the pentagon confirms in the last hour that it's intercepted missiles fired along the red sea — and says it will do whatever is neccessary to protect its partners. the region is on edge as the israelis brief that they were the targets of those missiles, and their army is ordered to prepare for action in gaza. as the israeli defence minsiter rallies his soldiers near gaza's border, we'll ask if diplomacy by the west and by the arab world can change israel's plan? we speak to the former israeli prime minister ehud barak, who's not thinking about backing off. we have to act and we have to win, and we will do it. also tonight... more than 200 hostages

are still missing, most likely held in gaza. we'll be hearing from the brother of one of them, inbar haiman, who was kidnapped from the supernova music festival. what's the best chance of getting her and the others back home? good evening. in the last hour there have been developments in the middle east which have sparked new concerns at the prospect of a widening conflict, directly drawing in actors from beyond the borders of israel and gaza. speaking in the pentagon, american officials confirmed they had shot down three missiles and several drones it said had been fired from yemen heading along the red sea, potentially towards israel. it is currently too soon to know for sure who fired the missiles, but of course yemen is the base for houthi rebels who are backed by iran and supportive of the palestinians. the development comes after another day of diplomacy, with rishi sunak visiting first israel and then saudi arabia as part of a two day trip. we'll discuss the diplomatic efforts in a moment — and ask whether any of israel's arab neighbours have any leverage over hamas, which might encourage a climb

down from the group, proscribed by many western nations as a terrorist organisation. first, let's try to understand this latest development tonight — mark's with me. what do you know about this failed attack? �* , ., ., ., , attack? best to have a quick listen initiall to attack? best to have a quick listen initially to what _ attack? best to have a quick listen initially to what we _ attack? best to have a quick listen initially to what we got _ attack? best to have a quick listen initially to what we got from - attack? best to have a quick listen initially to what we got from the i initially to what we got from the pentagon one hour ago. the initially to what we got from the pentagon one hour ago. the crew of the uuided pentagon one hour ago. the crew of the guided missile _ pentagon one hour ago. the crew of the guided missile destroyer- the guided missile destroyer operating in the northern red sea earlier_ operating in the northern red sea earlier today shot down three land attack _ earlier today shot down three land attack cruise missiles and several drones_ attack cruise missiles and several drones that were launched by houthi forces _ drones that were launched by houthi forces in _ drones that were launched by houthi forces in yemen. we cannot say for certain— forces in yemen. we cannot say for certain what — forces in yemen. we cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones— certain what these missiles and drones were targeting that there were _ drones were targeting that there were launched from yemen heading north— were launched from yemen heading north along the red sea, potentially towards _ north along the red sea, potentially towards targets in israel. well—connected israeli journalists are saying on social media that they have been proved that israel was a target for the missiles. the method

of attack, long—range precision cruise missiles, very similar to attacks onjeddah one year and a half ago and eastern saudi arabian oilfacilities four half ago and eastern saudi arabian oil facilities four years ago so this mode of attack has been used before. quite advanced weapons, believed to have been provided by iran, to these people in yemen, to provide a sort of measure if not deniability, arm's length strike capability. that is what we have seenin capability. that is what we have seen in the past and it would appear that this is what happened this evening. that this is what happened this evenina. , .. ., , that this is what happened this evenina. , ., , ., that this is what happened this evenina. , ., ., evening. the implications of iran are re evening. the implications of iran are pretty substantial. _ evening. the implications of iran are pretty substantial. they - evening. the implications of iran are pretty substantial. they are. | are pretty substantial. they are. his brother _ are pretty substantial. they are. his brother mark _ are pretty substantial. they are. his brother mark has _ are pretty substantial. they are. his brother mark has a - are pretty substantial. they are. his brother mark has a huge - are pretty substantial. they are. - his brother mark has a huge missile arsenal. —— hezbollah, they have been involved in exchanges of fire and members of hezbollah are said to have been killed in israeli strikes

so the mercury is rising there but it was not an all—out massive missile attack, and his brother is capable of that, it was a ratcheting up, apparently, through proxies in yemen. �* _ up, apparently, through proxies in yemen. , yemen. and possibly time, rishi sunak is in _ yemen. and possibly time, rishi sunak is in saudi _ yemen. and possibly time, rishi sunak is in saudi arabia - yemen. and possibly time, rishi sunak is in saudi arabia tonightl sunak is in saudi arabia tonight after having been in israel today, is the significance of the action given his presence? he is the significance of the action given his presence?— given his presence? he is on a diplomatic— given his presence? he is on a diplomatic mission _ given his presence? he is on a diplomatic mission out - given his presence? he is on a diplomatic mission out there, | diplomatic mission out there, primarily today to express solidarity with israel but he did go on to saudi arabia and he met with the crown prince. the agenda for this appears to be heading off the chance of a regional conflict and if a regional conflict is what we are rolling into anyway, there could be a possibility that he is also around to test the waters about a coalition of the willing. with saudi arabia line—up withjordan? perhaps the

emirates and the us? if it did come to a military confrontation with iran? for its part, we might have a map we can look at, i ran as its allies and shia militias in the south of levin on, and they have people as well, proxies in assyria and there is iraq and iran, the labels or the wrong way around, so there are large numbers of forces and attack options, if this keeps rising. and attack options, if this keeps risinu. ~ , , rising. the prime minister is there with the number— rising. the prime minister is there with the number one _ rising. the prime minister is there with the number one priority, - with the number one priority, perhaps a coalition of the willing and the secretary, the foreign secretary james cleverly is also in the region with a different priority of. it is clear from what he said this morning, he had a post on

social media, and he is going to the people who he thinks might be able to help with hostages and might also, as part of that discussion, be able to discuss the question of humanitarian aid, and if you look at where it is on his itinerary, he has egypt, which is a country that used to be in control of the gaza strip decades ago but still has very good intelligence networks and lots of ways of talking to hamas. he is going to qatar, the biggest funder of hamas, and he is going to turkey, which is also given much more general political support to hamas over the years. it is clear from the points on his itinerary but he is trying to get lines in. it is thought that ten british people might be among the hostages taken back into gaza on october the 7th by those hamas operatives. taste back into gaza on october the 7th by those hamas operatives.— back into gaza on october the 7th by those hamas operatives. we will talk about hostages _

those hamas operatives. we will talk about hostages and _ those hamas operatives. we will talk about hostages and the _ those hamas operatives. we will talk about hostages and the role - those hamas operatives. we will talk about hostages and the role of- about hostages and the role of qatar. they are possible mediators to get the hostages back. but to talk about what has just happened,... joining me now is kim darroch, former national security adviser and british ambassador to the united states from 2016 to 2019. and from washington dc tuqa nusairat, director of strategy and operations for the atlantic council's middle east programme. thank you forjoining us. first of all, kim darroch, what do you make of this news?— of this news? extraordinarily worrying. — of this news? extraordinarily worrying. one _ of this news? extraordinarily worrying, one of— of this news? extraordinarily worrying, one of the - of this news? extraordinarily worrying, one of the great i of this news? extraordinarily i worrying, one of the great fears since this has erupted its regional escalation. and the tip of that is about iranian involvement. perhaps we thought iran was most likely to get involved by encouraging hezbollah to attack israeli forces in the north of israel. but if they are behind these missiles that have come out of the houthi territories and these drones, that is

extraordinarily provocative and the americans have said they have been messaging iran through the various channels open to them to warn them to back off and not get involved and then this happens, moreover potentially close to the eve of the israelis launching the ground operation in gaza. there is a potential timing link there. and this is about as worrying news as you could have.— you could have. first of all, tuqa nusairat, — you could have. first of all, tuqa nusairat, what _ you could have. first of all, tuqa nusairat, what is _ you could have. first of all, tuqa nusairat, what is your _ you could have. first of all, tuqa nusairat, what is your reaction . you could have. first of all, tuqa| nusairat, what is your reaction to the news of this shooting down of the news of this shooting down of the cruise missiles? i the news of this shooting down of the cruise missiles?— the cruise missiles? i think this is exactly what _ the cruise missiles? i think this is exactly what we _ the cruise missiles? i think this is exactly what we have _ the cruise missiles? i think this is exactly what we have been - the cruise missiles? i think this is| exactly what we have been worried about _ exactly what we have been worried about and — exactly what we have been worried about and escalating the war beyond the territories of the palestinian territories of israel. this is unfortunately allowing some of these cohfiicts _ unfortunately allowing some of these conflicts to continue to fester on resuit, _ conflicts to continue to fester on result, whether yemen or syria and it witt— result, whether yemen or syria and it will definitely have an impact when _ it will definitely have an impact when there is escalation in other parts _ when there is escalation in other parts of— when there is escalation in other parts of the middle east. right now the focus _ parts of the middle east. right now the focus is on ending some of the

immediate — the focus is on ending some of the immediate military and crises but also in _ immediate military and crises but also in the — immediate military and crises but also in the long—term, there has to be a dressing of some of these issues — be a dressing of some of these issues that impact different countries in the region in a differerrt— countries in the region in a different way. so countries in the region in a different way.— countries in the region in a different way. countries in the region in a different wa . , ., ., different way. so in your view, who has the best _ different way. so in your view, who has the best chance _ different way. so in your view, who has the best chance of _ different way. so in your view, who has the best chance of influencing l has the best chance of influencing hamas? it has the best chance of influencing hamas? , my has the best chance of influencing hamas? , . ., ., hamas? it is tricky. there are a number of _ hamas? it is tricky. there are a number of parties _ hamas? it is tricky. there are a number of parties that - hamas? it is tricky. there are a number of parties that could i hamas? it is tricky. there are a number of parties that could be involved — number of parties that could be involved in negotiating with hamas, you mentioned the key negotiator that has— you mentioned the key negotiator that has been active in different confiicts. — that has been active in different conflicts, including when the us withdrew — conflicts, including when the us withdrew from afghanistan. so it does _ withdrew from afghanistan. so it does have — withdrew from afghanistan. so it does have some leverage and jordan and egypt. _ does have some leverage and jordan and egypt, who have had the largest borders— and egypt, who have had the largest borders with israel and the palestinian territories, have strong connections to hamas and are able to leveraged _ connections to hamas and are able to leveraged some of that. but they also have — leveraged some of that. but they also have their own domestic audiences that they have to appease, who are _

audiences that they have to appease, who are very much in support of the palestinian — who are very much in support of the palestinian right to self—determination and the palestinian cause and pushing their leaders _ palestinian cause and pushing their leaders to— palestinian cause and pushing their leaders to end the israeli aggression against palestinians. it is something they are going to have toiuggte _ is something they are going to have tojuggle but they is something they are going to have to juggle but they also want to make sure that _ to juggle but they also want to make sure that this conflict does not suiti— sure that this conflict does not spillover _ sure that this conflict does not spillover. sojordan and egypt sure that this conflict does not spillover. so jordan and egypt with the spill over. so jordan and egypt with the us— spillover. so jordan and egypt with the us help can have an impact on the us help can have an impact on the course — the us help can have an impact on the course of the war. kim darroch, lets move slightly _ the course of the war. kim darroch, lets move slightly away _ the course of the war. kim darroch, lets move slightly away from - the course of the war. kim darroch, lets move slightly away from this i the course of the war. kim darroch, lets move slightly away from this to say thatjoe biden offered $100 million of aid. it may go in through the rafah crossing as early as tomorrow, a fraction of the aid that normally goes to those in gaza and this is presumably a test for hamas because it is clear that the american president is saying is that hamas gets their hands on this and there will be no more aid.— there will be no more aid. exactly riaht there will be no more aid. exactly ri . ht and there will be no more aid. exactly right and it _ there will be no more aid. exactly right and it was _ there will be no more aid. exactly right and it was something - there will be no more aid. exactly right and it was something of- there will be no more aid. exactly right and it was something of a i right and it was something of a breakthrough by president biden to

get agreement from the israelis that the rafah crossing could open and that aid could come through. but they need hundreds a day and this is just 20 lorries in this israelis have made it clear that they will close the crossing again if there is any indication that this is going to hamas and not to those three quarters of a million people down there in southern gaza who really need it, who have no shelter, water, food or fuel. need it, who have no shelter, water, food orfuel. there is a need it, who have no shelter, water, food or fuel. there is a testing time and although it was a genuine breakthrough byjoe biden, it has not delivered yet and it can fall apart at any time. i not delivered yet and it can fall apart at any time.— not delivered yet and it can fall apart at any time. not delivered yet and it can fall a art at an time. ., ., ., apart at any time. i wonder how more broadly the — apart at any time. i wonder how more broadly the art _ apart at any time. i wonder how more broadly the art world _ apart at any time. i wonder how more broadly the art world sees _ apart at any time. i wonder how more broadly the art world sees the - apart at any time. i wonder how more broadly the art world sees the us - broadly the art world sees the us involvement in this conflict? obviously, steadfast in support for israel. but at the same time, concerned about what will happen in the palestinian territories. absolutely. you saw, especially with the turning _

absolutely. you saw, especially with the turning point of the attack on the turning point of the attack on the hospital, you saw people going into the _ the hospital, you saw people going into the streets, particularly in countries — into the streets, particularly in countries where public protest has been _ countries where public protest has been quashed in the last few years like in _ been quashed in the last few years like in egypt, and it is encouraging people _ like in egypt, and it is encouraging people to — like in egypt, and it is encouraging people to protest and this is something that the authoritarian regimes— something that the authoritarian regimes in the country understand that they— regimes in the country understand that they need to respond to, some of the _ that they need to respond to, some of the calls— that they need to respond to, some of the calls for them to be involved. what israel does in gaza is going _ involved. what israel does in gaza is going to — involved. what israel does in gaza is going to be inextricably tied to the role — is going to be inextricably tied to the role of— is going to be inextricably tied to the role of the us. we know that the us, especially with president biden going _ us, especially with president biden going to _ us, especially with president biden going to israel yesterday, this was a very— going to israel yesterday, this was a very big — going to israel yesterday, this was a very big moment of support for israel— a very big moment of support for israel and — a very big moment of support for israel and that has always existed. so the _ israel and that has always existed. so the united states is going to be tied with _ so the united states is going to be tied with what israel does in arab eyes _ tied with what israel does in arab eyes and — tied with what israel does in arab eyes and anti—us sentiment will grow as a result _ eyes and anti—us sentiment will grow as a result of this, especially if there _ as a result of this, especially if there is— as a result of this, especially if there is an _ as a result of this, especially if there is an escalation that a ground

investigation —— attack is evident and as— investigation —— attack is evident and as images of those casualties continue — and as images of those casualties continue to pour onto social media where _ continue to pour onto social media where people have much more access to information and much more on the ground _ to information and much more on the ground reporting than you have from independentjournalists ground reporting than you have from independent journalists across gaza. this is— independent journalists across gaza. this is something that is going to instigate — this is something that is going to instigate some of the continued pressure — instigate some of the continued pressure on the governments of the arab world — pressure on the governments of the arab world. kim pressure on the governments of the arab world-— arab world. kim darroch, this is the oint, that arab world. kim darroch, this is the point. that the _ arab world. kim darroch, this is the point, that the idea _ arab world. kim darroch, this is the point, that the idea that _ arab world. kim darroch, this is the point, that the idea that the - point, that the idea that the israelis actually hit that convoy and get the israelis say that in this attack that is imminent, that it is going to be accurate and deadly. well, of course. people would say that. but as we are just hearing, there will be civilian casualties. hearing, there will be civilian casualties-— hearing, there will be civilian casualties. ., , , ., casualties. people will believe what the want casualties. people will believe what they want to _ casualties. people will believe what they want to believe. _ casualties. people will believe what they want to believe. no _ casualties. people will believe what they want to believe. no matter - casualties. people will believe what | they want to believe. no matter how precise and accurate the attack is,

civilian casualties will become a big issue on the arab streets and the big worry here, if the israelis, the big worry here, if the israelis, the roddy grant operation takes weeks or months, the build—up of opinion in arab countries and global public opinion against what israel is doing, no matter howjustified it is doing, no matter howjustified it is in terms of self defence, will be quick and it will be really serious. to finish on this, in terms of reining — to finish on this, in terms of reining back the israelis for weeks and weeks, do you think there's a diplomatic... and weeks, do you think there's a diplomatic- - -_ diplomatic... macro is the next to . o, diplomatic... macro is the next to to, olaf diplomatic... macro is the next to go. olaf scholz — diplomatic... macro is the next to go, olaf scholz and _ diplomatic... macro is the next to go, olaf scholz and today - diplomatic... macro is the next to go, olaf scholz and today we - diplomatic... macro is the next to go, olaf scholz and today we had | diplomatic... macro is the next to . go, olaf scholz and today we had the prime minister —— macron is the next to go. prime minister -- macron is the next to to. ., u, , prime minister -- macron is the next to to. ., _, , ., prime minister -- macron is the next toao. ., , ., to go. the more countries that say ou need to go. the more countries that say you need to _ to go. the more countries that say you need to obey _ to go. the more countries that say you need to obey the _ to go. the more countries that say you need to obey the rules - to go. the more countries that say you need to obey the rules of- to go. the more countries that say you need to obey the rules of war, to minimise civilian casualties, you

need to think about the objectives of the ground operation and how much you are going to achieve, the better, but let's not underestimate the main voice in this, the american one. if anyone is going to convince the israelis to exercise all the caution we want them to it will be washington. caution we want them to it will be washington-— one of the tasks of diplomacy is to get aid into gaza. we've been told of 20 trucks to be allowed in via the rafah crossing, perhaps tomorrow, but that will deliver only a fraction of the food and medecine needed, so what can aid agencies do? i'm joined by the ceo of actionaid uk, halima begum. thanks forjoining us. you met andrew mitchell today or perhaps it was other agencies as well, so what was other agencies as well, so what was the thrust of the conversation? thanks, kirsty. the thrust of the conversation today was to really focus the british government efforts on bringing about a de—escalation of the conflict and to put the

humanitarian effort in focus. there are about 30 ngos from the british aid sector represented and we pressed for the need for an immediate ceasefire to the minister. we are in a situation with 20 lorries which may go in tomorrow. compared with what people in gaza normally get that is a tiny amount, is it not? ., �* , normally get that is a tiny amount, isitnot? . �*, normally get that is a tiny amount, isitnot? , is it not? that's right. most people don't realise. _ is it not? that's right. most people don't realise, most _ is it not? that's right. most people don't realise, most people - is it not? that's right. most people don't realise, most people in - is it not? that's right. most people don't realise, most people in gaza | don't realise, most people in gaza are already in quite difficult circumstances, there has been a blockade for years and 80% of the population is living in refugee conditions. typically 108 trucks would pass through into gaza on a normal day, everyday, so now we have 20 trucks waiting to cross the border, it's a drop in the ocean. can you give us a sense of what may happen at the crossing? i gather you are quite pessimistic.—

are quite pessimistic. we've heard the egyptians _ are quite pessimistic. we've heard the egyptians have _ are quite pessimistic. we've heard the egyptians have started - are quite pessimistic. we've heard the egyptians have started moving bulldozers over the border in order to clear out the bomb sites and the potholes, suggesting there is a glimmer of hope for us. 20 trucks may go through. but i'm worried, we have 1.2 million people with 28 trucks, that's about half a pound of aid supplies per person. it is trucks, that's about half a pound of aid supplies per person.— aid supplies per person. it is a test to make _ aid supplies per person. it is a test to make sure _ aid supplies per person. it is a test to make sure that - aid supplies per person. it is a test to make sure that none . aid supplies per person. it is a| test to make sure that none of aid supplies per person. it is a - test to make sure that none of the aid goes into the hands of hamas. brute aid goes into the hands of hamas. - shouldn't be applying tests with the lives of people who are desperate for aid. lives of people who are desperate foraid. desperate lives of people who are desperate for aid. desperate people want this aid so we wouldn't want to test this scenario. we should be looking to ensure that the human deterrent corridor is safe. it ensure that the human deterrent corridor is safe.— ensure that the human deterrent corridor is safe. it may also be the start of a ground _ corridor is safe. it may also be the start of a ground offensive - corridor is safe. it may also be the start of a ground offensive so - corridor is safe. it may also be the start of a ground offensive so for. start of a ground offensive so for the aid agencies, the idea of that offensive means you can't do your work? ., , ,

offensive means you can't do your work? . , , , . work? that is why we must look at the optimal— work? that is why we must look at the optimal scenario _ work? that is why we must look at the optimal scenario for _ work? that is why we must look at the optimal scenario for what - work? that is why we must look at the optimal scenario for what the i the optimal scenario for what the aid corridor would look like, which means calling for an immediate ceasefire. no he militarily and worker wants to go across with a risk of a rocket or bomb falling and not only that, it won't be deliberate. it may be an accident. 1.2 million people squeezed and jammed into a tiny space. calling for a ceasefire, _ jammed into a tiny space. calling for a ceasefire, the _ jammed into a tiny space. calling for a ceasefire, the chances - jammed into a tiny space. calling for a ceasefire, the chances of i jammed into a tiny space. calling i for a ceasefire, the chances of that i imagine are very small and the people who are suffering daily are the ordinary citizens, the children and older people, so without a ceasefire, if more aid can get in, should it be brought in even under the circumstances of a ground offensive? irate the circumstances of a ground offensive?— the circumstances of a ground offensive? ~ ., �* ,, ., offensive? we don't know if there will be a ground _ offensive? we don't know if there will be a ground offensive. - offensive? we don't know if there will be a ground offensive. we - offensive? we don't know if there will be a ground offensive. we do| will be a ground offensive. we do though that with the us agreement, the ground water will open and we should give that a chance, to make sure that when the 20 trucks go through, others will go through ——

the border will open. we have pregnant women in gaza and 5000 will give birth this month. it is a catastrophe. not even a crisis. it was a crisis before october the 7th and now it is a catastrophe. without the call for a ceasefire it will be difficult. going back to the discussion with the minister earlier, he talked about trying to arrange a safe zone where perhaps we could think about getting eight supplies in two where the people need it. the problem is the area discussed for the safe zone is about 25 kilometres by one kilometre, tiny. we are trying to fit the population of liverpool, manchester and birmingham into this tiny area. thank you. for more than 200 israeli families, their friends and their wider communities, the dreadful wait to hear about their loved ones taken hostage from kibbutzim and the rave is now almost two weeks long.

the cruelty of hamas is compounded by the lack of information, despite mediators from qatar — a key ally whom rishi sunak has talked to — trying to negotiate their release. it's been 13 days since hamas murdered more than 1300 israelis and took scores of hostages. we still don't know where hundreds of people are. officially, israel has today said at least 203 have been taken hostage by hamas, a proscribed terrorist group. with the families's permission, we've photographs of 178 of those officially identified by the israeli state. the hostage—takers did not discriminate. from babies and children to the elderly, no one was spared. these innocent civilians went missing from a number of kibbutzim. nir oz, nahar oz and be'eri amongst them. all in southern israel, close to the border with gaza. in the hours after the attacks,

each kibbutz drew up separate lists of the living and of the dead. some couldn't be counted on either. this was how families started to get information. some of those who are still missing are people who have dedicated their lives to trying to secure peace between israel and the palestinians. some are relatives of holocaust survivors. others were simply enjoying life when they were taken. young people have been abducted from parties and from the supernova music festival, where hundreds more were gunned down. there are hostages with diabetes and other medical conditions who don't have access to the medicines they need. but from the very young to the very old, what unites the families of the missing is the not knowing. not knowing where their loved ones are, if they're safe and if they'll see them again. many still feel they're not getting the answers stay so desperately need.

the faces you've just seen represented most of the missing but it's a number that changes as the worst news comes in. in the last 2a hours, it's been confirmed that two of the hostages, noya dan, a 12—year—old autistic girl, and her grandmother, carmela, who was 80, had been killed. the trauma for more than 200 families of the missing is unimaginable. the question is who or what can get their loved ones home safely. joining me now to discuss the situation regarding the hostages, the involvement of other countries in negotiations and why there has been so little information is staff editor at the new york times and author of "rise and kill first — the secret history of israel's targeted assassinations", ronen bergman. and inbar haiman, whose brother ido was kidnapped by hamas. thank you

for talking to us at this very difficult time for you and your parents. tell me about ido. thank ou for parents. tell me about ido. thank you for having _ parents. tell me about ido. thank you for having me _ parents. tell me about ido. thank you for having me here. _ parents. tell me about ido. thank you for having me here. ido - parents. tell me about ido. thank you for having me here. ido is - parents. tell me about ido. thank you for having me here. ido is a l you for having me here. ido is a special woman, you for having me here. ido is a specialwoman, not you for having me here. ido is a special woman, not was. you for having me here. ido is a specialwoman, not was. she you for having me here. ido is a special woman, not was. she loved everyone. specialwoman, not was. she loved eve one. . ., , specialwoman, not was. she loved eve one. ,, , ., special woman, not was. she loved - everyone-_ what? everyone. she was helping out? what? she was helping _ everyone. she was helping out? what? she was helping others _ everyone. she was helping out? what? she was helping others there? - everyone. she was helping out? what? she was helping others there? yes. - she was helping others there? yes. she was helping others there? yes. she 'ust she was helping others there? yes. she just wanted _ she was helping others there? jazz she just wanted everyone to have a good time. she cared about peace and love and a couple of terrorists swooped into the place like nothing. there was a video of her, was that taken by hamas?—

there was a video of her, was that taken by hamas? there was a video of her, was that taken b hamas? ., ., ,, ., taken by hamas? from what we know it was taken by — taken by hamas? from what we know it was taken by a — taken by hamas? from what we know it was taken by a couple _ taken by hamas? from what we know it was taken by a couple of _ taken by hamas? from what we know it was taken by a couple of terrorists, - was taken by a couple of terrorists, possibly a mass but she was taken into gaza, from what we know. can the israeli authorities provide any help for you and your family, any information? anything that may help you work out exactly where she might be? irate you work out exactly where she might be? ~ ., you work out exactly where she might be? . . . you work out exactly where she might be? . ., .., be? we have a connection with the minist of be? we have a connection with the ministry of defence _ be? we have a connection with the ministry of defence and _ be? we have a connection with the ministry of defence and the - ministry of defence and the military. for now, the possibility of kidnapping is very hard to identify. irate of kidnapping is very hard to identi . ~ , ., ., m, ., identify. we understand that qatar is ossibl identify. we understand that qatar is possibly going — identify. we understand that qatar is possibly going to _ identify. we understand that qatar is possibly going to lead _ identify. we understand that qatar is possibly going to lead in - is possibly going to lead in negotiations. what do you think the

best hope of getting your sister out? because there's a possibility of negotiation and we also hear of course that there is the possibility of a ground offensive that may start soon and that may change the whole dynamic. soon and that may change the whole d namic. ., , , soon and that may change the whole d namic. .,, , dynamic. hopefully inbar will get here safely _ dynamic. hopefully inbar will get here safely through _ dynamic. hopefully inbar will get here safely through negotiation. | dynamic. hopefully inbar will get| here safely through negotiation. i want to do everything for her, just to see her again. want to do everything for her, 'ust to see her maimi to see her again. thank you for “oininu to see her again. thank you for joining us _ to see her again. thank you for joining us and _ to see her again. thank you for joining us and we _ to see her again. thank you for joining us and we will- to see her again. thank you for joining us and we will issue - to see her again. thank you for| joining us and we will issue and yourfamily well. the joining us and we will issue and your family well. the situation with the hostages is beyond terrible and the hostages is beyond terrible and the news, the death of the little girl and her grandmother. the news, the death of the little girland her grandmother. can you tell me, what do you think is the

scenario for the hostages who are incarcerated now, especially with the possibility of a ground offensive beginning? i the possibility of a ground offensive beginning? the possibility of a ground offensive beatinnin ? , offensive beginning? i 'ust returned from the front, h offensive beginning? ijust returned from the front, visiting _ offensive beginning? ijust returned from the front, visiting a _ offensive beginning? ijust returned from the front, visiting a place - from the front, visiting a place called nir oz, one of the qubits kibbutz that hit, the one with the largest number of deaths —— one of the kibbutz. the large number of deaths and hostages. i attended the funeral of six members of one family. i think the news that american and european intelligence and israeli intelligence and israeli intelligence are hearing from the qatari mediators gives some hope because the qataris report that in their negotiation with the hamas, we have some hints coming from open

media, hamas statements. hamas are saying, we did not order our operatives to kidnapped women and children. we acknowledge the fact that some of the hostages have dual citizenship. the qataris are saying there is a chance of getting some of there is a chance of getting some of the dual citizenship women and children free. they don't say when. if you put this on a timeline, being honest, i don't see a chance that anything will happen before the ground invasion starts. the ground invasion is imminent and i think israeli authorities are not going to wait. they need to come from their point of view, do justice with the people who are behind, the perpetrators of this massive atrocity and then this will happen

before... , , ., before... the possibility that your contact heard _ before... the possibility that your contact heard that _ before... the possibility that your contact heard that hamas - before... the possibility that your contact heard that hamas weren't going to take women and children, that wasn't the idea, welcome it may not have been the idea but they have killed a young orchestra girl and a grandmother. —— a young autistic girl. this is the difficulty facing israeli soldiers conducting an attack, knowing that it could mean the death of some hostages. riff the death of some hostages. of course. in old times, indeed before october the 7th, just two weeks ago, the reasoning behind not going in to a ground invasion, the main reason not to do that was the life of israeli soldiers who may be kidnapped or killed. the issue of the mia pows to secure the release

of pows was always the highest consideration of israeli leadership, there is no bigger religious edict and the reduction of prisoners but what happened on october seven, the atrocity, the massacre, is so severe then the israeli leadership, it's notjust benjamin netanyahu but any israeli prime minister who would have been in that seat, they believed that if something is not done, something aggressive, severe, something that would mean disassembling the hamas regime then israel would put itself in an existential threat. and therefore i would say this is the priority and other things including the lives of the hostages... other things including the lives of the hostages. . ._ the hostages... that is a cruel thin to

the hostages. .. that is a cruel thing to hear— the hostages. .. that is a cruel thing to hear if— the hostages... that is a cruel thing to hear if you _ the hostages... that is a cruel thing to hear if you are - the hostages... that is a cruel thing to hear if you are family| the hostages... that is a cruel - thing to hear if you are family who have the family members being held hostage. there is a negotiation for 50 people who are dual citizens. i want to ask you something that might seem quite extraordinary to ask about their is no... people talked about their is no... people talked about their is no... people talked about the possibility of some kind of rescue mission but that's not an option, is it? we also have to bear in mind that hamas is playing a very sensitive nerve with the israeli public, with the passages. and they have this offer up we will release the hostages in exchange for israel not attacking, so putting the blame... they say it was those attacks that came after hamas... there is realistically no chance of a rescue

mission, not to rescue one person or a few people in one place that is isolated from the rest of the military troops. where are the hostages? to get there. underground. in highly densely populated area, where hamas already... american intelligence sent some special experts to help israel figure out if this is possible but it is not going to happen, realistically. thank you ve much to happen, realistically. thank you very much for— to happen, realistically. thank you very much forjoining _ to happen, realistically. thank you very much forjoining us _ to happen, realistically. thank you very much forjoining us tonight. l as we heard earlierfrom mark, senior israeli officials were today talking up the prospect of an imminent — and in their words, difficult — ground operation inside gaza. almost a fortnight on, are israelis reconciled to a prolonged conflict with hamas? and what form might the ground operation against that group — proscribed, of course by many western nations as a terrorist group — take? emir sat down earlier

in tel aviv with ehud barak, a former prime minister of israel. he started by asking him whether israel is listening to calls for a ceasefire from abroad. every air strike, every target is going through more than one no nation on earth can afford being attacked by a body like hamas or isis, as you call it. and attacked by a body like hamas or isis, as you call it.— isis, as you call it. and 'ust allow that to happen. h isis, as you call it. and 'ust allow that to happen. is _ isis, as you call it. and just allow that to happen. is there - isis, as you call it. and just allow that to happen. is there a - isis, as you call it. and just allow that to happen. is there a solid l that to happen. is there a solid intelligence behind every air strike? , ., , ~ , strike? every air strike, every taruet is strike? every air strike, every target is going _ strike? every air strike, every target is going through - strike? every air strike, every target is going through more | strike? every air strike, every - target is going through more than one iteration of checking. we're being told that there is significant intelligence behind every airstrike. and yet two weeks ago, the israeli army, the israeli intelligence had not the slightest idea that this was about to happen, or didn't seem to anticipate

that the biggest attack in 50 years was about to happen. so the two don't sit together. it fits... it happens that good intelligence services are surprised. for i know that no israeli general would give an order to attack a hospital and no pilot will launch a weapon into a place he knows is a hospital. they may well be right. you may well be right. but the reason why so many people find it credible that they can believe this is because schools have been hit. numerous hospitals have been told by the israeli army to be evacuated ahead of a strike because it is a potential target. i don't know to what extent the viewers of the bbc know that the central command post of the hamas in gaza strip is where it is. it's in a bunker underneath the shifa hospital. the biggest hospital in the gaza strip is the place under which they buried their command post in order to be protected by those patients.

that's a very strong claim and we have to take your word for it, the israeli army's word for it, because you're the only people saying that, and it could be used...that is a line that could be used to justify a very, very devastating attack on one of the most important places, humanitarian places within gaza. so first of all, it's a matter of fact. it's known to everyone who knows the middle east. every reporter that lives in gaza or in israel knows that the command post of the hamas in the gaza strip is underneath. we have not heard that. we've not heard that. no one outside of the israeli army is saying that. i am happy to be the first to tell you. but it's deliberate. it's a system that doesn't care about their own citizens. so we are facing a tough and shrewd rival, but we are determined to destroy it. and we will do.

and it will take... so you think you're going to attack the shifa hospital? do you think that's what's next? because this language is extremely... it's laying the ground for any humanitarian position in the gaza strip to be leveled. believe me... nowhere's safe. ..it�*s more complicated. so i can promise you that we will never attack the hospital as it is full with patients who are there, in spite of knowing that it's deliberately underneath the hospital. but i cannot promise you for sure that at a certain point we won't impose a kind of taking the patients out and passing them to another installation where they can be treated safely and then destroy the command post of hamas.

i wonder whether you truly believe if, once this war is over in some form, that you can seriously negotiate, build a relationship with the gazans that are there, or whether they will just be so distressed and damaged by the israel campaign that they couldn't possibly negotiate peace with you and couldn't possibly live next to you. i told you — come back and interview me when it is over. we are now focused on destroying the hamas. we don't want to spend attention of future questions... but the future affects the present and the way you conduct yourself. believe — i do not need any preaching from anyone about an attempt to make peace with our neighbors at a price for israel and taking risks. i did it myself personally as prime minister of israel. take everything into account. but we have to act and we have

to win, and we will do it. thank you. the polls have closed in by—elections in two key tory seats — in mid bedfordshire, where nadine dorries finally stood down, bequeathing a majority of almost 25,000, and in tamworth, where chris pincher called it a day. he had a majority of 19,000. so what's the likelihood of labour taking both? i'm joined by nick. what are you hearing? as you say, it is two by-elections _ what are you hearing? as you say, it is two by-elections and _ what are you hearing? as you say, it is two by-elections and they - what are you hearing? as you say, it is two by-elections and they one - is two by—elections and they one theme is that it looks like the conservative vote has collapsed. there is a view in tamworth that is a two—horse race between labour and the conservatives, a feeling in both parties that that will be enough to get labour over the line, quite something. chris pincher had a majority ofjust over 19,000 at the 2019 election so labour would be very pleased although they did hold that until 2010. in mid bedfordshire

if you ask the party is what will happen they say we do not know and the reason for that is it is a rare by—election where both labour and the lib dems have been the challenger party. it looks like the labour vote is holding up in the times in bedfordshire but the liberal democrats say they have been switching conservative voters in the villages so they generally say they do not know. labour think it is possible they could do it and they think they have displaced liberal democrats and they might win it but they are being very cautious about what they are saying.— they are being very cautious about what they are saying. thank you very much indeed- — do not adjust your set — kirsty has allowed me to read this last little bit, mainly because it's about her and she's too modest to do it. today was the 30th anniverssary of her first presenting shift on this programme. she's also announced that she'll be leaving us after the next general election, which, of course, is our loss. for my own part, i can say it's been an enormous pleasure to have worked with her.

there is more of her to come... we'll leave you tonight with a compilation of kirsty—tastic moments from that year shejoined us. do join her again tomorrow. until then — goodnight. now on bbc two, kirsty wark presents newsnight. - newsnight theme plays. good evening.... the spirit of mrs thatcher still stalks the backbench tory 1922 committee after mainstream mps failed to oust the right. the 1922 committee wields a considerable amount of power. all the more because of john major's slender majority. the 22 has given the prime

minister a lot of grief, particularly over europe. the 1922 committee does still contain a great challenge to euro unity within the conservative party. there are already rebellions brewing over vat on fuel, defence cuts and rail privatisation. what are the core values that the conservative party has? motherhood, apple pie and staying in power, i would have said. it has been an unprecedented day in british politics. sir patrick mayhew comes to the commons to lay out chapter and verse on the government's secret dealings in northern ireland. talks with the ira are confirmed, despite all the previous denials. it was enough to send the reverend paisley into a rage, and in turn, he was thrown out of westminster for unparliamentary language. are you prepared to talk about ending violence? i want to see an end to violence. i want peace. john major and albert reynolds will agree on a joint peace declaration at downing street tomorrow. there is no future in violence. this is a historic opportunity for peace.