white megalith from washington, this is bbc news. israel presses forward with its ground operation in gaza making communications and palestinian protesters march through london in cities across europe and mexico, 39 people are now confirmed dead as hurricane otis leaves behind a trail of destruction. israel prime minister benjamin netanyahu says the ground operation in gazais says the ground operation in gaza is into the second phase warning that the war with hamas will be long and difficult. in a joint news conference this defence minister on emergency work cabinet minister, benjamin netanyahu described the

neta nyahu described the conflict netanyahu described the conflict is israel's second war of independence and they would win the war make every effort to bring the hostages home. and since the war began, and 7th of october, hamas leader in the gaza strip offered to release hostages being held in gaza in return for the freeing of all hamas prisoners and israeli jails. in a statement, they said we are ready for an immediate exchange deal that includes the releasable prisoners and any prisoners of the zionist enemy for the released of all prisoners. israel stepped up its bombardment of gaza and israel since the night—time attacks mention 50 targets and also killed some key figures within hamas. hamas designated as a terror group by the uk, us and many western nations and benjamin netanyahu confirmed benjamin neta nyahu confirmed that benjamin netanyahu confirmed that it troops were inside gaza and the north and south. jeremy

is on the ground and he is in southern israel and he sent us this report. heavy artillery is pounding gaza constantly. the israelis say they're making the earth shake. and, as residents of one of gaza city's refugee camps inspected what had happened in the night, that was how it felt. "it's like an earthquake," said al—ahmadi. "no—one�*s paying us attention. it's an execution." many palestinians believe israel wants to force them out of gaza, and they interpret it as a threat, not a warning, when israel's army tells them again to move south, from places like this. as for the israeli people, pension prime minister as for the israeli people, prime minister benjamin netanyahu issued a solemn warning. translation: the war inside the gaza strip i will be difficult and long. and we are prepared for it. this is our second war of independence. we will fight for the

defence of the homeland. in sderot, the israeli town closest to gaza, the streets where hamas killed civilians and soldiers three weeks ago today are deserted. the danger didn't stop zila cohen and her son driving down here to bring a picnic to her daughters who are doing their military service. they sat down in a car park, not far from the border wire. the war, they said, was about survival — hamas had shown it wanted to force them out. you can hear the war. aren't you scared? i'm scared, but my daughter is here, so i go... i go where she is. and you bring lunch? yes, to all the soldiers. you know, when you live side by side with people and you come to understand that you cannot trust them... so, what...? what do you do?

what is the answer for that? what any other nation would have done. much more than we are doing right now, and i'm assuring you, much more than we will ever do. the new phase of israel's assault started last night with dozens of air strikes. israel believes overwhelming military strength can pacify gaza. but military power alone has never brought lasting quiet, let alone peace, in this conflict's long history. israel claimed one of its strikes killed a senior hamas commander. israeli tanks and soldiers moved forward into the north of the gaza strip. gaza's visible from a hill in sderot. israel will resist

pressure for a ceasefire. and there's another factor. the more palestinians that israel kills, especially civilians, the greater the levels of anger and outrage elsewhere in the middle east among israel's friends as well as its enemies. now, that doesn't guarantee that the war would spread. but it does increase levels of anger and volatility in a part of the world that is already very fragile. israel's ground war has started. containing it here is now the biggest political and diplomatic challenge in the world. jeremy bowen, bbc news, in southern israel. phone and internet connections down and most people in the unc ambulances and civil defence teams are no longer able to locate the insured in the communications blackout in the territory in her correspondent was finally able to get through to us and said that the north of the territory surrounding

gaza city was hit overnight on a scale that we've never seen before incentives this report from the southern city. —— before he sent us. you know, communication is very, very difficult in gaza since 2a hours, as israel cut all of the communication. mobile carriers, the two main mobile carriers are not functioning. the internet lines are not functioning everywhere. and getting information is really hard and difficult. very few people who are still having international sim cards, and they can do roaming using israeli mobile services, people who are close to the border, they still can communicate. and, between time to time, they post on social media. also, some of the local radio stations are still functioning. and they were able to talk to their correspondent in the north, who described what happened last night as the biggest ever air strike

that targeted this area. he said that it was like an earthquake. we understand that the indonesia hospital was struck with an air strike yesterday. the hospital was out of service for quite a long time. like a week ago the hospital was out of service because of no fuel and it was evacuated. but today the main building of the hospital was destroyed. also around shifa hospital in gaza city, there was a lot of air strikes, 10—15 air strikes, according to people around shifa hospital. they are cutting most of the roads towards that hospital. communication, as i said, is extremely difficult. we are unable to verify a lot of reports about the number of people dead or injured. but, as far as the health ministry was doing a press conference this afternoon, they said about 400 people were killed overnight. but they said hundreds of others are missing under the collapsed building in the north.

paul adams has been monitoring the military operations and strategy from jerusalem and he spoke to him a little earlier. so much forjoining us we had a key address and benjamin netanyahu saying this the second phase of the war and what does that facebook like? we know what it looks like because the last 2a hours or so, israeli forces set been in the gaza strip with armoured support in conducting in certain areas of the northern part of the gaza strip and israelis are saying that if killed more hamas commanders and they're looking to establish some kind of a foothold in the northern gaza strip force they're likely to expand their operations in the coming days but perhaps we've all gotten used to the idea that maybe would see some huge invasion were all the israeli

forces would go in one. that is prep stuff like being there likely to see more of these operations but we are likely to get bigger in scope and longer in duration. i think that is very much the way this is evolving. very much the way this is evolving-— very much the way this is evolvin. ., ., ., ., , evolving. the leader of hamas and the gaza _ evolving. the leader of hamas and the gaza strip _ evolving. the leader of hamas and the gaza strip will - evolving. the leader of hamas and the gaza strip will release j and the gaza strip will release israeli hostages in return for hamas prisoners were more can you tell us about that? the first public _ you tell us about that? the first public statement - you tell us about that? tue: first public statement in you tell us about that? tte: first public statement in the head of hamas in gaza since the crisis began three weeks ago and it's quite significant that he chose this moment to make that offer and what is interesting is that before that, after his press conference, the prime minister was asked which should be prepared to release palestinian prisoners in return for the release of the hostages if you did not rule it out. but he said it would be unwise to talk

about it publicly. we have no way of knowing whether such a deal is on the cards. former senior israeli official saying picketing to do in a good idea to release hundreds of president thousands of prisoners return to the hostages and people in the region in countries like qatar were trying very hard to engineer such a thing but to emphasise, we cannot see any sign of an unfolding at the moment. sign of an unfolding at the moment-— sign of an unfolding at the moment. �* _, ., , sign of an unfolding at the moment. �* ., , ., moment. and communications are down in the _ moment. and communications are down in the gaza _ moment. and communications are down in the gaza strip _ moment. and communications are down in the gaza strip right - down in the gaza strip right now but i do understand your been receiving some voice messages from people inside the strip and would have they been telling you?— telling you? their incredibly chaotic situation _ telling you? their incredibly chaotic situation and - telling you? their incredibly| chaotic situation and making fragmented sometimes voice recordings inc. the sounds of in the background and they're talking about families

desperately trying to locate missing family members and ambulances the rest was explosions but not knowing where they're going and what they're expecting to finally get there in life is incredibly difficult for the eight agencies that are on the ground in the un told us about ten satellite phones which some of the key members are trained to use to co—ordinate their activities at a time where they, the un are looking after they, the un are looking after the interest of 600,000 people sheltering the facilities and it is an incredibly chaotic situation under sustained gunfire in the un would argue, utterly unsustainable unless more aid kits and in some kind of paused to allow that aid to get to where it is needed. paul, thank you for the reporting. live now to retired lieutenant, your security coordinator and

palestinian authority, thank you for being with us here on bbc news. i like to begin by getting your thoughts on what we have been seeing unfolding during the second phase of what the prime sister benjamin netanyahu is coddling the second phase of this war. certainly, with reconnaissance operations that were taking place earlier in the week and those in preparation for the initial start of phase to which they're going to see in the coming days increasing armour and certainly capabilities and logistics and coming forward as the idf ground forces to expand period of operations and operation like this, they're getting ready to go into gaza city, this is one of the

approach they taking in the north and if to secure all of these lines of communication from crossing the border as they continue to move forward and that is very intensive and requires a lot of deliberate clearing of the structures and some of the suburbs of gaza city and well this extremely challenging operation, it's far more challenging after they came to the challenges of gaza city. came to the challenges of gaza ci . , ., ., came to the challenges of gaza ci . ., ., came to the challenges of gaza city. going into gaza city is a very dense _ city. going into gaza city is a very dense urban _ city. going into gaza city is a very dense urban area - city. going into gaza city is a very dense urban area and l city. going into gaza city is a i very dense urban area and the challenges of urban warfare and what troops will be encountering going into an area like that. ,., like that. the bombardment takinu like that. the bombardment taking place _ like that. the bombardment taking place since _ like that. the bombardment taking place since late - like that. the bombardment i taking place since late october seven and because the city as it was known prior to that is changed dramatically with all of the addiction that is taken

place and that provide some complications for the israeli ground forces is the manoeuvre and begin the very arduous task of building by building, street by street, initially securing a foothold in continuing on the delivery and will take tens of thousands of ground forces to take on this operation in as paul mentioned earlier, i know i have the understanding that potentially, the idea of going with a lot more for very rapidly to secure with more deliberate approach, kevin the threat environment that hamas applies. threat environment that hamas a- lies. �* . ., applies. ben'amin netanyahu said this applies. benjamin netanyahu said this would _ applies. benjamin netanyahu said this would be _ applies. benjamin netanyahu said this would be difficult. said this would be difficult and said it would be a long one. when you heard that, were

you thinking, months? marketing at? b. you thinking, months? marketing at? �* , ., at? a very sobering to the israeli public _ at? a very sobering to the israeli public and - at? a very sobering to the israeli public and the - at? a very sobering to the i israeli public and the parents independence of the idea of soldiers taking on this ground offensive and just as we have seen with the palestinian population as a result of the campaign thus far, but i believe will take a week six if not months and two weeks there all of the structures and that alone, the metro as it has been characterised by the idf and the terminal substructure across the city.— across the city. does the israeli military _ across the city. does the israeli military have - across the city. does the israeli military have the l across the city. does the - israeli military have the kind of precision weaponry that is neededin of precision weaponry that is needed in order to target hamas and avoid more civilian loss of

life? , . ., , ., life? they certainly have the best precision _ life? they certainly have the best precision guided - life? they certainly have the . best precision guided munitions than anywhere in the region and a long—time ally with israel, they share a lot of technology with them and they have precision munitions and as reported by the defence spokesperson, munitions they can go and penetrate to try to take out some of the tunnel systems in the metro system as well. so, they do have deposition but they have been employing a lot of artillery which is not necessarily all artillery is precision guided munitions to come off the aircraft and military vessels. i is one to ask you this, facing with very lengthy, very complicated operations, do you think it is necessarily the

right way to go about the sustained ground invasion? is there potentially a better way? i would not want to question the active duty advisers and working from the us as well as the israeli ministry of defence, but i do believe it would make sense to have a policy operations to allow a significant increase in the system to come and just given the nature of the suffering thatis the nature of the suffering that is ongoing with the palestinian populace that is not going to help the idea of soldiers on the ground at all when they go and coming that they're going to re—build goodwill, but the need, i think to take into consideration the environment that they are creating as we get ready for this and i think that's very important. this and i think that's very important-— important. close calls of coming _ important. close calls of coming from _

important. close calls of coming from the - important. close calls of coming from the us - important. close calls of coming from the us and| important. close calls of. coming from the us and the european union for humanitarian causes. do you think israel will keep those calls any point soon? tt will keep those calls any point soon? , '. will keep those calls any point soon? , , . ., soon? it is difficult to say ideally if _ soon? it is difficult to say ideally if it _ soon? it is difficult to say ideally if it will _ soon? it is difficult to say ideally if it will in - soon? it is difficult to say ideally if it will in the - soon? it is difficult to say ideally if it will in the idf| ideally if it will in the idf have a strategic advantage where they do not have an event right now is in the information space. you so that play out throughout earlier today in the middle east with respect to the protests of, not that these protests of, not that these protests are supporting hamas, they're absolutely speaking to they're absolutely speaking to the innocent loss of life and casualties that have been occurred as a part of the campaign and i think that needs to be taken into consideration and provide my advice and i will take that into account. i don't believe the momentum would be lost by allowing just the basic needs of every human

deserves to have that is called in the middle of this conflict. former us security coordinator for the palestinian authority, thank you for your insight into stay with us because we will be coming back to you but first, we'll get more on the humanitarian impact of the israeli military campaign in gaza never to speaking about in bbc arabic sent us this update as civilians continue to move south with little to no aid. it will continuing to leave their homes and these people should join their homes and these people should joi— should join others were in the streets and _ should join others were in the streets and schools _ should join others were in the streets and schools and - streets and schools and hospitals seeking refuge for the continuous rates on gaza

and answering your questions about the hospitals, the hospitals without proper medical equipment and without electricity and without communications with the medical teams on the ground and how they will be able to work and unless this aid is coming from egypt and a list of communications and re—established again in the sea of electricity to see what we are doing in the hospitals if you want to do operations and so on and so forth, how injured people and patients would be treated. hamas are talking about 7600 casualties so far from the israeli, we also do

not have independent source to confirm that as many governments in the west are may be disputing that and hamas issued a list of 7000 people who died to confirm that this is the correct total of casualties. we arejoined now we are joined now by the senior fellow at a long—time pentagon correspondent with cnn and once again, retired lieutenant, former us secretary for israel and the palestinian authority and the palestinian authority and very grateful to you both for being here this evening and barbara, and made what we have seenin barbara, and made what we have seen in the past 12 hours, and the last three weeks, i guess as well, what kind of conversations do you think will be taking place right now within the administration and

the pentagon and the statement on how they are coordinating in light of that second phase as benjamin netanyahu put it? in benjamin netanyahu put it? t�*t detail, knowing so much more than i do on this department and certainly the diplomatic discussions concerning the priority of getting the american hostages and the american hostages and the american citizens were still trapped in gaza and he to come home. of the pentagon site, think we've already seen a small group of advisers talk to the israelis and come back home but talk to us by the difficulties of curbing warfare and the lessons the us learned and the lessons the us learned and the lessons the us learned and the warnings of what will happen in gaza will be so much more dangerous due to the tunnels of sophisticated internal networks snipers, ied and very organised and trained adversary forces. for single of

those conversations happen whether they are listening and what they're listening to is something i'm not sure we know the answer to yet. than the answer to yet. an incredibly _ the answer to yet. an incredibly complex situation, especially in gaza and with all those risks which barbara just sketched out, ijust want those risks which barbara just sketched out, i just want to get your take, specifically the question as to the fate of the hostages. do you see that being bound up now with the second phase of his military operation? tt phase of his military operation?— phase of his military operation? phase of his military oeration? , ., , . operation? it is more difficult and the prime _ operation? it is more difficult and the prime minister - operation? it is more difficult| and the prime minister today, benjamin netanyahu met with the families_ benjamin netanyahu met with the families of many of those being held hostage and the presentation today afterwards the press conference made it clear— the press conference made it clear that the second priority, not a — clear that the second priority, not a distant priority but certainly, the prime minister

believes— certainly, the prime minister believes that the negotiations that hamas understands his strength and he does not want to let — strength and he does not want to let off— strength and he does not want to let off the pressure of the military— to let off the pressure of the military campaign in order to focus — military campaign in order to focus on _ military campaign in order to focus on dialogues with the hostages released and absolutely is going to be difficult and there is no goodwill at all between the palestinian population in the idf palestinian population in the w is— palestinian population in the idf is there getting ready to increase _ idf is there getting ready to increase this counteroffensive going — increase this counteroffensive going forward and any aspirations that you might get some — aspirations that you might get some kind of actual intelligence as a result of interacting with a population, ithink— interacting with a population, i think that is clearly off the table — i think that is clearly off the table for— i think that is clearly off the table for the forthcoming future _ table for the forthcoming future and i do expect to be special— future and i do expect to be special operations for the idf that will— special operations for the idf that will be accompanying, they're _ that will be accompanying, they're notary doing so that in they're notary doing so that in the event _ they're notary doing so that in the event that there is an opportunity to secure hostages because — opportunity to secure hostages because they do gain

intelligence and they can act on it— intelligence and they can act on it and _ intelligence and they can act on it and will be able to do so but with— on it and will be able to do so but with the increase of ground forces — but with the increase of ground forces and again, the significant escalation of what we saw— significant escalation of what we saw in the campaign, my assessment would be increasingly more difficult to try to — increasingly more difficult to try to locate the hostages as the operational tempo increases.— the operational tempo increases. ., ., ., increases. with all of that in mind, increases. with all of that in mind. what _ increases. with all of that in mind, what is _ increases. with all of that in mind, what is this _ increases. with all of that in l mind, what is this potentially mean for your support, we are only one day into the second phase but already, this is been catastrophic for the loss of civilian life and you've been seeing that very clearly ijust wonder what you think if this is to be a long war, signing the benjamin netanyahu and nobody won the population about, what could that mean for us support, particularly if it continues to be such a catastrophic war in terms of the loss of civilian life? t

the loss of civilian life? i think we have seen this play out before but not to this extent which is the first words to from us government is unequivocal, israel has the right to defend itself. israel possible sullivan right to exist and that usually the first round and then —— israel possible solomon right. and the this catastrophic humanitarian disaster in gaza. —— israel's solemn right to exist. you're seeing the casualties mount up paving the question is, as the space it continues and we see the demonstrations around the world and receiving humanitarian disaster, at what

point do we begin to see pressure on israel from various quarters, including washington to do something other than what it is doing. to do something other than what it is doinu. ., ~ to do something other than what it is doinu. . ~' ., ., it is doing. taking that to mark, mark, _ it is doing. taking that to mark, mark, what - it is doing. taking that to mark, mark, what are - it is doing. taking that to i mark, mark, what are your thoughts on that? the international - thoughts on that? the international pressure | thoughts on that? the i international pressure as thoughts on that? tte: international pressure as we see an increase of the ground offensive and idf soldiers and when they start interacting and lethal engagement with hamas and the high likelihood that this can be palestinian civilians and not able to flee the areas that are being focused in on an as result, they're going to be casualties. at that, in addition to, invaluable humanitarian crisis, the big difference is what we had in iraq and we had months

to prepare for the environment to prepare for the environment to allow civilians to be able to allow civilians to be able to leave and move away from the insurgents and the vast majority of them did, we still had some civilian casualties in efforts were much different here, the palestinian citizens have nowhere to go. and since increasingly more difficult but i do believe that there will be growing pressure and we've already seen that in some of the statements that have come from spokespersons inside the executive branch and others. we've seen it on various levels and popular protests particularly in european cities whether that be in un resolutions as well and more concerns and with all of that, i don't know whether you are concerned about other players in the region becoming involved.—

in the region becoming involved. , , , ., involved. lebanese his brother and other— involved. lebanese his brother and other engagements - involved. lebanese his brother and other engagements that l involved. lebanese his brother i and other engagements that have occurred — and other engagements that have occurred and anti—tank and rocket _ occurred and anti—tank and rocket fire, we haven't seen the — rocket fire, we haven't seen the barrage of laser guided missiles to satisfy both united states— missiles to satisfy both united states and israel and lebanese his brother have in the attacks we've — his brother have in the attacks we've seen against us forces in syria _ we've seen against us forces in syria and — we've seen against us forces in syria and i_ we've seen against us forces in syria and i suspect those activities to increase and i suspect— activities to increase and i suspect the us, just as we saw two nights ago in the us military— two nights ago in the us military and central command will respond in kind when they're _ will respond in kind when they're not trying to provoke a wider— they're not trying to provoke a wider conflict but there's certainly going to take action when — certainly going to take action when us— certainly going to take action when us forces are threatened or directly attacked. a when us forces are threatened or directly attacked.— or directly attacked. a final thought. — or directly attacked. a final thought, mark _ or directly attacked. a final thought, mark talking i or directly attacked. a final| thought, mark talking about iraq, the battle there in the warnings from president biden has been this past week, do not repeat those mistakes in terms

of the planning for the day after. who takes over once the forces of gone. if hamas is defeated, has there been enough planning for the den with question?— question? it's not very self-evident, - question? it's not very self-evident, who i question? it's not very self-evident, who will| question? it's not very i self-evident, who will take self—evident, who will take over if israel does not want to reoccupy gaza. that this complicates everything. the views there of barbara starr and mark schwartz. thank you so much. we will be returning to the israeli — gaza shortly but the 2024 election because republican candidate mike pentz has announced he's

dropping out from the 2024 presidential race. in the former us vice president suspended his campaign saying that he has "no regrets. " with everything our country is facing ijust couldn't everything our country is facing i just couldn't sit this one out. �* facing i just couldn't sit this one out-— facing i just couldn't sit this one out. �* �* , , , one out. but the bible tells us that there _ one out. but the bible tells us that there is _ one out. but the bible tells us that there is a _ one out. but the bible tells us that there is a time _ one out. but the bible tells us that there is a time for - one out. but the bible tells us that there is a time for every i that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. travelling across the country of the past six months i came here to say it's become clear to me, this is not my time. mr arents to me, this is not my time. mr parents hoped to win his parties nomination that his former boss, donald trump continues to dominate the race is the republican nominee for the recently tensors campaign struggled to fund raise enough money with over $600 million in debt for the up and having raised only $1.2 million so far, which is a steep comparison to several other

republican rivals. i spoke to our correspondent david willis. former us vice president mike pentz dropping out, essentially his message was a direct quote here, this is not my time. what is behind us, do you think? it was in some ways a surprise and in some ways no surprise at all. mike pence campaign has been struggling virtually sensi launched it injune is set far as donations are concerned and in terms of polling. the campaign has been heavily in debt with only a couple of weeks to go to the next presidential debate in miami on the 8th of november. he was struggling in terms of polling and donor thresholds to even qualify to take part in that debate. this announcement to this gathering of republican, jewish donors in las vegas

caught by all accounts some by surprise. including some by his own team it was this statement in the middle of his speech, apparently organisers were even aware that he was do to make this announcement. as you say, he told the crowd that this was not the time and that after much prayer and deliberation he said he had decided to suspend his campaign for president. he called on the party as well to select, this is the language they use to criticise his old boss donald trump to vote for somebody who would appeal to what he called the better angels of our nature. and somebody who he said could lead the party with stability. fine the party with stability. one candidate — the party with stability. one candidate ruling _ the party with stability. one candidate ruling themselves out. but this is tell us about how the rest of the republican field is shaping up right now? it is thejuggernaut field is shaping up right now? it is the juggernaut that is donald trump. all these candidates have come up

against, he remains an almost unassailable lead over ron desantis, nikki haley and so on. mike pentz has always maintained that he was well known in the country in general but not known well. he took the pizza parlors and other parts of the country to try and spread this very conservative message, opposition to abortion, in favour of cuts in social security, medicare but it's a message that has been almost eclipsed by the popular isolationism espoused by donald trump. that's part of the reason that mike pentz is no longer in this race for president.— longer in this race for resident. ~ ~ . longer in this race for resident. ~ ~' . ., ~ president. -- mike pence. thank ou. the president. -- mike pence. thank you. the mexican _ president. -- mike pence. thank you. the mexican government i you. the mexican government says it least 39 people have died after hurricane otis hit

the coast. ten people are still missing is a storm swept onto the coast and brought widespread destruction to the resort city of acta poco. the devastation is clear to see. acapulco has never recorded a category five hurricane and it's like a movie, it's like the apocalypse. i hope acapulco recovers as quickly as possible.

because it seems it seems like it seems like 90% of the buildings are being been damaged. there are reports supermarkets have been looted. the authorities say a security force of 17,000 personnel has been deployed across the area to maintain order. furthermore, the mexican army and navy have established an air bridge, says the government, to accelerate the distribution of humanitarian aid. acapulco is home to 800,000 people. 200,000 homes have been damaged. many are destroyed. initial estimates suggest the cost may run to $15 billion. those repairs will have to wait. we are asking for food and water. we have no electricity. the electricity poles are down. we need food. that's what we are basically asking for. many locals are also struggling to communicate with friends and family, with cell networks out of action. but the immediate concern is to eat and drink. with supply chains under

pressure, thousands of liters of water and food supplies are being distributed. it's a monumental challenge. david waddell, bbc news political. south africa's springboks defeated new zealand's all black and a 12 to 11 win. the springboks his latest victory means they have one half of the eight tournaments they have participated in making it one of the most successful teams in rugby world cup history celebrations broke out across south africa with south african president congratulating the team, calling the win in extraordinary national achievement. we can return to our top story now. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu says the war in gaza has entered a second phase, warning it will be long and difficult. mr netanyahu difficult. mr neta nyahu described difficult. mr netanyahu described the conflict is israel's second war of independence, he declared israel would win the war and

make every effort to bring the hostages home. the israeli prime minister has met families of israelis held hostage by hamas who have expressed concern about the intensifying attacks on gaza. mr netanyahu promised to do everything possible to bring them home. speaking to this bbc saying he believes hamas had not read dues released the hostages unless they were under pressure. it unless they were under pressure-— unless they were under ressure. ., ., ., ., pressure. it was emotional and lona pressure. it was emotional and long meeting- _ pressure. it was emotional and long meeting. the _ pressure. it was emotional and long meeting. the prime i long meeting. the prime minister heard each and every one of them, heard them out and said what needed to be said. with the mat without going into what was being said in the meeting precisely because hamas are not humanitarians will only get our people release if they are under strong impression. only if they feel that pressure is constantly asked to get dues escalating against them for that we believe the best way to get the hostages out is to keep that pressure up, keep the pressure on hamas, keep

increasing the pressure. that's the way to get the hostages out. , ., ., out. the israeli government sa s out. the israeli government says that — out. the israeli government says that 229 _ out. the israeli government says that 229 hostages i out. the israeli government says that 229 hostages are l says that 229 hostages are still being held by a mask inside gaza and it is doing everything possible to bring them home israel's prime minister says they will use every option to free the hostages. many families are deeply concerned that the intensifying attacks on gaza are putting the hostages in danger. lucy williamson has this report from tel aviv. there are those in israel watching the bombing of a people and seeing only one single face — their child, parent, spouse, sibling. in tel aviv, they've laid a place for each of them at a shabbat table. more than 200 hostages, held by hamas in gaza. theirfamilies today demanded to speak to israel's prime minister

about his escalation of the war. jonathan was one of the hostages taken from the nova festival site. what would you say to prime minister netanyahu, if he comes here today? you've asked him to come here. what happens? we want him to come here, to look into my eyes and tell me, "you should trust me." to tell me, "listen, the kidnap is in first priority." after that, he will get all the support of all the country to kill all the hamas. but now, first of all, our kidnapped. meeting representatives of the families tonight, mr netanyahu suggested the heavy bombing could help bring the hostages home. the families said they would consider releasing all israel's palestinian prisoners is a price worth paying to get their relatives back. 24 hours ago, hope was beginning to sprout here. four hostages have been released, negotiations were ongoing and there was talk

of a deal to release many more. now, 24 hours later, the mood here is different. a member of the kibbutz, one of the founders... one of the freed hostages told lior peri that she had seen his father, haim, alive and well in gaza. the first news of him, since he was taken captive from kibbutz nir oz. now it puts me in a very delicate spot, because now i have something to lose. and that's the worst thing, because i know that hamas didn't kill my father yet, ok? and i know that now the ball is in israel's court now. sirens. as benjamin netanyahu met families this evening, sirens cleared the memorial site. more rockets, sent from gaza, intercepted in the skies above tel aviv. israel says destroying hamas is about protecting its people. "protecting which people? "

families here ask. bring their relatives home, they say. everything else can wait. lucy williamson, bbc news, tel aviv. among the hostages inside gaza are believed to be three israeli children and their mother. theirfather israeli children and their mother. their father has travelled to washington to petition us lawmakers to help secure their release on friday i spoke with him. thank you so much forjoining us here at bbc news. i can imagine it must be incredibly difficult times, we appreciate you coming into the studio today. i understand it would be difficult to talk about what happened to your wife and your three young children when they were taken hostage on your kibbutz. if you are able, can you tell me a little bit about what happened? sure, that is what i'm here for and thank you for having me. on

the day on october seven, we live in a kibbutz right by the border with the gaza strip. my houseis border with the gaza strip. my house is the first one on the fence so it is the closest to gaza. i opened my bedroom window and i see the gaza strip. at have to say, we never felt threatened for anything buy anything, actually. we have a beautiful kibbutz and we have a beautiful kibbutz and we have a good, peaceful life, we're peaceful peace goal. on that day october seven they were very large bombings and rockets coming our way. it was something unusual. we're used to things like that but not that intensive. it took a few

minutes and a girl came running to our house, my wife took her in. she was the neighbours girl. we later learned that her parents were killed. so she came running away from the shootings. my wife took her into the shelter in a house, we have a safe room. they were hiding over there. four and a half hours i wasn't home, around 11, i kept texting my wife, the lines were down so i couldn't text. around 11 i got the last message, it was they were coming in. that's the last message i got. that is it. i kept texting and getting note message back. i was sure that they were dead. so everybody asked me where my family wasn't if they were safe and i told

them, they are dead. i am alone in this world. but a day later i heard news, walking a lot, being led, and heading over to the gaza strip. in usual times this is terrible news but at that time when i thought they were dead it was the best news i ever got. ifelt like i got my family back. i'm still living on this same news because i have no new news since then. i have no information, but my family and this girl. it's my wife, our three kids and my friends daughter. three kids and my friends daughter-— daughter. tell me about your famil . daughter. tell me about your family. what _

daughter. tell me about your family. what are _ daughter. tell me about your family. what are they - daughter. tell me about your family. what are they like i family. what are they like and how do you think they are holding up?— how do you think they are holdin: u? ~ ~ ., holding up? well, you know, i live on hope — holding up? well, you know, i live on hope right _ holding up? well, you know, i live on hope right now, - holding up? well, you know, i live on hope right now, that's| live on hope right now, that's why i'm here. my wife and i have been to gather for 22 years. so she is everything to me. she does everything at home and everything for me. i know she is strong. if i could pick anyone in this world to be with my kids obviously it would be my kids obviously it would be my wife. i believe in her and i know she's doing everything she can for them, wherever they are. i hope they are together. my are. i hope they are together. my little one, my youngest, he's four and a half years old. he's really grateful he makes a lot of mess the house. i really

miss him. i wish he could make a big mess right now for that usually i'm angry at him but now i guess i let him do whatever he wants.- now i guess i let him do whatever he wants. you said you are livin: whatever he wants. you said you are living on _ whatever he wants. you said you are living on hope _ whatever he wants. you said you are living on hope right- whatever he wants. you said you are living on hope right now. i. are living on hope right now. i wonder how you are doing personally. i understand you sustain injuries in the attack as well. how are you? i’m sustain injuries in the attack as well. how are you? i'm doing aood. i as well. how are you? i'm doing good- i came — as well. how are you? i'm doing good. i came all— as well. how are you? i'm doing good. i came all the _ as well. how are you? i'm doing good. i came all the way - as well. how are you? i'm doing good. i came all the way over. good. i came all the way over here to washington to try to persuade the world to listen to me and to do the obvious thing, which is... let the families be together. my children are innocent, my wife is innocent. it such an obvious thing that everybody knows it. i've come here and i got so much support from people over here in them to be at congressman and

congressman and senators and just people who come and some recognise me and give me big hugs. a lady came today to the hotel and she prayed for us. so we all prayed together. i think everybody knows this basic thing about innocent children that they should be with their dad and my wife should be at home with me. i sleep alone right now, i should be with my wife with my kids nearby playing. i am doing well. i am alive and well, physically. but inside i am a wreck.— inside i am a wreck. you mentioned _ inside i am a wreck. you mentioned about - inside i am a wreck. you i mentioned about meeting with lawmakers here on capitol hill. including senator chuck schumer, what kind of messages have they been giving you, what

kind of support? we have they been giving you, what kind of support?— kind of support? we 'ust got brilliant support i kind of support? we just got brilliant support from - brilliant support from everyone. i think this issue is inissue everyone. i think this issue is in issue in humanity, it's not in issue in humanity, it's not inissue in issue in humanity, it's not in issue of conflict. we got so much support everybody said they will do everything they can for us. try to move things around. this is america, they can do a lot for that i think they are doing the maximum they can. but we need to move around, the israeli government, my government we have to make them do the right thing. and hamas, i think they also have the same beliefs as us about keeping women and children out of this conflict. i really

don't know why it's been three weeks and nothing has been done with the children, with my kids and my wife. still keeping the fight going on. and my wife. still keeping the fight going on-_ fight going on. speaking to me on friday- _ fight going on. speaking to me on friday. pro-palestinian i on friday. pro—palestinian protest taking place around the world, many calling for a cease—fire for the protection for civilians. the scene in new york city's iconic grand central station, jewish voice for peace as a group organising the protest was a police say over 200 people were arrested they are. taking a look at turkey, thousands taking to the streets of istanbul in the largish rally since the start of the conflicts with up and addressing the president repeated his stance that hamas is not a terrorist

organisation, a position that contradicts the administration for that report palestinians also took place in paris despite a band with a french court saying that the march could risk disturbing public order, given the rise in anti—semitic acts in france since the war began. here in the uk 300,000 pro—palestinian demonstrators gathered in london as well as other cities. our correspondent tom simon reports. stop bombing gaza! a protest, the organisers said, of more than 300,000 people. at one point, it stretched a mile and a half through the streets of london. there have been many personal responses to this month's horrifying events in israel and gaza. here today, there was one central demand. what do we want? ceasefire! when do we want it? now! you know, when you kill- an innocent person with a bomb, ora gun, ora knife, it doesn't matter. who's doing it. it's the same terrorism. in the last week, the metropolitan police has been put under pressure by the home secretary, suella braverman, to take a tough line on any protesters who might say — or in the case

of banners, write — anything which breaches terrorism laws. as far as we can tell, protesters have generally not done that today, and the policing has been light. ordinary people, from towns and cities across the uk, have had to prove that they are not here supporting terrorism, that they are here supporting human rights. but they are coming, despite that pressure, despite the outrageous statements from our government, they are coming in their hundreds of thousands and they are raising the flag of palestine high and proudly. we want boycotts! there were shouts of, "from the river to the sea, palestine will be free," regarded byjewish groups and israel as a threat to its existence, and by the home secretary, suella braverman, as anti—semitic. supporters of palestine say it is a call for freedom from repression, and not a threat. no action was taken today by police, who were mainly holding back in side streets. the met said there had been two arrests, linked to an assault on a police officer,

and racist remarks. here in cardiff and in glasgow, belfast and other cities. organisers of the main demonstration say there are more to come. tom symonds, bbc news, central london. at least 200 british citizens are trapped in gaza. a 29—year—old daughter is married to a palestinian and went to gaza to attend a wedding just days before the hamas attack in israel. she travelled there with 11 other members of her family from the uk including a 13—year—old was that our community affairs correspondent has been speaking to her about her daughter's ordeal.- her daughter's ordeal. hello. me and my — her daughter's ordeal. hello. me and my family _ her daughter's ordeal. hello. me and my family came i her daughter's ordeal. hello. me and my family came two l her daughter's ordeal. hello. i me and my family came two days and have been unable to get out of a sense. aha, and have been unable to get out of a sense-— of a sense. a schoolteacher in creater of a sense. a schoolteacher in greater manchester _ of a sense. a schoolteacher in greater manchester had i of a sense. a schoolteacher in greater manchester had gone | of a sense. a schoolteacher in l greater manchester had gone to gaza for a wedding and is now

trapped near the crossing. her mother is hoping she will be home soon. how does it feel for you being here and watching what's happening from afar? i feel powerless, i feel is much as i can do is not enough. it's very painful experience you have to go to see people go through so much suffering. and i'll be able to do anything. she posted this video on instagram two days ago pleading for help. instagram two days ago pleading for hel. ~ �* instagram two days ago pleading for hel.~ �* for help. we've contacted the british embassy to _ for help. we've contacted the british embassy to the - for help. we've contacted the british embassy to the very i british embassy to the very least get out citizens but with no log. least get out citizens but with no lo. , ., , least get out citizens but with nolou. , no log. the fcd owes has this been keeping close _ no log. the fcd owes has this l been keeping close contact with british nationals in gaza and will update them on the status of the southern border. the

death toll — of the southern border. the death toll is _ of the southern border. the death toll is rising - of the southern border. tte: death toll is rising every day. every day we wait to hear from her in the morning or early afternoon whenever she gets a signal just afternoon whenever she gets a signaljust to see whether... this was the last message she had letting her mother knows she was alive. but she hasn't heard anything since last night. communications from gaza were cut off. night. communications from gaza were cut off-— were cut off. the last few weeks have _ were cut off. the last few weeks have been - were cut off. the last few weeks have been really i weeks have been really quite harrowing. just to watch the images on tv and to see such high numbers of deaths women and children. it's very painful. it feels like a nightmare, to be honest. remember, you can always stay up—to—date with the latest on

our website. thank you for joining us here on bbc news. bye for now. hello there. it's been a very wet night across parts of england and wales with heavy thundery rain spreading its way northwards. that rain becoming confined to the far north of england and scotland throughout sunday. elsewhere will see sunshine and showers and winds for many will be blustery, especially eastern scotland. so here it is, this troublesome area of low pressure which has brought the showers and longer spells of rain weather front. that heavy thundery rain across southern areas lying across scotland will see some heavy rain across the far north of england, south east scotland through sunday morning. some torrential downpours here could see some localised flooding, strong, gusty east northeasterly winds with huge waves crashing up onto north sea coast. there could see some coastal inundation as well. the rain clears away from northern ireland. scattered showers and bright spells here. england and wales, a blustery day to come with sunny spells, scattered showers, most of these showers across southern and western areas.

those temperatures range from around ten to 14 or 15 degrees across the country from north to south sunday evening at overnight, it stays wet again across large parts of scotland, particularly eastern scotland. with those strong and gusty winds continue, you could see further flooding issues there. northern ireland, the far south of scotland, england and wales will see a clearer night and lengthy clear spells, in fact, variable cloud, a few showers, particularly across southern and western coast, and temperatures generally seven to ten celsius. so monday, we start the new week off on an unsettled note. again, heavy system rain northern and eastern scotland with strong, gusty winds. southern scotland, northern ireland, england, wales, actually a better day, i think more sunshine around, but there will be further showers. southern and western areas. again, the odd heavy and thundery one in temperatures ten to 15 degrees now for under pressure charts on through the new week we see a brief spell of fine weather for tuesday and then an area of low pressure bring wet, windy weather on wednesday. and there's a potential of a very deep area of low pressure hurtling in thursday, which could bring some disruption chance of some gales or severe gales. so stay tuned. tuesday at this point

doesn't look too bad. there will be further showers around, especially across southern and western areas, maybe some more persistent rain for eastern scotland, but quite a bit of dry weather around with some sunshine, slightly lighter winds to temperatures of ten to 15 degrees, but it turns more unsettled. wednesday, thursday, like i showed you, we could see a spell of some stormy weather. so stay tuned to the forecast. take care.

live from washington, this is bbc news. israel presses forward with its ground operation in gaza as it intensifies its assault. four people in gaza, ——, people in gaza, blackouts there and some areas are now catastrophic. aha, areas are now catastrophic. week ago, the hospital was out of service because it was evacuated but the main building of the hospital today was destroyed. thousands of pro—palestinian protesters marched through london and cities across europe. plus the death toll from storm otis climbs to 39 as mexico cleans up and searches for those still missing.