young children. the convoy transferring the bodies has just arrived at a medicalfacility in israel where formal identification of president volodymyr zelensky, after president trump called him �*a dictator'. he refuses to have elections. is being demolished? a dictator without elections. zelensky better move fast, or he's not going to have a country left. german voters go to the polls on sunday, and a final leaders�* the conservative friedrich mertz is on course to become the next chancellor.

hello, i'm christian fraser, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. since the october 7th attacks. this one will certainly weigh heavy in the the pictures from khan younis, which were not shown in israel, factions looking on. in an elaborate ceremony, in which the red cross forced to take part. who were kidnapped. shiri bibas. her and the nine—month—old, kfir. returned alive, last weekend.

the fourth body is believed to be that of the journalist when he was taken. all four were abducted at kibbutz nir oz. hamas said they were killed, by israeli bombing. on x, the president "there are no words." some shared their reflections on the day. since october the 7th. that each of us carries, that maybe we could have done

more, that maybe we did not do enough to prevent this tragedy. we are very sad that it has come to this, that we are returning bodies, and not really rejoicing of the kidnapped people, children and infants. to save those that are still alive. in the last hour we have received pictures of a private you will see there the four coffins shrouded in the israeli flag. before they were transferred by the attending israeli soldiers into the waiting ambulances. our middle east regional editor, sebastien usher and the images that you're seeing there, of people lining the streets with israeli flags, across the country. is a country in mourning. this is the first handover of hostages that has involved

those who have not survived, those who are dead. we saw the coffins in this very stage managed event again in khan yunis in gaza by hamas, handed over to the red cross. they've since been taken to the care of israel. held with the chief military rabbi saying prayers over the coffins. are being lined by people mourning to the hospital, where the formal forensic identification will take place later today. now pretty much accepts that those who are in those

shiri bibas as you said, the mother and her two and ariel, who was four when they were abducted their images have been on the front pages of israeli newspapers today. there, of course, is none of the joy that has been felt in other hostage handovers when whatever condition they may have been in, families have been able they would never see again. until the last moment that their relatives might have survived, despite the indications they're still waiting for the final forensic identification made. but as i say, i think the acceptance across israel is that they have died. analyst and columnist at haaretz newspaper. she is in tel aviv.

you've been, i think this morning, to hostage square to speak to people who were gathered there. what the gathered there. what was the mood? figs gathered there. what was the mood? m ,, . gathered there. what was the mood? a ,, ., ., was very i saw it was very sombre. i saw people just there, of them with 77 of them with tears on many of them with tears on their faces, many of them with tears on theirfaces, openly or many of them with tears on their faces, openly or kind many of them with tears on theirfaces, openly or kind of quietly crying and just not 2—7—7: 2 222520 j j 77 to do because to do because as knowing what to do because as you out, the images of you pointed out, the images of the ceremony, the bizarre and rather grotesque sarum were rather grotesque sa rum were money rather grotesque sarum were money that hamas set up for the of the hosta -es of the hosta-es and in release of the hostages and in this case of bodies were not shown on television, shown on israeli television, and people have usually to shown on israeli television, and peo squares usually to shown on israeli television, and peo square to ;ually to shown on israeli television, and peo square to watch to shown on israeli television, and peo square to watch on to hostage square to watch on the big screen as people big screen as living people released, but this time was nothing much to look so this 77 so this there out. so this time there were stood together, and in many ways there were two ways there weretwo different that could be attitudes that could be heard. one of people furious and about w " qbali’ " which about which was talking about revenge which was all over social media because

of course the images be of course the images can he on social of course the images can iae on social or al seen on social media or al jazeera where they can still seen on social media or al jaze a a where they can still seen on social media or al jaze a way ere they can still seen on social media or al jaze a way toe they can still seen on social media or al jaze a way to see ey can still seen on social media or al jaze a way to see althoughl seen on social media or al jaze a way to see although it's find a way to see although it's .. broke as to. but the people not broke as to. but the people i spoke to in hostage square mostly 77 mostly just 77 mostly just mournful. — -7— not hear: not hear fcalls notheaifcallsifor as much as their vengeance as much as their terrible sense of disappointment, as much in the israeli leadership for not having been able achieve the having been able to achieve the release of these people earlier, was the earlier, and that was the feeling of people in zzizz 77 fits also a hostage square. it's also a place where have gone to place where peoplerhave gone to . precisely place where peopleehave gone to . precisely for the —:: of hostages j of hostages which rt�*tax ef fiestas“ whim a certain of entails a certain criticism of the government.— if and especially the we re were a major part public consciousness, the public consciousness, not only in israel but around the how do you think the of these; 7 ofitheisiefbodiesr ' 7 w of thesefbodies today return of these bodies today influences the debating on sale influences the debating on sale in what comes next?—

in what comes next? ifs ’ seen in in what comes next? ffif ’ seen in the last in what comes next? ffif - seen in the last few weeks have seen in the last few weeks is that at every stage, it have seen in the last few weeks is that at e' to r stage, it have seen in the last few weeks is that at e' to a ;tage, it have seen in the last few weeks is that at e' to a moderate but "mtbptef te a medeate bet" ~ .,,., ~~~ ,,, consistent rise aaatbptef te a madeate bet" ~ .,,., ~~~ ,,, consistent rise in pretty consistent rise in among and continuin surveys continuing the ceasefire of hostage release deal. that is asked in e of do you think israel terms of do you think israel should continue to the second phase of the deal in which their will be their hostages will be released. know that released. israelis know that includes the release of and a ceasefire. and support to rise, that support continues to rise, even after the deal has been so what i would 9063: ”gt its? as: ’ going forward is expect going forward is that the is so sombre and over the return of 77 bodies, thati 7 7b7odie7s,7th7at7l t7h7i7nk7 77 7 7b7odie7s,7th7at7l t7h7i7nk7it7 continue to contribute to will continue to contribute to the sense if! . among the sense of urgency among israelis continue to get to israelis to continue to get to the second phase, but that's the second phase. loot that's exactly where the not exactly where the government is headed. the government is headed. the

government is headed. the government is generally not followed public sentiment with the majority having supported the majority having supported the hostage deal thexhostage deal this entire but being helped by hamas time, but being helped by hamas having to reach a having neglected to reach a until very recently, the deal until very recently, the israeli government has in ways 7 7 in ways that it indicated in many ways that it is not committed to reaching js not committed to reaching second phase of the deal the'second'phase'of'the deal is trying to draw out the and is trying to draw out the first stage. and is trying to draw out the first stage-— and is trying to draw out the first stage. first stage, oded lifschitz, force about oded lifschitz, the force hostage, man in his 80s dead hastaoe a roan in his. doe ., pp. . had devoted dead hastaoe a roan in his. doe o w. . had devoted his entire life who had devoted his entire life campaigning for palestinian to campaigning for palestinian his family have said causes. his family have said that his is a complete of everything that he betrayal of everything that he stood for. what would you say stood for; iolhat oeold yea sayr call for peace for a two that call for peace for a two state now rests state solution now restsjn do

leaael? 7 ne . ative. i he" ,7,: ne . ative. i would he" ,7,: neuative. i would sa he" ,7,: neuative. iwould sa a very negative. i would say a minority still support the idea tiara state it is of a two state solution. it is about 30% of the israeli gbout 30% of the israeli it's not actually pdblic, and it's'not actually different on public, and it's'not actually different on the that different on the side but support palestinian side but support has declined on both sides for a two state solution over time. on both sides, we that only on both sides, we saw that only a minority had been supporting the solution for a number of years, because of the escalation of violence in these escalation ofviolence, in these in the war had horrible attacks in the war had not to any sort of not contributed to any sort of sentiment towards the positive sentiment towards the other and certainly not any gjrzhg and certainly not any from oth5r and certainly not any from the gtéh5r and certainly not any from the public. what i interesting is iii you find interesting is if yes! . , very closely attitudes track very closely attitudes towards negotiations a two towards negotiations and a two solution and self and7 77 77777 77777 and7right 77 777777777777 and7rightleft 77 identification and right left and centre in israel which is a strong indicator of those positions, they were not to peace per se —:: the war, the majority before the war, the majority

were gig-2a“ two state it??? against a film stats 7 7 77777 77777 still i??? éfié'fi§* 5! film stats 7 7 77777 77777 still minority efilflt'f�*fi see et'fi m'fif�*r't? it. what efilflt'fi" eet et'fi m'fif�*r'te it. what i'm seeing ee=e e— m the is that 7 the is that most 7 attitude attitu7de the first extreme attitude in the first six months, and there is of stabilised attitudes of stabilised somewhat. our newest somewhat; qur newest ~ ~ they've back indicators, they've gone back to where they were before the war. again it's not a very strong for peace, but strong oositionfor peace. but looks like many are it looks like many people are this very extreme viewing this very estreme ffsr viewing this very estreme " ' " " ” and the situation and concluding the same things they same things that they felt before, which those who before, which is that those who believe there be a solution continue to military solution continue to believe that, and a significant minority who support a political resolution are more committed to that. i sorta somebody hostage square this somebody in hostage square this morning who emphasised exactly that. she said, by own that, she said, by her own she is 7 7and77 and even on a day with what happened confronted with what happened to the bibas family make ten peoples views, she said even

’—: 55,5 so today. that can more so today. that can includes roughly what i'm seeing. people are returning �* they felt 7 they felt before. 7 how they felt iaefore. through how they felt �*aefore. through two self—determination through two or they believe in a states, or they believe in a military states, or they believe in a milita �* , ., ., states, or they believe in a milita �* , ., military solution. it's good to to ou. military solution. it's good to - to you. thank _ military solution. it's good to - to you. thank you - military solution. it's good to - to you. thank you for - military solution. it's good to l - to you. thank you for your talk to you. thank you for your time today. let's show you talk to you. thank you for your time i live r. let's show you talk to you. thank you for your time i live pictures how you talk to you. thank you for your time i live pictures from ou these live pictures from hostage square where you these fla -s are these flas are fl in these flas are fl in in a see these flags are flying in a light breeze in tel aviv today, as the country reflects on the of those four hostages have �* been returned a who haye nowr�*deen'returned to a facility. who have nowr�*deen'returned to a facility. in medicalfacility. in israel. around the and across the around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news.

spoken out in support of volodymyr zelensky, after donald trump labelled the ukrainian president,

mr zelensky last night, to lend him support today in kyiv, mr zelensky will meet with general keith kellogg, the us special envory for ukraine and russia. but the backdrop to the talks could hardly be worse. the ukrainians will want to know whether the general has can restore the relationship. let's speak to actor and politician. the reason have brought you one is to talk the way in one is to talk about the way in which donald seems to put which donald trump seems to put the american contribution first. he never reflects on the money and aid that the

have given to people ukrainians have given to people on the front line, of on the front line, which of course you lead. the first thin i course you lead. the first thing i would _ course you lead. the first thing i would have - course you lead. the first thing i would have said i course you lead. the first thing i would have said isj course you lead. the first - thing i would have said is that statements of mr trump and administration is his administration is absolutely ridiculous. it's absolutely ridiculous. it's absolutely the case a alaselutelythesase—of arr ~ ~ �* result actions. here, dictator result actions. here, political opposition ukrainian political opposition and civil society andpcivjlsociety, have to audacivilsociety, have to �* president, audacivilsocietyhave to �*president, but one in ukraine no one in ukraine recognises mr has a dictator, zelinsky has a dictator, because we had one in here in ukraine before. we have only question to our american one question to our american friends, zelinsky is a friends. if zelinsky israr— were who are putting? dictator, were who are putting? i was talking to a colleague in office 7 office this7 the ukrainian office this morning his sends regular ,. w " f a, , c to the front line. essmsnts tie he frfint line:

donors to easmsnts fie he frfint line: donors to the easmsnts fie he frfint iins: donors to the in those donors to the fight in do you think they have ukraine, do you think they have been betrayed by their us pubis public7comment? president'pulalic comment? ukrainians president'puolic comment? ukrainians and 77su7pp7o7rt 77su7ppo7rt us, 7777777 7777 77su7pf7;07i’t us, they 777777 777 77su7ppo7rt us, they are 77—enzzz 721-7777 high. a good 7 high. a good level, and7 still high. a good level, and have a lot of supporters, 7e7iafnbiie777777777 77 7 7 7e7iaéifiiie7irl>7ni7777 7 7 7 7 example from great for example from great britain, from the eu, from nordic countries and canada. countries and from canada. that's why we are just doing a dailyjob is daily 'ob here in ukraine. is it in dailyjob here in ukraine. is it in the millions this money you raise? and when do you spend it on? in you raise? and when do you spend it on?— you raise? and when do you spend it on? in the last three ears, spend it on? in the last three years. my — spend it on? in the last three years, my foundation - spend it on? in the last three years, my foundation have i years, my foundation have raised 250 million dollars. that's not bad for a ukrainian charity i think and we had a good opportunity support our military with modern types of drones we have in drones that we have in ukraine and we are using in i

and we are using in ukraine. i talk not only about air drones ;———”—f”' '* ”"7*'—' 777h77 "— some that we use ground.77 ground.7 we have no the ground. we have no choose here in ukraine because we it here in ukraine because we all remember what russians mean loses” and we could in butcher. and we could have that in every city. really hope that 7 really hope that support we really hope that support from allies from the eu and from our allies from the eu and from our allies from the eu and from great britain of be on the high level will be on the same high level and may be more. if it will not 7 7 any any supp°rt7777727777777777777777777777777777777 " any support from the states it doesn't matter llnitsd “a�*s“ it a�*s-n" matte—f "fr” , , ”fl ,, ukrainian society. l'"�*sd s�*e�*s' it door“ mattsf rm” , , ~~ ~ ukrainian society. we'll for ukrainian society. �*a’e'll for ukrainian society. �*a’e'll for our homes and fight for our homes and families.— fight for our homes and families. ,., ,._ families. on the point, saying is families. on the point, saying - is viewed _ families. on the point, saying - is viewed in - families. on the point, saying - is viewed in the - families. on the point, saying - is the wed in the - families. on the point, saying - is the democraticallyl country is the democratically leader, perhaps not to elected leader, perhaps not to

everybody�*s taste but not a dictator, do you think the of the us is putting the table is not the right on the taste is not ths'riaht ' " for their on the taste is net the'riaht ' " for their country and he on the taste is net the'riaht ' " for ti to country and he on the taste is net the'riaht ' " for ti to continueind he on the taste is net the'riaht ' " for ti to continue the he on the taste is net the'riaht ' " for ti to continue the war, was good to continue the war, going to draft we're going to draft 18—year—olds and double down and sending people to the front line, would they follow was what people who 7 people who think about some peoplerwho—think about not a country, can you ukraine, not a country, can you count the presidents in ukraine in the last 30 years? a simple question and simple ukrainian 77 using; 7 7 will second, ukrainian society will decide what is going on in deeide ohatis going on in nobody else. with ukraine, nobody else. with all respect to our partners and allies. but on iniiiii will decide who is at or not in �* or not in ukraine, dictator or not in ukraine, when we will have elections in, w a

and which reasons we ukraine, and which reasons we have to have any will have to have any with russia and negotiations with russia and somebody else. our president has huge support in ukrainian 7 fife 7 in the last two society. in the last two days after trump's statements... you think that — after trump's statements... you think that popularity has gone up think that popularity has gone up because of what been in washington. said in washington. yes, it's normal- _ said in washington. yes, it's normal- we _ said in washington. yes, it's normal. we have _ said in washington. yes, it's normal. we have the - said in washington. yes, it's i normal. we have the - vibe normal. we have the same vibe in the air in ukraine like we in 2022 after russian hadrin 2022 aftersthe russian but now really invasion. but now really disappointed and surprised with from washington, the messages from washington, dc. ., , ., ~ dc. finally, do you think the eur0peans — dc. finally, do you think the europeans are _ dc. finally, do you think the europeans are doing - dc. finally, do you think the europeans are doing enough dc. finally, do you think the i europeans are doing enough to stand up to donald trump? i’m stand up to donald trump? i'm not sure- _ stand up to donald trump? i'm not sure. i not _ stand up to donald trump? i�*rn not sure. not sure, my -=:7 =z7 b7utl7thi7n7k77 77 but i7thi7n7k7t7ha7t but i think that euiope friend, but i think that europe need that now need to understand that now it time to up and take is time to wake up and take more responsibility. ukrainians have the last have been fighting the last three years and defence from

europe and russian. and if you want the russians rape 7 �* mother and women, your mother and women, please wake up and make some decisions a lot faster you did it in a lot faster than you did it in last three years. thank the last three years. thank you. the last three years. thank ou. ., ,, y ., y the last three years. thank ou. ., ,, , ., , . the last three years. thank ou. . ~' i., , . ., you. thank you very much for on the you. thank you very much for - on the programme. i minister of estonia. he's in berlin. you for being with us. we were told by donald trump supporters that he would the western strengthen the western alliance. it looks pretty fragile. he is just fragile. he is notjust engaging with russia, but there is an active embrace of russia and the that has put and the proposal that has put on the table. i wonder whether and the proposal that has put on i think )le. i wonder whether and the proposal that has put on i think that wonder whether and the proposal that has put on i think that the 1der whether and the proposal that has put on i think that the response 1er 7 europe far has been from europe so far has been pretty timid. i.et from europe so far has been pretty timid-— from europe so far has been pretty timid. let me start by sa in: i pretty timid. let me start by saying i fully _ pretty timid. let me start by saying i fully agree - pretty timid. let me start by saying i fully agree with - pretty timid. let me start by saying i fully agree with the | pretty timid. let me start by saying i i interview, with the | pretty timid. let me start by saying i i interview, that the | previous interview, that ukrainians are defending not

77 themselves 7 7 77 themselves but 7 77 themselves butthe 7 77 themselves but the7world only themselves but the world order right defending order right now. defending russian dictators has never been the right choice is. the world was wrong trusting world was wrong trgugsting having some agreements styling, having some agreements with him. putin is everything thatis with him. putin is everything that is bad so i think trump is doing some very steps. counter—productive steps. hopefully he is underestimating europe, because i also agree with the last interviewer that europe really to step up europe really needs to step up �*and do things. is europe really poodetoeteouo - and do thingsfi now and do things. is he f now and do things. is he ggsiejseemeaema it was underestimating europe? it was pretty remarkable i thought that not one european leader came forward to came forward yesterday to condemn donald trump's comments it was ukraine that that it was ukraine that started the war. should allies not be pointing that out the american i not be pointing that out the american president? is self—evident. it this is self—evident. it shouldn't be pointed out his own vice president because his own vice president mike pence did that quite

and claimin- and claiming ukraine clearly, and claiming ukraine on being attacked, that's on being attacked. that's—e ~ ~ , . counter—productive —— hugely counter—productive” ~ ., ukraine. ukraine were blaming ukraine. ukraine were underestimated in beginning underestimated in the beginning or at the beginning of the osealati.u be called 7 eeea'etie- be called out, shouldn't should be called out, shouldn't he? �* , ., ~' he? he's wrong. ithink eumpean _ he? he's wrong. ithink european - tried | he? he's wrong. i think. european - tried to he? he's wrong. i think- european - tried to be and save _77 and save what is left polite and save what is left from the transatlantic relations, but what they see that... is relations, but what they see that... , ,,, ., that... is it politeness but or a fear that — that... is it politeness but or a fear that _ put i a fear that they will be put under tariffs? a fear that they will be put undertariffs? iilo a fear that they will be put under tariffs?— a fear that they will be put under tariffs? no i don't think tariffs i the _ under tariffs? no i don't think tariffs i the issue. - under tariffs? no i don't think tariffs i the issue. the - tariffs are the issue. the issueis tariffs are the issue. the issue is the of the issue is the futuee of—thee—e - ., . ,- order. i issue is the futuee of—thee—e - ., — ,- order. i think what we world order. i think what we really in europe right now european countries leaders is european countries leaders to step up. let's remind ourselves that defence is a team sport. are 11 times team sport. we are 11 times �*economy if we eu higgereconomy if wetake eu uk combined than russia. so and uk combined than russia. so

why on earth can't we be stronger than russia? of course 77 are, 7777a7r7e7,7b7u7t77 77 7 7 are, but in order 7777a7r7e7,7b7ut7i7n7order7to 7777a7r7e7, 7b7ut7i7n7order7to be we are, but in order to be stronger, we really need to stronger. we really need to —~~— ~ , ~ and work booster defence and work together. i believe the tools there. the question is if are there. the question is if we have the leadership. fin are there. the question is if we have the leadership. on that oint, we have the leadership. on that point, . guardian _ we have the leadership. on that point, . guardian and - point, the guardian and the times the uk today are "rf is britain times the uk today are ’”f is: britain and recording that britain and france would a 30,000 trakeaseufd send a’afifififi eu ropea n tfakeefi�*fid send eeqqqq european force, what are describing as a they are describing as a reassurance in oi of deploying a favour of deployingam ,- - force? it peacekeeping force? would it make a difference? _ peacekeeping force? would it make a difference? i - peacekeeping force? would it make a difference? i think . make a difference? i think is no point in just777 77 just yet 77 7 just yet because 7 is just yet because 7 is an just yet because is an ongoing et because is an ongoing war, cause is an ongoing war, and e there is an ongoing war, and there is an ongoing war, and the are still killing the russians are still killing ukrainians and sovereign territory. what they ukrainian territory. what they should do first is to help ukraine and notjust mitigate the but our help the add—ons but boost our help and do we can to and do everything we can to help defend the world order, to

defend european security, help defend european security, and then of course when they their country within and then of course when they �* territories, ntry within and then of course when they �* territories, we i within and then of course when they �*territories, we can hin their territories, we can absolutely talk about the ithink i think the peacekeeping. i think the prime minister was spot stating that if we on stating that if needed, we are able do that thank you much indeed 7 much indeed for talking to very much indeed for talking to us in the ijust want i just want to bring you breaking news coming from spain. the high court found former soccer head iluis the former soccer head luis will alice guilty of kissing �*jenny had muscle without playerjenny had muscle without consent. you'll remember after world is cup louise that world is cup final louise ruby alice grabbing hedda

ruby alice grabbing jenny hedda moser and kissing her. will try and you some more into and bring you some more into that very shortly. let me show that sery'shortlyt let me show again some that sery'shortlyl let me show again some of the live you again some of the live pictures from tel aviv because we are continuing to watch with the 7ofthe7 7 7 7 7 of thefour 7 7 7 of thefourdead7 7 return of the four dead hostages that hamas back hostages that hamas give back too israeli side today. a to the israeli side today. a small group of israelis in the square today. there is, are square today. there is, we are told, likely to be a commemoration ceremony in the later on 7 later on evening square later on this evening around six local time. around six o'clock local time. are some pretty shocking from khan 7 7 from khan younis 7 pictures from khan younis a fairly elaborate 7 7 sta7ged 777 7 7sta7ged by 7 7 staged by not into husted square. a beamed into husted square. a very somebody there in israel. we will continue to follow that. plenty more on that. plenty more coming up on programme. stay with us.

hello, again. it was a very mild start to the day today, leading us into a mild couple of days, especially so today over the weekend, temperatures will slipjust a little bit. but with the mild conditions come wet and windy weather as well, with gales at times across parts of the now, you can see the milder ambers across us today and tomorrow, and into the weekend, we see temperatures just dropping by a couple of degrees, but not by that much. now, as we head through the rest of today, we've got outbreaks of rain. to the west, it will brighten up, but there will still be some sharp showers, and it's going to be a blustery day with gusty winds in the west, but temperatures in double highs up to ii; or 15. we lose today's rain. we see clear skies for a time, the winds ease, but then force by the morning as

the next band of rain arrives. in some heavy rain. and the west of the country. and the coasts, and western parts of scotland. not getting into the far east of england until probably after dark. and in the west, it brightens up, the winds eventually easing down in the west, but we'll still have a few showers. now, depending on how long we hang on to the sunshine, we could see 16 degrees in east anglia or lincolnshire, but again, another mild day. leaving us with a fair bit of sunshine and some scattered showers. in double figures.

but on sunday, we're looking at gales — possibly severe gales — around the outer hebrides, and also some heavy rain moving from the west towards the east.

this is bbc news,

the headlines. on in as the hostages. it's been one month since the inauguration of the us president donald trump. we look back at the impact of his second so far. german voters go to the polls on sunday, for the first time since it sealed its borders during the pandemic five years ago.