tonight... the white house says talks on a gaza ceasefire have got off to a promising start, but what are the chances of a workable deal between israel and hamas? the people of gaza are desperate for a ceasefire. the talks come as the territory passes a grim milestone — more than 40,000 palestinians dead, according to the hamas run health ministry there. and also watching the talks — the families of hostages still being held in gaza. we will hear from one relative about the agony of the long wait for news. all that to come, but first, our latest headlines. five people have been charged in connection with the death of the actor, matthew perry, who was best known for his role in the sitcom friends. the 54—year—old was found dead in a hot tub at his home

in los angeles last october after taking the drug, ketamine. sweden has confirmed the first case of the more serious strain of mpox outside africa. the world health organization has declared mpox, which used to be called monkey pox, a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the democratic republic of congo. ukraine says it will set up an administrative office in the russian region of kursk, where it's pressing ahead with its surprise military offensive. ukraine says its forces have advanced further into russian territory. and they have done so with the use of british challenger two tanks. of british challenger two tanks. "the coming hours and days could define the future of the middle east" — the words today of the british foreign secretary, david lammy, as peace talks began, aimed at securing the ceasefire in gaza that has, thus far, proved so elusive.

the white house said negotiations in qatar had got off to a "promising start" but also warned it doesn't expect a deal between israel and hamas immediately. the negotiations are focused on implementing peace proposals set out by us presidentjoe biden back in may. well, they come on the day gaza passed a terrible milestone — 40,000 killed, according to the hamas—run health ministry, since israel launched its campaign to destroy hamas in the wake of the the october 7th attacks. of the october 7th attacks. israel claimed today that 17,000 of those 40,000 dead are in fact palestinian militants. we have no way of independently verifying either claim. well, more in a moment on all the latest developments in the middle east but first this from our correspondent barbara plett usher. it took ali two months to dig his family out of the wreckage of their home. he was the only one

who survived the strike. translation: i could see my father under the rubble, but i couldn't - extract him at first because he was under two columns of cement and the ceiling would have collapsed. he decomposed in front of my eyes. my mother's body was inside the house, but when i tried to go to see her, i felt smothered and had to leave. he's looked after now by his grandfather in a shelter for orphans and widows. carrying on with the task of living. his mother, father, brother and two sisters are among the 40,000 reported killed in the gaza war. the number is overwhelming. each loss is a raw and individual grief, experienced again and again in places that are supposed to be safe. israel says it hits civilian infrastructure because hamas is operating there. hamas says it isn't.

the international community condemns civilian deaths, and the killing goes on. more than ten months of war have turned gaza into a destruction zone, displaced most of its people. many are sick and hungry. in the southern city of khan younis, they've been forced to flee a continually shifting front line. "we are tired of this life," she says. "death is better than this." death is a constant presence. sami kawar still has his family and whatever else he could carry with him, but this graveyard was the only space he could find in a shrinking humanitarian zone. translation: we have fled from dying to be among the dead, _ meaning we are the living dead. the truth is no—one really knows what to say. back at the shelter, the orphans have been given

another chance at life. how much of a chance, though? without at least a ceasefire, the future looks as dangerous as the present. barbara plett usher, bbc news, jerusalem. with me is our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. these talks in doha are under way, the white house says they've got off to a promising start. the white house tends to be a little bit optimistic about these things but what are the early signs, do you think? ~ ., , ~ what are the early signs, do you think? ~ ., �* �* , think? well, it was bill burns, the cia chief think? well, it was bill burns, the cm chief that's _ think? well, it was bill burns, the cia chief that's leading _ think? well, it was bill burns, the cia chief that's leading the - cia chief that's leading the american delegation it is playing a leading role in pushing this forward that said that, and he's a really tough guy. he's been around the block a long time. he wouldn't say there was a reason to come about on there was a reason to come about on the other hand he knows the region is on a knife edge and that the context in which these talks are now taking place are more dangerous than ever because it's believed that iran and hezbollah have agreed to put off

and hezbollah have agreed to put off and expected retaliation to watch what happens in doha. huge pressure on these talks and a very small chance they will succeed. so far there's only _ chance they will succeed. so far there's only been _ chance they will succeed. so far there's only been one _ chance they will succeed. so far there's only been one truce, - chance they will succeed. so far. there's only been one truce, that was back in november. what has been a sticking point? there have been lots of attempts, have in there, to get a truce? since then, what's been the real sticking point? some people say netanyahu, or hamas, or both. both. both sides blame the other. i think prime minister netanyahu has made it clear time and again about the war will not come to a final end until there is a complete, in his words, total victory over hamas. the hamas leaders are not willing to accept a deal which basically would mean the end of hamas. so they are on pull her off and sits there. the context now is very different. ——

the context. defence chiefs are in open disagreement now with prime minister netanyahu. basically saying ten months on, we've achieved what we have achieved militarily, now is the time to accept the concessions we have to make because they are acceptable and bring the hostages home. and so in some ways, these negotiations are amongst the israelis, as much as they are between the israelis and indirectly with hamas. so the big question is, does prime minister netanyahu want to accept an end to the war or at least for now, does the hardline hamas, sinwarwho least for now, does the hardline hamas, sinwar who has taken over the leadership after the assassination of ismail haniyeh, is not clear he wants a cease—fire. it doesn't come only to these two men, but they are absolutely key players and they are very, very shrewd operators. find absolutely key players and they are very, very shrewd operators. and all of this of course _ very, very shrewd operators. and all of this of course against _ very, very shrewd operators. and all of this of course against the - of this of course against the backdrop and the context in gaza, in

terms of the dust bowl. 40,000 according to the hamas run the health ministry, 17,000 of those are palestinian militants, that still leaves if it's true, more than 20,000 civilians. it isjust a desperate situation with each passing day, the death and destruction.— passing day, the death and destruction. ., ., ., passing day, the death and destruction. ., ., �* ., ., ., destruction. you don't have to agree to the numbers _ destruction. you don't have to agree to the numbers to _ destruction. you don't have to agree to the numbers to see _ destruction. you don't have to agree to the numbers to see what - destruction. you don't have to agree to the numbers to see what we - destruction. you don't have to agree to the numbers to see what we see l to the numbers to see what we see day in and day out. it is horrendous, every single aid chief with decades of experience behind them who has gone into gaza has found it breathtaking. never have they seen in their long careers of such desperation, such devastation that they are seeing in gaza. there is notjust loss of life, there is loss of homes. 60% of gaza judging by satellite imagery is destroyed, there is risk of hepatitis and polio, so when the leaders of the

united states, qatar and egypt, in an unprecedented move issued a statement last week that basically said the time has run out, there is no excuse, there is that deal as you mentioned that president biden announced in may, it was said to be announced in may, it was said to be an israeli deal, hamas accepted it and since then it seems clear from the reports that we have come a prime minister netanyahu has tried to change some of the details of that deal. hamas has tried to change them as well, and this is what hamas is basically saying. we want the old deal. they even said the vision of joe biden will prime minister netanyahu would be willing to draw back? it’s netanyahu would be willing to draw back? �* , ., . ., netanyahu would be willing to draw back? �*, .,. ., i, netanyahu would be willing to draw back? �*, ., i, back? it's not clear. lyse doucet, thank you — back? it's not clear. lyse doucet, thank you as _ back? it's not clear. lyse doucet, thank you as ever. _ back? it's not clear. lyse doucet, thank you as ever. with _ back? it's not clear. lyse doucet, thank you as ever. with her- thank you as ever. with her analysis, we can also speak to oliver mctiernan. he's a former middle east hostage negotiator who's in touch with people close to the talks on all sides. thanks very much for being with us. what's your reading of these talks? is it another full story when

americans talk about a promising start? i americans talk about a promising start? ~ , , americans talk about a promising start? ~' , , . .,, start? i think lyse doucet was right in cautioning _ start? i think lyse doucet was right in cautioning us _ start? i think lyse doucet was right in cautioning us not _ start? i think lyse doucet was right in cautioning us not to _ start? i think lyse doucet was right in cautioning us not to be _ start? i think lyse doucet was right in cautioning us not to be too - in cautioning us not to be too optimistic, because i find it very hard to see how you can have success in this particular round because to my knowledge, hamas are not participating. and i think that's understandable, given how close it is to the assassination of the chief negotiator, ismail haniyeh. it's very difficult to see how you can have, be optimistic when you have the chief negotiator of the last round assassinated. so i would endorse what lyse doucet said, and go under extreme caution as to the success of these. but go under extreme caution as to the success of these.— go under extreme caution as to the success of these. but how do these talks work then, _ success of these. but how do these talks work then, do _ success of these. but how do these talks work then, do you _ success of these. but how do these talks work then, do you think - talks work then, do you think technically? who is representing the hamas position if you like? we know

there are qatari negotiations, egyptian negotiators, how does it work? i egyptian negotiators, how does it work? ~ ., egyptian negotiators, how does it work? ~' ., , ,, egyptian negotiators, how does it work? ~' ., ,, , egyptian negotiators, how does it work? ~' ., , ,, , ., work? i think the whole process is a torturous one _ work? i think the whole process is a torturous one because _ work? i think the whole process is a torturous one because what - torturous one because what i understand is that you have bill burns, you have the senior israeli security people there, plus a representative from the prime minister i'm told is usually in the room as well. and then they speak with the qatari �*s and the egyptians who in turn go and speak to the hamas representatives. but on this occasion, as far as i know, there is no appointed hamas representative. it'll be difficult to see how even if there is agreement in the room, that progress. if there is agreement in the room, that progress-— that progress. how about on the israeli side. _ that progress. how about on the israeli side, lyse _ that progress. how about on the israeli side, lyse doucet- that progress. how about on the israeli side, lyse doucet was - that progress. how about on the | israeli side, lyse doucet wasjust israeli side, lyse doucet was just talking about netanyahu, quite a few people in israel not convinced he actually wants to any kind of

cease—fire or a peace agreement because he thinks that will mean the end of his premiership. i’zre because he thinks that will mean the end of his premiership.— end of his premiership. i've never been convinced _ end of his premiership. i've never been convinced from _ end of his premiership. i've never been convinced from day - end of his premiership. i've never been convinced from day one - end of his premiership. i've never been convinced from day one that he's wanted to, a, negotiated settlement to the return of the hostages. if you set yourself to incompatible goals, one the demise of hamas, and the hostages, ifeel like his priority from day one has been the military success and we've seen that time and time again. my fear is that the talks have always been a sort of sideshow, a distraction from the realities, the horror of what's going on in a day—to—day basis in gaza. we heard of the beginning of the programme and account that was just her and us and account that was just her and us and we think that 2.3 million people are suffering that on a daily basis.

as are the hostages, and their families back in israel. so i really think that until netanyahu is challenged by the white house to put an end to it, i think this process will go on and on and more people will go on and on and more people will die from more people will suffer. with, ithink, some will die from more people will suffer. with, i think, some severe consequences for israel in its immediate future in the region. titer? immediate future in the region. very rim immediate future in the region. very grim prospects- _ immediate future in the region. very grim prospects. oliver, firmament middle east negotiator, oliver mctiernan. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. five people have been have been charged in connection with the death of the friends actor matthew perry. he died last year as a result of an accidental drugs overdose. an autopsy found he had high levels of ketamine in his body. in the last few hours we've been told that authorities helped uncover a broad criminal network that

exploited matthew perry. it's even alleged that doctors helped distribute ketamine to him in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars. here's some of that announcement. this investigation focused on who supplied the ketamine to mr perry. as many of you know, mr perry struggled with addiction in the past. on many occasions, he sought help for his addiction issues. the investigation revealed that in the fall of 2023, mr perry fell back into addiction, and these defendants took advantage to profit for themselves. plenty more reaction and details of the charges on our website. and we will be speaking with our correspondent let's look now at the situation in gaza. as we have been reporting more than 40,000 people have been killed in gaza since october 7.

those figures coming from the hamas—run health ministry. we can talk about those grim figures to joe we can talk about those grim figures tojoe english. emergency communication specialist at unicef. thank you so much for being with us, it's a staggering figure whether or not you believe the exact figure which does come from the hamas run health ministry. it's clear as we've been reflecting on what lyse doucet, there is a huge level of death and destruction in gaza and many of those victims are children. thousands of children it can be overwhelming and you can almost, you know, age might be a statistic but each and every one of these children

thatis each and every one of these children that is been killed is someone's entire world. and that is what our colleagues see when we are speaking to families, the parents, their entire lives have been turned upside down or have been just extinguished in a moment. you know, and so we continue to see mass casualty events, we continue to same attacks on schools where people are sheltering. when we ask ourselves why are people sheltering in these large groups in these concentrated areas, it is because they have nowhere else to go. parents are waking up each and every morning with one thing on their mind, just how can i make sure my child is still alive at the end of the day? and so that is the very real impact of the violence and conflict in terms of the number of children killed and injured but also the mental health toll that this is taking on people. on a day—to—day basis. so there has to be an end to the fighting, there has to be a positive outcome of these talks because with every day that passes, more children are losing their

lives. �* , ., more children are losing their lives. �* ., . ., ., more children are losing their lives. ., ., ., , lives. and you touched on not only children being _ lives. and you touched on not only children being killed _ lives. and you touched on not only children being killed by— lives. and you touched on not only children being killed by bombs- lives. and you touched on not onlyj children being killed by bombs and bullets and missiles, also the mental health impact, the trauma of what they have seen and what they have witnessed and suffered. but also disease. have witnessed and suffered. but also disease-— have witnessed and suffered. but also disease. yeah, very much so. this is something _ also disease. yeah, very much so. this is something we've _ also disease. yeah, very much so. this is something we've been - also disease. yeah, very much so. . this is something we've been warning of for months. we've been saying that when you have this large number of people forced from their homes, living an incredibly difficult circumstances with a lack of sanitation, lack of safe drinking water, we will see disease and it is a very real threat to children, especially children who are already vulnerable because of malnutrition which is something else that we are saying because people do not always have enough to eat. as of the threats to children are coming from almost every side. the truth is we know how to react and situations like this, unicef�*s does this work throughout the world. in terms of the un, our mission since the 1st of

august, one third of them have been denied access, and that is the reality that we are just trying to reach people, we are trying to reach families but we are having our hands tied behind her back so we need to see an end to the fighting, we need to see the hostages released and we need to see this horrific situation come to an end. 50 need to see this horrific situation come to an end.— need to see this horrific situation come to an end. so you're watching these cease-fire _ come to an end. so you're watching these cease-fire talks _ come to an end. so you're watching these cease-fire talks i _ come to an end. so you're watching these cease-fire talks i guess, - come to an end. so you're watching these cease-fire talks i guess, and| these cease—fire talks i guess, and just hoping there will be some sort of cease—fire even if it's only temporary, to help you do your work? yes. many of the families that we speak to, hope is all they have left. many of us saw this story a couple of days ago of the father who lost his wife and his four—day—old twins. in an attack, you know, and families like this where you see everything that you live for extinguished in a moment, all you can hope for is that there is an end to the fighting, that there is no more suffering and the people are going to begin what will be an incredibly long process of trying to

rebuild their shattered lives. i know you and your organisation are doing extraordinary work in gaza, so thank you very much. joe english there, emergency communications specialist at unicef, thank you. another group closely watching the negotiations in qatar are the friends and loved families of the hostages still being held in gaza. it is thought that 111 of the hostages abducted by hamas still remain in the territory, including the bodies of 39 who the israeli military says are dead. among those still held in gaza for the last 313 days is carmel gat. an occupational therapist from tel aviv, she had been visiting parents in be'eri on 7 october when she was taken. her sister—in—law, yarden roman—gat, was also kidnapped. she was subsequently released in november, but carmel was not so lucky and months later is still being held. joining me now is carmel�*s

cousin, gill dickman. his aunt was also killed on october seventh. he has been a leading voice in israel demanding the government agrees a ceasefire. thank you very much for being with us. and do you have any hopes that these talks that are under way now in jo hart these talks that are under way now injo hart will bring about a cease—fire and possible hostage release deal? cease-fire and possible hostage release deal?— cease-fire and possible hostage release deal? ~ release deal? well, good evening, first, release deal? well, good evening, first. secondly. — release deal? well, good evening, first, secondly, i— release deal? well, good evening, first, secondly, i must— release deal? well, good evening, first, secondly, i must be - release deal? well, good evening, first, secondly, i must be hopeful. j first, secondly, i must be hopeful. i have no other choice, because the way we see it, it's the last chance to get a cease—fire that will get the hostages back, and it might even prevent all regional work, not only the war in gaza that has been going for ten months now, but in regional war against for ten months now, but in regional waragainst iran and for ten months now, but in regional war against iran and syria and other forces in the area. and we believe, i believe, that we have made a lot of progress in the south, in gaza.

it's enough, we have to stop it, we have to put a stop to this, to what's going on right now. we have to get the hostages back. it's, the thought of being ten months in the hands of a terror organisation that took babies and more than 200 women, men, children, elderly people, it is unbelievable and we know that many of the hostages who came back have reported to have been through a horrible miseries there. i don't know exactly what my cousin is going through, i really hope that she is ok over there. but i have all reasons to believe that she is alive and i know that if we don't get her back as quickly as possible, we might lose the chance to get her back and we can't allow that. what would ou back and we can't allow that. what would you say _ back and we can't allow that. what would you say to — back and we can't allow that. what would you say to your— back and we can't allow that. what would you say to your government, we were discussing earlier that some of the claims that benjamin netanyahu,

the claims that benjamin netanyahu, the israeli prime minister hasn't done enough to secure a cease—fire to get the hostages out, in fact his own defence minister has said that the hostage deal has stalled in part because of israel. and he's blamed the prime minister for that. because of israel. and he's blamed the prime ministerfor that. what's your view on the? i’m the prime minister for that. what's your view on the?— your view on the? i'm trying to seak to your view on the? i'm trying to speak to my — your view on the? i'm trying to speak to my prime _ your view on the? i'm trying to speak to my prime minister. your view on the? i'm trying to speak to my prime minister allj speak to my prime minister all the time and to tell him that it's his, he's obligated to do whatever he can to get the hostages out. and i believe that the israeli government has not done enough. mainly because the hostages aren't here. and this is my government, i have no other government. it doesn't even matter evenif government. it doesn't even matter even if i elected, if i voted for netanyahu or if i voted for someone else, it doesn't matter. he my prime minister, and it's his obligation to get my cousin and all the other hostages back. and if i had a chance to talk to him now, i would tell him that i believe that sinwar, the

horrible terrorist that is the commander and leader of hamas right now, his dream is that israel will make the wrong choice of going, not getting a deal, not signing a deal and just starting an all out regional war that includes iran and syria and hezbollah and every other force in the area. that's exactly sinwar�*s dream. i think he's failed israel and the people gaza and the people all over the world don't want this to happen, there is a very clear choice here. make the right choice, seal this deal, i know that's what deep in your heart, you know that it's true. you know that this is the right thing to do, and do it because the israeli people are out of time on this, we don't want the war to go on and on and on and on. people of israel want the hostages back in most of the israeli

government wants the hostages back, i know, i'm talking to them every day. that's how i know that if there's an agreement within the israeli government, the only thing we have to do right now is to make sure that sinwar and netanyahu signed this deal and we can have a cease—fire and get the hostages back and maybe we can start building a new future for all people who live in the region. just new future for all people who live in the region-— new future for all people who live in the region. just very briefly, we onl have in the region. just very briefly, we only have a _ in the region. just very briefly, we only have a few— in the region. just very briefly, we only have a few seconds _ in the region. just very briefly, we only have a few seconds left. do l in the region. just very briefly, we i only have a few seconds left. do you think there can be a deal then indo hot at these talks? they've only just started but can there be a deal? , , ., ., �* , deal? there must be a deal. it's the last chance- — deal? there must be a deal. it's the last chance. there _ deal? there must be a deal. it's the last chance. there must _ deal? there must be a deal. it's the last chance. there must be - deal? there must be a deal. it's the last chance. there must be a - deal? there must be a deal. it's the last chance. there must be a deal . last chance. there must be a deal and that's why i believe that it's possible and we will make it happen, if they choose not to do that we will do whatever we can to make them regret what they chose. they have to choose the deal because the other option isjust choose the deal because the other option is just horrific. choose the deal because the other option isjust horrific. and choose the deal because the other option is just horrific. and we choose the deal because the other option isjust horrific. and we have to get up hostages back. fiifi to get up hostages back. 0k, thank ou so to get up hostages back. 0k, thank you so much _ to get up hostages back. 0k, thank you so much for— to get up hostages back. 0k, thank you so much for your _ to get up hostages back. 0k, thank you so much for your time - to get up hostages back. 0k, thank you so much for your time and - to get up hostages back. 0k, thank| you so much for your time and being with us here on bbc news to discuss those talks now under way in doha.

stay with us here on bbc news, much more analysis to come. hello there. although skies did brighten up across scotland, northern ireland later in the day, it was a pretty soggy one for most, with outbreaks of rain and a strong south—westerly breeze. tomorrow's looking better, more sunshine around, and it'll feel slightly cooler and fresher, certainly across northern areas. those weather fronts continuing to move southwards and eastwards, then, through the overnight period. some spots of rain on it, maybe the odd heavier burst, but generally it will be much weaker than what we had earlier in the day across northern and western areas. a few blustery showers across the north—west of the uk. clear skies for most mean a cooler, fresher night to come, but still quite warm and muggy in the far south—east. now, for tomorrow, then, we've got a ridge of high pressure building in behind this weather front, so plenty of sunshine around. a bit of a chilly start out there, the odd mist patch.

it stays quite blustery through the day across scotland, northern ireland. one or two showers pushing in certainly western scotland, but dry elsewhere. and we'll see the clouds clear from the south—east. temperatures will reach around the mid 20s in the south. further north, high teens, maybe low 20s and lower humidity so it'll feel a bit more comfortable, certainly across southern areas. now, through friday night, we hold onto the breeze, further blustery showers across western scotland, northern ireland. it's going to be a chillier night to come for all areas, ranging from around 7—11 degrees. now, for the weekend, it's looking pretty good. we're in between weather systems both saturday and sunday, so a lot of dry weather around. maybe the odd shower for the north—west corner of the uk closer to this area of low pressure, but higher pressure, the azores high in the south, will keep much of england and wales dry with light winds. a lot of sunshine around. could see the fairweather cloud tending to bubble up into the afternoon. like i mentioned, more of a breeze. the odd shower for western scotland, but i think the vast majority will stay dry. and temperatures range from around high teens in the north,

mid—20s in the south, pretty much where we should be for the time of year. sunday, we see this area of low pressure perhaps influence the weather a bit more across the north of the uk, so a greater chance of seeing showers or longer spells of rain in the north—west of scotland. the odd shower, i think, for northern ireland, western england, western wales. otherwise, again, the vast majority will stay dry with plenty of sunshine. temperatures range from 18—24 degrees. as we head into next week, it does start to turn more unsettled again, especially across northern and western areas. could see some pretty heavy rain at times. better chance of staying drier, warmer and sunnier across the south—east. take care.

hello, i'm ben brown. you're watching the context on bbc news. coming up, the latest from ukraine, which says it has set up a military office in the russian region of kursk, where it's pressing ahead with an incursion aided by british challenger tanks. analysis on that story coming up in a few minutes. first, though, let's get a sports round up for you at the bbc sport centre. it's gavin. just a day to wait until

the premier league kicks off, which opens with manchester united at home to fulham. united's new signings, matthijs de ligt and noussair mazrouai, will be in the squad. manager erik ten hag is concerned his team aren't ready. the new players haven't had time to settle — and he says he has injury concerns across several key positions. issues are there. but the players that are not available... last season, i sent it is about the players who are available, and we have a good group, we can make a strong selection and we can put out a strong team, so we will do. tottenham have suspended yves bissouma for their premier league game at leicester city on monday, after footage showed the midfielder inhaling laughing gas. spurs have made the move despite the 27—year—old apologising for a "severe lack ofjudgment", having posted a video of himself on social media on saturday which showed him inhaling from a balloon. he has responsibilities. he has responsibility to his club, he has responsibility to his team—mates, he has responsibility to our supporters,

everyone associated with the club.