Transcripts For BBCNEWS The 20240703

Soon as we get them. Meanwhile Palestinian Civilians have started leaving parts of Eastern Rafah in gaza, after israel told A Hundred Thousand people there to leave the area. Officials in gaza say israeli air strikes have targeted parts of rafah, just hours after the Evacuation Order was issued. Pictures weve received show thick smoke rising as displaced palestinians try to flee Eastern Rafah. Those Palestinian Civilians closest to the Israeli Border are being urged to move to what the Israeli Military calls � expanded humanitarian zones� in the al mawasi and khan younis areas. Back to the live pictures of people in the centre of gaza getting the news that it looks like hamas, who have confirmed that the have accepted the cease fire proposals, no confirmation of that from israel. Lets speak to our security correspondent, Frank Gardner who is in jerusalem. Hamas saying they have accepted the cease fire proposals, we dont know what israel thinks about it, but what israel thinks about it, but what would that mean . Two crucial thins, what would that mean . Two crucial things. Bend. What would that mean . Two crucial things, bend, one, what would that mean . Two crucial things, bend, one, are what would that mean . Two crucial things, bend, one, are the what would that mean . Two crucial. Things, bend, one, are the proposals the same ones that israel essentially agreed to . The ones on the table during the weekend at the cairo talks, which were a a0 day pause in the fighting, a return of palestinian so Northern Gaza and their homes, and an exchange of roughly 33 is really hostages out of captivity into gaza in return for an undisclosed palestinians out of israeli jails. Those were the terms that were on the table. Do we know if this deal has been accepted by hamas is the same one, the same terms . We dont know yet. The second thing, is israel going to sign off on it . Because if the terms are different it quite possibly will get rejected by the israeli side, and there are a wonderful celebrations you saw there in rafah and the gaza strip, could be mature. The you saw there in rafah and the gaza strip, could be mature. Strip, could be mature. The is really prime strip, could be mature. The is really Prime Minister strip, could be mature. The is| really Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under huge pressure to get the remaining hostages out, and many people it would say a Cease Fire Deal is the best way to get the hostages out. That ceasefire deal is the best way to get the hostages out. Ceasefire deal is the best way to get the hostages out. That is right. The only time get the hostages out. That is right. The only time we get the hostages out. That is right. The only time we have get the hostages out. That is right. The only time we have seen get the hostages out. That is right. The only time we have seen large l the only time we have seen large number of positive hostages released out of gaza, was the negotiated deal by qatar and egypt with the support of the United States, and that appears to be going on now because all of this, any genuine, one single genuine posting on social media by a hamas saying that their political leader has telephoned the qatari Prime Minister and the head of egyptian intelligence to state that hamas is accepts the cease fire proposals. So, we dont know what the israeli reaction is. The israeli media has been cautious about it and saying if the terms are different, it is not going to be acceptable to the israeli cabinet. At this remind ourselves what the Sticking Point was at the weekend, why those peace talks and Cease Fire Talks collapsed or stalled. That is that hamas insisted on an undertaking by israel that this would be a full and final cease fire, in other words, and the fighting and israel would withdraw. Israel said they would not commit to that because it would leave hamass battalions in intact and allow them to attack again. What mediators have said during the weekend and subsequently to hamas, is take the a0 day deal, if you do not take that, nothing will happen. The idea is to build on the a0 day deal, to make another a0 day truths, another one beyond that, and eventually it becomes a permanent cease fire, but if you do not make a start than nothing will happen. Just if you do not make a start than nothing will happen. If you do not make a start than nothing will happen. Just give us an idea of who nothing will happen. Just give us an idea of who exactly nothing will happen. Just give us an idea of who exactly is nothing will happen. Just give us an idea of who exactly is mediated nothing will happen. Just give us an idea of who exactly is mediated in l idea of who exactly is mediated in these various Cease Fire Negotiations that we have been having. It negotiations that we have been havinu. ,. Having. It is egyptian led, the qatari is are having. It is egyptian led, the qatari is are involved, having. It is egyptian led, the qatari is are involved, it having. It is egyptian led, the qatari is are involved, it is. Having. It is egyptian led, the qatari is are involved, it is in | qatari is are involved, it is in delhi, it is home to the Political Leadership of hamas, something controversial, it wears situation because you have qatar, home to the largest Us Military Base in the middle east, also home to the political wing of a prescribed terrorist organisation, prescribed ljy terrorist organisation, prescribed by the us and many other countries, what is the egyptians who have driven this one and egyptian intelligence. Egypt borders gaza and have a vested interest in seeing commerce toward. The last thing they want is to see the violence spilt into their borders in the northern sinai, which has suffered lots of violence from isis, itech and Egyptian Army positions, and there is no love lost between the egyptian government, which is very secular, and hamas, the religion the political religious movement, but the egyptians have driven this and want to see this deal or succeed, and that is white hamass message message the head of egyptian intelligence who has been instrumental in trying to get the deal over the line. Instrumental in trying to get the deal over the line. Frank, looking at the timing deal over the line. Frank, looking at the timing of deal over the line. Frank, looking at the timing of this, deal over the line. Frank, looking at the timing of this, this at the timing of this, this acceptance by hamas of the Cease Fire Deal, it comes on the same day that we have had heightened reports that there could be an imminent Israeli Military offensive and assault on rafah. We have had those Evacuation Orders dropped by flyers on Palestinian Civilians, telling them to get out of Eastern Rafah ahead of a what could be a imminent israeli assault. Do you think that could be connected to what hamas have now agreed to . I think hardliners and others in the military here in the israeli establishment would be seen, you see buster mark the threat of Military Action has made them capitulate. Im not sure that is so hamas sees it, because after all, yesterday, the fired a lunch of rockets at the crossing point, canon is really soldiers and israel he has conducted operations in rafah, but the prospect of a major operation in rafah has appalled major Aid Entrances and president biden, who held a 30 minute phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the readout of that was unbelievably short and unimportant uninformative, most of it about Holocaust Memory of the andone line referring to rafah, saying the president made clear his views on rafah, and we know those views are not to do it. The us does not believe that israel can undertake a Military Operation in a place with 1. A Military Operation in a place with i. A million people, two thirds already displaced from Northern Gaza, without severe harm to the civilians. ~ ,. , gaza, without severe harm to the civilians. ~. , civilians. Frank, you said at the start that civilians. Frank, you said at the start that we civilians. Frank, you said at the start that we have civilians. Frank, you said at the start that we have to civilians. Frank, you said at the start that we have to wait civilians. Frank, you said at the start that we have to wait and i civilians. Frank, you said at the start that we have to wait and hear, wait and see what israel was michael reaction to this will be, and weve received a report while you were talking to us from the Reuters News Agency quoted in israeli official, unnamed official, saying that hamas have approved a quote so often egyptian proposal that is not acceptable to israel. So the initial, and that is just on the Reuters News Agency quoting e is really up to this deal that hamas have ideas agree to is not agreed with israel because it is based on a softened egyptian proposal. That does not surprise softened egyptian proposal. Twat does not surprise me, and that is very depressing because i kind of peered as much, because when the talks collapsed at the weekend, there was considerable distance between the hamas position and the israeli position. The israeli Prime Minister has been absolutely adamant that israel will not commit, now or at any time, to an hostilities, because they think it is Unfinished Business and therefore battalions of hamas alive and intact and they want to finish them off, but they want to hostages out as well, i think those inns are incompatible and the best ways to get hostage out of captivity in gaza is through a deal. There are people in the Security Cabinet and war cabinet here in israel, certainly hardliners in this country and government, who do not want to see a deal. Instead, they want to see a deal. Instead, they want to see a deal. Instead, they want to see a Hard Military push into rafah that in some way finishes off hamas. Im not sure that is achievable, and it certainly will not get lots of hostages out alive. I it certainly will not get lots of hostages out alive. It certainly will not get lots of hostages out alive. I ust want an additional line h hostages out alive. I ust want an additional line from hostages out alive. I just want an additional line from reuters hostages out alive. I just want an additional line from reuters that| hostages out alive. I just want an | additional line from reuters that i would put to that early report i was reading out from the Reuters News Agency, that is really official who has already said the proposals are not acceptable to israel months as the proposal includes far reaching conclusions that israel does not agree to. So that does look like initially, at least, confirmation that israel will not go along with the proposals even if hamas is. Yes. The proposals even if hamas is. Yes, its almost certainly the proposals even if hamas is. Yes its almost certainly concerning the and state. Hamas are saying it is unrealistic unrealistic to give up unrealistic unrealistic to give up their key bargaining chip, hostages, only to find themselves attacked the very next day. Hamas is attacked the very next day. Hamas is a prescribed terrorist organisation, they have committed absolute atrocities in the southern israel on october seven, atrocities in the southern israel on 0ctoberseven, but atrocities in the southern israel on october seven, but they have been 0ctober seven, but they have been quite clever and a terribly, and the are in militarily emma and aaron are in militarily emma and aaron a strong bargaining position, holding up upwards of 90 hostages thought to be alive. The pressure under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mounting to get the hostages out. Every night, i drive past protesters waving banners and bring them home, do more, make it a priority and the protesters number of Tens Of Thousands a few nights ago in tel aviv. They do not believe the Israeli Government is doing enough to get them out, and that its easy priority, they think its a priority for the government to get tough on hamas and beaches and gets it into the ground, and the hostages are a secondary priority. Are a secondary priority. Thank you, Frank Gardner, are a secondary priority. Thank you, Frank Gardner, good are a secondary priority. Thank you, Frank Gardner, good to are a secondary priority. Thank you, Frank Gardner, good to have are a secondary priority. Thank you, Frank Gardner, good to have you. Are a secondary priority. Thank you, | Frank Gardner, good to have you with us for that instant analysis with the latest from jerusalem on that hamas acceptance of a cease fire proposal, but as we have heard, according to the Reuters News Agency, israel does not accept those proposals and is not likely to, and Frank Gardner theyre giving us his analysis. At this also speak with ziad issa head of policy and research at the aid Agency Action in the ukjoining from geneva. I guess im right to say that you would love to see a cease fire in gaza, but as we have heard, it may be not very likely at the moment evenif be not very likely at the moment even if hamas have accepted it, it doesnt look like israel will. We would love doesnt look like israel will. Would love to see a permanent cease fire in gaza today, and that is what we have been asking for and advocating for the last several months. We are still yet to see the details of the Cease Fire Deal. 0ur Information says its a a0 day pause, not a permanent cease fire, we want to see more details about whether the israeli side was accepted emma and we heard from israeli officials that even if a cease fire was agreed, the invasion of rafah was to go ahead, which is a very troubling news for us, given the catastrophic humanitarian situation people are experience in rafah and the overall gaza strip. Tote rafah and the overall gaza strip. We saw today, this leaflet drop, flyer drop on gaza, where 100,000 Palestinian Civilians were drop on gaza, where100,000 Palestinian Civilians were told to leave Eastern Rafah, to move to east safer territory with the implication some sort of Ground Assault on rafah may be coming quite soon. We assault on rafah may be coming quite soon. ~. , assault on rafah may be coming quite soon. ~. ,. , soon. We were made aware in the early hours soon. We were made aware in the early hours of soon. We were made aware in the early hours of this soon. We were made aware in the early hours of this morning soon. We were made aware in the early hours of this morning that i early hours of this morning that civilians in gaza and aid work groups and agencies have received Evaluation Orders throughout the nights, asking people to leave it to the western part of gaza city, to an area which. Palestinians have been following if i question orders for a month now and they have been asked to move from the north wanted to receive more attacks. Its not a great line, but ill ask one more question. If there were to be and Israeli Ground offensive and assault on rafah, what do you think the implications would be . The first, the implications would be . The first. Almost the implications would be . Twa first, almost three quarters of the civilians in that area. Rafah is the only place where miniature and aid, most of the humanitarian aid has get into the gaza strip from areas nearby, and we will not be able to continue to get aid into gaza today. Those other crossings have been closed and convoys have returned to egypt, could not into gaza, and it comes from a situation where we know the risk of famine is high, not only in the north of gaza but the whole gaza strip, farming is imminent and in order to avoid it we need to get aid at the very high scale. That is not going to be the case if rafah comes under attack. The prospect of getting any into gaza when there an incursion in this area of gaza is very grim. Ziad gaza when there an incursion in this area of gaza is very grim. Area of gaza is very grim. Ziad issa from action area of gaza is very grim. Ziad issa from action aid, area of gaza is very grim. Ziad issa from action aid, thank area of gaza is very grim. Ziad issa from action aid, thank you. Area of gaza is very grim. Ziad issa from action aid, thank you. I area of gaza is very grim. Ziad issa from action aid, thank you. I wantl from action aid, thank you. I want to show you the picture again of palestinians in gaza who have been celebrating the news. Not great pictures, the line breaks up, but you get the impression that the students have been celebrating the news that hamas have agreed to the proposals for a Cease Fire Deal, but, and its a big but, israel itself, according to the Reuters News Agency, is pouring cold water on the idea there might be a breakthrough, a Cease Fire Deal,. And is really official quoted by the reuters seen it hamas announcement appears to be a ruse to cast israel at the side refusing to sign the deal. 0fficials at the side refusing to sign the deal. Officials also seen, and ill just get the quote no that the proposal includes quotes, far reaching conclusions that israel does not agree to, and also reuters seen that the same is really official says hamas has approved what they described as a softened egyptian proposal which is not acceptable to israel. The people in gaza may be celebrating the idea there might be in imminent cease fire, but it looks like at the moment from the reports we are getting, israel will not accept that Cease Fire Deal, even if hamas is. Still to come on The World Today. President macron meets the chinese president xijinping in paris for talks on the war in ukraine and trade. And rishi sunak dismisses calls to change course after poor local election results, arguing he can make progress with voters before a general election. Around the world and across the uk. This is The World Today on bbc news. Scotland has a new leader for the Scottish National party. John swinney has been confirmed in the role, after no challengers emerged and hell also now become scotlands First Minister. He succeeds the outgoing First Minister humza yousaf who resigned after the collapse of his coalition government. Heres a little of what he had to say at his News Conference earlier as First Minister, my focus will be the economy, jobs, the cost of living. It will be the National Health service, our schools and our public services. It will be addressing the climate crisis. So, to everyone in every party, to every msp, to every mp, in fact, to everyone in our great country, i say this join me. Dont let our disagreements dominate. Join me as we open a new chapter, as we create a vibrant economy in every part of our country. As we tackle the challenges faced by the nhs, as we build on the strengths in our schools, as we build more homes, take climate action, improve Public Transport and create jobs. Thats my job. Thats ourjob. And i plan to get thejob done. Lets speak to Nicola Mcewan, politics professor at the university of glasgow. He says he will get the job done, but he has a big job ahead of him to revive the fortunes of the snp. He has revive the fortunes of the snp. Tie has and he would be leading a Minority Government, so thats a difficult ask at any time. Its particularly difficult in an election year, and of course, the general election of this year will be followed not too long after bite the next Scottish Parliament election, so he will try for dialogue, partly because that is the politician he is, but also because he has to given the Minority Government status, but whether he finds willing partners is a challenge. He finds willing partners is a challenge finds willing partners is a challenue. ,. ,. , challenge. He is an old hen within the a , challenge. He is an old hen within the party. Do challenge. He is an old hen within the party. Do you challenge. He is an old hen within the party, do you think challenge. He is an old hen within the party, do you think they challenge. He is an old hen within the party, do you think they see l challenge. He is an old hen within i the party, do you think they see him as the man to revive their fortunes . There are lots of people who support the notion of Scottish Independence who seem to of fallen out of love with the snp. I who seem to of fallen out of love with the snp. Who seem to of fallen out of love with the snp. ~ ,. ,. , with the snp. I think they seem as a mentor stated with the snp. I think they seem as a mentor stated the with the snp. I think they seem as a mentor stated the ship with the snp. I think they seem as a mentor stated the ship and with the snp. I think they seem as a mentor stated the ship and bring mentor stated the ship and bring people back together. There was a bit of factions emerging within a party. I think we are already seeing progress in that respect, in terms of bringing different people together. That would have to be seen in his cabinets, once he is sworn in as First Minister and announces his cabinet. We expect to see kate forbes back in the cabinet, and he would also have someone who appeals to the left of the party, the snp is a very broad church. To the left of the party, the snp is a very broad church. Nicola mcewan, sure to keep it short, a very broad church. Nicola mcewan, sure to keep it short, but a very broad church. Nicola mcewan, sure to keep it short, but we sure to keep it short, but we have the balance event still up in fast in the middle east, but thank you Nicola Mcewan. The president s of france, china, and the European Commission havejust wrapped up talks in paris, where ukraine and trade have dominated discussions. Emmanuel macron told xi jinping that working with china on crises in ukraine and the middle east was crucial. The europeans are hoping to persuade chinas leader to refrain from supplying russia with potential war materials. Hes urged the eu to remain committed to a partnership with china amid tensions over trade. Lets speak to charles parton, associate fellow at the Royal United Services institute and former uk diplomat to china. Thank you for being with us. This was Nicola Mcewan Xijinping First Visit To Europe for five years. I wonder why you think he had to come to paris in particular was to come to paris in particular was to mark . , to come to paris in particular was to mark . ,. ,. To mark . There are Surface Reasons and underlying to mark . There are Surface Reasons and underlying reasons, to mark . There are Surface Reasons and underlying reasons, if to mark . There are Surface Reasons and underlying reasons, if the to mark . There are Surface Reasons and underlying reasons, if the 60thj and underlying reasons, if the 60th Anniversary of the romantic relations, which is a big number in Chinese Culture and mythology, and friends is a very important eu power, its as good territories, and it likes to pursue relatively independent foreign policies, so thatis independent foreign policies, so that is all on the surface, but underlying it, as you hinted, there are other issues, one that i would highlight is the xi jinping desire to detach france from the United States and the eu, from the United States and the eu, from the United States as much as possible. That is been a major part of their policy intentions. To some extent, also, he is keen in this visit to Divide And Rule amongst the eu, hes going after visiting france to serbia and hungary which some people might describe as the chinese trojan horse within the eu, they have certainly been highly supportive of all the chinese positions on trading issues. Xijinping is rightly worried about the increasingly hard stance the European Union has taken and president or on, who shifts his position quite considerably on china since 13 months ago. So there been investigations launched on subsidies and procurement against cars and Electric Vehicles but also Wind Turbines and medical devices. Sam; turbines and medical devices. Sorry charles parton, turbines and medical devices. Sorry charles parton, we turbines and medical devices. Sorry charles parton, we have turbines and medical devices. Sorry charles parton, we have to turbines and medical devices. Sorry charles parton, we have to leave it there, but thank you for your analysis, to stay with us on bbc will stop hello. Weve seen further drenching downpours in some parts of the uk this bank holiday monday, but the weather looks set to calm down over the next few days. Something more settled, drier, and warmer, developing through this week as High Pressure starts to build its way in from the west. As we move through tonight, still this area of low pressure fairly close by, so well keep some showers going for a time, particularly down towards the south east of england, where for some has been a pretty wet day. The rain here taking a time to ease off. Most of the showers elsewhere will fade, well keep fairly large amounts of cloud, and where the skies do clear for any length of time, say across central and southern parts of england, south wales could see some mist and fog patches. Temperatures generally eight, nine or ten degrees as we start tuesday morning. Still some showers around on tuesday, but not as many as weve had today. Showers most likely, i think, across parts of england and wales, albeit with some spells of sunshine in between. Northern ireland and scotland seeing a bit more in the way of cloud, maybe the odd spot of rain here and there. Something brighter likely to develop in the north of scotland, 12 degrees for stornoway, 20 degrees there in london. Now, as you move through tuesday night and into wednesday, this area of High Pressure really starts to take charge. So, for most of us, wednesday is looking like a fine day. It could be some early mist and fog, could be some areas of cloud around first thing tending to lift and break up to reveal some spells of sunshine. A dry day for most, but we will see some clouds and some patchy rain into parts of Northern Ireland and Northwest Scotland a weak Weather Front approaching here. Temperatures, though, 17 for aberdeen, for glasgow, for belfast, 21 likely in london. By thursday, still weak frontal systems across the northern half of scotland. Cloud and some patchy rain here. But further south, some spells of sunshine and some warmth, with temperatures in some spots up to 21 or 22 celsius. Now, it looks like well end the week on a warm note. This area of High Pressure still with us for friday. The big question mark is about how quickly this area of High Pressure will break down and allow frontal systems back in from the atlantic. The weekend certainly looks like starting off on a fine note, butjust with the increasing chance of some rain pushing in from the west as we get into sunday. There is some uncertainty about that, but it does look like it will eventually turn more unsettled and a bit cooler again into the start of next week