the un chief says — the conflict risks tipping the middle east into "the abyss", urging both sides to pull back from the brink. president biden says an israeli occcupation of gaza would be a "big mistake" — but says he stands by israel's right to respond to hamas' attacks. in other news, projected results in poland's general election suggest the ruling law and justice party has lost its majority. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. crowds of people have gathered at the border between egypt and the gaza strip after us media said it was about to reopen. the decision would allow desperately—needed aid into the territory, and some foreigners, including us citizens, to leave. but the rafah crossing

is still currently closed. hamas and israel have denied reports that they've agreed a truce in southern gaza. the us secretary of state was in cairo on sunday to persuade egyptian officials to reopen the border point. these are the latest pictures from the rafah crossing — you can see the crowds gathering there. we understand that un fuel truck s have crossed the border this morning. but as we said, it remains closed for the moment. this is a fast—moving story, but here are some of the other main points. the united nations is warning that hospital fuel reserves in gaza are likely to run out in the next 2a hours — which could endanger thousands of patients. conditions in gaza are worsening with a shortages of food, water and aid. fuel reserves at gaza's hospitals are likely to run out in the next day. at least 2,750 people

have been killed. palestinian sources say israel's airforce struck 20 targets overnight in gaza, with the detonations among the heaviest seen in the last nine days. the un chief, antonio guterres, has warned the middle east is staring into "the abyss". he's demanded hamas immediately release hostages and israel let in aid. the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says his military is ready to begin a ground offensive at any moment — aimed at crushing hamas. our middle east correspondent yolande knell is in jerusalem with the latest. along the border, israel is ready for attack, after more than 1,400 people were killed by hamas. it says it will soon enter the gaza strip to target every one of its sites, commanders and fighters. but the offensive is likely to result in the deaths of many palestinians. gaza was pounded again overnight and many of the more thani million people, who were warned by israel to leave the north of the territory have already fled south.

but, basic resources in khan yunis, a town where many have headed, are at breaking point. translation: we were in gaza and we moved i translation: we were in gaza and we moved here and we are suffering. there is no fuel, no electricity, no water or anything. we are waiting for our turn forfuel. the united nations is raising alarm about the dire situation. its humanitarian 0ffice warns that hospitals now have less than one day of fuel left to run generators. antonio guterres, the un secretary general, has appealed to israel to allow rapid and unimpeded aid into the territory. he's also called on hamas to release israeli hostages and un officials are urging both sides to act immediately. israel is connecting humanitarian assistance into gaza with the release of the hostages. again, neither should be conditional. and what we're seeing right now,

the direction that israel is going to, is going in, they have said they want to destroy hamas, but their current trajectory is going to destroy gaza. meanwhile, a second american aircraft carrier is heading to the middle east, as diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict continue. us secretary of state antony blinken is back injerusalem today for further talks. and president biden said he believed israel would try to limit civilian casualties. they have to go after hamas. hamas is a bunch of cowards. they're hiding behind the civilians. they put their headquarters where civilians are — in buildings and the like. but to the extent that they can separate out and avoid... i'm confident the israelis are going to do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians. israel's response to hamas's brutal massacres is yet to fully play out.

but, as troops prepare for a ground invasion of gaza, the consequences will be far—reaching. this region and the wider world are watching. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. lets to show you some pictures that have just come into lets to show you some pictures that havejust come into it lets to show you some pictures that have just come into it here at the bbc. it is several un flagged trucks that have been seen leaving the southern gaza strip on monday in the direction of a meeting point of the borders with israel and egypt. this is according to reuters television. it later appeared to take them in the direction of an israeli border crossing close to the egyptian frontier. let's bring on our correspondent now. thank you, you are on the border there very near to

gaza. lots of conflicting report in the last few hours about whether the crossing was opened. whether or not there was a ceasefire. that is being denied by israel. let's first of all comment on... we have lost connection there, unfortunately. we have got the vote of the southern gaza strip frontier. she is having to move location at the moment because she is very near to the thousands of israeli troops camped out on the border with gaza, preparing for the ground offensive that could come imminently and been well, we have had that latest figure, more than two and a half thousand gazans, palestinians have been killed in those israeli strikes. israel does say the looming ground invasion is meant to completely eliminate hamas in gaza. the israeli military occupied the enclave from 1967 until it withdrew in 2005. now, some voices in israel are calling for another occupation.

but earlier, president biden warned israel off that path, and reaffirmed his commitment to a two—state solution. here is he is speaking to scott pelley from our partners at cbs news. would you support the israeli occupation of gaza at this point? i think it'd be a big mistake. look, what happened in gaza, in my view, is hamas and the extreme elements of hamas don't represent all the palestinian people. and i think that... it would be a mistake for israel to occupy gaza again. we, but going in but taking out the extremists the hezbollah is up north, but hamas down south is a necessary requirement.

do you believe that hamas must be eliminated entirely? yes, i do. but there needs to be a palestinian authority. there needs to be a path to a palestinian state. and you believe israel would pursue that after what's occurred? not now. not now, but, but i think israel understands that a significant portion of palestinian people do not share the views of hamas and hezbollah. 0ur correspondent anna foster is in the north of israel, close to the country's border with lebanon — and she joins us live. welcome, we understand areas are being evacuated... that welcome, we understand areas are being evacuated. . ._ welcome, we understand areas are being evacuated... that is right, we heard joe biden _ being evacuated... that is right, we heard joe biden mention _ being evacuated... that is right, wej heard joe biden mention hezbollah. that's a big threat on this border. we heard from the defence minister that there is in order to evacuate all israeli communities within two

kilometres of the border with lebanon. many of them are very close indeed. they can see the grey border wall from their homes and streets. we are talking about nearly 30 different towns and villages, many of which we have been to in the last few days and many of which, i have to say, are already completely empty anyway. a lot of people haven't waited for the official order, they have heard and seen the exchanges of fire that have been going on with the hamas attacks nearly a week ago. there was a lot of fire going to end throw from israel and lebanon yesterday. many have already left. this is an order saying that many who remain, if they did not have the means to get out before, if they didn't have somewhere to go to, they are going to get the tens of thousand people to remove out of the area and it shows the concerns we have been speaking up for several days now. the concern is gradually growing and growing and they could

be a new and serious escalation here on the border with lebanon. find on the border with lebanon. and israel says _ on the border with lebanon. and israel says it _ on the border with lebanon. and israel says it does not want a war with hezbollah. just explain who hezbollah are and its links with iran and the country itself, its place there. it iran and the country itself, its place there-— place there. it is a powerful military and _ place there. it is a powerful military and political- place there. it is a powerful military and political group| place there. it is a powerful. military and political group in lebanon. they have a lot of weaponry, a lot of fighters, they are backed by iran. many of those fighters are very experienced. they fought in syria as well. they also have mps as part of the lebanese parliament. in a powerful position. they are a strong and alli of hamas and many places in the world are designated terrorist organisation, just like hamas. we are seeing anti—tank missiles coming from hezbollah and its allies in lebanon a cluster israel. that's something we are doing in support of hamas.

people are asking how that could escalate. 0ne people are asking how that could escalate. one thing that could potentially be a trigger is a ground invasion of gaza, israeli forces moving into gaza, it has been talked much about and we have seen the preparations down the south. a lot of people say, if that happens, would hezbollah allow that to happen and allow hamas not to have anyone to... the iranian minister has been talking to leaders in giving statements, and the question is when the right time is. israel, as you say has said it doesn't want an escalation and hezbollah said they don't want an escalation right now, but the problem is, what they are saying does not tally with what they are doing and we see continued firing, civilians being killed, and thatis firing, civilians being killed, and that is a sort of thing that would push that a new and dangerous territory.

push that a new and dangerous territo . �* . , push that a new and dangerous territo . �* ., , ., territory. and faster in northern israel on the _ territory. and faster in northern israel on the border _ territory. and faster in northern israel on the border close - territory. and faster in northern israel on the border close to - israel on the border close to another than —— lebanon. this is daniel hagari from the israeli defence force giving a briefing. we don't have a translation right now, but we know there's been a of speculation about a ceasefire which the idf has denied. we are hoping to speak to an idf spokesperson in the next 20 minutes or so. dojoin us for that. next 20 minutes or so. dojoin us forthat. now, let's go next 20 minutes or so. dojoin us for that. now, let's go live to gaza. where we can speak to jason shawa. he's a translator there and has taken shelter in a house with 50 others, including children and babies. explain where you are and what is happening now. i explain where you are and what is happening nova— happening now. i moved here and relocated with _ happening now. i moved here and relocated with my _ happening now. i moved here and relocated with my family, - happening now. i moved here and relocated with my family, we -

happening now. i moved here and relocated with my family, we had| happening now. i moved here and l relocated with my family, we had to leave our house in gaza city at the israeli army ordered all gazans to leave the city now. that was four days ago. add 7% of the gaza strip is in a small town here, in a house with 60 people and 20 children. needless to say, the children are horrified. we are having major issues with drinking water. the food issues with drinking water. the food is not too bad, but we are having major issues with water and fuel to be able to put water in the banks. yes, that is it.— be able to put water in the banks. yes, that is it. what are you doing for supplies? _ yes, that is it. what are you doing for supplies? how _ yes, that is it. what are you doing for supplies? how are _ yes, that is it. what are you doing for supplies? how are you - yes, that is it. what are you doing l for supplies? how are you managing to access any more water wetter mark if at all, is there any hope you can get your hands on any?— get your hands on any? the water carrier, get your hands on any? the water carrier. the _ get your hands on any? the water carrier, the water _ get your hands on any? the water carrier, the water delivery -

get your hands on any? the water carrier, the water delivery system is totally destroyed, and even if it was up and running, israel cut or water supply into gaza, as well as electricity. even if they did agree to re—pump into gaza, which they claimed also the new said, it is useless, it willjust go into the ground. there is no delivery system functioning any more. what we do as we look further water tankers. we have a barrel thing, one cubic metre thing that we can fill up. two of us here, we literally dump them, they intercept the tanker coming by, passing by and the guy was willing to let us buy some water. we did. we have drinking water. the amount we have drinking water. the amount we have will may be lustres for two days if we ration it. but we don't know what we will do them. after

that. the internet is extremely intermittent here. most areas in the gaza strip, it is completely out. the electricity is zero, literally zero but we have a small solar system here that it's keeping our route and very small fridge up and running. of course, many of us are now considering moving back to the city. many, many relocated this place, gazans took a decision yesterday. we have been following through whatsapp. as soon as the israeli army got wind of this initiative, i mean, people are literally suffering here in this small town. they can't sustain three or 400,000 people. small town. they can't sustain three or400,000 people. people small town. they can't sustain three or 400,000 people. people are saying that they will just go back to their homes if they are still there and die. and as soon as the israelis got wind of this they started carpet

bombing the city last night, starting at the south part of the city and the refugee camp that connects through the gaza city and weigh up to the southern borders of the city. lots of people were bombed in the house. i know of a relative of mine, an orthopaedic surgeon that by some divine miracle the only explanation, he was bombed in his house with his wife and son. they sustain very mild injuries and were transported to hospital, which is also by the way, has been all good to evacuate but the hospital administration refused because there is no way they can evacuate patients hooked up to ivs and ventilators are not. i hooked up to ivs and ventilators are not. ., ., ., ,., hooked up to ivs and ventilators are not. ., ., ., i. y., hooked up to ivs and ventilators are not. ., ., ., ., ., not. i have to ask you, you are in a horrendous — not. i have to ask you, you are in a horrendous situation. _ not. i have to ask you, you are in a horrendous situation. what - not. i have to ask you, you are in a horrendous situation. what are - not. i have to ask you, you are in a| horrendous situation. what are your thoughts on the israeli actions and also hamas, whose actions has led to

the retaliatory strikes by israel. i'm just wondering why the word massacre is used only to describe what is happening in israel. the casualties in gaza are far higher, beyond description. what has been going on is a sustained occupation that has been going on in the 75 years. what israel is experiencing now is what we have experienced every single day for the last 75 years. i don't give a damn how they feel come in all honesty. we are dying here. i don't what will happen to my daughters, my wife, my friend here. i don't give a damn what they feel or think. that's not a concern. the issue is israeli occupation, thatis the issue is israeli occupation, that is the root cause that had to

end for the stew stop. we that is the root cause that had to end for the stew stop.— that is the root cause that had to end for the stew stop. we hope you sta safe, end for the stew stop. we hope you stay safe. jason- — end for the stew stop. we hope you stay safe, jason. thank _ end for the stew stop. we hope you stay safe, jason. thank you - end for the stew stop. we hope you stay safe, jason. thank you for - stay safe, jason. thank you for being with us and telling us about the situation that you and your family are in. we appreciate your time, thank you. let's get some clarity now about what israel is saying about the rafah crossing. live now to our reporter abdelbassir hasan who is in cairo for us. what you understand the situation to be at their rafah crossing at the moment? 50 be at their rafah crossing at the moment? ., ., ., ., . ., ., moment? so far, no ma'or change at the crossing — moment? so far, no ma'or change at the crossing between _ moment? so far, no major change at the crossing between egypt - moment? so far, no major change at the crossing between egypt and - moment? so far, no major change at| the crossing between egypt and gaza, which is contrary to what has been reported earlier that the three sides, egypt, united states and israel have reached a truce to allow aid, humanitarian assistance and aid to enter gaza. for foreign

aid, humanitarian assistance and aid to enter gaza. forforeign passport holders to come to egypt. that should have taken place two hours ago. later, we have got reports from both sides, israel and hamas denying that they have known that any kind of truce has been reached between the three parts and therefore, no change happened at the rafah border to three or four minutes ago, while i am with you on air. ten minutes ago, we have footage from the borders between egypt and palestine, gaza. showing three tracks. carrying the united nations flag. —— trucks. reportedly, foreign trucks, three of them entered from gaza to egypt. this is the major change has been spotted ten or 15 minutes ago. the

first sign of any such movement across the borders between gaza, israel and egypt. what are the reason for the three trucks to grants to egypt and why are they especially? they are for fuel, i don't know, we could guess. there is a need for fuel, don't know, we could guess. there is a need forfuel, which has stated those three trucks to get fuel and get back to gaza. this is my own opinion because there is no statement or remarks on any side in the latest move in the last three or four movements as far as i understand. 0n four movements as far as i understand. on both sides, there are scenes of dozens of foreigners and palestinians are stranded at their palestinians are stranded at their palestinian side of rafah border since the early morning, hoping to

cross to egypt, according to the footage from the outside, we have seen dozens of foreign nationals and palestinians waiting to enter, according to the instructions they got earlier from many sites, especially the united states to go to the border and are expecting it could open any time today. on the other side, the egyptian side, trucks carrying aid and food and other necessary items for palestinians, whether egyptian, international or regional are in queues and the egyptian side of the crossing and waiting also and getting prepared to enter at any time. waiting for the green light. therefore, there is no major change in terms of the movement at rafah border because we have heard that the three trucks are crossed to

egypt cells from rafah crossing. —— south from. it is dedicated to the movement of cargo and goods and such thing between israel, egypt and palestine. this is a situation now at rafah border. there is no changes so far. israel deny there are any kind of truce agreed. palestine's side hamas said the same an hour ago. therefore, they could be a change when the us envoy, a specialised humanitarian forces that have been appointed yesterday. things might change when they arrived at the region which is expected very soon. i arrived at the region which is expected very soon.- arrived at the region which is expected very soon. i want to ask ou expected very soon. i want to ask you about — expected very soon. i want to ask you about the _ expected very soon. i want to ask you about the egypt's _ expected very soon. i want to ask you about the egypt's point of. expected very soon. i want to ask. you about the egypt's point of view on policy. people want to understand why it is not allowing people across the rafah crossing. what is it they

want? why are people not being allowed into egypt from gaza? because basically, if i can understand that you are asking why egypt does not agree the palestinians to cross into egypt, the problem is that there are many concerns. number one is security concerns. number one is security concerns. because, you know, it is a spiteful clashes and attacks and operations in the last ten years between the militants and egyptian security forces. 0nly between the militants and egyptian security forces. only very few months ago, a situation became cold and egypt started to... on the situation. numbertwo and egypt started to... on the situation. number two is the humanitarian burden. such movement or displacement could place on the egyptian side while the egyptian economy is still suffering from deep

consequences from the current crisis in ukraine and of course, the covid—19 ailment which has been prevailing two or three years ago. number three, the egyptian version of that, by displacing the palestinians outside of their territories, it means liquidating their palestinian cause, therefore their palestinian cause, therefore the egyptian national security met yesterday in what can be called a emergency meeting and issued a strong statement saying that the border issue is a matter of security and a red line for the egyptians. the only solution for the cause is to find a solution for the routes of the problem by allowing them to states, one for israel and one for the palestinians. this is the common view. in the corridor should be open for the foreign and egyptian and

other regional assistance to the palestinians in order to prevent more chaos and escalation, not only in the territories, but also in the region at large. as for egypt's is concerned, they are worried about national security and fear that their palestinian cause could be moving to another party which egypt has always had the view that israel has always had the view that israel has an occupation force and according to the international laws should be responsible.— according to the international laws should be responsible. thank you for u -adatin should be responsible. thank you for u-udatin us should be responsible. thank you for updating us and _ should be responsible. thank you for updating us and i _ should be responsible. thank you for updating us and i want _ should be responsible. thank you for updating us and i want to _ should be responsible. thank you for updating us and i want to let - should be responsible. thank you for updating us and i want to let you - updating us and i want to let you know 199 people are now confirmed held hostage in gaza. stay with us for the very latest. hello. the new weak start in the mid week with temperatures below average for the time of the year. quite a chilly

start to the week. but is denoted by the blues in the chart. warmer than normal temperatures as the orange and red pushing towards us this week, but they come at a price. the pressure chart swallowtail, high—pressure recedes and low pressure will take over much of western europe, bringing outbreaks of rain. some very strong winds, particularly around the north sea, again, later in the week. as for the here and now, the winds are light for most. a bit of a breeze through shetland, showers here, more breeze developing in the south—west, showers in the south west of scotland, eastern ireland and one or two later on in parts of east anglia. paired with a weekend, a lot more cloud around and the sunshine that we do have is on the hazy side and temperatures are similar to what we saw yesterday around 11 to 14 degrees, and this evening and overnight, the weather is lightest across northern scotland, we see the coldest conditions into tomorrow

morning. chance of frost for the tuesday morning commute. heading south, know when there is low, we sold them at —1 this morning but now eight and 9 degrees for many. that cloud will bring more outbreaks of rain through the day and eventually pushing into the fast side of wales, pembrokeshire and carmarthenshire. blue sky is the further north you are and temperatures lifting by a degree or so compatible we have seen the past few days. that is because we start to drag in south—easterly winds. they push their way northwards. strengthening winds from wednesday. some persistent rain there in parts of wales in a south—west later. a windy day, temperatures rising a bit and that will be tempered by the strength of the wind, especially across parts of

scotland and north—east england. beyond that, winds could get stronger still of long the coast and we will see drier times into the weekend and temperatures will temporarily rise before dropping at the weekend.

this is bbc news. the headlines:

israel denies a ceasefire in south gaza. thousands of people wait at the rafah border crossing. the un chief says the conflict risks tipping the middle east into "the abyss", urging both sides to pull back from the brink. in other news: projected results in poland's general election suggest the ruling law and justice party has lost its majority. let's get more now on the situation in southern lebanon. we will talk to our correspondent in a moment. there are crowds of people the border between egypt and the gaza strip after us media said it was about to reopen. the decision would allow desperately—needed aid into the territory, and some foreigners — including us citizens — to leave. despite the reports, the crossing remains closed.

hamas and israel have denied reports that they've agreed a truce in southern gaza. i'm nowjoined by lieutenant colonel peter lerner, spokesperson for the israel defense force. welcome, thank you forjoining us from tel aviv. what is the situation on the gaza rafah crossing, is there a possibility of a ceasefire to allow people to leave? 50 a possibility of a ceasefire to allow people to leave? so we are now in da ten allow people to leave? so we are now in day ten of — allow people to leave? so we are now in day ten of our _ allow people to leave? so we are now in day ten of our operation _ allow people to leave? so we are now in day ten of our operation against - in day ten of our operation against hamas, in order to destroy the terrorist organisation who launched a brutal —— against israel butchering then, women and children and now i can update we have confirmed 199 people abducted into gaza by hamas. —— brutal terrorist operation. regarding the situation down south and rafah, i cannot confirm there has been any agreement on any sort of ceasefire or opening of the crossing from our side. i

know you do presented that and that is the message that has come out of the prime minister's office. we are the prime minister's office. we are the military, we are focused on destroying hamas. we focus now on creating the shifter people from north to south and indeed, over the last four days, we have seen hundreds thousands of people listening to us and taking advantage of the time they have in order to move south so they can be out of harm's way while we deal with hamas and destruct their terrorist machine. 1ng and destruct their terrorist machine-— and destruct their terrorist machine. a ., and destruct their terrorist machine. ., , machine. as you say, you are focused on destroying — machine. as you say, you are focused on destroying hamas. _ machine. as you say, you are focused on destroying hamas. explain - machine. as you say, you are focused on destroying hamas. explain to - machine. as you say, you are focused on destroying hamas. explain to us i on destroying hamas. explain to us the strategy in destroying so many hundreds of buildings, killing 2750 civilians, how do you make those decisions and which buildings to target and why so many palestinians are dying in this operation? 50 are dying in this operation? sr hamas are dying in this operation? 5r hamas has had a diabolical plan of

embedding all of its infrastructure within the civilian arena. we are currently targeting their leaders, the prime minister hamas who is actually the mastermind of the massacre in the south on october the 7th. from him at the top down to the terrors that conducted the infiltration, we are gathering intelligence and seeking them out and destroying them. so wherever they are hiding and congregating and planning their next attack, that is a legitimate target and well within the realm of the laws of our own conflict. we will see them out, we didn't start this war. we didn't choose to go to war with hamas, they chose it, but we will win it. critics of israel will say the thousands of people who have been killed, the hundreds of thousands who have been displaced, they didn't choose this war either, what you say to them? i choose this war either, what you say to them? ., ,._ choose this war either, what you say to them? ., _ ., , to them? i would say that the idf o erates

to them? i would say that the idf operates within _ to them? i would say that the idf operates within the _ to them? i would say that the idf operates within the realm - to them? i would say that the idf operates within the realm of- to them? i would say that the idf operates within the realm of the l operates within the realm of the lawns —— the laws of armed conflict, with distinction, the military necessity and proportionality. and i would say to those critics, you can't expect israel not to protect its civilians just because hamas is hiding behind theirs. we have a moral obligation to protect and restore safety and security to the people of israel. that is what we intend on doing. and on the other hand, i would say we are actively operating in order to keep palestinians in gaza out of harm's way. when we are telling them, please evacuate, go south, it is in order to differentiate between combatants, the terrorist organisation, the butchers that came into our homes and massacred babies into our homes and massacred babies in their bedrooms, and on the other hand those that are not, that need to be kept out. so we are in an effort now to seek out hamas in their fortresses of terrorism. they

have positioned them, quite cynically, in the harbour, the heart of gaza city. this is how they operate. they have no regard for human life —— the harbour. they don't care about israelis and they don't care about israelis and they don't care about palestinians. they have been trying to discourage people from evacuating areas where we are saying we are going to strike. what type of people doing that —— do that? that is what we need to understand about this conflict. hamas are bent on our destruction, i would say they are bent on the destruction also of gaza. they need to be banished from the realm of existence. what gaza. they need to be banished from the realm of existence.— gaza. they need to be banished from the realm of existence. what can you tell us about — the realm of existence. what can you tell us about the _ the realm of existence. what can you tell us about the strike _ the realm of existence. what can you tell us about the strike on _ the realm of existence. what can you tell us about the strike on friday - tell us about the strike on friday of salah al—din road? convoys of vehicles heading toward southern gaza as they were told to do by the idf, attacked and many people killed, ordinary civilians trying to get to safety. i killed, ordinary civilians trying to get to safety-— killed, ordinary civilians trying to get to safety. i think there are two lessons from _ get to safety. i think there are two lessons from this _ get to safety. i think there are two lessons from this event. _ get to safety. i think there are two lessons from this event. first, - get to safety. i think there are two lessons from this event. first, the j lessons from this event. first, the idf did not conduct that strike, from the best of our ability to

understand, there was no idf strike on that convoy. what we have seen and it has been circulated widely on social media that it appears that the explosions took place from beneath. so it looks like some sort of roadside bomb. and again, hamas have no regard whether they put rockets in the basements of buildings or drones with explosives on the rooftops of houses the palestinians and they have no regard for the people living in those houses, so why would they care about people moving south if this image serves their interest? and this is the second lesson we need to understand, we need to be very, very cautious at determining that this was an israeli strike because it wasn't. . , . was an israeli strike because it wasn't. ., ., ., wasn't. that is a categorical denial israel had anything _ wasn't. that is a categorical denial israel had anything to _ wasn't. that is a categorical denial israel had anything to do - wasn't. that is a categorical denial israel had anything to do with - wasn't. that is a categorical denial israel had anything to do with the | israel had anything to do with the death of those civilians on makoto street on friday?— street on friday? from our investigation, _ street on friday? from our investigation, there - street on friday? from our investigation, there was i street on friday? from ourj investigation, there was no street on friday? from our- investigation, there was no israeli strike on that road. i investigation, there was no israeli strike on that road.— strike on that road. i want to ask about that _ strike on that road. i want to ask about that operation _ strike on that road. i want to ask about that operation and - strike on that road. i want to ask about that operation and the - strike on that road. i want to askj about that operation and the fact you are targeting these buildings

which is affecting many ordinary palestinians and leading to many deaths. you know better than anyone hamas operates in a series of tunnels underneath gaza, how are you getting to them there, how does destroying these buildings help in this operation?— destroying these buildings help in this oeration? ., ., ., this operation? samantha, i need to 'ust be a this operation? samantha, i need to just be a bit — this operation? samantha, i need to just be a bit more _ this operation? samantha, i need to just be a bit more accurate. - this operation? samantha, i need to just be a bit more accurate. we - this operation? samantha, i need to just be a bit more accurate. we are| just be a bit more accurate. we are not targeting buildings, we are targeting hamas, we are targeting their strongholds, we are targeting their strongholds, we are targeting their command control positions, we are targeting where they put their terrorist infrastructure, the rocket launchers, the drones, the explosive jones, that is where we are striking, those are legitimate military targets. indeed, they have intentionally and deliberately put them within the civilian arena. this is how they operate. this is the ruthless enemy. these are people that will botch a in their bedrooms. they have no regard, theyjust don't care. these images are serving them and we need to ask the question to

hamas, why did you do this, what did you expect to gain from botching those babies, from abducting almost 200 people, innocent people into israel? we are now focused and this is in accordance to the government's directive, in destroying hamas's capability. they will never, ever be able to use the gaza strip as a staging ground for massacres in israel ever again. so staging ground for massacres in israel ever again.— israel ever again. so tell me a little bit more _ israel ever again. so tell me a little bit more about _ israel ever again. so tell me a little bit more about the - israel ever again. so tell me a i little bit more about the tunnels. because it is thought many people may be hiding there. many hamas militants. how do you intend to get to them, is that where the ground invasion comes into play? obviously, i can't elaborate _ invasion comes into play? obviously, i can't elaborate on _ invasion comes into play? obviously, i can't elaborate on our _ invasion comes into play? obviously, i can't elaborate on our ground - i can't elaborate on our ground operation if it is approved and we are instructed to go in, the details of the plans. but yes, we all know and you have reported it widely that hamas has built an elaborate network of tunnels beneath ground. we have good intelligence and we're confident we can destroy the

tunnels. we can destroy hamas and their leadership that are perhaps hiding within. and it is our obligation to make sure that they can never come out of those tunnels empowered and strong and in a way that they can ever threaten israel again. 1ng that they can ever threaten israel aaain. �* , ., ., ., that they can ever threaten israel aaain. a ., ., ., , again. as we heard from an idf briefin: again. as we heard from an idf briefing a _ again. as we heard from an idf briefing a short _ again. as we heard from an idf briefing a short time _ again. as we heard from an idf briefing a short time ago, - again. as we heard from an idf briefing a short time ago, it - again. as we heard from an idf| briefing a short time ago, it has now been king —— now been confirmed there are 199 hostages from all over there are 199 hostages from all over the world taken from israel over last weekend into gaza. what can you tell us about the operation to try and get those hostages out? it is very delicate _ and get those hostages out? it 3 very delicate issue obviously and i don't want to jeopardise anything that could be happening by saying something i shouldn't. but i would say hamas is responsible for the well—being of those people. it is a top priority to bring them home. it maybe this is something we need to keepin maybe this is something we need to keep in mind. when they abduct innocent people, they are trying to free terrorists and this is something we need to be very aware of. they are trying to create an equation of life or death. this is

the problem that we have. so i would say they need to be released, they need to be release now. and we are trying and employing and using all of our efforts in order to find, locate and identify them. and as you just reported, indeed, 199 people abducted by hamas into gaza and being held unlawfully. what abducted by hamas into gaza and being held unlawfully.— abducted by hamas into gaza and being held unlawfully. what can you tell us about — being held unlawfully. what can you tell us about what _ being held unlawfully. what can you tell us about what will _ being held unlawfully. what can you tell us about what will determine i tell us about what will determine when, if this ground operation will go ahead into gaza, is it still and f? ., go ahead into gaza, is it still and f? so we are accumulating a huge amount of— f? so we are accumulating a huge amount of forces _ f? so we are accumulating a huge amount of forces on _ f? so we are accumulating a huge amount of forces on the _ f? so we are accumulating a huge amount of forces on the border. f? so we are accumulating a huge i amount of forces on the border with gaza. —— annie. the government approved the idf to recruit some over 300,000 reservists and indeed, a huge amount of society has come to the military and hasjoined in this effort because of the tragedy israel suffered on the 7th of october. and

so we are amassing currently in the staging grounds, preparing our forces for potential ground mobilisation. if the government instructs us to do so, we will and we will be prepared to do so and it will of course be the idea if that happens and i don't want to hypothesise too much, but if we need to mobilise, it will be to continue to mobilise, it will be to continue to the effort to destroy hamas and negate their capabilities of ever being able to murder and massacre israelis in israel again.— israelis in israel again. there has been a lot _ israelis in israel again. there has been a lot of— israelis in israel again. there has been a lot of criticism _ israelis in israel again. there has been a lot of criticism internally l been a lot of criticism internally and internationally about the failures of the israeli state to detect these horrendous attacks last week. how concerned are you about how prepared the idf is to go into what could be extremely heavily fortified area? we have heard from our correspondent how difficult it will be for the idf to go into that area which is controlled by so many hamas fighters.—

hamas fighters. hamas terrorist, es. first hamas fighters. hamas terrorist, yes- first of _ hamas fighters. hamas terrorist, yes. first of all, _ hamas fighters. hamas terrorist, yes. first of all, i _ hamas fighters. hamas terrorist, yes. first of all, i would - hamas fighters. hamas terrorist, yes. first of all, i would say i hamas fighters. hamas terrorist, yes. first of all, i would say we l yes. first of all, i would say we owe the israeli public the security and defence that they deserve and, indeed, there is a huge sense of failure in the system and we will investigate how exactly it happened, where we failed on issues of intelligence, where we failed on the issue of the frontier of the border itself where it did not withhold the terrorists, where we failed on the final line of defence, the soldiers and amount of forces we had and the types of forces we had and that will be an investigation to take place once we have rid the world of this terrorist organisation and the way they govern the gaza strip. moving forward, we're confident that we have a very good grasp of what hamas has. everything we have seen and everything we know that they have done from the forces that came into the south of israel all the way down to the types of munitions that they have, where they are lying —— laying

out drones and hiding rockets, we have a good grasp of that from an intelligence perspective so we know what we are up against and we're confident we can defeat and destroy them altogether. idf confident we can defeat and destroy them altogether.— them altogether. idf spokesperson peter lerner. _ them altogether. idf spokesperson peter lerner, thank _ them altogether. idf spokesperson peter lerner, thank you _ them altogether. idf spokesperson peter lerner, thank you for - them altogether. idf spokesperson peter lerner, thank you for your i peter lerner, thank you for your time, we really appreciate it. hage time, we really appreciate it. have a aood time, we really appreciate it. have a good day- _ antony blinken is arriving in tel aviv shortly, he has been there, last week he spent a couple of days in israel and he spent the last six daysin in israel and he spent the last six days in arab states, neighbouring arab states, hoping to coordinate efforts against hamas while also trying to find ways to alleviate gaza's looming humanitarian crisis. this is four days after he visited tel aviv to show his solidarity, his unwavering support and that of the united states for israel, saying, we will always and forever be with you. we'll keep an on that plane and his

arrival and all the lines that come out of that when he does hold those meetings. let's go live now to southern lebanon. 0ur middle east correspondent hugo bachega is there. the situation there is one that the world is keeping its eye on because there have been those rocket attacks from your location into israel. so what is happening there? yes. from your location into israel. so what is happening there? yes, and this morning. _ what is happening there? yes, and this morning, we _ what is happening there? yes, and this morning, we had _ what is happening there? yes, and this morning, we had an _ what is happening there? yes, and i this morning, we had an announcement from the israeli authorities saying that they would be evacuating villages in northern israel next to the border with lebanon, 28 to communities to be evacuated. we don't know whether this is a mandatory or a voluntary evacuation. but the reality is most of the residents have already left. some of those communities. my colleague anna foster has been to some of those communities in recent days and she said most people have left because of the violence happening in that

part of the country. and one of those communities is the community where yesterday, a man was killed, the first israeli civilian to die as a result of an attack carried out in southern lebanon by hezbollah. this came after a day of the exchange of intense fire between militants in lebanon, hezbollah and the israeli military. in the last few minutes, we had reaction from a spokesperson for the israeli military saying the attacks yesterday, attacks carried out by hezbollah happens after iran gave orders to the group to carry out the attacks. so this is reaction from the israeli army, spokesperson for the israeli military showing how intense the situation is a long the

lebanese and israeli border and hezbollah is supported by iran and i think there has been a lot of pressure in recent days from western countries warning iran against escalating the situation here. and the iranian foreign minister has visited some countries in the region. he was here in lebanon on where he met the leader of hezbollah. and he reacted to those comments made by western leaders saying that if the united states wants to prevent an escalation of the conflict, it should tell israel to stop the aggression, in his words, against civilians in gaza. so it shows how volatile the situation is and there are fears lebanon can be dragged into this conflict. thank ou for be dragged into this conflict. thank

you for updating — be dragged into this conflict. thank you for updating us _ be dragged into this conflict. thank you for updating us from _ be dragged into this conflict. thank you for updating us from southern lebanon. in other news, the first predicted results in poland's general election suggest the ruling law and justice party is on course to win more seats in the country's general election, but is unlikely to secure a third term in office. instead, three liberal parties — including donald tusk�*s civic coalition — has a better chance of forming a coalition. sunday's election saw the biggest voter turnout since the end of communism in poland more than 30 years ago, following a bitter and divisive campaign. let's go live now to warsaw and our eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford. welcome. so explain more about what these election results are going to mean. ~ . ., , these election results are going to mean. ~ _, , .,, ., , mean. well, the count is obvious we ve much mean. well, the count is obvious we very much under— mean. well, the count is obvious we very much under way, _ mean. well, the count is obvious we very much under way, it _ mean. well, the count is obvious we very much under way, it has - mean. well, the count is obvious we very much under way, it has been i very much under way, it has been going on through the night. complicated by the fact turn out was so high that in many places, the polling stations had to stay open, some of them for several hours after they should have closed so everyone

in the queue could cast their ballot. in some places, in crack of, the polls were open until midnight and the turnout was around 80%. —— krakow. a lot of people casting their ballots and we saw that in war so, you can see the palace of culture, the giant stalinist era tower block. in the marble foyer of that polling station, we saw a really long queues and the boy was crowded during the day. people feeling this was a historic vote, it was about deciding basically the direction poland would take in the future. two very starkly different options on the table. 0ne continuing with the law and justice party, the governing party, a right—wing party very much pro—social spending. giving quite a lot of money to families who have children, very tough on security, that was a big measure. but it was presenting the opposition is essentially a foreign

backed threat to the country. the opposition presenting the governing party as a threat to democracy itself, talking about deteriorating relations with the eu and deteriorating democratic values, particularly the rule of law and the freedom of the press. so very different visions. at the moment, it is looking like the choice for the opposition, the choice for change here has been made by the voters at the polls and particularly young polish voters seem to have been a fairly decisive factor in voting for what looks like change. what fairly decisive factor in voting for what looks like change. what impact could the result _ what looks like change. what impact could the result and _ what looks like change. what impact could the result and the _ what looks like change. what impact could the result and the next - could the result and the next government have on the country's support or otherwise for ukraine? well, i think there had been some suggestion in recent weeks that the government here was kind of cooling in terms of its support for ukraine. there had been dispute over ukrainian grain imports into this country and whether or not poland would continue sending weapons to ukraine. i think a lot of that was about them, the governing party

trying to claw votes back from the far—right which is very ukrainian sceptic. that party confederation did pretty badly at the polls and the governing party doesn't appear to have benefited from that either. the operation far more sympathetic to making sure there is continued support for ukraine, is certainly pretty strong on russian aggression as well. so i think we won't really see any major change, poland will continue to be an important conduit for aid and weaponry and political support as well for ukraine going forward either way. it wasn't really the big issue at these elections, these were very much about security and about democracy itself, democratic values and polar's relationship with the eu which is important for such a big country as this. . ~ important for such a big country as this. ., ,, , ., important for such a big country as this. ., ~' , ., , important for such a big country as this. ., ,, i. , . important for such a big country as this. . ~ ,, , . ., �* this. thank you very much. you're watchin: this. thank you very much. you're watching bbc— this. thank you very much. you're watching bbc news. _ let's just show you the live shot in tel aviv and this is the plane

carrying the us secretary of state antony blinken. he is back in israel after visiting six arab states in the past few days. he is hoping to coordinate efforts against hamas while also finding ways to alleviate the horrendous humanitarian crisis under way in gaza. he visited israel within days of these attacks in israel last saturday in which 1400 people were murdered by hamas militants. he has shown his solidarity with israel. very much we are creating repeatedly that israel has its right to defend itself. —— reiterating. he is expected to meet with israeli leaders injerusalem today as israel prepares for the expected major ground operation in gaza strip. the israeli—palestinian conflict dates back of course much, much further than the past week and many people are desperate for long—term change.

clive myrie spoke to one israeli family, living in the shadow of the past. a father and a son joined by blood — and now war. i do remember dad always doing something important, always being away and always doing something important. avihai is a 28—year—old engineer who could soon be deployed to gaza with the israeli army. he loves to climb. this is the roof of our house, and there are oranges on the tree that have to be picked. his father, ido, served in gaza with the defense forces back in 2005. he believed it was right for israel to pull out of the occupied territory that year, allowing the palestinians to govern themselves. he deeply believed in this move, and he also passed this feeling on to me. apparently, we were

wrong, all of us. and now he's going to war, we wish to ourselves that he will come back home safe. thejewish people were supposed to be safe in israel. they believed there'd be no more mass murder, living in their own land. but last week's attack resurrected painful ghosts. i have a letter here from churchill. at ido's home, he showed me anotherfamily album. my grand—grandfather, my grand—grandmother and their little child, they were murdered. that's his son and his wife, he was murdered. my grandmother's brother, murdered. all of my grandmother's sisters and brothers were all murdered in the holocaust. jewish leaders said "never again", lobbying and battling for their own homeland. in 1947, after the united nations recommended the partition of the land known as palestine

into two states — one for arabs, one forjews — israel declared independence the following year. but the arab world never accepted the new state, with at least 750,000 palestinians forced from their homes, many ending up as refugees in gaza. archive: palestinians call this the nakba, the catastrophe. i multiple conflicts came and went. battles for the return of their rightful lands, say the arabs. struggles for survival, say the israelis. war broke out again between neighbouring arab states and israel in 1967. israel won the six day war, with a million palestinians now under israeli control, including those in the seized territory of gaza. the following years saw the palestinians refuse to accept the occupation. there were uprisings and suicide—bombing attacks, as israel held on to occupied land, building newjewish settlements.

but eventually, israel withdrew, dismantling the settlements and pulling out troops in 2005. from this moment on, - the responsibility for all that takes place in gaza strip lays on the palestinians. - it was a mistake, what we did, but what can i say to those 1,500 people that was murdered now, that i supported this? this wouldn't have happened if we wouldn't withdraw. do you feel guilty? no. guilt — you are saying a very hard word, a very tough word for me to think of that like in this way. but maybe it is the right word, i don't know. he prayed things would have been different in gaza.

but in 2006, the islamists of hamas won elections in the territory, sparking a brief civil war with their secular palestinian rivals, fatah. archive: onto the streets| in an outpouring of anger... hamas eventually took control, and having never accepted israel's right to exist, the islamists continued to attack thejews, firing rockets and kidnapping soldiers and civilians — while israel continued to build on occupied land in the west bank. attempts to make peace in the �*90s failed, and israel put gaza under blockade and launched a number of ground offensives into the territory. after last week's atrocity, troops are poised to enter once again. we know innocent palestinians are already dying and more are going to lose their lives because of this whole thing. what are your thoughts for them?

when you wagejust wars, when you fight not an army, but you fight an ideology that is illiberal, that is extremist, there is a price for that. this is not my responsibility. this is hamas's responsibility for its own civilians. a hug between father and son, and a smile between two soldiers. the palestinians are also war—weary, but as determined as ido and avihai to battle on — in a conflict where it seems no—one wins. let's just show you the scene now in several places, starting with a hospital in khan younis in southern gaza. tens of thousands of people have fled to southern gaza, to khan younis to escape the rocket attacks

in northern gaza and we know hospitals including this hospital say they are overwhelmed with the number of people that they are having to treat with supplies running low and fears that supplies that allowed the generators to keep going and keep those people live in some cases are very low. we do have some cases are very low. we do have some pictures from a little earlier with some fuel trucks heading towards the rafah crossing, towards egypt, which we think are going to pick up supplies possibly and take them back, but we don't have confirmation on that. the scene at the rafah crossing, the only crossing now that is a viable one to allow palestinians out of gaza and into neighbouring egypt. this is a shaky shot, this is the live scene, but we have seen hundreds of people on that border, which reports a few hours ago there was a ceasefire and egypt was going to allow some foreign nationals out. that has not happened, so those people await any

news, we are not sure if it is going to happen, but i did speak to an idf spokesperson that confirmed no ceasefire certainly at the moment. and this is the scene in tel aviv, where this plane which we are going to show you carrying the us secretary of state antony blinken, we are waiting to see him exit from that plane. he has returned to israel after talks with six arab states, hoping, we understand, to coordinate efforts against hamas while also trying to find ways to alleviate that horrendous looming humanitarian crisis in gaza. stay with us for the latest. live from london. this is bbc news. israel denies a ceasefire in south gaza. thousands of people are waiting at the rafah border crossing.

the build—up of israeli troops continues near gaza before an expected ground offensive targeting hamas. the un chief says the conflict risks tipping the middle east into the abyss, urging both sides to pull back from the brink. president biden says an israeli occcupation of gaza would be a "big mistake" — but says hamas must be eliminated. in other news, projected results in poland's general election suggest the governing law and justice party has lost its majority. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. there are crowds of people at the border between egypt and the gaza strip after us media said it was about to reopen. that would allow desperately—needed aid into the territory, and some foreigners — including us citizens — to leave.