finance ministers and the heads of state who will meet in cornwall injune, because they are, ratherthan cornwall injune, because they are, rather than saying what we won't do, and not financing bad things, now the g7 has to step up things, now the g7 has to step up and provide realfinancial and technical assistance to countries so they can do good things. many developing countries are saying that the g7, having caused this problem in the first place, has to put a substantial package on the table to help those countries grow green. table to help those countries grow green-— table to help those countries grow green. those figures are auoin to grow green. those figures are going to be — grow green. those figures are going to be huge, _ grow green. those figures are going to be huge, after- grow green. those figures are going to be huge, after a - going to be huge, after a global pandemic?-

going to be huge, after a global pandemic? large parts much cheaper _ global pandemic? large parts much cheaper than _ global pandemic? large parts much cheaper than in - global pandemic? large parts much cheaper than in action. | much cheaper than in action. the cost of climate crisis is climbing every day, as we see domestically and around the world. the cost of renewable energy is plummeting as well as storage options. this is really a smart investment for many firms in the uk, and in the g7 countries. the investment of this technology across the world is the big story for the next decade.— world is the big story for the next decade. ~ ., next decade. where are we with china, because _ next decade. where are we with china, because president - next decade. where are we with china, because president she, l next decade. where are we with china, because president she, i| china, because president she, i can't remember how many years ago, had that great leap into green, but how far behind are theyin green, but how far behind are they in terms of the coal—fired power stations they are still churning out? —— president xi. all eyes are on china's 14th five year plan now and then the next one in terms of how quickly they will phase out coal domestically. that is being argued at the moment, we expect to see some firming up

of their commitment before the next finance talks. then there is the belton road initiative which is their flagship which is theirflagship programme, it has largely in the past been funding coal—fired power and other fossil fuel infrastructure, thatis fossil fuel infrastructure, that is increasingly becoming green and now we need china to come in and say that it to will no longerfinance come in and say that it to will no longer finance coal—fired power overseas, as it will not be the best option for developing countries. good to seak developing countries. good to s - eak to developing countries. good to speak to you. _ developing countries. good to speak to you, thank _ developing countries. good to speak to you, thank you - developing countries. good to speak to you, thank you for i speak to you, thank you for coming on the programme. the eurovision song contest is back. after being cancelled last year because of covid, it will go ahead in the next few hours in the netherlands. anna holligan is in rotterdam, amid the sequins and sparkles. limbering up after a year in lockdown, for the chance to join an elite club. a victory at eurovision will secure them notjust a place in history, but the opportunity for their homeland to

host next year's event. look at my glorious outfit. which glorious outfit? what are you talking about? i feel totally ready, so i am just excited to be out on stage. i've been practising in my hotel room loads, so i'm ready to get on that stage and go for it. but how do you host the biggest singing contest on the planet during a pandemic? so, testing plays a big part in this. every 48 hours, this is where we come. journalists, artists, crew, anyone working at eurovision needs to make sure they have not caught covid. and the audience too need a negative test along with their ticket to get inside. but, despite this rigorous testing regime, there are still some concerns and some of the local hospitals have warned if there is an emergency here, they won't necessarily be able to help because they're still so inundated with covid patients. here are your hosts for this evening...

it's hoped the rules and protocols implemented here in rotterdam could be used as a blueprint for the global revival of live events. now especially, a lot of people are longing for normalness, the good old days, and ifeel like our shows do give you a sense of that, and we do it under such strict regulations. which are what allow us to be here. so, who are the ones to watch in the final? my top favourite is definitely france — a beautiful french chanson about stepping out of the shadows and into the light. my second is italy. this is a real rock vibe. it is all about being with people, it's edgy, it's dirty, but it's also classy and sophisticated. my third favourite is probably malta. this is very much about the power of saying no. it's about a woman in a bar and a man wants to buy her

a drink, and she's like, "no thank you, i'm not your honey." covid has made eurovision's mission to bring people together complicated, but more coveted than ever. anna holligan, bbc news, rotterdam. may the best band when, goodbye. —— win. well, friday, for many of us was an absolute write—off. blowing a gale, heavy rain, surely the weather is going to improve. the low pressure is finally moving out into the north sea. it brought some really heavy rain to wales, for example, and some ferocious gusts of wind. here's an example, 89mph in exposed places in the isle of wight. more typically it was around 60mph or more, so very windy for the time of year, and of course, very wet. you can see where the low pressure is early in the morning on saturday. pretty stormy out to sea there. but for many of us, it is calming down. in fact, so much so that across parts of scotland and northern ireland, with clearing skies, there will be a touch of frost. but anyway, here's the important bit,

saturday's headline — drier, brighter and less windy for all of us. and this is what it looks like for the morning onwards. it will brighten up across many western areas right from the word go. there will be some showers around, particularly in the east of the country, maybe in the south, and there will still be a keen wind blowing out of the north—west, and it'll be chilly — ii in newcastle, 14 or 15 degrees elsewhere. but you know what? we'll take it after that nasty friday. now, here's the forecast saturday night into sunday — so the skies are clearing again, it's going to be a chilly morning on sunday. but you can't miss this, the winds spinning around behind me. yep, that's the next area of low pressure heading our way. so here's the headline for sunday — you may want to look away now, here it is — rain and wind again. so, this unsettled weather continues. here's the good news, across some eastern areas there will be sunshine in the morning. probably into the

afternoon as well. and this weather front won't reach western areas until later on in the day, but the rain will be accompanied by gale force winds as well. so, not a great second half of the weekend. eventually, that weather front will sweep towards the east later on in the afternoon and into the evening hours. that low pressure is here to stay, it will park itself over us on monday and tuesday, and that means that the weather will remain unsettled into next week. so, you guessed it — showers to come, and remaining cool into next week.

this is bbc news.

the headlines: 24 hours after the ceasefire came into effect in gaza, the first aid convoys have arrived after israel opened two border crossings. officials say reconstruction costs will run to tens of millions of dollars. president biden has promised international help rebuilding homes and businesses. the strength of the truce has been tested — there have been violent clashes between israeli police and palestinians at one ofjerusalem's al—aqsa mosque. 20 palestinians are reported to have been injured as police used stun grenades to disperse protesters, who threw rocks and petrol bombs. the world health organization says the real number of coronavirus—related deaths is likely to be much higher than the 3.4 million officially reported. it says six to eight million is a more realistic figure, as many covid deaths have not been attributed to the virus. now on bbc news, a look back at the week in parliament.