hamas because i have experienced it.- hamas because i have experienced it.ienced it. at the same time. they _ experienced it. at the same time. they do _ experienced it. at the same time, they do not _ experienced it. at the same time, they do not have i experienced it. at the same i time, they do not have not said what defeating hamas might look like. what do you think it would look like?— like. what do you think it would look like? you're not auoin would look like? you're not going to — would look like? you're not going to get _ would look like? you're not going to get rid _ would look like? you're not going to get rid of - would look like? you're not going to get rid of the i going to get rid of the ideology, certainly. that has been discussed at length. but the ability to remove hamas as a governing body inside the gaza strip, to remove hamas and palestinian islamichhad and other groups out of the west bank as well, because in the broader context that is extremely important, remove the military capability inside the gaza strip and the west bank, those ob

but senior hamas official osama hamdan has told the bbc that hamas has not put forward new demands and that the group remains committed to a ceasefire. antony blinken said some of the alleged proposed changes were workable, but some went beyond what the group had previously agreed to in talks for a ceasefire. speaking in qatar wednesday, secretary blinken reiterated that hamas was the party holding back an agreement. a deal was on the table that was virtually identical to the proposal that hamas put forward on may 6th. a deal that the entire world was behind, a deal israel has accepted, and hamas could have answered with a single word, "yesi._ instead, hamas waited nearly two weeks, and then proposed more changes, a number of which go beyond positions it had previously taken and accepted. the senior hamas official mentioned earlier responded to secretary blinken. osama hamdan told the bbc that mr blinken is part of the problem, not the solution. he said hamas designated a terrorist organization by the us maintains its demands for a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of israe

we are hamas committed to the defeat of hamas hamas to ensure that it cannot come against gaza again.there has to be a clear political plan, a clear humanitarian plan in order to ensure that hamas not resume control of gaza and that israel can before tomorrow enduring security. even as we have been walking on this -- as we have been working to make sure the conflict does not spread to other parts of the region, we have also been working on day after plans for gaza. governors, rebuilding. we have been doing that in consultation with many partners throughout the region. those conversations will continue this afternoon and for the next couple of days. it is imperative that we have these plans, that we are ready to go and simply put, we will not get to the day after if we don't have plans for the day after. we are working resolutely on those. the most important step is getting an agreement on the proposal that president biden put forward and moving on from there. questions? >> thank you. just a follow-up on what you■ id about your meeting with the prime minister, did you get hamas accepts

now, i can't spe f for hamas and ultimately it may not be the path that hamas wants. but hamas cannot and will not be allowed to to decide the future for this region and its people. >> translator: now we open up th q&a. the question from al-jazey -- i have to question the first one to your excellency prime minister. regarding the response of hamas on the proposal, are we talking about a take and officials of hamas with the the comment on the the israelis to respond? and the other question for secretary blinken which is about your eight visits to we're talking about eight a far. during those visits you and other american offic have met with the families of the israeli hostages. were items to meet with the families of the wounded or thoseho died of the palestinians or those who even [inaudible] or even gaza. for example in thousands of palestinian patients were who are wounded who came here for much. concerning your question, yesterday we have received the response. a the statement, now we are sing the response. and of course there will be give if on negotiation, with t

do you believe hamas? _ rescue the four hostages. do you believe hamas? hostages. do you believe hamas? the answer- rescue the four hostages. do you believe hamas? the answer is i rescue the four hostages. do you - believe hamas? the answer is to the best of our knowledge, that's not the case. the rescued hostages is one of the most important things israel has. it is highest on our agenda. and thank god. i salute the defence force, the government, the prime ministerfor defence force, the government, the prime minister for taking that risk and bringing those four hostages back home. they were captured on october 7th from a festival, a piece festival. all the problems they had is they are jewish and festival. all the problems they had is they arejewish and israeli. hamasjihadis want to is they arejewish and israeli. hamas jihadis want to kill and wipe out israel. from their perspective, 0ctober out israel. from their perspective, october 7th is just the out israel. from their perspective, october 7th isjust the beginning, they intend to do it again and agai

,, ., ., from hamas.e minister _ from hamas. and we know the qatari prime minister has _ from hamas. and we know the qatari prime minister has said _ from hamas. and we know the qatari prime minister has said that - from hamas. and we know the qatari prime minister has said that hamas l prime minister has said that hamas need to be pressure to reach an agreement, those are his words, that both sides were counterproductive in their approach to the negotiation process. at the same time, hamas according mr blinken part of the problem and not the solution, and it is hard to see with that sort of language how any progress will be made. mr language how any progress will be made. ~ �* ~ , m, ., made. mr blinken has been in qatar toda , and made. mr blinken has been in qatar today. and he _ made. mr blinken has been in qatar today, and he will— made. mr blinken has been in qatar today, and he will be _ made. mr blinken has been in qatar today, and he will be trying - made. mr blinken has been in qatar today, and

hamas needs to take the deal.le all over the world have called for now it is time to raise you voices and demand that be hamas come the table, this deal and end this war they bega of course there will be differences on the specific details that need to be worked that is natural. if hamas comes to negotiate ready to deal, then they must b given a mandate with the necessary flexibility to close that deal. the past eight month the past eight months have marked heartbreaking pain. pain of those who were slaughtered by hamas terrorist on october 7. hostages and families waiting i ordinary israelis whose lives were forever marked by the ng event of hamas's sexual violence and ruthless brutality the palestinian people have endured sheer hell in this war. too many innocent people have been killed. including thousands of children far too many have been badly wo. we all saw the terrible images from the deadly fire in rafah earlier this week following the israeli st even as we work to surge assistance to gaza with 1800 truck

so what is hamas' resnonse _ hamas. so what is hamas' resnonse so _ hamas.esponse so far? - hamas. so what is hamas' response so far? they - hamas. so what is hamas' response so far? they are | response so far? they are responding _ response so far? they are responding positively - response so far? they are responding positively to i response so far? they are l responding positively to this proposal. they say president biden, he mentioned permanent ceasefire, he mentioned permanent cessation of hostilities. they say that he mentioned a full withdrawal from gaza. he only mentioned a withdrawal from the israeli forces from the inhabited areas. ., . , ,, , forces from the inhabited areas. ., . , ,, areas. how much pressure is on hamas to _ areas. how much pressure is on hamas to accept _ areas. how much pressure is on hamas to accept and _ areas. how much pressure is on hamas to accept and what - areas. how much pressure is on hamas to accept and what is - areas. how much pressure is on| hamas to accept and what is the next stage of these proposals going forwar

but at the same time hamas calling mr.art of the problem and not the solution and it's hard to see with that sort of language how any progress will be made. >> yeah, mr. blinken has been in qatar today and he will be trying to get the qatar yis and the exhibitions to put pressure on hamas. there's also the issue of the lamas leaders outside of gaza and are they on the same page as the people on the ground in gaza? and also the pressure that's got to be put on the israeli side because antoni blinken assures everyone that israel has signed up to their plan. they're calling it even an israeli plan. he's saying israeli has signed on to a permanent withdrawal and cease-fire with hamas but benjamin netanyahu hasn't given that backing and he knows if he were to do that, there are members on the coalition of his government that would pullout and it would mean fresh elections. it seems only the americans people in deep is really close. it doesn't feel that way here on the ground. >> thank you. let's talk to the executive director o

are you saying then that you had intel that civilians were helping to shield hamas, hamas members, peoplerry. if you could just clarify that for me. i'll clarify that very clearly. the majority of the people that were killed in gaza are either terrorists or people supporting terrorists. and we're basically saying that, anywhere we find terrorists, we will hunt them down. and if you are giving shield, a human shield to terrorists, you're risking your life. so we're telling the residents of gaza to shy away. shy away from our hostages. shy away. move away from the terrorists because we are going to get our hostages back. we're going to kill the terrorists. and if hamas is trying to the residents of gaza as human shields, then the human shields must shy away. we have no interest of killing civilians. very quickly, your reaction to the united nations saying that it was going to add not only israel, i should say hamas and also islamichhad, to a list of countries that harms children within war zones. what's your response to that? well, you know, israel, unfortunately, didn't think highly of the

now, hamas is not _ somewhat you saying there? there? now, hamas is not capable of _ somewhat you saying there? firm-n", hamas is not capable of doing that, that is true. and i believe there should be... a contradiction to my own government in israel, i believe there should be a morning after programme, the government has not done that so far. but even that morning after scenario has to take into account that hamas could be resurgent and again take armed action against any palestinian who tries to co—operate in a peaceful resolution of the gaza conflict, the palestinian conflict, the palestinian conflict in general. we have to take that into account. so this is going to be a prolonged effort to keep degrading hamas, by military means. i don't think any other country can undertake that other than the state of israel, and ideally we can do it in conjunction with a morning after scenario where international forces would supervise the rebuilding and reconstruction of gaza, the repatriation of the palestinian refugees in gaza. all of t

died in captivity, and that their bodies are held by hamas.the men as chaim peri, yoram metzger, amiram cooper and nadav popplewell. the army believes they were held together by hamas in the khan younis area, and died several months ago. meanwhile, israel's military offensive in gaza continues. an israeli airstrike hit a building in gaza's central bureij refugee camp on monday, triggering a massive cloud of smoke. 0ur middle east correspondent lucy williamson has the latest from israel. the price of gaza's war is rising as its cities crumble. the price of peace too high for leaders on both sides. israel said it had bombed more than 50 targets since yesterday. but hamas is still fighting here, and hopes for the new ceasefire deal were mixed. translation: hamas should | raise its demands and seriously adhere to the conditions they set, which are the people's demands. translation: hamas, accept the deal. - it's enough. enough of what we lost. we urge hamas to stop the war. israel's prime minister is negotiating on two fronts. his far right allies

the goal of hamas is to kill israelis. and they | hamas is to kill israelis.or the cause, the israelis on the other hand, we teach our children to make a better world and seek peace but unfortunately hamas is using our advantage as a disadvantage, they know we care about lives, and that is what they are putting other interests and infrastructure in, they are using human shields to try to protect themselves and hide the hostages, and they understand that, if we retaliate and sell our troops, unfortunately some collateral damage may happen, but they use that against us, which is crazy, it's totally crazy. israelis will do everything we can to try to bring hostages home, if there are civilians helping them, the residents of gaza are taking the risk of their lives. share residents of gaza are taking the risk of their lives.— residents of gaza are taking the risk of their lives. are you saying then that you _ risk of their lives. are you saying then that you had _ risk of their lives. are you saying then that you had intel— then that you had intel that civilians we

yes, and hamas have — central gaza hospital. yes, and hamas have released - central gaza hospital.ntral gaza hospital. yes, and hamas have released a larger. central gaza hospital. yes, and - hamas have released a larger figure hamas have released a largerfigure than earlier today. bring us up—to—date without. than earlier today. bring us up-to-date without.- than earlier today. bring us up-to-date without. yes, the latest fi . ure up-to-date without. yes, the latest figure from — up-to-date without. yes, the latest figure from hamas _ up-to-date without. yes, the latest figure from hamas media _ up-to-date without. yes, the latest figure from hamas media office - up-to-date without. yes, the latest figure from hamas media office is l figure from hamas media office is 210 people killed and hundreds injured. that for the moment, i think we have to take with a little bit of caution. israeli officials said it was less than 100 people killed in their view. certainly, though, we have seen from the hospital there awful pictures of children and women being brought in and on the streets we

all had been taken by hamas during the attack last october.aths are not known — here's how the israeli military spokesman, daniel hagari, ..(tx confirmed the news. today, we shared the devastating news with the families of 85—year—old amiram cooper, one of the founders of kibbutz nir oz, 80—year—old chaim peri from kibbutz nir oz, 80—year—old yoram metzger kibbutz nir oz, and 51—year—old israeli and british citizen nadav popplewell from kibbutz nirim — that their loved ones were killed a few months ago during hamas activity in gaza, and their bodies are still being held by hamas. we assess that the four of them were killed together in the area of khan younis during our operation there against hamas. the information we confirmed by the relevant bodies after assessing new intelligence that we gathered over the last few weeks. the hostages families forum, which speaks on behalf of many of the relatives and friends of the people who were kidnapped by hamas last october, has released a statement. it says it feels great sorrow at the devastating new

hamas have to go. hamas can't be trusted with the powers of government because that is what they will do, they will build a terrorist army, they will infiltrate into israel and abduct partygoers from the nova party and hold them hostage in places like apartment buildings. >> martha: again, colonel, we are all grateful the hostages are safe, but just one final question. would you carry out a similar rescue mission to get the other 116 hostages, no matter the cost to civilians in gaza? >> there can be a rescue mission like what happened yesterday, but there could also be negotiations that create the opportunity. our role is to create the conditions either way that hamas realize that they should give back the hostages, they should set the hostages free. we would not have to be at war at all with hamas and the war can be over today if hamas let's the hostages free. is that too much to ask? >> martha: we appreciate your time this morning. thank you. >> good day. >> martha: i'm joined now by white house nati

that will not bring an enduring defeat of hamas. that will not bring israel lasting security but a comprehensive approach, which starts with this deal, will bring hostages home and will lead to more secure israel and once a cease-fire and hostage deal are concluded, it unlocks the possibility of a great deal more progress including calm along israel's northern border with lebanon. the united states will help forge a diplomatic resolution, one that ensures israel's security and allows people to safely return to their home without fear of being attacked. with a deal, the rebuilding of gaza will begin. arab nations and the international community along with palestinian and israeli leaders to get it done in a manner that does not allow hamas to rearm. the united states will work with our partners to rebuild homes, schools and hospitals in gaza. to help repair communities that were destroyed in the chaos of war. with this deal, israel could become more deeply integrated in the region -- including -- it's no surprise to you all including

he has not destroyed hamas. the u.s. says hamas is no longer capable of carrying out the kind of attack it did on the seventh of october. but israeli's living here by the gaza border say they still don't feel safe. this is the last time she saw her neighborhood. trapped in her home by the gaza border as hamas a gunman ran through the streets. she and her three children fled to jerusalem the next day. cease-fire now, she says, will not be enough to send them home. >> a few years from now, you will be the next hostages. you will be the next people who get murdered, women who are raped, this will happen again. the cease-fire will kill us. lucy: ending this conflict rests with the leaders of israel and thomas. locked in a war for their own survival. lucy williamson, bbc news. sumi: for more perspective, i spoke to someone who served as israel's ambassador to the u.s. in the 1990's. there has been a back-and-forth over whether president biden accurately described this cease-fire agreement that is on the table. israeli officia

this proposal has transmitted by qatar to hamas. today i want to lay out its terms for an american citizen -- for the american citizens and for the world. this new proposal has three phases, three. the first phase would last for six weeks. here is what it would include. a full and complete cease-fire. a withdrawal o from all populated areas of gaz release of a number of hostages including women, the elderly, the wounded and an exchange release of hundreds of lestinian prisoners. there are american hoages who would be released at this stage. we want them home. additional some remains of host who have been killed would be returned to their families bring some degree o closure to their terrible grief. palestinian civilians would return to their homes. and neighborhoods and all areas of gaza including in the north. humanitarian assistance would surge with 600 trucks carrying aid into gaza every single day. with a cease-fire, that aid could be safely and effectively distributed to all who need it. hundreds of thousands of temporary shelt

why were they complicit with hamas? we don't know they were necessarily complicit with hamas.lties incurred, there are reports of women and children among the dead. it is appearing to be a high civilian death toll. would there have been a warning to those civilians for them to get out on time? sure, of course, we cannot anticipate israel to be warning ahead of a grade two save hostages. because then the terrorists would kill the hostages, that would defeat the purpose. we do not know for certain that all of the people who died today were directly related to the effort to hold israeli civilians in gaza for eight months. there was a significant firefight according to testimony of israeli soldiers. there were rpgs, heavy fire, grenades being thrown, and we cannot rule out some of the alleged palestinian casualties were the result of reckless palestinian fire. it may have been israeli fire, but we don't know. the most important thing here, ithink, again, just like we saw in rafah three months ago, israeli civilians were held hostage by palestinian civilians. hamas gunmen guarding

irshad member of hamas also referring to the plan proposed by egypt and qatar last month , which hamas rejected. saeed and the zionist regime opposed it, saying that in that plan, the all -round retreat of the zionists was emphasized in the first step , but in the plan proposed by biden, there is no such retreat. us president biden hosted mr. khaled qadoumi, the representative of the palestinian islamic resistance movement, hamas, in iran for a ceasefire and exchange of prisoners. mr. qadoumi, hello, welcome to the world today. thank you. salam alaikum. greetings and respect to you and dear viewers. we want to talk about the ceasefire tonight . there are many uncertainties. these uncertainties have increased even more in the past days. first of all , where do you think this initiative came from? joe biden's action was because he is getting close to the election and now he wants to impose an agreement on netanyahu to save himself. or not biden it was just a means to express netanyahu's plan to get out of the swamp. in the name of allah, the merciful, the most merciful, i thank you. you

victory for hamas.pulate the withdrawal of hamas, as we discussed earlier in the conflict. if hamas remains in gaza, it well that real, it will continue at the attacks such as we saw before october 7— rocket attacks, smaller terrorist attacks, and hamas leadership said we will repeat 0ctober and hamas leadership said we will repeat october 7.— and hamas leadership said we will repeat october 7. let's 'ust go back to our repeat october 7. let's 'ust go back to your point that h repeat october 7. let's 'ust go back to your point that this _ repeat october 7. let'sjust go back to your point that this would - repeat october 7. let'sjust go back to your point that this would be - repeat october 7. let'sjust go back to your point that this would be a l to your point that this would be a good dealfor to your point that this would be a good deal for hamas and to your point that this would be a good dealfor hamas and not to your point that this would be a good deal for hamas and not for israel. as i say that, we

if hamas are the best people to choose from, they will stick with hamas.hey really the best option?— the best option? this is an excellent _ the best option? this is an excellent question - the best option? this is an excellent question and - the best option? this is an excellent question and my| the best option? this is an - excellent question and my answer to you is that we would have had much better leadership if we were allowed as people to practice our right to democratic elections. who stood against our elections in 2021? israel. who did not support our free democratic elections, is united states of america. why don't they allow us to elect our leaders as everybody has allowed us —— is allowed to do. we need democracy and the right to choose our leaders. israel and the us has no right to impose on us leaders or collaborators that would sustain the israeli military occupation of gaza which should not continue, it has to stop. the end of occupation is the way to get to peace and democracy and prosperity for everybody. let me brin: ou a and prosperity f

what was hamas doing holding the hostages there? >> that's what hamas does.population. there were hostages kept amongst the civilian population. it's a refugee camp, barely any spaces between homes, and it's impossible to imagine that the neighbors to the house where the hostages were kept did not know that something was going on. but they're also very afraid to take any action against hamas, and to speak out because people who have done that have ended up getting killed by hamas. >> why would they do that, put these hostages amongst the civilians, knowing if the israelis figured out where they were, it would result in something just like what happened? >> well, they thought it would deter the israelis from trying to get in there, if it's a densely populated areas, it would be difficult for the israelis to conduct a military raid, and what we saw was they did conduct a military raid in a densely populated area and a lot of people got killed. we don't know from the hamas published figures how many were combatants. we know that the israeli troops were shot at w

i don't think they are advocating for hamas specifically, but there seems t exactly what hamas standsike you said, lgbtq rights and otheissues that progressives care a lot about. having lived over th and being into gaza a number of times, it such a complex situation over there i don't blame people here for not understanding all of the ins and outs, it's complicated on the ground, but even something as basic as where hamas stands on the issprogressives it is rey important. i think it is a part of■g why there is so much frustration over the support of hamas and a blurring of lines between hamas and the governing entity in gaza and the armed wingst launched these attacks on israel on october 7 and the palestinian people in general. just because some members affiliated with hamas are holding hostages, does that mean that everyone in gaza thinks it's a great idea? remember that they are living under a progressive government that hasn't held elections since 2006 and they are sealed into a tiny territory and it's difficult to get in andyk out, even as a western journalist. so you cannot say

and in hamas captivity, right?> and again, we can't confirm those numbers that they have given us out of gaza and they don't they do not break down civilian since versus militants in those numbers. so important to keep in mind when we are talking about those numbers and mr. ambassador, you talked about the joy for the people of israel that it was a joyful moment in about eight months that have been very those have been far, few and far between for them as that nation has mourned so much since october we're seventh. >> i do want to ask you more broadly what today's operation, if at all, what does it mean more broadly for the conflict and for those negotiations that continue to be ongoing for a potential deal, certainly. i'm not a spokesman for the government. i'm not an office, but i think i reflect a lot of israeli opinion in saying israelis would be willing to agree to a temporary ceasefire, six weeks and return for the release of say, 33 hostages. that's the deal that israel put on the table that president biden

, that is, the two parties that this plan is supposed to reconcile, so far neither israel nor hamas.this plan was not accepted in its entirety, benjamin netanyahu is allegedly giving signals that he is serious about this plan and is ready to accept it, of course he acts under considerable pressure, and not only from the united states, but also from other international partners, but he has never once articulated clearly that he agrees to a complete ceasefire and an end. a military operation in gaza, this is what hamas demands, they demand to achieve all the previous intermediate steps, everything starts with the formation of a temporary suspension of the ceasefire, then the release of one batch of hostages, then there are other steps, but everything rests on the fact that hamas does not believe that israel is ready for... complete cessation hostilities, he believes that israel will agree to a temporary ceasefire to release the hostages and then continue the war, hamas seems to be right about this, perhaps this is what benjamin netanyahu has in mind, but he did not say clearly, what ex

hamas, but we see that hamas itself continues to occupy a rather serious position in the gaza sector,en after such a long time of war, well, how much can we talk about an absolutely unprecedented period, today is the 247th day, hamas actually has intact battalions, here under during this raid to release the hostages, it was said that there was a hamas battalion in this city that was completely unscathed by the previous hostilities, then what time do you need? for the real liquidation of havasa, how is such a liquidation even possible? in this settlement, in this refugee camp, the israel defense forces actually did not enter seriously yet, and so there are combat units of hamas, as well as in many other parts of the gaza strip, according to preliminary estimates, maybe 50%, maybe a little.. . less than the quantitative composition of hamas retains the ability to continue combat operations, and this means that in 8 months, well , only a little more than half of the entire potential of hamas was destroyed, this means that this war can continue at this rate, at least until the end of this

. >> it is hamas. who everyone is waiting on. that is who the palestinians in gaza are waiting on, who the israelis are waiting on, who the hostages and hostage families are waiting on, it is the entire region and the entire world is waiting on. so we will see. does hamas want to end th conflict, and this war that it started? we'll find out. but it's clear virtually the entire world has come together in support of the proposal. the only open question is, will hamas say yes? caitriona: that plan announced by president biden 10 days ago begins with a six week cease-fire, where israeli forces would withdraw from gaza and hamas would release all remaining hostages in gaza in exchange for palestinian prisoners. it also puts in place a plan to rebuild guys with international assistance. washington says that israel has approved the three phased plan, but promised her netanyahu's government has largely stuck to its position it only agrees to temporary pauses until it achieves its ultimate goalf defeating hamas

they were taken by hamas, kidnapped from the nova festival last october.mani's father to an israeli tv channel showed the 25—year—old woman being taken away on the back of a motorbike. she was screaming, "don't kill me, don't kill me". but we have seen new footage today of noa argamani being reunited with her father. footage today of noa argamani being reunited with herfather. she footage today of noa argamani being reunited with her father. she was smiling and embracing him. it was a short video clip that was released. i think we can show it to you now. there it is on the left—hand side of your screen. after all that time in captivity, the relief of her father being able to welcome her home, and that clip was broadcastjust shortly after news of the rescue operation had been made public. we know a little bit more detail about some of the other hostages who have been released as well. andrei kozlov who is a russian who moved to israel two years ago, had been working as a security guard at the festival, and almog meirjan had tried to flee the festival. he ha

hamas is simply not in a hurry to reach this deal. minister of israel is not in a hurry to reach a comprehensive deal. that leaves the biden administration. it is not a good position for a mediator to bn because it reflects a certain amount of desperation, which sends signals to each side that they are willing to raise the price. caitriona: but it is not the biden administration who will ultimately make the move, it has to be those two sides. where do we go from here from what you are saying? >> i think you have to take a look at what hamas is combating. it is going to be conditional, and there are going to be demands for guarantees on at least two or three elements, which i do not think this government of israel, or probably even the previous one which had the participation of benny gantz in the war cabinet, one is an insurance that israeli forces will withdraw from gaza. a second that this deal, if you accept it, would constitute a permanent cessation of hostilities. we are talking about war termination. number three, that this is n

report accusing its forces and hamas of committing war crimes.ian warships stop in cuba ahead of planned military exercises. hello and welcome to world news america. i am caitrÍona perry. we start in the middle east, where cease-fire talks hang in the balance with hamas and israel yet to formally approve the latest proposal. u.s. secretary of state antony blinken urged both parties to the table as he wrapped up his latest diplomatic push in the region. mr. blinken criticized hamas for requesting changes to the terms but the group pointed the blame at the u.s., saying its position remains the same. hamas is demanding full israeli withdrawal and a permane end to the war, while israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until israel's aims are achieved. despite their differences, mr. blinken says international mediators are determined to bridge those gaps. here is america's top diplomat speaking before he left qatar. >> a deal was on the table that was virtually identical to a proposal that hamas put forward on may 6. th

israel, but also vis-a-vis hame— israel, but also vis-a-vis hamas. ~ , ., ., hamas.mas. we saw vision of the raids leading to _ hamas. we saw vision of the raids leading to those - hamas. we saw vision of the l raids leading to those hostage and, as you said, benny gantz has left the war cabinet. what impact does it actually have on prime minister netanyahu? does it mean that he is more beholden to the right—wing forces in his government? fin forces in his government? on the forces in his government? 0? the margins yes —— forces in his government? (m the margins yes —— margins, yes. but he has support from minister lapid, who said he and his party would support netanyahu if netanyahu went along with the ceasefire. and thus, netanyahu — even if the two very—right—wing ministers in the parties pulled out of the 64 out of 120 knesset—member coalition, netanyahu knesset—member coalition, neta nyahu could stay knesset—member coalition, netanyahu could stay in power. so i think, all in all, we're in the potential endgame. the key will be — what's in those negotiations for t

jonathan, we do not know— complicit with hamas?t know that _ complicit with hamas? jonathan, we do not know that they - complicit with hamas? jonathan, we do not know that they were . we do not know that they were necessarily complicit. all of the casualties incurred, there are reports of women, of children who are among the dead. it appears to be a high civilian death toll. would there have been a warning to those civilians to get out on time? ~ .., ., those civilians to get out on time? ., ., . time? we cannot anticipate israel to be _ time? we cannot anticipate israel to be warning - time? we cannot anticipate israel to be warning aheadl time? we cannot anticipate | israel to be warning ahead of time? we cannot anticipate i israel to be warning ahead of a raid to extract or save hostages because then what the terrorists will do is kill the hostages and that would defeat the purpose. of course we cannot expect that. yes, i agree with you that we do not know for certain that all of the people who may have died today were directly

the minds of hamas or its leaders. so we don't know what the answer will be. >> but wall in egypt, blinken also said that his egyptian counterparts had been in touch with hamas quite recently. >> i can't go into the details of our conversations today except to say that artists in counterparts were in communication with hamas as early, as recently as a few hours ago now, during his meeting with prime minister benjamin netanyahu today, secretary of state antony blinken, ria there are rated that the united states and other world leaders stand by that comprehensive proposal that president biden laid out ten days ago, and they say that israel has put on the table people for hamas to accept. >> but so long as this period of uncertainty is extended, as us and other countries are waiting for hamas to respond to that proposal. the united states is concerned about the possibility of netanyahu changing his mind and deciding to reject that proposal, even though he signed off on it before it initially finally went to hamas joining

is waiting for hamas to respond, which is supposed to be related by qatar.tors are meeting their. -- there. we do not know if we will get a clean yes from hamas, or if we will get a no, we do not know. the administration i think feels that the president's speech was an effort to try to begin the process of hostage release, prisoner exchanges. that will ultimately lead in a withdrawal but the actual withdrawal date would have to be negotiated on israeli conditions and american conditions and hamas so the u.s. just wants to get the process started, get the six week pause going. you can use thatime to give it to riyadh, where the administration believes there is a great deal to be done. but there is worry that if things get bogged down in a lot of details that the parties will never agree because it is a zero-sum. >> let me ask you about the israeli side. the prime minister was already under pressure to present a plan for ending the war. do you get a sense which way he is leaning on this proposal? >> right now i think he would be happy to put the ball in hamas

the military capacity of hamas is a result of israel's military actions.at the events of october 7 has been eliminated. it is essential now that the work come to a close. come to a close in a manner which produces the release of all of the hostages, those remaining alive and the remains of those who have passed. that the ability to reconstruct and establish a gaza under a different type of governance than that of hamas be launched. this is going to be a very difficult effort. it is complex. it will require support from the entire international community, but it has to start. the terms under which such a start could begin the president laid out. caitriona: what do you think are the potential sticking points in led the president laid out. he called on negotiators who have the power to make adjustments as need. >> the first requirement is of course that hamas agreed to the deal. many of the elements contained in what the president outlined our positions that have already been expressed by hamas receiving negotiatis that they have withdrawn from. if hamas can

it is not an authority or institution of hamas. before this, the american president did not mention this issue in the details of his proposed ceasefire plan. john kirby , the strategic communications coordinator of the american national security council, also said about this: biden's proposed plan accurately reflects israel's proposal and the result of the joint work of washington and tel aviv. however , in response to this plan, the prime minister of the zionist regime claimed that biden's conditions for the ceasefire are not approved by tel aviv and do not meet the goals and demands of israel. netanyahu said that tel aviv cannot accept the cessation of war. hamas too he announced that he is reviewing this plan. in biden's plan, the condition of the complete withdrawal of the zionist forces in the first phase of the agreement, which was in the previous proposals , has been removed in favor of the zionist regime, according to some arab world analysts. in the end, by accepting biden's plan to release some of his prisoners, but viola

they threatened to kick out the hamas leadership.ed to get rid of the leadership. there are terrorists hiding in tunnels are prepared today and prepared to sacrifice their own people and they will continue to push as hard as they can. i do not think that will ever say we will not try anymore but i do not think they have any cards left. always great to have you on bbc news. thank you forjoining us again tonight. ukraine's far east has come under intense russian bombardment over the last few months. but now, the mayor of kharkiv says there have been fewer russian attacks ever since the us allowed ukraine to strike targets across the border using american weapons. it comes as president volodymyr zelensky is in germany to appeal for more support to protect ukrainian cities hoping to encourage european nations to invest in the country's post—war reconstruction. 0ur damien mcguinness has more details on mr zelensky�*s push for recovery efforts in berlin. thousands of delegates from all over the world were in berlin to plan the reconstructi

yes, but i think hamas have already indicated a - hamas have already indicated a positive — hamas havea good change. this remind us of what is on the table _ change. this remind us of what is on the table is — change. this remind us of what is on the table is a — change. this remind us of what is on the table is a rehash of what has been on — the table is a rehash of what has been on offer for several months, and it— been on offer for several months, and it went — been on offer for several months, and it went nowhere, and my hope would _ and it went nowhere, and my hope would be, — and it went nowhere, and my hope would be, yes maybe this will be a breakthrough, but my suspicion is that because of the obstacles part of which _ that because of the obstacles part of which you outlined already, we will go _ of which you outlined already, we will go nowhere. and that is composition isjust a distraction again— composition isjust a distraction again of— composition isjust a distraction again of the reality of what is happening on the ground in gaza. joe happening on the ground in gaza. jim r