while others were locked out of clubs and pubs in the pandemic, neil could keep improving. he is one of these players that you want in your side because he will encourage every other player. he is really committed to the side. hoping his lucky streak continues, neil has his lottery numbers painted on his pool balls. 14, 16... but it's hard work which has earned him the call to lead his nation in malta next month. you're captaining your country and it's a proud honour. in any sport. if it was tiddlywinks, you're still captain of your country, and it's a proud moment. so a decade after pocketing the cash, neil hopes his investment is about to pay off. hywel griffith, bbc news. and very good luck to him. time for a look at the weather.

here's stav daneos. this week i started on a fine note, pretty decent day today with some sunshine but from tomorrow onwards it will turn more unsettled. the next few days are not too bad, some sunshine around and a bit of rain here and there particularly in northern england and areas where they don't need the rainfall but by they don't need the rainfall but by the end of the week of this large low pressure will come in and bring more windy weather with plenty of showers. a complicated pressure pattern across the uk tonight and tomorrow, one weather front working in from the south—west and another pushing up from the east, both emerging across england wales to bring a wider spread area of cloud and rain and that rain will pep up across northern and eastern england. elsewhere, clear spells and showers and a mild night. tomorrow, it looks like the wettest weather will be across northern and eastern england, across northern and eastern england, a met office yellow one in force until 4pm and elsewhere, not a bad day, some sunshine with some share

was dotted around and light and variable winds and temperatures in the low to mid—teens for many. wednesday is this the main reason the israelis — and their allies — are holding back the ground offensive? today, the us president said of a possible ceasefire... "we should have these hostages released and then we can talk." emir is in israel with the latest and has spoken to a former israeli hostage negotiator. hamas has a note in beirut, in doha, in gaza, a willingness to release

civilian hostages for an immediate israeli ceasefire, stopping the attacks on gaza. i'll be analysing the reasons why israel has so far held back from sending the army into gaza. so what are the possible ways out of this terrible conflict? we'll be joined by amir avivi, a former israeli commander in gaza, and arran david miller, a former middle east peace negotiator who was part of the team that delivered the oslo accords. and, with warnings that hospitals in gaza may cease to function in less than two days without fuel, we'll be speaking to marwanjilani, the director—general of the palestinian red crescent. also tonight... has the uk government's manifesto pledge to ban no—fault evictions in england been kicked into the long grass, now that it won't be enacted until the courts are reformed? we'll be joined by polly neate, the chief executive of shelter, and ben beadle, who's representing landlords. good evening. when the first two hostages — a mother and daughter — were freed by hamas last friday, the qatari negotiators said

they were working hard towards further releases, and indeed there were unconfirmed reports earlier today that as many as 50 dual—nationals could soon be released. in the event, two women — both israelis — were freed earlier this evening. one of the women is 85—year—old yoshaved lifsvitch — her daughter sharone spoke to us on october 12th. iam i am speechless. i don't know how to understand it. we are neighbours. we've been part of that place, my parents for 65 years. these are our neighbours, the people that are a mile away from us, you know. sharone released a statement tonight saying, "while i cannot put "into words the relief that she is now safe, "i will remain focused on securing the release of my father "and all those some 200 innocent people who remain hostages in gaza." here's emir in tel aviv.

well, the news broke tonight at around the same time as on friday, when the first two hostages were released, also women, bringing the total now up to four hostages released. the two elderly women released. the two elderly women released tonight are both believed to be resident of the same kibbutz. the israeli government have said their husbands, who are in their 80s, are believed to still be being kept by hamas in gaza. they women are understood to have left gaza via egypt and are now back in israel. hamas has said they have released the two on health and humanitarian grounds, and they have noted the work of qatari and egyptian mediators. it's not clear what hamas is received in return, if anything. there were rumours today that up to 50 hostages could be released, but those rumours didn't come to pass and there is a question around, was

hamas demanding fuel in return to enter gaza but we can't when you say any more. the impression we are getting, i spoke to one contact in the qatari government, you get the impression there is still serious ongoing talks, and obviously that doesn't bode well for the release of the remaining hostages. —— that does bode well for the today, we heard a figure from the israeli government that they have increased the count up that they have increased the count up to 222, the official figure. that's now down to 220 with the release of the two women, but there are fears among the families of those who are still being kept that among the elderly, beyond the ugly and the dual nationals, will hamas give up the other hostages so easily? so i spoke to the mother of one yeoman, a 20—year—old man who is

eight so national, and she articulated that fear, would hamas give him up so easily? would dual nationals be prioritised next, there are a lot of questions remaining to dip you can watch our interview as part of our report from today. in tel aviv, a table was laid for those who can't be here. bread, wine and a baby's bottle. photos shared by families in anguish next to the messages written to those who can't be reached. earlier today, we spoke to the mother of one such hostage. he liked people. he wanted to help everybody all the time. and my wish is now that... the same he was help people.

he will get help now because they need it. can you tell me how you've been spending your days the past two, nearly three weeks? what does your day look like? it's looked like one one day. it's the first day. we are in a long, long, long day. not two weeks. i can't believe its two weeks. the people who are not responsible in gaza. is that something that crosses your mind? there's no—one that's not responsible in gaza. you know why? we are talking about innocent people. there is no innocent people in gaza because the innocent people should help. and yet there are some voices in israel who push for a different path, that a military solution to this moment is no solution at all. unfortunately, we hear too many, too many ministers in israel saying first war, then the hostages. and this is a horrific message. and if someone thinks that that's

a solution for something that's with another military operation, we will achieve security, safety to the people in israel, they are wrong. the only solution right now is a solution of understanding that there are palestinians living on this land. they are living without freedom. it does notjustify the crimes against humanity that hamas committed. hamas is a terrorist organization that needs to be isolated and destroyed. but next to it we need to understand it, we need to seek solutions. and a solution is not another war. the most important thing i've done in my life, i saved a human life. how many people can say that? the man who negotiated the release of a high profile hostage sees space opening up for more mediation. the fact that the land incursion hasn't begun yet is primarily because of the hostage issues. i think they have to be exploring every possibility to bring out hostages alive, as many as possible. hamas has announced in beirut, in doha, in gaza, a willingness

to release civilian hostages for an immediate and comprehensive israeli ceasefire, stopping the attacks on gaza. we don't know how to move forward with that because, one, we don't know hamas, how hamas defines civilians. for hamas, every israeli is a soldier. but obviously there are infants, there are young children, there are old people. hurt and anger in equal measure. one voice of the torment that has gripped much of the israeli nation. for the families of those who are still missing, it's another glimpse of hope and yet another night in the day that doesn't end. gaza passed a grim milestone today, with the news from gaza's ministry of health that more than 5,000 people have been killed, almost half of that number children, and the un humanitarian office said that more than half the gazan population has been displaced, many of them to un shelters. the call by five aid agencies, including the world food programme and the who, for a humanitarian

ceasefire has not been heeded by either side today. today too, rishi sunak has added his voice to other world leaders, saying the al—ahli hospital blast was likely caused by a rocket or a part of a rocket fired from within gaza towards israel. while israel says it will take up to three months to clear out hamas, there is no sign of the much—vaunted ground offensive. so what are israel's and the us�*s considerations? here's mark. there are several reasons why the expected ground assault on gaza hasn't started yet. firstly, israel and the us want to make sure their military preparations are complete before that happens, and those deployments have to take account of the fact that hezbollah in lebanon — as well as other iranian proxies in iraq, syria and yemen — may well launch large—scale attacks once the israelis go in. america is building up

forces, from the ford carrier battle group, which was there when this conflict started, to two squadrons of a10 aircraft and one of f15s that subsequently deployed tojordan. a second carrier group, the eisenhower, set sail eight days ago and will be due in the eastern mediterranean soon. and additional deployments of air defence units made public by the pentagon yesterday could take a week or so to materialise. these deployments are first and foremost to defend american troops in the region, but they're also there to protect israel from missile attack — as we saw last thursday, when an american destroyer shot down missiles fired from yemen — and to deter iran from ordering hezbollah and other iranian proxies from going all out. would this american fire power also be used to bomb these iranian proxy groups? that's unclear.

the us military is primarily for deterrence, as you have said, but they will also be prepared to act if something happens. they are very worried about this war expanding into lebanon, with hezbollah, or with iran in particular. there is no evidence that those countries or hezbollah are desperate to get involved either. and what about the israelis? so far, they've listened to american appeals not to start the ground offensive. holding off helps the flow of humanitarian aid, easing a desperate situation in gaza, and also the prospect of more hostages being released. of course, the taking of hostages — israel today updated the number kidnapped to 222 — was likely intended by hamas to paralyse their opponent. and hundreds of us passport holders too, mainly palestinians, wanting to leave gaza, who have been blocked

from getting out, according to the biden administration. to date, hamas has blocked them from leaving, showing again its total disregard for civilians of any kind who are stuck in gaza. as for the scale of suffering, the hamas—controlled health ministry said today that the number killed in airstrikes exceeds 5,000. and, just as israel hasn't allowed the presence of hostages to stop the aerial bombardment, so it won't allow these factors to dictate their next move. and that brings us to the last reason for holding back ground forces over the past week, the question of whether they are militarily ready and, indeed, whether they have a political plan for the so—called morning after. israel has deployed three divisions, something like 60,000 troops, close to gaza. many are reservists whose skills may be rusty and from whom an enormous amount may be demanded. in all likelihood, their commanders will have wanted time for more training drills.

add together the desire to get more hostages and foreign passport holders out, the ongoing build—up of american military power and israel's assault planning, and it could be that a ground action might still be some days off. assuming it still happens. but, at this point, with the forces on gaza's borders, it would be a rash observer who predicted that these delays will go on indefinitely. and nowjoining me remotely, former idf deputy commander of the gaza division, amir avivi. and former us state department adviser on the middle east, aaron david miller. good evening. if i could begin with you, on newsnight recently, you predicted that palestinian civilians would flee into the sinai. we now know that's not going to happen, not

least because hamas doesn't want it to happen. i'm afraid i think you are muted. i wasjust saying that i'm afraid i think you are muted. i was just saying that when you came on newsnight before, you predicted palestinian civilians would flee into the sinai, but that is not something hamas wanted and indeed, it has not happened. weill. something hamas wanted and indeed, it has not happened.— it has not happened. well, you know, we asked the — it has not happened. well, you know, we asked the palestinians _ it has not happened. well, you know, we asked the palestinians to - it has not happened. well, you know, we asked the palestinians to move i we asked the palestinians to move self. and they are concentrated in an area which is basically an area thatis an area which is basically an area that is safe —— move south. israel is preparing for the ground incursion which will happen probably incursion which will happen probably in the coming days, assuming that it is going to happen. i see a lot of talking about the issue of hostages. it's important, it is crucial, but it probably will be solved by the

ground incursion more than anything else and therefore, it is not something that is going to stop what is imminent. going in. and i think still, there is a lot of pressure to put on egypt to open the border and unable palestinians to get out of gaza who want to get out. you 'ust said ou gaza who want to get out. you 'ust said you thought i gaza who want to get out. you 'ust said you thought the i gaza who want to get out. you 'ust said you thought the hostage h gaza who want to get out. you just said you thought the hostage crisis would be solved by the ground incursion —— and enable. surely it is more likely the hostages would be further injured or even die in a ground incursion.— ground incursion. well, i don't think s0- _ ground incursion. well, i don't think so. ithink— ground incursion. well, i don't think so. i think that the - think so. i think that the best chance is israeli soldiers going in and reaching the points where they are. and they are doing the negotiations well surrounding these places and releasing them. i think that at the moment, hamas is trying

to use hostages to prevent what is imminent. total destruction. and trying to gain time and trying to really get israel not to do the ground incursion. but this is not going to work. because at the end of the day, the rules of war are really clear, go in and destroy this organisation come of this infrastructure inside of gaza. so at the moment. _ infrastructure inside of gaza. so at the moment, we _ infrastructure inside of gaza. so at the moment, we understand - infrastructure inside of gaza. so at the moment, we understand american lieutenant generaljames glenn has been attacked at the —— attached to the israel defence ministry, which suggest the americans are so heavily involved in running the show that maybe that's why there is no ground offensive necessarily imminent. i think they are completely coordinated with the american administration and forces. we understand all of us that we need to go in and destroy this organisation. we understand that while doing so, we might have also a war with hezbollah in lebanon and this is something we need to coordinate and work together. it is something that

might happen, we don't know. we will probably know that once we go in the ground incursion whether we will have a war with lebanon, but we are completely coordinated, the missions are clear, we are waiting for a green line to move our forces into gaza. ~ ., ., green line to move our forces into gaza. a, ., ~ green line to move our forces into gaza. ~ ., ., ~ ., green line to move our forces into gaza. ., ~ ., , gaza. aaron david miller, that is the military _ gaza. aaron david miller, that is the military scenario. _ gaza. aaron david miller, that is the military scenario. but - gaza. aaron david miller, that is the military scenario. but i - gaza. aaron david miller, that is i the military scenario. but i wonder how much america is also running the diplomatic effort.— diplomatic effort. well, i'm not sure what _ diplomatic effort. well, i'm not sure what diplomatic _ diplomatic effort. well, i'm not sure what diplomatic effort - diplomatic effort. well, i'm not sure what diplomatic effort you j diplomatic effort. well, i'm not - sure what diplomatic effort you are talking _ sure what diplomatic effort you are talking about. i think the president is focused — talking about. i think the president is focused basically on three things _ is focused basically on three things. number one is trying to get the israeiis — things. number one is trying to get the israelis and the egyptians to increase — the israelis and the egyptians to increase humanitarian assistance through— increase humanitarian assistance through rafah which is the only crossing — through rafah which is the only crossing available. they need at least _ crossing available. they need at least 100 — crossing available. they need at least 100 trucks a day. i think only 4% of— least 100 trucks a day. i think only 4% of gaza's — least 100 trucks a day. i think only 4% of gaza's input before these hostilities began had been fulfilled by the _

hostilities began had been fulfilled by the number of trucks coming through. — by the number of trucks coming through, that is number one. number two is _ through, that is number one. number two is deterrence and hopefully de—escalation with respect to the northern— de—escalation with respect to the northern front. the presence of two carrier _ northern front. the presence of two carrier strike — northern front. the presence of two carrier strike groups with a couple of hundred — carrier strike groups with a couple of hundred aircraft and escort vessels — of hundred aircraft and escort vessels suggest that there will be a price to _ vessels suggest that there will be a price to he — vessels suggest that there will be a price to be paid both respect to hezbollah and iran should they involved — hezbollah and iran should they involved themselves in the conflict. number_ involved themselves in the conflict. number three is working with the israeiis _ number three is working with the israeiis in — number three is working with the israelis in two respects. running the show— israelis in two respects. running the show is far too harsh a characterisation of what is happening. i don't think the presence of a three star basically is going — presence of a three star basically is going to — presence of a three star basically is going to fundamentally alter israei's — is going to fundamentally alter israel's plans, military plans for gaza _ israel's plans, military plans for gaza i— israel's plans, military plans for gaza. i think the president over the last few— gaza. i think the president over the last few weeks has worked publicly and privately to get the israelis to think— and privately to get the israelis to think through the consequences and implications of what they are going to do— implications of what they are going to do and _ implications of what they are going to do and what the day after means

and to— to do and what the day after means and to suggest whether or not there are ways _ and to suggest whether or not there are ways to— and to suggest whether or not there are ways to minimise civilian casualties— are ways to minimise civilian casualties and deaths. and get the israeiis _ casualties and deaths. and get the israeiis to— casualties and deaths. and get the israelis to stick to the international humanitarian law. i don't _ international humanitarian law. i don't think— international humanitarian law. i don't think that when all is said and done — don't think that when all is said and done that the administration has any intention of telling the israeiis. _ any intention of telling the israelis, don't do this. but we heard amir— israelis, don't do this. but we heard amir avivi _ israelis, don't do this. but we heard amir avivi say - israelis, don't do this. but we heard amir avivi say that - israelis, don't do this. but we - heard amir avivi say that actually, anything that goes forward, even coordination if in fact, hezbollah is involved, they have 150,000 precision missiles plus more from iran, surely the last thing the americans want is a broader middle east confrontation.— east confrontation. exactly, and i think if the _ east confrontation. exactly, and i think if the reporting _ east confrontation. exactly, and i think if the reporting is _ east confrontation. exactly, and i think if the reporting is correct, l east confrontation. exactly, and i think if the reporting is correct, i | think if the reporting is correct, i think— think if the reporting is correct, i think there — think if the reporting is correct, i think there were voices within the israeii _ think there were voices within the israeii war— think there were voices within the israeli war cabinet that seems to want _ israeli war cabinet that seems to want to— israeli war cabinet that seems to want to pre—empt hezbollah and not wait for— want to pre—empt hezbollah and not wait for an—

want to pre—empt hezbollah and not wait for an escalator recycle, to which _ wait for an escalator recycle, to which the — wait for an escalator recycle, to which the israelis would be forced to respond. i think the administration made it pretty clear that pre—emption was not a good idea -- escalator— that pre—emption was not a good idea -- escalator e — that pre—emption was not a good idea —— escalator e cycle. and it was something _ —— escalator e cycle. and it was something they would not support. so there is— something they would not support. so there is restraint involved. but the real question at the end of the day is, is _ real question at the end of the day is, is there — real question at the end of the day is, is there an alternative to a significant _ is, is there an alternative to a significant ground campaign in gaza from israel's point of view? that is the unanswered question to me. two thins the unanswered question to me. two thin . s to the unanswered question to me. two things to put — the unanswered question to me. two things to put to the unanswered question to me. tartan things to put to you, first about the idea of the last thing the americans want is any kind of escalation. and secondly, is there actually a legitimate alternative to actually a legitimate alternative to a ground campaign? amir. yes, can you hear me? yes, there are two things aaron david miller said. the last thing the americans want is an escalation of a conflict. that is

the last thing they want. and secondly, the question is, is there a viable alternative to a ground offensive?— a viable alternative to a ground offensive? ~ . , , ., offensive? well, the answer is no. i mean, offensive? well, the answer is no. i mean. the — offensive? well, the answer is no. i mean. the only _ offensive? well, the answer is no. i mean, the only alternative - mean, the only alternative militarily to achieve the goals of war is going into a ground incursion and controlling gaza and really spending months, and it will take a lot of time to really dismantle all the infrastructure inside the gaza strip. we are different in the north, the hezbollah border and the golan heights and we intend to keep the situation. we are not going to start a walk with hezbollah. but if hezbollah starts a war, i can say that our troops are ready —— a war. we have amassed a huge force on our northern border. our air force, i can say pretty much has finished its

main missions in gaza and is all ready to be deployed in the north if needed. but i am saying again this is not what we are planning to do. we are on the defence in the north and ready to go on the offence in gaza. i and ready to go on the offence in gaza. ., ~' and ready to go on the offence in gaza. ., ~ ., , ., .,, gaza. i would like to put one last oint to gaza. i would like to put one last point to aaron — gaza. i would like to put one last point to aaron david _ gaza. i would like to put one last point to aaron david miller. - gaza. i would like to put one last| point to aaron david miller. from where you stand, how brutal do you think is the support for benjamin netanyahu? —— brutal. in a way, he has to run the show at the moment, but what does israel really think of him as a leader? i but what does israel really think of him as a leader?— but what does israel really think of him as a leader? i was in jerusalem on october — him as a leader? i was in jerusalem on october the _ him as a leader? i was in jerusalem on october the 69073 _ him as a leader? i was in jerusalem on october the 69073 during - him as a leader? i was in jerusalem on october the 69073 during the i him as a leader? i was in jerusalem l on october the 69073 during the yom kippur— on october the 69073 during the yom kippur war— on october the 69073 during the yom kippur war war, the october war, on october the 69073 during the yom kippurwarwar, the octoberwar, and by april. _ kippurwarwar, the octoberwar, and by april, there was a commission chaired _ by april, there was a commission chaired by— by april, there was a commission chaired by the president of the israeli — chaired by the president of the israeli supreme court —— january this six. — israeli supreme court —— january this six, 1973. there was a report holding _

this six, 1973. there was a report holding the — this six, 1973. there was a report holding the intelligence and security military commanders responsible for the intelligence failure — responsible for the intelligence failure. if left untouched, the israeli — failure. if left untouched, the israeli government led by golda meir~ _ israeli government led by golda meir. but public opinion was so strong — meir. but public opinion was so strong against the intelligence failure — strong against the intelligence failure that she was forced to resign — failure that she was forced to resign. and this is the largest terror— resign. and this is the largest terror attack in the history of the state _ terror attack in the history of the state of — terror attack in the history of the state of israel. it is the largest operational failure given the fact that we — operational failure given the fact that we are not talking about soldiers _ that we are not talking about soldiers primarily. we are talking about _ soldiers primarily. we are talking about indiscriminate killing of israelis. — about indiscriminate killing of israelis, men, women and children. torture. _ israelis, men, women and children. torture. rape. — israelis, men, women and children. torture, rape, hostage taking. and the idf_ torture, rape, hostage taking. and the w was— torture, rape, hostage taking. and the idf was not able to protect its own citizens. that charge is going to fall— own citizens. that charge is going to fall on — own citizens. that charge is going to fall on the current government of israel~ _ to fall on the current government of israel. �* , ~ , israel. and its prime minister. thank you _ israel. and its prime minister. thank you both _ israel. and its prime minister. thank you both for _ israel. and its prime minister. thank you both forjoining - israel. and its prime minister. thank you both forjoining us i thank you both forjoining us tonight. thank you both for “oining us toniaht. ., ., thank you both for “oining us toniaht. . ~ i. under normal circumstances,

if circumstances in gaza can ever be regarded as normal, the un says around 400 trucks a day are delivered — food, medicine and other supplies — and the minimum daily tally was 100. over the weekend, a total ofjust 3a trucks passed through the rafah crossing and a third convoy with a simlarly small number made the journey today. so what are the implications of that huge shortfall? we'rejoined by marwanjilani, the director—general of the palestinian red crescent. thank you very much forjoining us, marwanjilani. can ijust say first that you marwanjilani. can i just say first that you presumably have a lot of people in the field. i wonder how much content you have with your aid workers on the ground? yes. much content you have with your aid workers on the ground?— workers on the ground? yes, thank ou for workers on the ground? yes, thank you for having _ workers on the ground? yes, thank you for having me. _ workers on the ground? yes, thank you for having me. we _ workers on the ground? yes, thank you for having me. we have - workers on the ground? yes, thank you for having me. we have a - workers on the ground? yes, thank you for having me. we have a big l you for having me. we have a big presence. we are a national society in gaza. we have two major hospitals. one is in khan yunis and one is in gaza city. we have a

number of clinics, we run the medical emergency services, the ambulance services in gaza. we have around 1,000 staff. and a couple of thousand volunteers who work with us. we are responsible for the emergency medical services. you are seeinr emergency medical services. you are seeing terrible _ emergency medical services. you are seeing terrible things _ emergency medical services. you are seeing terrible things every - emergency medical services. you are seeing terrible things every single i seeing terrible things every single day. seeing terrible things every single da . , , , , , day. they see terrible things, it is a horrifying _ day. they see terrible things, it is a horrifying situation. _ day. they see terrible things, it is a horrifying situation. we - day. they see terrible things, it is a horrifying situation. we are i a horrifying situation. we are seeing a humanitarian catastrophe day by day. it is getting worse, it is getting worse in terms of the bombardment, the spread of this bombardment. yesterday, we had the shells falling just 20 metres from our hospital. dust and smoke entered into the hospital. the hospital was shaking. and of course, we have lost a number of our colleagues, four paramedics were killed. a number of our ambulances have been damaged and out of service. 50 our ambulances have been damaged and out of service-— out of service. so the key thing i wanted to _ out of service. so the key thing i wanted to put — out of service. so the key thing i wanted to put to _

out of service. so the key thing i wanted to put to you _ out of service. so the key thing i wanted to put to you was - out of service. so the key thing i wanted to put to you was with i out of service. so the key thing i l wanted to put to you was with that statistic about what you normally get by way of aid and what you are getting just now, what is the palestinian civilian population's greatest need?— palestinian civilian population's greatest need? first, i think the createst greatest need? first, i think the greatest need — greatest need? first, i think the greatest need at _ greatest need? first, i think the greatest need at this _ greatest need? first, i think the greatest need at this moment . greatest need? first, i think the greatest need at this moment is greatest need? first, i think the i greatest need at this moment is fuel because without fuel, we are going to stop operating or our hospitals will not be able to continue to operate the intensive care units that premature childbirth incubators and all of the others services at the hospital need. today, we had one of our generators break down. the generators are working 2a hours, 24/7. generators are working 2a hours, 21w. they are not supposed to do that. they are supposed to compensate for when the electricity is off, two hours a day. so we risk the breakdown for more generators, we do not have fuel, only for one or

two days. plus of course, the lack of food, the lack of water, the lack of food, the lack of water, the lack of medicine and the lack of safe places as well for the people to shelter. we have 12,000 people sheltering in our hospitals. 50 shelter. we have 12,000 people sheltering in our hospitals. so do ou think sheltering in our hospitals. so do you think hamas _ sheltering in our hospitals. so do you think hamas is _ sheltering in our hospitals. so do you think hamas is doing - sheltering in our hospitals. so do you think hamas is doing anything to prioritise humanitarian objectives over military objectives? what prioritise humanitarian ob'ectives over military objectives? over military ob'ectives? what we know and what i over military objectives? what we know and what we _ over military objectives? what we know and what we see _ over military objectives? what we know and what we see on - over military objectives? what we know and what we see on the i over military objectives? what we i know and what we see on the ground, people are not refusing to go, but people are not refusing to go, but people are not refusing to go, but people are asking, where should we go? even those people who went to the self and wait for the orders to evacuate have been bombarded and they have seen many people who have been killed in the south of gaza —— the south. secondly, there is a sense of there is no safe place wherever you go in gaza and the

question is, even for those people who went to the south, then what, where do we go next? people have been displaced once, twice met three times in the last 16 days. in been displaced once, twice met three times in the last 16 days.— times in the last 16 days. in terms of hamas doing — times in the last 16 days. in terms of hamas doing anything - times in the last 16 days. in terms of hamas doing anything to i times in the last 16 days. in terms of hamas doing anything to help l times in the last 16 days. in terms l of hamas doing anything to help the humanitarian crisis, i wonder if agencies can be sure that aid does it get into the hands of hamas because that is the reason or whatever you want to call it that a lot of people say there is not enough aid getting through because they are worried fuel will get into they are worried fuel will get into the hands of hamas.— they are worried fuel will get into the hands of hamas. allow me to disa . ree the hands of hamas. allow me to disagree because _ the hands of hamas. allow me to disagree because we _ the hands of hamas. allow me to disagree because we are - disagree because we are responsibility for receiving aid and we have been receiving all the aid from egypt and distributing it with the united nations to those people who need it. to the hospitals and the shelters. israel, it is not the first time, it is not only in gaza, but even today, israel is used to enforcing collective punishment as a way of getting back at the

palestinian people. collective punishment is a practice for decades by the israeli authorities, unfortunately. and that is a reality. it is not today, it is not yesterday, this is a practice that we are used for many decades. fine we are used for many decades. one final question. _ we are used for many decades. one final question, marwanjilani. you final question, marwan jilani. you just final question, marwanjilani. you just said only 311 final question, marwanjilani. you just said only 31; trucks. how many days does gaza have if this rate of aid continues at small pace? weill. aid continues at small pace? well, we have today _ aid continues at small pace? well, we have today in _ aid continues at small pace? well, we have today in addition - aid continues at small pace? well, we have today in addition to i aid continues at small pace? -ii we have today in addition to the 34, we have today in addition to the 311, we have today in addition to the 311, we had another 20 trucks coming in. so we are getting at the medicine, i think this will be enough for more few days. food is not enough of course because you need to feed 2 million people and the number of trucks that are coming in are not enough even to feed a very small number of this population. what is critical. but above all, you need fuel. fuel is needed to run water, to run the hospitals. and because of

the congestion of the shelters, we are also seen a break—out of diseases in the shelters. are also seen a break-out of diseases in the shelters. thank you ve much diseases in the shelters. thank you very much indeed _ diseases in the shelters. thank you very much indeed for— diseases in the shelters. thank you very much indeed forjoining - diseases in the shelters. thank you very much indeed forjoining us i very much indeed forjoining us tonight. very much indeed for “oining us toniaht. ., ., very much indeed for “oining us toniaht. . ~ i. ever since kevin mccarthy was ousted as speaker of the house of representatives almost a month ago, the scrabble to replace him has turned the lower house of the us congress — which is controlled by the republicans — into a kind of game of political charades. now, after two leading candidates were rejected, nine others have thrown their hats in the ring, none of them household names. luckily, david grossman is in washington to set the scene for the next run—off. david, more chaos in the house. what is happening right now? in about half an hour, those nine will present their case behind a closed door meeting to republican congressmen and women and there will be a series of votes, while they whittle it down to a single name. these are not household names, and thatis these are not household names, and that is the point, because the problem is this, while it's easy or

comparatively easy for a republican, prominent republican get 90% of their colleagues to vote for them, that isn't enough to force it through such a closely ballington house of representatives. so these nine are, in a sense, people who may not get lots of positive support find them but the idea is to minimise negative nonsupport. in that sense, this isn't so much a beauty contest as a least ugly contest. , ., beauty contest as a least ugly contest-_ it i beauty contest as a least ugly l contest._ it very contest. does it matter? it very much does — contest. does it matter? it very much does matter, _ contest. does it matter? it very much does matter, simply i contest. does it matter? it very i much does matter, simply because of this. without a speaker, the house of representatives can't function and, without that, congress can't function, and congress has little business in front of it right now philip in a little under two weeks, the federal government will run out of money to tip it needs more spending bills passed if it is to carry on functioning, not least the

new bill that president biden unveiled on friday, $106 billion of support, mostly to go to ukraine but aid to gaza and military aid to israel in it as well. with so new problems facing america and the world, there is a growing number of republicans who believe that, unless they get their act together quickly, they get their act together quickly, the american people. ajudgment they get their act together quickly, the american people. a judgment on them will be harsh. the 2019 conservative manifesto promised to scrap so—called no—fault evictions to give a "better deal" to the 11 million people in england who rent privately. but the renters reform bill, which would have implemented that ban — and which returned to the commons today — was facing a rebellion by tory mps. and, in order to head off that rebellion, ministers have now said a ban won't come into force until a reform of the court system is finished, to speed up the processing of existing possession claims. which all raises the question of when, if ever, this reform will actually appear.

and is this reform, in any case, a sensible one? here's ben. why does private renting matter both economically and politically? quite simply because it's the fastest growing form of housing tenure. this shows the number of households renting privately in england. in 1980, it was just 2 million. today, thanks to declines in the construction of social and council housing and falling home ownership rates, it's up to 4.6 million. over the past four decades, the proportion of households privately renting has gone from one in 8 to 1 in five. the government's new housing act, which comes into effect this week... a key plank of the renters reform bill, would be to get rid of so—called section 21 evictions, introduced as part of margaret thatcher's 1988 housing act. section 21 enabled private landlords to repossess their properties within two months of the fixed term period expiring without having to establish fault on the part of the tenant.

relative to many european rental markets like netherlands and denmark, where long—term rents are the legal default, section 21 gave a considerable amount of power to english landlords over their tenants, and the evidence suggests it's been a major source of insecurity for english renters. in 2017, a survey showed 35% of private tenants felt concerned about needing to move within a year versus 16% of homeowners. but landlords' groups have warned the impact of removing their section 21 powers will damage their finances and their freedom of manoeuvre. over a 2019 survey cited by the government suggesting over a third of landlords would consider selling up their properties if section 21 were scrapped. so could this end up harming rather than helping tenants by reducing the number of rental properties on the market? it's notable the removal of the equivalent of section 21 powers by the scottish government in 2017 did not result in a discernible exodus of landlords north of the border.

and the government's impact assessment for the renters reform bill estimates the total net administrative cost of all its provisions to landlords, including scrapping section 21, would be only around £10 per year per property, which it does notjudge who would be likely to make an appreciable difference to the supply of rented properties. it's impossible to be totally sure what the impact would be of removing section 21, but the evidence we have suggests that when or if it becomes a reality, the positive impact on renters would be more significant than the negative impact on landlords. joining us now... ben beadle is chief executive of the national residential landlords association. and polly neate is chief executive of shelter, the housing and homelessness charity. good evening. first, polly neate, where are campaigners like you making such a noise about this? what are the statistics?—

are the statistics? well, over 27,000 households - are the statistics? well, over 27,000 households have i are the statistics? well, over. 27,000 households have been are the statistics? well, over- 27,000 households have been served with a section 21 since this bill was first introduced in may, which shows the scale of the problem, and at shelter we are seeing every day that this is a leading cause of homelessness. we really need to look up homelessness. we really need to look up this route into home business for many people. there is also the issue, which was touched on in your report, that people are afraid to complain about poor conditions in their homes because they think they could be served with a section 21 eviction is a kind of revenge by the landlord. this is a minority of lentils, absolutely, but the numbers of renters affected is very considerable.— of renters affected is very considerable. �* �* . :: :: :: considerable. ben beadle, 27,000 lus, that considerable. ben beadle, 27,000 plus, that shocking, _ considerable. ben beadle, 27,000 plus, that shocking, isn't - considerable. ben beadle, 27,000 plus, that shocking, isn't it? i- plus, that shocking, isn't it? i think it reflects the growing concern _ think it reflects the growing concern among the sect of the although— concern among the sect of the although section 21 may be the

leading — although section 21 may be the leading cause of homelessness, we have to _ leading cause of homelessness, we have to look behind the actual reason, — have to look behind the actual reason, and the reasons are that simply— reason, and the reasons are that simply put — reason, and the reasons are that simply put for the last few years landlords— simply put for the last few years landlords have been overtaxed in an effort _ landlords have been overtaxed in an effort to _ landlords have been overtaxed in an effort to cool the market. you've -ot effort to cool the market. you've got barriers to entering the market and you've — got barriers to entering the market and you've got the threat of severe regulation — and you've got the threat of severe regulation that is really putting the ability to get their properties but at _ the ability to get their properties but at threat. there is a legitimate reason _ but at threat. there is a legitimate reason. do— but at threat. there is a legitimate reason. ., .. , but at threat. there is a legitimate reason. , ., ., ., , reason. do accept that land to abuse the system? — reason. do accept that land to abuse the system? the _ reason. do accept that land to abuse the system? the thing _ reason. do accept that land to abuse the system? the thing to _ reason. do accept that land to abuse the system? the thing to do - reason. do accept that land to abuse the system? the thing to do seemsl reason. do accept that land to abuse i the system? the thing to do seems to be your no addictions are up 41% last year, isn't that just landlords looking for higher rents? absolutely not that we have _ looking for higher rents? absolutely not that we have to _ looking for higher rents? absolutely not that we have to remember i looking for higher rents? absolutely not that we have to remember that l not that we have to remember that landlords— not that we have to remember that landlords are taking home their lowest — landlords are taking home their lowest margins for the best part of 25 years. _ lowest margins for the best part of 25 years, according to a report from several— 25 years, according to a report from several speed—up not only do we have hi-h several speed—up not only do we have high rents— several speed—up not only do we have high rents but we have low margins, and that's— high rents but we have low margins, and that's one of the big problems when _ and that's one of the big problems when the —

and that's one of the big problems when the reason for no fault. we can't _ when the reason for no fault. we can'tjust— when the reason for no fault. we can'tjust accept that when the reason for no fault. we can't just accept that landlords go around _ can't just accept that landlords go around issuing notices willy—nilly the dip— around issuing notices willy—nilly the dip why on earth would i want to evict a _ the dip why on earth would i want to evict a good — the dip why on earth would i want to evict a good tenant for reporting a repair? _ evict a good tenant for reporting a repair? i_ evict a good tenant for reporting a repair? i wouldn't. evict a good tenant for reporting a repair? iwouldn't. do i evict a good tenant for reporting a repair? i wouldn't. do i accept some metals _ repair? i wouldn't. do i accept some metals used — repair? i wouldn't. do i accept some metals used inappropriately? yes, a very small— metals used inappropriately? yes, a very small proportion, but we have to cater— very small proportion, but we have to cater for— very small proportion, but we have to cater for the majority, and what we see _ to cater for the majority, and what we see in— to cater for the majority, and what we see in this bill is a nip at a tu- we see in this bill is a nip at a tug that— we see in this bill is a nip at a tug that is— we see in this bill is a nip at a tug that is needed to give lentils confidence. if you give landlords confidence, it's beneficial for the sect and — confidence, it's beneficial for the sect and for renters.— sect and for renters. you're not suggesting _ sect and for renters. you're not suggesting that _ sect and for renters. you're not suggesting that all _ sect and for renters. you're not suggesting that all renters i sect and for renters. you're not suggesting that all renters are l suggesting that all renters are model tenants. shouldn't landlords have a protection, for example, when they are faced with anti—social tenants? riff they are faced with anti-social tenants? .., , they are faced with anti-social tenants? _, , ., , they are faced with anti-social tenants? , ., ., , tenants? of course, as forgot but are actually _ tenants? of course, as forgot but are actually strengthening - tenants? of course, as forgot but are actually strengthening the i are actually strengthening the powers that lentils will have to deal with anti—social behaviour, but nobody is saying that a landlord should be obliged to then rent out their property to somebody who can't pay the rent or mistreat the

property or who commits anti—social behaviour or many other