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woman: architect. bee keeper. mentor. a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news". >> this is bbc ameri. the red cross confirms the release of two elderly women held htage by hamas. more than 200 people remain captive in gaza. on the ground, the crisis far from over. residents in little living

conditions where -- in brutal living conditions where fear of airstrikes is constant. argentina's election headed for a runoff. welcome. we start with new development out of gaza. the red cross confirms that hamas has released two more hostages. hamas says they relieved -- relieved them due to poor health. this is the moment the two women were released, broadcast on egypt and state media. this brings the total number of hostages released to four. israel believes hamas is holding more than 200 people hostage since the surprise attack back on october 7.

a must is recognized as a terrorist organization -- hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization. negotiations to reach this release more hostages have reached a serious stage. bombardment of gaza strip intensified our humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. 28 tracks have crossed into gaza but no fuel -- trucks have crossed into gaza but no fuel. >> israel's army counts targets. more than three hundred hit in 24 hours, targeting sites liable to endanger troops in a ground invasion. gaza's,'s- --hamas-run governor rick counts casualties and says more than 400 people were killed in those strikes.

hope dreaming from the chance of peace still services and the chance to see a life. -- still services and the chance to save a life. >> he is trying to leave gaza with his mother and three siblings. they have been living here for a year. >> buildings close to us destroyed. we had to flee the house, flee where we were living and go and stay with family members. thereere 43 of us in one flat. >> on the israeli side of the border, they have already left. in this town, 90% of the residents have gone. rocket attacks over the past two weeks the early warning signs of a whiter work. he already has ptsd from a rocket attack in 2005.

seeing denman running through the streets was unreal, he says. gunman running through the streets was unreal, he says. >> it is like a bad dream. i am frozen. i do not want to be here. the whole building was shaking last night. we spent all night in the safe room again. same thing over and over again. >> as we were speaking, a taste of what life is like here now. it was a rocket attack from gaza, he said. now you have experienced it live. it happens all the time. this is less than a mile from the border, so close you can see the explosions from israeli airstrikes in state gaza. geography is local, politics are global. israel's prime minister juggles

visit by world leaders and his army is waiting to go in. the edge of sterat, you can see the rockets fired out of gaza and the israeli airstrikes fired in. a self-sustaining conflict that israel says it will end. >> we can speak now to the bbc's state department correspondent. think you for joining us. two hostages have been released. the bbc has been told that negotiations to release dozens more are in a critical phase. what is the state department saying? >> the state department has not been commenting too much on this hostage release. the situation on the ground has been fluid. they are careful what they say. what they have been saying is that hamas is not getting anything in return for these releases. hamas hesitated humanitarian

concerns and asked for a cease-fire so it can release more hostages. president biden was asked about that. he said all the hostages had to be released for there was talk of a cease-fire. >> to have been reports thathe u.s. once israel -- there have been reports that the was onc it -- >> administration officials have not confirmed that they made a direct request like that. it would have been done through military channels. certainly, the u.s. is advising israel on his military operations and also on its concerns. one is the hostages. they want to build on the recent successes of those releases because if tanks start rolling into gaza, certainly that window will close. the other concern is attacks on u.s. interest in the region.

there have been attacks on bases in iraq or u.s. soldiers are stationed, conducted by militants backed by iran. there are 2500 u.s. soldiers in iraq and another 900 in syria, where you also have militias backed by iran. amicans are concerned about excavation against that -- escalation against them in particular. they want time to prepare. they have redirected an aircraft carrier strike crew and have also told the families and nonessential staff working in iraq that they should go. >> meanwhile, we are seeing growing calls from you in a agencies for a cease-fire to get aid into gaza. dire situation. how much support is there for these calls? >> there is support amongst some european countries and eu officials given the extraordinary humanitarian

crisis, but there is not support here. if there were, hamas would be able to prepare for more attacks. he said that instead the u.s. was focusing on diplomatic efforts to get more aid in through the channel. three trucks in so far, he said. the u.s. envoy was trying to make that a regular mechanism. >> thanks for that update. more harrowing stories of the surpse attack by hamas over two weeks ago still emerging. one teenager had just celebrated her birthday when she reshot that while sheltering -- while she was shot dead while sheltering in the safe room of her home. our core upon -- correspondent has been speaking to her mother. her report contains some disturbing footage of the family being held captive, but they want you to see it. >> a terrified family held an

endpoint by hamas. -- at gunpoint by hmas. it is shocking and upsetting to watch but they wanted us to show the ordeal. just at these pictures lies the lifeless body of 18-year-old maia, their oldest daughter. her father's hands are still covered with her blood. >> was on name of nightmares. suddenly, words going on around my house and they are inside. [gunfire] >> the family is not whole anymore. sachi is being held hostage in

gaza. ♪ i tried to explain ♪ and mayan is dead. ♪ from the moment i could talk, i was all there to listen ♪ ♪ and i know how i have to go away ♪ >> has the same song from that happy day plays, -- as the same song from that happy day plays, she is laid to rest but her dad is miles away. >> he saw her getting shot and die. next to me, his daughter who had just celebrated turning 18. the house was full of congratulations and then blood. >> gallie invited us to film

this. she wanted you to see this moment but also the message, that she is doing one of the hardest things ever, burying her daughter miles from home and without her husband by her side. >> he was in his pajamas. the blood is all cover. i did not think he has the opportunity to mourn. i want him to come back here now, not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow. i want him here now. >> sachi is more than one of that is one of more than 220 people still held in gossett. it is family's darkest moment, they need him. >> as negotiations continue to free more hostages, we spoke to

this man, who served as a senior german intelligence officer in the middle east and helped secure a release in 2011 in a prisoner swap. thank you for joining us. what are the prospects of getting hostages like the father we saw in the report released? >> the situation is tragic. with regard to the hostages, and skeptical, frankly -- i am skeptical, frankly, considering the nine outcome. what we are seeing is possibly a release of maybe three dozen hostages, possibly. rumors point in that direction but it will not solve the basic issue of still 150 hostages and their fate depends on further

development. >> what macy skeptical? -- makes you skeptical? >> hamas objected these hostages in order to force their will upon israel. now israel has started to wage war on hamas. the intern misuses the hostages as a -- in turn misuses the hostages is a life insurance. at least a substantial part of any misused as this human shield or life insurance or blackmailing assets. >> you worked on the prisoner exchange in 2011. why was that successful? what was learned that might be apply now? >> not too much.

in this case, in cooperation with what we see today, it would be a minor case. only one soldier, who was exchanged after five years of negotiations. there was breakdown of contact in the negotiations. there was a power again. now we have a multitude of hostages. it is difficult to see how hamas,hich is for the time being, in a more uncomfortable situation. between 2009 and 2011, we had a kind of war. hamas was in a consolidated situation. at that time, hamas was bargaining, handling and finally achieving what they achieved in 2011. that is, hamas is under heavy

fire, gazis under heavy fire. the first issue is just to survive for hamas and to come back if they can achieve that, the whole operation, stated in israel -- the stated aim of israel >> could in, we have seen the israeli military and they are trying t look at hostages. if they are being kept in these tunnels, would it be possible to find them and free them? >> i am skeptical. if we have to assume that they are distributed into various caves or places, and it would be a folly not to do it for hamas,

you might be able to rescue some, but i would be flabbergasted if israel with all his intelligence capabilities is able to liberate all of them in one instance. >> from your experience in dealing with hamas in the past, what do you think they would want in return if they were to release some hostages? >> the core demand was to have prisoners, maybe 6000 in israel, released. things have completely changed. the first aim is to survi. the second is to be reinstated and to negotiate. >> matar has played a central role in mediation and negotiations. how much influence is because he

also served as a senior intelligence officer, how much influence does qatar have on hamas? >> is interesting, relatively do -- new implement. in my time, hamas influenced -- it's influence on negotiations was not that heavy. it was egypt finally. nowadays, and i assume it depends on a -- the problem the military has created for hamas. the political leadership of a mosque, which is outside the gaza strip has two coexist with the host countries. qatar could well say what you did is just darkening our image. you must be more flexible. there is strong political

pressure on the military wing. there is a kind of leverage which we have not seen before. >> interesting. text for joining us. -- thanks for joining us. as the situation in gaza continues to grow more dire. tom bateman explains the impact israeli strikes are having on people in hospitals. this video contains images you might find distressing. >> in gaza, nearly one in the half-million people have fled their homes but nowhere is safe. in the north, israel's airstrikes are relentless. in this refugee camp, the rush to save those they can. rescuers tried to protect th man as they chipped away at the wreckage.

one life saved, at least 1000 more under the rubble in gaza, says that the u.n. the hospitals are already packed, not just with the wounded but with those sheltering from airstrikes. as israel's siege goes on, they are nearly out of electricity to help. in gaza city's main hospital, those born into this war face the toughest struggle. the neonatal intensive care unit is down to just 10 ventilators. they face a total power blackout. >> we call on everyone to send medical supplies for this vital department, for we will face a huge catastrophe. if the electricity goes out here where there are 55 babies, we will lose them within five minutes. >> assess has intent -- israel

says it has intensified airstrikes to target hamas, with rocket fire goes on. israel has repeated its evacuation order for the north, but in the south, there is no refuge either. the final journey for this family, who are bringing their n children to the grave. in gaza, the threat from the air is inescapable while on the ground each day, brings more burials. >> for the latest developments in the israel-gaza war, had to -- head to bbc.com/news. we have up to the minute reporting. argentina's presidential election is headed for a runoff. the economy minister posted a surprising first-place finish, beating wing rival.

neither reached the benchmark for victory. this comes at a time economic for economic -- for argentina. inflation is at 140%. 2/5 of the population lives in poverty. >> the chance to kick back and celebrate, this was not just a victory for this man but all that came before him. the faces of the political movements that define argentina. >> our country is going through a difficult situation, full of challenges and difficulties. many of those who voted for us are suffering the most. i will not fail them. >> this is the only candidate who has a serious project for

the country. basically, the other candidates were criticizing and offering things that were not possible. >> it was a bit of a surprise. you might wonder how a man in charge of an economy with inflation at 140% could win this. but perhaps that says less about him and more about the alternative. >> this was definitely a choice and argentina's election drama. many saw the far right milei is the star of the show. but he is not giving up. >> two years ago, if you would as we would be competing in a second round for the presidency, we would not have believed it. we are witnessing a historic event. >> when people went about on sunday, the economy was the main thing on their minds.

few believe that politicians can solve it. >> there are more and more millionaire politicians people are getting poorer and poorer. we need to change that equation. >> it is worrying. we have to really think about it and we do not have a really good option. i was like, i do not know. i did not come here knowing who i was going to vote for. >> the party continues. the hard work starts again later this week. another month of uncertainty until argentina chooses a new leader. whoever wins will have a huge job on their hands, turning around and economy and a population in crisis. >> a big step forward for sweden's quest to join nato,

erdogan officially submitted the application to the turkish parliament, and this potentially ending a standoff. turk infantry have not yet ratified sweden's membership request. sweden and finland applied to become members of nato after the war in ukraine started. finland was approved in april. scientists say they may have made the biggest breakthrough in treating cervical cancer in 20 years. the tryout uses existing drugs following bite that followed by radiotherapy. this approach cut the risk of women dying from cervical cancer by 35%. one of the research leads or spoke to the bbc in the while ago to discuss the breakthrough. >> if you take prevention, early diagnosis, and more effective treatments, we have a pathway

toward eliminating cervical cancers as a health problem. it will become a rare disease. it is genuinely within our grasp. i did not thinks so 10 years ago. >> some good news to close the show. you can find more on our website bbc.com/news. us, check us out on social media -- plus, check us out on social media. narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪

wow, you get to watch all your favorite stuff. it's to die for. now you won't miss a thing. this is the way. the xfinity 10g network. made for streaming. ♪ amna: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is away. on the “newshour” tonight, hamas releases two israeli hostages and aid trickles into gaza amid calls to address the worsening humanitarian disaster in the palestinian enclave.