i'm mark lowen, i will bring you the latest from southern israel. israel says it has completely surrounded gaza city, in effect splitting the territory into tier, north and south. in other news, prince william has been dragon boat racing and meeting with singapore's leaders ahead of his annual earthshot prize ceremony. # memories, like the corners of my mind...#. the funny girl on the way we were — barbra streisand reflects on the challenges of being a woman at the top of her profession during her six—decade—long career. hello, i'm sarah campbell. you're

watching bbc news. we start with the latest from the israel gaza conflict. it's been one of the heaviest nights of bombardment in gaza since the start of the war — with israeli air strikes hitting the north of the territory — and reports of huge explosions. israel says it's now effectively divided gaza into two parts — north and south. 11 un agencies and six humanitarian groups have called for an immediate ceasefire, urging israel to protect civilians and allow more food, water, medicine and fuel into gaza. they also called on hamas to release the hostages captured on october 7th. some aid continues to get through — a royaljordanian air force cargo plane has dropped several containers of humanitarian relief supplies over the gaza strip. the update was shared in a tweet by thejordanian king. jordan's state news agency said the consignment was urgent medical aid for thejordanian field hospital in gaza. israeli media reports say the air drop was carried out in co—ordination with the israeli military.

meanwhile, the us has stepped up diplomatic efforts in the region. secretary of state antony blinken is now in turkey, for meetings with the country's foreign minister. the country's cia director william burns is also now in israel — urging greater effort to avoid civilian casualties. and in the last few hours, the white house has said vice—president kamala harris will discuss the conflict in a phone call with unnamed foreign leaders today. let's go live to southern israel — and my colleague mark lowen. thank you very much indeed. it has been a morning of intense military activity in gaza, much of which we have heard from here. we are about three kilometres away from the gaza strip, and we are frequently seen plumes of smoke billowing after israeli air strikes on the gaza strip, some of which have been the largest that many here have seen for several days, even weeks. and then

overnight our team in gaza reported it was some of the worst and heaviest air strikes they have witnessed since the war began. the palestinians say that 200 civilians were killed overnight in israeli air strikes. those are figures that come from the hamas run health ministry. these really defence force gives regular updates and briefings of course and says yesterday they hit 450 course and says yesterday they hit a50 targets, including hamas command centres, they hit a hamas military outpost and they took out several terrorists, as they say, as well. they have added that today, once again, forfour hours between now, two hours ago and another two hours more the main road connecting north and south gaza will be open for some of the civilians that are still in northern gaza to make their way to a safer area in the south of the gaza strip will stop the us estimates that there are still around a00,000 civilians that are still in northern gaza refusing or unable to move. 0ur

middle east correspondent yolande kneu middle east correspondent yolande knell has the very latest. explosions the relentless bombardment continues. the latest israeli strikes in northern gaza among the most intense so far and, once again, phone and internet lines were cut. this was yesterday's aftermath. locals say dozens were killed. said's wife and daughters were wounded. he searches on for his neighbours. "can anyone hear me inside?" he shouts. "there are people." this is part of gaza where civilians had been told to flee to. israel's military says it is looking into whether it was operating in the area at the time. israel's ground invasion is advancing. its military says it has now divided the territory into two and that it is doing what it can to avoid civilian casualties. for several hours, israeli forces said they opened a route for gazans to head south. but relatively few made the journey.

on his latest stop in turkey, the us secretary of state is hearing calls for an immediate ceasefire from around the region. washington backs short pauses in fighting. everyone would welcome a humanitarian pause because, again, it would advance things we are all trying to accomplish, including getting hostages back, including getting a lot more assistance into gaza, including getting people out of gaza. one of the more than 2a0 hostages being held in gaza is 8a—year—old elma avraham. her family found this photo online, where she is seen being taken by hamas. her son worries how she is coping without her medication. right now, we are four weeks after that. four weeks and one day and they are still not here. and they should be here yesterday. not today, yesterday. i am like in some horror movie that does not stop. but, yeah, i still have hope. israel says that without progress on releasing the hostages, it won't agree to any

pause in hostilities. for now, for so many, each day brings only more suffering. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. the humanitarian situation is of course catastrophic as you saw in yolande knell�*s report, that refugee camp struck yesterday as the israeli military continues to wait to tell us whether or not their forces were operating in the area. they have consistently said facilities that are struck are targeted because they come in their words, contain hamas terror command centres including, for example, hospitals and the israeli military gave a briefing yesterday which they showed slides and videos that purported to show hamas tunnels operating beneath hospitals. hamas denies that and says the claims are baseless but the idf, israeli defence force, saying they are only targeting known terror cells. let's get a sense of the situation on the ground inside gaza.

we can speak live to my bbc colleague rushdi abualouf. tell us what you witnessed overnight and this morning where you are. idem; this morning where you are. very intense air— this morning where you are. very intense air strikes. _ this morning where you are. very intense air strikes. the _ this morning where you are. very intense air strikes. the people in gaza _ intense air strikes. the people in gaza say— intense air strikes. the people in gaza say they may have been the biggest _ gaza say they may have been the biggest since the start of this war, about_ biggest since the start of this war, about 450 — biggest since the start of this war, about 450 targets were hit across the gaza — about 450 targets were hit across the gaza strip are the main focus of the gaza strip are the main focus of the strikes — the gaza strip are the main focus of the strikes were north—west and south—west of gaza, with the israeiis — south—west of gaza, with the israelis expanding the ground operation and now they say they are in control— operation and now they say they are in control of— operation and now they say they are in control of the coastal road, isolating _ in control of the coastal road, isolating gaza completely. the air strikes. _ isolating gaza completely. the air strikes, according to the director of ai-shifa — strikes, according to the director of al—shifa hospital who i managed to speak— of al—shifa hospital who i managed to speak to this morning after the communication were resumed, said around _ communication were resumed, said around 200 — communication were resumed, said around 200 people were killed in the strikes _ around 200 people were killed in the strikes overnight and they were transported by people, they said people _ transported by people, they said people were carrying the dead bodies on their— people were carrying the dead bodies on their cart by donkeys and in

their— on their cart by donkeys and in their own _ on their cart by donkeys and in their own cars because the communications were cut and people couidh't_ communications were cut and people couldn't communicate with the ambulance services and the hospital was overwhelmed by the number of bodies _ was overwhelmed by the number of bodies and — was overwhelmed by the number of bodies and injuries. he expects the number— bodies and injuries. he expects the number to— bodies and injuries. he expects the number to go bodies and injuries. he expects the numberto go up bodies and injuries. he expects the number to go up again and he said there— number to go up again and he said there is— number to go up again and he said there is over10,000 number to go up again and he said there is over 10,000 people have been _ there is over 10,000 people have been killed. the strikes were not only in_ been killed. the strikes were not only in gaza city with the focus of the israeii — only in gaza city with the focus of the israeli operation but a safe area _ the israeli operation but a safe area where israel asked 1.2 million people _ area where israel asked 1.2 million people to — area where israel asked 1.2 million people to come in, and we have about 67 people _ people to come in, and we have about 67 people who were killed overnight in three _ 67 people who were killed overnight in three air— 67 people who were killed overnight in three air strikes in the middle. it in three air strikes in the middle. it was _ in three air strikes in the middle. it was a — in three air strikes in the middle. it was a very— in three air strikes in the middle. it was a very tough night with the communication suspended, mobile phones _ communication suspended, mobile phones were off and the internet in the entire _ phones were off and the internet in the entire gaza strip. this morning communications were resumed but getting _ communications were resumed but getting information is still very hard _ getting information is still very hard from the gaza city, verifying some _ hard from the gaza city, verifying some of— hard from the gaza city, verifying some of the information is very hard, _ some of the information is very hard, getting witnesses from the area is— hard, getting witnesses from the area is very hard, so we are struggling _ area is very hard, so we are struggling as journalists to get any

sort of— struggling as journalists to get any sort of information concerning the ai-shifa _ sort of information concerning the al—shifa hospital. the director of the hospital this morning said they had called the un to send a delegation in to check the hospitals because _ delegation in to check the hospitals because he said israel is lying about— because he said israel is lying about having a hamas infrastructure in the _ about having a hamas infrastructure in the hospital and they said our hospitals — in the hospital and they said our hospitals are open for the un and an international body want to investigate. he said this is the hamas— investigate. he said this is the hamas run director of the hospitals in gaza _ hamas run director of the hospitals in gaza who — hamas run director of the hospitals in gaza who were speaking this morning — in gaza who were speaking this morning tojournalists in gaza who were speaking this morning to journalists here in gaza who were speaking this morning tojournalists here in kahn yourris— morning tojournalists here in kahn younis in_ morning tojournalists here in kahn younis in the mass hospital. canl younis in the mass hospital. can i ask about the _ younis in the mass hospital. can i ask about the movement - younis in the mass hospital. can i ask about the movement south? you talked about how parts of the safe area, or largely safe area but is welcome had also seen air strikes. that road south, salah al—din road, going from northern gaza to southern gaza, is supposed to be open again today. do you get any sense that

civilians are moving, or do they feel too unsafe to take that road? people did manage to go but down on foot but— people did manage to go but down on foot but you know the distance is about _ foot but you know the distance is about seven or eight kilometres because — about seven or eight kilometres because the road itself is damaged. my colleague here in the hospital is still in _ my colleague here in the hospital is still in the — my colleague here in the hospital is still in the north injabaliya. i talked — still in the north injabaliya. i talked to— still in the north injabaliya. i talked to his family yesterday and he said _ talked to his family yesterday and he said they decided to leave and they took— he said they decided to leave and they took their cars and drove about five kilometres from the north into the middle of gaza city and he said the middle of gaza city and he said the road _ the middle of gaza city and he said the road was completely blocked. the only way— the road was completely blocked. the only way out of this is to walk. and imagine _ only way out of this is to walk. and imagine for— only way out of this is to walk. and imagine for people who are exhausted by a month— imagine for people who are exhausted by a month of no clean water or proper— by a month of no clean water or proper food, they had to walk about six or— proper food, they had to walk about six or seven — proper food, they had to walk about six or seven kilometres to cross this line — six or seven kilometres to cross this line which is where israel said is the _ this line which is where israel said is the line — this line which is where israel said is the line between the safe area and the — is the line between the safe area and the operation area. so they decided — and the operation area. so they decided to move back because they

said my— decided to move back because they said my mum is old, she can't walk five kilometres along this road. many— five kilometres along this road. many people without access to cars or any— many people without access to cars or any transportation to get the people — or any transportation to get the people out. for now, what we understand is that very few people who are _ understand is that very few people who are fit — understand is that very few people who are fit enough to work, they managed — who are fit enough to work, they managed to walk but they are talking about— managed to walk but they are talking about a _ managed to walk but they are talking about a few hundreds. still according to the un there are 400,000 people, remaining in gaza city and _ 400,000 people, remaining in gaza city and the — 400,000 people, remaining in gaza city and the hammers authority here saying _ city and the hammers authority here saying 700,000 people still remain in the _ saying 700,000 people still remain in the area — saying 700,000 people still remain in the area. the un said it is a huge— in the area. the un said it is a huge numberof in the area. the un said it is a huge number of people. even the few trucks _ huge number of people. even the few trucks that— huge number of people. even the few trucks that come from egypt when the road was _ trucks that come from egypt when the road was open, when the humanitarian corridor— road was open, when the humanitarian corridor was _ road was open, when the humanitarian corridor was open about four days ago. _ corridor was open about four days ago. none — corridor was open about four days ago, none of these trucks or aid or medical— ago, none of these trucks or aid or medical were allowed to the northern part of— medical were allowed to the northern part of gaza. so the people who are in the _ part of gaza. so the people who are in the northern part are most affected _ in the northern part are most affected than the people in the south — affected than the people in the south. israel is still carrying out attacks— south. israel is still carrying out attacks in— south. israel is still carrying out attacks in the south because it is targeting —

attacks in the south because it is targeting hamas infrastructure or hamas— targeting hamas infrastructure or hamas people. but in the south by far it _ hamas people. but in the south by far it is _ hamas people. but in the south by far it is safer, less air strikes and — far it is safer, less air strikes and less— far it is safer, less air strikes and less people are dying. but still everybody — and less people are dying. but still everybody you ask here in gaza or in the middle _ everybody you ask here in gaza or in the middle or in rafah they say no place _ the middle or in rafah they say no place in _ the middle or in rafah they say no place in say. the middle or in rafah they say no place in say-— place in say. thank you, rushdi abualouf. _ place in say. thank you, rushdi abualouf, stay _ place in say. thank you, rushdi abualouf, stay safe _ place in say. thank you, rushdi abualouf, stay safe and - place in say. thank you, rushdi abualouf, stay safe and our- place in say. thank you, rushdi| abualouf, stay safe and our best place in say. thank you, rushdi - abualouf, stay safe and our best to you and your family. that's the situation inside gaza. but there is another area of concern, that the increasing military activity and cross—border fire increasing military activity and cross—borderfire in increasing military activity and cross—border fire in northern increasing military activity and cross—borderfire in northern israel into lebanon and back again. 0vernight there was an israeli strike on a car in lebanon that the lebanese media say killed three miners and their grandmother travelling in a car. israel says that was a terror suspect vehicle and it took place after lebanese grad rockets were fired into northern israel. 0ur correspondent

hugo bachega is in southern lebanon. hugo, what's the latest on that cross—border fire? hugo, what's the latest on that cross- border fire ?_ hugo, what's the latest on that cross- border fire? cross-border fire? yes, this shows how tense — cross-border fire? yes, this shows how tense the _ cross-border fire? yes, this shows how tense the situation _ cross-border fire? yes, this shows how tense the situation is - cross-border fire? yes, this shows how tense the situation is along i cross-border fire? yes, this shows | how tense the situation is along the lebanon—israel border. last night the lebanese authorities said four civilians _ the lebanese authorities said four civilians were killed including three — civilians were killed including three children. i think this is the worst— three children. i think this is the worst attack so far in terms of civilian — worst attack so far in terms of civilian casualties since this all started. — civilian casualties since this all started, and the israelis are saying that they— started, and the israelis are saying that they targeted a car that was suspected of transporting terrorists, and that they were looking — terrorists, and that they were looking into reports that civilians were _ looking into reports that civilians were killed. but there has been strong — were killed. but there has been strong reaction here in lebanon following — strong reaction here in lebanon following this attack. the caretaker prime _ following this attack. the caretaker prime minister here has described it as a crime — prime minister here has described it as a crime. pictures of the destroyed car have been widely shared — destroyed car have been widely shared here on social media and also on lebanese — shared here on social media and also on lebanese television. a hezbollah politician _ on lebanese television. a hezbollah politician has said israel would pay

the price — politician has said israel would pay the price. sol politician has said israel would pay the price. so i think this is perhaps— the price. so i think this is perhaps raising fears that violence here could — perhaps raising fears that violence here could escalate because this happens — here could escalate because this happensjust days after here could escalate because this happens just days after the hezbollah leader hassan nasrallah .ave hezbollah leader hassan nasrallah gave his _ hezbollah leader hassan nasrallah gave his first speech since the war between _ gave his first speech since the war between israel and hamas broke out. he did _ between israel and hamas broke out. he did not _ between israel and hamas broke out. he did not talk about any immediate escalation— he did not talk about any immediate escalation of hostilities here, but he did _ escalation of hostilities here, but he did leave the door open for more attacks~ _ he did leave the door open for more attacks~ and — he did leave the door open for more attacks. and i think he made the point _ attacks. and i think he made the point that— attacks. and i think he made the point that hezbollah could return to what he _ point that hezbollah could return to what he described as a civilian for civilian _ what he described as a civilian for civilian strategy if lebanese civilians _ civilian strategy if lebanese civilians were killed as a result of these _ civilians were killed as a result of these israeli strikes. so again, concerns— these israeli strikes. so again, concerns here that this violence could _ concerns here that this violence could escalate and this morning we could _ could escalate and this morning we could hear— could escalate and this morning we could hear the sound of explosions in the _ could hear the sound of explosions in the distance coming from the border— in the distance coming from the border zone here in southern lebanon _ border zone here in southern lebanon. reports that the israeli military— lebanon. reports that the israeli military have been targeting some positions — military have been targeting some positions in the south of the country _ positions in the south of the country. so again, violence along the border— country. so again, violence along the border continues. so farthis fighting — the border continues. so farthis fighting has been contained, it has

been _ fighting has been contained, it has been happening in areas along the border~ _ been happening in areas along the border. but again, there is concern that this _ border. but again, there is concern that this violence could escalate with more attacks from both hezbollah and also israel. indeed, constant fear _ hezbollah and also israel. indeed, constant fear that _ hezbollah and also israel. indeed, constant fear that this _ hezbollah and also israel. indeed, constant fear that this could - constant fear that this could escalate into a wider regional war. we understand the us secretary of state antony blinken has directly warned hezbollah that it is ready to act militarily against the group if it tries to escalate this war. hugo bachega in southern lebanon, thank you very much indeed. the united states says that about 100 trucks per day are being allowed in across the rafah crossing from egypt into southern gaza. that is a small fraction of the daily trucks that were coming in before this conflict erupted. and of course the food needs and the humanitarian needs in gaza are ever more acute. let's find out what more about the situation on that front and we can speak live to the un's world food

programme senior communications officer abeer etefa who joins us from egypt. abeer etefa, thank you very much for being on bbc news. i understand that you were at the rafah crossing into gaza yesterday, if i'm not mistaken. could you tell us what you saw there in terms of the amount of aid being allowed into gaza? we we re we were actually on saturday on the rafa border crossing point, met by the egyptian red crescent, we saw the egyptian red crescent, we saw the staging area where the supplies are going _ the staging area where the supplies are going —— rafah crossing. are going —— rafah i the staging area where the supplies are going —— rafah i think there is movement— are going —— rafah i think there is movement in the right direction. more _ movement in the right direction. more supplies are getting in, egyptian red crescent is organising the convoys and it is happening on a systematic— the convoys and it is happening on a systematic manner. i think the biggest — systematic manner. i think the biggest issue at the moment is sometimes the delayed process of the x-ray_ sometimes the delayed process of the x—ray inspection and then the movement of the tracks to go back

into the _ movement of the tracks to go back into the egyptian side so that they -et into the egyptian side so that they get into— into the egyptian side so that they get into gaza. supplies of fuel is short— get into gaza. supplies of fuel is short which is making the situation inside _ short which is making the situation inside gaza — short which is making the situation inside gaza in terms of moving these supplies— inside gaza in terms of moving these supplies difficult. but the passing on of— supplies difficult. but the passing on of humanitarian assistance is picking — on of humanitarian assistance is picking up _ on of humanitarian assistance is picking up. more food supplies, wfp had yesterday, 14 trucks going inside — had yesterday, 14 trucks going inside gaza with food supplies. we hope _ inside gaza with food supplies. we hope that— inside gaza with food supplies. we hope that this is going to be gaining _ hope that this is going to be gaining momentum so that at least we have what— gaining momentum so that at least we have what we need, which is between 50 and _ have what we need, which is between 50 and 100 _ have what we need, which is between 50 and 100 trucks of food supplies a day if— 50 and 100 trucks of food supplies a day if we _ 50 and 100 trucks of food supplies a day if we are to provide food assistance to the 2 million people inside _ assistance to the 2 million people inside gaza. at the moment we are planning _ inside gaza. at the moment we are planning to— inside gaza. at the moment we are planning to provide food assistance for1 million people over the next two months with an urgent emergency food assistance to families. i was readin: food assistance to families. i was reading comments _ food assistance to families. i was reading comments by _ food assistance to families. i was reading comments by the - food assistance to families. i was reading comments by the un - reading comments by the un humanitarian agency in gaza on ra which said the average gazan is

surviving at the moment on average on two pieces of bread per day. are you able to quantify in some way given the amount of food that is left in gaza and the amount of food thatis left in gaza and the amount of food that is coming in, perhaps even how many days perhaps there is enough food coming in and in gaza for? —— unrwa. for how many days with the food supply be sufficient at the moment? it food supply be sufficient at the moment? . , ' . food supply be sufficient at the moment? . , , . ., moment? it is very difficult to redict moment? it is very difficult to predict that- _ moment? it is very difficult to predict that. and _ moment? it is very difficult to predict that. and simply - moment? it is very difficult to i predict that. and simply because there _ predict that. and simply because there are — predict that. and simply because there are very limited food supplies left in _ there are very limited food supplies left in the _ there are very limited food supplies left in the shops. maybe there are some _ left in the shops. maybe there are some stocks left in the warehouses of the _ some stocks left in the warehouses of the big _ some stocks left in the warehouses of the big suppliers, but the road infrastructure, the movement, the security— infrastructure, the movement, the security situation is not allowing the stores — security situation is not allowing the stores to restock the supplies from _ the stores to restock the supplies from the — the stores to restock the supplies from the wholesalers. at the same time. _ from the wholesalers. at the same time. most — from the wholesalers. at the same time, most of the bakers have completely stopped. we only have one baker of _ completely stopped. we only have one

baker of the 23 that were working with the _ baker of the 23 that were working with the world food programme still operating _ with the world food programme still operating because they either sustained damage or because of the fuel shortage. that meant that the world _ fuel shortage. that meant that the world food programme has reduced the amount— world food programme has reduced the amount of— world food programme has reduced the amount of bread distributed to people — amount of bread distributed to people from 200,000 a day to barely 20.000~ _ people from 200,000 a day to barely 20.000~ so— people from 200,000 a day to barely 20,000. so there are so many issues, and definitely— 20,000. so there are so many issues, and definitely a shortage of food and definitely a shortage of food and water supplies to people inside gaza~ _ and water supplies to people inside gaza~ also— and water supplies to people inside gaza. also the movement, the constant — gaza. also the movement, the constant movement of people and the chaotic— constant movement of people and the chaotic situation, the security situation _ chaotic situation, the security situation, is resulting in a very difficult — situation, is resulting in a very difficult circumstances of trying to -et difficult circumstances of trying to get people with the right amount of food at _ get people with the right amount of food at the right time. so it is a very— food at the right time. so it is a very complicated operation at the moment — very complicated operation at the moment. �* . very complicated operation at the moment. . , ., ., moment. 0k, abeer etefa, from the world food — moment. 0k, abeer etefa, from the world food programme _ moment. 0k, abeer etefa, from the world food programme in _ moment. 0k, abeer etefa, from the world food programme in egypt, . moment. 0k, abeer etefa, from the i world food programme in egypt, thank you very much indeed. you were talking about the water supply, of course can be on the shortage of

food, the contamination of water is a major problem there, adding to the plight of the civilians who are suffering so much. a lot of water supplies, and areas seem to be being targeted by israeli strikes in order to try and squeeze, they say, how mass groups and how massive's ability to operate if there is a shortage of water and a shortage also of electricity with solar panels also, we understand, the subject of some israeli air strikes. the other line for today is the diplomacy which continues apace, the us secretary of state continuing his tour of the region, he's been in israel, has been in the arab world, he's been injordan hearing the calls for an immediate ceasefire. israel says there will be no immediate ceasefire unless there is movement and unless there is a release of those 2a0 hostages will stop israel has also said that there will be no humanitarian pause as the us secretary of state is pushing for

until there is movement and progress on the plight of those hostages. the us secretary of state in turkey today, again hearing a condemnation from turkey's president of the israeli offensive. at the moment israeli offensive. at the moment israel shows absolutely no sign of halting its military offensive, certainly until there is movement on those hostages. we will continue to bring you the developments here in gaza and from southern israel. but for now i will hand you back to the studio in london. thank you, mark lowen in southern israel. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. up to 20,000 health workers in england will receive a one—off bonus of at least £1,700, after previously missing out because they worked for non—nhs organisations. the extra payment was agreed as part of the nhs pay deal in england this year — but some staff were not included. after employers launched legal action, the government has now agreed to provide the funding. around 50 young people have clashed with riot police in edinburgh, with fireworks and petrol bombs

being thrown at officers. videos posted on social media showed the police being bombarded with explosives — while bystanders watched the violence. there was similar disorder in the neighbourhood on bonfire night last year. a bbc panorama investigation has found the fast—fashion firm boohoo has broken promises to treat its suppliers more fairly. an undercover reporter at the company's hqs saw evidence of staff pressuring suppliers into cutting prices, even after deals had been struck. you're live with bbc news. ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you some breaking news we have received. british steel will announce this afternoon a plan to close its scunthorpe blast furnace and replace it with two electric arc furnaces — one at scunthorpe and one at teeside. the blast furnace

will stay in operation during the construction of the two new eafs which will take two to three years. unions estimate that could lead to between 1,500 and 2,000 jobs being lost. sources at the department for business say the proposals are part of a broader package of support of up to £500 million for the chinese—owned british steel which mirrors the package agreed for tata already. unions have already threatened industrial action over tata's plans to shut down the blast furnaces at port talbot. we'll have more on this in the coming hours here on bbc news. donald trump is due to give evidence at his civil fraud case in new york later today. the judge has already ruled that the trump 0rganisation massively inflated the value of properties in order to obtain preferable rates on loans and insurance deals. 0ur bbc north america correspondent shingai nyoka reports.

trump attended several sessions of this trial, listening impassively as prosecution witnesses accused him of fraud. today he is expected to take the stand in a case that threatens his new york business empire will stop over the last month various witnesses took to the stand his former attorney turned foe michael cohen among those who testified that the former president had a history of misrepresenting the value of assets to gain favourable loan terms and tax benefits. and last week his two adult sons and co—defendants eric and donald jr testified. they took over the management of the trump 0rganization after he became us president in 2017. they deny any wrongdoing and say that they relied on others to verify the documents. trump is expected to say the same. the assets are much more valuable as opposed _ the assets are much more valuable as opposed to _ the assets are much more valuable as opposed to less valuable than are in the statements. it can't be fraud when _ the statements. it can't be fraud when you're told institutions to do

their own — when you're told institutions to do their own work. this case is a fraud and it— their own work. this case is a fraud and it is— their own work. this case is a fraud and it is a _ their own work. this case is a fraud and it is a scam. he their own work. this case is a fraud and it is a scam.— and it is a scam. he has repeatedly accused the — and it is a scam. he has repeatedly accused the new— and it is a scam. he has repeatedly accused the new york _ and it is a scam. he has repeatedly accused the new york attorney i accused the new york attorney general letitia james and the judge arthur engoron, both democrats, of being part of a broader political witch hunt. james, who trump has called a venomous and racist, sued the former president under new york law that gives her office the power to investigate and prosecute corporate fraud. trump is the frontrunner in the republican race for the 202a presidential elections. it is a scam, it is political interference, it is a fight against a political— interference, it is a fight against a political opponent who is leading in the _ a political opponent who is leading in the polls on it is a scam case. the _ in the polls on it is a scam case. the judge — in the polls on it is a scam case. the judge had already ruled that the former president and his sons and the wider trump 0rganization lied about the values of properties such as trump towers. this case will determine the penalties, if any. donald trump is facing multiple cases on both criminal and civil fronts, including for trying to overturn the 2020 us presidential election. this trial, unlike the

others, goes to the heart of his identity as a businessman in the city where he built his name. he and his trump 0rganization could be fined up to $250 million. lose control of some of his iconic real estate to a court—appointed receiver. all he could be banned from doing business in new york. shingai nyoka reporting there from new york. stay with us on bbc news. there is plenty more to come. hello again. the weather this week is much quieter than it was last week. for most, notjust today, but for much of this week we're looking at sunny spells and scattered showers. some of the showers will be heavy and thundery, particularly in the west. and on wednesday, we'll see some rain crossing from west to east. more on that later. but what we have this afternoon are still a lot of showers in the west, some of them spreading into the midlands and north—east england. but in between and ahead of them, we will see some sunshine,

especially north—east scotland, parts of eastern england and the south—east. the temperatures today ranging from nine to about 1a degrees. so feeling fresh if you are out and about. through this evening and overnight, the breeze will tend to ease a touch in the english channel. there still will be some showers in the west and also parts of north—east england, the midlands, but under clear skies the temperature will fall away to around freezing in the north—east of scotland. so here there will be a touch of frost, but it will be a chilly start to the day wherever you are. and during the course of tuesday, again, we start off with all these showers in the west. some of them could still be heavy. but then we've got this ridge of high pressure building in. so things will ease, the showers will ease as we go through the course of the afternoon with temperatures 9 in the north to about 13 as we push further south. now, moving on into tuesday evening and overnight and through wednesday, we've got this clutch of weather fronts coming in from the atlantic, bringing in some rain.

you can see from the isobars there will be strengthening winds with it too. so a wet start to the day, parts of western scotland, north—west england could have as much as 20 to 30 millimetres of rainfall. and that will continue to push eastwards lingering longest across the far south—east and also the northern isles. behind it, some sunshine, but also some showers with temperatures 8 in aberdeen, 10 in belfast and 13 in cardiff. now, moving towards the latter part of the week, you can see how that rain clears quite quickly. then low pressure starts to dominate the weather. there's a squeeze in the isobars and when we look at the direction the winds coming from, it's coming from the northwest. so although temperatures will be very similar to what we're looking at during the week, with that change in wind direction, it will feel that bit fresher than it has done. and by the weekend, we'll be looking at some more rain coming our way.

this is bbc news, the headlines. huge plumes of smoke rise over gaza — after one of the most intense bombardments of the territory since the start of the conflict. israel says it's �*coordinated' with thejordan army to drop medical aid into gaza — as the heads of all major un agencies call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

america's top diplomat antony blinken held talks in ankara