hamas rocket attacks, but israel and hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire with sporadic shootings. throughout the day, the bbc has been trying to contact people inside gaza, and it has been almost impossible to get through. we did reach the head of the al nasa hospital in northern gaza. he sent us this with note. i’m hospital in northern gaza. he sent us this with note.— us this with note. i'm now in the south of gaza, _ us this with note. i'm now in the south of gaza, thank _ us this with note. i'm now in the south of gaza, thank god - us this with note. i'm now in the south of gaza, thank god that i us this with note. i'm now in the | south of gaza, thank god that we us this with note. i'm now in the - south of gaza, thank god that we are all now safe, and the situation is horrible. all things, houses, streets, everything has been destroyed by the army. bodies all over the streets, and since days, the situation has been very horrible here. in gaza. speaking to our colleagues at radio

four. i'mjoined by an speaking to our colleagues at radio four. i'm joined by an american palestinian, whose parents, who normally live in germany, have been stuck in gaza, since the war began. thank you very much forjoining us and speaking to us here on bbc news. since the ceasefire began, have you been able to have any contact with your parents?— been able to have any contact with your parents? thank you for having me. no. i have _ your parents? thank you for having me. no. i have not— your parents? thank you for having me. no. i have not spoken - your parents? thank you for having me. no. i have not spoken to - your parents? thank you for having me. no. i have not spoken to my. me. no. i have not spoken to my parents for almost close to two weeks now. three days ago, their name actually showed up, 45 days after... with the german consulate. and we were not even able to get the message through, so we have been asking around, you know, all the numbers of people that we know, not a single number work. one of my brothers friend has a cousin who were able to send them over to check on them, two days ago, but we don't know anything about them since. find know anything about them since. and when did you last have a

conversation with them? it when did you last have a conversation with them? it has been in the weeks — conversation with them? it has been in the weeks since _ conversation with them? it has been in the weeks since i _ conversation with them? it has been in the weeks since i spoke _ conversation with them? it has been in the weeks since i spoke with - in the weeks since i spoke with them, me or any of my brothers. we were able to send somebody, but we could hear their voices for 30 seconds. i called them about —— i called them about ten times today, but the phone cord is not going through. i know that there is their friends can also try to get hold of them, but can. there are lots of people in ourfamily, that we have no awareness of... i know there are lots of people spake —— staying with them, but the bombing has been intensive in gaza city. two days ago, the people that are left there, they actually went to an indonesian hospital area... we lost about 11 family members next to the hospital. so even for me, lots of people who left from there, we have and have no

contact with them, we don't even know their whereabouts. it is actually difficult. i don't even know if they have food. i spoke to my parents, last time, my mum has said that it has been ten days as they had vegetables. even know what kind of food they have been eating what they are drinking, i have no idea. 3 what they are drinking, i have no idea. �* ., , what they are drinking, i have no idea. �* . , , . what they are drinking, i have no idea. ~ . , , . ., idea. a really difficult time for ou, not idea. a really difficult time for you. not being _ idea. a really difficult time for you, not being able _ idea. a really difficult time for you, not being able to - idea. a really difficult time for you, not being able to speak i idea. a really difficult time forl you, not being able to speak to idea. a really difficult time for- you, not being able to speak to your family members,. and your parents decided to stay in gaza, is that correct? even when they had the opportunity to leave? why'd they make that decision? timer;r opportunity to leave? why'd they make that decision?— opportunity to leave? why'd they make that decision? they never had an opportunity _ make that decision? they never had an opportunity to — make that decision? they never had an opportunity to leave, _ make that decision? they never had an opportunity to leave, because . an opportunity to leave, because they left from north of gaza, my dad left on the second day of the war, and they have been stuck there, they had no opportunity to leave. after that, the writer not safe, parents can't walk, i spoke with the german

embassy, my brothers, myself, we had people contacting them, to get their name approved. after 43 days, i had a friend who called the german ambassador in tel aviv, and i don't know... two days later, their names showed up. their name was not approved until two days ago at the rafah crossing. we have been trying to come and get that message, i've been trying to talk to my dad, to see if we can get them to leave. we need to coordinate a third class or an ambulance, or... that seemed even impossible. we cannot even evacuate the elderly who cannot walk. i don't even know, honestly, i've called everyone i know, i spoke with people, the palestinian authorities, the german government, just not getting any support. fitter; the german government, 'ust not getting any support-h the german government, 'ust not getting any support. stay with us. we're 'ust getting any support. stay with us. we're just going _ getting any support. stay with us. we're just going to _ getting any support. stay with us. we're just going to explain - getting any support. stay with us. we're just going to explain what l getting any support. stay with us. i we're just going to explain what we can see on the screen beside you. that is shots there of the hospital that we were showing earlier, the

helicopters which are due to land at the schneider hospital, carrying some of the hostages who were released today. it is quite dark there, it is night time now, in israel, that you can see the flashing lights of that helicopter, as it is making a landing to the schneider hospital. earlier, i was talking to someone who was waiting at the concepcion another hospital who had already received two of the hostages. —— at another hospital. they were explaining some of the challenges it comes to with regard to the treatments, for the hostages who have been held for some seven weeks, nearly now. of course, he was talking, that doctor, about the challenges, many of these hostages

may have gastrointestinal challenges, problems, they won't necessarily have had proper meals for the last few weeks. some may have other trauma injuries that may not have been treated in the last few weeks. of course, then, the other thing he was saying is the psychological trauma of being held in this way. different hostages have been taken to different hospitals, and the hospital we spoke to just about 20 minutes ago on the bbc, they were receiving elderly hostages. you can hear there, the sound of that helicopter... it is about to land at schneider hospital. it has been quite a dramatic day, of course, with a big day of

developments. 2a hostages released ijy developments. 2a hostages released by hamas, now back in israel. 13 israelis, ten thai hostages, and won a filipino. the israeli hostages include four children, as well as an 85—year—old woman. it comes as palestinians, 2a women, 15 teenage boys, who had been detained in israel, were also released under the terms of the deal. that deal also includes a four day ceasefire. there we go, that helicopter, carrying some of those hostages who were released today, arriving at the schneider hospital. we are not sure

which patients are there, but it is the schneider children's medical centre, that is where some of the younger hostages are expected to be taken. who hostages included a two—year—old, a four—year—old, a six—year—old, and a nine—year—old. as we look at those pictures, and reflect on the developments today, as they continue to unfold, i'm joined now by our correspondents, tom bateman, whojoins us now from jerusalem. you can see there, tom, of course, that some of the hostages who were released today are now arriving at the schneider hospital. is there any more that we know about

the hostages, where they are? of talking to a doctor in another hospital, saying he had received a couple of hostages earlier today also this evening.— couple of hostages earlier today also this evening. yes, we know that this helicopter— also this evening. yes, we know that this helicopter contains, _ also this evening. yes, we know that this helicopter contains, we - also this evening. yes, we know that this helicopter contains, we think, i this helicopter contains, we think, eight of the hostages, and these are women and children, that are going to be taken to the schneider hospital, there, just outside tel aviv. they are taken therefore medical examination and also, we understand, the hospitals will be the first place that they are able to be reunited with their families. they were able to speak via phone, from the air base in southern israel, to some family members, but it is at the hospitals that they should be able to see come in person, for the first time, family members again, so every significant moment, as you see that helicopter landing now, on the helipad. you mentioned before, the four children, 18—year—old, a four—year—old, they are sisters. 89—year—old and a six—year—old from separate families. —— a two—year—old. —— that

two—year—old and the four—year—old art related. one of the elderly women, that may be from the same family, one of the family is atomic there are three generations of the same family that are among the 13. —— is among. there is an important are taken to hospital. another two, as you mentioned, were taken to another medical centre. we do not know exactly where the others are now. obviously, the thai nationals and the filipino are going to be getting medical examinations as well. but this brings to this particular part of the day, this phase where they will now be able to meet their family members, after these extraordinary events, that were agreed, as part of this four—day deal. what should be

happening now is the preparations, of similar events. we do not know the details of that yet. we do not know if the israelis have received all the names, the list of names for the releases tomorrow, but i think... and you can hear the celebrations there now, is that helicopter has landed. lets celebrations there now, is that helicopter has landed. lets have a listen. helicopter has landed. lets have a listen- -- — helicopter has landed. lets have a listen. -- let's. _ tom, we can hear there, cheering as people have gathered at the hospital to welcome those hostages who are now arriving to the schneider hospital. a day of celebrations in israel. it hospital. a day of celebrations in israel. , ., ., , israel. it is. the mood around this has been exceptional _

israel. it is. the mood around this has been exceptional to _ israel. it is. the mood around this has been exceptional to see, - israel. it is. the mood around thisj has been exceptional to see, after what has been an utterly devastating time for this country, an utterly devastating time for the civilians of gaza who have seen the bombardment. this has been an unprecedented scale, the way the brutality of the attacks were carried out by hamas, the level of the war that then followed it... i think the mood of today is... it is so marked, in utter contrast, to these events that have felt an historical level in this region. i think it was interesting to then hear benjamin netanyahu to say, look, this is an absolute moment and we are going to get all the hostages out. we want the more freed. but, he said, the objectives of the war will remain. i think he has been trying to emphasise that throughout this.

particularly, what the israeli government does not want is that there is a sense in which this is now over, there is a sense of that already, where people can pull back, but he has always said that the first objective remains the elimination of hamas. there has always been this tension between the objective of releasing hostages and the degree of force that israel politically, domestically, internally, that tension, within israel. the mood of the country is a very different tonight, as it has gone into its day of sabbath, its day of rest. and people are seeing these extraordinary images. as for these extraordinary images. as for the government, i think they are trying to remind people that they want the ceasefire to achieve its objectives, but then they want to carry on with the military objective. carry on with the military objective-— carry on with the military objective. carry on with the military ob'ective. ., , , , objective. tom, stay with us, 'ust auoin to objective. tom, stay with us, 'ust going to describe i objective. tom, stay with us, 'ust going to describe we i objective. tom, stay with us, 'ust going to describe we can i objective. tom, stay with us, 'ust going to describe we can see b objective. tom, stay with us, just going to describe we can see on | objective. tom, stay with us, just i going to describe we can see on the screen now, that helicopter has

landed now, and the authorities have, understandably, put up screens to protect the identities of those hostages, who have landed, by helicopter, and so, we can be that those hostages have been transferred from the helicopter that landed a few moments ago, there is an ambulance on standby as well, ambulances, there is a handmade bass, —— a van, a bus. that is moving the hostages towards the hospital for their treatment. there is just to explain what we can see their and, is just to explain what we can see theirand, of is just to explain what we can see their and, of course, is just to explain what we can see theirand, of course, as i is just to explain what we can see their and, of course, as i was saying, there were ambulances and emergency workers on standby as well. tom, one thing that is going to be key, of course, is the psychological treatment and understanding the trauma, notjust, of course, for the hostages, but even for those around them. it has been an incredibly difficult time forfamily members as been an incredibly difficult time for family members as well, and we have seen so many of them, day after

day, in tel aviv, waiting for their loved ones to come home.- loved ones to come home. yes, absolutely- _ loved ones to come home. yes, absolutely- i— loved ones to come home. yes, absolutely. i think _ loved ones to come home. yes, absolutely. i think one - loved ones to come home. yes, absolutely. i think one of- loved ones to come home. yes, absolutely. i think one of the i absolutely. i think one of the things in the run—up to this deal, because there were quite a few moments, when it looked like the deal might... notjust in this week, when it looked like the deal might be coming close, also previously, but when it looked like the final part will being put into place to sign off on this deal, so the families, throughout this process, have had this notion that perhaps a deal was going to be signed, perhaps there will be the release of hostages. i remember hearing earlier in the week from a relative of one of those held captive, that they just simply wouldn't believe it until their loved one was walking through the door. so, the way in which this has put psychological pressure on the families has been clearly, absolutely immense. and now

you have 13 released. those families, that moment has arrived, or is arriving now as we speak. so for the rest of them that agony continues, they don't know and that is why, it is significant now of what happens in the coming days, why there are so much pressure now on this agreement, because each side knows, but if they can keep their part of the bargain, the leveraged, to get what they want to come out of it, but it is going to remain extremely treacherous. look at the risks on the ground, look at what happened today, with palestinians being shot, using live ammunition, as they tried to head into northern gaza. it remains extremely dangerous on the ground, so the risks of the ceasefire falling apart remain very great, and the objective to keep it going for potentially up to nine days, to release 100 israelis and 300 palestinians, it is going to be

a very tall order. find 300 palestinians, it is going to be a very tall order.— a very tall order. and also, let's not forget. _ a very tall order. and also, let's not forget. is — a very tall order. and also, let's not forget, is part _ a very tall order. and also, let's not forget, is part of— a very tall order. and also, let's not forget, is part of this - a very tall order. and also, let's not forget, is part of this deal, l not forget, is part of this deal, the number of palestinian women and children who had been detained in israel, were also released today. yes, we had 39 palestinians released that has been held in israeli jails. that was always part of the bargain, because each of the hostages that were released by hamas, there were to beat three palestinians released from israeli prison. in the scope of this arrangement, it has all been about women and children, so that is why we have seen women and children released by hamas and it is why we have seen from, among the palestinian prisoners released, it has all been women. and mostly teenage boys. those scenes, they were taken off to military courts complex, in the occupied west bank.

outside there, there were confrontations between palestinians who are waiting on the other side of the gate, and israeli forces, as the time arrives that they were expecting some releases, at least one hit with live ammunition, others, though it to gas fired as well. the degree at which there is scope for tension to rise, for violence to erupt in all of this, that remains very significant in all of this. we saw a little over half of this. we saw a little over half of them are being taken to the occupied west bank, and reunited with their families occupied west bank, and reunited with theirfamilies in beituniya. some others were taken to occupied eastjerusalem, where again, they were returned back home. tam were returned back home. tom bateman, _ were returned back home. tom bateman, thank _ were returned back home. tom bateman, thank you _ were returned back home. tom bateman, thank you very - were returned back home. tom bateman, thank you very much for taking us through these developments as they happen in the middle east. our correspondents injerusalem. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

dedication to babies whose resting is unknown. to dedication to babies whose resting is unknown-— dedication to babies whose resting is unknown. ., ., , ., ., ., is unknown. to have this memorial to our babies. — is unknown. to have this memorial to our babies. it — is unknown. to have this memorial to our babies, it is _ is unknown. to have this memorial to our babies, it is like _ is unknown. to have this memorial to our babies, it is like at _ is unknown. to have this memorial to our babies, it is like at last _ is unknown. to have this memorial to our babies, it is like at last they - our babies, it is like at last they are hoping the dignity and the respect that they never had, back in the day when they were born sleeping. the day when they were born sleeina. , ,�*, the day when they were born slee-ain. the day when they were born sleeninu. sleeping. this coupl's baby boy died shortly after — sleeping. this coupl's baby boy died shortly after his _ sleeping. this coupl's baby boy died shortly after his birth. _ sleeping. this coupl's baby boy died shortly after his birth. they - sleeping. this coupl's baby boy died shortly after his birth. they were . shortly after his birth. they were never told we he was buried. i wanted to know where he was buried. it wanted to know where he was buried. it haunted _ wanted to know where he was buried. it haunted me. wanted to know where he was buried. it haunted me— it haunted me. remarkably, the cou-le it haunted me. remarkably, the couple came _ it haunted me. remarkably, the couple came to _ it haunted me. remarkably, the couple came to the _ it haunted me. remarkably, the couple came to the cemetery i it haunted me. remarkably, the couple came to the cemetery to| it haunted me. remarkably, the - couple came to the cemetery to find out exactly where their baby boy was. not only were they able to do that, they also found the newly installed memorial stone and remembrance ceremony under way. you

are life with abc news. we will stay with the developments in the middle east. let's move to another story. convicted murderer oscar pistorius is to be released from prison in south africa on parole. he is serving a 13 year sentence for murdering his girlfriend, reeva steenkamp in 2013. he was a paralympic champion sprinter before his death before he shot his girlfriend in her daily make their home, before later claiming that he thought they were —— mickey thought she was a burger that burglar. —— burglar. we welcome a podcast host, who was talking about the case. your podcast looked at the rise of oscar pistorius and it also looks at the victim's stories, particularly that of the late reeva steenkamp. let me ask first what your reaction is to today's needs. i

ask first what your reaction is to today's needs.— today's needs. i think first, surprise. — today's needs. i think first, surprise. is _ today's needs. i think first, surprise, is he _ today's needs. i think first, surprise, is he really - today's needs. i think first, | surprise, is he really already eligible for parole? that is the way the world works in south africa. what do you make once you have served harsher sentence, —— once you have served half your sentence, you can be eligible for parole. june, the father of reeva steenkamp, she had her only daughter, she is now hearing the news that oscar pistorius has been released. i cannot imagine how she's feeling, and what she's going through, and her husband had also died. at one point in the parole process, she had a possibility to make a written statement. she wondered aloud whether pistorius had been rehabilitated, and she wondered what it would be like, him being released back into society, so i'm thinking ofjune steenkamp today. fine ofjune steenkamp today. one uuestion ofjune steenkamp today. one question in — ofjune steenkamp today. one question i'm sure _ ofjune steenkamp today. one question i'm sure many people watching this will want to know, is

he given any special treatment? or is this just part of the law in south africa? of course, because he was such massive celebrity. yes. was such massive celebrity. yes, that is a complicated _ was such massive celebrity. use: that is a complicated question. i don't know if he was given any special treatment, don't know if he was given any specialtreatment, i don't know if he was given any special treatment, i know it is part of a statement that officials made today, that he made mention that he was a one—time offender, a first—time offender, sorry, but obviously, it is a very serious offence, murder in this case. and then they also mentioned that he will be undergoing anger management, community service, his travel will be restricted. it is impossible to know whether he is being treated differently, but under south african law, this is allowed to happen, he is allowed to be released. he had a hearing and heat was decided to be released. ~ . , hearing and heat was decided to be released. ~ ., , ., , released. what is the reaction been to his release _ released. what is the reaction been to his release in _ released. what is the reaction been to his release in south _ released. what is the reaction been to his release in south africa? - released. what is the reaction been to his release in south africa? of. to his release in south africa? of course, the case, there were a lot of people who said this highlighted

some of the problems and concerns over domestic violence. yes. some of the problems and concerns over domestic violence.— over domestic violence. yes, a big nart of over domestic violence. yes, a big part of the — over domestic violence. yes, a big part of the podcast _ over domestic violence. yes, a big part of the podcast was... - over domestic violence. yes, a big part of the podcast was... looking j part of the podcast was... looking into the context of this, with gender—based violence being a —— issue in south africa. when this happened back in 2013, it was a rallying cry around this issue a lot of people played it net pays close attention, to see if the judge would convict him of murder. think it is all of the same feeling for the bubbling up again. —— paid close attention. there is interest in this case, and huge interest in the idea of gender—based violence in south africa. of gender-based violence in south africa. . . of gender-based violence in south africa. ., ., ., , ., ., africa. have we had any more from reeva steenkamp's _ africa. have we had any more from reeva steenkamp's family? - africa. have we had any more from reeva steenkamp's family? you i reeva steenkamp's family? you mentioned june steenkamp. yes. reeva steenkamp's family? you mentioned june steenkamp. yes, jean has made statement _ mentioned june steenkamp. yes, jean has made statement in _ mentioned june steenkamp. yes, jean has made statement in the _ mentioned june steenkamp. yes, jean has made statement in the press. - mentioned june steenkamp. yes, jean has made statement in the press. i - has made statement in the press. i think the feelings are complement the net, caterfor her. she understands that pistorius will be receiving anger management classes,

that was a big issue between him and her daughter, but i can't even imagine the complicated feelings that she's feeling today. —— june. seeing the manner that killed her daughter being set free here, in january. daughter being set free here, in janua . ., a, ., daughter being set free here, in janua . ., ., january. ok, to moran, podcaster and, of january. ok, to moran, podcaster and. of course. — january. ok, to moran, podcaster and, of course, someone - january. ok, to moran, podcaster and, of course, someone who - january. ok, to moran, podcasterj and, of course, someone who has january. ok, to moran, podcaster- and, of course, someone who has done lots of work on this issue, thank you very much forjoining us. —— tim. before we leave you this hour, let's take you back to israel. we have more pictures coming in of the schneider hospital, where some of the hostages have arrived for treatments, of course, it comes on a momentous day in the middle east, a day when 2a hostages were released by hamas and are now back in israel, with some of them getting their medical checks and having treatment, after nearly seven weeks in captivity. of course, it comes on

the same day that 2a women and 15 teenage boys, who are palestinian, held in israel, were also released, as part of a deal which includes a four day ceasefire. the other important angle to this is more aid is now being allowed into gaza. plenty more on the bbc news website on that story, and i'll be back after a short break. hello there, good evening. it has been a noticeably colder day today. that cold weather is going to stick around. the weekend will be chilly with clearer skies, and light winds, so we are going to find some frost around. before we see a bit more cloud arriving during the second half of the week as well. —— weekend. it is these nasty north—westerly winds that have ushered in the cold air, and we end “p ushered in the cold air, and we end up with higher pressure trying to build in from the west, meaning that the winds are falling lighter here, lower pressure to the east and that is driven in stronger winds.

most of the showers today, earlier on at least, have been across north eastern parts of scotland. but even here, those showers are becoming fewer and the wind is beginning to drop a bit as well. certainly got lighter winds inland. a lot of the cloud that we started the day with has been breaking up after some earlier sunshine. we've got the clear skies overnight. we will keep some clouds blowing into northern scotland. the odd shower down some of those north sea coasts. so here it won't be quite as cold. but away from here, we're looking at a widespread frost, the first widespread frost of the autumn. temperatures not desperately cold, but we could be down to minus four or minus five. it will certainly start chilly tomorrow, but at least we have the sunshine. and for many, it's going to be a dry and sunny day. again, there'll be a bit more cloud coming in to northern scotland. the winds not as strong down those north sea coast, but still the threat of the odd shower, particularly towards suffolk and norfolk. and of course, with that frosty start, it will be a cold day.

temperatures typically in the afternoon, only 5—6 degrees. now, i mentioned some changes for the second half of the weekend. and that's coming about because this area of low pressure is slowly pushing these weather fronts in from the atlantic. and that means more cloud and some patchy rain arriving across northern ireland, moving over the irish sea and into the southwest of scotland as well. elsewhere, though, it should be a dry day, but of course we've got more cloud coming in over that cold and frosty start. so even though the winds are light and we have the cloud around, it is going to feel cold away from that rain in the west. temperatures again, 5—6 degrees. so a chilly old weekend. quick word on the early part of next week. we do see some rain arriving overnight into monday. that clears away, and it's going to stay cold.

hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. welcome to the programme, on what's been a dramatic and hugely significant day in the war between israel and hamas. for the next four days the fighting in gaza has paused as a temporary ceasefire kicks in. hostages have been released, so too palestinian prisoners — all part of a deal, which has already seen more aid — including fuel — allowed into the strip. this was the moment when 2a hostages who'd been held by hamas were driven across the border into egypt

by the international red cross. they include 13 israelis — six of them elderly women, four children and their mothers. in the next few days, a total of 50 israeli hostages are expected to be released. ten thai nationals and one filippino were also part of the group today — released under a separate deal. well, as those scenes were unfolding, one israeli man, gil dickmann, whose aunt was killed by hamas, and whose two cousins are still being held hostage in gaza, gave us his reaction. i know family members... ..of the kids who are coming back home now. i can't believe it, it'sjust... so happy to know they are here in israel. i feel as if part of my family came back. i really think many israelis feel the same. and i really hope we get to see yarden and carmel back too

really, really soon. this is such a blessed moment.