this is bbc news. the headlines: israeli air strikes pound the south and north of gaza. the hamas—run health ministry says at least 110 palestinians were killed injabalia, while hundreds are believed trapped inside a catholic church in gaza city. international pressure for a ceasefire intensifies, as us defence secretary lloyd austin arrives in tel aviv for talks with his israeli counterpart. this is the scene live in tel aviv where we're expecting to hear the outcome of those talks in the next few minutes. challenges to uganda's recent anti—homosexuality law are heard in court. judges consider criticisms that it violates human rights. ukraine admits artillery ammunition shortages, but a leading government official remains optimistic that international funding will continue. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc

sport centre, here's olly foster. we've had the draw for the champions league last 16, the first knockout round. at this stage, teams from the same country or who came through the same group are kept apart. the holders, manchester city, look to have been given an easy path to the quarters. they will face the lowest ranked team left in the competition, the danes, fc copenhagen. these are the other ties as they were drawn at the uefa headquarters in nyon. porto will play the current premier league leaders, arsenal. italian champions napoli face barcelona. psg against real sociedad. serie a leaders inter milan up against atletico madrid. that is one of the standout ties. psv vs borussia dortmund. lazio v bayern munich. rb leipzig vs 14—time champions real madrid. those ties will be played over two legs in february and march.

we've also had the draw for the europa league play—off round this afternoon. all of the premier league clubs have managed to bypass this round and go straight into the last 16. this extra stage pits the teams who finished second in their europa league groups against the teams who came third in the champions league group phase. here are the fixtures. jose mourinho�*s roma will play feyenoord. ac milan, who missed out on the champions league knockouts, they'll face the french side rennes. benfica will play toulouse who came through as runners—up in liverpool's group, and the ukrainian champions shakhtar donetsk play marseille. no european football for chelsea this season but they're in the quarterfinals of the league cup. they take place this week. mauricio pochettino�*s side are at home to last season's runners—up newcastle. both sides are coming off wins over the weekend after a poor run of results. chelsea lie tenth in the table and this competition could be their best chance of silverware. i want to win a trophy here in england. i want to have the trophy

now if we have the possibility in this competition because i think it is important. yes, my wish and my desire is to win and that is one of the competition that we are involved and it is possible, but of course, we need to respect the europa league and newcastle will be tough. we need to come through in the semifinal. the first of the club world cup semi—finals get under way in next few hours in jeddah. brazilian�*s fluminense take on the egyptian side al—ahly. fluminense boast the experienced marcelo in their ranks, while al—ahly beat karim benzema's saudi side al ittihad to reach this stage. the winner will play either manchester city orjapan�*s urrawa red diamonds in friday's final. those two meet tomorrow. it's the bbc sports personality of the year tomorrow evening. you can read up on the six contenders for the main award

on the bbc sport website. the award is now in it's 70th year. david beckham won it in 2001 and was also given the lifetime achievement award in 2010. i was lucky enough to live the career that i had and doing something i loved, so to then be recognised by the great british public is something that i was very proud of and it was kind of a surreal moment to be stood up there. winning sports personality of the year and 20 years before that watching at home with my mum and dad thinking one day i'd love to do that, one of the proudest moments of my career. and that's all the sport for now.

let's ta ke let's take you back to that a live shotin let's take you back to that a live shot in tel aviv and that is just a podium but we are waiting for us defence secretary to appear and he has been holding talks with officials in israel including prime minister benjamin netanyahu and we did hear a statement from both of them earlier and in his statement, lloyd austin said the us would continue to support israel's mission to locate and release all of the hostages and he said the us would continue to supply israel with the necessary equipment to defend the country. he also said that urgent needs needed to be met in terms of humanitarian aid and he said we need to ensure more humanitarian aid goes to ensure more humanitarian aid goes to the 2 million displaced people in gaza and we need to distribute that aid better. there will be lots of questions being put to the secretary of defence lloyd austin of course when that conference begin so we will go back to that as and when it happens.

the oil giant bp has announced it is pausing all shipments of oil through the red sea after recent attacks on vessels by houthi rebels. the company blamed the "deteriorating security situation" in the region. the houthis have been targeting ships they believe are bound for israel. live now to dr sarah schiffling, assistant professor supply chain management & social responsibility at hanken school of economics and the deputy director of the humlog institute in helsinki, finland. tell us more about what is happening. tell us more about what is happening-— tell us more about what is haueninu. ~ . ., , tell us more about what is ha eninu. ~ . . , ., happening. what we have seen over the last coume _ happening. what we have seen over the last couple of— happening. what we have seen over the last couple of days, _ happening. what we have seen over the last couple of days, several - happening. what we have seen over the last couple of days, several of l the last couple of days, several of the last couple of days, several of the big shipping lines have altered their operations in the red sea going to the suez canal. —— have halted. that was one after the other after several attacks by drones and missiles on merchant vessels in this very, very small part of the red sea and the southern end close to yemen. what you think will happen next? we have what you think will happen next? - have always seen a response with the us military saying they are going to up us military saying they are going to up their presence in the area to really reassure the merchant vessels

and that operation is called prosperity guardian which kind of tells you what it is all about, protecting those important supply chains because so much trade goes through this was canal, about 12% of the total global trade volume and thatis the total global trade volume and that is a huge amount with the bp oil vessels but also lots of containerships that really contain everything that is coming from asia into europe and increasingly also, asia to north america because the panama canal has been having issues for a month now. pare panama canal has been having issues for a month now.— for a month now. are there other wa s to for a month now. are there other ways to re-route _ for a month now. are there other ways to re-route it _ for a month now. are there other ways to re-route it and _ for a month now. are there other ways to re-route it and how- for a month now. are there other ways to re-route it and how will. ways to re—route it and how will that impact international supply chains? i assume any other avenues will take a lot longer.— will take a lot longer. absolutely, the way around _ will take a lot longer. absolutely, the way around as _ will take a lot longer. absolutely, the way around as all— will take a lot longer. absolutely, the way around as all the - will take a lot longer. absolutely, the way around as all the way - will take a lot longer. absolutely, i the way around as all the way around africa's you are going down all the way to south africa and back north again and that ads one to two weeks of time to the journey and of course it costs a lot more and there is also some security risks there may be as well as weather is well and thatis be as well as weather is well and that is really why this was canal was built in the first place to avoid this very, very long detail all the way around the continent of

africa. �* , ., ., . ., ,., africa. are these attacks and you are ha- africa. are these attacks and you are happy been _ africa. are these attacks and you are happy been happening - africa. are these attacks and you are happy been happening in - africa. are these attacks and you are happy been happening in the| africa. are these attacks and you - are happy been happening in the last few months? —— are these attacks new or how they been happening? there has been about _ or how they been happening? there has been about nine _ or how they been happening? there has been about nine attacks - or how they been happening? ii—ii” has been about nine attacks on merchant vessels in this last month of december and there have been a couple of other missile drawings that have been intercepted by the military presence in the upper but it has been really stepping up because the houthi rebels have been saying they are supporting hamas so that has been to geopolitical crises tying into each other and there has been a civil war in yemen for the last nine years now so there is a bigger picture here. find last nine years now so there is a bigger picture here.— last nine years now so there is a bigger picture here. and we had any sort of reaction _ bigger picture here. and we had any sort of reaction from _ bigger picture here. and we had any sort of reaction from the _ bigger picture here. and we had any sort of reaction from the regional. sort of reaction from the regional players like iran or other nations? there has been statements from iran especially about the stepping up of the military presence in the area, very much saying that this is a region which is in their sphere of influence though of course it is not something they welcome, and other regional players are involved in ensuring the ongoing trade through

the red sea and this was canal. this is of course very interesting particularly for egypt which owns and runs this was canal and of course benefits from the trade through this route. —— the suez canal. through this route. -- the suez canal. ., ~ through this route. -- the suez canal. . ~ , ., through this route. -- the suez canal. . ~ ., ., ~ , canal. thank you for taking us throu~h canal. thank you for taking us through this — canal. thank you for taking us through this complex - canal. thank you for taking us through this complex story . canal. thank you for taking us | through this complex story and canal. thank you for taking us - through this complex story and we'll probably speak you in the coming days as the story develops. judges at uganda's constitutional court are considering a legal challenge to anti—gay legislation passed this year. those bringing the legal action say the laws, which allow for the death penalty in certain circumstances, violate constitutional rights and freedoms. at least five people have been charged under the law so far, including two for the capital offence of what is described as "aggravated homosexuality", which includes transmitting a terminal illness to someone through gay sex. rights groups say the legislation was not subject to proper parliamentary scrutiny and want it to be annulled. some western nations imposed sanctions on uganda after the laws were passed.

we can speak now to nicholas 0piyo, who is a human rights lawyer in uganda and is working on the case. tell us more about the challenge you are making to this law. the challenge _ are making to this law. the challenge we _ are making to this law. the challenge we have - are making to this law. tue: challenge we have made are making to this law. he challenge we have made before are making to this law. tt2 challenge we have made before the ugandan courts is essentially for the courts to decide whether every single ugandan, including the person who is a member of the lgbt community, enjoys the same protection under law. —— including a person. 0urargument protection under law. —— including a person. 0ur argument is that the untied gay law violates fundamental rights and freedoms of the lgbt community and civil society organisations, of the media practitioners in this country as well as academic and research and how pepular _ well as academic and research and how popular was that law when it came in? what sort of challenge you face in terms of trying to overturn it? ~ ., h, , face in terms of trying to overturn it? 2, _,, it? well, for the past ten years the backers of this _ it? well, for the past ten years the backers of this law _ it? well, for the past ten years the backers of this law have _ it? well, for the past ten years the backers of this law have been - backers of this law have been whipping up blick support across the

country and many times using this information, and at the time the law was passed, it appeared that the law was passed, it appeared that the law was extremely popular across the country. many others who have stood up country. many others who have stood up against the law face a lot of backlash from our communities will stop —— many of us. there is a appearance of public support for the law but i also hear many people making the argument that this law is not the most important thing to many people across the country and at the backers of the law got their priorities wrong.— backers of the law got their priorities wrong. backers of the law got their riorities wron: . ., priorities wrong. 0k, we will have to leave it — priorities wrong. 0k, we will have to leave it there, _ priorities wrong. 0k, we will have to leave it there, but _ priorities wrong. 0k, we will have to leave it there, but thank - priorities wrong. 0k, we will have to leave it there, but thank you i to leave it there, but thank you very much for bringing us up to date on that story and uganda. let's now go through to israel and listen into that news conference which is happening at the moment with the us secretary of defence lloyd austin who you can see on the left there. please have your phones on silent if possible. _ please have your phones on silent if possible, starting with minister yoav_ possible, starting with minister yoav gallant. please, minister.

secretary— yoav gallant. please, minister. secretary austin, the united states and israel have never been more determined and aligned in our shared values, ourshared determined and aligned in our shared values, our shared interests and our shared goals. my friend, general allston, you have shown the people of israel and the entire world what it means to be a leader and a partner. —— general austin. there is no greater projection of our intimate ties been sitting together with general brown and general a levy, discussing the most sensitive issues on the agenda in full transparency and trust. thank you, secretary, for your deep commitment to israel's security. we stand here 72 days into a war that we did not want. 0n

72 days into a war that we did not want. on october seven, 72 days into a war that we did not want. 0n 0ctoberseven, hamas conducted a brutal attack, they murdered, raped and kidnapped children, women, soldiers, holocaust survivors. 0n children, women, soldiers, holocaust survivors. on october seven, we fought back, and immediately set the goals of this war, the destruction of hamas and the return of the hostages home with no exception. 0ur common enemies around the world are watching and they know that israel's victory is the victory of the free world led by the united states of america. in our war against hamas, the hamas terrorist organisation. it is not a war against the people of

gaza. we are fighting a brutal enemy that hides behind civilians. billions of dollars have been invested in gaza, money that should have gone to civilian infrastructure and instead was used to build a network of tunnels, hundreds of kilometres long, equipped by military facilities. today, idf troops are operating in hamas hotspots across gaza. in northern gaza, our troops have eliminated thousands of terrorists, destroyed military infrastructure and dismantled most of the battalions operating in the area. in south gaza, in khan younis, we are focused on eliminating hamas leadership and

military infrastructure. detecting an engaging hamas leadership in the chain of command spans over the thesis of this war and will continue until we fully achieve our goals. secretary austin, we both know the complexities of war, we both fought a brutal terrorist organisations, we note that it takes time. unlike our enemies, we are defending our values and we operate according to international law. —— will know that it takes time. the idf is operating to minimise the harm to civilian population. we are also working with international partners to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, yet any time we discuss humanitarian

issues, we must remember the 129 hostages who are held in gaza. this is the most humanitarian issue. on october the 8th, the day after the hamas attack, hezbollah opened fire unprovoked. rockets, missiles and drones, this rate is unacceptable, and over 80,000 citizens have been displaced, living as refugees in their own countries. —— this threat. we are determined to create a new reality, restoring the security in the area, based on un resolution 1701, pushing back hezbollah. we will bring back the residents of the north to their homes on the border, afterfull

north to their homes on the border, after full security will be restored. we prefer to do so via understanding, ensuring that the border region is clear of terrorists and does not allow direct threats of our citizens. if such a process will not be implemented diplomatically, we will not hesitate to act. today, we will not hesitate to act. today, we also discuss the growing global threat posed by the huq fees., terrorist organisation. there action threatens freedom of navigation and their reckless behaviour firing cruise missiles and ballistic missiles and drones against israel can drag the region into war. —— houthis. the state of israel values us leadership and we will support

international efforts. at the same time, we maintain the rights to take all the action is necessary to defend our sovereignty and our citizens. hamas, hezbollah and the houthis are funded, supported and trained by one source of evil, iran. and unfortunately, this is only their secondary effort. iran's major effort is acquiring military capabilities and this continues even now. we are aware of their actions and we are ready to defend our self. we must take a stand. the world is watching us now, and this includes our enemies, hamas, hezbollah and

iran. the image they see today is powerful as we stand here united. we are resilient and determined and we will win on every front. thank you, once again, mr secretary. thank you for coming and thank you for your support and your friendship. thank you very much. support and your friendship. thank you very much-— you very much. good afternoon, everybody- _ you very much. good afternoon, everybody- we _ you very much. good afternoon, everybody. we have _ you very much. good afternoon, everybody. we have been - you very much. good afternoon, | everybody. we have been talking almost _ everybody. we have been talking almost daily by phone, so it is good to see _ almost daily by phone, so it is good to see you — almost daily by phone, so it is good to see you once again in person. it is good _ to see you once again in person. it is good to— to see you once again in person. it is good to he — to see you once again in person. it is good to be back in israel. even in these — is good to be back in israel. even in these difficult days, especially in these difficult days, especially in these — in these difficult days, especially in these difficult days, especially in these difficult days. this is my fourth _ in these difficult days. this is my fourth visit — in these difficult days. this is my fourth visit to israel as secretary of defence and my second time since 0ctoher— of defence and my second time since october the 7th, and i know that israel— october the 7th, and i know that israel has — october the 7th, and i know that israel has been profoundly changed from where you were on october the 6th, so— from where you were on october the 6th, so i_ from where you were on october the 6th, so i am — from where you were on october the 6th, so i am here with a clearer

message — 6th, so i am here with a clearer message and america's support for israel's _ message and america's support for israel's security is unshakeable. and israel— israel's security is unshakeable. and israel is not a loan. at a time of mourning. _ and israel is not a loan. at a time of mourning, a real friend shows up. -- israel— of mourning, a real friend shows up. -- israel is _ of mourning, a real friend shows up. -- israel is not — of mourning, a real friend shows up. —— israel is not a loan. i know how terrible _ —— israel is not a loan. i know how terrible these _ —— israel is not a loan. i know how terrible these days have been for the israeli — terrible these days have been for the israeli people and i know that 0ctober— the israeli people and i know that october the 7th touched everyone in this more _ october the 7th touched everyone in this more democracy. —— israel is not alone — this more democracy. —— israel is not alone let _ this more democracy. —— israel is not alone. let me again express my deepest _ not alone. let me again express my deepest condolences to the general has been _ deepest condolences to the general has been sitting shiva for his 25—year—old son and mourning his nephew— 25—year—old son and mourning his nephew after they both fell in gaza. on october the 7th, hamas committed one of— on october the 7th, hamas committed one of the _ on october the 7th, hamas committed one of the worst atrocities in the history— one of the worst atrocities in the history of— one of the worst atrocities in the history of modern terrorism. as president — history of modern terrorism. as president biden said, it was an act of sheer—

president biden said, it was an act of sheer evil, and innocent young people _ of sheer evil, and innocent young people at— of sheer evil, and innocent young people at a — of sheer evil, and innocent young people at a concert were massacred. parents _ people at a concert were massacred. parents were shot in front of their children — parents were shot in front of their children. women were sexually assaulted. toddlers and holocaust survivors— assaulted. toddlers and holocaust survivors were taken hostage. and port hamas, that wasjust survivors were taken hostage. and port hamas, that was just the beginning. —— and fort hamas. hamas is clearly— beginning. —— and fort hamas. hamas is clearly and — beginning. —— and fort hamas. hamas is clearly and loudly spelt out its vision _ is clearly and loudly spelt out its vision of— is clearly and loudly spelt out its vision of the future and it is to repeat— vision of the future and it is to repeat october seven over and over and over— repeat october seven over and over and overagain. no repeat october seven over and over and over again. no country should tolerate _ and over again. no country should tolerate such a danger. israel has every— tolerate such a danger. israel has every right— tolerate such a danger. israel has every right to defend itself against a fine _ every right to defend itself against a fine article terrorist group whose stated _ a fine article terrorist group whose stated purpose is to murderjews and eradicate _ stated purpose is to murderjews and eradicate the stated purpose is to murderjews and eradicate the jewish state. hamas is still holding hostages, including american citizens. hamas embeds

itsetf— american citizens. hamas embeds itself and — american citizens. hamas embeds itself and hides itself behind innocent palestinian civilians. hamas— innocent palestinian civilians. hamas does not speak for the palestinian people. hamas is determined to doom both israelis and palestinians to an unending cycle of suffering _ palestinians to an unending cycle of suffering and strife. make no mistake. _ suffering and strife. make no mistake, hamas should never again be able to— mistake, hamas should never again be able to protect terror from gaza into the — able to protect terror from gaza into the sovereign state of israel. -- project— into the sovereign state of israel. —— project terror. we will work together— —— project terror. we will work together for a safer and more secure future _ together for a safer and more secure future for— together for a safer and more secure future for israel and a brighter future — future for israel and a brighter future for— future for israel and a brighter future for palestinians. the united states— future for palestinians. the united states will— future for palestinians. the united states will keep pushing relentlessly for the safe return of hostages — relentlessly for the safe return of hostages in gaza. and we will continue _ hostages in gaza. and we will continue to help israel in its efforts— continue to help israel in its efforts to bring them all home. thanks— efforts to bring them all home. thanks to — efforts to bring them all home. thanks to the personal leadership

president — thanks to the personal leadership president biden, we helped to broker a deal— president biden, we helped to broker a deal that— president biden, we helped to broker a deal that got out more than 100 hostages — a deal that got out more than 100 hostages. but this remains a top priority— hostages. but this remains a top priority for— hostages. but this remains a top priority for the united states from president — priority for the united states from president biden on down. and we will continue _ president biden on down. and we will continue to— president biden on down. and we will continue to do everything that we can to _ continue to do everything that we can to bring home every man, every canto bring home every man, every woman— can to bring home every man, every woman and — can to bring home every man, every woman and every child sees the bite hamas _ woman and every child sees the bite hamas the — woman and every child sees the bite hamas. the united states has been clear and _ hamas. the united states has been clear and consistent since hamas started _ clear and consistent since hamas started this war on october the 7th. -- every— started this war on october the 7th. -- every child — started this war on october the 7th. —— every child seized by hamas. democracies are stronger and more secure _ democracies are stronger and more secure when we uphold the rule of law and _ secure when we uphold the rule of law and as — secure when we uphold the rule of law and as i — secure when we uphold the rule of law and as i have said, protecting palestinian — law and as i have said, protecting palestinian civilians in gaza is both— palestinian civilians in gaza is both a — palestinian civilians in gaza is both a moral duty and a strategic imperative. so we will continue to stand _ imperative. so we will continue to stand up— imperative. so we will continue to stand up for israel's bedrock right to defend — stand up for israel's bedrock right to defend itself. and we will also continue — to defend itself. and we will also continue to urge the protection of civilians _

continue to urge the protection of civilians during conflict, and to increase — civilians during conflict, and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into _ increase the flow of humanitarian aid into gaza. that is important, as israel— aid into gaza. that is important, as israel fights— aid into gaza. that is important, as israel fights to dismantle hamas terrorist — israel fights to dismantle hamas terrorist infrastructure in gaza. and it — terrorist infrastructure in gaza. and it will _ terrorist infrastructure in gaza. and it will also be crucial for our work— and it will also be crucial for our work with— and it will also be crucial for our work with our allies and partners after— work with our allies and partners after the — work with our allies and partners after the fighting stops. we are working — after the fighting stops. we are working to ensure that this conflict does not _ working to ensure that this conflict does not escalate beyond gaza. but as we _ does not escalate beyond gaza. but as we are _ does not escalate beyond gaza. but as we are driving to stabilise the region — as we are driving to stabilise the region, iran is raising tensions by continuing — region, iran is raising tensions by continuing to support terrorist groups— continuing to support terrorist groups and militias. attacks by these — groups and militias. attacks by these iranian proxies threaten the region's_ these iranian proxies threaten the region's citizens and risk a broader conflict _ region's citizens and risk a broader conflict 0f— region's citizens and risk a broader conflict. of course, the united states— conflict. of course, the united states does not seek war, and we urgently— states does not seek war, and we urgently call on iran to take steps to de—escalate. in my meetings today, — to de—escalate. in my meetings today, i— to de—escalate. in my meetings today, i also discussed the need to

take urgent action to stabilise the west— take urgent action to stabilise the west bank. attacks by extremist settlers — west bank. attacks by extremist settlers against the palestinians in the west— settlers against the palestinians in the west bank must stop. and those committing the violence must be held accountable. we know that the past 72 days _ accountable. we know that the past 72 days have been some of the most painful— 72 days have been some of the most painful days — 72 days have been some of the most painful days in israel's history. but it— painful days in israel's history. but it would compound this tragedy if all that— but it would compound this tragedy if all that is waiting for the israeli _ if all that is waiting for the israeli people and your palestinian neighbours at the end of this awful war was— neighbours at the end of this awful war was more insecurity, fury and despair~ _ war was more insecurity, fury and despair~ as — war was more insecurity, fury and despair~ as i _ war was more insecurity, fury and despair. as i have said, israelis and palestinians have both paid to bitter— and palestinians have both paid to bitter a _ and palestinians have both paid to bitter a price tojust go back to october— bitter a price tojust go back to october the 6th. sol bitter a price tojust go back to october the 6th. so i discuss past ways— october the 6th. so i discuss past ways today for a future for gaza after _ ways today for a future for gaza after hamas based upon the clear principles— after hamas based upon the clear principles laid down last month by

my friend — principles laid down last month by my friend secretary blink on. israelis — my friend secretary blink on. israelis and palestinians both deserve — israelis and palestinians both deserve a horizon of hopes of the united _ deserve a horizon of hopes of the united states continues to believe, as we _ united states continues to believe, as we have — united states continues to believe, as we have under administrations of both parties, but it is in the interest— both parties, but it is in the interest of both israelis and palestinians to move forwards to towards — palestinians to move forwards to towards two states living side by side in _ towards two states living side by side in mutual security. —— secretary— side in mutual security. —— secretary antony blinken. we know how hard _ secretary antony blinken. we know how hard that is, especially after october— how hard that is, especially after october the 7th. but ongoing instability and insecurity only play into the _ instability and insecurity only play into the hands of hamas so we must bring _ into the hands of hamas so we must bring together about what lies beyond — bring together about what lies beyond this terrible season of terror — beyond this terrible season of terror and war, and as we do, the united _ terror and war, and as we do, the united states will remain deeply committed to the security and self defence _ committed to the security and self defence of the people of israel. as john f_ defence of the people of israel. as john f kennedy said in 1960, john f kennedy said in1960, america's_ john f kennedy said in 1960, america's friendship with israel is a national—

america's friendship with israel is a national commitment. that was true then and _ a national commitment. that was true then and it _ a national commitment. that was true then and it is — a national commitment. that was true then and it is even truer now. united — then and it is even truer now. united states will israel's closest friend _ united states will israel's closest friend in— united states will israel's closest friend in the world. as i have said repeatedly. — friend in the world. as i have said repeatedly, our support for israel's security— repeatedly, our support for israel's security remains unshakeable. and it always _ security remains unshakeable. and it always with — security remains unshakeable. and it always will. thank you very much, and we _ always will. thank you very much, and we will— always will. thank you very much, and we will be happy to take your questions — and we will be happy to take your questions. we and we will be happy to take your ruestions. ~ , ., ., questions. we will start now with this reporter- _ questions. we will start now with this reporter. thank _ questions. we will start now with this reporter. thank you, - questions. we will start now with this reporter. thank you, and - this reporter. thank you, and welcome _ this reporter. thank you, and welcome to _ this reporter. thank you, and welcome to israel, _ this reporter. thank you, and welcome to israel, secretary| this reporter. thank you, and - welcome to israel, secretary austin. it is welcome to israel, secretary austin. it is not _ welcome to israel, secretary austin. it is not a _ welcome to israel, secretary austin. it is not a secret that there is a -ap it is not a secret that there is a gap between israel and the us how so have you _ gap between israel and the us how so have you set any sort of timetable or deadline to the current phase of israel— or deadline to the current phase of israel a _ or deadline to the current phase of israel a ground war in gaza and have you had _ israel a ground war in gaza and have you had any— israel a ground war in gaza and have you had any fun assessment where the current— you had any fun assessment where the current phase stand? ended i may, with regard — current phase stand? ended i may, with regard to the north, israel

said on— with regard to the north, israel said on the minister gardens has 'ust said on the minister gardens has just repeated that it will attack lebanon — just repeated that it will attack lebanon if there won't be a acceptable solution that will include _ acceptable solution that will include hezbollah withdrawal north to the _ include hezbollah withdrawal north to the villa tania trevor, and there were _ to the villa tania trevor, and there were quite — to the villa tania trevor, and there were quite confident last week that such solution can't be achieved. what _ such solution can't be achieved. what is — such solution can't be achieved. what is that us version if israel attacks— what is that us version if israel attacks and will you order the us army— attacks and will you order the us army to — attacks and will you order the us army to strike an even destroy hezbollah in a ready and targets if required? — hezbollah in a ready and targets if required? and minister lantz, it took— required? and minister lantz, it took the — required? and minister lantz, it took the idf 70 days to reach the town _ took the idf 70 days to reach the town and — took the idf 70 days to reach the town and it — took the idf 70 days to reach the town and it was revealed yesterday, and how _ town and it was revealed yesterday, and how long do you think it will take to — and how long do you think it will take to completely destroy the fright — take to completely destroy the fright of — take to completely destroy the fright of the tunnel in gaza? —— minister— fright of the tunnel in gaza? —— minister gallant. the americans keep asking _ minister gallant. the americans keep asking israel how it sees the day after. _ asking israel how it sees the day after. so — asking israel how it sees the day after, so what do you tell them, who will rule _ after, so what do you tell them, who will rule gaza and will the idf be in gaza _ will rule gaza and will the idf be in gaza throughout the entire next year? _ in gaza throughout the entire next year? you —

in gaza throughout the entire next year? you very much. which of those 12 questions do you want me to answer? regarding the timeline, this is israel's operation. i'm not here to dictate timelines or terms. our support to israel's right to defend itself, as you have heard me say several times and i will not change. it is critical, as i have said earlier, that hamas not be able to threaten israel, not from gaza, or even threaten gaza any more. that's an interest that we all share, it's a common interest. of all of us. and so today we had great discussions about the status of the campaign, about the status of the campaign, about goals and objectives and about

how to reduce harm to civilians in