about half an hour after, ifound that video that was seen here before her on a motorcycle, taken away from her on a motorcycle, taken away from her boyfriend. inaudible and i am here at the united states of the your, looking at the total of... inaudible hello and welcome. i'm maryam moshiri. the total number of dead from the conflict between israel and the palestinians has risen to more than a thousand, a day after hamas militants stormed into israeli territory from gaza. the israeli military says the country is "still at war in its efforts to take full control of israeli territory and communities from hamas". here are the key developments this hour. israeli tv is now putting the number of israeli civilians dead at more than 600.

the palestinian ministry of health has said 370 palestinians have been killed by israeli air strikes in gaza. the israeli army also says more than 400 palestinian militants have been killed after infiltrating southern israel, with dozens more captured. israel says it is still trying to regain full control of eight areas where hamas militants infiltrated following saturday's attack. the number of israeli civilians and soldiers taken hostage has been put at 100 by the israeli embassy to the us, though some have been freed. in northern israel, his brother rockets targeted three military positions, with israel responding with barrages of artillery into southern lebanon. the un security council will meet later on sunday — president biden has vowed rock solid support for israel — in the last half hour israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu said he's spoken again to president biden and says he has again emphasised the us�*s full support.

in the last half an hour also, the israeli defence force spokesman gave an update on the operation is continuing around gaza. this weekend. — continuing around gaza. this weekend, hamas _ continuing around gaza. ti 3 weekend, hamas started a continuing around gaza. ti 1 weekend, hamas started a war against israel with the worst massacre of innocent civilians in israeli history. hamas was more barbaric and brutal than isis. let me be crystal clear. israel will respond with determination and force to their unprovoked war crimes. hamas murdered hundreds of israelis, men, women and children and took to dozens hostage into gaza. this horrific terror act demands a forceful and determined, sustained

response. which is exactly what we are doing. and continue to do. our airforce is attacking hundreds are doing. and continue to do. our air force is attacking hundreds of hamas islamichhad targets in gaza. we follow international law while exercising our right and responsibility to protect our civilians. the days ahead will be long and difficult. we have paid a heavy price, but we will restore security to the people of israel. let me repeat, we will restore some security to the people of israel. israeli intelligence indicates that hamas are hiding among guards and civilians inside gazan homes and

schools and mosques. hamas behaves like isis. i repeat, hamas behaves like isis. i repeat, hamas behaves like isis! it is the same structure, to maximise civilian casualties in gaza and israel and mickey will forget the massacre of hundreds of israelis that started the war in the first place. we will not forget. hamas is rarely civilians. israel will target hamas and islamichhad terrace where they will be in gaza. we will do whatever it takes to protect our people. and restore security to israel. we are also looking to the north as well. with full readiness and we are fully coordinated with then come. the

general has just finished a conversation with the other general and will keep talking in the hours to come. whoever taxes in the middle east will face a decisive attack back. —— a tax us. —— a tax us. and in gaza city, our reporter, rushdi abualouf. we were earlier in the live feed of the gaza skyline, a number of missile strikes on the area. we also know the israeli defence spokesperson said that 800 hamas targets have been struck in gaza. what more can you tell us? yes. targets have been struck in gaza. what more can you tell us? yes, it has been very _ what more can you tell us? yes, it has been very intense _ what more can you tell us? yes, it has been very intense fighting - what more can you tell us? yes, it. has been very intense fighting today

throughout the day, hundreds of target had been hit by the israelis, like they have said, they had targeted 800 hamas targets. 0ne like they have said, they had targeted 800 hamas targets. one was hundred metres from the office here in downtown. it is called a bank, it is a bank by hamas. it has been completely destroyed, they have closed the main street. this is the main street in downtown gaza. it is completely blocked by the debris of this building. here in gaza, like all comic carries painful memories for the people when there is escalation from israel, because usually israel escalates the and gaza has started retaliation for the hamas massive on the border, they fired thousands of rockets since last night. they have targeted many

installations for hamas. buildings, banks, two or three mosques were destroyed in south gaza. many targets for hamas have been destroyed. when we talk about the second day of the fighting, the image here today is completely different from yesterday. yesterday, we had some people in the streets celebrating what they said, they said that hamas was avenging the continuous israeli aggression against the gaza people. today, is completely different. the image of destruction everywhere. in downtown gaza, most of the streets were blocked by buildings knocked down by the israelis, completely destroyed and raised to the ground. tonight, israeli fighter jets and raised to the ground. tonight, israeli fighterjets are still flying over gaza and it's another die mcknight of fighting. —— it's

another night of fighting. you die mcknight of fighting. -- it's another night of fighting. you talk about buildings _ another night of fighting. you talk about buildings being _ another night of fighting. you talk about buildings being flattened. l about buildings being flattened. there is video of you standing on the roof of a bbc building in the moments before and during an attack by the idf on the building adjacent to you. took me through what happened. to you. took me through what happened-— to you. took me through what hauened. , ., , , happened. yes, that was yesterday. that was the — happened. yes, that was yesterday. that was the first _ happened. yes, that was yesterday. that was the first building _ happened. yes, that was yesterday. that was the first building that - that was the first building that israel warned the owner of the building to evacuate. this is about 100 metres from our office, where we are doing our live work. yeah, the building was completely destroyed. this is the second biggest building in the entire gaza city, about 100 flats in there. when israel said hamas is using offices in the building to perform some terrorist activity as the israelis say, but many families live there. it is in

gaza city centre. even some of the famous shops are over in this building. the building was completely destroyed. i was driving through the street near the building this morning. the scene is a shocking scene for people in gaza who live for the second day without electricity and internet. i think most of the ordinary people will be shocked and scared of the destruction in gaza city centre. find destruction in gaza city centre. and what is the. — destruction in gaza city centre. and what is the. you — destruction in gaza city centre. and what is the, you know, what is the outlook now? how do people feel this evening as they face another night of this kind of shelling from the idf? how are people coping with what is happening now? yes. idf? how are people coping with what is happening now?— is happening now? yes, the sound is still frightening. _ is happening now? yes, the sound is still frightening. they _ is happening now? yes, the sound is still frightening. they are _ is happening now? yes, the sound is still frightening. they are dropping i still frightening. they are dropping bombs in buildings like this, it would send huge flames into the sky and the smoke and the sound was

terrifying. forthe and the smoke and the sound was terrifying. for the people in a very densely populated area like gaza, gaza city there are only about 800,000 people, they live in a very tiny piece of land and the buildings are very crowded, in a very crowded area. when you destroy the buildings, you are taking down the entire street, an entire neighbourhood because... that entire street, an entire neiihbourhood because... ., , neighbourhood because... that sounds like it was quite _ neighbourhood because... that sounds like it was quite close _ neighbourhood because... that sounds like it was quite close to _ neighbourhood because... that sounds like it was quite close to you. - neighbourhood because... that sounds like it was quite close to you. can - like it was quite close to you. can you hear me? are you 0k? like it was quite close to you. can you hear me? are you ok? that like it was quite close to you. can you hear me? are you 0k? you hear me? are you ok? that sounds iuite you hear me? are you ok? that sounds quite close. _ you hear me? are you ok? that sounds quite close. yes- _ you hear me? are you ok? that sounds quite close, yes. that _ you hear me? are you ok? that sounds quite close, yes. that sounded - quite close, yes. that sounded very close, quite close, yes. that sounded very close. very — quite close, yes. that sounded very close, very close. _ quite close, yes. that sounded very close, very close. are _ quite close, yes. that sounded very close, very close. are you - quite close, yes. that sounded very close, very close. are you 0k? - quite close, yes. that sounded very close, very close. are you 0k? do i close, very close. are you 0k? do you need to go?— close, very close. are you 0k? do you need to go? that was very close. can ou you need to go? that was very close. can you hear — you need to go? that was very close. can you hear me? — you need to go? that was very close. can you hear me? yes, _ you need to go? that was very close. can you hear me? yes, i— you need to go? that was very close. can you hear me? yes, i can. - you need to go? that was very close. can you hear me? yes, i can. are - can you hear me? yes, i can. are you 0k to stay _ can you hear me? yes, i can. are you 0k to stay where — can you hear me? yes, i can. are you 0k to stay where you _ can you hear me? yes, i can. are you 0k to stay where you are _ can you hear me? yes, i can. are you 0k to stay where you are or— can you hear me? yes, i can. are you 0k to stay where you are or would - 0k to stay where you are or would you like to move? i ok to stay where you are or would

you like to move?— you like to move? i don't know... know, i you like to move? i don't know... know, i think _ you like to move? i don't know... know, i think we _ you like to move? i don't know... know, i think we should - you like to move? i don't know... know, i think we should move. i you like to move? i don't know... | know, i think we should move. we you like to move? i don't know... - know, i think we should move. we are iioin to know, i think we should move. we are going to leave — know, i think we should move. we are going to leave him _ know, i think we should move. we are going to leave him there _ know, i think we should move. we are going to leave him there because - know, i think we should move. we are going to leave him there because he . going to leave him there because he needs to move to get himself stay. that is of course our number one priority. if we can try and get him back at some point later in the programme. we will. but for now, you know, there is nothing more important than the safety of the people who work for us. at the moment, he is going to be moving away from the area as quickly as he possibly can. let's bring you a little bit more about what's been happening elsewhere. a british man who was serving with the israeli army has been killed in attack by hamas militants. nathanialjunkie hamas militants. nathanial junkie was hamas militants. nathanialjunkie was 20 was serving with the idf when he was killed on a gaza border. his brother said he was full of life and loved by everyone. two other british citizens are missing. 0ne being jake marlow, he was working as security and outdoor party near the border

when the attack happened. in egypt, to israeli tories and egyptian tour guide was shot dead in alexandria, apparently by a policeman. tanks have moved along the border with lebanon as tension mounts. the israeli military says it fired artillery into an area of lebanon where cross—border fire was launched. 0ur middle east correspondent quentin somerville is in kfarchouba on lebanon's border with southern israel — and has sent this update. this morning, hezbollah targeted the israeli position behind me on the hill there, a radar station, firing a number of mortars and artillery back. it released a statement afterwards saying the attack was in solidarity with the palestinians. it was also very narrow and calibrated attack. because hezbollah is one of the most effective militant organisations in the middle east, it has a huge arsenal of resources. it can strike deep into israel.

this was a very calibrated attack, very carefully positioned. not to lead to escalation, at least at this moment, and since then, we have heard from a senior hezbollah official that they will not be neutral in the war. they said the united states and israel must stop or the whole region will become involved. what we know from israel, they are not planning to stop because israel is planning what it says will be a long war. a threat, really, or a spoken threat from hezbollah that there is a risk of them becoming further enrolled in the conflict with the enormous arsenal that they have if this conflict continues to escalate. and the question, i guess, many are asking is, you know, how much more is hezbollah capable of doing in terms of damage?

a great deal, if it comes to that. they have... we know that they have a great significant supply of long—range missiles, notjust here at the border, notjust a small israeli radar station, but deep inside israel. of course, israel will respond. about 55 minutes ago, israel responded and there was an artillery strike here on the border of the village. all day, we have heard israeli warplanes and drones in the area, that is not unusual for this part of southern lebanon, you often hear them here, but certainly an escalation and intention. and do it in anticipation. that is notjust felt here in southern lebanon. that can be felt all over the country. a worry that this country, already deeply troubled, in the middle of a financial crisis, without a president,

desperately poor and has an ongoing economic crisis will fate yet another issue. quentin somerville of the for us. i want tojust bring quentin somerville of the for us. i want to just bring you the live shots that we are getting a gaza city. it is dark, i know that. in the last few minutes, there have been flashes of light as the idf continues it air strikes up the city during the night. we saw a few minutes ago our correspondent and reporter standing on top of the building which houses the bbc office. there was a huge explosion, very, very close to where he and his team were standing. he has now vacated the area. we still have the live shot of the background, just to bring you up to date, we know that according to israeli defence forces, there have been 800 targets that have been hit, hamas targets within the gaza area. it is very much an

ongoing situation in gaza city. we will keep across the live chat and if we see and think, we will bring it to you when we can. as always, we want to show you some of the best videos and pictures that have been coming here into the bbc. some our bbc verify team have authenticated. a video has emerged on social media appearing to show a gun battle taking place near the gaza border. a warning some of these images do contain distressing scenes. this incident we believe to have taken place earlier on sunday. israeli forces have exchanged fire on a road near gaza border. excuse me. this footage verified by bbc news shows a gunfight involving israeli forces on the route 4 highway between ashdod and the gaza border. let's have a listen. gunfire. sirens wailing. we don't how exactly this end it but

we have written a post on our live page, on the bbc website explaining how they went about checking the video and when and where it was taken. have also seen people scrambling from an israeli missile strike. the images you are seeing took place shiite place a neighbourhood. bbc verify —— took place in a north area. this is the moment there was found right next to the bbc broadcast position in gaza. we went there earlier with my colleague, but i want share one more time. you can see here

you can see here are you can see here are building beings flattened by the israeli air strike. it was very close, it happened on saturday but israel began retaliation after the unprecedented attack by gaza militants. video has been released by hamas storming out of sight. have a look. the al-qassam brigade brigade, the military wing of hamas released assault on the crossing between israel and gaza. the attack was carried out on saturday morning. as we have been reporting, many music lovers for it and outdoor festival in the desert, not far from the gaza border when militants opened fire. parked cars were abandoned and destroyed. we have received reports that israeli civilians, including those attending the festival have allegedly been

taken hostage by militants. the united nations security council is meeting later. the us secretary of state anthony blinken has been talking to the american sunday morning shows about the attack on israel. here's what he said to nbc�*s meet the press. this is the worst attack since the yom kippur war attack. that was a state on state conflict, army against army with clear front lines. this is a massive terrorist attack, targeting israeli civilians, cutting people down on the streets of the town gunning them down in their homes, dragging israelis, men, women and children across the border to gaza. a holocaust survivor in a wheelchair. women and children all being taken hostage. you can imagine the impact it is having in israel and should be revolting to people around the world. mr and should be revolting to people around the world.— and should be revolting to people around the world. mr secretary, do ou around the world. mr secretary, do you acknowledge _ around the world. mr secretary, do you acknowledge that _ around the world. mr secretary, do you acknowledge that most - around the world. mr secretary, do you acknowledge that most israeli | you acknowledge that most israeli intelligence officials and us

intelligence officials and us intelligence officials and us intelligence officials were caught off guard here? this intelligence officials were caught off guard here?— off guard here? this is an attack that i don't _ off guard here? this is an attack that l don't think _ off guard here? this is an attack that i don't think anyone - off guard here? this is an attack that i don't think anyone saw - off guard here? this is an attack- that i don't think anyone saw coming in the immediate. mas that i don't think anyone saw coming in the immediate.— in the immediate. was it an intelligence _ in the immediate. was it an intelligence failure? - in the immediate. was it an intelligence failure? do - in the immediate. was it an intelligence failure? do you| intelligence failure? do you acknowledge that? we intelligence failure? do you acknowledge that?- intelligence failure? do you acknowledge that? we will have len of acknowledge that? we will have plenty of times. _ acknowledge that? we will have plenty of times, the _ acknowledge that? we will have plenty of times, the israelis - acknowledge that? we will have plenty of times, the israelis willj plenty of times, the israelis will have plenty of time, all of us will have plenty of time, all of us will have plenty of time, all of us will have plenty of time to look into that after. right now, we need to ensure that israel has what it needs to deal with the attack. at the same time, israel has come to us and asked for is for specific assistance. i'm sure you will hear more about that later today. we are responding to and have the ability to do that. iran and hamas have a it wouldn't be hamas for many years without the support from iran. we don't have anything that shows us that iran was directly involved in the attack in planning or carrying it out, but that is something we are looking at carefully and we have to see where the facts lead. we do know that iran has had a long

relationship with hamas. it is one of the reasons we have been aggressively working to counter iran, including sanctioning more than 400 iranians and companies precisely because of the supports provided to hamas. it is no surprise that those opposed to the talks, opposed to israel normalising relationships with its neighbours and those among that it might be on the region are hamas, iran and hezbollah. it is something that is very hard and there are challenging issues to work there and we are in the process of trying to do that, but the result would be, if we were able to get there, a much different path of the region and for the future. a path of greater stability, integration and people working together to better their lives. that was the us — together to better their lives. that was the us secretary of state antony blinken. as i mentioned earlier, the

united nation security council is meeting. live now to nada tawfiq, who's outside the un in new york. what are we expecting them to talk about? this is close consultation is happening later this afternoon. it was called for by malta and the united nations of arab emirates. and middle east on voy said he was in contact with all concerned parties and urging maximum restraint. he warned that both sides were near a dangerous precipice and he appealed for all of them to pull back. and we expect in a briefing that they will be questions about exactly what is being done to try and calm the situation there. no doubt, security council members will be concerned

about the possibility that this then spreads to the west bank and causes other regional issues, so no doubt he will be asked about that, but we have erred already from the un secretary—general as well condemning the attacks, expressing concern for civilians and bringing up the need to once again discuss a two state solution. no doubt, all of their will play into the consultations later with the united nations. before that gets under way, you will likely hear from some diplomats come and speak to press beforehand. we know the israeli and pasta plans to speak. he had written —— had planned to speak. he demanded the security council condemned hamas and calling what we saw their horrific war crimes. no doubt, he will also be speaking to the press again calling for that demand. stare

speaking to the press again calling for that demand.— speaking to the press again calling for that demand. are we getting any clearer picture _ for that demand. are we getting any clearer picture as _ for that demand. are we getting any clearer picture as to _ for that demand. are we getting any clearer picture as to where - clearer picture as to where different countries in the security council lie in terms of what they will come out with today?- council lie in terms of what they will come out with today? yes, we have already _ will come out with today? yes, we have already seen _ will come out with today? yes, we have already seen several - will come out with today? yes, we i have already seen several statements from capitals. in terms of the permanent five members of the council of western nations, we have seen support for israel, for its right to defend itself, as we have seen from the united states saying that support is rock—solid with israel. when it comes to russia, for example, they have avoided signing any blame and have called for restraint. we are broadly looking at china. china had said they want restraint but it is fundamental to look for a way out of the conflict and they believe the only way out is two state solution. hearing that as well from several african nations will stop it will be interesting to hear from state as well as they leave about how much addresses

urgent and how much is about getting peace talks on again. we urgent and how much is about getting peace talks on again.— peace talks on again. we will leave ou with peace talks on again. we will leave you with the _ peace talks on again. we will leave you with the night _ peace talks on again. we will leave you with the night pictures - peace talks on again. we will leave you with the night pictures of- peace talks on again. we will leave | you with the night pictures of gaza. we know that as a night falls, attacks are continuing. more coverage is always on bbc news. for those of you who are still with us, i want to talk a little bit about what is going on in southern israel, and particular in the stomach area, we know that earlier we saw —— ashkelon area. our correspondent is there for us. we can see a big police presence there. you talk about what's been happening in the area since you arrived? 1litul’hat about what's been happening in the area since you arrived?— area since you arrived? what the olice are area since you arrived? what the police are trying _ area since you arrived? what the police are trying to _ area since you arrived? what the police are trying to do _ area since you arrived? what the police are trying to do in - area since you arrived? what the police are trying to do in this - area since you arrived? what the | police are trying to do in this area is stop people from using as a

staging post. we saw a column of ambulances off camera shut on the side here and helicopters landing on the road. we don't know for sure, but the line of ambulances and helicopters coming in now would suggest casualties are being recovered by ambulance. we can also hear an awful art of sound, different sounds we can hear in the sky. when you talking there, i could hear the sound of drones above it's a particular constant whining sound we can hear. even as we are speaking, i can hearjets moving over, becoming louder because obviously, this is gaza you can see behind me here and we have also had, in the last hour or so, a fairly regular barrage of rockets that have been coming out of gaza towards different parts of southern israel. when that happens, we see the lights in the sky that are the iron dome missile defence system, they know when the missiles being launched on a catch to mid air and you see a

path of grey smoke and you hear afterwards the sound, the crack of the missile being destroyed. 0ften the missile being destroyed. often very loud on the ground here. a lot going on. what we are doing is watching and to see what is likely to happen in gaza in the next few hours. of course, israeland to happen in gaza in the next few hours. of course, israel and the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has talked about reprisals, about israel really taking some sort of significant military action in response to those actions launched into southern israel by hamas in the morning. it remains to be seen whether or not we will see some sort of ground operation by israel. some civilians in a small space that can't actually leave and potentially hostages, we have seen videos on social media of hamas militants taking israeli hostages. there is a believe some of

them made... that gives reprisalfor them made... that gives reprisalfor the attacks yesterday particularly difficult. �* ., ~ ., the attacks yesterday particularly difficult. �* ., ,, ., ., ., difficult. anna, we know now that over 600 people, _ difficult. anna, we know now that over 600 people, israelis - difficult. anna, we know now that over 600 people, israelis are - difficult. anna, we know now that i over 600 people, israelis are known to have died and that number keeps on creeping up, doesn't it? it to have died and that number keeps on creeping up, doesn't it?- on creeping up, doesn't it? it does. and when you _ on creeping up, doesn't it? it does. and when you see _ on creeping up, doesn't it? it does. and when you see what _ on creeping up, doesn't it? it does. and when you see what actually - and when you see what actually happened here yesterday morning, things like the music festival, for example, in one of the desert areas around the gaza offence here, where you had many, many partygoers that spent the night dancing and listening to music and then at about 6:30am, militants moved in on them, killing in that one site alone several hundred people and of course, we have seen images of a bus stop where israeli civilians had been shot, where they stood, we have seen family shot and killed in our homes and it really shows how

serious it is right now.- homes and it really shows how serious it is right now. anna, stay with usjust _ serious it is right now. anna, stay with us just for _ serious it is right now. anna, stay with usjust for a _ serious it is right now. anna, stay with usjust for a couple - serious it is right now. anna, stay with usjust for a couple of - serious it is right now. anna, stay. with usjust for a couple of minutes with us just for a couple of minutes at the moment. we want to bring back the live shot we are getting care of gaza city. night has fallen and we are hearing from a reported 80% of electricity has gone to the area. it is a difficult time for those living there right now. welcome back to our international viewers. your watching coverage of the israeli— palestinian conflict. and we can cross now to our correspondent, anna foster in southern israel. we werejust talking a couple of minutes ago about the number of those who have died in israel. we saw the idf giving a press conference not too long ago, talking about the fact they are looking right now to making sure that that area of southern israel that was infiltrated by the hamas militants is completely cleared of militants and that it goes back to being a safe, or safety

is restored, so to speak? that goes back to being a safe, or safety is restored, so to speak?— is restored, so to speak? that is vitally important _ is restored, so to speak? that is vitally important to _ is restored, so to speak? that is vitally important to them - is restored, so to speak? that is| vitally important to them because there are so many israelis who live in the southern border communities so very close to the fence that surrounds gaza, and they saw this infiltration yesterday morning, families in their homes, people in the streets, being attacked. and i think what was a real priority to israeli and the israeli defence forces was, as you say, making those areas are safe again. in fact, even as we drove down this road towards ashkelon in the last hour or two, we saw israeli police vehicles, police officers and two men only wearing their underwear, one of them was blindfolded and put into the back of one of these vehicles. it shows that this operation to actually secure this operation to actually secure this part of southern israel is still going on. as i said, it is something that is of vital

importance, really before whatever next stage of this conflict might look like. the real priority for benjamin netanyahu, ensuring israeli citizens, particularly when this attack yesterday morning came without any kind of warning. israeli government needs to try to reassure that its government can protect them, can secure their security. and them, can secure their security. and the important thing to do right now is to make sure that they can move any remaining militants out of these areas and make them safe. it any remaining militants out of these areas and make them safe.- areas and make them safe. if you can, sta areas and make them safe. if you can. stay where _ areas and make them safe. if you can, stay where you _ areas and make them safe. if you can, stay where you are - areas and make them safe. if you can, stay where you are for- areas and make them safe. if you can, stay where you are for us. i areas and make them safe. if you. can, stay where you are for us. we willjust can, stay where you are for us. we will just leave you for a can, stay where you are for us. we willjust leave you for a minute or two now, because as we have been reporting here on bbc news, it is believed that as many as 100 soldiers and civilians were kidnapped by palestinian fighters across the border and rated communities. i'm s o rry , i'm sorry, these are not the right pictures of the festival. these are

pictures of the festival. these are pictures of the festival. these are pictures of a gun fight between israeli forces and who we believe our hamas militants. these pictures came into us through the bbc verify team and they have been verified in terms of time and place. these pictures showing a gunfight between these two groups. hamas militants in these two groups. hamas militants in the car and israeli defence forces on the other side of the road. the bbc have risen quite a good little piece about how they verified this on the bbc�*s website. you may find these pictures again from the aftermath of the incident distressing. let's have a look at some pictures now. these are pictures that show a woman in her 20s are begging for her life when she was abducted and driven away by armed men on a motorbike. this is

more a video showing other partygoers are fleeing across the desert. these partygoers are escaping in their cars and on foot. a short time ago, a short time ago, i spoke to amit parpara from tel aviv. he's a friend of noa argamani — an israeli woman who was at the same music festival near gaza with her boyfriend avinatan 0r. she was seen in videos circulating on social media being kidnapped by hamas fighters. they are both missing. mr parpara told me about his last contact with noa. my first contact with noa was around 6:30, when the missiles started. there were missiles all over israel. that's what woke us up, all of us. and then we started messaging all the people that are still now in the music festival, which happens to be all morning.

and what did she say in those messages? we're seeing them now, but they're obviously all in hebrew. can you explain what she's saying to you? yes, she's sending a live location and asking for someone to save her, save her boyfriend. she was hiding in a hole near the festival. they were searching for some place to hide because they didn't have any car, that's also what she wrote, she doesn't have any car. and they came in a group, i guess. so they hid when the terrorists came. at around 8:30 to 9:00, the terrorists broke through the gaza borders and they came in, that's when we started hearing about the horrors going on in the festival. and that's when we started

to really get nervous about noa and her boyfriend. of course, for other people as well that are still missing. and around 8:30pm was the last message that i got from her, saying that she doesn't have any car. i tried to tell her to stay low. try to maybe contact the police and the military, so that they'll know their location. maybe they'll find them. about half an hour after, i found that video that was seen here before of her on a motorcycle, taken away from her boyfriend, avinatan. you can see clearly the terror going into the gaza strip. you must be really, really worried, amit. yes. really. really bad. you know, this is the largest event that we can

remember in our lifetime. we've been through a few operations, but a surprise attack of this scale and magnitude on israel, i cannot recall. the exact number of people who were kidnapped is yet to be exact, that means we don't know. maybe near 100. they are most of them civilians. young people. friends, children, women, elderly. they were kidnapped from their homes and the music festival. so it's notjust about what happened to noa and avinatan, it's about everyone that is kidnapped right there to gaza at this time, which hasn't been something like this in the whole history. amit, what have the government or officials been telling you about their ongoing search or how they are going to try and get these hostages back?

there was no official contact from the government with us. we contacted noa's family and avinatan's family. there has been no official contact that something is ongoing. and that's most of our purpose here, to make use of the network, to understand that there might be a chance to get them out safely right now. time is of the essence, and this is our main priority right now, getting the people back home safely as soon as possible, before it's too late. all of the acting up that is now happening is from civilians. private groups that are combined together to help the people get back together. and this is the most...

there's no official contact and it's all what we do. we right now have authorities in the government that we are in contact with to help all of the people that are kidnapped. but it has to happen now. and someone can still save the situation. we must act fast and with the back—up from other nations. this reality cannot be tolerated in any other country. amit, what do you think has happened to noa? i hope to think that she's waiting. waiting with other people, waiting for her to be saved. she was taken to the gaza strip. we hope that it's not too late

until they separate them, or hide them in other places. we really don't know. there's no official update. there's no videos, nothing that we can maybe get a leak or something. it's just us waiting and hoping, really hoping and praying that everything is good, that she will come back home safely, her and her boyfriend and everyone that is in captivity now. amit parpara. a friend of noa, the woman you saw in that video allegedly been kidnapped by hamas militants. we've had some new news lines coming into us. first of all, we are hearing that the number of israelis killed in the hamas attacks has now, according to reports, hit 700, at least 700. as i give you these

figures, these are live pictures of gaza city. it looks very dark but we have seen a lot of flashes of light. there you go. flashes of light as the israeli defense force continues to attack the city with missiles. we've also had foreign leaders, to make statements. this statement from the white house, more support for israel. it says the president and vice president have been brief this morning by national security team. the president directed additional support for israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by hamas. the president and vice president will continue to receive updates and white house officials will remain in close contact with our israeli partners. the national security teams are engaged with the israelis and counterparts throughout the region. that is a statement from the region. that is a statement from the white house. as we continue to

watch the scene live in night time in gaza city, in the last few minutes the british prime minister has been talking about the situation in the middle east following a conversation he himself had with the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu. that's never listen to what rishi sunak had to say. the scenes we _ what rishi sunak had to say. the scenes we have _ what rishi sunak had to say. tue: scenes we have seen what rishi sunak had to say. tte: scenes we have seen in what rishi sunak had to say. tt2 scenes we have seen in israel over the past 36 hours are truly horrifying. i want to express my absolute solidarity for the people of israel. now is not a for if equivocation and i am unequivocal. hamas and the people who support hamas and the people who support hamas are fully responsible for this appalling act of terror, for the murder of civilians and for the kidnapping of innocent people, including children. i havejust spoken with prime minister benjamin netanyahu to ensuring that the uk's steady support. we will do everything we can to help. terrorism will not prevail. _ everything we can to help. terrorism will not prevail. that _ everything we can to help. terrorism will not prevail. that is _ everything we can to help. terrorism will not prevail. that is the _ everything we can to help. terrorism will not prevail. that is the prime i will not prevail. that is the prime minister, rishi sunak.

it has of course been a fast moving situation over the last 24 hours. we can see the missile strikes happening. it is very, very dark. we are hearing from our reporter that a lot of electricity has been removed from gaza city. there is a lack of electricity, a lack of internet access for many people, but the missiles from the idf are continuing through the night. let's pausejust for a second or two to remind you of the events since saturday. 0ur reporter meghan 0wen has this timeline. here at bbc verify, we've been looking at what happened and when it happened. at around 6:30am local time on saturday, there were the first reports of rocket fire from multiple locations in gaza. there were explosions in cities in israel, such as tel aviv and ashkelon and sderot.

now, at around 8am, we heard from hamas, the palestinian armed militant group who claim responsibility, and they say that they launched 5,000 rockets. now, this map here shows some of the areas affected by the attack. and we've managed to verify these through many videos which have come in throughout the last couple of days. let's just take a look at some of them. this is one of the missiles launched from gaza. if we take a look at this next video, we can see militants taking over a tank in israel. and this video is perhaps one of the more distressing ones. here we see a female hostage with signs of severe beating dragged from the boot of a vehicle and forced into the rear seat. now, at around 8:30 in the morning, we hearfrom the israeli defense force and they said hamas will bear the consequences of the attack. they then begin to carry out retaliatory airstrikes in gaza. ataround 11:30am,

israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu declares "we are at war" in a video posted on x. translation: the enemy will pay a heavy price on a scale that it has never known. meanwhile, i call on all citizens of israel to listen to the home front command instructions. we are at war and we will win. shortly afterwards, at about 12:30, we hearfrom the palestinian president, mahmoud abbas. now he says that his people have a right to defend themselves against what he calls "settlers and occupation troops". now, as the death toll rises throughout the day, there's lots of international reaction, including from western leaders such as prime minister rishi sunak. he says, "i'm shocked by this morning's attacks by hamas terrorists against israeli citizens." he says, "israel has an absolute right to defend itself." we also hear from the french president, emmanuel macron. he strongly condemns what he calls

"the current terrorist attacks against israel" and expresses his full solidarity with the victims and their loved ones. we hearfrom presidentjoe biden, who says, "israel has a right to defend itself and its people." now, more and more videos are emerging throughout the day. we see there are more casualties and the hospitals are getting overwhelmed in israel. hamas also claims that it's captured israeli soldiers, including in the cities. now, at around 11:30pm on saturday in a televised speech, israeli pm benjamin netanyahu says, the attacks have never been seen before in his country and he warned he would take mighty vengeance for what he described as a black day. in the early hours of sunday morning, the israeli army tells

residents in the gaza strip to shelter. and this is because of strikes which happened overnight. we can see here some of the dramatic footage. and the next morning, we see what the damage has been. we see that a mosque has completely collapsed in gaza. we also see that several buildings have been destroyed. at around 7:30am on sunday, lebanon becomes involved. now, this footage here is of some of the strikes launched by militant group hezbollah, which fired missiles into three israeli military positions. the israeli military then launched strikes back to lebanon. and on sunday, we saw airstrikes continuing in gaza as israel desperately tries to regain control. 0k, ok, that was a really good explanation of what has happened since saturday for those of you who are justjoining since saturday for those of you who arejustjoining us. i want to briefly take you tojerusalem. this is the israeli president. unfortunately, it is a hebrew and it

is not a language i speak. we are going to touch on that. we will get the top lines from that press conference and bring them to you in the next few minutes. do stay with us on bbc news for that. on the other side of your screen is gaza city. you can see now there are definitely flames burning in the background. 0n definitely flames burning in the background. on what is a very dark night, because as our reporter explained earlier, a lot of electricity has been stopped flowing into gaza city. we will bring you back to that situation in a moment or two. back to that situation in a moment ortwo. for back to that situation in a moment or two. for now, back to that situation in a moment ortwo. for now, i back to that situation in a moment or two. for now, i want to get a little bit more on what is happening. let's get more on this with haggai matar in tel aviv. he's an israeli journalist, political acvitist and the executive director at +972 magazine. i appreciate your time. talk to me a little bit about how big a setback this is for both sides?— this is for both sides? thank you for having _ this is for both sides? thank you for having me — this is for both sides? thank you for having me on _ this is for both sides? thank you for having me on this _ this is for both sides? thank you for having me on this very - this is for both sides? thank you for having me on this very dark. this is for both sides? thank you i for having me on this very dark day. i think it is hard to talk about a

setback in a context where political negotiations, peace negotiations between two sides have completely collapsed. almost a decade ago. so it is not like we are in a situation where there was progress and now we are progressing. israel has ceased negotiations in 2014. and for palestinians, there has been an ongoing attempt to resume negotiations on an ongoing attempt to bring back the issue into the international awareness and discourse, i think the one thing they had going for them was a growing sympathy in international communities, internationalaudiences communities, international audiences towards the communities, internationalaudiences towards the suffering of palestinians under the israeli regime. i think it is interesting and worrying to see what would happen now after this attack, after the massacre and the war crimes committed by hamas against israelis.

how much do you think israel's political crisis has led to these cracks that we have seen in terms of security and the way that israel is governed? security and the way that israel is roverned? , . ,., ,, governed? very much so. i think the main two issues _ governed? very much so. i think the main two issues are _ governed? very much so. i think the main two issues are that _ governed? very much so. i think the main two issues are that the - governed? very much so. i think the main two issues are that the army i main two issues are that the army used to be seen as beyond controversy, outside of the political debate, something that everyone supports and believes in. that has very much changed under... started to delegitimise the army, that it started to delegitimise the army, thatitis started to delegitimise the army, that it is going after alongside the courts and the media with this authoritarian bent againstjewish authoritarian bent against jewish israelis authoritarian bent againstjewish israelis over the last year. there are people that say they will stop serving in the army and made the army seem weaker. 0n the other hand, this government has been doubling down much more than once. committed

to the settlement project in the west bank, this government has gone much, much further and has sent entire brigades to support and accompany and protect settlers and set up a new illegal outposts on private palestinian land in the west bank, and to attack palestinian communities, to burn houses, while getting the backing of the army. so the soldiers that were supposed to be defending the gaza border were redeployed to accompany settlers attacking palestinians in the west bank. so in both those senses, the weakening of the army which allowed for this unprecedented attack is something that is very much tied to this government and its policies. so, what next? where do you think we are going to be moving on from this, if these roads that you are talking about and nowhere? t if these roads that you are talking about and nowhere?— about and nowhere? i think the future is very — about and nowhere? i think the future is very bleak _ about and nowhere? i think the future is very bleak right - about and nowhere? i think the

future is very bleak right now. | about and nowhere? i think the i future is very bleak right now. we have suffered this terrible blow, the worst attack... and so many of us are grieving friends and loved ones we have lost. the same can be said in gaza right now, where over 300 people have been killed over the past day. and benjamin netanyahu promised that many, many more will be killed. we have seen attacks like this in the past, we can assume that many people will die in gaza as well, including families and children. and i think the worrying issueis children. and i think the worrying issue is that the international community tends to only put the blame on palestinians. we have heard rishi sunak, we have heard joe biden stand unequivocally by israel, which of course makes sense considering the dreadful attack by hamas, but at the dreadful attack by hamas, but at the same time we are not seeing similar condemnations when israel destroys entire palestinian villages or kills families. and the

international community has been supporting and allowing and facilitating israel's apartheid regime and were crimes against the palestinians all these years, leading us to this very dark... tt leading us to this very dark... it is good to talk to you. i really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us. thank you once again. and we are now watching these life pictures. well, we were a second ago. there we are. we are back on it. wejust want ago. there we are. we are back on it. we just want to show you these life pictures of gaza city, because we have seen a number of what can only be described as huge explosions in the last few minutes. and you can see in the background, very thick black smoke and flames as well in gaza city. we will stay with those pictures if we can. and just at the moment bring in another guest in the studio.

joining me now is 0rly goldsmith, a spokeswoman from the israeli embassy in london. tell me your reaction to the last 24 hours? tt tell me your reaction to the last 24 hours? . , tell me your reaction to the last 24 hours? ., , , ., hours? it was something unprecedented. - hours? it was something unprecedented. it - hours? it was something unprecedented. it came | hours? it was something - unprecedented. it came from the hours? it was something _ unprecedented. it came from the sea, from the land, from the air. and we saw hundreds of terrorists entering the villages, the cities of israel, going house after house, trying to slaughter israelis, to kill them, to kidnap them. there were so many videos you have seen. but one of them that can't leave my mind, you see a young girl, she is probably 16, herface is covered see a young girl, she is probably 16, her face is covered with see a young girl, she is probably 16, herface is covered with blood, her clothes are covered with blood, and she is being dragged by hamas terrorists into a car, and in this car there are dozens of men, terrorist men, and she looks terrified. and that is something

that i can't forget. and it is just one story out of so many. and i got to be honest, yesterday evening i came back home very late and i arrived home and everyone was sleeping and, you know, i looked at my kids and i feltjust so blessed that i am able to know that they are living, staying with me under the same roof. and it is not the same for many families in israel that have been destroyed. people do not know where their children are, some kids have been taken, some elderly people have been taken. it isjust unbearable. it is a nightmare. this is a hue unbearable. it is a nightmare. this is a huge security _ unbearable. it is a nightmare. this is a huge security breach by the hamas militants into israeli territory. how could this have been allowed to happen? like territory. how could this have been allowed to happen?— territory. how could this have been allowed to happen? like i told you, at the moment _ allowed to happen? like i told you, at the moment we _ allowed to happen? like i told you, at the moment we are _ allowed to happen? like i told you, at the moment we are really - allowed to happen? like i told you, | at the moment we are really dealing with what is happening right now in israel. there are still fights, there are over 700 israelis that have been murdered. we have more than 2000, some of them in very

critical state stop at the moment, thatis critical state stop at the moment, that is what we are focusing on. we are trying to bring back security within our borders. taste are trying to bring back security within our borders.— are trying to bring back security within our borders. we are seeing now pictures _ within our borders. we are seeing now pictures of — within our borders. we are seeing now pictures of gaza _ within our borders. we are seeing now pictures of gaza city - within our borders. we are seeing now pictures of gaza city and - within our borders. we are seeing | now pictures of gaza city and huge explosions that have rocked the city. the palestinian health authority is talking about 370 palestinians dead, over 2000 injured, not all of those are going to be hamas militants. innocent civilians are dying. ts to be hamas militants. innocent civilians are dying.— civilians are dying. is that fair? unfortunately, _ civilians are dying. is that fair? unfortunately, the _ civilians are dying. is that fair? unfortunately, the hamas - civilians are dying. is that fair? unfortunately, the hamas is i civilians are dying. is that fair? i unfortunately, the hamas is using those innocent billions as human shields. as you know, the connector is a terrorist organisation, are hiding their infrastructure is in very densely populated areas. and i'm going to tell you, even though hamas slaughtering our babies, the israeli authorities mentioned and worn before they are going to strike places within the gaza strip. so there will be casualties, and every loss of life that is innocent is a

tragedy, but we have to do everything in order to bring back security within our borders. but the israelis have _ security within our borders. but the israelis have been _ security within our borders. but the israelis have been bombing - security within our borders. but the israelis have been bombing and - israelis have been bombing and throwing missiles at hamas within gaza for many years and it has done nothing to change the status quo. it clearly isn't working, isn't it? there must be another way. do you remember that in 2005 israel left the gaza strip, we left there with all the infrastructure and we left there in order to have economies driving and everything. but instead of that, the hamas has decided to destroy everything, not to put money into their infrastructure or in schools, but to fund everything that is going to destroy our lives, israeli lives. and hamas has been funded by the iranian regime, and eps jay has been funded by the iranian regime. we are dealing with a terrorist organisation that does

not care about their other civilians. not care about their other civilians-— not care about their other civilians. , ., , civilians. the israelis left the gaza strip. _ civilians. the israelis left the gaza strip, but _ civilians. the israelis left the gaza strip, but they - civilians. the israelis left the gaza strip, but they are - civilians. the israelis left the gaza strip, but they are notl civilians. the israelis left the - gaza strip, but they are not control of their air borders, their sea borders, what goes in or out of the gaza city. the israelis are in control of that. people are there, they cannot leave, amnesty international has called on the biggest open air prison in the world. this isn't about israel taking a step back from gaza. gazans feel like they are suffocating, and they have been for many years. we want they have been for many years. 2 want nothing more than living in peace with our neighbours. as you know, we have been able to achieve peace with a view of our neighbours in recent years. our hand is always extended for peace... tt in recent years. our hand is always extended for peace. . ._ extended for peace... if that is the case, extended for peace... if that is the case. why — extended for peace... if that is the case. why have _ extended for peace... if that is the case, why have peace _ extended for peace... if that is the case, why have peace negotiationsj case, why have peace negotiations frozen? where is peace going to come from if there are no negotiations? we will not make peace with people whose only goal is to kill our civilians. when this will change come up when they will be ready to accept that we also want to live there, we will be able to hold a real peace talks that will last,

like we have with other countries. what about the palestinian authority in the west bank? what about renewing... in the west bank? what about renewing- - -— in the west bank? what about renewing... you have to ask the palestinians. _ renewing... you have to ask the palestinians. it _ renewing... you have to ask the palestinians. it is _ renewing... you have to ask the palestinians. it is not _ renewing... you have to ask the palestinians. it is not a - renewing... you have to ask thej palestinians. it is not a question for me. ~ . palestinians. it is not a question forme.~ ., , palestinians. it is not a question for me.2 ., ., ,, , ., palestinians. it is not a question forme.~ ., ., ,, , ., , palestinians. it is not a question forme.~ ., ,., ,,., for me. what happens now? this is a very difficult — for me. what happens now? this is a very difficult time _ for me. what happens now? this is a very difficult time for— for me. what happens now? this is a very difficult time for you, _ for me. what happens now? this is a very difficult time for you, i - for me. what happens now? this is a very difficult time for you, i know- very difficult time for you, i know that and i appreciate that. but also, we are seeing an escalation of everything. whoever�*s fault it is, however it started, we are seeing terrorism or violence. are there is really the answer? we terrorism or violence. are there is really the answer?— really the answer? we don't want that to happen. — really the answer? we don't want that to happen, we _ really the answer? we don't want that to happen, we did _ really the answer? we don't want that to happen, we did not - really the answer? we don't want that to happen, we did not will i really the answer? we don't want| that to happen, we did not will let you escalate. we were trying to bring real, long—term projects to alleviate the lives of the palestinians because like we have told many times, i want to see again tonight, we are not against the palestinian people. we believe the palestinians are the ones who are suffering a lot from the hamas. so we were actually trying to de—escalate the situation, but as of now it will only be... it will be

very painful. it will be difficult days that we will have to live. but we have to make sure that our citizens, our children, our mums will feel safe in israel. but citizens, our children, our mums will feel safe in israel.— will feel safe in israel. but is that then — will feel safe in israel. but is that then attacking - will feel safe in israel. but is that then attacking and - will feel safe in israel. but is| that then attacking and killing citizen's children and mums in gaza city? given that you are a democratic nation, actually looking at a different way? t’m democratic nation, actually looking at a different way?— at a different way? i'm not sure i understand. _ at a different way? i'm not sure i understand, are _ at a different way? i'm not sure i understand, are you _ at a different way? i'm not sure i understand, are you preparing i at a different way? i'm not sure i l understand, are you preparing the idea... ? understand, are you preparing the idea... ., , understand, are you preparing the idea... . , , , understand, are you preparing the idea... ., , , , ., idea... ? civilians dying is not the answer on — idea... ? civilians dying is not the answer on either _ idea... ? civilians dying is not the answer on either side, _ idea... ? civilians dying is not the answer on either side, surely? i idea... ? civilians dying is not the| answer on either side, surely? we are t in: answer on either side, surely? 2 are trying to do everything we can come out like i said, not to kill innocent civilians and children and like what the hamas are doing. the hamas have been taking children without their mums into the city, into the city of gaza. we don't know what is happening with his children, we don't know how they are being treated, we don't know if they are still alive, we know nothing. we have pictures of people that have been burnt. we have pictures, we

have video of this young girl, she is probably 20 years old, she has been taken by those inhumane people. it is just been taken by those inhumane people. it isjust inhuman. we have never done that and we will never do that and we will never be happy for anything like that to happen to other people. t anything like that to happen to other people-— other people. i don't think the comparison — other people. i don't think the comparison is _ other people. i don't think the comparison is fair _ other people. i don't think the comparison is fair there. - other people. i don't think the comparison is fair there. what other people. i don't think the i comparison is fair there. what do you see happening over the next few days and weeks? i see that within israel there is a lot of political unity now because of these micro—attacks. do you have a hope now, moving forward, that this political unity will bring about some sort of resolution? fits political unity will bring about some sort of resolution? as of now, like i some sort of resolution? as of now, like i said. — some sort of resolution? as of now, like i said. we _ some sort of resolution? as of now, like i said, we are _ some sort of resolution? as of now, like i said, we are really _ some sort of resolution? as of now, like i said, we are really trying - some sort of resolution? as of now, like i said, we are really trying to i like i said, we are really trying to understand the situation, to bring back some sort of stability, to understand how many people have been murdered, how many people have been kidnapped. it is still the beginning. it is very, very difficult times for everyone. we all have family orfriends difficult times for everyone. we all have family or friends who have been touched by that. it is really the

darkest moment