this is bbc news. the headlines... the us national security adviser visits tel aviv with a warning over civilian casualties as israel continues with its bombardment. french police say they found a 17—year—old british boy who disappeared in spain six years ago. and the father, stepmother and uncle of the child who died in england pleaded not guilty to her murder. more on all of those stories but first let's look at the sports centre. the europa league group stages come to a close later and there is a reunion with an old friend for the liverpool boss. his team are in brussels. liverpool have already won their group so he and the opposing manager were born in stuttgart so a chance for a catch—up over a beer. i stuttgart so a chance for a catch-up over a beer-— over a beer. i am happy that it is auoin over a beer. i am happy that it is going well— over a beer. i am happy that it is going well from _ over a beer. i am happy that it is going well from here, _ over a beer. i am happy that it is going well from here, it - over a beer. i am happy that it is going well from here, it looks i going well from here, it looks really good and yeah, really cool. if he has a beer, we will drink it together but our plane goes after the game, i will not miss the plane for the beer. the game, i will not miss the plane for the beer-— for the beer. brighton are in action auainst for the beer. brighton are in action against marseille, _ for the beer. brighton are in action against marseille, if— for the beer. brighton are in action against marseille, if they - for the beer. brighton are in action against marseille, if they win - for the beer. brighton are in action against marseille, if they win they | against marseille, if they win they top the group and avoid the knockout phase before the last 16. west ham are through, oh draw would see them into the last 16. rangers must equal their opponents to reach their knockout stages or else they will be in the conference league. aston villa manager wants his side to top their group, villa need a draw to seal their top spot and move straight into the top 16. aberdeen can't go into the knockout stages, they have taken only three points from their five games so far. the ireland head coach has signed a new long—term contract. the irish side lost to new zealand in the quarterfinal of the world cup having gonein quarterfinal of the world cup having gone in ranks number one in the world. he has been in charge since 2019 and led ireland to a series win, and they won a grand slam earlier this year. eddiejones has admitted he felt terrible about the walk at failure of australia but said he had no guilt returning as japan boss after stepping down from his post. at a press conference he faced more questions about how and when he first made contact with a japanese rugby union. i when he first made contact with a japanese rugby union.— when he first made contact with a japanese rugby union. i don't do an interview before _ japanese rugby union. i don't do an interview before the _ japanese rugby union. i don't do an interview before the world - japanese rugby union. i don't do an interview before the world cup. - japanese rugby union. i don't do an interview before the world cup. i l interview before the world cup. i was asked by the recruitment agency to share my experiences with them on japan, and some people might have construed that as an interview. it certainly wasn't an interview. the first interview i had with japan was in december. and that is the only interview i have had. the in december. and that is the only interview i have had.— interviewl have had. the golden state warriors _ interviewl have had. the golden state warriors forward _ interviewl have had. the golden state warriors forward has - interviewl have had. the golden state warriors forward has been | state warriors forward has been suspended by the nba after striking a player in the face. he was ejected for a third time this season and 18th time in his career. the nba said it had given him a open—ended ban because of his repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts. they said that he would be required to meet league and team conditions before he is allowed to to play. this league and team conditions before he is allowed to to play.— is allowed to to play. as you know, i am not want _ is allowed to to play. as you know, i am not want to _ is allowed to to play. as you know, i am not want to apologise - is allowed to to play. as you know, i am not want to apologise for - i am not want to apologise for things i meant to do but i do apologise... because i didn't intend it in. i sailed across with my arms, i'm not a flop, i wasjust it in. i sailed across with my arms, i'm not a flop, i was just selling a call because he was grabbing me and pull me back so i spun away, unfortunately i hit him. find pull me back so i spun away, unfortunately i hit him. and a franchise _ unfortunately i hit him. and a franchise record _ unfortunately i hit him. and a franchise record 64 _ unfortunately i hit him. and a franchise record 64 points - unfortunately i hit him. and a - franchise record 64 points helped the milwaukee books outscore indiana on wednesday night. he broke the team record set in 2006. at the end of the game he had a animated discussion with others before rushing towards the away team locker room is seemingly in search of the game ball. he deserves it. that is all the sport for now. let's return to the middle east, the commissioner general of unrwa has been speaking at the global refugee forum in geneva. he outlined the extremely difficult conditions facing people in southern gaza, talk about the scale of hunger. he called for a meaningful at scale unconditional flow of aid to enter the gaza strip as well as the need for a genuine political process to end the conflict. let's talk to the director of communications for unrwa. he was talking about gaza not being habitable any more, that is an incredible assessment, isn't it? yes, this is where we are at after almost 70 days of brutal war and a very tight siege. gaza is becoming unlivable. �* ., very tight siege. gaza is becoming unlivable. �* . ., , unlivable. and added to everything we have seen _ unlivable. and added to everything we have seen over _ unlivable. and added to everything we have seen over eight _ unlivable. and added to everything we have seen over eight weeks, i unlivable. and added to everything. we have seen over eight weeks, you now have terrible weather. we have seen pictures of the rain and he was talking about the amount of people that you are trying to help in the few shelters you have. but he pointed to the vast majority being exposed to all of this. yes. pointed to the vast ma'ority being exposed to all of this._ pointed to the vast ma'ority being exposed to all of this. yes, we have 150 shelters — exposed to all of this. yes, we have 150 shelters we _ exposed to all of this. yes, we have 150 shelters we have _ exposed to all of this. yes, we have 150 shelters we have to _ exposed to all of this. yes, we have 150 shelters we have to open - exposed to all of this. yes, we have 150 shelters we have to open morel 150 shelters we have to open more and wash shelters as this war continued. though shelters are overcrowded and cannot take people any more. what is happening is people are resorting to building shacks, literally, orthose who people are resorting to building shacks, literally, or those who have cars, they are living in their cars and we have seen yesterday, because we had rain here in the region, we have seen people literally walking in flooded streets, and stuck in the mud. it gets made visible by the minute. , , , . ~ minute. only yesterday, unrwa were talkin: minute. only yesterday, unrwa were talking about — minute. only yesterday, unrwa were talking about being _ minute. only yesterday, unrwa were talking about being on _ minute. only yesterday, unrwa were talking about being on the _ minute. only yesterday, unrwa were talking about being on the brink - minute. only yesterday, unrwa were talking about being on the brink of. talking about being on the brink of collapse. tell me the latest in your thinking, what are you still able to do and what can't you do? fiur thinking, what are you still able to do and what can't you do?- do and what can't you do? our aid 0 eration do and what can't you do? our aid operation is _ do and what can't you do? our aid operation is being _ do and what can't you do? our aid operation is being focused - do and what can't you do? our aid operation is being focused only i do and what can't you do? our aid operation is being focused only in | operation is being focused only in one area which is less than one quarter of the size of the gaza strip which is near the border with egypt. we cannot access those who need us most and fulfil our duties due to restrictions imposed on the agency. people in gaza city or the north or outside that area. this is due to the heavy bombardment that continues to happen. you cannot deliver aid under air strikes. and also due to the very little supplies that we are managing to bring in. it is a combination of all these factors together.— is a combination of all these factors touether. ., ., , , ., factors together. your commissioner was talkin: factors together. your commissioner was talking about _ factors together. your commissioner was talking about a _ factors together. your commissioner was talking about a meaningful, - was talking about a meaningful, uninterrupted, un—conditionalflow uninterrupted, un—conditional flow of aid uninterrupted, un—conditionalflow of aid to get into the gaza strip. how far away are you from that description of what is needed? essen; description of what is needed? every da we aet description of what is needed? every day we get further _ description of what is needed? every day we get further away. _ description of what is needed? er day we get further away. 70 days of siege, restrictions on delivery of basics of humanitarian supplies. i mean, we met a person in gaza who said to us that all he had for his children for three days was a can of beans. it goes down to that. we don't have food, enough food to give to people, we are forced to give a bottle of water and a can of tuna to a family of six. this has to change and they need to be more flow not only of humanitarian supplies but also commercial goods so markets can restart. there is no longer market in gaza. ., , , ., restart. there is no longer market in gaza. ., ,, ., .,, in gaza. the commissioner was talkin: in gaza. the commissioner was talking about — in gaza. the commissioner was talking about unrwa _ in gaza. the commissioner was| talking about unrwa becoming in gaza. the commissioner was l talking about unrwa becoming a target in this campaign, you have lost so many colleagues, haven't you? lost so many colleagues, haven't ou? ., , ., you? 135 colleagues of mine were killed since _ you? 135 colleagues of mine were killed since the _ you? 135 colleagues of mine were killed since the war _ you? 135 colleagues of mine were killed since the war started. - you? 135 colleagues of mine were killed since the war started. we l killed since the war started. we have recorded over 150 hits on unrwa facilities which should be protected in accordance with international law. i'm sure you have seen the horrific video of one unrwa school that got blown up and directly hit. schools and facilities have quite often become a target in the war. [30 often become a target in the war. do you think the civilian infrastructure is being deliberately targeted. you referenced the school, but when you see pictures like that, are you convinced in your mind there is a deliberate targeting of civilian infra structure? quite often civilian _ civilian infra structure? quite often civilian infrastructure . civilian infra structure? quite i often civilian infrastructure has become a target, and that should not happen. every war has laws, they were put in place so they are applied and they are respected. very often in this war, these rules have not been followed. late often in this war, these rules have not been followed.— often in this war, these rules have not been followed. we have to leave it there, not been followed. we have to leave it there. but — not been followed. we have to leave it there, but thank _ not been followed. we have to leave it there, but thank you _ not been followed. we have to leave it there, but thank you for _ not been followed. we have to leave it there, but thank you for speaking l it there, but thank you for speaking to us. an extraordinary story, we have been hearing in the past few hours that french police have found a british boy who disappeared in spain six years ago. alex bassi disappeared along with his mother and grandfather while on holiday. alex was my grandmother told police that they had gone to live in a spiritual community in morocco. police said that a boy answering to that name and matching his description was brought to them on wednesday morning. let's speak to our correspondent in paris. this is an extraordinary story, tell us a little bit more about what the police and the media are saying. it is indeed, it has been confirmed that this is alex batty, it is at the end of an extraordinary tale. the boy then aged 12 went missing in 2017 in southern spain where he had gone with his mother and his grandfather. wejust gone with his mother and his grandfather. we just need to establish straightaway that his mother was not his legal guardian at that point. that had been removed from her because of something that happened before, going to a commune. in fact his grandmother, back in britain was his legal guardian. but he was taken on holiday to southern spain and then disappeared. the suspicion was clear and voiced by his legal guardian that the mother and the grandfather had taken him to morocco to rejoin a commune of some kind. there was an official warrant put out, an international search started but it led nowhere. and now six years later out of the blue walks this young man down a mountain road in southern france, in the dark morning of wednesday with a night light, a head lamp and a skateboard and a backpack, looking like a ordinary young man. he is picked up by a kindly delivery guy and for three hours they drive down through the mountains to the police station. in that period this boy tells his story. he says that for the last two years in france he has been living in a commune up in the hills, the high hills near the spanish border. but recently, he has grown to satisfied, he is unhappy with the lifestyle and he wants to get out. so a week ago he decided to put his plans into action and walked out. and he spent the last few days and nights walking down the roads until wednesday morning when he came back closer to civilisation and was met by this driver and they greet the best thing was taken to a police station where he identified himself and where he is now and will soon be returning to the uk. what and where he is now and will soon be returning to the uk.— returning to the uk. what are they sa in: returning to the uk. what are they saying about _ returning to the uk. what are they saying about the _ returning to the uk. what are they saying about the condition - returning to the uk. what are they saying about the condition he - returning to the uk. what are they saying about the condition he is i returning to the uk. what are they saying about the condition he is in| saying about the condition he is in and what happens now? he is saying about the condition he is in and what happens now? he is fine by all accounts- — and what happens now? he is fine by all accounts. there _ and what happens now? he is fine by all accounts. there was _ and what happens now? he is fine by all accounts. there was no _ and what happens now? he is fine by all accounts. there was no complaintj all accounts. there was no complaint on his part about what happened. he just said it wasn't for him. i am courting a generalist who is courting a generalist who is courting the driver, so this is second—hand, but you get the picture. everyone says he is an perfectly good health, there is no suggestion of abuse, but he wanted to get away from the community and felt he was old enough to do that. one of the most touching things in the story was how he borrowed the phone from this driver and said i have to call my grandmother, his legal guardian and sent a message to her on facebook, saint gran, i'm fine. and he's not sure if she has that message. fine. and he's not sure if she has that message-— fine. and he's not sure if she has that message. thank you for taking us throu . h that message. thank you for taking us through those _ that message. thank you for taking us through those details, _ that message. thank you for taking us through those details, an i us through those details, an incredible story and when we get more we will return to that story. around the world and across the uk. you are watching beauty news. this is bbc news. and developing story here in the uk. cctv video showing the last known movement of a woman missing in norwich has been released. 50 five—year—old gaynor lord, police say she may have entered the water. they are hoping that the video will help anyone with information to come forward. police at the scene of the search provided an update a short time ago, speaking to a reporter. our working hypothesis remains that gaynor is in the river, we are exploring other art lines, keeping an open mind. that is why you have seenin an open mind. that is why you have seen in intensive search of the river today, a specialist team from lincolnshire is also assisting so we are putting sonar equipment across the river which is quite detailed and allowing us to target divers to where we think there may be objects. equally, it is very challenging, the river is very full of water due to all the rain, full of debris, the divers can see about one foot in front of them so it is an extraordinarily challenging environment working. it is slow and methodical at the moment, working with equipment and it will take a few days to get to a position where we are content with what we have done. ~ ., ., ,, , i. we are content with what we have done. ~ ., , . ., done. what makes you convinced that she's in the waterthere _ done. what makes you convinced that she's in the waterthere are _ done. what makes you convinced that she's in the waterthere are a - done. what makes you convinced that she's in the waterthere are a number| she's in the waterthere are a number of lines of inquiry _ she's in the waterthere are a number of lines of inquiry we _ she's in the waterthere are a number of lines of inquiry we are _ she's in the waterthere are a number of lines of inquiry we are pursuing, i of lines of inquiry we are pursuing, everything we know is pointing to a high probability that gaynor went into the water. and that would be from the cctv, the limited witnesses we have available to us, and other lines of inquiry that we are pursuing about her behaviour in the lead up to the disappearance. the father, stepmotherand lead up to the disappearance. the father, stepmother and father of sara sharif have pleaded not guilty to murder. her body was found in a bunk bed in the house. herfather and his partner had left the country for pakistan. they returned in september and were charged with her murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. they denied both charges. our home affairs correspondent sent this update from the old bailey. this was a plea hearing at the old bailey, the first time that the defendants had been able to answer a plea to the charges they faced. all three of them face two charges, one is the murder of sara sharif on or about the 8th of august and the second is a more complicated charge called causing or allowing the death of a child. essentially, it amounts to an accusation that while they were living in the same house as sara sharif, they were aware of the risk, they either caused her harm or didn't prevent harm being caused to her. so they appeared in a video link from 1's field prism, they appeared side by side from belmarsh prison, each of them had two charges they faced put to them and each of them answered not guilty to charges. unrwa's father, stepmother and uncle have all denied murdering her and have all denied murdering her and have all denied causing or allowing her death. the trial is set for september next year, that is the current date although it sounds it is possible that may shift. this case will come back to the old bailey at the end of january for a further case management. that was a respondent at the old bailey. a study suggest that the decline in smoking and has stalled since the pandemic. in the years leading up to the covid outbreak the number of people smoking fell by about 5% a year. but between 2020 and 2022 the rate slowed to o.3%. one more story because new year's eve marks 100 years since the hourly tones from big were —— big ben. it started a daily tradition for the bbc. our reporter is at the palace of westminster to celebrate. it is incredible to be here in the belfry, what a stunning place, an iconic place known to millions around the world and especially to londoners. look at the view from high up in the tower. across the city as it wakes up tower. across the city as it wakes up and gets light. 96 metres high, equivalent to around 21 double—decker buses stacked on top of one another, 300 steps to get here and here is the iconic big ben bell. 13 tonnes of it which will be ringing in the new year for 2024. how are they getting on with the restoration? let's talk to ian with is the mechanic. tell us this is your everyday job. is the mechanic. tell us this is your everydayjob. it is the mechanic. tell us this is your everyday job.— is the mechanic. tell us this is your everyday job. your everyday 'ob. it is my everyday 'ob for 19 your everyday job. it is my everyday job for 19 years _ your everyday job. it is my everyday job for 19 years now. _ your everyday job. it is my everyday job for 19 years now. what - your everyday job. it is my everyday job for 19 years now. what has i your everyday job. it is my everyday job for 19 years now. what has it i job for 19 years now. what has it been like seeing _ job for 19 years now. what has it been like seeing it _ job for 19 years now. what has it been like seeing it restored? it i job for 19 years now. what has it i been like seeing it restored? it was a lot of hard — been like seeing it restored? it was a lot of hard work— been like seeing it restored? it was a lot of hard work and _ been like seeing it restored? it was a lot of hard work and the - been like seeing it restored? it was a lot of hard work and the project . a lot of hard work and the project went on longer than anybody expected, but now it is up people are starting to see how beautiful it looks again. that is wonderful to be here. ~ . , ., looks again. that is wonderful to be here. . ., , ~' ., ., here. what is it like maintaining bi ben here. what is it like maintaining big iten and _ here. what is it like maintaining big ben and the _ here. what is it like maintaining big ben and the mechanics i here. what is it like maintaining l big ben and the mechanics behind here. what is it like maintaining i big ben and the mechanics behind the clock? brute big ben and the mechanics behind the clock? ~ . . big ben and the mechanics behind the clock? ~ ., ., ., ., clock? we have an ongoing regime, we sent a clock? we have an ongoing regime, we spent a long — clock? we have an ongoing regime, we spent a long time _ clock? we have an ongoing regime, we spent a long time getting _ clock? we have an ongoing regime, we spent a long time getting it perfect i spent a long time getting it perfect oras spent a long time getting it perfect or as close as we can and now we basically look at it every single day and just make sure that it is going to be keeping time, now and for the future. is going to be keeping time, now and for the future.— for the future. is there ever a worry that — for the future. is there ever a worry that when _ for the future. is there ever a worry that when you - for the future. is there ever a worry that when you are i for the future. is there ever a i worry that when you are carrying out work like this, when you put it back together, it may not work?- work like this, when you put it back together, it may not work? there is alwa s together, it may not work? there is always that — together, it may not work? there is always that sort _ together, it may not work? there is always that sort of _ together, it may not work? there is always that sort of thought - together, it may not work? there is always that sort of thought at i together, it may not work? there is always that sort of thought at the i always that sort of thought at the beginning or right at the very end, you are thinking where do all these pieces go? we did make copious amounts of notes where every nut and bolt goes and it was wonderful. once we got it into the tower again and started working on it, put it all back together and put the pendulum, it was a wonderful feeling. singh all e es it was a wonderful feeling. singh all eyes of _ it was a wonderful feeling. singh all eyes of the _ it was a wonderful feeling. singh all eyes of the world _ it was a wonderful feeling. singh all eyes of the world on - it was a wonderful feeling. singh all eyes of the world on you i it was a wonderful feeling. singh all eyes of the world on you on l it was a wonderful feeling. singh all eyes of the world on you on new year's eve, this is an iconic moment for many, when the bells chime, tells how the privations are going? preparations started as a few months ago and we were working here yesterday. we actually broadcast live so there is an awful lot of work comes up here, imagine we have to bring up a whole studio up here and then we broadcast it to all the people who are enjoying new year's eve outside. it usually takes about four or five days to get all the equipment appear, it is doing well so far. we equipment appear, it is doing well so far. ~ . , equipment appear, it is doing well so far. . ., , ., , ., so far. we are pleased there a lift because it — so far. we are pleased there a lift because it used _ so far. we are pleased there a lift because it used to _ so far. we are pleased there a lift because it used to be _ so far. we are pleased there a lift because it used to be 300 - so far. we are pleased there a lift because it used to be 300 stares. 330 stairs but nowjust use a lift. a marvel of victorian engineering, they don't build it like that these days. back to you. two lines of breaking news. president zelensky has a surprise visit to germany, more than that in the next hour, and also all communications are down in the gaza strip as israel continues its military operations. hello there. for many parts of the uk, the weather will slowly be brightening up as we go through the afternoon with some spells of sunshine. just an odd shower here and there. had one of those near the wrexham area earlier on this morning. cross east anglia in south east england. the tail end of a weather front still bringing a few patches of drizzle. temperatures probably getting little above five or six degrees across parts of east anglia and south east england. but otherwise, the weather turning a bit milder with temperatures reaching double figures in the west. now overnight tonight will have clear skies develop across most areas of the country. it's going to be a cold night and cold enough for a few patches of frost to develop in the countryside. temperatures in the towns and cities, particularly across england and wales, getting close to freezing on into friday's forecast. pressure is building across the uk. i think there'll still be a lot of cloud across wales and southern parts of england. the best of any sunshine, east and northeast england for scotland will have outbreaks of rain developing, particularly across western areas. temperatures across the north west mild at 12 degrees, but still some of the coolest air hanging on across eastern areas of the country on into the weekend. we've got a weather front that gets stuck across the north west of scotland, bringing some very large rainfall totals to the highlands where we could see up to 175 millimetres of rain building in over the high ground. that could be enough to cause some flooding issues and maybe even one or two landslips in the mountains. otherwise, we've got south westerly winds across the uk and that will be tending to drag milder air in across our shores through the weekend. however, we'll probably still have extensive low cloud, so mist and fog patches and a bit of drizzle across western areas that lack more persistent rain effects in the highlands. a few breaks in the cloud across eastern areas of england and at times eastern scotland could see some hazy sunshine as well. but it will feel milder, temperatures around 11 to 13 degrees. now, you might see a bit more in the way of sunshine breaking through the cloud across england and wales on sunday. but the rain, if anything, a bit more extensive across scotland. also the chance of a bit of rain in northern ireland on sunday as well. temperatures could go as high as 13 or 14 degrees, so it continues to be mild. however, the mild weather isn't going to last that much longer because in the week before christmas it is set to turn quite a lot colder. and that's your latest weather. live from london. this is bbc news. the us national security adviser is in tel aviv with a warning over civilian casualties in gaza, as israel continues its bombardment. we'll hear from an msf emergency care co—ordinator on the ground in gaza. president putin warns that the war with ukraine will continue until russia achieves its aims — in his first major news conference since the war started. tension in brussels — as eu leaders wrangle over further funding for kyiv. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, president biden's national security adviser is in israel — to repeat us calls for restraint in the war against hamas. he's meeting the israeli prime minister benjamin neta nyahu in tel aviv. there was no let—up in israel's bombing of the gaza strip in the hours before his visit. this is the aftermath of a strike in rafah in the south of the gaza strip. the hamas—run health ministry says, at least 24 people have been killed in air strikes on two houses in rafah today. this was mr sullivan meeting israel's defence minister yoav gallant a short while ago. us officials say, mr sullivan is expected to discuss a timetable for ending the fighting and call for �*greater precision' in future israeli targeting of hamas. it follows mounting international criticism of israel over the number of civilian casualties, and overwhelming support for a ceasefire during a vote in the un general assembly.