the build—up of israeli troops continues near gaza, before an expected ground offensive targeting hamas. us secretary of state antony blinken returns to israel as he tries to head—off a wider regional conflict. rishi sunak visits a jewish school in london, saying the uk will do all it can to ease the humanitarian situation in gaza. hello. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. i'm maryam moshiri. we start with the war in the middle east, where the crossing between gaza and egypt remains closed, despite us media reports that it was about to reopen, drawing huge crowds of palestinians. the opening of the rafah crossing would allow desperately—needed aid into the territory, and some foreigners — including us citizens — to leave. at the same time, hamas and israel denied reports that they've agreed

a truce in southern gaza. these are the latest pictures from the rafah crossing, showing the crowds there. we understand that un fuel trucks did make it across the border this morning. in the past couple of hours, america's top diplomat, antony blinken, has arrived back in israel, from egypt, where he was trying to persuade officials to reopen the border point. egypt's foreign minister is reported as saying israel had not yet taken a stance that would allow the crossing to open. over the weekend, he's held talks in six arab states, wanting to alleviate gaza's humanitarian crisis and stop the war escalating. he returns to israel, as it prepares a major ground operation in the gaza strip. this is a fast—moving story, but here are some other key points. the united nations is warning that hospital fuel reserves in gaza are likely to run out in the next 2a hours — potentially endangering thousands of patients.

conditions in the territory are worsening, with shortages of food, water and aid. at least 2750 people have been killed. palestinian sources say israel's airforce struck 20 targets in gaza overnight, with the detonations among the heaviest seen in the past nine days. the un chief, antonio guterres, has warned that the middle east is staring into "the abyss." he's demanded hamas immediately release hostages and has told israel to allow 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. the bbc has now learned that 199 israeli hostages are being held by hamas and about 1,400 israelis have been killed since the 7th october attack. the threat of an israeli ground invasion in the north of gaza has led to tens of thousands of people

moving to the south of the territory around khan younis. that's created a huge strain on the supplies of food and water in the area. emergency kitchens such as these have been set up to provide thousands of meals each day. the cooks are having to use wood as a source of heat. there's also been some damage to buildings in this area. like the rest of gaza, few supplies are coming in. 0ur correspondent in gaza, rushdi abu alouf, who shot these pictures, sent this update on what has become a struggle to find enough to eat. this long queue for people waiting to buy goods at the bakery resumeed open this morning after a small shipment of wheat arrived from southern gaza. hundreds of people are waiting to get. i asked some of them and they believe not all of them will have the chance to get. they will only give each person

five pieces of bread. every one of those have, like, two, three, five families fleeing from the north, from the south, everywhere. and they are taking khan younis as refuge. one of the most senior un officials says he's deep in negotiations to get aid into gaza. the un under—secretary general, martin griffiths, told the bbc help was needed to support those who have fled to southern gaza. he accused israel of failing to comply with international humanitarian law and said civilians must be able to move safely and not be attacked. we are deep in negotiations, have been for days — helped a great deal, by the way, by secretary blinken and his constant efforts to arrange, with the help of the egyptians and the israelis, to get the first emergency aid into gaza from rafah to help those million and others

who are situated in the south. there is an international humanitarian law requirement that for people to move out of harm's way in a war is one thing, but to do it in a way that they have access to places of safety that they themselves can choose, to humanitarian aid that will allow them to move safely, is imperative. and this is also being breached. i hope we're going to see today some opening of the access routes from rafah in for aid into southern gaza, and there is some talk about letting third country nationals out. live now to jane kinninmont, impact director at the european leadership network and formerly covering the middle east at chatham house and the economist intelligence unit. so good to have you on the

programme, thank you for taking the time to speak to us. let me ask you about the rafah crossing in particular, we have been focusing very much on that today. he was at home might be wondering why each chapter is notjust opening the crossing and let those people who need to come out leave, and much—needed aid to go in. the much-needed aid to go in. the situation is _ much—needed aid to go in. tue: situation is desperate much—needed aid to go in. tte: situation is desperate for all of these civilians and clearly there are many calls for egypt to open the crossing. a complicating factor is this is a conflict where previously large numbers of palestinians have been displaced and have never been able to return to their homes. egypt's's concern is that potentially some 2 million palestinians could come into egypt and never be able to go back. it is not only that egypt does not want to integrate an extra 2 million people into its own quite poor economy, it is also a concern that the prospects

for any future palestinian state would be much affected as palestinians no longer lived in gaza. to be clear, that is not the stated intention of the israeli government but there have been elements within that government who had said they think palestinian transfer or expulsion is, as they see it, the solution to the conflict. see it, the solution to the conflict-— see it, the solution to the conflict. ., ., conflict. what more could as well, america and _ conflict. what more could as well, america and other _ conflict. what more could as well, america and other arab _ conflict. what more could as well, america and other arab states - conflict. what more could as well, | america and other arab states due conflict. what more could as well, i america and other arab states due to la egypt's's fears? —— do to allay? this looks like a terrible natural disaster, it makes us think of the earthquakes, but it is man—made and does not need to happen. there is a big question over whether israel's approach to gaza is something that will even strengthen israel's security. the us says you must

distinguish between hamas and the palestinian population, you must keep open the possibility of a palestinian state. but because all of the population of gaza is being targeted by having their fuel and water cut off, it is hard to see how hearts and minds would be won, to have a better relationship with israel. there are many calls for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid and for everyone to take a breath and take a think about what this will achieve is full —— achieve. take a think about what this will achieve is full -- achieve. antony blinken, the _ achieve is full -- achieve. antony blinken, the top _ achieve is full -- achieve. antony blinken, the top diplomat - achieve is full -- achieve. antony blinken, the top diplomat in - achieve is full -- achieve. antony blinken, the top diplomat in the l achieve is full -- achieve. antony i blinken, the top diplomat in the us, has been travelling around arab states trying to make sure there is some sort of humanitarian elements moving forward. there has been pressure from america on israel to avoid what american fears most, this broadening out to a regional conflict? ., ,

broadening out to a regional conflict? . , , ., conflict? that is exactly what lincoln will _ conflict? that is exactly what lincoln will be _ conflict? that is exactly what lincoln will be concerned - conflict? that is exactly what i lincoln will be concerned about conflict? that is exactly what - lincoln will be concerned about on his trip and the biggest worry he has is that iran could get involved —— that is exactly what blinken will be concerned about. iran is a supporter of hamas and works with hamas and hezbollah closely, there could be a risk that iran or hezbollah move into this conflict supportively to defend palestinians. most think that is still unlikely but these are the kinds of risks that blinken will be worried about, about the conflict going beyond israel and gaza and opening up new fronts. but for the most part the arab states want peace, they do not want to see this, they would like to see everyone working towards a peace that could include a palestinian state. tt that could include a palestinian state. ., , , that could include a palestinian state. , ., , state. it has been really interesting _ state. it has been really interesting to _ state. it has been really interesting to talk - state. it has been really interesting to talk to . state. it has been really i

interesting to talk to you, i state. it has been really - interesting to talk to you, i thank you for your insight and i am sure we will talk to you again in the coming days and weeks, thank you very much indeed. the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has promised to destroy hamas, as his defence forces prepare for a major ground offensive into gaza. but what are the challenges israel's forces will face? 0ur defence correspondent jonathan beale has this assessment. this is who israel's now at war with. hamas, who last week crossed the border, solely focused on taking life, murdering women and children. for most, it was, in effect, a suicide mission. the left side of my head was hit with shrapnel from an rpg or a grenade, hard to say exactly what. got shot in my finger on my left hand, and a bullet got wedged in the left side of my neck. yoav, who grew up in london, was among the first israeli military casualties of this war.

he won't be the last. we've been asked to hide his identity. he says israel's fighting an enemy unlike any conventional army. they have only one interest, which is to to killjews. there was no preservation of their ability to go home afterwards. they were going to die doing whatever they wanted to do, and that meant killing as many people along the way, they'd die doing it. this is just some of their arsenal. israel today displaying to journalists weapons they've seized. they say this is just 20% of the weapons hamas brought into israel, and it is just a fraction of what israeli forces will face when they go into gaza. israel says many of these are built in factories inside gaza itself. are you worried about israeli forces going in if they've got factories producing this? i'm not worried. the idf can deal with everything that stays in that room and more.

but this is only a fraction of what they have. yeah. the tightly packed streets of gaza is where israel could soon be fighting, which hamas knows best. it could be littered with booby traps and roadside bombs and their network of hidden underground tunnels. brutal urban warfare can favour the defender. hamas still has one bargaining chip — more than 100 israeli hostages. 0ne israeli who's helped negotiate prisoner exchanges in the past is once again working his hamas contacts. they're still talking, but he's noted a dramatic change of mood. in the first days, they were boasting their bravery and their heroism and how they surprised israel. and in the last few days, the tone is very different. their tone is, "we're going to fight to the death, we're not afraid of dying."

israel is preparing for a major offensive. but invasions are often easier to plan than to execute — and getting out harder than going in. jonathan beale, bbc news, southern israel. let's show you some live pictures we are getting here at the bbc, this is the scene in gaza. conditions are worsening. food, power, waterand medicines are all pretty scarce supply and there are warnings that fuel shortages will start effecting hospitals in gaza in the next 2a hours. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. more foreign prisoners are to be deported to their home countries under plans to tackle overcrowding injails. justice secretary alex chalk is due

to set out plans in the commons today for reducing the prison population in england and wales. figures show thatjails are approaching full capacity — with the number of inmates at an all—time high. the true picture of a&e waiting times in wales has been seriously under—reported for a decade, according to the royal college of emergency medicine. the independent medical association has found thousands of hours are missed from monthly figures. when the missing data is taken into account, it suggests the performance in wales is worse than previously believed. battersea dogs and cats home will name its veterinary hospital after the charity's late ambassador paul 0'grady. the tv and radio presenter — who died in march aged 67 — became an ambassador for battersea in 2012. the charity set up a fund in mr 0'grady�*s honour after his death, which has raised £480,000 to date. you're live with bbc news. let's get more now on what is happening on the ground in gaza.

why does the border with egypt remain closed when food, aid and water are desperately needed and hundreds of thousands of palestinians are trying to leave the territory. live now to our reporter abdelbassir hassan who is in cairo for us. what has egypt been saying? in commenting on the stand—off at the border at the moment, especially after there were reports of a deal to open it four hours ago, in the morning, during a meeting, a press conference between the egyptian foreign minister and his french counterpart in cairo the egyptian foreign minister said israel didn't offer or show a sign that supports the moves to try to latch foreign passport holders into the egyptian

side or let there be humanitarian aid to gaza. —— to let foreign passport holders into the egyptian side. this was said by the egyptian foreign minister in few hours ago with with his french counterpart. he added that egypt is working with international key players to secure that a corridor could be opened as soon as possible, and of course repeated egypt's's stance with regard to the plans or the reported calls from the israeli side to display some gazans to the egyptian side, saying it is a red line and egypt will not allow it because it will liquidate the whole post. he also said egypt has been calling for what he called a regional conference in order to discuss the current crisis, which egypt has been saying should not spill over to other parts

of the region. so the supporters from the gaza side, hundreds of passport holders are staying from the early morning after the instructions from several sources that they should be close to the borders which could have opened, the nile from both israel and hamas in gaza but there was a deal, the hamas side said they did not get clear confirmation from the egyptian side as to whether there was a ceasefire or opening of the border, while the israeli side said there was no truth at the moment. some reports have said there could be a decision after blinken�*s meetings with israelis today and there could be new moves after the israeli cabinet meets later today, while others are expected there could be a major or significant progress after the newly appointed us envoy on the

humanitarian issue, who is expected in the region very soon.— in the region very soon. thank you very much — in the region very soon. thank you very much for— in the region very soon. thank you very much for that _ in the region very soon. thank you very much for that update, - very much for that update, abdelbassir hassan from cairo. a lot of pressure being put on egypt's right now from other countries to try to open that border crossing. in northern israel, the military says it's activated a plan to evacuate dozens of villages near the lebanese border, because of the threat of cross—border rocket fire from the iranian—backed hezbollah. 0ne israeli civilian was killed in a hezbollah missile attack on a village on sunday. israel carried out overnight strikes on lebanon, targeting hezbollah infrastructure. no casualties have been reported. live now to our middle east correspondent hugo bachega who is in southern lebanon. how bad it is the situation right now? it looks like it is escalating slowly? now? it looks like it is escalating slowl ? , ., slowly? yesterday we had the most intense day — slowly? yesterday we had the most intense day in _ slowly? yesterday we had the most intense day in terms _ slowly? yesterday we had the most intense day in terms of _ slowly? yesterday we had the most| intense day in terms of cross-border intense day in terms of cross—border attacks between hezbollah here in

lebanon and the israeli military. this morning you heard this announcement from the israeli authorities that 28 communities in northern israel near the border with lebanon will be evacuated. we do not know whether this is a mandatory or voluntary evacuation, our colleagues who have been to those villages say some of them are almost completely empty because most residents have left already because of the violence, but i think it shows you how volatile the situation is in that part of the region. as you say, yesterday a man was killed after hezbollah attacked, the first israeli civilian to be killed in the northern part of the country after an attack carried out by militants here in lebanon. the situation is tense and over the weekend we have

heard a number of western officials, biting administration officials, talking about the possibility of the escalation of this conflict to include hezbollah and different players in the region —— biden administration officials. american officials have said they are concerned about what is happening, the you are sending a second aircraft carrier to the region to show as a demonstration of support for israel. i think today we have heard from a spokesperson for the israeli military accusing iran of giving orders to hezbollah to carry out those attacks yesterday. iran is hezbollah�*s key backer. i think everybody is paying attention to what iran is doing and whether it is going to push hezbollah into this conflict. ., ~ , ., , . .,

conflict. thank you very much, hugo bacheaa in conflict. thank you very much, hugo bachega in southern _ conflict. thank you very much, hugo bachega in southern lebanon, - conflict. thank you very much, hugo i bachega in southern lebanon, keeping across what is happening. more on what is happening on the ground in gaza. we can talk to mohammed ghalayini. he is an air quality scientist who lives in manchester, but returned to his home town of gaza city last month, while on a career break. iam very i am very grateful for you talking to us from khan younis, how did you find yourself in gaza recently? thank you so much for having me on the show, i want to take a moment to acknowledge what has been happening, especially in gaza and israel, of course, that particularly gaza where i am. i think upwards of 2000 palestinians have been killed, that number is not merely coming through the media all the time all the time or being focused on. more than half of those are civilians, women, children and other civilians. i found myself in gaza because i was

visiting on a career break, i came home to connect with family, i wanted to make professional links to reverse the brain drain, so to speak. it was all going quite well until last week, i think, ten days ago now, i have lost track of time. tell me what happened on saturday the 7th of october? t tell me what happened on saturday the 7th of october?— the 7th of october? i was actually auoin to the 7th of october? i was actually going to help _ the 7th of october? i was actually going to help family _ the 7th of october? i was actually going to help family with - the 7th of october? i was actually going to help family with the - the 7th of october? i was actually | going to help family with the olive harvest, i got up quite early and thatis harvest, i got up quite early and that is when i first knew something was amiss, i saw the rocket trails from various places, heading towards israel. i thought something big was happening because there were lots of rockets. news and started filtering through of the attack, i must acknowledge, i do not condemn... i'm

sorry, i condemn violence against civilians in any form, i think it is really, really important when looking at the hamas attacks to look at them in the context of a very prolonged occupation and oppression of palestinian human rights, it is really, really important not to forget that. in the response that is coming, to really stop and think, is this a continuation of more of the same that will result in more of the same that will result in more of the same down the line for israelis and palestinians all can we please, i'm talking to the us and uk governments now and others, can we take a step back and rein it in and find a way toa back and rein it in and find a way to a lasting peace?— to a lasting peace? what is happening _ to a lasting peace? what is happening where _ to a lasting peace? what is happening where you - to a lasting peace? what is happening where you are i to a lasting peace? what is| happening where you are in to a lasting peace? what is - happening where you are in khan younis? how bad is it for you in terms of getting hold of food, fuel and things like that?—

and things like that? there are bi . .. and things like that? there are big- -- fuel _ and things like that? there are big... fuel is _ and things like that? there are big... fuel is probably - and things like that? there are big... fuel is probably the - and things like that? there are | big... fuel is probably the major shortage right now, people are dependent on fuel to get water because the pumped water in gaza, there is no municipal pundits apply now so people using their own home motors —— there is no municipal pumped water now so people pump using their own home motors. drinking water is another story because drinking water, you can't get drinking water from the supply, you have to buy drinking water separately and that is being distributed very, very sporadically by people on donkey carts and we don't know how long that will continue. 0n food, we have been able to get food from day to day. people but i know who are seeking shelter in schools, there are maybe 100,000

people sheltering in schools, i have been asking them what they have been getting to eat and they said a can of sardines and corned beef, no bread. people in gaza live hand to mouth, they don't have savings or stocks, people are dependent, one breadwinner will support 20 or 30 people so people are really struggling. people so people are really struggling-— people so people are really struggling. people so people are really stru~lin~. �* , ., people so people are really stru~lin~. �* , . ., struggling. i'm so sorry, we are out of time, struggling. i'm so sorry, we are out of time. it — struggling. i'm so sorry, we are out of time. it has _ struggling. i'm so sorry, we are out of time, it has been _ struggling. i'm so sorry, we are out of time, it has been really - of time, it has been really interesting to talk to you and if you have time in the coming days, and talk to us again, but in the meantime, you so much. i am back in a few minutes with more on this developing story. stay with us on bbc news. hello. the new week starts in the way the weekend was, with temperatures below average for the time of year.

quite a chilly start to the week. that's denoted by the blues on this chart. however, warmer than normal temperatures — these are the oranges and reds — push towards us this week, but they will come at a price. the pressure chart tells the tale. high pressure recedes, low pressure is going to take hold across much of western europe. it's going to bring outbreaks of rain, some of it should be relentless in eastern scotland later in the week, and some very strong winds, particularly around the north sea again, later in the week. as for the here and now, well, the winds are light for most. a bit of a breeze blowing through shetland. a few showers here. more of a breeze developing towards the south—west. in—between, most will be dry. a few showers in south—west scotland, eastern northern ireland, and one or two later on across parts of east anglia. but compared with the weekend, a lot more cloud around. and the sunshine that we do have, a bit on the hazy side. temperatures all fairly similar to what we saw yesterday, at around 11 to 1a degrees. now, into this evening and overnight, where the winds are lightest across parts of scotland, northern ireland, northern england, skies clearest. tomorrow, here, we see the coldest conditions into tomorrow morning. the greatest chance of frost for your tuesday—morning commute. head further south, temperatures nowhere near as low.

we saw temperatures down to —1, this morning, 8 or 9 degrees for many. a bit more breeze, a bit more cloud, and that cloud towards cornwall, devon will bring outbreaks of rain through the day, eventually pushing in towards the far south—west of wales, pembrokeshire, also carmarthenshire. most of you, though, will be dry. sunshine again, fairly hazy. the bluest of the skies the further north you are. and temperatures for all just lifting by a degree or so compared to what we've seen the past few days. and that's because we start to drag in south—easterly winds as we go through into the middle part of the week, but these weather fronts push their way up northwards. with it, strengthening winds across the country for wednesday. outbreaks of rain initially across scotland ease for a time. elsewhere, some drier and brighter weather, but some of the more persistent rain will be there across parts of wales and the south—west later. for all, as i said, a windy day. temperatures will rise a bit but, of course, that will be tempered by the strength of the wind, especially across parts of scotland and north—east england. beyond that, winds could get

even stronger still around north sea coasts. we'll all see rain at times for the end of the week and into the weekend. there will be some drier moments, and temperatures will temporarily rise, before dropping at the weekend. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: thousands of people wait at the crossing between egypt and gaza, which hasn't reopened despite reports.

the build—up of israeli troops continues near gaza, before an expected ground offensive targeting hamas. in other news, projected results in poland's general election suggest the governing law and justice party has lost its majority. more now on the war in the middle east, where the rafah crossing between gaza and egypt remains closed, despite us reports that it could reopen. for days, tens of thousands of palestinians have been arriving at the crossing, as conditions in gaza steadily worsen. they had been warned to move south from northern gaza, before what is expected to be a major ground offensive by israel. the operation is in response to an attack by hamas which killed 11100 people in israel last week. it's more than a week since hamas launched its devastating attack on israel. clive myrie reminds of what has happened in that time. the assault began in the early hours of last saturday with thousands of rockets fired on the south of

the country from gaza.