revered and controversial. fomer us top diplomat henry kissinger dies at the age of 100. negotiations continue to extend the temporary truce between israel and hamas — with just hours before it expires. 16 hostages were released from gaza on the sixth day of the truce, in exchange for 30 palestinian prisoners. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. we start with some breaking news. former us secretary of state henry kissinger has died at the age of 100. he served as america's top diplomat and national security adviser during the nixon and ford administrations. in a statement, kissinger associates, a political consulting firm he founded, said the german—born former diplomat died at his

home in connecticut. the statement from kissinger associates did not give a cause of death. here's a look back at his life from our diplomatic correspondent james landale. to some, henry kissinger was one of the cold war�*s most influential statesman who advised presidents and prime ministers for decades. to others he was a war criminal whose ruthless defence of american interests cost thousands of lives. he was born heinz kissinger in nazi germany. hisjewish family fled to america in 1938 but the young henry, as he became, returned to europe fighting with the us army helping to liberate concentration camps. in peacetime the soldier became a scholar at harvard university making his name arguing that nuclear weapons could be used in conventional wars. i believe it is technically possible to conduct a

resistance with a limited employment of nuclear weapons although that is less desirable. it was president richard nixon who brought him into government, first as national security adviser and then later secretary of state. an double act seeking to reshape the cold war by balancing competing world powers. kissinger drove america's re—engagement with communist china, paying secret visits to its leaders, paving the way for an historic first visit by a us president in 1972. he sought to improve relations with the soviet union through negotiations about trade and reducing both side's stocks of nuclear weapons and in the middle east he coined a new phrase, shuttle diplomacy as he flew between capitals to try and constrain arab—israeli conflict. his belief was in realpolitik, the idea that national self—interest prompt human rights or shared values.

no nation can make its survival dependent on the goodwill of another state. this all brought him some global celebrity. we believe that peace is at hand. a kissinger�*s fame became notoriety as he struggled to end america's involvement in the vietnam war by bombing cambodia. this cuts supplies to north vietnam that also killed hundreds of thousands and fuelled the rise of the brutal khmer rouge. his critics accused him of war crimes and his supporters welcomed a nobel peace prize. nothing that has happened to me in public life has moved me more than this award. he was criticised for supporting authoritarian anti—communist leaders such as general pinochet in chile. he backed the coup that brought the brutal toronto to power. so that the united states could not be totally indifferent to the question of a communist regime in chile.

i shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow. kissinger was considered so indispensable he survived the watergate crisis that brought down nixon and was kept on by gerald ford but he fell out of favour in washington, loathed by the left, distrusted by the right and began a life of lucrative consultancy. thus henry kissinger, a scholar and statesman, a cynic at time cavalier with people's lives, above all a diplomat always ready to talk. henry kissinger, who has died at the age of 100. let's speak now to ambassador winston lord. he served as national security advisor, assistant secretary of state, and ambassador to china. you were the special assistant to henry kissinger. i would like to get your reaction to this news of his passing? 0bviously this news of his passing? obviously i react both on the global level and on a personal level. i think america has lost

a tireless champion for its national interest. the world has lost a tireless advocate for peace and i have lost a cherished friend and mental. so obviously we take solace in the fact he lived a full 100 years and had an extraordinary career and had an extraordinary career and a wonderfulfamily and had an extraordinary career and a wonderful family life. and had an extraordinary career and a wonderfulfamily life. it is not tragic in the sense of premature death, but nevertheless it is a great personal loss to me and i think to the world. i personal loss to me and i think to the world.— to the world. i want to come back to his _ to the world. i want to come back to his professional - to the world. i want to come l back to his professional legacy but first personally, what stands out to you about your friendship with doctor kissinger?— friendship with doctor kissinger? friendship with doctor kissinuer? ., ., kissinger? he has had more influence — kissinger? he has had more influence on _ kissinger? he has had more influence on me _ kissinger? he has had more influence on me than - kissinger? he has had more influence on me than any i kissinger? he has had more i influence on me than any other people except my own family. i was a young 30—year—old when i joined as national security staff and worked by his side for eight years and in the course of that he was my mental but i used to joke he was also

my tour mental because he was extremely demanding he stretched my nerves and my patient but he also stretched my abilities, my capabilities and my horizons. so i am always grateful to him not only for the success i was able to share with him but also what he taught me for the rest of my life, in terms of strategic analysis and working in the fields of diplomacy. irate analysis and working in the fields of diplomacy. we have been looking _ fields of diplomacy. we have been looking at _ fields of diplomacy. we have been looking at some - fields of diplomacy. we have | been looking at some images fields of diplomacy. we have i been looking at some images of the two of you working together, i want to ask you about that monumental trip to beijing, the secret trip you accompanied doctor kissinger on. tell us more about what you rememberfrom on. tell us more about what you remember from that on. tell us more about what you rememberfrom that trip? on. tell us more about what you remember from that trip?- remember from that trip? well, i've had a _ remember from that trip? well, i've had a lot — remember from that trip? well, i've had a lot of _ remember from that trip? well, i've had a lot of dramatic - i've had a lot of dramatic moments in my life but that probably topped them all. we went secretly from pakistan, and i always claim and in readmiti and i always claim and in readmit i got to china before he did. no american official

had visited china since 1919 for 22 years, as the pakistani plane carrying us secretly to beijing across the chinese territorial demarcation i was at the front of the plane and henry was at the back so i was the first american official to go to china. it was dramatic it upset the geopolitical, it was an earthquake, a very positive move for american policy for the morale of the american people, it helped us improve relations with the soviet union by gaining their attention by dealing with the adversarial. that helped bring the end of the war in vietnam, it made kissinger a national and international figure. kissinger a national and internationalfigure. it was kissinger a national and international figure. it was a major hinge point both for him personally and dramatic for me since my wife was chinese from shanghai i was going back to her local land and global history. that trip and the

drama it was secret with the james bond aspect and dealing with chinese leaders for the first time for 22 years and paving a way for the nixon trip was really one of the highlights of my life. you call doctor kissinger _ highlights of my life. you call doctor kissinger and - highlights of my life. you call- doctor kissinger and ambassador for peace, that being part of his legacy. you will know because he is a deeply controversial figure as well, he has been called by some of his critics a war criminal. criticised for a lack of moral compass and his foreign policy approach. what to think of that? {371 approach. what to think of that? . ., , approach. what to think of that? , t, a, , that? of course, itotally disagree _ that? of course, itotally disagree with _ that? of course, itotally disagree with that. i that? of course, itotally disagree with that. like l that? of course, i totally i disagree with that. like any person of great stature, he did have flaws, but he monumentally contributed to world peace and to american interests, to say someone had no moral compass who lost 50 family members and a hollow is absurd. he worked on human rights behind the scenes in public he often had to balance geopolitical interest as many presidents and

leaders during the cold war by working with unsavoury partners in order to balance the soviet union and there were other controversial decisions. but i would argue that peace and stability is the greatest human writable and he paid attention to human rights but often quietly, there is no question he put great persists on stability and the difficult trade—offs you had to make. fine trade-offs you had to make. one more question — trade-offs you had to make. one more question he _ trade—offs you had to make. one more question he did spend many of his later years and like defending his record against some of these criticisms. what do you think he would want to see his legacy to be? i do you think he would want to see his legacy to be?- see his legacy to be? i think he would — see his legacy to be? i think he would want _ see his legacy to be? i think he would want to _ see his legacy to be? i think he would want to see i see his legacy to be? i think he would want to see help l he would want to see help transform american foreign policy, you have to remember when he and nixon came to office he inherited a very difficult landscape. we had a president who had resigned, we had assassinations in the vietnam war we had no contact with china, the difficult

relationships with the soviets, we had declining influence in the middle east, and all that he with the president of course, nixon and ford turned all that around. more stable relations with moscow, opening to one fifth of the world �*s people ending the war on the best possible basis at the time, shovelling in the least and one of his greatest accomplishments people tend to forget is the watergate period, your lead did not mention this he did notjust survive he survived because he was trusted and not involved with that so he was the one leading figure in the government that could hold this country together and our foreign hold this country together and ourforeign policy hold this country together and our foreign policy together during a tremendous constitutional crisis and during that period he was a hero to almost everybody here, but his vision of history is set in and some critics are going after him but i think he stands as a giant. we

going after him but i think he stands as a giant.— going after him but i think he stands as a giant. we will have to leave it _ stands as a giant. we will have to leave it there, _ stands as a giant. we will have to leave it there, thank - stands as a giant. we will have to leave it there, thank you i to leave it there, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. thomas schwartz is distinguished professor of history at vanderbilt university — with a focus on us foreign policy, international relations and us presidencies. thank you were listening to the previous interview as well. what do you think of those assessments of doctor kissinger�*s legacy? i assessments of doctor kissinger's legacy? i have enormous _ kissinger's legacy? i have enormous respect - kissinger's legacy? i have enormous respect for i kissinger's legacy? i have - enormous respect for ambassador lord, who i spoke with when i wrote a biography of henry kissinger. so i understand very much as perspective. i take probably a slightly more critical view but as a historian i recognise that kissinger had an enormous impact, he was one of the most consequential impact the most consequential impact the most consequential american diplomat of the 20th century and his legacy is a one. i think he did do some extraordinary achievements especially in the middle east and i think in terms of lessening the nuclear danger by opening up relations

with the soviet union and china and the soviet union, but i also think in certain respects for example in vietnam and cimolai, the results were much more mixed and negative. but i think on balance kissinger was a force for constructive leadership in the united states foreign policy. —— chile. leadership in the united states foreign policy. -- chile.- foreign policy. -- chile. let's talk about— foreign policy. -- chile. let's talk about the _ foreign policy. -- chile. let's talk about the middle - foreign policy. -- chile. let's talk about the middle east i foreign policy. -- chile. let's| talk about the middle east he coined the term shuttle diplomacy, how does that stand up diplomacy, how does that stand up today given the current conflict we are seeing? i think it actually _ conflict we are seeing? i think it actually stands _ conflict we are seeing? i think it actually stands up _ conflict we are seeing? i think it actually stands up rather- it actually stands up rather well. kissinger, remembered there had been major wars in there had been major wars in the middle east when kissinger began shuttle diplomacy and those wars were the yom kippur war of 1973 threaten to become a superpower confrontation. kissinger, through his diplomacy was able to bring a measure of stability and peace to the middle east by taking egypt, by forging a peace agreement between egypt and israel and a disengagement

agreement with syria. he did not deal with the palestinian question, that was not as directly on the table then when he was active as it would become later. but i think in many respects he created the structure that allowed things like 0slo and the beginnings of a process to be given a two state solution. i think is contribution in the middle east was quite constructive and it is probably the most significant legacy he left. i want to ask you more about the controversy, he was deemed someone who believed more in function and pragmatism and perhaps the moral arguments for american diplomacy, when you think about some of the aspects you mentioned from vietnam to chile, to the shah of iran the support there some accused leading to the revolution and he ran, how did he looked back at those criticisms of how he conducted american foreign

policy? he conducted american foreign oli ? , ., , policy? he could be fairly defensive _ policy? he could be fairly defensive when - policy? he could be fairly defensive when he i policy? he could be fairly defensive when he spokej policy? he could be fairly i defensive when he spoke -- policy? he could be fairly - defensive when he spoke -- when defensive when he spoke —— when he spoke with him about these things but i recognise that no leader likes to be accused of all sorts of crimes over misadventures especially when you are no longer in power. what happened with the shah of iran kissinger was not involved in this type of thing. but i think on the whole, he tended to have very few regrets of his leadership in foreign policy and he believed that what he did was serve the interest of the national interest of the united states, that the cold war was on, and that it required often times difficult choices, sometimes choices between a lesser evil and he certainly was quite, he could quite forcefully defend those choices. ~ . ., , choices. what about his life after being _ choices. what about his life after being a _ choices. what about his life after being a statesman i i choices. what about his life l after being a statesman i saw choices. what about his life i after being a statesman i saw a interview he did with axel springer saying germany had let

into many migrants talking about an thai semitism in that country, that was in a controversial period of his life as well?— controversial period of his life as well? ., ., life as well? you mean the time he left office. _ life as well? you mean the time he left office. of _ life as well? you mean the time he left office. of course, - life as well? you mean the time he left office. of course, he i he left office. of course, he was involved very much as a private consultant often too many countries. he was visiting china just a few months ago. yes, he did play a role in that, commented on political issues. he did unlike many of his generation of germanjews, he maintained a strong tie with germany and was concerned about developments. i'm not surprised to hear commented on that. thomas schwartz thank you so much forjoining us on bbc news. much for “oining us on bbc news. ., . , much for “oining us on bbc news. ., ., , .., news. you are very welcome, thank you — news. you are very welcome, thank you for— news. you are very welcome, thank you for having - news. you are very welcome, thank you for having us. i around the world and across the uk,

this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. an appeals court in ecuador has ruled that an indigenous group in the amazon should have its ancestral lands returned. the group, which calls itself the siekopai nation, numbers around 800 people. tribal elders say the siekopai were displaced from their homeland in 1941 during a military skirmish between ecuador and peru. a us navy warship in the red sea shot down an iranian—made drone which the pentagon says, was launched from houthi—controlled areas of yemen. the uss carney was escorting two ships — one of which was carrying military equipment to the middle east — when the drone approached. there were no injuries to us personnel and no damage to us ships. in an interview with the new york times, billionaire elon musk delivered profanity—laced comments toward advertisers who left his social media platform x. the backlash from advertisers came after musk agreed with an x user who claimed jewish people were adding to hatred against white people. the tesla ceo traveled to israel and spoke to prime minister benjamin netanyahu earlier this week.

you're live with bbc news. turning now to the war in the middle east. eleventh—hour talks to extend the temporary truce between israel and hamas are continuing at this hour. on wednesday — the sixth day of the deal — 16 hostages were freed from captivity in gaza. they included two russians, ten israeli citizens and four thai hostages, who were all handed over to the red cross. you can see some of the freed hostages here. their release was delayed by what hamas called logistical issues. president biden has confirmed that one of the freed hostages is israeli—american liat benin. on wednesday, 30 palestinian women and teenage boys were freed from israeli prisons, in exchange for the hostages. this as the us secretary of state antony blinken touched down in tel aviv for more talks aimed at extending the temporary truce and increasing humanitarian aid into the gaza strip. palestinian christian leaders in bethlehem say they will forego all christmas celebrations this year, to show solidarity

with christians in gaza. palestinian christians are concentrated mostly around ramallah, bethlehem and jerusalem. they make up just 2% of the overall palestinian population in the west bank, and even less in gaza. last month, an air strike at gaza's oldest active church killed at least 18 people. the israeli army says that greek orthodox church of st porphyrius was not the target of the attack. well, this week, a small delegation of palestinian christian leaders traveled to washington dc, and wrote a letter to president biden calling for a constant and comprehensive cease—fire. i spoke to some of the leaders a little earlier. munther isaac, i want to start with you and ask you what you came as a group to washington to send this letter to president biden and lobby congress for a ceasefire? thank ou for congress for a ceasefire? thank you for having _ congress for a ceasefire? thank you for having us. _ congress for a ceasefire? thank you for having us. you - congress for a ceasefire? thank you for having us. you might i you for having us. you might have heard that christmas celebrations are cancelled in

bethlehem. it is impossible for us to celebrate while people in gaza are being bombed. this is notjust gaza are being bombed. this is not just a gaza are being bombed. this is notjust a political gaza are being bombed. this is not just a political statement of solidarity but these are relatives and friends who are now taking refuge in the churches. and we thought that right before christmas, at the beginning of advent season, to send a message from bethlehem as close representing the christian communities, we wrote a letter, signed it and came to washington for that specific purpose, to advocate for a constant and comprehensive ceasefire. the house is about the humanitarian catastrophe. millions of been displaced and thousands killed. —— for us. enough of the killing and enough of the death. same time we are really fearful that if there is no ceasefire it would escalate to the west bank and maybe even further. to us these are existential issues and we

truly do not believe war can achieve things. this war will not achieve peace and stability, onlyjustice for not achieve peace and stability, only justice for the palestinians and equally human rights is the path forward for everlasting peace.— rights is the path forward for everlasting peace. that is the messa . e everlasting peace. that is the message you _ everlasting peace. that is the message you brought - everlasting peace. that is the message you brought to i message you brought to washington. you have busy schedule speaking to senators? we came here with one message and one — we came here with one message and one message only which is a ceasefire — and one message only which is a ceasefire now and of course some — ceasefire now and of course some of— ceasefire now and of course some of the senators we have talked — some of the senators we have talked to _ some of the senators we have talked to already were coming for a _ talked to already were coming for a ceasefire, somewhere on the neutral sides that we were trying — the neutral sides that we were trying to— the neutral sides that we were trying to push them and call for a — trying to push them and call for a ceasefire. others were completely opposed so, you know. — completely opposed so, you know, with some we found some hone. _ know, with some we found some hope. 0k. — know, with some we found some hope, ok, they can push harder, and for— hope, ok, they can push harder, and for others, they were really— and for others, they were really resistant.— and for others, they were really resistant. what did you sa to really resistant. what did you say to them _ really resistant. what did you say to them to _ really resistant. what did you say to them to try _ really resistant. what did you say to them to try and - really resistant. what did you i say to them to try and convince them? ~ , , ., ., them? we were 'ust sharing our stories, telling i them? we were just sharing our stories, telling them _ them? we were just sharing our stories, telling them what i them? we were just sharing our stories, telling them what is i stories, telling them what is happening in gaza, in

jerusalem, in the west bank, sharing — jerusalem, in the west bank, sharing personal stories and talking — sharing personal stories and talking about the deaths we have — talking about the deaths we have seen and detainees in the west— have seen and detainees in the west bank right now and personal stories.- west bank right now and personal stories. jack sara can ou tell personal stories. jack sara can you tell us _ personal stories. jack sara can you tell us what _ personal stories. jack sara can you tell us what palestinian i you tell us what palestinian christians are facing right now? it christians are facing right now? , , ., ., now? it is between gaza and the west itank _ now? it is between gaza and the west bank and _ now? it is between gaza and the west bank and even _ now? it is between gaza and the west bank and even in _ now? it is between gaza and the west bank and even in the i now? it is between gaza and the west bank and even in the old . west bank and even in the old holy— west bank and even in the old holy land. _ west bank and even in the old holy land, christians— west bank and even in the old holy land, christians have i west bank and even in the oldl holy land, christians have been really— holy land, christians have been really fearing _ holy land, christians have been really fearing that _ holy land, christians have been really fearing that this - holy land, christians have been really fearing that this would i really fearing that this would cause — really fearing that this would cause an _ really fearing that this would cause an existential- really fearing that this would cause an existential threat . really fearing that this would | cause an existential threat to their— cause an existential threat to their presence _ cause an existential threat to their presence in— cause an existential threat to their presence in the - cause an existential threat to their presence in the holy- their presence in the holy land _ their presence in the holy land the _ their presence in the holy land. the christian - their presence in the holy- land. the christian community has been _ land. the christian community has been that _ land. the christian community has been that for— land. the christian community has been that for 2000 - land. the christian community has been that for 2000 yearsl has been that for 2000 years yet we — has been that for 2000 years yet we have _ has been that for 2000 years yet we have not _ has been that for 2000 years yet we have not seen - has been that for 2000 years yet we have not seen so i has been that for 2000 yearsl yet we have not seen so much pressure — yet we have not seen so much pressure on _ yet we have not seen so much pressure on the _ yet we have not seen so much pressure on the christian i pressure on the christian community— pressure on the christian community to _ pressure on the christian community to leave, i pressure on the christian . community to leave, even, pressure on the christian - community to leave, even, with attacks — community to leave, even, with attacks all— community to leave, even, with attacks all the _ community to leave, even, with attacks all the way— community to leave, even, with attacks all the way from - attacks all the way from jerusalem _ attacks all the way from jerusalem to— attacks all the way from jerusalem to the - attacks all the way from jerusalem to the west i attacks all the way from i jerusalem to the west bank, attacks all the way from - jerusalem to the west bank, to gaza, _ jerusalem to the west bank, to gaza, now. _ jerusalem to the west bank, to gaza, now. just— jerusalem to the west bank, to gaza, now, just think _ jerusalem to the west bank, to gaza, now, just think of - jerusalem to the west bank, to gaza, now, just think of the i gaza, now, just think of the christian— gaza, now, just think of the christian community- gaza, now, just think of the christian community in i gaza, now, just think of the i christian community in gaza, from — christian community in gaza, from 1000, _ christian community in gaza, from 1000, after— christian community in gaza, from 1000, after 52 - christian community in gaza, from 1000, after 52 days, i christian community in gaza, i from 1000, after 52 days, 800 of those — from 1000, after 52 days, 800 of those were _ from 1000, after 52 days, 800 of those were able _ from 1000, after 52 days, 800 of those were able to - from 1000, after 52 days, 800 of those were able to flee, i of those were able to flee, they— of those were able to flee, they had _

of those were able to flee, they had to _ of those were able to flee, they had to flee _ of those were able to flee, they had to flee because . of those were able to flee, i they had to flee because they are afraid _ they had to flee because they are afraid for— they had to flee because they are afraid for their— they had to flee because they are afraid for their kids - they had to flee because they are afraid for their kids and l are afraid for their kids and because _ are afraid for their kids and because maybe _ are afraid for their kids and because maybe they- are afraid for their kids and because maybe they had i are afraid for their kids and . because maybe they had dual citizenship _ because maybe they had dual citizenship so _ because maybe they had dual citizenship so they— because maybe they had dual citizenship so they were i citizenship so they were allowed _ citizenship so they were allowed to _ citizenship so they were allowed to leave - citizenship so they were allowed to leave may. citizenship so they were i allowed to leave may be. 550 left in — allowed to leave may be. 550 left in the _ allowed to leave may be. 550 left in the catholic— allowed to leave may be. 550 left in the catholic church, i left in the catholic church, 150 — left in the catholic church, 150 at _ left in the catholic church, 150 at the _ left in the catholic church, 150 at the orthodox - left in the catholic church, i 150 at the orthodox church, we fear for — 150 at the orthodox church, we fear for their— 150 at the orthodox church, we fear for their life. _ 150 at the orthodox church, we fearfortheir life. many- 150 at the orthodox church, we fear for their life. many of i fear for their life. many of them _ fear for their life. many of them if— fear for their life. many of them if they _ fear for their life. many of them if they had - fear for their life. many of them if they had that i fear for their life. many of i them if they had that choice, maybe — them if they had that choice, maybe they— them if they had that choice, maybe they want _ them if they had that choice, maybe they want to - them if they had that choice, maybe they want to flee i them if they had that choice, maybe they want to flee for. maybe they want to flee for their— maybe they want to flee for their lives _ maybe they want to flee for their lives and _ maybe they want to flee for their lives and come - maybe they want to flee for their lives and come back . their lives and come back later, _ their lives and come back later, probably, - their lives and come back later, probably, i- their lives and come back later, probably, i don't i their lives and come back i later, probably, i don't know. but later, probably, idon't know. but this— later, probably, i don't know. but this place _ later, probably, i don't know. but this place to _ later, probably, i don't know. but this place to be _ later, probably, i don't know. but this place to be emptied. later, probably, i don't know. i but this place to be emptied of its original— but this place to be emptied of its original people— _ but this place to be emptied of its original people— christians i its original people— christians wear— its original people— christians wear that— its original people— christians wear that before _ its original people— christians wear that before any - its original people— christians wear that before any nation l wear that before any nation that— wear that before any nation that is— wear that before any nation that is that _ wear that before any nation that is that right _ wear that before any nation that is that right now, i wear that before any nation that is that right now, so i wear that before any nation that is that right now, so it| that is that right now, so it is a — that is that right now, so it is a difficult _ that is that right now, so it is a difficult issue - that is that right now, so it is a difficult issue and i that is that right now, so it is a difficult issue and it i that is that right now, so it is a difficult issue and it isl is a difficult issue and it is i is a difficult issue and it is i would _ is a difficult issue and it is i would say— is a difficult issue and it is i would say spilling - is a difficult issue and it is i would say spilling into i is a difficult issue and it is. i would say spilling into the west— i would say spilling into the west bank _ i would say spilling into the west bank. christians i i would say spilling into the west bank. christians in i i would say spilling into thei west bank. christians in the west— west bank. christians in the west bank— west bank. christians in the west bank are _ west bank. christians in the west bank are afraid - west bank. christians in the west bank are afraid and i west bank. christians in the i west bank are afraid and many of them — west bank are afraid and many of them actually _ west bank are afraid and many of them actually planning, i west bank are afraid and many of them actually planning, if i of them actually planning, if this will— of them actually planning, if this will continue, _ of them actually planning, if this will continue, they i of them actually planning, if this will continue, they say i this will continue, they say they— this will continue, they say they are _ this will continue, they say they are afraid _ this will continue, they say they are afraid for- this will continue, they say they are afraid for their - this will continue, they say l they are afraid for their kids. more — they are afraid for their kids. more tension— they are afraid for their kids. more tension the _ they are afraid for their kids. more tension the west - they are afraid for their kids. | more tension the west bank. they are afraid for their kids. - more tension the west bank. one of the messages we have seen from the biden administration

is israel is defence, israel has to defeat hamas which is responsible for the atrocities of october seven and hamas is responsible for civilian death because it is deeply embedded in the civilians including christians.— in the civilians including christians. that does not 'usti christians. that does not justify the _ christians. that does not justify the scale - christians. that does not justify the scale of - christians. that does not l justify the scale of killings we are witnessing in gaza. how is the total levelling of not just neighbourhoods but entire towns and areas self defence? how is bombing schools, children hiding in schools or churches, self defence? to be honest, we see this as a vicious campaign, more than targeted bombing to target hamas. how do you batten the ideology of hamas? hamas exist because there is an occupation. unless you tackle the root

causes of the issue, resistance will remain and whether we like it or not. as christians, we are not in favour of armed resistance, we do not like violence and are against the killing of all civilians but unless you address the root causes, the problem will continue.— causes, the problem will continue. , . . continue. there is a ceasefire at the moment, _ continue. there is a ceasefire at the moment, the - continue. there is a ceasefire at the moment, the us, - continue. there is a ceasefire l at the moment, the us, israel, all parties hoping it is extended. do you get the sense or are you at all optimistic it could be extended and end up in a complete ceasefire?— a complete ceasefire? actually it is not a _ a complete ceasefire? actually it is not a ceasefire. _ a complete ceasefire? actually it is not a ceasefire. they - a complete ceasefire? actually it is not a ceasefire. they are l it is not a ceasefire. they are referring _ it is not a ceasefire. they are referring to it, even at the white _ referring to it, even at the white house, as a humanitarian pause _ white house, as a humanitarian pause but — white house, as a humanitarian pause but it is problematic because _ pause but it is problematic because what is going to happen after— because what is going to happen after the — because what is going to happen after the humanitarian pulse? after the humanitarian pulse ? are you — after the humanitarian pulse? are you going to give relief to gaza — are you going to give relief to gaza and _ are you going to give relief to gaza and then bomb them a few days— gaza and then bomb them a few days after— gaza and then bomb them a few days after that? we want a permanent ceasefire. do we see

it? honestly, after talking to the majority of senators, we feel— the majority of senators, we feel like _ the majority of senators, we feel like there is not much that— feel like there is not much that they could do but we do not lose _ that they could do but we do not lose the hope and we're hoping _ not lose the hope and we're hoping they can do something because — hoping they can do something because this is a golden chance and we — because this is a golden chance and we have sent that message to congresspeople to the white house — to congresspeople to the white house that this is a golden chance _ house that this is a golden chance for them to redeem themselves and, actually, make it siou — themselves and, actually, make it sto. ., ~ themselves and, actually, make itsto. . ,, themselves and, actually, make itsto. ., ~' . ., it stop. thank you so much for shafinu it stop. thank you so much for sharing your — it stop. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts - it stop. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with - it stop. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us| sharing your thoughts with us today. sharing your thoughts with us toda . ., ~ sharing your thoughts with us toda . . ,, i. and a reminder of our breaking news at this hour. henry kissinger has died at the age of 100. he served as national security adviser and secretary of state under us presidents richard nixon and gerald ford. he is both revered and condemned. former president george w bush has commented on x, formerly known as twitter, saying america has lost the most dependable and

distinguished voice with the passing of henry kissinger. more on this story at the top of the hour. thank you for watching abc news. hello, there. talk of the town this week has been just how cold it's become. yes, on wednesday, we started off with a hard frost in the lake district. temperatures were sitting at —7, first thing in the morning, and despite lots of sunshine throughout the day, they struggled to climb above freezing by the middle of wednesday afternoon. now, we could actually see a similar story on thursday, a widespread hard frost to begin the day, the exception down in the south west, with this developing area of low pressure. that's going to bring outbreaks of rain, and windy with it, as well. we could see gusts of wind on exposed coasts close to 50 mph. let's zoom in and look at that in a little more detail. it will be primarily rain across the isles of scilly and much of cornwall, some wet snow, perhaps, across the moors, and some of this frontal system willjust brush the south coast, maybe the odd spot ortwo of rain, south of london.

a cold day, generally, four or five degrees, some freezing fog slow to lift in the midlands. now, with that northeasterly breeze, one or two wintry showers along exposed east coasts of northern england and eastern scotland, sheltered western areas will see the best of any sunny spells, but again, a cold day — two to five degrees quite widely across the country. now, as we move out of thursday into friday, again, light winds, clear skies, once again, those temperatures falling away. it looks likely to be another cold and frosty start to friday morning, and, potentially, friday could be the coldest spell over the next few days. so some freezing fog quite possible, as well, and a subtle change in wind direction means that we run the risk of a few more showers running down through the north coast of northern ireland, and down through the irish sea, as well. so a few coastal showers around. inland — dry, plenty of sunshine, but another cold day — zero to five degrees at the very best. now, as we move out of friday

into the start of the weekend, we could see a few more showers drifting in from the west, but a relatively quiet start, before, as we move into the middle part of the week, we could see areas of low pressure bringing yet more rain in and perhaps something a little less cold. so it'll be a cold and frosty start to our weekend, but, as you can see, more showers are likely and those temperatures gradually starting to creep up. that's it. stay warm.

china's factory activity shrinks for the second month in a row, underscoring china's slow economic recovery. the un climate conference kicks off today but a host of questions remain about what the talks can achieve. hello and welcome to asia business report with me, arunoday mukharji. we begin in china this hour where government data shows factory activity shrinking for the month of november. it is the second month of contraction for the second biggest economy in the world. the country is facing an economic slump as we have been reporting and unemployment has affected consumer spending as well. to understand more let's

speak to a chinese economist at oxford economics.