army strikes targets across the territory. there's been fierce tank fire and air strikes in khan younis in southern gaza, which israel sees as a stronghold of hamas. residents have reported intense gun battles between israeli troops and hamas fighters there. our correspondent shaimaa khalil sent this report from jerusalem. a massive israeli bombing in northern gaza turns an extensive network of hamas tunnels into dust. these idf pictures show a well—equipped infrastructure of long and branched—out tunnels in which the army says senior hamas members moved and operated. in central gaza, more than 150,000 people were ordered to evacuate two of the area's biggest refugee camps. and this is where they were told to go for safety — the area of deir al—balah, itself reeling from

the aftermath of strikes. translation: we were sitting in our homes peacefully - and all of a sudden a missile hit and destroyed my house, my neighbour's house, the whole neighbourhood. my children are displaced now, we don't know where to go. have mercy on us, help us. it's a devastating situation. people are sleeping on the streets. in rafah, now gaza's most densely populated city, according to the un, there's no let—up in the bombardment. children were killed here, 26 people were killed here. i'm terrified. i'm scared and the thought of me being killed or my other brother being killed, it's just crossing my mind repeatedly. i already lost my older brother, i can't lose my younger brother. and this is what egypt's ceasefire proposal is up against —

an expanding military operation in gaza and a continuing barrage of hamas rockets into israel. a delegation of hamas members is in cairo now for further discussions, but there is no guarantee that either side is going to agree to this. and if they do, it will be a long, drawn—out process. for now, the displacement continues, and gazans are running out of places to go. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, jerusalem. israel has responded furiously to south africa s application on friday to the international court ofjustice, to rule that israel has carried out, what it called, genocidal acts in gaza. israeli foreign ministry spokesperson lior haiat says "israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by south africa in its application to the international court ofjustice". he goes on to say "south africa's claim constitutes a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the court." 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell is injerusalem

and told us more about that response from the israelis. the israeli government isn't sitting today because it's the jewish sabbath. but this was a very strongly worded response that we had from the foreign ministry spokesperson. at the same time, though, i think some of it would be expected, it's often quite a difficult relationship with south africa because of the fact it has very strong support for the palestinian cause, often identifies, the ruling anc party in south africa, between the palestinian nationalist struggle and its own past struggle against apartheid. and we heard about those gun battles in khan younis. what more can you tell us about what's happening? so, residents of khan younis were telling us that they could hear very loudly gun battles taking place on the streets, presumably between hamas fighters and israeli soldiers who are there deep in the heart of this city, the main southern city of gaza, seen as a place where perhaps

the hamas leaders, the likes of yahya sinwar — whose hometown it is, he is the leader of hamas in gaza — perhaps they could be hiding in underground tunnels there. that's what the israeli military thinks. we've also had israeli artillery pushing into the city, artillery shells, and also more israeli air strikes. three people killed, according to medics, by an air strike earlier this morning. and so, really, that does appear to be a main focus still of israel's ground offensive. but at the same time, it is pushing into these three urban refugee camps in the centre of the gaza strip, where there have also been air strikes ahead of the advance of israeli tanks overnight. and we're seeing many pictures, of those being displaced by this latest offensive, the un saying around 150,000 people. are there safe places for people to travel? i mean, it's extremely difficult. what we're seeing is that people

are using whatever means they can, eitherfleeing on foot, using donkey carts in some cases, a few people have got their vehicles with enough fuel to make the journey, and they're sort of going in short hops. as they fled from these different camps in the centre of gaza strip, as israel's ground offensive has advanced just in the past week, heading first to deir al—balah, a big town there which has also been hit by air strikes, as we saw, and then going south into rafah, the town on the egyptian border. but of course, this is now the most densely populated part of the gaza strip. there are hundreds of thousands of people who are displaced there. the un says that it's extremely difficult to deal with in terms of they're seeing now a spread of disease in the areas where there are these overcrowded shelters and people living in very difficult conditions, some of them sleeping rough or else in sort of makeshift tents that they've set up. live now to doha and mohammed cherkaoui —

professor of conflict resolution and diplomacy at george mason university. thank you forjoining us. we heard of egypt has mac 3—step plan to end the conflict. how realistic do that is? ., ., . ., is? from a conflict resolution perspective. _ is? from a conflict resolution perspective, this _ is? from a conflict resolution perspective, this egyptian - is? from a conflict resolution - perspective, this egyptian proposal entails several pragmatic steps of international mediation, however, the differences between a plan of moving from a truce over two, three orfour moving from a truce over two, three or four weeks to permanent ceasefire and phase two which includes something that the palestinians are not in favour of, which is how to dissolve both the hamas and islamic jihad and also the palestinian authority has declined the offer, so in short, the egyptian offer

includes both elements of promises success as well of elements out of failure because it is over politicised since it involves bringing a post—war gaza with no hamas so i think the political side is not working, however the mediation part can be promising if the israelis and the americans accept it. the israelis and the americans acce -t it. ,, ., the israelis and the americans accetit. ., . ., , the israelis and the americans accetit. . . . , ., accept it. say what changes do you think will need _ accept it. say what changes do you think will need to _ accept it. say what changes do you think will need to be _ accept it. say what changes do you think will need to be necessary - accept it. say what changes do you think will need to be necessary to l think will need to be necessary to get both parties to agree? i believe first, we get both parties to agree? i believe first. we need _ get both parties to agree? i believe first, we need to _ get both parties to agree? i believe first, we need to maintain - get both parties to agree? i believe first, we need to maintain the - first, we need to maintain the necessity of putting the fire out. i think the trees was already experimented four weeks ago with the qataris mediation which gave us the release, the swap, of 105 israeli hostages for nearly 200 palestinian

prisoners from israel. that was interesting and promising. but i think, going back to the same idea of a truce or a pause, it doesn't serve the purpose of conflict resolution. therefore i think the focus should be now how to move directly into a ceasefire agreement between israel and all the palestinian factions. also, the egyptians shed sort of be a little bit modest. maybe they have gone too far in politicising this offer. i think a combination in whatever political formula within gaza and the west bank should be left to the palestinians themselves, through elections or through other political frameworks. but i think you'll egyptians are not, i think phase two

is counter—productive while phase one, says frey, can be very effective if they are combined in one step, how to agree with both palestinians and israel for a ceasefire. then shift going into negotiations and may be the us can step in and reinforce the idea of a two state solution or any other updated formula that is in the interest of israelis and palestinians.— interest of israelis and palestinians. , , palestinians. the complex as it is at the moment, _ palestinians. the complex as it is at the moment, do _ palestinians. the complex as it is at the moment, do you _ palestinians. the complex as it is at the moment, do you think- palestinians. the complex as it is at the moment, do you think it i palestinians. the complex as it is at the moment, do you think it isj at the moment, do you think it is entering a stalemate of sorts —— conflict is yellow it has reached two new areas.— conflict is yellow it has reached two new areas. . , , conflict is yellow it has reached two new areas. ., ., , ., , , ' ., two new areas. hamas has suffered a lot and i think —

two new areas. hamas has suffered a lot and i think we _ two new areas. hamas has suffered a lot and i think we have _ two new areas. hamas has suffered a lot and i think we have a _ two new areas. hamas has suffered a lot and i think we have a very - lot and i think we have a very apocalyptic humanitarian situation in gaza. this is a forced displacement of more than 2 million people. at the same time, benjamin netanyahu is between a rock and a hard place. he cannot showcase his political audience inside israel any major success in eradicating hamas or changing the geopolitics of gaza. so he is stuck within his military option. at the same time, it has become a protracted conflict which means, basically, we know it started on october seven and neither palestinians nor israelis nor americans, noranybody palestinians nor israelis nor americans, nor anybody else in the world, can predict when we will see the trajectory of this, therefore it is another open—ended conflict in the middle east, with more complexity and more stubbornness if we take of any mediation of the

table. ., ~' ,, , we take of any mediation of the table. ., ~ ,, , . we take of any mediation of the table. . ~ ,, , . ., we take of any mediation of the table. ., ~ ,, , . ., ,, table. thank you very much for your time. eurostar has cancelled trains to and from london "until the end of the day", after a tunnel flooded under the river thames. this video has been released by southeastern rail, showing flooding along part of the line. the disruption comes as many travellers are trying to get away for the new year. live now to london st pancras station and our reporter, rachel mcadam. what is the situation? as you can see outside _ what is the situation? as you can see outside here _ what is the situation? as you can see outside here in _ what is the situation? as you can see outside here in a _ what is the situation? as you can see outside here in a place - what is the situation? as you can see outside here in a place mat, | what is the situation? as you can | see outside here in a place mat, it doesn't look too busy but i have been inside the station but inside the crowds are building. there are families with a lot of suitcases, wondering what is going to happen to their train. when i arrived this morning, eurostarwere their train. when i arrived this morning, eurostar were saying they were hoping trains would run after

midday but now a ten minutes past four is the earlier time trains might run. dozens of trains have been cancelled between london and paris, and brussels where the eurostar travel is too. it's not just people here in st pancras who are being affected. we have spoken to people who are waiting to come to london who have had their train is cancelled as well. there are families here, there are 14 of us and we were celebrating christmas in paris and then headed to london for our new year's eve plans. it's pretty disappointing to find out in e—mail what happened. there is no information. no information. so we had to ask the people dressed in pink and they didn't _ seem to know much, so... but yeah. theyjust told us to keep checking. the eurostar app throughout the day. that's it. no plan right now. we are trying to find a hotel. so not looking good. its

we are trying to find a hotel. so not looking good.— we are trying to find a hotel. so not looking good. as you had there, --eole not looking good. as you had there, peeple from — not looking good. as you had there, peeple from all— not looking good. as you had there, people from all over _ not looking good. as you had there, people from all over the _ not looking good. as you had there, people from all over the world - people from all over the world affected by these cancellations and eurostar says it is working to resolve the issue and also said that if anyone has had their train cancelled, they are entitled to a refund or an exchange. but that won't be a lot of comfort to people who are waiting to see what will happen to their travel plans over the new year's, over a very busy festive period and as we heard earlier, the rest of the trains throughout the day i can piggyback so people are looking at different options. travelling to dover to travel by boat and they are also looking to get flights. the station filling up throughout the day, getting busier with people waiting to see what will happen to the travel plans. a man has appeared in court accused of murdering a 46—year—old man, who was hit by a car while he giving first aid to a stranger in sheffield.

chris marriott had been out walking with his family when he went to the aid of an unconscious woman in the street. hassan jhangur, who's 23 and from the city, has been remanded in custody — and is also facing five counts of attempted murder. russia says it has destroyed dozens of missiles and drones fired at its territory from ukraine. the governor of belgorod says 2 people were killed. a total of 13 missiles were intercepted over the belgorod region, about 80 kilometers, or 50 miles north of the ukrainian city of kharkiv. the attacks come after what kyiv described as russia's biggest missile bombardment of the war so far against ukraine. from kyiv, our ukraine correspondent james waterhouse reports. it is and always has been the whole of ukraine which is under attack. kyiv is still moscow's biggest prize. air defences have improved here, but this attack proved too much. translation: i was woken up at 7:30 by a horrible sound. _ it was so frightening, the missile

was flying and everything was buzzing, so noisy. you are left in no doubt that this was a direct missile strike, the scale of the damage, the size of the blast zone, the heat caused. you're more used to seeing damage caused by falling debris when a missile is intercepted, but this reflects the scale of this russian attack. and scenes like this are being replicated right across ukraine. a lucky escape in kharkiv in the north—east. this city is familiar with missile strikes, but not 20 in a single morning. a shopping centre in dnipro in the east, as well as a maternity hospital, were hit. it didn't stop there. this is the port city of 0desa in the south, where a residential block was struck. zaporizhzhia wasn't spared either,

where at least eight were killed. even lviv in the west, which sometimes feels farfrom this invasion, wasn't immune this time. all military targets were hit, as far as russia's defence ministry was concerned. while moscow is trying to damage ukrainian morale, president zelensky is trying to boost it by visiting troops in avdiivka, one of the most hostile parts of the front line. "it's hard," he said. "it's about pain and loss as well these are the people who keep ukraine alive." his air force says it had never seen so many missiles in one attack. in a war where moscow routinely strikes cities it can't occupy, that is saying something. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv. an emergency meeting of the un

security council overwhelmingly condemned russia's aerial assault on ukraine on friday. many countries said hitting civilian infrastructure had violated the international rules of war. let's hear some of what countries' ambassadors to the un had to say in new york. rather than peace, putin chose to mark this holiday season and usher in the new year with a unprecedented number of drone and missile attacks against another un member state. these missiles were aimed at population centres across ukraine. they struck homes, apartment buildings, shopping centres and metros. a maternity hospital and a regional oncology centre has been damaged. in short, civilian infrastructure. here in the uk, the new year honours list has been announced — with people recognised from the worlds of sport, entertainment and charity. the authorjilly cooper

is made a dame, and there's a knighthood for michael eavis, who co—created the glastonbury music festival more than 50 years ago. and in a great year for women's football, there's recognition for three of england's lionesses. 0ur entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has all the details. her books have sold in their millions. now, jilly cooper has been made a dame for services to literature and charity. can't quite believe it. so lovely. i mean, when they told me i got the letter, and i thought, gosh, this can't be me. but it was lovely, i was thrilled to bits. michael eavis has been welcoming festival goers to glastonbury for more than half a century. he's been knighted for his music and charity work. also receiving knighthoods — wetherspoons boss tim martin, who says he never expected to be recognised for services to hospitality and to culture. and justin welby, the archbishop

of canterbury, is knighted for his role in the coronation. former rugby league players kevin sinfield and rob burrow have campaigned around motor neurone disease since burrow was diagnosed with the condition. they have both been made cbes. we weren't expecting it and this has never been about any recognition, this is about raising money and awareness for the mnd community and fighting for rob. so i feel very humbled by the whole thing. three world cup lionesses are recognised for services to football. three lionesses are recognised for services to football. millie bright, who captained the world cup finalists, says it feels incredible to be made an 0be. england'sjoint top goal scorer, lauren hemp, and golden glove winner mary earps are both made mbes. in the entertainment world, tony blackburn says it's unexpected

and humbling to be made an 0be for services to broadcasting and charity. fellow dj steve wright becomes an mbe, as does bake 0ff star paul hollywood for services to broadcasting and baking. most honours go to people not in the public eye. rizwanjavid has saved 29 lives on rail platforms, approaching and talking to people who were showing signs they were thinking of ending their lives. he's been made an mbe. every intervention that i was involved in, ijust felt like it was a part of life. i never thought it would be recognised to this scale, but it's definitely given me the confidence to carry on this work and spread awareness amongst everyone. the oldest person honoured is 97—year—old jill gladwell, a poppy appeal collector for eight decades. she's been made an mbe, one of many being recognised for making a real difference. lizo mzimba, bbc news.

the finishing touches are being put on preparations for new year's eve celebrations around the world. in london a large fireworks display will light up the thames. the 31st of december also marks 100 years since the bells of big ben were first broadcast. in 1923, bbc radio transmitted the famous bongs to the nation to herald the new year. live now to the bbc�*s meghan 0wen, who's in central london ahead of the fireworks display tomorrow evening. how is it all shaping up? it's quite incredible to _ how is it all shaping up? it's quite incredible to think— how is it all shaping up? it's quite incredible to think that _ how is it all shaping up? it's quite incredible to think that what - how is it all shaping up? it's quite incredible to think that what we i incredible to think that what we will see tomorrow evening when london's skyline is lit up in colour with the fireworks all start here in the east of london and in the docklands. there are thousands of shells, there are controlled firing panels, there are wires, so it's

really interesting to see it all happening behind the scenes. it's a very meticulous operation and i am joined by the event director. just drop me through the numbers. how many fireworks and how long has it all taken? we many fireworks and how long has it all taken? ~ ., ' :: :: :: ., all taken? we have 12,000 individual fireworks on — all taken? we have 12,000 individual fireworks on these _ all taken? we have 12,000 individual fireworks on these barges _ all taken? we have 12,000 individual fireworks on these barges and - all taken? we have 12,000 individual fireworks on these barges and the . fireworks on these barges and the london _ fireworks on these barges and the london eye. the most iconic part doesn't _ london eye. the most iconic part doesn't get — london eye. the most iconic part doesn't get ready until 6am tomorrow. we have a crew of about 30 people _ tomorrow. we have a crew of about 30 people working over the two locations since the 27th of december. we have got over their standard _ december. we have got over their standard equipment to load. almost 50 kilometres of cables and why the need to— 50 kilometres of cables and why the need to be _ 50 kilometres of cables and why the need to be connected and 4500 individual— need to be connected and 4500 individual firing cues i need to be wide _ individual firing cues i need to be wide and — individual firing cues i need to be wide and antacid. we are in a fairly good _ wide and antacid. we are in a fairly good piece — wide and antacid. we are in a fairly good place at the moment. it does -et good place at the moment. it does get pretty— good place at the moment. it does get pretty stressful. this is my

idih _ get pretty stressful. this is my idth year— get pretty stressful. this is my 14th year doing london years eve and aim at_ 14th year doing london years eve and aim at a _ 14th year doing london years eve and aim at a hammy time to get the chance— aim at a hammy time to get the chance to— aim at a hammy time to get the chance to deliver this, there is always— chance to deliver this, there is always a — chance to deliver this, there is always a surprise. certainly, the last ten— always a surprise. certainly, the last ten or— always a surprise. certainly, the last ten or 15 minutes before the midnight — last ten or 15 minutes before the midnight moment tomorrow, i am going to be quite _ midnight moment tomorrow, i am going to be quite nervous. you midnight moment tomorrow, i am going to be quite nervous.— to be quite nervous. you can't afford to _ to be quite nervous. you can't afford to have _ to be quite nervous. you can't afford to have a _ to be quite nervous. you can't afford to have a bad _ to be quite nervous. you can't afford to have a bad day - to be quite nervous. you can't afford to have a bad day at - to be quite nervous. you can't| afford to have a bad day at the office, can you?— afford to have a bad day at the office, can you? know, a blank sky at midnight — office, can you? know, a blank sky at midnight is _ office, can you? know, a blank sky at midnight is not _ office, can you? know, a blank sky at midnight is not an _ office, can you? know, a blank sky at midnight is not an option. - office, can you? know, a blank sky at midnight is not an option. there ma be to at midnight is not an option. there may be to watching _ at midnight is not an option. there may be to watching this _ at midnight is not an option. there may be to watching this who - at midnight is not an option. there may be to watching this who are i may be to watching this who are thinking environmentally, this might not be a good idea. what are you doing to mitigate that? essen not be a good idea. what are you doing to mitigate that?— not be a good idea. what are you doing to mitigate that? even a share of this size, — doing to mitigate that? even a share of this size, the _ doing to mitigate that? even a share of this size, the biggest _ doing to mitigate that? even a share of this size, the biggest show - doing to mitigate that? even a share of this size, the biggest show in - of this size, the biggest show in the country, the output is public not dissimilar to a 500 mile journex _ not dissimilar to a 500 mile journey. everything we do in life has a _ journey. everything we do in life has a carbon footprint and as the safe company, we do our best to

mitigate — safe company, we do our best to mitigate against that. we calculate the c02 _ mitigate against that. we calculate the c02 output, and then we sat down on a uk _ the c02 output, and then we sat down on a uk tree—planting scheme. this on a uk tree-planting scheme. this is an event — on a uk tree-planting scheme. this is an event that _ on a uk tree-planting scheme. this is an event that is _ on a uk tree—planting scheme. ti 3 is an event that is famously shrouded in secrecy. any clues about what to expect tomorrow? none whatsoever. all i will say is we have prepared a 12 minute programme. it is going to celebrate the diversity and everything that london has to offer. diversity and everything that london has to offer-— has to offer. hopefully we will take on the applause — has to offer. hopefully we will take on the applause at _ has to offer. hopefully we will take on the applause at 12 _ has to offer. hopefully we will take on the applause at 12 minute - has to offer. hopefully we will take on the applause at 12 minute pastl on the applause at 12 minute past midnight — on the applause at 12 minute past midniuht. , , , midnight. this barge will be sent down the thames _ midnight. this barge will be sent down the thames this _ midnight. this barge will be sent down the thames this afternoon | midnight. this barge will be sent l down the thames this afternoon to the london eye which will be also loaded with fireworks. it is a meticulous operation, 4000 musical cue ready for the event tomorrow, watching the london fireworks display. watching the london fireworks disla ., , ., watching the london fireworks disqa . , ., ., display. just a quick reminder of our to display. just a quick reminder of

ourtop story- — display. just a quick reminder of our top story. health _ display. just a quick reminder of our top story. health officials i display. just a quick reminder of our top story. health officials in | our top story. health officials in gaza say 100 palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours as israeli army strikes targets across the territory. more on that on our website. stay with us on bbc news. hello there. if you are planning to set out on a journey later on today, there are a few weather bits and pieces to be aware of. heavy outbreaks of rain could bring some localised flooding today. hill snow on the way for northern scotland in particular. and there's a risk of some particularly squally winds that could bring down some tree branches. the trouble all caused by this area of low pressure that's spinning to our west. outbreaks of rain heading in and some of the heaviest rain, the strongest winds later on this afternoon will be across wales and south west england. the rain really intense for quite a short period of time, but could be heavy enough to cause some localised surface water flooding and the winds strong enough

to bring down some tree branches as well. so localised disruption from that feature. further north as the rain works into the colder air in scotland, we see it turn to snow. could be some snow at lower elevations, but the risk of disruption is over the high ground, where we're looking at around 5 to 10 centimetres of snow. that puts routes like the a9, at risk of seeing some localised disruption. and then during the evening and overnight, that squally band of rain, intense downpours, some very gusty winds, works its way eastwards across wales and england, clearing towards the end of the night. so heading into new year's eve, we're looking at an unsettled day. the same area of low pressure is with us. it's a day of sunshine and showers. the showers widespread, heavy with some hail and thunder mixed in, particularly for northern ireland, parts of northern england, north wales and the midlands. the strongest winds for southern wales and southern counties of england. there will still be some gales around coasts and hills. that takes us towards the all

important midnight hour and those new year's celebrations as we leave 2023 behind and welcome 2024, we're looking at unsettled weather conditions with widespread showers, some of them still pretty heavy with gusty winds. now, the showers will ease away for a time on monday, but then we'll see more unsettled weather moving in from the west, so a few showers to start the day. 0therwise some bright or sunny conditions. so not a bad day for a new year's day walk. that is until we see the next band of rain working in from the southwest. and given how wet the weather has been over recent weeks, we could well see some further flooding concerns into the early parts of the new year. the weather certainly staying unsettled. more rain at times, generally mild for england, wales and northern ireland, but on the cold side in parts of scotland.

this is bbc news, the headlines. gaza health officials say that 100 palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours as the israeli army strikes targets across the territory. the southern border town of rafah continues to see an influx of people seeking safety. an emergency meeting of the un security council has overwhelmingly condemned russia's aerial assault on ukraine on friday — the largest since the start of the war. many countries said hitting civilian infrastructure had violated the international rules of war. new year's eve travellers face major disruption as tunnel flooding under london's river thames brings eurostar services to a halt.

in the uk more than 1,200 people from the worlds of sport, entertainment and charity have been recognised in the new year's honours list. the awards are chosen by king charles. now on bbc news a look back on the year in sport. 2023 was a remarkable year for sport. up here, an historic treble. down under, a women's world cup. england and australia couldn't be separated in the ashes, whilst cricket, rugby union and netball all had world cups of their own. golf came togetherfor the solheim and ryder cups.

but the start of this sporting year was, for some, less a beginning