live from washington, this is bbc news. israel's the minister says the war in gaza will be hard and will take time but his priority is to defeat hamas. translation:— priority is to defeat hamas. translation: ., , translation: the war inside the gaza strip will _ translation: the war inside the gaza strip will be _ translation: the war inside the gaza strip will be difficult - gaza strip will be difficult and long but we are ready for it. this is our second war effort. ., u, ., it. this is our second war effort. ., ., , effort. communication blackout. the situation _ effort. communication blackout. the situation in _ effort. communication blackout. the situation in some _ effort. communication blackout. the situation in some areas - the situation in some areas considered to be catastrophic. a week ago, the hospital was out of service because it was being evacuated but today, the main area of the hospital was destroyed. main area of the hospital was destroyed-— destroyed. and if the death toll from — destroyed. and if the death toll from storm _ destroyed. and if the death toll from storm otis - destroyed. and if the death | toll from storm otis climbed destroyed. and if the death - toll from storm otis climbed to 39 as mexico cleans up and searches for those missing.

thank you forjoining us. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu who says of the ground operation in gaza has entered a second phase, warning the ball with hamas will be long and difficult. it described it as a second war of independence and declared israel would win the war and make every effort to bring the hostages home. on saturday, in his first comments since the war began on the seventh of october, hamas's leader has offered to release all hostages in return for the freeing of all palestinian prisoners in israeli jails. in a statement he said... this comes about a day after israel stepped up its

bombardment of gaza. about 150 target work hit and killed some key figures within hamas which is designated a terror group by the uk, us and many other western nations. israeli troops were inside gaza both in the north and the south of the territory. jeremy bowen is on the ground and sent 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, prime minister benjamin netanyahu issued a solemn warning. translation: the war - inside the gaza strip 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 farfrom 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 if my daughter here, so i go — i go where she is. and you bring lunch? yes, to all the soldiers. you know, when you are 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 that 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. as we have been reporting, hamas's leader has offered to release all hostages held in

gaza in exchange for palestinian prisoners in israeli jails. our correspondent has more from jerusalem. correspondent has more from jerusalem-— jerusalem. this was the first ublic jerusalem. this was the first public statement _ jerusalem. this was the first public statement at - jerusalem. this was the first public statement at all - jerusalem. this was the first public statement at all from | public statement at all from yahya sinwar, the head of hamas in gaza since the crisis began atjust in gaza since the crisis began at just over three weeks in gaza since the crisis began atjust over three weeks ago and it is significant he chose this moment to make that offer. what was also interesting, shortly before that, at his press conference, the prime minister benjamin netanyahu was asked, would you be prepared to release palestinian prisoners in return for the release of the hostages and he did not rule it out but he said it would be unwise to talk about it publicly. we have no way of knowing at the moment whether such a deal is on the cards. former senior israeli officials are saying it would be a good thing to do, good idea to release, hundreds perhaps even thousands, of palestinian prisoners in return for the hostages and there are people in the region, including countries like qatar who are

trying hard to engineer such a thing butjust to emphasise, we cannot see any sign of it. you see some live images looking out on gaza city. communication is there for the more than 2 million people living on gaza is currently very difficult. phone and internet connection and down and most people are simply unreachable. the un says ambulance and civil defence team are no longer able to locate the injured due to the lack of communication. after the blackout, our correspondent was able to get through to us and said the north of the territory surrounding gaza city was hit overnight on a scale we have never seen before. he sent this report from the southern city. this report from the southern ci . ., . . ., this report from the southern ci . ., ., , , city. communication is very difficult in _ city. communication is very

difficult in gaza. _ city. communication is very difficult in gaza. it - city. communication is very difficult in gaza. it was - city. communication is very difficult in gaza. it was cut. mobile carriers are not functioning. the internet lines are not functioning 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. they 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 indonesian 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. with me, barbara starr a senior fellow and long—time pentagon correspondent. so great to have you here. we saw the scene, didn't we, that press conference called by prime minister benjamin netanyahu and

what seemed to be him and members of his cabinet preparing the country for what could be this drawnout conflict. how prepared do you think israel is for something that may last weeks, months, we're not sure how long it will be? . , . we're not sure how long it will be? . ,, ., be? that is a basic issue. how do ou be? that is a basic issue. how do you prepare _ be? that is a basic issue. how do you prepare for— be? that is a basic issue. how do you prepare for what - be? that is a basic issue. how do you prepare for what you . be? that is a basic issue. howl do you prepare for what you do not know it lies ahead. israel is going to need a lot of us military assistance, perhaps more us military advice. the aid that needs gaza, billions of dollars of aid, and even once the hostilities stopped, then the reconstruction. not clear what this means for the israeli economy and a mixed reception, i think, israeli economy and a mixed reception, ithink, in israel from its own people about what may lie ahead. there is an awful lot of indication that the israelis, the israeli people want those hostages back and that is a very top priority

for them. and that is a very top priority forthem. in and that is a very top priority for them-— and that is a very top priority for them. , ., ., ., for them. in terms of gaza and we had that — for them. in terms of gaza and we had that report _ for them. in terms of gaza and we had that report inside - for them. in terms of gaza and we had that report inside the l we had that report inside the territory, the situation, the humanitarian situation continuing to deteriorate. how much longer do you think this ground operation can go before israel may feel pressured to begin to allow some aid in? well, i think as images continue to emerge from gaza of the disaster that and the impact on so many people, that pressure is just impact on so many people, that pressure isjust going impact on so many people, that pressure is just going to simply grow and grow and grow andi simply grow and grow and grow and i think the biden administration is trying to make it clear to the israelis how you fight this war against hamas matters. fighting it with precision targeting, doing everything you can to stage missions are simply against hamas fighters and leadership, and try really not attack the people of gaza. but that is very hard to do because nobody

knows where the hostages are and how do you begin to even do that. hamas has the tunnels, the snipers, the improvised explosive devices. when they get into the fight, they will be a very tough foe.- be a very tough foe. this message _ be a very tough foe. this message coming - be a very tough foe. this message coming from i be a very tough foe. this | message coming from the be a very tough foe. this message coming from the head of hamas in gaza offering some kind of exchange to free the hostages in exchange for palestinian prisoners on the israeli side. it is an offer. do you think israel will have to consider it or will it be pushed off the table? ben'amin netan ahu pushed off the table? ben'amin netanyahu is i pushed off the table? ben'amin netanyahu is making h pushed off the table? ben'amin netanyahu is making a _ pushed off the table? benjamin netanyahu is making a clear, i pushed off the table? benjamin| netanyahu is making a clear, he does not want to consider any of these options until he believes hamas's military capability is destroyed and thatis capability is destroyed and that is a very tough thing to do. how will you know that hamas has no more tunnels, no more missiles, no more leadership? it is something you cannot prove an event you're going to release a significant

number of palestinian prisoners back into gaza perhaps? so, thatis back into gaza perhaps? so, that is going to be very tough and that is really at the centre of all of these, the priority of getting the hostages are back, versus — it should not be an either or but it is tough not to think of it like that— but getting hamas's leadership cross. we like that- but getting hamas's leadership cross.— leadership cross. we had the prime minister _ leadership cross. we had the prime minister essentially i leadership cross. we had the | prime minister essentially say there are two priorities and maybe destroying hamas and getting the hostages back. can ou do it getting the hostages back. can you do it at _ getting the hostages back. can you do it at the _ getting the hostages back. (1531 you do it at the same time? getting the hostages back. (15w you do it at the same time? and for both of those the question is, when will you know you have achieved success? you will know it when the people are back but when will you know hamas is destroyed?— destroyed? there was a pole done by an — destroyed? there was a pole done by an israeli _ destroyed? there was a polej done by an israeli newspaper manager nearly half of the israelis want to hold off on an invasion of gaza. what do you

think that might suggest about the level of support in israel for what is taking place? i the level of support in israel for what is taking place? i am not an exoert _ for what is taking place? i am not an expert on _ for what is taking place? i am not an expert on this, - for what is taking place? i am not an expert on this, but - for what is taking place? i am not an expert on this, but i i not an expert on this, but i think perhaps ago to the question of domestic political support for benjamin netanyahu, very controversial leader over the last many, many months and is this going to be something, really have the authority, power to carry out his agenda in destroying hamas, how he wants to do it, or is the going to be answerable to the people of israel? �* of israel? and we saw the process — of israel? and we saw the process leading _ of israel? and we saw the process leading up - of israel? and we saw the process leading up to - of israel? and we saw the| process leading up to this. barbara starr, with us here in the studio all night and thank you so much for your analysis. thank you. pro—palestinian protists are taking place around the world with many calling for a ceasefire and protection for civilians in gaza. this was the scene at the grand central terminal in new york. thejewish voice for

york. the jewish voice for peace, a york. thejewish voice for peace, a group york. the jewish voice for peace, a group that advocates for palestinians described it as an emergency setting. over 200 people were arrested and in turkey thousands took to the streets of istanbul in the largest rally since the start of the conflict, addressing the crowd, recep tayyip erdogan repeated his stance. an opposition contradicting many of turkey's nato allies. demonstrations also taking place in paris despite a band. a french court said the march could risk disturbing public order given the rise of anti—semitic acts in france in the war began. in the uk, 300,000 pro—palestinian demonstrators 300 , 000 pro—palestinian demonstrators gathered 300,000 pro—palestinian demonstrators gathered in london as well as other cities for rallies urging the end of israel's attack in gaza. all chant: stop bombing gaza! a protest, the organisers said, of more than 300,000 people.

at one point, it stretched 1.5 miles 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? all: 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. all chant: we want boycotts! there were shouts of, "from the river to the sea, "palestine will be free"... 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. some developing political news now from the united states. wendy— now from the united states. wendy 24 republican presidential candidate and former_ presidential candidate and former vice president mike pence _ former vice president mike pence is— former vice president mike pence is withdrawing from the

presidential race —— 2024. he presidential race -- 2024. he announced — presidential race —— 2024. he: announced his decision to a crowd in las vegas, saying he had no regrets. everything our country is facing, i could not sit this one out. but the bible tells us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. and travelling across the country over the past six months, i came here to say it's become clear to me this is not my time. former president donald trump continues to dominate the republican race, recently mike pence's campaign had struggled to fund raise enough money and gain support in the polls. with over $600 million in debt, only raising about $1.2 million so far, those numbers are steep compared to several other former republican rivals. the mexican government says at least 39 people have died after

hurricane 0tis hit the country's south—west coastline. a further ten people are still missing as the storm swept onto the and brought widespread destruction to the resort city of acapulco and surrounding areas. the devastation is clear to see. acapulco has never recorded a category 5 hurricane, and this one has wreaked havoc along the coastline. the world meteorological organization has described the storm as one of the most rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones on record. only one other, patricia, in 2015, has exceeded it. the speed at which 0tis intensified took the government and weather forecasters by surprise. there was precious little time to issue warnings and prepare residents and tourists for its arrival. it's like a movie. it's like the apocalypse. it really is like the apocalypse. but i hope — i hope acapulco

can recover as quickly as possible because it seems it seems like — it seems like 90% of the buildings have 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. translation: 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 litres of water and food supplies are being distributed. it's a monumental challenge. david waddell, bbc news. some breaking news from southern california, the actor matthew perry has died. that's according to us media reports. he was of course best known for his role on the tv sitcom friends. ali police resources confirming the 54—year—old was found unresponsive by authorities at his home near los angeles. there has not yet been a cause of death cited but there was no sign of foul play. the actor was most famous for playing chandler bing in the 90s so friends. he had long spoken about his addiction to drugs and alcohol and is recovery. joining me is david

willis with more on this news and matthew perry, such an icon of the 90s so what more do we know about some of these details we are still learning about the circumstances of his death? ~ , ,., , about the circumstances of his death? ~ ,,., , .,, death? absolutely. in the last few minutes _ death? absolutely. in the last few minutes a _ death? absolutely. in the last few minutes a statement - death? absolutely. in the last few minutes a statement was | few minutes a statement was released from warner brothers, which, of course, was the company that made and syndicated friends, saying we are devastated to hear of matthew perry's passing. it was a true gift to us or stop all of our hearts, to his family, loved ones and all of his fans. as far as reports are concerned from los angeles, they are saying police responded to a 9/11 calljust saying police responded to a 9/11 call just after four o'clock this afternoon at matthew perry's home in pacific palisades, which is in los angeles. officials have not revealed a cause of death but they say that matthew perry was found dead in a hot tub at his home. as i say, there was no

sign of foul play but an investigation, of course, is under way in los angeles. irate under way in los angeles. we have that _ under way in los angeles. we have that statement there now and we can read it again. again the news that matthew perry has been found dead at age 54 and as we mentioned, struggled, of course, big time with drugs, with alcohol and painkillers, actually. what more do we know about some of his struggles with addiction? absolutely, very tormented man. clearly very talented but also very tormented man. he said once that he enjoyed stardom, if you like, for about eight months before the pressures really started to cave in on him. ~ ., really started to cave in on him.- firstly - really started to cave in on him.- firstly he - really started to cave in on | him.- firstly he turned really started to cave in on - him.- firstly he turned to him. wow. firstly he turned to alcohol and — him. wow. firstly he turned to alcohol and then, _ him. wow. firstly he turned to alcohol and then, to _ him. wow. firstly he turned to alcohol and then, to drugs. . alcohol and then, to drugs. there was a jet ski accident

following which he became addicted to vicodin, a painkiller. struggled and went and out of rehab many times over the last few years. indeed, a few years ago as well, he also had a problem from a: problem, which in actualfact nearly from a: problem, which in actual fact nearly killed him, he underwent a seven—hour operation following a burst: and for two weeks in a coma, five months hospitalised as a result of that so this was somebody of course who had really seen fame which really is impossible for mere mortals such as ourselves to contemplate. this was a man who, friends was playing to 25 million people, every episode, and he was earning, by the end of it, $1 million...— of it, $1 million... million dollars per— of it, $1 million... million dollars per episode, - of it, $1 million... million dollars per episode, it. of it, $1 million... millionl dollars per episode, it was amazing! and it's really hard to overstate the impact that matthew perry had, that friends

had on the us culture and, really, internationally, right? absolutely. and the irony and one of the many ironies is that he merely didn't end up playing this part because they cast around for all of these characters in friends, the six members of the friends sitcom, and they went through a lot of casting sessions but the role of chandler bing was one that eluded them. they could not find an actor who perfectly fit the role. so much so that they were actually thinking of rewriting the role in some way because they thought it wasn't up because they thought it wasn't up to par, if you like. then along came matthew perry. he was a natural fit for the role of chandler bing but he was promised, by that stage, to another series which only ran for one series, so he was free to pick up that role.— to pick up that role. they found the _ to pick up that role. they found the perfect - to pick up that role. they found the perfect active i to pick up that role. they l found the perfect active for to pick up that role. they - found the perfect active for it and again, breaking news,

matthew perry found dead at age 54. stay with us right here on bbc news. 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, we'll see sunshine and showers and winds for many. it 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, the weather front that brought the heavy, thundery rain across southern areas, lying across scotland. we'll 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 north—easterly winds with huge waves crashing up onto north sea coast. we 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 10—14 or 15 degrees across the country from north to south.

sunday evening, and overnight, it stays wet again across large parts of scotland, particularly eastern scotland. with those strong and gusty winds continuing, we 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 coasts, and temperatures generally 7—10 celsius. so, monday, we start the new week off on an unsettled note. again, heavy, persistent rain for northern and eastern scotland with strong, gusty winds. southern scotland, northern ireland, england, wales, actually a better day, ithink. more sunshine around. but there will be further showers in southern and western areas — again, the odd heavy and thundery one — and temperatures 10—15 degrees. now, if we run the pressure chart on through the new week, we see a brief spell of fine weather for tuesday and then, an area of low pressure brings wet, windy weather on wednesday and there's a potential of a very deep area of low pressure hurtling in on thursday, which could bring some disruption, a 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, too. temperatures of 10—15 degrees. 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.

voiceover: this is bbc news. we will have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. the deadliest assault in israel's history. shouting and gunfire so many people are dead and are kidnapped and are hurt that i think israel will never be the same. loud explosion and the brutal response to hamas and its murderous attack. explosion israel is stunned by its security failure. this was a mass attack, well—planned, well—equipped. and we failed. we failed to protect our people. siren in gaza, a growing humanitarian crisis. we are talking about a very

disaster situation. if the fuel is out, the hospital will turn to mortuary. loud explosions the loss of life is fuelling anger on both sides. this attack on october 7 is a proper before—and—after moment. it opens a new chapter in the palestinian—israeli conflict _ with israel on the verge of a ground invasion of gaza, could this crisis engulf the whole middle east? explosion you could hear, tack—tack—tack—tack. pack—a—packa, tack—tack—tack. thinking, ok, that's unusual.

and i could hear it getting closer.