Transcripts For BBCNEWS Verified 20240703

Being held in gaza. A third convoy of more than a dozen aid trucks is at the Rafah Crossing from egypt, waiting for permission to head into gaza. The head of the Main Un Agency Helping Palestinians in gaza says hundreds of truckloads of aid are needed every day, rather the few dozen which have been allowed in so far. The agency has called forfuel to be allowed in, with only a minimal supply left for hospitals, Water Desalination Plants and bakeries. Israel says its not permitting Fuel Deliveries because they could be commandeered by hamas. The Hamas Run Health Ministry in gaza says the israeli bombardment of gaza has killed more than 5,000 people, including 2,000 children. Attacks by hamas on israel this month killed more 1,400 people. Lets get more now from our chief International Correspondent lyse doucet, whos in southern israel. This is day 17 of the Israel Gaza War and israels Defence Minister has made it absolutely clear that this Military Operation could last as long as three months. Weve been getting more details in recent days from the Idf Spokesperson making it clear that at this stage of the Military Operations against gaza that they are using air strikes, intensifying air strikes, they say they are targeting hamas infrastructure and a senior hamas political and military leaders. They say they are targeting hamas infrastructure and a senior hamas political and military leaders. They said that overnight they hit some 320 targets, but reports from inside the gaza strip from palestinians say that Civilian Homes are being hit without warning. As the death toll there continues to rise. As we have been reporting, more than 5000 now killed in the israeli retaliatory air strikes. Killed in the israeli retaliatory airstrikes. Israel says killed in the israeli retaliatory air strikes. Israel says it has also been carrying out limited night raids in search for hamas infrastructure as well as more details about what are now said to be 222 hostages including israelis and many from some 30 other nationalities. Anxiety is growing about their fate. We look at all of thoseissues about their fate. We look at all of those issues in this programme. First this report from wyre davies under the latest developments, and i should warn you that you may find some of the images in his report distressing. Its a part of gaza where people should have felt relatively safe. The southern part of the strip is where israel had ordered more than a million palestinians to flee, away from their targets in the north. But last night was the worst so far in the town of khan younis. Israel reserving its right to pursue hamas targets anywhere, with devastating consequences for civilians. Nowhere is safe really in gaza and we also noticed people who were in the south, evacuated and walked to the south and they are going back to the north because they had nowhere else to go because the shelters are overwhelmed. Dima lost 13 members of her immediate family. Her surviving siblings traumatised. Translation when we moved to khan younis with my family, | there were 17 of us. Then we became four. I cant understand howjust the four of us will live and how we will return to our home in gaza city after 17 of us used to live together. Also stuck in the south, stephanie and her young family from blackpool. They moved to gaza a year ago, now caught up in a war they didnt bargain for. We have experienced bombing and planes flying over us and buildings destroyed, all sorts of horrible things. Its not been a good experience. The un has helped organised two consecutive days of around 20 trucks crossing gazas border with egypt. Hopefully another today carrying basic medicines and food aid. But a lot less than the 500 daily trucks the un says are needed. After more than a fortnight of bombing that has reduced parts of gaza to rubble, israels army is ready for the next stage, the anticipated land invasion of gaza to completely eliminate hamas as a future threat to israel. Translation we are using all the Time Available to us to improve our readiness and our ability to carry out the Ground Manoeuvre in the best possible way. Israels allies support its right to self defence but Global Leaders coming here emphasised the need for restraint, concerned about the wider regional conflict. And while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not want to seem indecisive over his vow to crush hamas, he does have other considerations. With more than 200 israeli and International Hostages being held by hamas in gaza, some of their relatives want the Israeli Government to make a deal. Americas president biden, whose Opinion Matters in israel, has also called the release of hostages his highest priority. Trapped on a tiny sliver of land between the border and the sea, the fate of the hostages and gazas 2. 1 million residents hangs in the balance, dependent on what israel and also what hamas does next. Wyre davies, bbc news, jerusalem. More details continue to emerge about the horrific events of October The 7th. The family of Yosef Gedalia has confirmed he is the 11th british israeli to have been killed by hamas during the attack on israel just over two weeks ago. The 22 year old was a soldier in an israeli anti terror unit, sent to the kibbutz kfar aza on October The 7th to confront hamas gunmen there. His family said he was a hero who managed to save several people before being shot. He was about to celebrate his first wedding anniversary. Every day that passes, we get more details about other foreign nationals and dual nationals caught up nationals and dual nationals caught up in this crisis. 0ur Diplomatic Correspondent paul adams is injerusalem for us now. The 11th british israeli killed in the hamas attacks of October The 7th. So many nationalities, which is another unprecedented aspect of this gaza israel war. Gaza israelwar. Yes, absolutely, dozens of gaza israelwar. Yes, absolutely, dozens of countries, gaza israelwar. Yes, absolutely, dozens of countries, think gaza israelwar. Yes, absolutely, dozens of countries, think but. Gaza israelwar. Yes, absolutely, dozens of countries, think but among those who were killed in October The 7th and also among those who are missing. And on the latter, on the hostages being held in gaza we are getting a little bit of fresh information. We saw the release a few days ago of the first two hostages, two women, its nationals, now were hearing from our in gaza the negotiations, and im just going to read this to make sure to make any mistakes, negotiations to release more hostages have entered a serious stage according to sources in gaza and their intensive focus to the qatari mediators, and with the United States in order to build on the release of the two americans. And it is thought that the negotiations at the moment could involve 50 foreign, dual nationals being held inside the gaza strip. We dont know what stage those negotiations are at but the fact that this information is leaking out to suggest that there is some pretty intense work going on behind the scenes to try and get as many of those hostages out, particularly foreign nationals, particularly perhaps women and children, before israel decides to act decisively and send its troops in on the ground. Huge relief for the anguished families who of course saw that glimmer of hope on friday when a mother and daughter were released, yet Benjamin Netanyahu welcoming freedom for some of the hostages, also criticising hamas for he says trying to buy time, cynically using it to try to delay attacks by israel. ~ ,. ,. ,. , it to try to delay attacks by israel. ~ ,. ,. , israel. Absolutely, and of course, that is precisely israel. Absolutely, and of course, that is precisely what israel. Absolutely, and of course, that is precisely what they israel. Absolutely, and of course, that is precisely what they are that is precisely what they are doing. A couple of days ago there was a strange moment for about an hour or so the evening when we thought that hamas was poised to release two more hostages and in fact, the statement came out saying they had offered israel the release of two hostages only for israel to refuse. Fl, i have to say, like mind games are behalf of hamas, nothing came of it, but there they are, they have 220 or so hostages in their hands, they know that is an incredibly useful set of bargaining chips, to put it bluntly, they want to try and exploit than to make as much as they can of it. I would also add that 220 hostages is an awful lot of people to be holding and looking after at a time when you are being pummelled from the air and you are facing the very real prospect of an imminent ground invasion. So hamas may want to try and get rid of some of those hostages, it may be quite keen to see some kind of deal done to release some of those so that it has, frankly, and again it sounds awful and cynical, a more manageable number of people in its hands. We were not privy to much of the discussions surrounding any of this, unsurprisingly, but it wouldnt surprise anyone if we do see in the coming days further hostage releases. See in the coming days further hostage releases. See in the coming days further hostaue releases. ~ ,. , ~. , hostage releases. Thank you. And of course when hostage releases. Thank you. And of course when we hostage releases. Thank you. And of course when we got hostage releases. Thank you. And of course when we got the hostage releases. Thank you. And of course when we got the partial hostage releases. Thank you. And of course when we got the partial list i course when we got the partial list of the hostages, 20 of them at least under 18 including a nine month old baby. Thank you forjoining us from jerusalem. Lets cross now to the gaza strip. Before i asked what the un keeps calling a humanitarian catastrophe, which you yourself are living through, first a question about hostages, what are you hearing they are about any new movements towards releasing more . What they are about any new movements towards releasing more . They are about any new movements towards releasing more . What i can sa at this towards releasing more . What i can say at this stage. Towards releasing more . What i can say at this stage, quoting towards releasing more . What i can say at this stage, quoting a towards releasing more . What i can say at this stage, quoting a senior. Say at this stage, quoting a Senior Palestinian officials in doha, who has been in contact with hamas, he said the negotiations are taking serious steps, he said that there has been a lot of talks, the qataris were in contact with hamas and the americans, there were the two americans, there were the two american hostages who were released a couple of days ago, they will release as many as 50, i understand hamas is happy to release them, they said that they were happy to release all of the civilians, people who are foreigners and multinationals. In order to do this, they would need people working on the ground and hamas was not quite happy with the last release process because it was risky, it was under fire and it was not guaranteed that it could happen. What hamas need, they need a ceasefire in some shape or form, whether it is a humanitarian or sustainable or long term, they want to be able to go and try to offer some sort of road to move those 50 people. And releasing two hostages in one car isnt the same as releasing 50 people, this is a large group of people and it has to be involved with many people working on securing and transporting them, and this needs a ceasefire which hamas told the source that told me that israel until now is rejecting the idea of any sort of ceasefire. I have to say that for the last half an hour or so, have to say that for the last half an hour orso, i cant have to say that for the last half an hour or so, i cant hear any drones in the sky, im not aware of any air strikes over the last half any air strikes over the last half an hour. Exactly when they released the two american hostages last time there was about four hours of pause, and an announcement by an official that there was a halt to the fighting, for about four hours during the releasing. The source says it is the work of about a week and they are sent from the dual nationals and foreigners are guests of hamas and they are considered as hostages, but they said, we need a real calm, so that our people can do theirjob and facilitate their release. It theirjob and facilitate their release. ,. , theirjob and facilitate their release. ,. ,. , theirjob and facilitate their release. ,. , release. It is something we had so many others release. It is something we had so many others will release. It is something we had so many others will follow release. It is something we had so many others will follow closely, i release. It is something we had sol many others will follow closely, but thank you very much for updating us from khan younis. Do stay safe, thank you very much forjoining us. This is not a calm time, including all the Israeli Borders on the north where there have been daily skirmishes with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia on the other side of the border, attention has been increasing there and in recent days israel has evacuated dozens of communities along the north, worried that a second front could be opened by hezbollah and its ally iran. In fact the israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night warned hezbollah in iran not to make any moves. 0ur correspondent hugo bachega is in Southern Lebanon for us now. What kind of a day has it been on that side . A lot Military Activity today . That side . A lot Military Activity toda . ~ � , that side . A lot Military Activity toda . ~ � ,. ,. , that side . A lot Military Activity toda . ~ � ,. ,. , today . Well, its been another day of re orts today . Well, its been another day of reports of today . Well, its been another day of reports of intense today . Well, its been another day of reports of intense fighting today . Well, its been another dayj of reports of intense fighting along the border. This has been the reality here for days now. These cross border attacks between groups here in Southern Lebanon including hezbollah and the israeli military. Those attacks have intensified in recent days although the violence has been contained, we havent seen an escalation of fighting here. But this morning we visited some villages along the border and people have left. 0ne village was completely deserted because people are concerned, many of them still remember the devastation brought by the 2006 war between israel and hezbollah. And all eyes here in this country are on hezbollah, which is this powerful military social Political Movement that is supported by iran, it is considered a Terrorist Organisation by the uk and the us and other countries. So hezbollah has been behind most of the attacks that have been carried out from South Lebanon targeting israeli positions, and israeli authorities have been warning for days but only hezbollah but also iran against any kind of major escalation here, last night the israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the israelis would go ahead with a very harsh response, i think he said this would be of unimaginable magnitude if hezbollah escalated the situation here. So tensions are high, there attacks continue but so far the violence he has been contained. find violence he has been contained. And of course, violence he has been contained. And of course. Its violence he has been contained. And of course, its notjust iranian allies and hezbollah, there are allies and hezbollah, there are allies and hezbollah, there are allies and proxies in and also in yemen. So iran has many levers in this fight. Yemen. So iran has many levers in this fiuht. , , this fight. Exactly, this is the socalled this fight. Exactly, this is the socalled resistance this fight. Exactly, this is the socalled resistance front. I this fight. Exactly, this is the l socalled resistance front. Iran so called resistance front. Iran supports hezbollah, this is perhaps the most Important Group of this front, but iran also supports groups in syria which borders israel. Iraq, yemen. In the last few days they have been a number of incidents in these countries, us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken said that the Biden Administration expects that there could be an escalation of attacks targeting american troops and american bases and american interests in those countries, so we are talking about the situation here along the lebanese Israeli Border but tensions are high across the region. But tensions are high across the reuion. ,. , ~ i. But tensions are high across the reuion. ,. ,. ,. ,. , region. Shuko, thank you again for oininu region. Shuko, thank you again for joining us region. Shuko, thank you again for joining us in region. Shuko, thank you again for joining us in a region. Shuko, thank you again for joining us. In a moment region. Shuko, thank you again for joining us. In a moment we region. Shuko, thank you again for joining us. In a moment we will. Region. Shuko, thank you again for joining us. In a moment we will bej joining us. In a moment we will be speaking with the un Assistant Secretary General, appointed recently as the new humanitarian coordinator for the territory. Stay with us, we will be back. Around the world and across the uk. This is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. A man has been arrested in connection with a huge fire that caused the partial collapse of a Multi Storey Car Park at Luton Airport this month. Bedfordshire police said the 30 year old was detained on suspicion of criminal damage as a precautionary measure, and that investigations had so far suggested the fire was started accidentally. Hes since been released on bail. A charity that helps victims of modern slavery says its received a steep rise in the number of calls for help from Foreign Workers in the care sector. Unseen uk says many reported paying large sums of money to the people whod brought them to the uk and that in some cases their passports had been taken. A Lottery Winner who spent some of his jackpot on a new pool table is now preparing to represent england in the sport. Neiljones, from stoke on trent, won £2. 11 million on the National Lottery in 2010 and one of his first purchases was a pool table. He gave up his job as a tiler and devoted more time to practice. He will now represent england at the european pool championships. Youre live with bbc news. Muna turn out to these two set in israel. Ever since this writer there have been a chorus of voices from the un and charities, as well as charities the world over. Many of them working or struggling to work in the gaza strip, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, warning of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding under intense israeli bombardment. Lets now speak to Assistant Secretary General lynne hastings, Un Humanitarian Co ordinator in the occupied territories. Thank you very much forjoining us. First of all, the convoys have started moving through the Rafah Crossing from egypt into gaza, a third today. How significant is the aide coming in now . It is third today. How significant is the aide coming in now . Aide coming in now . It is a good start. Aide coming in now . It is a good start itut aide coming in now . It is a good start. But thats aide coming in now . It is a good start. But thats exactly aide coming in now . It is a good start. But thats exactly what aide coming in now . It is a good start. But thats exactly what it | start. But thats exactly what it is. It is a start. So a total of about 50 trucks as well as the 20 that were supposed to go in today. So a number of other things are needed. First of all, we will need water, medicine and food, all of which are absolutely critical but what we are not getting on right now is fuel. And fuel is critical for the entire humanitarian operation to actually function. It ensures hospitals can run, that what is desalinated and most of the water available to people in gaza needs to be desalinated before you can drink it, and thirdly, once we get get the goods inside from those trucks, we need to deliver them throughout gaza so we obviously need fuel for the trucks to reach their destinations. Israel as you know has made fuel a red line, doesnt want it coming in, worried it will be diverted by hamas. Do you see any glimmer of hopein hamas. Do you see any glimmer of hope in the negotiations which must be intensive to try to find a way to make it possible to get fuel in . Irate make it possible to get fuel in . We have make it possible to get fuel in . Have been working here in gaza and bringing in risky items, fuel is one of them, if it is diverted it can be used for other purposes. We at the un have worked with the israelis for over a decade in bringing in fuel and other items and im confident that we will be able to find a way to bring it insecurely. There are already pumps inside gaza that we could bring the fuel into the un could bring the fuel into the un could access securely in order to ensure that the fuel is used for what it is intended. But ensure that the fuel is used for what it is intended. Ensure that the fuel is used for what it is intended. But it sounds like there isnt what it is intended. But it sounds like there isnt much what it is intended. But it sounds like there isnt much time, what it is intended. But it sounds like there isnt much time, the i like there isnt much time, the hospitals which are running on generator say its a matter of days before the centre will not be able to function. How fast is your Clock Ticking . To function. How fast is your clock tickin . ~. , to function. How fast is your Clock Tickina . ~. ,. , to function. How fast is your Clock Tickinu . ,. , to function. How fast is your Clock Tickina . ,. , , ticking . What you have said is ust about right. Ticking . What you have said is ust about right. We i ticking . What you have said is ust about right, we have i ticking . What you have said is ust about right, we have a i ticking . What you have said is ust about right, we have a couple h ticking . What you have said isjust about right, we have a couple of. About right, we have a couple of days left. That is operating at a very low level. So we will need a deal over the next couple of days, absolutely. The government of israel is well aware of this, we all know what is needed for this operation inside of casa. What is needed for this operation inside of casa. Many of our viewers are askin inside of casa. Many of our viewers are asking why inside of casa. Many of our viewers are asking why it inside of casa. Many of our viewers are asking why it is inside of casa. Many of our viewers are asking why it is taking inside of casa. Many of our viewers are asking why it is taking so inside of casa. Many of our viewers are asking why it is taking so long i are asking why it is taking so long to get the trucks through, what is the process that seems to be making it much slower than usual . 0f The Process that seems to be making it much slower than usual . Of course these are not a usual. These are not a usual. Exactly. New mechanisms these are not a usual. Exactly. New mechanisms are these are not a usual. Exactly. New mechanisms are being these are not a usual. Exactly. New mechanisms are being put these are not a usual. Exactly. New mechanisms are being put in these are not a usual. Exactly. Newj mechanisms are being put in place, the one that is currently being used is that goods will be driven from a place on the coast in egypt, down towards another location on the border between egypt and israel, where israel will expect the goods, and then they will be driven back up to this Border Crossing in the south of gaza called rafah and then they will be taken in. Mike israel will be taken in. Mike israel will inspect the goods. Just a round trip probably takes around five and a half hours, then there is the inspection. We really need is an operation that is at least dawn to dusk in terms of safety, we dont like to be doing stuff at night, but we need the trucks to be going on a rotating basis throughout the day. The israelis have mentioned a number of times that there is an area in the south that should be the zone where gazans should flee to and they will get International Aid there. But we have had very little from the un or other aid agencies about it, is that where gazans are going to expect to find safety and protection and the aid that so many have not got until now . The and the aid that so many have not got until now . And the aid that so many have not got until now . The United Nations intends to provide got until now . The United Nations intends to provide assistance got until now . The United Nations. Intends to provide assistance where needed, where the people are. We will not be confined in the deliveries to one location, we dont want humanitarian aid to be used as a draw to relocate people, we should be providing assistance to where people are, and that is our intention right now. That is also why we need fuel to be able to drive where it is needed. Titer . Why we need fuel to be able to drive where it is needed. Where it is needed. Very briefly, are ou where it is needed. Very briefly, are you hopeful where it is needed. Very briefly, are you hopeful that where it is needed. Very briefly, are you hopeful that way where it is needed. Very briefly, are you hopeful that way can where it is needed. Very briefly, are you hopeful that way can be | are you hopeful that way can be found to keep gazans safe and get Life Saving Aid . I found to keep gazans safe and get lifesaving aid . Found to keep gazans safe and get lifesaving aid . I am hopeful but it will not be without lifesaving aid . I am hopeful but it will not be without its lifesaving aid . I am hopeful but it will not be without its challenges. L will not be without its challenges. Ive been listening to some of your previous stories that you have been hearing about the charges, lack of assistance going on, the inability to move, the requirement to move, all of these issues, all of the concerns about hygiene, outbreak of various Waterborne Diseases and other things so im hopeful but it will take collective effort to be able to achieve this right now. Lynn hastinas, able to achieve this right now. Lynn hastings. Good able to achieve this right now. Lynn hastings, good luck able to achieve this right now. Lynn hastings, good luck with your very challenging job, thank you for joining us and thank you to our viewers for staying with us as we continue our special coverage of the Israel Gaza War. Bye for now. Good afternoon. Most of us started off our working week on a cooler quieter note welcome news. But there was some rain around and some of it fairly persistent out towards the southwest with this Weather Front. We could also see more rain moving into the southeast of england later on in the day. But that front out to the west, well, it broughtjust shy of two inches of rain injust six hours. The isles of scilly, it was a miserable start to monday morning here. Elsewhere, a few scattered showers moving their way up through wales. But its a relatively quiet day for many and in fact weve got sunshine across Northern England and for the bulk of scotland. As we go through the day, clouding over a little across england and wales, particularly down to the southeast where theres a risk of some rain arriving here to close out play. Temperatures generally around 11 to 16 degrees, a smidge above where they should be really still for this time of year. As we go through the evening and overnight, well see some rain, some of it heavy, pushing its way in areas where we dont need it across east anglia, lincolnshire, parts of the East Midlands and into yorkshire as well. And at the same time thats going to bejoined by another Weather Front moving in from the southwest. With the cloud and rain around, those temperatures will hold up into double digits, but theres more wet weather to come as we go through to tuesday. So if we look at that in a little more detail, its this Weather Front thats just pushing in off the north sea and it might bring outbreaks of rain fairly showery, but nevertheless, we do not need any more rain in these areas. And thats going to be persistently there throughout the day. To the north of that, we keep some sunshine and a drier story in scotland. To the south, therell be a few scattered showers. And again, those temperatures between 11 and 16 degrees. Wednesday will start off on a relatively quiet note with a ridge of high pressure. Its not going to last as the next Frontal System is likely to nudge in from the west as we go through the day. So itll be a quiet start, a few showers pushing in off the north sea. Some sunshine for some of us across england and wales before outbreaks of rain arrive by the end of the day on wednesday. A little bit cooler, 10 to 1a degrees on the whole. But that Weather Front will bring some wet and windy weather potentially thundery to begin with as it moves its way steadily north and east. Dont expect any change to the weather story as we move to the weekend and into next week. It stays pretty autumnal. You this is bbc news, the headlines israel. Israel intensifies its bombardment of the gaza strip, with dozens of strikes targeting the south of the territory. The british prime minster rishi sunak is expected to make a statement on israels war on gaza to the House Of Commons shortly. Well being that to you live. That is the scene currently there. Israeli forces say they have carried out limited raids inside the gaza strip as troops wait to launch a ground offensive. More trucks queue up at the Rafah Crossing from egypt to gaza, waiting for the green light to enter