more and more important text losing more and more important provisions. ultimately, the wording put to a vote today has been extremely muted including its p1; on the mechanism that would be supposed to facilitate their assistance to gaza and ensure its monitoring. instead of the wording on an immediate cessation of violence in the op two and an ambiguous phrase has appeared calling for the parties to create conditions for a cessation of hostilities. colleagues, destruction or displacement or the exile of the population of gaza in a cynical reading and that is precisely how it is going to be read in israel but also create the conditions for a cessation of hostilities. by signing off on this, the council would essentially be

giving the israeli armed forces complete freedom of movement for further clearing of the gaza strip, and anyone who votes in favour of the text as it is currently worded with their responsibility for that, essentially becoming complacent in the destruction of gaza. moreover, the destruction of gaza. moreover, the text of the draught has lost a reference to condemnations of all indiscriminate attacks on civilians. what signal does this send to the international community? that the security council is giving israel a green light for work crimes. i would like to put a question to members of the security council. why are be together in this room? to rubber it decision that is convenient for washington or to shoulder our mandate for the maintenance of international peace and security. we still believe that we are here for the latter, in order to give the council a chance to save face and preserve its battered reputation of the last two days, be proposed

reverting to the wording on the cessation of violence. the oral amendments, instead of the wording... in amendments, instead of the wording- - -— amendments, instead of the wordinu... , ., ., ., ., wording... in this to a allow safe humanitarian _ wording... in this to a allow safe humanitarian access. _ wording... in this to a allow safe humanitarian access. to - wording... in this to a allow safe humanitarian access. to create l wording... in this to a allow safe i humanitarian access. to create the conditions — humanitarian access. to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. add the burninu. cessation of hostilities. add the burning- in _ cessation of hostilities. add the burning. in this _ cessation of hostilities. add the burning. in this regard, - cessation of hostilities. add the burning. in this regard, an - cessation of hostilities. add the i burning. in this regard, an urgent susnension _ burning. in this regard, an urgent susnension of _ burning. in this regard, an urgent suspension of hostilities - burning. in this regard, an urgent suspension of hostilities that - burning. in this regard, an urgentl suspension of hostilities that allow safe humanitarian access and for urgent _ safe humanitarian access and for urgent steps toward sustainable hostilities. ., ., ., , hostilities. that wording was in the text of the draught _ hostilities. that wording was in the text of the draught resolution - hostilities. that wording was in the text of the draught resolution put i text of the draught resolution put in blue by the author is and that was awaiting the boat. of course, it is not ideal. we all know very well that russia from the very beginning has consistently defended the need for an immediate cease—fire. what's more, the parties recently called

for that for the parties to do that in their resolution. however, we are proposing a wedding which at the moment is the lowest common denominatorfor moment is the lowest common denominator for practically all members of the council. a vote on this amendment can be a moment of truth, to show who of the members of the security council wants to end violence and save the lives of civilians and who is guided by conjectural considerations. colleagues, the way that the text of op two is worded currently is the main thing that the usa needs from this resolution under a cunning phrase containing the words creating the conditions for a cessation of hostilities. israel would be given free hand to further non—time—limited entirely undue strain, indiscriminate bombings of civilian structures and the population. a con delegation to vote in support of what we just proposed and what was initially proposed by the uae delegation. thank you. i

think the representative of the russian — think the representative of the russian federation for his statement. the members of the councii— statement. the members of the council have before them a draught amendment presented by the russian federation to the text of the draught _ federation to the text of the draught resolution that we have in document— draught resolution that we have in document 2023—129. article 13 of the professional rules provides for the following, — professional rules provides for the following, when an amendment leads to an addition or deletion from a draught — to an addition or deletion from a draught resolution, that amendment should _ draught resolution, that amendment should be _ draught resolution, that amendment should be submitted to voting first of aii _ should be submitted to voting first of aii and — should be submitted to voting first of all. and therefore, i have the intention— of all. and therefore, i have the intention to submit the draught amendment to the boat at the beginning who is in favour of the draught — beginning who is in favour of the draught amendment. please raise your hand~ _ against? abstentions?

the result of the vote is as follows _ the result of the vote is as follows. ten votes in favour, one vote _ follows. ten votes in favour, one vote against. four abstentions. the draught _ vote against. four abstentions. the draught amendment has not been approved — draught amendment has not been approved given the veto of a permanent member of the security councit _ permanent member of the security council. , , ., permanent member of the security council. , ., , ., ., council. just to explain what you have 'ust council. just to explain what you have just seen, _ council. just to explain what you have just seen, you _ council. just to explain what you have just seen, you had - council. just to explain what you have just seen, you had the - council. just to explain what you - have just seen, you had the russian havejust seen, you had the russian delegation talking about the wrangling over the past few days and the text we've ended up huge reservations. so they put down an amendment that was what we've just seen voted on, ten votes in favour, one against. that was the americans

four abstentions including the uk, but because the us voted against that amendment was struck down. the us currently speaking, so let's put the microphones back up. but colleagues. — the microphones back up. pm colleagues, the united states, as you see, we did not support the mmm put forward by russia. we believe that humanitarian resolution before us calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe unhindered and expanded humanitarian access and create the conditions for sustainable cessation of hostilities. this is a strong step forward and we believe the council should speak out in the amendments in the resolution that's been put to be forward before us and move forward with a vote on this resolution. thank you very much. i think the representative of the united — think the representative of the united states for her statement. now

we will— united states for her statement. now we will proceed to voting. i understand that the council is ready to vote _ understand that the council is ready to vote on _ understand that the council is ready to vote on the draught resolution contained — to vote on the draught resolution contained in the document stroke 1029~ _ contained in the document stroke 1029 i_ contained in the document stroke 1029~ iwiti— contained in the document stroke 1029. i will now submit the draught resotution— 1029. i will now submit the draught resolution to the vote. in favour, please _ resolution to the vote. in favour, please raise _ resolution to the vote. in favour, please raise their hand. against? abstentions? the result of the vote is as follows _ the result of the vote is as follows. 13 votes in favour, zero

votes _ follows. 13 votes in favour, zero votes against, two abstentions. the draught _ votes against, two abstentions. the draught resolution has been adopted as resolution 2720.— as resolution 2720. breaking news there that after _ as resolution 2720. breaking news there that after four _ as resolution 2720. breaking news there that after four days - as resolution 2720. breaking news there that after four days of - there that after four days of wrangling, the main un resolution passes. wejust wrangling, the main un resolution passes. we just saw the vote, 13 votes in favour, no votes against and two abstentions. he saw the us ambassador raise her hand. the us abstaining but not crucially not voting against. let's hear a little more. ~ ., ~ ,, , voting against. let's hear a little more. ~ ., ~' ,, y ., voting against. let's hear a little more. . ., 4' ,, , ., ., ., more. worked tirelessly to alleviate this humanitarian _ more. worked tirelessly to alleviate this humanitarian crisis. _ more. worked tirelessly to alleviate this humanitarian crisis. to - more. worked tirelessly to alleviate this humanitarian crisis. to get - this humanitarian crisis. to get life-saving _ this humanitarian crisis. to get life—saving assistance into gaza and to get _ life—saving assistance into gaza and to get hostages out of gaza. two push _ to get hostages out of gaza. two push for— to get hostages out of gaza. two push for the protection of innocent

civilians _ push for the protection of innocent civilians and humanitarian workers and to _ civilians and humanitarian workers and to work — civilians and humanitarian workers and to work towards a lasting peace. todav's _ and to work towards a lasting peace. todav's vote — and to work towards a lasting peace. today's vote bolsters those efforts and tends — today's vote bolsters those efforts and lends support to our direct diplomacy. i want to thank the uae and others — diplomacy. i want to thank the uae and others for working with us in good _ and others for working with us in good faith— and others for working with us in good faith to craft a strong humanitarian focus resolution. it took _ humanitarian focus resolution. it took many — humanitarian focus resolution. it took many days and many long nights of negotiating to get this right. but today, this council provided a glimmer— but today, this council provided a glimmer of hope amongst a sea of unimaginable suffering. today, this councit— unimaginable suffering. today, this council called for urgent steps to immediately allow safe unhindered and expanded humanitarian access. and it's _ and expanded humanitarian access. and it's conditions for sustainable cessation — and it's conditions for sustainable cessation of hostilities. i will

note — cessation of hostilities. i will note that _ cessation of hostilities. i will note that this is the first on the councit— note that this is the first on the council has used this language, language — council has used this language, language we believe is critical to scaling _ language we believe is critical to scaling up — language we believe is critical to scaling up and underscoring the tough _ scaling up and underscoring the tough steps ahead as we work together— tough steps ahead as we work together achieve a peace. colleagues, today this council made clear that _ colleagues, today this council made clear that addressing the humanitarian crisis in gaza needs to remain— humanitarian crisis in gaza needs to remain at— humanitarian crisis in gaza needs to remain at the forefront of our agenda — remain at the forefront of our agenda today, this council made clear— agenda today, this council made clear that — agenda today, this council made clear that all hostages must be released — clear that all hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally and that humanitarian groups must be able to access— humanitarian groups must be able to access hostages including for medicat— access hostages including for medical visits. today, this council made _ medical visits. today, this council made clear— medical visits. today, this council made clear that all parties must respect — made clear that all parties must respect international humanitarian law. today, this consummate clear that civitian — law. today, this consummate clear that civilian and humanitarian

facilities, _ that civilian and humanitarian facilities, including hospitals, medicat— facilities, including hospitals, medical facilities, facilities, including hospitals, medicalfacilities, schools, places of worship — medicalfacilities, schools, places of worship and un facilities as well as humanitarian personnel and medicat— as humanitarian personnel and medical personnel must be protected. the supplies —— this applies to all parties _ the supplies —— this applies to all parties of— the supplies —— this applies to all parties of this conflict. to israel, but also — parties of this conflict. to israel, but also to— parties of this conflict. to israel, but also to hamas, a terror group that instigated this conflict and that instigated this conflict and that wages were from inside homes and uses _ that wages were from inside homes and uses innocent civilians as human shields. _ and uses innocent civilians as human shields. an— and uses innocent civilians as human shields, an act of cowardice and cruettv — shields, an act of cowardice and cruelty. colleagues, today this councit— cruelty. colleagues, today this council made clear the need to ensure — council made clear the need to ensure humanitarian personnel and assistance — ensure humanitarian personnel and assistance including fuel, food, medicat— assistance including fuel, food, medical supplies, and emergency shelter— medical supplies, and emergency shelter assistance can reach people in need _ shelter assistance can reach people in need it— shelter assistance can reach people in need. it is hard to overstate how urgent _ in need. it is hard to overstate how urgent this— in need. it is hard to overstate how urgent this is. just yesterday,

humanitarian groups released a report— humanitarian groups released a report on— humanitarian groups released a report on the dire food security crisis _ report on the dire food security crisis in — report on the dire food security crisis in gaza. and the word famine has started — crisis in gaza. and the word famine has started to enter the vocabulary of humanitarian leaders. surgeries are ireing — of humanitarian leaders. surgeries are being performed without anaesthesia. people are huddled in overcrowded un shelters, others are sleeping _ overcrowded un shelters, others are sleeping in— overcrowded un shelters, others are sleeping in the streets. this resolution speaks to the severity of this crisis— resolution speaks to the severity of this crisis and calls on us all to do more — this crisis and calls on us all to do more. for our parts, the united states— do more. for our parts, the united states has— do more. for our parts, the united states has worked tirelessly to scale _ states has worked tirelessly to scale up — states has worked tirelessly to scale up the delivery of humanitarian aid through direct persistent presidential diplomacy. in persistent presidential diplomacy. in the _ persistent presidential diplomacy. in the beginning of this conflict, we helped secure an agreement to open _ we helped secure an agreement to open the _ we helped secure an agreement to open the rapid crossing. last month, we hetped _ open the rapid crossing. last month, we helped secure a deal that led to an extended humanitarian pies during

which _ an extended humanitarian pies during which more _ an extended humanitarian pies during which more than 100 hostages were released _ which more than 100 hostages were released and additional aid to got to gaza — released and additional aid to got to gaza. and lastly, we helped secure — to gaza. and lastly, we helped secure the crossing for direct delivery— secure the crossing for direct delivery of assistance to civilians in gaza — delivery of assistance to civilians in gaza. this resolution puts the weight— in gaza. this resolution puts the weight of— in gaza. this resolution puts the weight of the security council behind — weight of the security council behind these efforts and bolsters them _ behind these efforts and bolsters them by— behind these efforts and bolsters them by calling for the appointment of a senior— them by calling for the appointment of a senior un official who will work— of a senior un official who will work to— of a senior un official who will work to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid at scale and in a sustained — humanitarian aid at scale and in a sustained way. we know humanitarians are already _ sustained way. we know humanitarians are already doing the impossible and we are _ are already doing the impossible and we are there to do everything in our power— we are there to do everything in our power to— we are there to do everything in our power to support their life saving work~ _ power to support their life saving work the — power to support their life saving work. the un builds on the progress we have _ work. the un builds on the progress we have seen on the ground, and we look forward — we have seen on the ground, and we look forward to this new official

working — look forward to this new official working with humanitarian actors and relevant _ working with humanitarian actors and relevant parties including israel. we know— relevant parties including israel. we know so much, so much more needs to be done _ we know so much, so much more needs to be done to _ we know so much, so much more needs to be done to address this humanitarian crisis and to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace, and let's be _ groundwork for a lasting peace, and let's be clear, hamas has no interest— let's be clear, hamas has no interest in— let's be clear, hamas has no interest in a lasting peace. hamas is determined to repeat the horrors of 0ctoher— is determined to repeat the horrors of october seven over and over and over again — of october seven over and over and over again. and that is why the united — over again. and that is why the united states supports israel's right— united states supports israel's right to — united states supports israel's right to protect its people from acts of— right to protect its people from acts of terror. i will note that the resolution — acts of terror. i will note that the resolution does not support any steps _ resolution does not support any steps that would leave hamas and power. _ steps that would leave hamas and power, which in turn would undermine the prospects for a two state solution _ the prospects for a two state solution. where gaza and the west bank are _ solution. where gaza and the west bank are united under a single

government structure, under a revamped — government structure, under a revamped and revitalised palestinian authoritv _ revamped and revitalised palestinian authority. we must, colleagues, we must _ authority. we must, colleagues, we must work— authority. we must, colleagues, we must work towards a future where israetis _ must work towards a future where israetis and — must work towards a future where israelis and palestinians live side by side _ israelis and palestinians live side by side in — israelis and palestinians live side by side in peace. this is the only way forward. ultimately, while we are encouraged that the council spoke _ are encouraged that the council spoke out — are encouraged that the council spoke out on this humanitarian crisis. — spoke out on this humanitarian crisis. we — spoke out on this humanitarian crisis, we are deeply disappointed, appatted. _ crisis, we are deeply disappointed, appalled, actually, that once again, the councit— appalled, actually, that once again, the council was not able to condemn hamass— the council was not able to condemn hamas's horrific terrorist attack on 0ctoher— hamas's horrific terrorist attack on october seven. and i can't understand why some council members are standing in the way and why they refused _ are standing in the way and why they refused to— are standing in the way and why they refused to condemn these evils unequivocally. why is it so hard to condemn— unequivocally. why is it so hard to condemn hamas for slaughtering young people _ condemn hamas for slaughtering young people at— condemn hamas for slaughtering young people at a _ condemn hamas for slaughtering young people at a concert, for burning families— people at a concert, for burning families alive, for the reports of

widespread sexual violence. why? i will never— widespread sexual violence. why? i will never understand why some council — will never understand why some council members have remained silent in the _ council members have remained silent in the face _ council members have remained silent in the face of such evil. colleagues, we also believe this councit— colleagues, we also believe this council must continue to put its support— council must continue to put its support behind the resumption of humanitarian causes. israel has made clear that _ humanitarian causes. israel has made clear that it _ humanitarian causes. israel has made clear that it is committed to reaching _ clear that it is committed to reaching another agreement. this is now entirely up to hamas. that is how we _ now entirely up to hamas. that is how we can — now entirely up to hamas. that is how we can get additional aid in and save lives— how we can get additional aid in and save lives and additional hostages out immediately. today, this council spoke _ out immediately. today, this council spoke at. _ out immediately. today, this council spoke at, but we know that on the progress _ spoke at, but we know that on the progress on — spoke at, but we know that on the progress on the ground can turn these _ progress on the ground can turn these words into action. so the united — these words into action. so the united states will continue to work with the _ united states will continue to work with the un and humanitarian groups, countries _ with the un and humanitarian groups, countries in _ with the un and humanitarian groups, countries in the region to get more

humanitarian aid into gaza. to secure — humanitarian aid into gaza. to secure the _ humanitarian aid into gaza. to secure the release of hostages and to work— secure the release of hostages and to work towards lasting peace. there is no time _ to work towards lasting peace. there is no time to— to work towards lasting peace. there is no time to waste. we must find a path forward — is no time to waste. we must find a path forward to end the misery we are seeing — path forward to end the misery we are seeing. it is unbearable to see are seeing. it is unbearable to see a palestinian child shivering in fear— a palestinian child shivering in fear after— a palestinian child shivering in fear after their home was destroyed. it's unbearable to see the families of hostages experience such pain and -rief of hostages experience such pain and grief as— of hostages experience such pain and grief as they frantically awaits and pray for— grief as they frantically awaits and pray for their loved ones to return. i pray for their loved ones to return. i know— pray for their loved ones to return. i know the — pray for their loved ones to return. i know the same is true for so many people around the world. so we must work together to alleviate this tremendous suffering once and for all. tremendous suffering once and for ad thank— tremendous suffering once and for

all. thank you. the tremendous suffering once and for all. thank you.— tremendous suffering once and for all. thank you. tremendous suffering once and for all. thank ou. ,, ., , ., ., all. thank you. the us ambassador to the un concluding _ all. thank you. the us ambassador to the un concluding there, _ all. thank you. the us ambassador to the un concluding there, spoke - all. thank you. the us ambassador to the un concluding there, spoke at - the un concluding there, spoke at the un concluding there, spoke at the beginning of the sea of unimaginable suffering. she talked about safe and unhindered aid going in and talking about the conditions for a sustainable sensations of hostilities. that was the us, here is the uk. to hostilities. that was the us, here is the uk. ., , . is the uk. to see children in the rubble of their _ is the uk. to see children in the rubble of their destroyed - is the uk. to see children in the l rubble of their destroyed homes, is the uk. to see children in the - rubble of their destroyed homes, not knowing where to find food or water, not knowing where their parents are. it's also heartbreaking to hear the stories of families who still do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones who were brutally taken on the 7th of october. and it is heart—wrenching to know that aid is

piling up outside gaza, but not getting to the people that need it when we hear daily warnings that people are starving, disease is spreading and basic health care is lacking. the uk is doing everything we can to get more aid and. we have into the uk region. we were the first country to call in israel to open more crossings. the uk has experts on the grounds, providing logistical support in egypt. and today, we supported this resolution which will streamline age checks so that we can massively scale up the humanitarian response. it demands the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and its calls

first steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities. for the avoidance of doubt, we are clear that the resolution is without prejudice to the rights and obligations of parties under international humanitarian law. the adoption is an important signal of the security council's commitment. our actions today and in the future must help ensure that the horror of the 7th of october never happens again. we unequivocally condemn hamas's acts of terror and support israel's right to self—defense. my prime minister and foreign secretary have been loud and clear in their calls for a sustainable cease—fire

as soon as possible. but a cease—fire will not last if hamas is still able to operate in tunnels. our commitment to israel's security is firm, as israel deals with the threat from hamas. ultimately, we support a two state solution that guarantees true security and stability for both israeli and palestinian people. we also think the uae for their leadership on this resolution. just this week, my friend secretary and the minister for the middle east travelled to the jordan and egypt to make sure that we are supporting every effort to get aid in faster, and we will keep working with all partners to deliver humanitarian response that meets the

huge level of need. i thank you. the uk ambassador listening to all of that. here's our north america correspondent, john, let me bring you onto the programme. your assessment of the significance of this moment, this un resolution finally passing. i this moment, this un resolution finally passing-— finally passing. i think it is hu:el finally passing. i think it is hugely significant. - finally passing. i think it is hugely significant. we - finally passing. i think it is| hugely significant. we have finally passing. i think it is - hugely significant. we have known all week that there was this hugely intensive diplomatic efforts going on behind the scenes. you can see the finger prints of that effort all over this document. it is clear that this is a compromised document. the representative from the united arab emirates presenting the resolution sad that this was a product of the world we live in rather than the world we live in rather than the world we live in rather than the world we want to be. but despite all

of fact, i think it will be seen as a strong statement, a significant statement, simply to have the security council being able to coalesce around, you know, those two key elements of this resolution. first of all, a recognition of the humanitarian crisis in gaza and some sort of intent to put in place mechanisms to get more aid in. interesting to see both russia and the us abstain. clear in the us investors comments that this resolution didn't explicitly condemn the acts by hamas on the 7th of october, clearfrom the russian comments that they are disappointed that this resolution doesn't go further to call for an immediate cease—fire rather than the wedding

thatis cease—fire rather than the wedding that is currently used, creating conditions for a cessation of hostilities. nonetheless, those of stanchions, of course, they are not to be toes, and this resolution as a result has passed, and i think it will be seen as significant. john, is there any _ will be seen as significant. john, is there any more _ will be seen as significant. john, is there any more detail - will be seen as significant. john, | is there any more detail that you are learning behind the scenes, so, for example, creating the conditions for example, creating the conditions for a cessation of hostilities, what that actually means or any sort of timeline and getting in an increase amount of aid into gaza, how much aid, and he that sort of basic fundamental detail.- aid, and he that sort of basic fundamental detail. know, and i think, you _ fundamental detail. know, and i think, you know, _ fundamental detail. know, and i think, you know, you _ fundamental detail. know, and i think, you know, you sort - fundamental detail. know, and i think, you know, you sort of- fundamental detail. know, and i think, you know, you sort of hit| think, you know, you sort of hit the nail on the head, really. in that compromise that's been sort of slowly worked towards this week, the product is deliberately vague in the end, he could well, what is the purpose, what is the point, two things, really, what we have seen this week is if you like, a clash between two opposing views of how

best to move forward on this, on the one hand, isolated, really, within the body of the uae of the american position, you know, you have to put first and foremost, if you like them of the practical position, the world that we live in rather than the world we want to be to use the uae�*s phrase, and that is simply the reality that israel has made it very clear that it has no intention of stopping the war, secondly, it will not want to relinquish control over the border. so any discussion about how to get aid and would need the cooperation of the israeli government, and that has been the us's sticking point. the rest of the united nations, where we began this week with a far more principled stand of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the un being able to sort of manage and scream —— screen at the age going in, all of those things have faltered on the american objection, but despite the frustration and a limited nature of it, ithink frustration and a limited nature of it, i think you can also see in that

the real power of this resolution, which looks to me to have been the purpose all along, which is simply this, the us is on board, and given that america is really coming you know, most people would accept the on the outside power with any real clouds over the conflict, and in particular any leverage with its ally in israel, that in itself is significant. ally in israel, that in itself is significant-— significant. thanks for that snapshot _ significant. thanks for that snapshot analysis - significant. thanks for that snapshot analysis as - significant. thanks for that snapshot analysis as the l significant. thanks for that l snapshot analysis as the un significant. thanks for that - snapshot analysis as the un security council passes that resolution, as john was saying, really significant moment. john side with there in washington. we will have plenty my reaction because those member countries still speaking at the security council will return to that major breaking story here in just a moment or two. don't go away. hello there. full christmas forecast coming up in just a moment, first of all, i thought we'd start off with these rare nacreous clouds that are once again being spotted

overhead in the uk. these form really high in the earth's atmosphere — between 13 and 19 miles above the ground. that's two or three times the height of which aeroplanes fly at and you need temperatures in this part of the atmosphere to be at —78 celsius or even colder. normally, that really cold air is concentrated around our polar regions, but right now it's moved a bit further southwards. and it's cold enough across the uk for next week or two to see some of these rare clouds. best chance before sunrise or just after sunset, so eyes to the skies. further down in the atmosphere, we've got this mild flow of air to take us through the rest of the night. it will be quite a damp night across western areas. some heavy rain for western scotland. as that rain band bumps into the cold air across northern scotland, some of it turns to snow. could bring some disruption here as we head into the first part of saturday morning. 2 to 10 centimetres possible, the larger amounts over the hills. if you're planning a journey maybe set out later in the day because it will eventually turn milder, the snow eventually will turn back to rain. lots more rain to come

across western scotland. it's been a very wet month for these areas and so this extra rain could bring some flooding concerns. some damp weather elsewhere in the west of the uk. best chance of any cloud breaks east wales, the midlands, east anglia and southern parts of england. for most it will be quite a mild day. saturday night sees heavy rain set up across mid—wales, could bring some localised flooding here. it's also been another part of the world where we've seen more rain than average so far this month. sunday, which is christmas eve, another big travel day and it's going to be a windy day, particularly for western and northern scotland over and to the east of the pennines — where we could get gusts of wind of 50 to 70 miles an hour. those stronger gusts could knock down a few high sided vehicles, maybe even blow over one or two trees. so the message, if you're planning a journey on christmas eve, check conditions out on the roads and the railways before heading out. there could be some disruption. christmas day, monday, we've got these south—westerly winds, mild air across vast majority of the uk. so not a white christmas for most of you.

a gray, cloudy, wet and windy christmas for many. the one exception really is across the far north of scotland, where we still have that colder air with us. some of the rain could start to turn to snow over the hills here. so forjust one or two of you, it might yet be a white christmas. bye for now.

this is bbc news, the headlines. after days of tense negotiation, the un security council passes a resolution to boost humanitarian aid to gaza.