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 the battle space and the need to ensure a sustained flow of humanitarian assistance into gaza. we can offer some insight based on our own experience fighting terrorist groups that enabled us to have great discussions. we also have some great thoughts about how to transition from high intensity operations to a low intensity and more surgical operations. we had a great discussions on all of those issues. on lebanon we have been clear that we don't want to see this conflict widen into a larger war or a regional war and we call upon hezbollah to make sure that they don't do things that would provoke a

wider conflict. figs don't do things that would provoke a wider conflict.— wider conflict. as to the first question. — wider conflict. as to the first question, let _ wider conflict. as to the first question, let 3&3 _ wider conflict. as to the first question, let 3&3 more - wider conflict. as to the first - question, let 3&3 more precise. it question, let 383 more precise. it took us _ question, let 383 more precise. it took us 70 — question, let 383 more precise. it took us 70 days before we exposed this tunnel— took us 70 days before we exposed this tunnel to the public. it was discovered after a month or so but we had _ discovered after a month or so but we had a _ discovered after a month or so but we had a lot— discovered after a month or so but we had a lot of operations to be done _ we had a lot of operations to be done inside the tunnel before we exposed — done inside the tunnel before we exposed it. the wall will take time and i_ exposed it. the wall will take time and i can— exposed it. the wall will take time and i can assure only one issue, that— and i can assure only one issue, that eventually we will reach our goals, _ that eventually we will reach our goals, first of all to destroy hamas. _ goals, first of all to destroy hamas, second to rescue the hostages, both of them very important equally. this is a war of nationat— important equally. this is a war of national determination and national

resilience _ national determination and national resilience and we will prevail because _ resilience and we will prevail because we are fighting for the right— because we are fighting for the right values and for our survival in this region — right values and for our survival in this region. as to the second question. _ this region. as to the second question, we understand how important is cooperation, the international support to establish something different in gaza. this is the reason — something different in gaza. this is the reason we conduct these talks today— the reason we conduct these talks today together with secretary austin and others regarding the issues that we have _ and others regarding the issues that we have to — and others regarding the issues that we have to conduct in gaza. we know that hamas _ we have to conduct in gaza. we know that hamas will not control gaza. we know that _ that hamas will not control gaza. we know that we will have the freedom to eliminate any kind of threat in

the future — to eliminate any kind of threat in the future and there will be no serious — the future and there will be no serious military threat against israei— serious military threat against israel from gaza. second, serious military threat against israelfrom gaza. second, israel will not— israelfrom gaza. second, israel will not control gaza in any civiiiah _ will not control gaza in any civilian way. we will conduct any needed — civilian way. we will conduct any needed operation and military effort in order— needed operation and military effort in order to _ needed operation and military effort in order to secure our future and we are building — in order to secure our future and we are building the roots for non—hostile partners in the other side _ non-hostile partners in the other side. ., ~' ,, non-hostile partners in the other side. . ,, ., non-hostile partners in the other side. . ., , ., ., side. thank you. can we stick to one ruestion side. thank you. can we stick to one question each. _ side. thank you. can we stick to one question each, thank _ side. thank you. can we stick to one question each, thank you. _ question each, thank you. back— question each, thank you. back to _ question each, thank you. back to lebanon, - question each, thank you. back to lebanon, are - question each, thank you. back to lebanon, are youl question each, thank you. - back to lebanon, are you currently planning for a ground operation too, as you said, fully secure that area from hezbollah? secretary austin, if the background operation is launched, just to repeat my colleague's question, what role

would us forces have in such a case? and then, is it too dangerous right now, minister gallant, to open a second front in the north when you have troops committed in the south in gaza? and my final one for secretary austin, another commercial vessel today was attacked in the red sea and us warships continue to intercept ballistic missiles and drones that are fired from her feet controlled yamin. why hasn't the us struck back conducted a counterstrike like it has against similar iranian backed militants and in syria? —— yamin.i similar iranian backed militants and in syria? -- yamin.— in syria? -- yamin. i would reiterate — in syria? -- yamin. i would reiterate what _ in syria? -- yamin. i would reiterate what i _ in syria? -- yamin. i would reiterate what i said, - in syria? -- yamin. i would - reiterate what i said, diplomacy is the fair— reiterate what i said, diplomacy is the fair dalai preferred way, we are not looking — the fair dalai preferred way, we are not looking for was but we have 70,000 — not looking for was but we have 70,000 israeli refugees and

hezbollah is shooting as every day since _ hezbollah is shooting as every day since october eight, a day after hantas— since october eight, a day after hamas launched the war against israei~ _ hamas launched the war against israel. therefore, in one hand we are patient— israel. therefore, in one hand we are patient and we are looking for a diplomatic— are patient and we are looking for a diplomatic solution that will make sure that — diplomatic solution that will make sure that hezbollah is not threatening israeli civilians in the northern— threatening israeli civilians in the northern communities directly. on the other— northern communities directly. on the other hand, we are preparing our self to _ the other hand, we are preparing our self to any— the other hand, we are preparing our self to any situation that is needed, _ self to any situation that is needed, and if something like that happened — needed, and if something like that happened we will know what to do and we will— happened we will know what to do and we will prevail. we are not looking for anything similar to that and we hope _ for anything similar to that and we hope that— for anything similar to that and we hope that hezbollah will understand that. hope that hezbollah will understand that it's _ hope that hezbollah will understand that. it's time to stop.— that. it's time to stop. thanks. regarding _ that. it's time to stop. thanks.

regarding the _ who —— houthis these attacks are dangerous and need to stop. this is an international problem and it deserves an international response which is why i am convening a meeting tomorrow, a ministerial meeting tomorrow, a ministerial meeting with fellow ministers in the region and beyond, to address this threat. that will be a virtual meeting and i look forward to that discussion and more importantly i look forward to working together with members of that group to address the threat in a meaningful way in the future. we will have more details on this soon but we will make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure freedom of navigation

in the area. the sraits are pretty important, a lot of international commerce flows through there on a daily basis. goad through there on a daily basis. good to see ou through there on a daily basis. good to see you again. — through there on a daily basis. good to see you again, mr— through there on a daily basis. good to see you again, mr secretary. there _ to see you again, mr secretary. there has— to see you again, mr secretary. there has been— to see you again, mr secretary. there has been a _ to see you again, mr secretary. there has been a lot _ to see you again, mr secretary. there has been a lot of- to see you again, mr secretary. . there has been a lot of discussion about— there has been a lot of discussion about getting _ there has been a lot of discussion about getting israel's _ there has been a lot of discussion about getting israel's intend - there has been a lot of discussion about getting israel's intend to i about getting israel's intend to reduce — about getting israel's intend to reduce civilian— about getting israel's intend to reduce civilian casualties - about getting israel's intend to reduce civilian casualties to - about getting israel's intend to i reduce civilian casualties to match up reduce civilian casualties to match up with— reduce civilian casualties to match up with the — reduce civilian casualties to match up with the results. _ reduce civilian casualties to match up with the results. general - up with the results. general petraeus _ up with the results. general petraeus famously- up with the results. general petraeus famously said - up with the results. general petraeus famously said thatj petraeus famously said that sometimes _ petraeus famously said that sometimes the _ petraeus famously said that sometimes the us - petraeus famously said that sometimes the us needs i petraeus famously said that sometimes the us needs toj petraeus famously said that - sometimes the us needs to take hits on force _ sometimes the us needs to take hits on force protection _ sometimes the us needs to take hits on force protection to _ sometimes the us needs to take hits on force protection to win _ sometimes the us needs to take hits on force protection to win over - on force protection to win over hearts— on force protection to win over hearts and _ on force protection to win over hearts and minds, _ on force protection to win over hearts and minds, legitimacy. | on force protection to win over - hearts and minds, legitimacy. you probably— hearts and minds, legitimacy. you probably remember— hearts and minds, legitimacy. you probably remember that _ hearts and minds, legitimacy. you probably remember that just - hearts and minds, legitimacy. you i probably remember that just recently ten israeii _ probably remember that just recently ten israeli soldiers— probably remember that just recently ten israeli soldiers died _ probably remember that just recently ten israeli soldiers died in— probably remember that just recently ten israeli soldiers died in one - ten israeli soldiers died in one ambush — ten israeli soldiers died in one ambush and _ ten israeli soldiers died in one ambush and a _ ten israeli soldiers died in one ambush and a lot— ten israeli soldiers died in one ambush and a lot of— ten israeli soldiers died in one ambush and a lot of people i ten israeli soldiers died in one ambush and a lot of people in| ten israeli soldiers died in one - ambush and a lot of people in israel were saying — ambush and a lot of people in israel were saying if— ambush and a lot of people in israel were saying if the _ ambush and a lot of people in israel were saying if the israeli _ ambush and a lot of people in israel were saying if the israeli defence i were saying if the israeli defence forces _ were saying if the israeli defence forces have — were saying if the israeli defence forces have just _ were saying if the israeli defence forces have just bombed - were saying if the israeli defence forces have just bombed the - were saying if the israeli defence| forces have just bombed the area they wouldn't _ forces have just bombed the area they wouldn't have _ forces have just bombed the area they wouldn't have died. - forces have just bombed the area they wouldn't have died. is - forces have just bombed the area they wouldn't have died. is this . forces have just bombed the area i they wouldn't have died. is this the kind of— they wouldn't have died. is this the kind ofthing, — they wouldn't have died. is this the kind of thing, that _ they wouldn't have died. is this the kind of thing, that sometimes - they wouldn't have died. is this the kind of thing, that sometimes the i kind of thing, that sometimes the united _ kind of thing, that sometimes the united states— kind of thing, that sometimes the united states might _ kind of thing, that sometimes the united states might think- kind of thing, that sometimes the united states might think israel. united states might think israel needs— united states might think israel needs to — united states might think israel needs to take _ united states might think israel needs to take more _ united states might think israel needs to take more hits - united states might think israel needs to take more hits to - united states might think israel| needs to take more hits to force protection — needs to take more hits to force protection instead _ needs to take more hits to force protection instead of— needs to take more hits to force protection instead of being - needs to take more hits to force protection instead of being as. protection instead of being as aggressive _ protection instead of being as aggressive with— protection instead of being as aggressive with its _ protection instead of being as aggressive with its air - protection instead of being as aggressive with its air force .

protection instead of being as. aggressive with its air force and artillery? — aggressive with its air force and artillery? minister, _ aggressive with its air force and artillery? minister, good- aggressive with its air force and artillery? minister, good to - aggressive with its air force andi artillery? minister, good to see. aggressive with its air force and - artillery? minister, good to see. us in its— artillery? minister, good to see. us in its most — artillery? minister, good to see. us in its most respectfully— artillery? minister, good to see. us in its most respectfully possible, i in its most respectfully possible, is trying — in its most respectfully possible, is trying to — in its most respectfully possible, is trying to push— in its most respectfully possible, is trying to push israel— in its most respectfully possible, is trying to push israel on- in its most respectfully possible, is trying to push israel on a - is trying to push israel on a certain— is trying to push israel on a certain time— is trying to push israel on a certain time line, - is trying to push israel on a certain time line, on - is trying to push israel on a| certain time line, on certain is trying to push israel on a - certain time line, on certain things about— certain time line, on certain things about the — certain time line, on certain things about the day— certain time line, on certain things about the day after, _ certain time line, on certain things about the day after, is _ certain time line, on certain things about the day after, is it _ certain time line, on certain things about the day after, is it may- certain time line, on certain things about the day after, is it may be i about the day after, is it may be time _ about the day after, is it may be time that— about the day after, is it may be time that yourself— about the day after, is it may be time that yourself and _ about the day after, is it may be time that yourself and the - time that yourself and the government— time that yourself and the government need - time that yourself and the government need to - time that yourself and the government need to tell. time that yourself and the - government need to tell israel that even though— government need to tell israel that even though we _ government need to tell israel that even though we had _ government need to tell israel that even though we had tremendous . even though we had tremendous successes— even though we had tremendous successes in— even though we had tremendous successes in the _ even though we had tremendous successes in the field, _ even though we had tremendous successes in the field, we - even though we had tremendous successes in the field, we may. even though we had tremendous i successes in the field, we may not actually _ successes in the field, we may not actually control _ successes in the field, we may not actually control all _ successes in the field, we may not actually control all of _ successes in the field, we may not actually control all of gaza - successes in the field, we may not actually control all of gaza at - successes in the field, we may not actually control all of gaza at the i actually control all of gaza at the end of— actually control all of gaza at the end ofjanuary, _ actually control all of gaza at the end ofjanuary, we _ actually control all of gaza at the end ofjanuary, we may- actually control all of gaza at the end ofjanuary, we may not- actually control all of gaza at the end ofjanuary, we may not get. actually control all of gaza at the i end ofjanuary, we may not get all of the _ end ofjanuary, we may not get all of the hostages _ end ofjanuary, we may not get all of the hostages back— end ofjanuary, we may not get all of the hostages back at _ end ofjanuary, we may not get all of the hostages back at the - end ofjanuary, we may not get all of the hostages back at the end i end ofjanuary, we may not get all of the hostages back at the end ofj of the hostages back at the end of january. _ of the hostages back at the end of january. some _ of the hostages back at the end of january. some of— of the hostages back at the end of january, some of these _ of the hostages back at the end of january, some of these things - of the hostages back at the end of| january, some of these things may continue _ january, some of these things may continue in — january, some of these things may continue in the _ january, some of these things may continue in the 3—9 _ january, some of these things may continue in the 3—9 months- continue in the 3—9 months afterwards— continue in the 3—9 months afterwards what— continue in the 3—9 months afterwards what they - continue in the 3—9 months afterwards what they call . continue in the 3—9 months. afterwards what they call the continue in the 3—9 months- afterwards what they call the third stage? _ afterwards what they call the third sta . e? ., , ,., afterwards what they call the third stare? ., , ., stage? for the first part of the ruestion stage? for the first part of the question in _ stage? for the first part of the question in terms _ stage? for the first part of the question in terms of— stage? for the first part of the question in terms of the - stage? for the first part of the | question in terms of the nature stage? for the first part of the i question in terms of the nature of the strikes and the amount of collateral damage, let me begin by saying the protection of our troops is important to all of us. minister gallant, me, all of us, and that is

foremost. what we see happening is a combination of two things. the first thing is the complexity of this battle space. three—dimensional battle space. three—dimensional battle space, very close spaces, dense population of people, and so that makes it very, very difficult to conduct any military operation. above and beyond that, we see that hamas routinely uses civilians as shields. beyond that, they place their headquarters and their logistical sites near protected sites, hospitals, mosques, churches. you name it. and so that adds to the complexity, and as you have heard jake sullivan say, it provides an

additional burden for the forces that are prosecuting this fight. it requires a very professional force and that force has to learn each step of the way. and we have seen that. minister gallant had a great conversation today about the things they have learned and the techniques they have learned and the techniques they are changing, and as they conduct operations in the south. so all of us learn, and again they were very professional going into this, but this is an incredible complex battle space and taking lessons learned from the north they have applied some of those lessons in the south. and again, i'm sure that that will continue to happen. first south. and again, i'm sure that that will continue to happen.— will continue to happen. first of all, the discussions _ will continue to happen. first of all, the discussions are - will continue to happen. first of. all, the discussions are transparent and frank — all, the discussions are transparent and frank. and on the personal level i and frank. and on the personal level i have _ and frank. and on the personal level i have a _ and frank. and on the personal level i have a lot — and frank. and on the personal level i have a lot to learn from general

austin— i have a lot to learn from general austin so— i have a lot to learn from general austin so i'm learning also. and he always— austin so i'm learning also. and he always gives me good advice. therefore, we share everything and we consuit~ — therefore, we share everything and we consult. second, on the battlefield we have a very meaningful and successful achievement. we detect thousands of terrorists. _ achievement. we detect thousands of terrorists, including senior commanders but not the leadership, to eliminate the hamas leadership is an ongoing _ to eliminate the hamas leadership is an ongoing goal that will be achieved, hopefully soon. but it will be — achieved, hopefully soon. but it will be achieved. it's part of the goats— will be achieved. it's part of the goals of— will be achieved. it's part of the goals of the war. and we will continue _ goals of the war. and we will continue to operate in different levels — continue to operate in different levels of — continue to operate in different levels of intensity according to the situation _ levels of intensity according to the situation in the region. i can tell you that — situation in the region. i can tell you that soon we will be able to

distinguish between different areas in gaza, _ distinguish between different areas in gaza, in— distinguish between different areas in gaza, in every area where we achieve — in gaza, in every area where we achieve our— in gaza, in every area where we achieve our mission we will be able to transition gradually to the next phase _ to transition gradually to the next phase and — to transition gradually to the next phase and start working on bringing back the _ phase and start working on bringing back the local population. that means— back the local population. that means that it can be achieved may be sooner— means that it can be achieved may be sooner in— means that it can be achieved may be sooner in the — means that it can be achieved may be sooner in the north rather than in the south — sooner in the north rather than in the south so _ sooner in the north rather than in the south so we are dealing with all the south so we are dealing with all the different components and we will decide _ the different components and we will decide in— the different components and we will decide in the early future. i'm not defining _ decide in the early future. i'm not defining any region and this is an ongoing — defining any region and this is an ongoing discussion. but i give you an idea _ ongoing discussion. but i give you an idea about what we are discussing in the _ an idea about what we are discussing in the israeii — an idea about what we are discussing in the israeli military establishment and together with the americans. ,, , . ., ., .,

americans. studio: we are going to leave the news _ americans. studio: we are going to leave the news conference, - americans. studio: we are going to leave the news conference, that - americans. studio: we are going to leave the news conference, that wasj leave the news conference, that was yoav gallant, israel defence minister alongside the us secretary of defence lloyd austin delivering a news conference after they were holding talks today. and we heard from the us defence secretary telling reporters there in tel aviv that america's commitment to israel remains unshakeable, but crucially he also said a two—state solution is needed to ensure stability and security for both israelis and palestinians. we can now cross live to our correspondent in new york who has been watching the developments on the diplomatic front, including another vote at the united nations today on this issue. first of all, nada tawfik, tell me what we expect later today in terms of diplomatic movements. later today in terms of diplomatic movements-— later today in terms of diplomatic movements. diplomats have been neurotiatin movements. diplomats have been negotiating for — movements. diplomats have been negotiating for some _ movements. diplomats have been negotiating for some days - movements. diplomats have been negotiating for some days and - movements. diplomats have been negotiating for some days and are j negotiating for some days and are continuing to negotiate a new resolution on gaza. that would look

to set up a un monitoring mechanism to set up a un monitoring mechanism to get aid in that would like to call for the opening of all air, land and sea borders to get aid in. but the kind of key sticking points at the moment are on language around at the moment are on language around a cessation of hostilities. we know that mostly every single member of the security council given the vote in the general assembly where 153 nations demanded a in the general assembly where153 nations demanded a ceasefire, most of the council wants language similar to that of the council wants language similarto that in of the council wants language similar to that in there. they are trying to work with the united states to prevent the us from exercising its veto again on a security council resolution. and so we have seen some language proposed by the united states that kind of tones down the language, calling for a suspension of hostilities that would lead to an eventual urgent cessation of hostilities, so we can see diplomats really trying to work

with the language to try to get a product out of the security council. and if they are able to do that we could have a vote this evening here in new york which would be an attempt by the security council to respond to that clear demand by the general assembly for strong language. we general assembly for strong language-— general assembly for strong lan..uae_. ., . ., language. we will watch the vote later today- _ language. we will watch the vote later today. for _ language. we will watch the vote later today. for the _ language. we will watch the vote later today. for the moment, - language. we will watch the vote l later today. for the moment, nada latertoday. forthe moment, nada tawfik, joining us from new york city, thank you very much. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some of the other stories making the news. thousands of excel bully owners have been told they will not have to put down the docks. they will have to be muzzled in public and it will be illegal to breed with them. people found with dangerous dogs can be jailed for 1h years. the government

says it will set out plans in the coming days to modernise laws around spiking putting drugs or alcohol in another person's drink or directly into their body without their knowledge. more training for door staff at pubs and clubs and funding for testing kits are among a package of measures announced. campaigners have been talking for a drink and needle spiking to to be made a specific offence. the government is expected to announce it is planning a provisional increase of 6.5% in its funding for local councils in england next year. a final figure will be agreed by the treasury early in the new year. councils have been warning they face significant budgetary pressures. you're live with bbc news, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. the owners of a french farmhouse british teenager alex batty stayed during his years missing abroad have commented that the first time on reports about his time there.

alex, together with his mother and grandfather, left home in oldham for a holiday in spain in 2017, but then disappeared. alex, now 17, returned to the uk last night after walking alone for days in the french pyrenees to find help. french authorities said he'd apparently spent the last two years at a gite, as part of nomadic lifestyle that had also seen the family travel from spain to morocco. today, posting on social media, the owners of the french property, frederic hambye and ingrid beauve, said alex — whom they knew as zach — stayed with them at the gite, doing odd jobs in return for food and accommodation. well, frederic hambye is with us now. good to talk to you on bbc news. there are lots of questions people want to find out about in terms of what happened to alex batty in those years. of course, you can only speak about the time he was with you. how did he end up staying at your sheet? —— gite. it did he end up staying at your sheet? -- cite. , did he end up staying at your sheet? -- itte. , , , did he end up staying at your sheet? -- tite. , , , -- gite. it is quite simple, peter and david _

-- gite. it is quite simple, peter and david and _ -- gite. it is quite simple, peter and david and alex _ -- gite. it is quite simple, peter and david and alex and - -- gite. it is quite simple, peter and david and alex and zach, i -- gite. it is quite simple, peter- and david and alex and zach, known as zach, peter was the grandfather and zach was alex. they were on and off in the gite, sometimes staying with us for longer periods, sometimes going where zach's mother was in a camp site, or looking for a community life. and it ended up, we were on holidays ten days ago and he told us that he wanted to find a solution to go back to school, go back to the uk, and then he told us that he is going to leave to meet his mother and discuss the future of his mother and discuss the future of his schooling and education. and then he left. we discovered in the press a couple of days after that he was not zach, that he was alex, and yeah, that was a surprise for

ingrid, my wife, and i. we were completely surprised to discover that we have lived with somebody under a false identity for so much time. , , ., ., , under a false identity for so much time. , ,~ ., , ., under a false identity for so much time. , ., , ., ., time. did you get any indication or conversations _ time. did you get any indication or conversations about _ time. did you get any indication or conversations about him _ time. did you get any indication or conversations about him from - time. did you get any indication or conversations about him from hisl conversations about him from his grandmother who had initially been with? i grandmother who had initially been with? , ., , ., ., , with? i personally did not. that is something _ with? i personally did not. that is something he _ with? i personally did not. that is something he didn't _ with? i personally did not. that is something he didn't mention. - with? i personally did not. that is something he didn't mention. he| with? i personally did not. that is - something he didn't mention. he told us he still has family in the uk but that was it. frankly speaking, it was very free, we had an almost family relationship with him but we don't go into too much intimate details and family details. peter and zach, david and alex, were people who wanted to have a discreet life. they are very nice and intelligent people. but he never talked about a grandmother. did intelligent people. 3ut he never talked about a grandmother. did he seem happy — talked about a grandmother. did he seem happy when _

talked about a grandmother. did he seem happy when he _ talked about a grandmother. did he seem happy when he was _ talked about a grandmother. did he seem happy when he was staying i talked about a grandmother. did he seem happy when he was staying at the gite? what did he do there and how did he participate in life there? it how did he participate in life there? ., , how did he participate in life there? ., , , how did he participate in life there? . , , ., ~ how did he participate in life there? ., , , ., ,, ,, there? it was a typical worker like a bed and breakfast _ there? it was a typical worker like a bed and breakfast like _ there? it was a typical worker like a bed and breakfast like us - there? it was a typical worker like - a bed and breakfast like us welcomes people and usually it is for a period of a couple of weeks, they come in helpful gardening, they help with washing the dishes, they help welcoming the guests. but in that case, as he was not speaking french it was difficult. he was making himself available when it was needed, painting a wall or helping his grandfather. he had always been at the gite with his grandfather, he'd never been there alone. that's also why we were ok with that grandfather and grandson and we say, ok, he has a parent apparently there is not a problem.— is not a problem. 3riefly, could you tell us the last _ is not a problem. 3riefly, could you tell us the last time _ is not a problem. 3riefly, could you tell us the last time that _ is not a problem. 3riefly, could you

tell us the last time that you - is not a problem. 3riefly, could you tell us the last time that you saw i tell us the last time that you saw him and did you get any indication from him in that conversation that he might want to return to the uk? yes, of course, as i mentioned, the last time we saw him it was approximately, i think it was the fourth or something, he us that he is going tojoin his mother in order to go back to the uk or to find a solution to have his id. we already proposed several times for him to go to the british consulate in montpellier in order to get a proper id because we realised a couple of weeks ago that he didn't have an id. why? because we really wanted him to be educated, it is very gifted in computer science. be educated, it is very gifted in computerscience. he be educated, it is very gifted in computer science. he is a very smart guy. and he told me, ok, it's very difficult for me to go to a secondary school because i'm17, i'm almost 18, and i really need to go

directly to a university degree and i found directly to a university degree and ifound in doping on a directly to a university degree and i found in doping on a school where if you pass a test you don't need any degree and you can start a curriculum for software engineering and he was very enthusiastic about it. but when we went, we took him, ingrid, my wife, we took into the university, we had an interview the manager, it was in english and it was perfect for him, he didn't have much command of french, and when my wife and him exited from the school he said, ok, it's perfect, if i passed the tests to be admitted to school i don't have any id and immediately, ok, let's go to the british consulate. and he told us, yeah, my parents prefer that i wait until i'm 18, i'm on my own, to start it so it's a bit early to

start it so it's a bit early to start university and blah blah. we said, ok, that's it.— said, ok, that's it. frederic hambye. — said, ok, that's it. frederic hambye, thank— said, ok, that's it. frederic hambye, thank you - said, ok, that's it. frederic hambye, thank you very i said, ok, that's it. frederic. hambye, thank you very much said, ok, that's it. frederic- hambye, thank you very much for telling us a little bit more about alex's time at il gite, we do appreciate it.— alex's time at il gite, we do a- treciate it. ., ,, . pope francis has approved a landmark ruling which allows same—sex couples to be blessed by roman catholic priests, under certain conditions. the vatican says blessings must not be part of regular church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings. it says the ruling does not change its stance on gay marriage, which it has long opposed. we can speak now to fathre james martin, a prominent americanjesuit priest who administers to the lg btq community. thank you forjoining us. what is your reaction to this news today? i'm delighted, it is a major step forward in the church cosmic outreach to lgbtq people, something priests could not do at all and now they can do in certain circumstances. so i think it is a

wonderful step forward. [30 circumstances. so i think it is a wonderful step forward. do you think this is the beginning _ wonderful step forward. do you think this is the beginning of _ wonderful step forward. do you think this is the beginning of a _ wonderful step forward. do you think this is the beginning of a wider - this is the beginning of a wider change in the catholic church in terms of attitudes towards gay marriage? terms of attitudes towards gay marria t e? ~ , terms of attitudes towards gay marriate? ~ , . ., , ., marriage? well, it is certainly a ste- marriage? well, it is certainly a step forward- — marriage? well, it is certainly a step forward. 3efore, _ marriage? well, it is certainly a step forward. 3efore, just - marriage? well, it is certainly a step forward. 3efore, just two i marriage? well, it is certainly a - step forward. 3efore, just two years step forward. before, just two years ago, the vatican came out with a declaration saying that in response to a question about this very topic, that god cannot and does not bless sin. so injust two that god cannot and does not bless sin. so in just two years we have moved from that to this open permission, as you say, in some cases, which again, it is a huge step. cases, which again, it is a huge ste-. ., cases, which again, it is a huge ste, ., ., , cases, which again, it is a huge ste. ., . , . . , ., step. you administer marriages to the members _ step. you administer marriages to the members of _ step. you administer marriages to the members of the _ step. you administer marriages to the members of the lg3tq - step. you administer marriages to - the members of the lg3tq community. the members of the lgbtq community. what do they say to you about the current position that the church takes? , ., , . ., ., �* ., takes? just to be clear, i don't do marriages — takes? just to be clear, i don't do marriages with _ takes? just to be clear, i don't do marriages with same _ takes? just to be clear, i don't do marriages with same sex - takes? just to be clear, i don't do | marriages with same sex couples, that isn't permitted yet, but a lot of them are looking basicallyjust for the church to accompany them. they are in civil unions, they get married legally, and yet they feel

sort of excluded from the church. so this is really a recognition of the desire that so many same—sex couples in the catholic church have, for some sort of pastoral accompaniment and the kind of blessing that other people expect in a list every other situation. ~ ., , people expect in a list every other situation. ., , ., people expect in a list every other situation. ~ ., , ., , situation. apologies, of course, that is something _ situation. apologies, of course, that is something people - situation. apologies, of course, that is something people are i situation. apologies, of course, - that is something people are calling for, the change to be able to administer those blessings. and just one more question i wanted to ask you. pope francis seems to be someone who is trying to really drive and change. how much resistance, though, do you think it is getting from other wings of the catholic church? i is getting from other wings of the catholic church?— is getting from other wings of the catholic church? i think quite a bit of resistance. _ catholic church? i think quite a bit of resistance. i— catholic church? i think quite a bit of resistance. i was _ catholic church? i think quite a bit of resistance. i wasjust _ catholic church? i think quite a bit of resistance. i wasjust at - catholic church? i think quite a bit of resistance. i wasjust at the - catholic church? i think quite a bit of resistance. i wasjust at the in i of resistance. i was just at the in rome and there was significant pushback from sub—saharan africa and eastern europe even to the idea of lgbtq people being included at all the church. in some quarters it will meet with a good deal of resistance. reverend james martin, prominent americanjesuit priest, thank you

forjoining us and giving us your thoughts on that story. pleasure. 3efore we leave _ thoughts on that story. pleasure. 3efore we leave you, _ thoughts on that story. pleasure. 3efore we leave you, let's - thoughts on that story. pleasure. 3efore we leave you, let's take . thoughts on that story. pleasure. l 3efore we leave you, let's take you before we leave you, let's take you to these live pictures from southern gaza, this is the nasser hospital in khan younis. it comes of course as the us secretary of defence lloyd austin is in the region. he was speaking alongside israel's defence minister yoav gallant in a news conference there. the us saying it is steadfast in its support for israel, calling for some discussions on a two—state solution and also calling for more aid to be passed through the border crossings there. we will have more on that story and the rest of the day's news. do stay with us. i'm rajini vaidyanathan. i'll be back after a short break.

hello, the big day isjust a week away. but the weather isn't currently looking particularly festive, lots of cloud, some outbreaks of rain. it's going to become very windy over the next few days. but as colder air tries to tuckin days. but as colder air tries to tuck in from the north we have the chance for some snow in some places late in the week. we find ourselves in something of a battleground, cold air to the north trying to dig in, milderair air to the north trying to dig in, milder air trying to push in from the south, and in between thejet stream, the stream of very strong winds high in the atmosphere spinning up in various areas of low pressure. we end monday on a pretty mild note in most places, a lot of cloud, still some patchy rain across england and wales, clearer skies in parts of the north of england, northern ireland and scotland, albeit with this weather front pushing southwards. overnight, cloud and heavy rain develop across

england and wales. clearer skies across northern ireland and scotland, showers could be wintry of a high ground in scotland, may be cold enough for frost and ice a high ground in scotland, may be cold enough forfrost and ice in parts of northern scotland, whereas further south it remains very mild into tuesday morning. with some outbreaks of heavy and persistent rain. but the rain will tend to clear southwards through the day. behind it the skies were bright and spells of sunshine, but scattered showers rushing in on quite a brisk north—westerly wind, some of those showers will be wintry of the high ground in scotland and temperatures dropping away, colder air pushing its way down from the north. however, by wednesday we get back into milder air. wednesday is going to be a windy day, quite a cloudy day, there will be some bits and pieces of rain around, some heavier rain across some parts of western and northern scotland and temperatures back up into double digits for many. and then through

wednesday night and into thursday, we are looking at the potentially quite deep area of low pressure patterns in the north of the uk and is this cold front slips southwards it will bring a return of colder air. we will see some wintry showers. in fact snow showers to quite low levels in scotland, coupled with very strong or gale force winds, it would give blizzard conditions. further south, force winds, it would give blizzard conditions. furthersouth, cloud and outbreaks of rain holding onto some mild air in the south, something colder further mild air in the south, something colderfurther north. mild air in the south, something colder further north. and as we head into the christmas period, there is some uncertainty about just into the christmas period, there is some uncertainty aboutjust how long that cold air will stick around. it may be cold enough for some of us to see snow in the run—up to christmas.