al shifa hospital in gaza city. the former israel prime minister ehud barak — told this programme — the hardest part of the military operation was perhaps still to come. it takes time and sweat and tears and blood but it will end up a win— win. the demand for a ceasefire is increasing as aid agencies express difficulties in carrying out their operations in gaza. you can call a cease—fire, call it in the end governments in the community decide. the idea is without civility there is no humanitarian operation. the uk's chief scientific adviser criticises the government's early response to the covid pandemic. saying bartjohnson was bamboozled by the information given to him. he gave up at 15 and i think to be the

first to _ gave up at 15 and i think to be the first to admit it was in his forte and that— first to admit it was in his forte and that he _ first to admit it was in his forte and that he did struggle with some of the _ and that he did struggle with some of the concepts. —— borisjohnson. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, hopes are rising at some of the 240 people taken by hamas could soon be freed. president biden saying he believes a deal to secure the release of hostages being held by hamas in gaza is "near. "the latest indication we heard earlier, the optimism from the americans. but the us president nowjoining that by saying he feels that the release of some of those hostages is "near. "we will obviously return to the us president is saying. qatar is mediating saying only very minor

operations two obstacles in the way. israel's ambassador to the us — had earlier said, a significant number of hostages could be freed in the coming days, in exchange for a brief ceasefire. meanwhile, 28 of the 31 premature babies evacuated from gaza's al shifa hospital on sunday, have now arrived in egypt for medical treatment. they were placed in mobile units and taken by ambulance through the rafah crossing — and were then transferred to incubators, on arrival at hospital in egypt. doctors say, the three babies who've stayed behind in gaza are in a stable condition. eight of the original 39 babies at the hospital died before the transfer could be arranged. there's now a new challenge for gaza's displaced people — winter rains. from jerusalem, yolande knell reports. the gloom of winter in gaza — adding another layer of misery

for the hundreds of thousands who are now homeless, many living in flimsy tents without the right clothes. translation: we were warm in our home, but we came - here in the wind and rain. we can't even find covers for our children. they shiver at night. how long will this go on for? we were living in dignity. we were displaced by force. but there's been no letup in the fighting. these homes in rafah in southern gaza, destroyed today by israeli strikes. while this was the other end of the strip. and in this video, verified by the bbc, tanks moved in on the indonesian hospital, with at least a dozen reportedly killed. israel's military hasn't commented directly, but says its operations are continuing to target terrorists in gaza. today brought a glimmer of hope for the smallest survivors of last week's stand—off at al—shifa hospital.

most of the 31 premature babies removed from their incubators due to the power cuts are now to be cared for in egypt. back at al—shifa, israel released this video, as it comes under pressure to justify its raid on gaza's biggest hospital. it says this tunnel leads to a blast proof door of the kind used by hamas for its command centres. and in another video, taken from security cameras, israel says two hostages can be seen being taken to al shifa on the 7th of october, one of them wounded. the bbc is trying to verify the footage. for the families of israel's hostages, each day is an ordeal. lishay lavi has been left alone, caring for her two daughters after her husband, 0mri, was taken from their home near gaza. we need him back. roni and alma need him back. so this is my war now, to bring him back here.

israel now says there are signs of progress in qatar—brokered talks with hamas to bring home some of the hostages. but it may take time to seal any deal. well let's get more now on the news that 28 babies have arrived in egypt after being transferred from hospital in gaza. yasmine farag, from bbc arabic, has the latest. 0ut out of the 28 premature palestinian babies crossed into egypt today 16 have been admitted to hospital. that is 40 km from the border, the remaining 12 have been on a flight to cairo to be admitted in hospitals here in the capital. because of the series condition. those babies have been on a journey from al—shifa, to the objection inside front of the original plan had —— eight have died

before the evacuation happened. yesterday 31 evacuated from al—shifa hospital. two of the babies parents have refused to transfer to egypt due to personal reasons. one baby was identified. egypt was not ready to transfer a baby with no id. the evacuation process was done jointly by the un and the palestinian red crescent. there was supposed to cross into egypt yesterday but they had to be admitted urgently into another gaza hospital on the way to be stabilised ahead of the transfer. a source of the crossing said the number of parents accompanying the babies are now eight parents, only eight. as for the remaining, the remaining babies are either lost their parents due to the bombardment

in gaza or with no parents but they have not been reunited yet. a lot of people who were in al—shifa had to evacuate in a rush due to israeli orders. evacuate in a rush due to israeli orders. let's go live to our middle east correspondent — tom bateman — who's in jerusalem. let me read out what i said at the start of the program. in the last few minutes joe start of the program. in the last few minutesjoe biden saying he believes a deal to secure the release of hostages being held by hamas is "near. "all the pointers heading in the same direction although we don't know anything about exact timelines. i although we don't know anything about exact timelines.— although we don't know anything about exact timelines. i thought it really significant _ about exact timelines. i thought it really significant to _ about exact timelines. i thought it really significant to hear _ about exact timelines. i thought it really significant to hear that - about exact timelines. i thought it really significant to hear that from the mouth ofjoe biden. he was on the mouth ofjoe biden. he was on the south lawn of the white house, a pretty busy event and a reporter shouting to him is a deal near to the release hostages, and he said he believes so. then did appear to try to add a caveat and we shouted out again saying do you believe,

president biden said yes with crossed fingers. that adds to the positive signals from the israeli ambassador to washington, michael herzog saying something similar. the qatari saying they think basically a deal is pretty much done apart from small details that need to be sorted. we keep waiting. we've been in this position from last night into today. i think it's the closest that the deal has felt. my sense talking to a figure familiar with the talks in the last couple of weeks is that they will be looking at a kind of phased release. you'll have perhaps a smaller number of hostages to start with the long cease—fire. if that cease—fire hold more hostages release as part of that package the release of some palestinian prisoners held by israel, possibly women and minors.

we have been in this situation before where we thought a deal is closed. it hasn't come to fruition. as we know, the release of hostages are four, two sets of two released early on in the war. in that case they were handed over to the red cross who then delivered them to the israeli side. there will be a lot of logistics to work through. remember, this is much more in active war zone on the ground then it was in the earlier period. a lot of details to get through but certainly those signals seem quite positive. tam signals seem quite positive. tom bateman, thank _ signals seem quite positive. tom bateman, thank you _ signals seem quite positive. tom bateman, thank you very much. live injerusalem. earlier i spoke to the foreign prime minister of israel, the israel zoo the leader can closest to dealing a two state solution in talks brokered by bill clinton back in 2000. i asked him if there was a hostage released in a deal, how long he anticipated israel

would be willing to pause for. i don't know, i think it's a number of a few days. five, for, basically when ready to contribute from each side to make sure that this deal will take place. at least a fraction of these hostages will be released back into the hands of their families. ., ., back into the hands of their families-— back into the hands of their families. ., ., ., .,, families. you will of heard those calls from _ families. you will of heard those calls from some _ families. you will of heard those calls from some on _ families. you will of heard those calls from some on the - families. you will of heard those calls from some on the far- families. you will of heard those calls from some on the far right| families. you will of heard those l calls from some on the far right of this current government calling for the death penalty to be reintroduced for those hamas fighters that have been captured since october the 7th. the families are some of the families in israel have been really appalled by that saying that hostage lies potentially are being endangered here. do you think any of those calls are particularly helpful at this stage? the those calls are particularly helpful at this stage?— at this stage? the calls to pass legislation _ at this stage? the calls to pass legislation is _ at this stage? the calls to pass legislation is one _ at this stage? the calls to pass

legislation is one an _ at this stage? the calls to pass legislation is one an idea - at this stage? the calls to pass legislation is one an idea at - at this stage? the calls to pass| legislation is one an idea at the wrong time. i'm fully behind the families of the hostages and everyone pulled up understand that's the least of the time to raise such an idea. ., ., ., an idea. you gave in an interview onl a an idea. you gave in an interview only a week _ an idea. you gave in an interview only a week or— an idea. you gave in an interview only a week or so _ an idea. you gave in an interview only a week or so ago _ an idea. you gave in an interview only a week or so ago where - only a week or so ago where you talked about in a week will will of loss the media and in two weeks we start to live governments, three weeks friction with america will emerge because they think are different levels, they see the whole picture. as the death toll rises do you still fear you are on back track to lose international support? i to lose international support? i think that inaudible. where in the middle of the way, we for sure look of the opinion of the world. it's a matter of fact there'll start to

losing government also, we talk to each and every one of them try to explain. there is a simmering tension with america simmering under the surface over the strategy. basically the other concern, not just the hostages but also how to avoid it from spreading. those are on more than two fronts and how to start to deal with the question 0k, what comes later? to who we're going to hand over the government to? time to hand over the government to? once we clear hamas. _ to hand over the government to? once we clear hamas. benjamin netanyahu believes in a one state solution. there's a catastrophic intelligence failing before october the 7th but also a catastrophic strategic failure because benjamin netanyahu was happy to keep hamas there to divide the palestinian authority. was that a fatal misjudgment, do you

think? i was that a fatal mis'udgment, do you think? ~' was that a fatal mis'udgment, do you think? ~ �* , ., was that a fatal mis'udgment, do you think? ~ 2 ., , ., . think? i think it's a strategic mistake. — think? i think it's a strategic mistake, grave _ think? i think it's a strategic mistake, grave mistake - think? i think it's a strategic mistake, grave mistake of. think? i think it's a strategic— mistake, grave mistake of netanyahu. it is extreme right wing and partaking those. but it should be known to you that there is a debate within the israeli public, i belong to those who believe that two state solution is the only viable vision. that's because ofjustice for the palestinians. are imperative to disengage from the palestinian in order to protect our own future, our own security, our own identity. more than half of the people think different and i am. that's the reason why netanyahu is in power and not someone i would like to see in power. not someone i would like to see in ower. . , , not someone i would like to see in ower. ., , , .,

power. that is why you also said the timing now. — power. that is why you also said the timing now. it's _ power. that is why you also said the timing now, it's impossible - power. that is why you also said the timing now, it's impossible to - power. that is why you also said the timing now, it's impossible to talk. timing now, it's impossible to talk about these things. a final thought going back to the military. what do you expect tactically to see in the south? do you think there will be similar tactics to the north and where do all those people go? they've already been told to head south. where will they go if there is a continuation into the south? it won't be represent sharon, the way should be found to of the hamas in the south. bear in mind because we cared in mind for the opportunity to move to the cell it enabled also at the hamas to move to the cell. it's clear to me they have now in the south thousands of warriors. rockets and probably military are now in the south. we have to find a way. we

have to find... it needs tactical imagination. have to find... it needs tactical imagination-— have to find... it needs tactical imauination. �* , i. _, imagination. briefly, if you could, it is the hardest _ imagination. briefly, if you could, it is the hardest part _ imagination. briefly, if you could, it is the hardest part of _ imagination. briefly, if you could, it is the hardest part of this - it is the hardest part of this military operation then still to come? , ., , military operation then still to come? , ., ., military operation then still to come? , ., , ., come? yes, in a way still to come. but we're — come? yes, in a way still to come. but we're ready — come? yes, in a way still to come. but we're ready to _ come? yes, in a way still to come. but we're ready to do _ come? yes, in a way still to come. but we're ready to do it. _ come? yes, in a way still to come. but we're ready to do it. we - come? yes, in a way still to come. but we're ready to do it. we fully l but we're ready to do it. we fully understand, we cannot complete this objective of destroying the physical assets of hamas as well as a capacity without deploying tens of thousands of pairs of boots on the ground. and systematically and unfortunately it takes time and sweat and tears and blood. but it will end up and we will win. talking to me earlier— will end up and we will win. talking to me earlier on _ will end up and we will win. talking to me earlier on today's _ will end up and we will win. talking to me earlier on today's program. i to me earlier on today's program. before we take a break and move away from the middle east were just

saying the world health organization has just been talking and giving new details about the transfer of those premature babies. information that 12 of those babies that were taken into egypt, these the picturesjust being released by the world health organization being released by the world health 0rganization12 have now been flown to cairo. 28 babies taken across from gaza border into egypt earlier today. 12 of those babies now have continued with theirjourney to cairo to continue with the medical treatment. that the latest information coming from the who. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the un says emissions of greenhouse gases must fall by 42 percent by 2030 to reach the goal of limiting global warming to one point five degrees

above pre—industrial levels. the un environment programme says current pledges put the world on track for a rise of between 2.5 and 2.9 degrees celsius. the uk prime minister has promised tax cuts to boost economic growth ahead of the chancellor's autumn statement on wednesday. rishi sunak said he was able to move on to the next phase of the government's economic plan after inflation fell to 4.6% last month. london's metropolitan police have questioned russell brand in relation to allegations of historical sex offences. an investigation by the sunday times, the times and channel 4's dispatches revealed allegations of rain, sexual assaults and emotional abuse against the comedian and actor. brand has previously denied the claims. those are some of the stories making the headlines. those are some of the stories making the headlines. you're live with bbc news. we will turn to the uk and the prime

minister during the pandemic, boris johnson was "bamboozled "by the scientific model. that's what the inquiry saying patrick balance testified on the inquiry which also heard some of his diary extracts from the time. sir patrick wrote that it had been awful watching mr johnson trying to get his head around stacks. he said the diary notes were a way of winding down at the end of the day and were never intended to be made public. his diary also said that mrjohnson looked broken and had his head in his hands a lot. sir patrick told the inquiry that although there was agreement about suppressing the virus to protect the anyjust not enough work was done about how to actually achieve that aim. do you think that enough _ actually achieve that aim. do you think that enough was _ actually achieve that aim. do you think that enough was done - actually achieve that aim. do you | think that enough was done during february— think that enough was done during february to understand what that meant _ february to understand what that meant and what in any overwhelmed

would _ meant and what in any overwhelmed would look_ meant and what in any overwhelmed would look like, what the numbers of all the _ would look like, what the numbers of all the numbers involved were? through— all the numbers involved were? through the numbers, there was a lot donein through the numbers, there was a lot done in terms of what needed to... what the options were to reduce the spread. quite early in february work started and more advanced clinical interventions, new focus particular drew up a lot of modelling around that. what the different options were and came up with a figure that others endorsed it was well is meeting to get the 75% reduction in contact to try and really suppress this to the right levels. a lot of work done on the modeling. there was a lot of work done exposing those options into cobra, including the behavioural science input on that. and there was a discussion, which i think borisjohnson puts in his statement, which he had with the cmo in february on lockdown options and what the implications of those would be. i think there was a lot of

evidence that there were things that needed to happen in order to achieve this aim of suppressing the curve. i'm not convinced that there was a very effective operational response to that. �* , ., ., very effective operational response to that. �*, ., ., to that. let's go live to political correspondent _ to that. let's go live to political correspondent who _ to that. let's go live to political correspondent who had - to that. let's go live to political correspondent who had been i to that. let's go live to political- correspondent who had been listening to all of that evidence. let's start with the headline from sir patrick, that description of borisjohnson being absolutely bamboozled by the scientific modelling that was being presented every day to him. this was somethin: presented every day to him. this was something as — presented every day to him. this was something as you _ presented every day to him. this was something as you said _ presented every day to him. this was something as you said that _ presented every day to him. this was something as you said that came - presented every day to him. this was something as you said that came out| something as you said that came out in those private notes that sir patrick said he would go home at night and jot down late in the evening as a way to decompress. he said at the time he never intended them to see the light of day ends soundly felt were a fair reflection of what he thought, perhaps he disagreed a few days later. there were several nodes amongst thieves suggesting a borisjohnson at

struggle to understand some of the scientific advice given. sir patrick did say that borisjohnson had been extremely keen to get the scientific advice. there was what i which he described him being completely bamboozled by some of it. he did say he didn't believe that borisjohnson had been unique in that among world leaders and that science is in the uk and other countries and they shared similar frustration. uk and other countries and they shared similarfrustration. he wasn't alone in that, he said. i shared similar frustration. he wasn't alone in that, he said. i was auoin to wasn't alone in that, he said. i was going to say. _ wasn't alone in that, he said. i was going to say, clear— wasn't alone in that, he said. i was going to say, clear frustration - going to say, clear frustration being outlined today and some of what was heard and written down. yes, there was. there was one personal note in which he talked about there being a total lack of leadership from 2020, i think that was. it also raise questions. a long of the headline grabbing questions were about the former prime minister borisjohnson. a lot of the evidence is raise questions for the current prime minister rishi sunak who of

course during the pandemic was the chancellor. some of the things raised to date were his eat out to help out scheme, where people were given a discount if they went out to eat over the summer of 2020. patrick fallon said he had no nothing about that despite —— patrick vallance. it would have warned, increased transmission. it had in fact turned all the public advice on its head. we also heard in a short from rishi sunak tinie extract from his evidence in which he said he did not recall any concerns having been raised about that scheme. that was from sir patrick who said he would have been very surprised if any administer had thought about that that didn't carry risk of those opening. lots of things that i think rishi sunak will be pushed on when he gives evidence.— he gives evidence. thank you very much for that. _

nearly 500 employees have opened ai signing a letter to the director that they may quit on the open ai board resigned. it comes after former boss — sam altman — joined microsoft after being sacked from his position last friday. mr altman had helped make the company the world leader in al — with the release of chatgpt, but was dismissed after the board said they'd lost confidence in him. his departure triggered several resignations at the firm, and the company is reported to have appointed its second chief executive in three days. to hear more on this, our technology reporter, shiona mccallum. we just have details of that letter from a number of employees. there are reports that over 500 employees have signed the letter. calling for the board to quit. they're unhappy with the way that sam altman was treated. of course, on friday, we heard very sudden news that he was departing and not just him, but also his other

co—founder, greg brockman. today we heard that they are going to bejoining microsoft to head up a new artificial intelligence team there. so that was the first shock of the morning. and now i've got this board's letter and the letter says that employees are openai can't work with people that lack competence and judgment and care for their staff. they're calling for all the board members to resign. if they don't, they say that they will follow mr altman and mr brockman to microsoft. they say that they've got a guarantee from microsoft that openai employees have jobs there in this new subsidiary that they're going to be heading up. so really interesting times. if it's if it does become clear that there's the 500 people that have signed the letter at the moment, i can only see 12 signatures on it. then that obviously leaves openai in a very, very difficult position

indeed, seeing a lot of its staff essentially leave. the signature care has settled a case for 7 million euros for the spanish authorities. the case for 7 million euros for the spanish authorities. the singer was about to go — spanish authorities. the singer was about to go on _ spanish authorities. the singer was about to go on trial— spanish authorities. the singer was about to go on trial accused - spanish authorities. the singer was about to go on trial accused of- about to go on trial accused of defrauding spain in 14 million euros in tax with the prosecutors went to jail her for eight years of she had been found guilty. we before leave you let me show you lovely pictures that are coming to us from paris. this is the moment the french capital is at the celebration for the christmas season. crowds gathering their and those in the nation expected to stay up until early january. nation expected to stay up until earlyjanuary. you nation expected to stay up until early january. you are watching bbc news. hello. good afternoon. it's a rather messy picture weather—wise for the rest of today. there's been plenty of cloud around, but also some sunshine, best across the midlands, east anglia and towards the east of wales. here's herefordshire. this is where we're likely to continue to see those brighter skies this afternoon. but stormy seas earlier on across

the south coast of england. some heavy rain, some strong, gusty winds, but that little feature, that front is pushing away, so it should dry out and brighten up, but a couple of fronts just sinking southwards. again, lots of cloud and rain. still brisk winds out towards the west, northern ireland, western scotland, down through western wales and the south—west of england too. a brisk north—westerly blowing. some showers at times. the best of the breaks in the cloud to the south and the east of high ground. some sunny spells for northern ireland, some more rain for eastern scotland. it's cooler than it was yesterday, highs of ten to 12 degrees celsius, but maybe 14 towards the south coast of england. overnight tonight, a few changes. we will see high pressure build into northern ireland and scotland. clear skies here and temperatures in the sheltered glens in particular are likely to drop low enough to get a bit of frost and some mist and fog into tomorrow morning, perhaps minus two, minus three degrees and a few spots. cloudier and milderfor england and wales, with a few showers around first thing. here's our area of high pressure. it's extending in from the west across much of the uk tomorrow,

so it will be an improving picture. lots of sunshine across scotland, northern ireland with the mist and fog lifting and clearing. the early showers clearing away from east anglia, kent and across pembrokeshire and down towards the south—west of england. we'll see some sunny spells develop here. but quite a cool northerly wind blowing and eventually some outbreaks of rain moving into the highlands. temperatures a little lower at seven to 12 degrees celsius. as we head through into wednesday, there's a warm frontjust dragging that rain in across scotland. it will be followed by a cold front on thursday. but for wednesday, heavy rain across western scotland, gales too, with a brisk westerly wind blowing across much of england and wales, though it does look dry with some spells of sunshine and the air will still be mild for the time of year. but then we're going to see cooler feeling conditions come behind this cold front. this area of rain sinking southwards on thursday. some of these showers across the higher ground of scotland in particular are likely to be wintry in nature. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines... hopes grow that a deal can be reached to release hostages in return for a brief ceasefire. and the right?wing political outsider, havier melay, promises drastic change

in argentina, after winning a landslide victory in the presidential election. and the uk's chief scientific adviser — tells the covid inquiry that borisjohnson was "bamboozled" by the scientific modelling presented to him. prime minister at the time gave up science when he was 15, and i think he'd be the first to admit it wasn't his forte, and he did struggle with some of the concepts. and some of the dark hedges — made famous by game of thrones — when are facing the chop. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's chetan. we'll start with european championship qualifiers tonight, as england sign off their campaign away at north macedonia with manager gareth southgate urging his side to become the best team in the world. england failed to impress in their 2?0 win over malta on friday, so will be looking to