Transcripts For GBN The 20240703

Warned people to stay away from scottish coasts because of the dangers. Well have the latest on all that with our scotland reporter. That with our scotland reporter. First, a roundup of your latest headlines with. Rihanna latest headlines with. Rihanna good afternoon. Its 12 01. Your top stories from the newsroom. Its israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thanked rishi sunak for his visit to israel, calling it a strong statement of support at rishi sunak has been holding talks with his counterpart. Rishi sunak has been holding talks with his counterpart. Hes on a two day trip to the wider region amid growing concerns the conflict with hamas could escalate. Hell be travelling to a number of other regional capitals in a diplomatic bid to prevent the fighting from spiralling, mr sunak said to his counterpart. We want you to win from your decision yesterday that you took to ensure that routes into gaza will be opened for humanitarian aid to enter. Im glad that you made that decision. We will support it. We decision. We will support it. We are increasing our aid to the region and we will look to get more support to people as quickly we can. You describe quickly as we can. You describe this as israels darkest hour. This as israels darkest hour. Well, then its for me to say im proud to stand here with you in israels darkest hour as your friend. We will stand with you in solidarity. We will stand with your people. And we also want you to win. Want you to win. Well, the conflict has now killed more than 4900 people on both sides as it enters its 13th day. A warning, some viewers may find the following images distressing. The Gaza Health Ministry says over 12,000 palestinians have been injured in israeli airstrikes and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Hamas media are displaced. Hamas media are reporting an israeli airstrike has killed jihad mazin, head of the hamas led National Security forces, as well as members of his family. Meanwhile the un warns that life saving aid for those trapped in gaza is now critical. Security minister Tom Tugendhat says palestinians in gaza are being exploited by hamas. I think weve got to recognise that the first victims of hamas are the Palestinian People. Weve seen people in gaza over the last 30, 40 years, not just murdered when hamas took power in 2008, nine, but actually since then being exploited in the most horrific ways. Weve seen children being ways. Weve seen children being forced to dig these tunnels that sadly have been dug across the entire region. Weve seen individuals who have stood against hamas in various different ways being murdered. Different ways being murdered. The foreign secretary held talks with his egyptian counterpart to discuss the ongoing situation in gaza. James cleverly visited israel last week and will to travel turkey and qatar over the coming days to try and seek a peaceful resolution. The uk says the three countries are vital to International Efforts to uphold regional stability, free the hostages and allow humanity access to gaza. In other news, access to gaza. In other news, french president Emmanuel Macron has attended the funeral of a teacher who was stabbed in a suspected islamist attack. Suspected islamist attack. Dominique bernard was stabbed to death six days ago in the Northern City of arras. Macron and his wife spoke to his family ahead of the ceremony. He also attended by his students, each carrying a white rose. The suspect is under formal investigation for murder, and france has been on its highest state of alert since the stabbing. Back here, asylum stabbing. Back here, Asylum Seekers are set to return to the bbc stockholm later. A number of people were taken off the barge after deadly bacteria was found on board more than two months ago. Food supplies have now been delivered and letters sent to Asylum Seekers confirming their return. The home office says all necessary tests have now been completed and the met police force has described new facial Recognition Technology erg to catch prolific shoplifter buyers as Game Changing. Catch prolific shoplifter buyers as Game Changing. In a pilot of the new software for 12 retailers provided images of 30 of the worst offenders when compared with the forces custody shots. Almost half came up as positive matches. Those positive matches. Those offenders are now being investigated with a view to build criminal cases as the software uses biometric measures of a persons face, even if its partly covered, it. An partly covered, it. An investigation has been launched into welsh water after the company admitted illegally spilling untreated sewage , said spilling untreated sewage, said Natural Resources wales says its examining the severity and frequency of permit breaches by the water company. Welsh water says between 40 and 50 of its Wastewater Treatment plants are currently operating in breach of their permits. One of the worst performing plants is in cardigan in west wales as crediton has taken to the streets in a protest that started outside jp morgan in london, demanding the bank stop funding fossil fuels. The climate activists joined fossil. Free at the entrance in fossil. Free at the entrance in canary wharf. Fossil. Free at the entrance in canary wharf. It follows tuesdays protest in mayfair , tuesdays protest in mayfair, outside a meeting between Oil Executives , westenberg was executives, westenberg was arrest posted along with 26 others and charged with a public order offence and the met office hasissued order offence and the met office has issued a rare red weather warning for heavy rainfall and severe wind for parts of scotland. Storm babet is forecast to cause severe flooding and risk to life from 6 pm. This evening and through tomorrow. Angus and aberdeenshire are expected to be the worst affected areas, with some schools closing. Power some schools closing. Power outages are expected along with train cancellations until saturday. This is gb news news across the uk on tv in your car, on Digital Radio and on your Smart Speaker by saying play gb news. Now its back over to mark and pip. And pip. Rhiannon thank you. Prime minister rishi sunak is in israel to shore up diplomatic pressure for more humanitarian aid in gaza, as well as making clear that britains stand of solidarity with israel is clear , solidarity with israel is clear, saying the country had a right of self defence in line with International Law. When meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu in jerusalem, the israel Prime Minister emphasised that the israel hamas war affected the whole world. This is not merely our battle. Its the battle of the entire civilised world and its the battle of israel. Its the battle of israel. Its the battle of israel. Its the battle of israel. Its the battle of the moderate arab countries. Its the battle of western civilisation, the battle of the free world, the battle for the future. We have here two for the future. We have here two forces. One is an axis of evil, led by iran through hezbollah , led by iran through hezbollah, hamas and others that want to bnng hamas and others that want to bring back the middle east to the middle ages , to an age of the middle ages, to an age of bonded bondage and war, and slavery and annihilation. And slavery and annihilation. And the other force is the forces of progress and humanity that want to push the middle east into a world of peace and prosperity. World of peace and prosperity. Well, rishi sunak also met the families of what the idf now says are at least 203 hostages still trapped in gaza , saying, still trapped in gaza, saying, we grieve with you. The lobby we grieve with you. The lobby briefing. We understand that number 10 has indicated that the latest assessment is that two britons are still being held hostage , but seven more are hostage, but seven more are missing. Underlining, of course, the importance of this latest Diplomatic Mission. Lets get more with Charlie Peters, our reporter who is in tel aviv for us at the moment. And charlie, this sort of dual track, if you like, the support for israel, but also the support for the families and those still missing i yes. And the British Diplomatic Mission today will be seeking to get a further understanding of steps being taken in israel to achieve that return of those hostages. We know that there have been meetings in qatar between western powers who mediate with the qataris for access into her master. Qataris have a long history of mediating between terror groups around the world. More recently, they secured the release of an american in africa with mediation there between the americans and terror group in west africa, and also recently securing the release of four ukrainian children between seen the russians over in that war in europe. But the situation on the ground for britain is less clear. Number 10 is not releasing much information about how they are engaging with the israelis on the negotiation front, the americans have been clearer since 2015. They have had a president ial special envoy for hostages. It was a role established in 2015 after some anger from families over how the Obama Administration handled hostages during the iraq syria crisis. In june, when the Islamic State , of course, took Islamic State, of course, took so Many Americans and indeed other westerners hostages during that appalling brutality. So that appalling brutality. So there has been a direct line of a full time professional from the american side and their team in israel working with the israelis. And we imagine mediating with the qataris. Anthony blinken, the us secretary of state in qatar , secretary of state in qatar, also had discussions about the hostage situation there. The humanitarian situation is also a key part of this british diplomacy. Today we heard rishi sunak talking about how he was pleased that the israelis had agreed for aid to enter from egypt. Agreed for aid to enter from egypt. And also agreed for aid to enter from egypt. And also james agreed for aid to enter from egypt. And also James Cleverly, egypt. And also James Cleverly, the foreign secretary has been in egypt this morning meeting with his counterpart. No doubt continuing that conversation as people wait for news of when the first trucks will cross the rafah Border Crossing and enter what the idf call a humanitarian safe zone on the coast of al mawasi , west of younis khan. Al mawasi, west of younis khan. Charlie we are just hearing that rishi sunak will now travel to saudi arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman just explain to our viewers and listeners why this meeting is happening, what potentially it could achieve and the role that saudi arabia plays. Could achieve and the role that saudi arabia plays. Here well, saudi arabia plays. Here well, saudi arabia plays. Here well, saudi arabia plays. Here well, saudi arabia is a key influencing nation on how other arab nations react. It has been arab nations react. It has been leading many of those conversations with the israelis , conversations with the israelis, and particularly on the Abraham Accords , also a huge link with accords, also a huge link with the americans there. And there is a great deal of concern in the west about how the arab world has reacted to the news on tuesday night about that hospital explosion , saudi arabia hospital explosion, saudi arabia issued one of the most resolute statements of all the arab nations, describing it as an appalling crime and as american intelligence supported the israeli version of events yesterday, all eyes were on whether or not British Intelligence will do the same today. Yesterday we heard that they were working as quick as they were working as quick as they can to establish the facts. This morning, the security minister, Tom Tugendhat, said that waiting until that they were waiting until they very clear about they could be very clear about they could be very clear about the. And i they could be very clear about the. And i imagine the situation. And i imagine there will of urgent there will be lots of urgent diplomacy powers diplomacy between western powers and in particular britain and the region to understand the arab region to understand why they have had that position and if they will adapt their stance ever since the new information has come to light. But analysts in the region think thats highly theres thats highly unlikely. Theres little manoeuvre for little room for manoeuvre for arab consider seeing arab nations. Consider seeing the degree of protest the large degree of protest sparked by those explosions on tuesday night and away from the diplomacy. Hamas itself saying that the head of their security operations, jihad machine, has been killed and what they say is an israeli airstrike. No confirmation from the idf, but clearly the targeting is undennay that netanyahu had said would take place. Yes would take place. Yes yes. And its interesting that this confirmation , this that this confirmation, this claim, rather, has come from the hamas side, where they included that not only had jihad mason, the head of the National Security forces, been killed in an israeli airstrike, but they also said that his family had been killed as well. Most of the information those in the information about those in the leadership positions, the commanders in the gaza commanders in hamas, in the gaza strip, has been coming from the idf. They are making claims most mornings senior commanders mornings about senior commanders they are targeting overnight in airstrikes on the strip. Indeed, they claim that they killed a naval commander a few days ago with a strike from their ships posted off the coast here. But for hamas to take the initiative in Communications Campaign in their Communications Campaign on situation is on the on what the situation is on the ground is somewhat of shift ground is somewhat of a shift here, perhaps trying to gain an initiative as global feeling towards the bombings on gaza has shifted so significantly since tuesday night with that hospital explosion. They are not winning explosion. They are not winning the ground war. There is that is quite clear with the amount of destruction that hamas is getting an upper on the getting an upper hand on the information both here in information war, both here in the region and around the world. Peters in tel aviv, Charlie Peters in tel aviv, thank you for the moment at well, back in london. Lets get more with our Political Correspondent katherine forster, because, catherine, we now getting catherine, we are now getting indication that lobby indication from that lobby briefing prime briefing that indeed the Prime Minister heading for saudi minister is heading for saudi arabia. Were being told arabia. We were being told earlier the earlier that James Cleverly, the foreign secretary would be going to qatar egypt. This is a to qatar and egypt. This is a pretty intensive diplomatic push i yes, it certainly. Is. Yes, it certainly. Is. Yes, it certainly. Is. So rishi sunak on a two day visit, he will, having been to israel, having spoken to the president and the Prime Minister will be heading now on to saudi arabia. Arabia. He will be getting back to london tomorrow afternoon. London tomorrow afternoon. James cleverly, the foreign secretary meanwhile, left britain yesterday. Hes on a separate round of intense diplom matic negotiations aimed at getting humanitarian aid into gaza and the release of the hostages. I the release of the hostages. I thought it was really quite a powerful al press conference, wasnt it, between rishi sunak and Benjamin Netanyahu . Nato yahoo stressing how britain fought to destroy the on behalf of the world. Comparing that to the situation in that israel is now in basically saying that hamas is the equivalent of the and saying this is not just israels fight, this is the worlds fight. The world must stand together to counter this , stand together to counter this, to counter what he said, the middle east being taken back to the middle ages. Rishi sunak the middle ages. Rishi sunak response , absolutely supporting response, absolutely supporting israel and its right to defend itself within International Law. That phrase being added now all the time because of course concerns that israeli actions in gaza may inflame the situation further. Now now weve learnt from the lobby briefing back here that two of British Nationals have been killed, that a further seven are missing , but a further seven are missing, but could be dead. So no, not not good news. And we will see what unfolds this afternoon. But clearly rishi sunak joining President Joe Biden , joining the President Joe Biden, joining the german chancellor olaf schultz, who was in israel on tuesday and wanting to provide a united front, a united show of support for israel while also saying that their thoughts to are with the Palestinian People. Rishi the Palestinian People. Rishi sunak said palestine Palestinian People are the victims of hamas as well. Very keen to stress that israelis are not the only people suffer ing and that britain wants to get aid to the palestinians as soon as possible i also, catherine, in this Diplomatic Mission by rishi sunak, hes hes part of the queen, isnt he . So weve were expecting president macron to head there perhaps in the next couple of days. The german chancellor has already been President Biden has been this queen group that is trying to achieve this diplomacy. Achieve this diplomacy. Yes, thats right. So that group in diplomatic circles consists of the United States, the United Kingdom , germany, the United Kingdom, germany, france and italy. We do understand that frances president macron will be going. We dont know when we dont have information yet about whether Giorgio Meloni from italy will follow. But a feeling here, were nearly two weeks on now from that horrific attack by hamas on october the seventh. That, of course, has sparked all these deaths, all this suffering and all this outrage and division around the world. The rest very, very keen for this not to escalate further and mindful , of not to escalate further and mindful, of course, about how careful they have to be. I think its interesting that although President Biden came out yesterday and indicated that the United States believes it was not israel behind the attack on the hospital and britain hasnt said yet who they believe carried out that attack. Theyve been very careful to say that British Intelligence services are looking into that. They will make it public when they feel that they have a definitive answer. And security minister answer. And security minister Tom Tugendhat was stressing that and the need to be very careful with assumptions made and with language used. Language used. Political correspondent katherine forster. Thank you. Well, of course, the emphasis of much of that meeting with rishi sunak , the humanitarian rishi sunak, the humanitarian aid, while hospitals in gaza say they are at breaking point, a lack of medical supplies , water lack of medical supplies, water and most importantly, at the moment, fuel for their generators , making an already generators, making an already dire humanitarian situation much more perilous. More perilous. On tuesday , an explosion on tuesday, an explosion claimed the lives of what are thought to be hundreds of civilians at the al ahly hospital in the north of gaza. Hospital in the north of gaza. With conflicting reports still on what happened and who could be to blame. Well, joining us now is the vice chair of the Hospitals Administration group, father fadi diab. Thank you very much fadi diab. Thank you very much indeed. Father dyer, for joining us here on gb news. To ask you first, how is the hospital coping . Because we do have these reports that all of the hospitals are running very short on on fuel for the generators. On on fuel for the generators. Thank you for hosting me. Well, the medical situation in gazais well, the medical situation in gaza is devastating ing our hospital is will resume, of course , work in the coming days. Course, work in the coming days. But it the situation is very horrible. Uh after the blast, horrible. Uh after the blast, the day before yesterday , the the day before yesterday, the whole situation , the whole whole situation, the whole humanitarian situation and the gaza strip is on the edge. Gaza strip is on the edge. Hospitals are running on fuel and they they wont be able to run like tomorrow. And the life of many patients s palestinians, injured people , children, women injured people, children, women are at the stake. And i think ive been listening to your news and watching the visits of the Prime Minister and i think it is very important that the leaders of the world put more pressure on the state of israel to stop this war rather than to continue it. And life lives are at stake. We need to protect life at this time. We need to protect life. Time. We need to protect life. We are called as leaders of the world, whether for religious or political , to put an end to this political, to put an end to this war. Are we . This cannot this cannot go on. There are many children and women in gaza who need protection. These people who were killed at the hospital , who were killed at the hospital, in fact, were running away from harm after their buildings were bombed and they were sheltering in the hospital and they couldnt find any other place else. And if hospitals are now places that are not safe, its very dangerous for everyone. Yeah, can we establish with you the situation at your hospital . Because clearly the Intelligence Services of many countries are trying to establish exactly what happened. But we understand hand that the main Hospital Building itself, including the operating theatres, are still intact. That youre youre still able to use that main building. We are still we are still able to use the buildings. Three days ago , our radiology section days ago, our radiology section was hit by a missile and goes damage to the radiation room and the diagnostic room. This is actually a new section that is added to help cancer patients. Added to help cancer patients. But patients , uh, the i mean, but patients, uh, the i mean, the buildings are not severely damaged. There is, of course , damaged. There is, of course, damaged. There is, of course, damage from the blast. But the, the, the, the explosion occurred in the yards of the hospital where people were gathered. And where people were gathered. And an and hoping that this is a secure place. But eventually it was not. And that is why the other buildings of the hospital of the hospital are intact and they will resume work soon. Can i just ask you, father, about about the water supply . Because ive seen, you know, perhaps misinformation here and there. The suggestion was that there. The suggestion was that israel controlled the power plant. And thats been thats been cut. Does hamas have control over Water Supplies as well . I am not a spokesperson for hamas. I i am not a spokesperson for hamas. I dont know. But as you understand it, yeah, i dont know that what i know from the people on the ground is that they have no, uh, no drinkable water. And according to the world no drinkable water. Health organisation, the water in gaza is undrinkable. Well, i in gaza is undrinkable. Well, i think i think it is very important to know that the gaza strip have has been under siege for the last 16 years, that israel controls everything. It controls water, electricity , controls water, electricity, what goes in, what goes out. Um, what goes in, what goes out. Um, uh, this is this is a human crisis. Uh, from from uh, this is this is a human crisis. Uh, from from our uh, this is this is a human crisis. Uh, from from our people crisis. Uh, from from our people on the ground. This is a human crisis. As the clergy , i call crisis. As the clergy, i call upon the International Community to stop this war. This cannot go on. I mean, more. More and more civilians, innocent people will die in the coming days as we as as we witness what is happening in gaza. And father diab , can i ask and father diab, can i ask you about the medical staff in your hospital . Because clearly they have had to work round the clock. They have very few suppues clock. They have very few supplies now, but i guess its the cycle logical impact of whats occurred that theyre having to cope with and carry on regardless. Regardless. Well well the psychological impact is, is devastating. I mean, everyone one is devastated. I just called the administrator at the hospital and shes in shes in shock. Yeah. This is this is a director whos been working there for the last 40 years, years. She is she is in total shock. Our staff is in total shock. The people of gaza are in total shock. In fact , we in the west bank, far away from that danger , we are in from that danger, we are in total shock. What is happening total shock. What is happening is unimaginable. This cannot go on. Uh, this should stop in one way or another. Yeah. Can i ask you the very fact that you are there in ramallah away from gaza . Because weve seen pictures, of course, of the protests in the west bank. Weve seen pictures of protests in up in lebanon, in beirut. Difficult is the beirut. How difficult is the situation from your assessment there . There . Well, the situation is very difficult. People are very much frustrated and people are very much devastated from the pictures they see on social media around the clock. Pictures they see on social media around the clock. Um, people are very angry. Theyre very angry of what is happening in gaza. Theyre very angry of the western world. Theyre very angry of the humanitarian , you angry of the humanitarian, you know, organisations. Theyre know, organisations. Theyre even angry of their own government. Theyre even angry with their own leadership. With their own leadership. Father, just one final question. We do know that there is some aid that will be allowed through, hopefully be fingers crossed tomorrow. Uh, do you crossed tomorrow. Uh, do you know how that aid logistic is going to get to you , how it can going to get to you, how it can get to you safely without getting into the wrong hands . Getting into the wrong hands . Well, i think i think it is really important to know that what israel has allowed so far , what israel has allowed so far, according to the news, is 20 ships of medical or of aid. Its ships of medical or of aid. Its not even medical, 20 ships only, only to the south of gaza. Our only to the south of gaza. Our hospital is in the northern part of gaza. That means that nothing will be delivered to the northern part of gaza. And i northern part of gaza. And i think this is not acceptable. Think this is not acceptable. All we need humanitarian aid to all the people of gaza to all the victims of gaza , to the the victims of gaza, to the hospitals, to the clinics , to hospitals, to the clinics, to the displaced, until till now, there has not been enough agreement that the supplies, the aid gets to all the people who needitin aid gets to all the people who need it in gaza. For father fadi diab, the vice chair of the Al Ahli Hospital, diab, the vice chair of the Al Ahli Hospital , thank you very Al Ahli Hospital, thank you very much indeed forjoining us and sharing your thoughts here on gb news. We appreciate your time. We appreciate your time. Well do stay with us here on gb news. Were going to be going to portland in dorset, where migrants are set to board the bibby stockholm accommodation barge. Stay with 7 00 this evening. Gb news the peoples. Channel welcome back. Peoples. Channel welcome back. Its 1231. Peoples. Channel welcome back. Its1231. Im Rhiannon Jones your top stories from the newsroom. Rishi sunak has newsroom. Rishi sunak has welcomed the decision to get some aid into gaza from egypt. The Prime Ministers in israel where he held talks with his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as president herzog. Netanyahu who thanked rishi sunak for his visit, calling it a strong statement of support in a strong statement of support in a time of darkness, the Prime Minister will fly to saudi arabia later, where hell meet with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Speaking earlier , he salman. Speaking earlier, he told netanyahu, we want you to win a welcome your decision. Yesterday that you took to ensure that routes into gaza will be opened for humanitarian aid to enter here. Im glad that you made that decision. We will support it. We are increasing our aid to the region and we will look to get more support to people as quickly as we can. Can you describe this as israels darkest hour . Well, then its for me to say im proud to stand here with you in israels darkest hour as your friend. We will stand with you in solidarity. We will stand with your people. And we also want your people. And we also want you to win. You to win. The conflict has now killed more than 4900 people on both sides as it enters its 13th day. A warning some viewers may find the following images distressing. The Gaza Health Ministry says over 12,000 palestinians have been injured in israeli airstrikes and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Hamas media are displaced. Hamas media are reporting an israeli airstrike has killed jihad muhsin, the head of the hamas led National Security forces. And the met Security Forces. And the met office has issued a rare red weather warning for heavy rainfall and severe wind for parts of scotland. Storm yvette is forecast to cause severe flooding and risk to life from 6 pm. This evening and tomorrow. Angus and aberdeenshire are expected to be the worst affected areas , with some affected areas, with some schools closing. And you can get schools closing. And you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website, gbnews. Com. For exclusive limited edition and rare gold coins that are always newsworthy. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report. Heres a quick snapshot report. Heres a quick snapshot of todays markets. The pound will buy you 1. 21, two, 4 and ,1. 1482. The price of gold is £1,609. 59 per ounce. And the ftse 100 is at 7525 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report and rhiannon. Thanks. Welcome back to the thanks. Welcome back to the live desk. Lets just update you on what rihanna was telling us there about the storm we are now being told that the breaking area and surrounding areas in scotland are being evacuated as the storm approaches. We had the storm approaches. We had this red warning from 6 00 tonight instituted, but it does appear that conditions are worsening. We will be getting an update with our reporter there at the scene. But the brecon area and other areas being evacuated as we speak. Well update you as the latest details as they come through. Now , rishi sunak has told the now, rishi sunak has told the israeli president that he has a duty to restore security to your country as he meets with senior israelis on a Diplomatic Mission to israel. The Prime Minister also telling Benjamin Netanyahu that he welcomes the progress being made on humanitarian aid to gaza i the Palestinian People are victims of hamas to. And that is victims of hamas to. And that is why i welcome your decision. Yesterday that you took to ensure that routes into gaza will be opened for humanitarian aid to enter. Will be opened for humanitarian aid to enter. Im glad that you made that decision and we will support it. We are increasing our aid to the region and we will look to get more support to people as quickly as we can as the Prime Minister speaking earlier in israel , hes on his earlier in israel, hes on his way now to saudi arabia. Way now to saudi arabia. We have the foreign secretary. Were being told, wholl be visiting qatar, turkey and egypt with the hostages , and egypt with the hostages, perhaps the head of that list in terms of getting more support in negotiations. Lets get the latest with our Political Editor, Christopher Hope , who editor, Christopher Hope, who can join us because, christopher, the lobby briefing, we gather, has given an update on the numbers involved. The number britons involved in number of britons involved in this. This. Thats right. In all, 16 British Nationals affected by this dreadful crisis in middle east so far. Mark of that, nine are known to have died. A further seven seven sorry, seven have died. Nine are missing. Forgive me for that. And with the confirmed now that we have two British Nationals held hostage and the remaining seven of the ones who are unaccounted for could be held hostage, although some will have died. So the focus right now moving in israel to how can we get these british hostages out . And theres been talks this morning already between sunak , the already between rishi sunak, the prime the israeli Prime Minister with the israeli president about how they president herzog, about how they can help. We know later on that the pm is flying to saudi arabia to meet Mohammed Bin Salman, the crown prince of saudi arabia, and maybe possibly a third country after that. Hes back in the uk tomorrow. So all efforts now to try and help as well as support the aid efforts in gaza and also dealing with the issue of the uk hostages held held of the uk hostages held by held by gaza. By hamas in gaza. Christopher, President Biden, we know he is the one who had the most diplomatic clout, if you like, when he went to israel yesterday. What extra clout if , yesterday. What extra clout if, if any, i guess, can can rishi sunak bring i mean, we mustnt underestimate the value of the uk on the world stage. We are one of the permanent members of the security council. We are. Thats give us a huge value and we can we are known to have a Good Relationship with the us. Things stand, as of the us. As things stand, as of 11 30 briefing here in 11 30 am. Briefing here in london, mr sunak has not has not spoken to mr biden , who of spoken to mr biden, who of course, on their way back to the us now. But we have us right now. But we have a role. We can be a facilitate for. We can talk to allies of both the us and uk in the region and clearly it looks like were trying use third countries to trying to use third countries to trying to use third countries to try to hamas about the try and talk to hamas about the release of hostages. We now release of hostages. We know now theres hostages by theres a 203 hostages held by gaza what happens to them gaza and what happens to them next really, really important next is really, really important and we now know and vital. We also now know theres million aid theres £10 million of uk aid sitting very near the rafah crossing. The uk government is crossing. The uk government is right to find ways to right now trying to find ways to get that aid into gaza, whether through crossing, through its rafah crossing, when it other third it opens or through other third routes. By the routes. Were told by the government that this morning indications, that president indications, too, that president macron part this this macron may be part of this this diplomatic whirl, if you like. Is this an indication that this a last attempt to get this is a last attempt to get these sorted before for these things sorted before for perhaps this ground offensive starts in in gaza. Starts in in gaza. It seems that way. That doesnt hit mark, but that the global community, particularly those with seats in the security council, are trying to show they support israel. Key language support israel. The key language , though, is working within the confines of International Law. Now, i ask the government how was that defined . Its clearly about limiting any civilian casualties because as soon as that starts to happen in any ground offensive, then support for israel could start to leach away. The international away. Even in the International Community. So theyve got to show that they their show that they are doing their best to civilians. But best to protect civilians. But when casualties start when those casualties start to mount will mount up as will as will probably happen , then it gets probably happen, then it gets difficult and harder for israels ally to defend the country. Country. Chris westminster, thanks chris at westminster, thanks very much indeed for updating us there. With us now is gideon levi, a journalist at israeli newspaper haaretz. Good afternoon to you, haaretz. Good afternoon to you, gideon. Thanks for talking to us gideon. Thanks for talking to us on gb news is Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with President Biden today , meeting with the british today, meeting with the british Prime Minister how much store does he hold by what they will have to say , telling him, you have to say, telling him, you know, that israel has a right to defend itself , know, that israel has a right to defend itself, but know, that israel has a right to defend itself , but in know, that israel has a right to defend itself, but in line with International Law, how much will mr netanyahu be listening to those words, do you think . Those words, do you think . First of all, with all the respect , there is first of all, with all the respect, there is a difference between the british Prime Minister and the american president , sorry , israel was president , sorry, israel was never in this fragile situation like now and never was it . So depending on the United States, on really basic needs like now and therefore, i think no israeli Prime Minister would be able to ignore a friendly offer or a friendly advice from the American Press president. Now, israel has a record of violating the International Law throughout the International Law throughout the years. There is not a day the years. There is not a day that israel is not violating the International Law in the occupied territory. But guess israel will have to restrain itself this time because the president asked it. Question but president asked it. Question but , you know, things can also get out of control. And im very, very concerned to what will happen when this if and when this ground operation will get on its way. On its way. And just in terms of the offensive operations , if we can offensive operations, if we can use that term, we had this announcement from hamas that its head of Security Forces , jihad head of Security Forces, jihad muhsin, had been kill killed in an israeli airstrike. No confirmation from the israeli side is as we gather from the idf , not that i know, but idf, not that i know, but i didnt follow it. So carefully. There were assassinations of hamas commanders and there will be more , im sure. But more, im sure. But unfortunately , this is not the unfortunately, this is not the whole story. Whole story. What is the whole story at the moment . Because clearly we were thinking at the beginning of the week that the offensive would be fairly imminent and here we are at the end of the week still no definite news. So first of all, the idf is preparing itself and guess they cant be any more any surprise attack. In any case. And therefore, time is and the world is supporting israel. So time is is supporting israel. So time is not so crucial because before. Not so crucial because before. But time is crucial for the population of gaza. Yeah i mean, by the time we are talking now, hundreds of thousands of people are in unbelievable conditions. Are in unbelievable conditions. Unfortunately, most of the israelis are not exposed to the civilians in gaza. But i can tell you what i see is really horrifying. And its time when horrifying. And its time when we speak about the land operation , about the stuff of operation, about the stuff of israel, about the barbaric attack on israel. We cannot ignore the same time this horrible, horrible stuff of the of gaza is over 1000 children being killed. Only in the last ten days or so with hospitals, which stop functioning with fear, with homeless people. I fear, with homeless people. I mean, i cannot even describe it in words. And we better put attention now also on this. Yeah. Gideon thank you indeed for balancing that view. And as you say, another aspect to the story , getting there from story, getting there from haaretz, the israeli newspaper. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Plenty more to come. You are with the live desk on gb news. Stay with from three on gb news. From three on gb news. Welcome back to the live desk. Lets update you on this breaking news now of evacuations in scotland as storm babbitt threatens to breach flood defences. His. Those warnings coming in from officials that read warning the met Office Warning danger to life. Of course, the rnli also warning people in scotland stay away from the coasts because of the treacherous conditions. Yeah, theres new warnings coming in as well for parts of Northern England, midlands and wales because of the risk of flooding. Well, our gb news scotland reporter tony maguire is in brecon where we believe locals are being led to safety. Tony, tell us what the latest situation is. Situation is. Yeah, good afternoon. The situation seems to be getting worse and worse here. And again, like to remind everyone that the official red weather warning hasnt even come into play yet. Hasnt even come into play yet. Were expecting that at 6 00 this evening, but already today ive been in back to back calls with sepa and with Angus Council in the last hour. And indeed, we think the final number is yet to be officially put out. But somewhere in the region of 360 homes are expected to be evacuated as the rivers keep rising on the river. South esk and north. Now we know that the yellow warnings and orange warnings have been in place here as well for wind with up. To as well for wind with up. To between 60 and 70mph gusts. I can tell you that ive already been through one umbrella today already , and the rain has been already, and the rain has been non stop. When that red weather warning , which has now been warning, which has now been extended as far down as dundee and tayside came out, the wording was exceptional and persist tonight. Now thats as good words to describe it. And ive been here in brecon since 7 00 this morning. This is, of course , right in the heart of course, right in the heart of this red weather warning zone. And residents must be thinking close to the rivers. How much worse can it get, antonio . We can see that wind gusting, but we assume that the Evacuation Orders are for those nearest to those rivers with the amount of water thats coming down at the moment. Down at the moment. Yes, thats correct. And ive kind of been been keeping an eye on on the river and some of the you know, anyone who was tuning in this morning would have seen just how close some of those houses built on the bank of the river south esk are. And certainly , as i said, 360 certainly, as i said, 360 properties is could end up being a conservative estimate. But there are a lot of homes here before the house and brecon start moving up now we know that Brecon Community hub is preparing to accept eight members of the public and those facing evacuations as the teams and resilience teams from the council and volunteer groups prepare to inform people of where to go right up at the top of breaking the Community Hub will be welcoming people that advise to bring sleeping bags and then later on we will hear more about what the plans are tomorrow. Of course, brecon tomorrow. Of course, brecon itself has quite a formidable flood defence system. Um, and flood defence system. Um, and yet we see the cpa on the call earlier this morning have pretty much said that the way things are going in the way that the rain is expected to come down here hard and fast, and those eyes are almost certainly going to be breached. Come as a surprise to you, tony. But we are now hearing that that red weather warning is being extended in scotland. Its being extended in scotland. Its being extended in scotland. Its being extended in scotland. Its being extended further south to include parts of dundee and western tayside. Western tayside. Yes, thats correct. And i mean , certainly this this entire mean, certainly this this entire region of scotland, the north east of scotland , is known north east of scotland, is known for its particular bad rain. If you remember, even back a couple of weeks ago, we saw faith in perth and kinross battered by some quite severe flooding, although some of that was perhaps a little bit of council negligence. But nevertheless , negligence. But nevertheless, the rain came down thick and fast and they have already almost just only recovered from the that flood defence warn from the that flood defence warn from the flooding a couple of weeks ago. Now Council Offices and ago. Now Council Offices and officials as well as are seeing power cuts, travel disruption and so much more expected over the next couple 24 hours. Now weve been talking about the rainfall, as we can see with your umbrella. Your umbrella. And we hope that gb news umbrella holds together. Clearly, its the wind gusting as well. We gather that scotrail have stopped any Services North of edinburgh and now weve got the rnli telling people to stay away from the coasts as well. Away from the coasts as well. Yes, thats correct. I didnt know about the rnli there , but know about the rnli there, but certainly scotrail and quite a lot of services between aberdeen and edinburgh and in fact most services up to aberdeen, i believe are after 5 00 am this morning. A tree fell on the line between even glasgow and oban just to give you an idea of how far reaching the effects of this storm are, the oban is obviously over on the west coast of scotland. While im here in the east and certainly i think the advice from sepa as it was from Angus Council earlier this morning , seem to be stay at home morning, seem to be stay at home unless youre advised to move out and then to not panic and move in an orderly fashion to one of the Community Hubs and the Angus Council in region. The Angus Council in region. Okay, tony, thank you for updating us there. Stay safe. Of course, and well update people as we get more. As pitt was saying that red warning now being extended. And we also just want to take you back to israel , because you back to israel, because although the main focus is on this israel gaza conflict , it this israel gaza conflict, it there are heightening tensions was on that northern Israeli Border with lebanon and the us embassy is now urging its citizens in lebanon to leave as soon as possible to make plans to depart while commercial opfions to depart while commercial options are still available, the security situation in lebanon has been deteriorating and is being monitored extremely closely. Closely. Yeah, im just wondering if we can bring up one of our live pictures that we did have a feed there from the border of northern israel and lebanon. We had seen some smoke there earlier. Had seen some smoke there earlier. Indications had seen some smoke there earlier. Indications perhaps, earlier. Indications perhaps, that there were more rockets coming through. I dont know if we can get that picture. Anyway, the latest were getting from the latest were getting from the Us State Department is that theyve emailed to their citizens saying recommend citizens saying we recommend that those who choose not to depart contingency plans depart prepare contingency plans for emergency situations. Ins, for emergency situations. Ins, thats the word that were getting due to the unpredicted security situation, you will know that weve been reporting for you that certainly iran was indicating it would take direct action as a result of any further war situations in gaza in terms of israeli incursions happening. And we did hear earlier that jihad mohseni , the earlier that jihad mohseni, the head of security for hamas, had been killed in an airstrike. This is according to hamas themselves. No confirmed from themselves. No confirmed from the idf and clearly he is one of the idf and clearly he is one of the senior figures in the hamas superstructure. So there are developments on both sides of the border there. Do stay with us here on gb news for the very latest. Youre with the live desk. Youre with the live desk. Youre with the live desk. Hello, storm babbitt will continue to bring some exceptional weather over the next 24 hours. A rain warning remains in force across eastern scotland and where that rain will continue to push in. This is the area of low pressure thats associated with babbitt. It stays anchored to the uk for the next couple of days and the red warning remains in force where weve got this weather front and you can see it persisting across eastern scotland through much of thursday continuing to thursday evening, continuing to push in. You can see from the colours its heavy and its persistent across the country. Elsewhere we will see rain starting to become more widespread across northern and eastern england. Drier down towards the south west and a mild board. Now mild night across the board. Now weve got weather warnings in place across much of the country, particularly northern and areas. Well and eastern areas. Well continue the wind feeding continue to see the wind feeding that rain in gusts of 70, possibly a touch more over the coasts hills. Its the coasts and hills. But its the rain that we start to focus rain then that we start to focus on across Northern England as we head through friday. And amber warning has just been issued from met office for parts of from the met office for parts of the counties the pennines, Northern Counties of into yorkshire to the of england into yorkshire to the south of it, well see some sunny but that will spark sunny skies, but that will spark off downpours through off some heavy downpours through the afternoon. Again, temperatures staying mild across the board and it stays unsettled as into saturday. As we head into saturday. Further warnings are still in place, but the rain intensity by this stage will begin to ease. Well still continue to see some showers, though, pretty much anywhere across the country. Slightly drier by sunday, but further unsettled weather next week. Bye bye away. Away. Good afternoon. Its coming up to 1 00. And this is the live desk here on gb news. This is what weve got for you today. Latest in the middle east. Hamas says that an israeli airstrike has killed the head of its National Security forces, jihad mazin, as well as members of his family. Its believed that took place in gaza as we see the latest explosions there on the skyline and the us embassy has just started urge its citizens in lebanon to leave as soon as possible because of the deteriorating security situation there. Situation there. I grieve with you. Those are i grieve with you. Those are the words of the Prime Minister rishi sunak, who whos in israel meeting the families of british victims and those still missing in gaza in talks with the israeli president , rishi sunak says his country, israel, has a right to self defence, in line with International Law. With International Law. Back in the uk, a coach carrying Asylum Seekers on the bibby stockholm has arrived in portland. Well have the latest portland. Well have the latest for you as they say, it is now safe for those Asylum Seekers. Safe for those Asylum Seekers. And several hundred families have been ordered to get out to go to safety. This Evacuation Order has been ordered in brecon in scotland. Storm babet is barrelling in residence. Its barrelling in residence. Its there. We are with them. Well have the latest after your headunes have the latest after your headlines with rhiannon. Pip. Headlines with rhiannon. Pip. Thank you. Good afternoon. Its just coming up to 1 01. Your top stories from the newsroom. Im rishi sunak has welcomed israels decision to allow humanitarian aid into gaza from egypt , allow humanitarian aid into gaza from egypt, including £10 million worth from the uk ready to enter the Prime Minister is in jerusalem, where he held talks with his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu and president herzog, who criticised the bbcs coverage of the conflict. Hes coverage of the conflict. Hes accused the corporation of a distortion of the facts. Distortion of the facts. Netanyahu, meanwhile, thanked rishi sunak for his visit , rishi sunak for his visit, calling it a strong statement of support caught in a time of darkness, mr sunak will fly to saudi arabia later, where hell meet the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Speaking earlier, he bin salman. Speaking earlier, he told netanyahu, we want you to win. I welcome your decision. Yesterday that you took to ensure that routes into gaza will be opened for humanitarian aid to enter. Will be opened for humanitarian aid to enter. Im glad that you made that decision and we will support it. We are increasing our aid to the region and we will look to get more support to people as quickly as we can. You describe this as israels darkest hour. Well, then its for me to say im proud to stand here with you in israels darkest hour as your friend. We will stand with you in solidarity. We will stand with your people. And we also want your people. And we also want you to win. You to win. The conflict has now killed more than 4900 people on both sides as it enters its 13th day. A warning some viewers may find the following images distressing. The Gaza Health Ministry says over 12,000 palestinians have been injured in israeli airstrikes and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Thousands have been displaced. Hamas media reporting an israeli airstrike has killed jihad muhsin , head of the hamas led muhsin, head of the hamas led National Security forces. Security minister Tom Tugendhat says palestinians in gaza are being exploited by hamas. I think weve got to recognise that the first victims of hamas are the Palestinian People. Weve seen people in gaza over the last 30, 40 years is not just murdered. When hamas took power in 2008, nine, but actually since then being exploited in the most horrific ways. Weve seen children being ways. Weve seen children being forced to dig these tunnels that sadly have been dug across the entire region. Weve seen individuals who have stood against hamas in various different ways being murdered and the foreign secretary held talks with his egyptian counterpart to discuss the ongoing situation in gaza. Ongoing situation in gaza. James cleverly visited israel last week and will travel to turkey and qatar over the coming days to try and seek a peaceful resolution. The uk says the three countries are vital to International Efforts to uphold regional stability, free hostages and allow humanity access to gaza. In other news, access to gaza. In other news, french president Emmanuel Macron has attended the funeral of a teacher who was stabbed in a suspect islamist attack. Suspect islamist attack. Giovanni bernard was stabbed to death six days ago in the Northern City of arras. Macron and his wife spoke to his family ahead of the ceremony. He also ahead of the ceremony. He also attended by bernard students, each carrying a white rose. The suspects is under formal investigation for murder. And investigation for murder. And france has been on its highest state of alert since the attack took. Back here, coaches of took. Back here, coaches of Asylum Seekers are arriving. Asylum seekers are arriving. Theyre returning to the bbc, stockholm in portland , where a stockholm in portland, where a number of people were taken off the barge after deadly bacteria was found on board more than two months ago. Food supplies have now been delivered. Letters had now been delivered. Letters had been sent to Asylum Seekers confirming their return and the home office says all necessary tests have now been completed. Tests have now been completed. And the met police has described new facial Recognition Technology to catch prolific shoplifters as Game Changing. In a pilot of the new software, 12 retailers provided images of 30 of the worst offenders when compared with the forces custody shots. Almost half came up as positive matches. Those offenders are now being investigated with a view to build criminal cases. The build criminal cases. The software uses biometric measures of a persons face, even if its partly. Covered Greta Thunberg partly. Covered Greta Thunberg has taken to the streets of london in a protest that started this morning outside jp morgan. Demand adding the bank stops funding fossil fuels. Rac so are we. Rac ipso all the climate activists joined fossil free london at the entrance to jp morgan and canary wharf. It follows tuesdays protest in mayfair , where outside a in mayfair, where outside a meeting between Oil Executives where mr burke was arrested along with 26 others and charged with a public order offence. And with a public order offence. And an Evacuation Order has been put in place by Angus Council for all residents in the town of brecon in scotland , and the met brecon in scotland, and the met office has issued a rare red weather warning for heavy rainfall and severe wind for parts of scotland. A new amber warning for rain has been issued for parts of Northern England. The midlands and wales. The British Geological survey has warned storm babet could cause potential landslides. Its potential landslides. Its forecast to cause severe flooding and the risk to life as well. From 6 pm. This evening through tomorrow. This is gb through tomorrow. This is gb news across the uk on tv in your current Digital Radio and on your Smart Speaker by saying play your Smart Speaker by saying play gb news now its back over to mark and. Pip rhiannon. To mark and. Pip rhiannon. Thank you. So Prime Minister thank you. So Prime Minister rishi sunak has been in israel meeting Benjamin Netanyahu and isaac herzog. The president isaac herzog. The president saying that the uk would stand by israel in its darkest hours. The Prime Minister has been speaking to reporters , answering speaking to reporters, answering questions as to why he was in israel. Israel. This important time. First and foremost, to express my solidarity with the israeli people after they suffered an absolutely horrific terrorist attack by hamas. Ive had good, attack by hamas. Ive had good, productive conversation with both Prime Minister netanyahu and the israeli president herzog. Among other things, we discussed the importance of this conflict not escalating regionally and the importance of getting humanitarian aid into gaza to help people who need it. Gaza to help people who need it. I also had the opportunity to meet families of British Nationals who have been taken hostage. We are doing absolutely everything we can to get them home, and from here ill be travelling to saudi arabia to build on the engagement that ive already had with readers , ive already had with readers, leaders from the region leaders from across the region on humanitarian aid. Are you concerned about the rising of civilian rising number of civilian casualties gaza the casualties in gaza and the humanitari crisis there . Well, weve been consistently clear that its important that aid goes into gaza. Aid goes into gaza. Earlier this week, i announced an increase in the aid that the uk is providing. Were that the uk is providing. Were working closely with countries, particularly egypt, to make sure that that aid can get to those people as quickly as possible. People as quickly as possible. And very pleased and and i was very pleased and i welcomed Prime Minister netanyahus decision yesterday to access for things to provide for access for things like and water, medical like food and water, medical suppues like food and water, medical supplies into gaza. Job now supplies into gaza. Ourjob now is to play a role in making sure that that happens as quickly as practically possible. Support israeli would you support an Israeli Ground invasion of gaza if that is israel decides to do . Is what israel decides to do . Been consistently clear ive been consistently clear that hamas has perpetrated an absolutely appalling , barbaric absolutely appalling, barbaric act terror which has taken act of terror which has taken the lives of so many and caused untold misery and suffering. Israel has every right given that to defend itself in line with humanitarian law. Make sure that it can try and recover hostages and ensure the security of its people, not just today , of its people, not just today, but for the long term, so that Something Like this can never happen. But i Something Like this can never happen. But also Something Like this can never happen. But i also know and president herzog has said that israel will take every precaution to harming precaution to avoid harming civilians. To civilians. But we have to remember that is hamas, the remember that it is hamas, the terrorist organisation that embeds in the civilian embeds itself in the civilian population, and they should be held accountable for that. Held accountable for that. A Ground Invasion isnt just risking civilian casualties in gaza. It risks sparking a wider conflict around the middle east. So is defeating hamas is worth it at all costs, even if that means a wider regional conflict. Means a wider regional conflict. Hamas has perpetrated an absolutely barbaric act of terrorism , and im sure many terrorism, and im sure many people will have seen seen seen the videos. They are horrific. They chill. You they certainly have done that to me. And have done that to me. And everyone can see that they represent pure evil. And its right that israel exercises its right that israel exercises its right to self defence. It has not just the right to protect its citizens. The duty to protect its citizens and ensure that Something Like this can never happen its never happen again. Its important conflict never happen again. Its importaescalate conflict never happen again. Its importa escalate regionally. Doesnt escalate regionally. Thats why im talking to as many people as i can across the region. Ive done that region. Ive already done that and able to see and ill be able to see more people in person this trip. People in person on this trip. No one wants to see this conflict escalate and indeed the uk has sent various military assets into the mediterranean to prevent regional escalation. So some of surveillance some of our surveillance aircraft, example, are aircraft, for example, are ensuring that arms shipments dont way to people dont find their way to people like hezbollah. Like hezbollah. The Israeli Military yesterday showed what it says is proof that they were not behind the bombing of a hospital in gaza. The american us, through President Biden, said that they agreed with that assessment through their own intelligence. What is the british position on it . I think the first thing to say is all of us who have seen those scenes would have been deeply and shocked by them. We mourn the loss of all innocent life people from every faith, every nationality who have tragically lost their lives. But i think the situation reminds us all about the importance of not jumping to conclusions. Ions in an incredibly sensitive situation, its important that we take the time to establish the facts of what happened as i said in parliament, i met with the chair of the joint Intelligence Committee, our own Intelligence Services are conducting their independent analysis of everything , and its right that everything, and its right that we let them get on with that. So that analysis is ongoing and you still dont have a final judgement either way. As i said, its important that we take the time to establish the facts. I with the chair of our i met with the chair of our joint Intelligence Committee and they process of they are in the process of looking at all the evidence, reviewing available. Reviewing the facts available. You. Prime minister, thank you. Prime minister, thank you. Very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Sunak speaking rishi sunak now speaking in jerusalem, was jerusalem, saying it was important the conflict did not escalate regionally as he was indicating. Going indicating. Hes now going to saudi to meet mohammed saudi arabia to meet mohammed bin salam. Lets get the thoughts our Political Editor thoughts of our Political Editor , Christopher Hope, who can join us. Christopher, as well as that , weve got the foreign secretary, of course, going to qatar, egypt, turkey. This qatar, to egypt, to turkey. This is really intensive diplomatic is a really intensive diplomatic round, if we can put it that way i definitely. And of course, the Prime Minister is flying off to saudi arabia tonight and maybe a third country after that. Back in the uk tomorrow afternoon, using all the diplomatic tools theyve got to try theres no try and make sure theres no escalation that clip. They escalation in that clip. They use the term escalation twice. Theres to escalate theres no need to escalate regionally. Thought thats regionally. I thought thats fascinating. For the time fascinating. For the first time that talked there about, we that he talked there about, we have got these these planes as monitoring to monitoring arms shipments to hezbollah to the to try hezbollah to the north to try and avoid any escalation up there. And also they are doing all they can. The Israeli Government all they can government is doing all they can to British Nationals get to help British Nationals get out of gaza they want to, and out of gaza if they want to, and also with hostage also deal with the hostage crisis thats emerging as we speak there. So i think we have crisis thats emerging as we spe wevere. So i think we have crisis thats emerging as we spe weve gotio i think we have crisis thats emerging as we spe weve got the think we have crisis thats emerging as we spe weve got the first we have crisis thats emerging as we spe weve got the first remarks; got weve got the first remarks from why our pm is in israel. From why our pm is in israel. They want to get aid into gaza as soon as possible. We do know from lobby meeting this from the lobby meeting this morning, theres £10 million worth sitting near that worth of aid sitting near that racket to the south of racket crossing to the south of the gaza strip. And that needs to get into gaza as soon as possible. Christopher just bring us up to date with what we know about the situation regarding British Nationals. Those held hostage and those who are missing and have lost their lives as pip. Thats right. There are 16 men who are missing or dead of those numbers. We know that seven have died. A further nine are missing, two of whom we know for sure are now being held hostage by hamas in gaza. The remaining seven is not clear. Some will have died and some will be held hostage. The uk has will be held hostage. The uk has confirmed this morning they are talking to other countries to try and help ensure that those british hostages can be released. Of course, the nature of israel and the nature of this this attack by hamas meant this swift attack by hamas meant that lot of countries have that a lot of countries have a lot their nationals being lot of their nationals being held hostage, hostage in gaza. And thats why theres a Big International effort to get them and get them out and make sure they are not held any more than they are not held any more than they need to but its a they need to be. But its a very, very difficult time for the know the pm has the families. We know the pm has met one family yesterday. Met with one family yesterday. Thats an israeli thats a family of an Israeli National held held by hamas. And then today hes been meeting with of two british with families of two British Nationals held hamas. We nationals held held in hamas. We havent their names. Havent been given their names. And thats for and thats probably thats for good because, good reasons, because, of course, in these in these difficult situations, the government their government must maintain their anonymity can, make anonymity if they can, to make sure it doesnt escalate put sure it doesnt escalate and put at those being held. At risk those being held. Whats the feeling, christopher, prime christopher, on how the Prime Minister handled this . Many minister has handled this . Many are saying he has been very statesmanlike here and also brave, i guess, like like President Biden to go into a war zone. Yeah, i mean, it is brave to fly to israel. Israel is under constant attack. Its protected by the iron dome above israel. By the iron dome above israel. And hes, of course, been in jerusalem. Yes, he is showing his hes good on the world stage. Thats what hes good at. He works hard. He reads his briefs when hes fully briefed. He really is on top of his brief. I experienced that at the g20 with him in delhi last month, and i think we are seeing other World Leaders fly out there. Think president there. We think french president emmanuel the Emmanuel Macron is going. The german chancellor, schulz, of course, biden all the way back to us. Are the these to the us. These are the these are the world powers who are members. Many of them are members. Many, many of them are members. Many, many of them are members of the un security council. They are trying to show support but key support for israel. But the key point is, is how this point there is, is how this invasion goes, assuming it happens into gaza, israel has got exercise restraint in got to exercise restraint in terms of civilians. They would lose, think, rapidly global lose, i think, rapidly Global Support what theyre doing lose, i think, rapidly global stthatt what theyre doing lose, i think, rapidly global stthat goes what theyre doing lose, i think, rapidly global stthat goes wrong. Eyre doing lose, i think, rapidly global stthat goes wrong. Eyrethats if that goes wrong. And thats why think that has been why i think that has been stressed both to the israeli president herzog this morning, as well as the Prime Minister but netanyahu is really important not to risk a needlessly civilian lives as his invasion progresses. Chris in westminster, thank you very much indeed for that. Well, lets go to tel aviv now and speak to Charlie Peters, our reporter there. And charlie, just looking at the very frantic nature of all this diplomatic activity , also the fact that the activity, also the fact that the us has urged its citizens in lebanon as soon as lebanon to leave as soon as possible. Are we getting an indication perhaps, that all this place to clear this is taking place to clear the decks, if like , before the decks, if you like, before any ground offensive in any kind of ground offensive in gaza . Gaza . Well, that news from lebanon of us nationals being urged to leave as soon as possible is a very significant moment in this conflict. It as the very significant moment in this conflict. It as the regional powers around israel are struggling to contain the level of protest erupted by the explosion at that hospital on tuesday night. It has left the arab powers very limited position to manoeuvre since they all came out in condemnation of what they said was an israeli strike on that hospital. But very Little Information released to support that version of events, whereas more compelling but not yet conclusive evidence released from the israeli and american side since then. Very interesting to hear Prime Minister rishi sunak there not yet confirming where British Intelligence and the British State stands on this particular issue. Still taking a look at what is going on there, reaffirming the statements made gb news this morning by security minister Tom Tugendhat. But minister Tom Tugendhat. But people leaving the region is a sure sign, i think, of the remainder of the plans to launch that Ground Invasion onto the gaza strip. That convoy remains in the south and it is still being sustained and the ground is still being shaped by the Israeli Defence force for that likely Ground Invasion. The likely Ground Invasion. The incidents on tuesday did give pause for consideration that alternative options may be considered. Lieutenant colonel richard hecht, an idf spokesman , richard hecht, an idf spokesman, also said that other options may be on the table. But the feeling in israel is that he might have said that to distract from the communications on the day on the tuesday he made that tuesday when he made that statement because the was statement because the news was wall wall with images of wall to wall with images of destruction gaza. For destruction in gaza. But for a brief all people were brief moment, all people were talking richard talking about was richard hecht. But that convoy is in the but still, that convoy is in the south and they are facing an increased skirmish in the north with the border with southern lebanon. The situation is lebanon. So the situation is escalating there. And there have also been Significant Developments in iraq and syria. Last we reports of last night we heard reports of american troops being evacuated from an airbase in al asad airbase and al hira after a drone strike likely by iranian proxies caused a traumatic brain injury on us personnel. This morning there are unconfirmed reports of Lebanese Hezbollah or a an iranian aligned proxy group launching missiles at another us base in northern syria. Obviously these bases have been crucial for launch american air power on isis targets for the last decade. So those are last decade. So those are Significant Developments as the region continues to hot up and more pressure is being put on us and Coalition Forces in the region. And thats move for us citizens to evacuate from lebanon. Clearly an indication of where this is all heading. We are also hearing, charlie , we are also hearing, charlie, that israel airstrike has killed the head of hamass National Security forces. Thats quite significant, isnt it . And how big do we know that top tier of hamas to be . Well they do have several military commanders , but several military commanders, but the intensity of the leadership in hamas is great. Obviously, its one of the most densely populated parts of the world and trying to track down that leadership is a significant challenge for israeli intelligence. But a lot israeli intelligence. But a lot of israelis also, especially within the security establishment here, talking about the need to also target the politburo of hamas. Four of the politburo of hamas. Four of the politburo of hamas. Four of the 21 members of that political cabinet have the idf claim being killed, but a significant challenge. They face is that so many of the targets they want to capture or remove are in qatar, are outside of the gaza strip. So all they can do really is focus on those remaining in the gaza strip. And that presents a serious challenge to the Israeli Mission here. How can they fully defeat hamas as a military and political entity if so many of its leaders and indeed its actors are based elsewhere and being supported so heavily by iran . Of course. Yeah. And we reflect, of course, that weve got James Cleverly the foreign secretary we understand, heading to qatar , we understand, heading to qatar, as well as rishi sunak heading to saudi arabia. All part of this jigsaw, if you like. This jigsaw, if you like. Thats right. And the qataris will be a significant step for one of those main ambitions for rishi sunak, which is the diplomacy with regards to hostages. The qataris have been hostages. The qataris have been a major mediator for hostage releases between militant groups and terror groups that often maintain representing in doha. We can remember, of course , that we can remember, of course, that the talks between america and the talks between america and the taliban took place in doha for a long period before the fall of kabul to that regime. And so people are flocking towards doha for conversations with qatari mediators as gaining that diplomatic insight into the situation in hamas to try and continue talks for the release of those hostages because if diplomacy fails, the fight to retrieve them militarily will be extremely intense , unbelievably extremely intense, unbelievably dangerous, and possibly impossible with the situation with tunnels and booby traps and suicide bombers. Some of the suicide bombers. Some of the violence seen during the last Ground Invasion in 2014 was was unbelievable. And so the fear is unbelievable. And so the fear is that such an incident, again, with some 203 hostages, would prove to be a significant challenge, perhaps a challenge too far for the idf. Too far for the idf. Charlie peters gb news, reporter in tel aviv. Thank you. And we can show you live pictures of the gaza skyline where israel says it has hit hundreds of sites in gaza over the last 24 hours or so. At the moment , it is the last 24 hours or so. At the moment, it is looking quiet, but for how long . Youre with the live desk. Stay with a. M. Till noon on gb news, britains news channel. Britains news channel. Well, welcome back to the live desk with these reports that a coach carrying Asylum Seekers to be accommodated on the bibby stockholm barge has now arrived in portland. Still now arrived in portland. Still local residents, of course, opposed to that whove been getting these various opposition gatherings and the issue, of course, most recently legionella bacteria found in the water supply on board the barge. Its more than two months since the barge, which can hold up to 500 people, well, was essentially shut down. So lets speak to our south west of england. Reporter jeff moody, whos at portland port. It that coach arrived port. It that coach arrived about 1 00. Jeff, good afternoon. Do we know how many people are going on board this time . Going on board this time . We dont. The home office is being very tight lipped about it. There were 39 people that arrived last time. We think its going to be something similar here. Weve had one coach today and were told thats it. No more but there more coaches today. But there should be one tomorrow as well. Should be one tomorrow as well. So however many people were on the coach, we couldnt tell because the windows were all blacked out. Theyre now on board the bibby stockholm set, filling reaction they got filling in the reaction they got when arrived. They got when they arrived. They got a protest here at the port from the to stand up racism group who welcomed refugees. Just dont think that they should be on the barge. Theyve got all sorts of welcome packs. They were handing out and welcome packs out flowers and welcome packs that notepad aids, that contain notepad aids, emergency help lines, that sort of thing. But there was an unexpected protest today, one that none of us could have predicted and Just Stop Oil managed to halt the bus as it was coming along the beach road onto the isle of portland itself. They managed to make the bus stop to a standstill while the police managed to fairly swiftly move them out of the way. And the bus carried on with its journey. But as you say, its journey. But as you say, that it as you. Oh oh, jeff, did that it as you. Oh oh, jeff, did you you just watched it, did you . Okay. Well theres people here saying that there are no police around. I saw in the pictures that i saw that there were police there that managed to them. But theyre now on to stop them. But theyre now on the barge , as we say, settling the barge, as we say, settling in. There was all sorts of issues. In. There was all sorts of issues. Of course, this has been issues. Of course, this has been going on since april. This is the several attempts to get them to get them on on board. Theres been all sorts of legal challenges as we know, in the last few months since august, the most recent one from caroline parks, whos the mayor down here, who put in a legal challenge, saying that planning permission wasnt she wasnt in situ planning permission wasnt as appropriate as it should be given those circumstances. The given those circumstances. The high court very recently, chuck , high court very recently, chuck, that out, said that that she hadnt produced her evidence in time and that they werent going to count it and so here we are today when theyre now back on board. For how long, though . We dont know. Yeah, we just see one of the pictures of the bus thats arrived there, jeff. And clearly , as been hearing, still , as weve been hearing, still voices of opposition on on both sides of the divide. But are we getting an indication in about how many other buses, how many people could be transported there despite the home office, as you say, staying tight lipped on the issue . On the issue . Well, i mean, there could be anything up to 500, but were told that thats not going to be likely to happen this year. Its going to be a gradual roll adding of people. Going adding of people. Theyre going to put a few into the mix, see how they got on, see how things 9 how they got on, see how things go, and try and add a few go, and then try and add a few more in aftennards. So i think thats generally theyre thats generally the way theyre going it. Itll be a going to go about it. Itll be a few at a time over the next few weeks and months. Jeff what reassurances are there there for people boarding that this barge is safe . It is secure because, of course, as you were saying , course, as you were saying, there was the problem with the legionella bacteria back in the summer. Summer. Summer. Well, the home office has said that the problems with legionella have been sorted out. Theyre saying that theyve now tested the water several times this happened fairly early on, about two weeks after they initially came off of the barge with the water. Had been sorted out. Its worth saying that 39 of the refuge ulez that originally came on the barge before wrote an open letter to the home office saying that they really didnt want to go back on the barge. They said that it was they felt very unsafe there. They said that after the perilous journeys that theyd taken to get to britain , they taken to get to britain, they didnt want to go back on the water. And they said that it had had a very detrimental effect to their health. So whether their mental health. So whether their mental health. So whether the home office has addressed their mental health. So whether the iparticularze has addressed their mental health. So whether the iparticular issue, addressed their mental health. So whether the iparticular issue, iddressed their mental health. So whether the iparticular issue, i donted that particular issue, i dont know. But it certainly looks as though the with the water though the issue with the water supply has been sorted out fairly early on. Just finally, jeff, i cant help but notice the massive contrast between the weather where you are in the south, in dorset compared to our colleague tony maguire, whos whos up in scotland. Is it really as lovely there as it looks today . There as it looks today . Actually, it is, yeah. Its a really beautiful day. The suns been shining most of the day and its absolutely gorgeous. Yeah its absolutely gorgeous. Yeah its like a Little Indian summer down here. Its like a Little Indian summer dokaay,5. Its like a Little Indian summer dov okay, well tell its like a Little Indian summer dokaay, well tell tony. Im okay, well tell tony. Im sure hear that. Yeah. And in fact, well update you fairly shortly on that situation in scotland because just to update in brecon evacuee update you in brecon evacuee orders now place from 360 orders now in place from 360 households being moved to safety. But we understand one person is declining to move. Well have the latest with our reporter on the scene. Stay with us. Latest headlines now. Rhiannon. Thank you. Rhiannon. Thank you. Markets just gone 130. Your top stories from the newsroom. Top stories from the newsroom. Rishi sunak has welcome. Rishi sunak has welcome. Israels decision to allow humanity korean aid into gaza from egypt, including £10 million worth from the uk ready to enter the Prime Minister held talks with his counterpart , talks with his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu and president herzog. Netanyahu thanked rishi sunak for his visit, calling it a strong statement of support in a strong statement of support in a time of darkness , as mr sunak a time of darkness, as mr sunak will fly to saudi arabia later, where hell meet the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. He Prince Mohammed bin salman. He says talks today have been productive. Productive. Ive had good, productive conversations with both Prime Minister netanyahu and the israeli president , herzog. Among israeli president , herzog. Among other things, we discussed the importance of this conflict not escalating regionally and the importance of getting humanitarian aid into gaza to help people who need it. I also had the opportunity to meet families of British Nationals who have been taken hostage. Were doing absolutely everything we can to get them home. The conflict has now killed almost 5000 people on both sides as it enters its 13th day. A warning some viewers may find the following images distressing. The Gaza Health Ministry says over 12,000 palestinians have been injured in israeli airstrikes and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes. Hamas media are reporting an israeli airstrike has killed jihad hussein , head of the hamas jihad hussein, head of the hamas led National Security forces. Two British Nationals are still being held hostage by hamas and seven are still missing. In seven are still missing. In other news back here, coach is of Asylum Seekers have returned to the bibby stockholm in portland. A number of people were taken off the barge after deadly bacteria was found on board more than two months ago. Food supplies have now been delivered and letters sent to Asylum Seekers confirming their return. The home office says all necessary tests have now been completed. And an evacuation completed. And an Evacuation Order has been put in place by Angus Council for all residents in the town of brechin in scotland. The met office has issued a rare red weather warning for heavy rainfall and severe wind for parts of scotland. A new amber warning for rain has been issued for parts of Northern England. The midlands and wales. The British Geological survey has warned that storm babet could cause potential landslides. Its potential landslides. Its forecast to cause severe flooding and risk to life from six this evening and throughout tomorrow. And you can get more tomorrow. And you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website at gbnews. Com. For a valuable gbnews. Com. For a valuable legacy, your family can own , legacy, your family can own, gold coins will always shine bright. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report. Report. Heres a quick snapshot of todays markets. The pound will buy you 1. 21, two, 4 and ,1. 1483. The price of gold is. £1,608. 67 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is at 7512 points. Rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report this evening. Gb news is the peoples. Channel welcome back peoples. Channel welcome back to the live desk. To the live desk. Lets just update you with what we believe is a warning being issued by the Foreign Office calling on all britons still in lebanon to leave. Now, while commercial options remain available. Weve not got official confirmation on that from the Foreign Office, but it does follow this warning from the us embassy imploring american nationals to prepare contingency plans for what they said were emergency situations is clearly with the worry that the security situation could actually deteriorate and as of course, weve got the Prime Minister heading to Saudi Arabia Foreign secretary going to qatar and the rest of the region in. Lets get more with our Political Correspondent katherine forster, who can update whats. Well update us on whats. Well a pretty intensive diplomatic round going on. Catherine yes , it certainly is both yes, it certainly is both rishi sunak the Prime Minister on this two day visit to the middle east and the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, who is on a three day visit to all these western powers, unite in trying to reduce the risk of this conflict escalating and spreading. Were hearing , arent spreading. Were hearing, arent we, about real concerns about the situation to the north in lebanon , hezbollah people , us lebanon, hezbollah people, us nationals, etcetera, being urged to get out. So rishi sunak to get out. So rishi sunak having been in israel this morning, talked to the president to the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu , to as well , some netanyahu, to as well, some positive messaging coming out of that. Is now on his way to saudi arabia where he will talk to Mohammed Bin Salman this afternoon. The crown prince, now saudi arabia is a really key player in the middle east. It has generally good relations with the west. And its very influential. And before for hamas committed these atrocities on october the seventh, it looked like saudi arabia and israel were inching towards some sort of deal, normalising relations. So sort of deal, normalising relations. S0 saudi arabias part in this is all very important. Now there havent been the protests in saudi arabia that weve seen elsewhere here in the middle east, largely because they are not tolerant of such things. But what a difficult situation. Saudi difficult situation. Saudi arabia has made it plain. They arabia has made it plain. They take a pretty dim view of israels actions so far when the american secretary of state, Antony Blinken , was there a few Antony Blinken, was there a few days ago and he was kept waiting for hours then the meeting was cancelled and rescheduled until the following morning. So not an easy mission that rishi sunak is on by any means. But of course theyre just trying to get support for everybody to calm heads , getting aid into gaza, heads, getting aid into gaza, getting Communication Channels of communication opened up, getting people talking and hopefully the situation in not getting even worse than it currently is catherine, thank you very much indeed for that. You very much indeed for that. Just to update you with the situation that we understand on the border with lebanon, there are smoke and flames being seen on that border area. No indication as to whether its any kind of missile strike. But as we say, the latest were getting from both the Foreign Office and the Us State Department is its urging people to leave as soon as they can. Now something completely different. And youll want to hear about this because by 2030, 150,000 children in the uk will be homeless and living in b bs and other emergency accommodation. Thats according to new research from the National Housing federation. And National Housing federation. And 1. 5 million families will be on the Council House waiting list. Thats been predicted , an thats been predicted, an increase of more than a third. So no surprise, perhaps, that britain is being declared to be in the middle of a housing emergency, according to a leading Housing Association, a theme did of theme that we did hear, of course, in Keir Starmers speech in the labour conference in liverpool. Lets get more with our economics and Business Editor halligan on the editor Liam Halligan with on the money on this bedfordshire building site. Dreams are being made of a safe and permanent home. This project is led by grand union a not for Profit Housing association. Theyre building 40 social Housing Units here for low income and vulnerable families paying below market rents. But with over a million households on the Council House waiting list, these much needed homes barely scratched the surface. Surface. I think when we have 150,000 children on sleeping in temporary accommodation and its not really temporary because some of it has lasted over ten years, then that is an emergency. Were damaging peoples futures. This photo for ian and cheryl jarvis. Social housing became their only option when their daughter kyrees was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Kyrees unable to hydrocephalus. Kyrees unable to walk or talk , life in a seventh walk or talk, life in a seventh floor flat became impossible for this close knit family. This close knit family. We were paying over the odds for private renting. So even though we had two wages at the time, once carers came along, the wages started to dwindle because we were needing to be more out of work. So then so look after to look after the daughter because she always daughter because she was always in it in hospital visits. So she it just became too too expensive then it if wed have carried on trying to be in the private, private side, we would have we would we would have would have just we would have been than we been probably worse off than we were. Flat on our faces. By 2030, the National Housing federation estimates 1. 5 million low income and vulnerable households will be on the waiting list for affordable social housing. Thats a third more than today. Social housing. Thats a third more than today. As a result, more than today. As a result, 150,000 children will be living in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts and emergency hostels. Thats six emergency hostels. Thats six children in every school in the country essential. We cant shower for ian and cheryl , given kerrys special cheryl, given kerrys special needs , grand union has been needs, grand union has been a life saver, i dread to think where he would be if wed be together or separated. We wouldnt if enabled to be living with our daughter because she needs a lot of equipment and she needs a lot of equipment and she needs a 24 hour care. So yeah , i dont know where wed be yeah, i dont know where wed be without grand union and being in this house elsewhere in bedfordshire is grand unions newly built camomile gardens sheltered accommodation for social tenants aged 55 plus jacqui recently lost her leg in an accident. She says living here is a godsend. But social housing is a lottery. Lottery. This seems to be an area where some people are struggling to get anywhere, and others just seem to be lucky. I dont know how other way to explain it. The media focussed on home ownership, alien evans says the need for more social housing is often ignored, but the alternative is the state subsidising vulnerable families to rent on the open market. Successive governments need to invest in social housing, othennise we will consign families. To lives where their families. To lives where their futures are stolen and we will have a burgeoning housing benefit bill that will cost the taxpayer far more than Building Social housing in the first place. Rishi sunak failed to mention housing in his Party Conference speech. Keir starmer put more homes at the centre of his offer to voters. This could be the issue that decides the next general election. Liam halligan gb news in bedfordshire a well Liam Halligan joins us now. Liam rishi sunak you just mentioned him there in your in your package. He didnt make a big thing about the housing crisis did he . In his speech he didnt mention housing once in his think that was his speech and i think that was a miss on his part. A huge miss on his part. Keir starmer, in contrast, put housing at the very centre of his speech , but again, was of his speech, but again, it was mainly housing geared towards owner occupancy. Three young owner occupancy. Three Young Professionals who want to buy homes rather than social housing, which i think is a real cinderella of Public Policy because this is the sharp end. This is where you have low income and vulnerable households , just a roof over , is just getting a roof over their heads affordable their heads at an affordable rent of course, youve got Council Housing, which is below market and then youve got market rent, and then youve got Housing Association housing provided by non for profit organisations. And thats what i organisations. And thats what i featured in that package. But featured in that package. But over the last 40 years, pip and mark, there have only been three years when weve actually built more social housing than weve demolished or sold. So the stock of social housing is falling all the time. The Council Waiting list is getting longer and longer and longer, so people end up in temporary accommodation. And of course, we did have the situation. Margaret thatcher making Council Housing available to buy people for to buy and people for understandable reasons filled their boots with that and bought their boots with that and bought their own homes. But that was their own homes. But that was the start really of that huge reduction in what we used to call Council Housing stock. Yeah, but margaret thatchers government lot government still built a lot more each year more Council Houses each year than we do at the moment. Yeah, the blair brown era in ten years and the tories from 2010 onwards, weve hardly built any of these homes because the treasury seems to have got it into head that its better into its head that its better to social tenants in private to put social tenants in private accommodation and their accommodation and then pay their rent for them. But weve ended up situation where were up in a situation where were spending £25 billion a year on housing benefit to pay for that. And often these private social homes, if you like, the landlords dont particularly look after the tenants. The tenants have got nowhere to go and you end up look, i mean, weve just had announced yesterday serious failings or delay in social housing landlords, the Housing Ombudsman Service has reported that last year they quadrupled hundreds of families who are in accommodation where their health has been impacted. And we see these reports mould dickensian. But if you if you live in a Council House, its your house for the rest of your life. Its for the rest of your life. Its far more likely that you can maintain it yourself or you can do of the work yourself. Of do some of the work yourself. Of course the council will often help model of just help you, but this model of just paying help you, but this model of just paying live in paying for people to live in private accommodation private sector accommodation just isnt working. Are we going to be then where are we going to be then in years time . If we in say, ten years time . If we dont get grips with this . Dont get to grips with this . Well, National Housing well, well, the National Housing federation, which is the Housing Associations umbrella associations sort of umbrella organisation, saying the organisation, theyre saying the Council House waiting list will go Council House waiting list will 9 up Council House waiting list will 90 p by Council House waiting list will go up by a third, but i think further down the line, because weve got so many 40 and 50 year olds now, let alone 30 year olds who cant who dont own their own home. And when they stop working, they wont be able to pay rent. So then theyre going to have to theyre going to need some kind of sponsored of state sponsored accommodation. This is the kind of demand coming down of tsunami of demand coming down the thats why in my the line. And thats why in my writing broadcasting for writing and broadcasting for many, many years and in my book home say, look, we home truths, i say, look, we just have to build more social housing, more Council Housing is the problem that the house the other problem that the House Builders and, you know, there are many smaller firms now are not many smaller firms now or family firms, as weve discussed. Yeah. Want to build they just want to build executive because thats executive homes because thats where is. Where the profit is. They do. But they would build Council Housing the incentive they do. But they would build courtherenusing the incentive they do. But they would build courthere. Sing the incentive they do. But they would build courthere. The the incentive they do. But they would build courthere. The states incentive they do. But they would build courthere. The state says ntive they do. But they would build courthere. The state says itive was there. The state says it isnt building Council Housing was there. The state says it isnt buiitheg Council Housing was there. The state says it isnt buiithe land ncil housing was there. The state says it isnt buiithe land isl housing was there. The state says it isnt buiithe land is so ousing because the land is so expensive. Then i say to expensive. But then i say to that, yeah, but the state owns 6 of all freehold land in the country, many in urban areas. This is what they call grey land labour. Land due to labour. Many, of it. Well, no, many, many of it. Well, no, thats something different. Grey grey land is between greenbelt and right . So, grey land is between greenbelt and right . So, no, and brownfield, right . So, no, this is something completely different. This is the land that the state owns. But the treasury, again, theyre often a roadblock in this. Theyve been very reluctant to release that land for housing, even if it is Council Housing, which in the end would save money because you save money if the state the save money if the state owns the house houses the social house and houses the social tenant rather than paying rent to landlord every year. To a landlord every year. Whats also important is and whats also important is to sure these houses are to make sure these houses are equipped properly for people who arent bodied. And sure, so arent able bodied. And sure, so many of them arent sure. Mean that of course thats i mean that of course thats important, but thats just the cherry on the cake. Cherry on top of the cake. I mean, weve got so many households in temporary accommodation now or in bad private sector accommodation. I private sector accommodation. I mean, it strikes me that we just need to build more Council Houses and Housing Association, as you talked about, the right to buy their mark. The irony of thatis to buy their mark. The irony of that is , yes, quite a few that is, yes, quite a few Council Houses were sold off in the and into the 90s, but the 80s and into the 90s, but the 80s and into the 90s, but the legislation actually said for every home that was sold, another one had to be built. But that legislation just fell by the wayside. And no, no council was ever prosecuted. And that was ever prosecuted. And that was ever prosecuted. And that was the problem. So weve weve diminished our stock of social housing. Liam, thanks very much indeed , taking us through that very important social issue there with report, too. But with with that report, too. But lets to the lets just return now to the middle east. Were just going to bnng middle east. Were just going to bring you the latest pictures were getting from the north. This is nahariya, looking towards lebanon , because we have towards lebanon, because we have got these reports. As you can got these reports. As you can see, the smoke there of anti armor missiles striking israel, hitting the border village of manara , but no village of manara, but no casualties. Thats the latest were getting from the Reuters News Agency. But this is happening just as the us embassy in lebanon urges its citizens to make plans to depart as soon as possible. While commercial options are still available. And theres reports that britons are also being advised Foreign Office are echoing that clearly, they want to get people to safety while the commercial flights are available. Fears perhaps that the security situation may start to unravel according to whatever happens in gaza and elsewhere in israel. But well update you as israel. But well update you as we get more on this situation in the north of israel. Theyre heading to scotland now where an entire town has been told to evacuate. Officials are warning that exceptional rainfall from storm babet is threatening to breach flood defences and hit infrastructure there. Well, its already flooded towns and villages in ireland and the highest ever amount of rain to fall in a 24 hour period, according to met office figures, which is why the red alert is in place and perhaps being extended and even brought fonnard. Lets get the latest with tony in brighton where i think he was saying tony, at least 350 households have been told to get to safety. Told to get to safety. Yes, thats correct. On the yes, thats correct. On the call earlier on with Angus Council, they advised that they were making the decision from about 3 00 this afternoon to begin welcoming around 360 properties into the Community Hubs where they will be able to rest and stay safe. The river levels are rising, as they say , levels are rising, as they say, and south river esk and north river esk are both seeing record amounts of rainfall over the next 24 hours. Now, ive been here in brighton since about 7 00 this morning and i will say that the met Office Description of this red weather warning of continuous and unprecedented level of rain and persistent extraordinary levels of rainfall is more than accurate. So i was is more than accurate. So i was down at the river earlier on today and, you know, theres quite starting i think it looks like people packing bags into their cars at the bottom of the town and certainly up the top. But im actually here and probably one of the busier parts of the town, though it doesnt look like it with the shot behind me. Behind me is the barge yard where sand bags are being given out by Angus Council as a way to protect the properties. While this weather is ongoing. And to another side , is ongoing. And to another side, of course, is the lidl, where more people are stocking up on suppues more people are stocking up on supplies and food so that they can bed for in the next few days. Now we know that this red weather warning is exceptional as it is has been extended further south, almost right down to dundee and tayside , where the to dundee and tayside, where the heavy rainfall from storm babet is expected to cause massive disruption. Now, we know earlier disruption. Now, we know earlier on that scotrail has cancelled many a service from aberdeen down to the south and the central belt of scotland and that includes from aberdeen to elgin, edinburgh to aberdeen, fife, perth to aberdeen , fife, perth to aberdeen, dunblane to perth. You see the dunblane to perth. You see the picture thats forming here and its pretty much in line with what sepa advised everyone earlier on today. And yesterday. Stay at home, do not travel. There is expected to be power cuts. There is expected to be further significant delays to roads, travel with all the surface water. Now starting to make an appearance on the roads here in the north east of scotland. And again, id like to scotland. And again, id like to echo the point that this red weather warning hasnt even really come into full force yet. It starts at 6 00. So many will be wandering around breaking and around angus and the lower parts of grampian fesses up before the red weather warning. Just what are we in for later on, tony . How are people where you are feeling about having to evacuate . Are they obeying the. Order . Are they obeying the. Order it certainly seems that way. And i mean down. I only had a couple of conversations and certainly nobody, understandably , its quite a traumatic time for them to be told that they need to leave their house. But, you know, they want to be safe. They want to keep their families safe. And at the end of the day is just, you know, unfortunate and devastating as it is to lose property and to have your property and to have your property flooded. They can do what they can. And certainly, you know , laying sandbags and you know, laying sandbags and breaking here has some of the most kind of advanced flood defences in this part of scotland. And theyll just be scotland. And theyll just be hoping that whenever they go back tomorrow and thats the best that they can hope for. Tony, thank you very much for updating us. Stay safe. Of course, latest from scotland coming up. And of course, well update the middle east as update you in the middle east as the minister israel the Prime Minister leaves israel , saudi arabia. What , heading to saudi arabia. What will in the diplomatic will be next in the diplomatic round . When. When. Good afternoon. It is 2 00 and this is the live desk here on gb news. Coming up this thursday afternoon , fears that thursday afternoon, fears that the tensions in the middle east could spread. The us embassy now urging its citizens in lebanon to leave as soon as possible. With these pictures in the north showing that there have been some missiles fired from lebanon into israel. Well have the latest for you on a moving situation. For you on a moving situation. I grieve with you. The words of the Prime Minister rishi sunak, whos in israel as he meets the families of british victims and those still missing in gaza in talks with the israeli president , he says israeli president , he says israel has a right to self defence in line with International Law. International law. And in the uk , coach carrying and in the uk, coach carrying Asylum Seekers to be accommodated on this bibby stockholm barge has arrived at portland port, where the more protest its. Protest its. And an Evacuation Order in britain in scotland as storm babet batters peoples homes there will have all the latest after your headlines with rhiannon. Rhiannon. Good afternoon. Its one minute past to your top stories from the newsroom. Rishi sunak from the newsroom. Rishi sunak has welcomed israels decision to allow humanitarian aid into gaza from egypt , to allow humanitarian aid into gaza from egypt, including £10 million worth of uk aid ready to enter. The Prime Minister held enter. The Prime Minister held talks with his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu and president herzog earlier , Netanyahu Herzog earlier, netanyahu thanked rishi sunak for his visit to israel, calling it a strong statement of support in a time of darkness , mr sunak will time of darkness, mr sunak will fly to saudi arabia later, where hell meet the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. He says Mohammed Bin Salman. He says todays talks have been productive. Ive had good, productive. Ive had good, productive conversations with both Prime Minister netanyahu and the israeli president herzog among other things, we discussed the importance of this conflict not escalating regionally and the importance of getting humanitarian aid into gaza to help people who need it. I also had the opportunity to meet families of British Nationals who have been taken hostage. Were doing absolutely everything we to can get them home. The conflict has now killed almost 5000 people on both sides. On its 13th day. A warning, some viewers may find the following images distressing. Following images distressing. The Gaza Health Ministry says over 12,000 palestinians have been injured in israeli airstrikes and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes. Thousands have fled their homes. Hamas media are reporting the head of the hamas led National Security forces has been killed in an israeli airstrike secured minister uk security minister Tom Tugendhat says palestinians in gaza are being exploited by hamas. I think weve got to recognise that the first victims of hamas are the Palestinian People. Weve seen people in gaza over the last 30, 40 years, not just murdered when hamas took power in 2008, nine, but actually since then being exploited in the most horrific ways. Weve seen children being forced to dig these tunnels that sadly have been dug across the entire region. Weve seen in individuals who have stood against hamas in various different ways being murdered. Different ways being murdered. The foreign secretary held talks with his egyptian counterpart to discuss the ongoing situation in gaza. James cleverly visited israel last week and will travel to turkey and qatar over the coming days to try and seek a peaceful resolution. The uk says the three countries are vital to International Efforts to uphold regional stability, free hostages and allow humanitarian access to gaza. In other news, access to gaza. In other news, french president Emmanuel Macron has attended the funeral of a teacher who was stabbed in a suspected islamist attack. Dominique bernard was stabbed to death six days ago in the Northern City of arras. Macron and his wife spoke to his family. Ahead of the ceremony. Also attended by bernards students, each carrying a white rose. The suspect is under formal investigation for murder, and france has been on its highest state of alert since the attack. Back here, asylum attack. Back here, Asylum Seekers are returning to the bibby stockholm in portland. A bibby stockholm in portland. A number of people were taken off the barge. You can see in these live images more than two months ago after deadly bacteria was found on board. The home office says all necessary tests have now been completed and food has been delivered to the barge. Been delivered to the barge. Concrete that could be at risk of collapse has been identified in another 43 schools and colleges across england. The department for education says the latest figures on the concrete known as rack brings the total to 214. The last update from ministers in september had the number at 174 more. The met police has more. The met police has described new facial Recognition Technology to catch prolific shoplifters as Game Changing in a pilot of the new software. 12 retailers provided images of 30 of the worst offenders when compared with the forces custody shots. Almost half came up as positive matches. Those offenders are now being investigated with a view to build criminal cases as and an Evacuation Order has been put in place by Angus Council for all residents in the town of brecon in scotland. Thats around 350 in scotland. Thats around 350 homes. It follows the rare red weather warning for heavy rainfall, severe flooding and severe wind for parts of scotland. And amber warning for rain has been issued for parts of Northern England, the midlands and wales. The of Northern England, the midlands and wales. The british midlands and wales. The British Geological survey has warned storm babet could also cause potential landslides. This is gb potential landslides. This is gb news across the uk on tv, in your car and Digital Radio and on your Smart Speaker by saying play on your Smart Speaker by saying play gb news now its back over to mark and. Pip as the us to mark and. Pip as the us tells all its citizens to leave lebanon in jerusalem , prime lebanon in jerusalem, Prime Minister rishi sunak emphasise how important it is that the war does not escalate. Does not escalate. Hamas has perpetrated an absolutely barbaric act of terrorism. Im sure many people terrorism. Im sure many people will have seen seen seen the videos. They are horrific. They videos. They are horrific. They chill you. They certainly have done that to me. And everyone can see that they represent pure evil and its right that israel exercises its right to self defence. It has not just the right to protect its citizens, the duty to protect its citizens and ensure that Something Like this can never happen again. Its important that conflict its important that the conflict doesnt regionally. Doesnt escalate regionally. Thats talking to as thats why im talking to as many people i can across the many people as i can across the region. Ive already done that and able to see more and ill be able to see more people person trip. People in person on this trip. No one to see this no one wants to see this conflict escalate and indeed the uk has sent various military assets into the mediterranean to prevent regional escalation. So some our surveillance some of our surveillance aircraft, for example, are ensuring shipments ensuring that arms shipments dont find their way to people like hezbollah. Like hezbollah. So talking to as many people as i can, well, that will include now saudi arabias crown Prince Mohammed salman Prince Mohammed bin salman trying to shore up the diplomatic position all across the middle east as, of course, we continue to see the violence. We continue to see the violence. Lets get the latest with Charlie Peters , our reporter in Charlie Peters, our reporter in tel aviv, where i gather the sirens have sounded recently , sirens have sounded recently, charlie, and theyve been the sound of explosions to iron dome intercepted several rockets here over central tel aviv in the last 90 minutes. We were last 90 minutes. Went off right last 90 minutes. Into somebodys house and we were ushered into the shelter with other people who were on the streets, spoke to some people there. We listened in people there. As we listened in for explosions, the for the explosions, probably the loudest last loudest weve heard in the last week , quite to where we week, quite close to where we were. Rocket fired by iron were. Each rocket fired by iron dome about 100,000. Dome cost about 100,000. So they are expensive interceptions in the us have been replenishing those stocks. The people here, they were in the shelter with us. They recognised that we were british and there was a recognition Prime Minister recognition of Prime Minister rishi sunaks visit here, especially the fact that its a two day visit to the region. They said that they were grateful for statement of grateful for his statement of solidarity. But beyond that, in solidarity. But beyond that, in washington, theres more than just solidarity being delivered in defence minister yoav in israel, defence minister yoav galant said. In the last hour that the us had supplied some armoured personnel carriers. Weve seen a photo released by the idf of a us heavy lift aircraft at tel aviv airport with those vehicles and it comes as significant warnings around the region are delivered to israel and the us about this continued bombarding of gaza with the iranian side in particular saying that it was prepared to launch further actions on the us and israel if this continued work happens. As this continued work happens. As foreign secretary James Cleverly left egypt this morning after talks with his counterpart there regarding humanitarian aid. King abdullah of jordan headed over where he said that they were going to be discussions on how to prevent israeli to prevent the Israeli Aggression on gaza. The region remains extremely tense with regards to the situation here. Will they wont they . That invasion thats being mooted , invasion thats being mooted, the likely invasion of air, sea and land on the gaza strip, the likely invasion of air, sea and land on the gaza strip , with and land on the gaza strip, with significant protests continuing today across the region. Weve today across the region. Weve seen us and israeli and indeed british embassies targeted in turkey, in particular in lebanon , where there is that Evacuation Order for american citizens. Also in baghdad , but crucially also in baghdad, but crucially in the west bank, where the uprisings have escalated overnight, again , more people overnight, again, more people clashing, over 60 people detained on suspicion of belonging to hamas. The idf said this morning. And hundreds have been detained in the last week in their continuing policing operation in the west bank. So very much a state of tension and rising violence across the region as this war continues. Region as this war continues. Yes, rising violence across the region. What is the current assessment, charlie , in terms of assessment, charlie, in terms of the risk of this descending into a regional war now . Well i think a regional war now . Well i think western governments and the International Players who have a focus and an interest in the region will almost certainly be considering their national Evacuation Orders, will be reassessing those plans. We know that the us has a significant military presence , significant military presence, of course, off the Eastern Mediterranean. Britain does not mediterranean. Britain does not have any Aircraft Carriers, but it does have in a way, an unsinkable Aircraft Carrier by virtue of cyprus. Raf akrotiri. Virtue of cyprus. Raf akrotiri. There and other Sovereign Base Areas on that island able to project uk power onto the region , but also to extract people away from the gaza strip, israel and the surrounding areas as that Evacuation Order from lebanon is significant and it will be seen and heard as a warning to other western powers in the area of what the us considers to be a serious escalation in the risk in that country. Lets not forget country. Lets not forget lebanon in particular is in a dire state since the 20 20th august. Beirut port explosion, the country has been in a Political Economic and financial turmoil. A complete crisis that it has struggled to escape from, and that weakened lebanese state has allowed Lebanese Hezbollah to flourish, allowing the iranian proxies and support from its groups such as the Islamic Revolutionary guard corps, to supply key armaments and men and more sustaining supplies into that region. And were seeing the effect of that with more violence in northern israel, shelling missiles and gunfire , shelling missiles and gunfire, skirmishes continuing day and night in the north. Indeed, charlie in tel aviv, thank you for that. And as charlie was just talking about, that, were getting Reuters News Agency saying that sirens agency saying that the sirens have indeed just been sounding in the north of israel , near in the north of israel, near that with lebanon. These that border with lebanon. These are the pictures weve got of that area. You can see some smoke in the distance. There were reports earlier of what israel described as anti armour missiles being fired across the border from lebanon, but no reports of any injuries at the moment. But clearly, this is still a pretty fragile situation. There in the north to. Well, lets cross to our Political Editor, Christopher Hope, christopher , good hope, christopher, good afternoon to you. Youre back in london. Rishi sunak continuing his Diplomatic Mission meeting with saudi arabia. Thats quite a significant meeting, isnt it . What could that achieve here . Well, the uk is pulling in all its allies in the region to try and help deal with the escalating crisis in gaza. Of course, theres big issues there with the two uk hostages, the governments talked about so far. There could be as many as seven more trapped in gaza. So seven more trapped in gaza. So what we want support uk wants some support in helping getting them be released or them to be to be released or find a safe way out. Were seeing an escalation in in the region the moment. Of course, region at the moment. Of course, the foreign saying the the Foreign Office saying the British Nationals should should use to use a commercial options to leave lebanon if possible. And it struck me that in the clip we saw from the pm, rishi sunak, whos out there israel, of whos out there in israel, of course, no reporters with him on this visit security this visit because of security issues. The he said they this visit because of security issu the the he said they this visit because of security issu the word he said they this visit because of security issu the word escalating they this visit because of security issu the word escalating and use the word escalating and escalation at least twice. There is concern , of course, that is a concern, of course, that this escalate into a wider this could escalate into a wider regional conflict. And he did say for the first time say there for the first time that surveillance that uk spotted uk surveillance planes are watching arms shipments to hezbollah in lebanon. So clearly it is its a lebanon. So clearly it is its a risk right now of expanding into a more of a regional conflict. And thats a concern of the uk government. Thats an important point, chris, but we perhaps forgot that weve got our own assets out there , the raf surveillance out there, the raf surveillance planes operating in that Eastern Mediterranean area and of course weve got a base on cyprus as well. So its interesting, the Foreign Office echoing what Foreign Office is echoing what the us embassy is saying or the Us State Department to these citizens. Out. While there citizens. Get out. While there are commercial options still available. Available. Thats right. Of course thats right. Mark uk navy. Some ships will arrive early next week. I understand. Then that week. I understand. Then that gives an option for some kind of sealift if required from from from gaza or from surrounding areas. But it does feel, doesnt it, looking into this weekend where its a crucial weekend and if this israeli israeli invasion happens, speculation on why happens, much speculation on why its all that the President Biden on his way back to the us now has been briefed about what the plans would be. And that the plans would be. And in that in key bilateral meeting in that key bilateral meeting today with the israeli Prime Minister, mr sunak made it very clear to him that you must act within International Law. Now, i asked his spokesman earlier in parliament what that meant and of course they say, well, they want to minimise civilian casualties that whole casualties and thats that whole hangs if they can hangs on that if they can minimise surgical minimise that due to surgical strikes against hamas, then that might work. But any wider civilian casualties will be a real problem for israel in holding that International Coalition together. Mark and should we reflect that as well as sunak, we got james as rishi sunak, we got James Cleverly course, the cleverly of course, whos in the air this shuttle diplomacy. Air on this shuttle diplomacy. Qatar, were told, egypt, turkey, we assume that is very much on the issue of the hostages with an update on the numbers involved. Numbers involved. Thats right. The update so far, we know that 16 uk nationals are missing or dead. We know of that number seven have died. Nine are missing. Two are being held hostage and the remaining seven, some are dead and some are building being held hostage. Now, we know that the hostage. Now, we know that the pm misses sunak did speak to families of those uk hostages, two today on his visit two of them today on his visit to israel. And we are told were to israel. And we are told were not naming them for various reasons, not least because we want that the best want to make sure that the best way out is possible way to get them out is possible and keep their their and to keep their their anonymity secure. But there could be others also. And we do know that other local countries are helping uk government in are helping the uk government in those negotiations its very, those negotiations as its very, very now. Very tense right now. Okay, chris in westminster, thank you very much indeed for that. You to that. Lets take you back to these live shots. Weve got from lebanon to just update you, some of the reports earlier suggesting had been suggesting that there had been anti missiles fired into israel from northern from southern lebanon , rather, into northern lebanon, rather, into northern israel. You can see some smoke there in the distance. No there in the distance. No reports of any injuries , but we reports of any injuries, but we do now have this warning from the us embassy and indeed the Foreign Office for both american and british citizens to consider leaving lebanon with a worry that, of course it could start to deteriorate there. Joining us now is john gentile, a military historian. Good afternoon to you. Thanks for joining us here on the live desk. Lets just start with that, shall we . Whats going on, on northern Israeli Border on this northern Israeli Border with lebanon . How whats your assessment of the current situation, what with the us embassy in lebanon urging its citizens to get out . Things look citizens to get out . Things look like they are starting to deteriorate now. Deteriorate now. Yeah, i mean, i think the northern israel, southern lebanon and the threat that hezbollah will show to the israelis is not insignificant at all. Hezbollah has a very potent military force , and i imagine military force, and i imagine that israels biggest concern if and when they do carry out a Ground Invasion into gaza will be what hezbollah does to their north. And, of course, they have experienced that before. One experienced that before. One should reflect perhaps that hezbollah suffered greatly in that skirmish. If we can call it that. But what is your estimate as to how israel could fight a war . Maybe on three fronts. Gaza lebanon, and of course, maybe the west bank as well . Yeah one of the advantages itll be tough. I think the greater concern for israel is the threat from hezbollah in the north. Not so much from activities by hamas and other groups in in the west bank. What israel has as an advantage is it has a central position, which is a military term, meaning that it can shift forces to the north and to the south if and when it begins its operations in gaza. But again, operations in gaza. But again, i think thats israels biggest concern is its northern flank. Concern is its northern flank. And when you talk about ground operations in gaza, i mean, i assume were not expecting shock and awe as such that this will be a gradual operation, a phased operation. Its hard to know what the what the israelis do not have. The israelis do not have. They will not be able to produce a strategic surprise like hamas did on october 7th. But they can produce tactical surprise. So and they have surprise. So and they have opfions. Surprise. So and they have options. It looks like theyre options. It looks like theyre going to go in heavy and hard in the northern part of gaza into gaza city and others surrounding areas. But how they sequence their attack, if they only focus on that part and then shift to the south, or maybe they do it simultaneously , i think thats simultaneously, i think thats what were going to see unfold in the next couple of weeks. And how ready and prepared do you think hamas is . Do they have a lot of elite fighters , if you a lot of elite fighters, if you like . Like . Hamas has proven to be a very effective fighting guerrilla force. What hamas has and force. What hamas has and i think this will be a primary key tactical objective with the overall political objective for the Israeli Military to destroy hamas is they have to get after their tunnel system. Thats the central nerve system. I think for hamass ability to fight on the ground. And its massive, the ground. And its massive, isnt it, that tunnel system , isnt it, that tunnel system, its massive. And it provides a lot of things for hamas. It lot of things for hamas. It provides sustainment, logistics , provides sustainment, logistics, resupply, command and control, all it provides them the ability to move forces around, to fire rockets. So a key, i think, rockets. So a key, i think, military objective for israel will be dealing with the tunnels because that i believe, is hamass Central Nervous system. Hamass Central Nervous system. Thats how they operate. The armour, the tanks, the merkava tanks on the border that ashkelon , they will be fairly ashkelon, they will be fairly useless in trying to infiltrate a tunnel system. Its going to be down to individual specialist troops with hand to hand combat. Yeah. I mean, how israel actually aims to take down the tunnels is one thing. Tanks like the merkava like their infantry fighting vehicles. The armour can be quite effective in an urban area. They provide protection and a lot of firepower. And what those merkava tanks can do is get Israeli Ground troops close and into buildings so that they can start to deal with the with the tunnel system. Tunnel system. And just a last thought. What about the us . Because Charlie Peters, our reporter in tel aviv, saying pictures of us armoured personnel carriers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport there. There. I imagine that those are equipment, apcs to resupply by Israeli Forces in case they need them. So not direct us forces directly involved. That would be directly involved. That would be a decision for the biden administration. I mean, i dont think were seeing that right now. Its clear that weve weve moved naval assets into the mediterranean and a meu, a marine meu, but with regards to us actions in the middle east and in this crisis, that is a policy decision for the United States. Yeah, us boots on the ground, a whole new decision , of course, a whole new decision, of course, as you say. Jen, thank you very much indeed for your thoughts. Joining us here on gb news. Thank just going to dip thank you. Just going to dip into a press conference thats going on in tel aviv where the families children held families of children held hostage by hamas are holding this News Conference of three twins and my five and a half years old niece, emilia. Years old niece, emilia. We. Woke up saturday morning we. Woke up saturday morning when alarms to bombings in yavne and recovered as well. Immediately called them as how theyre doing if everything is okay. They say they didnt know anything and that they were just being told the terrorists are in the kibbutz , which wasnt even the kibbutz, which wasnt even the kibbutz, which wasnt even the first time that Something Like that happened. Its just something that they got used to live with. Uh after half an hour, they wrote us in the family whatsapp that they can hear the terrorists in their neighbours house going to my understand people just heard screams from other house, gunshot and then silence. And so gunshot and then silence. And so i dont know if thats what they heard, but after another 30 minutes, they texted us that they can hear the terrorists in their house. They were in the safe room. And this safe room safe room. And this safe room cannot be locked, by the way. So you have to just keep the door closed. They said we dont know closed. They said we dont know if were going to make it. We love you. After. One hour or so love you. After. One hour or so and we are going crazy. We think so. Helpless, unable to do so. Helpless, unable to do anything. We try to call everyone we know that has some sort of relation to parties. And sort of relation to parties. And around 11, my sister sent a chilling voice message saying that they are burning the house and smoke is getting in under the door and they dont know if theyre going to make it and that they love us. 20 minutes later, she sent me texts , two later, she sent me texts, two messages saying , ang, help, messages saying, ang, help, were dying. We had no idea were dying. We had no idea whats going on with them for many hours after that. And even many hours after that. And even in time, we got a hold of david family. They all lived there. Family. They all lived there. And he said that the army went door by door and they were looking at the safe room and they couldnt find anything. The they couldnt find anything. The day after that, we saw david in one of the video clips that hamas released been being carried on a truck of some sort. He was holding someone. I dont know if it was my sisters head or one of the twins and we think we saw my sister, danielle and her daughter, emilia. But we dont know it was from the back. So i we have to call a wishful thinking. A day after we got in touch with one of the survivors who mentioned that during her kidnap slash escape. She met kidnap slash escape. She met david sharon. And one of the david sharon. And one of the twins on that truck. And that david said that he was sure that he got out from the moment with two babies in and he got into the truck when only one in his hands. The truck when only one in his hands. And so that was a monday hands. And so that was a monday last monday on friday, we got an official notice that that all the six are confirmed to be kidnapped. And thats it. Thats kidnapped. And thats it. Thats what we know today as well. I i im joining the other families in saying that. Im joining the other families in saying that. The conception in saying that. The conception that these are freedom fighters. That these are freedom fighters. This is not freedom. These are this is not freedom. These are fighters. These are terrorists. Fighters. These are terrorists. And they are grabbing children , and they are grabbing children, mothers , unarmed men. And they mothers, unarmed men. And they are doing god knows what to them at the moment. Are doing god knows what to them at the moment. They need to get at the moment. They need to get out of there now. Dont negotiate anything. They just need to release them, because othennise they are lower than animals. Thank you. Animals. Thank you. Hello. Hello. Im at a conference in tel aviv with the families of these hostages. As you can see, the pictures of the children, as we heard there from a father in terms of those hamas terrorists. They are lower animals. They are lower than animals. My mother , my niece, my boy my mother, my niece, my boy is 12 years old. My daughter sahan is 12 years old. My daughter sahar, 16 years old, my ex husband ofer, 52 years. Old ex husband ofer, 52 years. Old two days ago. We celebrate my mom birthday without her. Yeah, we celebrate. And we had a lot of hope. She was 80 and. And a wonderful woman today. Yesterday wonderful woman today. Yesterday we got a message that she and my niece noya , she she have niece noya, she she have a special needs autism. They they been together. They been murdered. We dont know. We murdered. We dont know. We think our bodies were they been murdered out of israel. We think murdered out of israel. We think it was in gaza. We dont know it was in gaza. We dont know exactly the details, but but now actually, i have to sit seven days and i regret regret for them. But i dont have time. Them. But i dont have time. Sorry because i have to save my childrens life and i have to fight for the children and all the elderly and other citizens who are still alive. So i cant who are still alive. So i cant even sit one minute and have the moment to cry and to pray for them. Our kibbutz was had them. Our kibbutz was had a awful massacre. Pogrom horrible awful massacre. Pogrom horrible hell, we our kibbutz is really disappeared after the murder and everything they they burned all houses the most of the houses. We dont have home to go back. We dont have home to go back. But i dont care about home. I dont care about my stuff. I dont care about my stuff. I dont care about my stuff. I dont care about my stuff. I dont care about my garden. I dont care about my garden. I dont care about my garden. I dont care about my albums. I dont care about my albums. I dont care about my albums. I dont care about nothing. I dont care about nothing. I dont care about my clothes. I dont care about my clothes. I care for one thing. And i think this is the most important here. We have to release the children and the ordinary people immediately. Now, i am a and the ordinary people immediately. Now, i am a simple woman. Im not a political woman. Im not a political woman. Im not a political woman. I cant say what to do. But im sure that they must have a solution. They must make a solution. They must make a solution to talk and to agree and to release them immediately. And to release them immediately. The time is critic. Yeah. Every the time is critic. Yeah. Every moment they still there they can can find themselves same. My mom , she was alive two days ago. I , she was alive two days ago. I dont want them to find the same to be in the same situation every moment. Every moment. Its huge danger for them. We have huge danger for them. We have a currently a very small window of opportunity now and we must use it. And. I can tell my story it. And. I can tell my story again and again and i think we all have same depher isnt quite same stories about the pogrom we had and how its happened. You know , ive been in a different know, ive been in a different because im divorced. Ive been in a different house. I was all alone eight hours in the dark without water and everything, fighting for my life, surviving when they trying to go inside and break and smash all my house. But my two children been with my husband and they ran out from the window and hide in the bush. And this was the last message i got from them at 8 00 in the morning and just at 3 00 after noon , when the soldiers after noon, when the soldiers came, we could find out they are disappeared. And really that disappeared. And really that probably they are kidnapped. But probably they are kidnapped. But stories, stories, stories we can tell we have so many. Each one tell we have so many. Each one of us has a story and a big story. Disaster stories. But story. Disaster stories. But whats important now is to act. Im asking the all government, Israeli Government. Im asking the all government, Israeli Government. Im asking qatar. Im Israeli Government. Im asking qatar. Im asking Israeli Government. Im asking qatar. Im asking sheikh Israeli Government. Im asking qatar. Im asking sheikh tamim , qatar. Im asking sheikh tamim, the prince, the qatari prince. I think you have the power. The prince, the qatari prince. I think you have the power. I believe you can change this reality, this crazy reality. Im asking United States, the European Union , france, my European Union, france, my children and me and my husband, ex husband. We are french ex husband. We are french citizen. My mom, shes american citizen. My mom, shes american born. So these children also quiet americans, also. Im quiet americans, also. Im asking france and america to fight , like asking france and america to fight, like as it asking france and america to fight , like as it was asking france and america to fight, like as it was , as it fight, like as it was, as it were, their children. I believe they do it because a lot , even they do it because a lot, Even International bodies , all agree international bodies, all agree that this massacre and keeping civilians in hostage is are a war crime against the humanity. Against any human law. And its against any human law. And its not just our private business. Its the whole world problem. Its the whole world problem. Its the whole world problem. Its never, ever happened before for this. Political people tell me im a simple woman. Im telling you what political people told me. Its ever, never people told me. Its ever, never happened before. And an and i happened before. And an and i suggest and i demand. You must suggest and i demand. You must get solution. You must stop , get solution. You must stop, stop. All parties should stop stop. All parties should stop immediately. Any material material operation that i cannot even act until they release the children and babies and audrey and women and men. They must and women and men. They must release them immediately and then make the war. You cant make war on expense of children and babies. This is a world and babies. This is a world problem. Its not my problem. Problem. Its not my problem. The whole world have to scream. The whole world have to scream. And and to ask for human humanity and i think and i pray and i begging and i ask even hamas this moment you have the opportunity , community to show opportunity, community to show that you still have humanity. So that you still have humanity. So do it. And the government stop the fighting. Stop the military action, military, military action. Sorry for my english and bnng action. Sorry for my english and bring our children. Home now. We bring our children. Home now. We waiting for them. We crying for waiting for them. We crying for them. Every every night we them. Every every night we crying and pray for them. But theyre still in very. Cruel theyre still in very. Cruel hands. Theyre still in very. Cruel hands. And merciless hands. Who hands. And merciless hands. Who can i trust. Hands. And merciless hands. Who can i trust. Im asking hands. And merciless hands. Who can i trust. Im asking the can i trust. Im asking the whole world and your voice to scream is cry till the sky is open. Scream is cry till the sky is open. Bring our children. Home open. Bring our children. Home they are not soldiers. They are they are not soldiers. They are citizens. They have been picked citizens. They have been picked by pyjama from their bed , from by pyjama from their bed, from their protect house. Can you imagine that . Youre staying in your house the most protected place. And then by with your place. And then by with your pyjama you get murder or burn a lot of families just disappeared. Families with babies and children are not here anymore. But i cant do nothing about the dead. I but i cant do nothing about the dead. I can do about the life we have to a powerful, incredible , have to a powerful, incredible, powerful appeal there from the families of children held hostage by hamas. The lady youre looking at there, she has got a number of members of her family, children and parents who have been captured. And shes had a very simple message just then , bring simple message just then, bring our children home. She has made a direct appeal to hamas to show that they have the opportunity to still have some humanity by releasing these hostages. Now believed to be over 200 of them held in gaza. Held in gaza. She is a french national. We do know that president macron is on his way to the region and indeed, that britains foreign secretary James Cleverly, is travelling to qatar. She had travelling to qatar. She had that plea made to qatar. You have the power. She said. We have the power. She said. We have a very small window of opportunity, she said. So far, opportunity, she said. So far, words, words, words. Now, she words, words, words. Now, she said, was the time to act. Well have all the latest from the region. Stay with us. Here on christys on gb news. Im gb news radio. Radio. Welcome back to the live desk. Weve just had that very emotional News Conference with the families of those being held hostage. That was at that hotel in tel aviv with an impassioned opened appeal after words, words, words for action. The mother of some of the children taken saying we have a very small window of opportunity and indeed a direct appeal to qatar. Indeed a direct appeal to qatar. You have the power, she said, to actually intervene. Lets speak now to our Political Correspondent , katherine correspondent, katherine forster, because we know catherine, that the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, will be travelling to qatar. And we be travelling to qatar. And we know that the Prime Minister has spoken to the emir of qatar on the line. It does appear that they may key in trying to they may be key in trying to unlock this hostage situation in yes , absolutely. Yes, absolutely. Qatar play a crucial role in this and that is why the foreign secretary, James Cleverly, is heading there, having been in egypt earlier. And we know, too, egypt earlier. And we know, too, dont we, that in terms of British National teams, there were 16 taken in that terror attack on october the seventh. Among the couple of hundred that were taken in total. All we know were taken in total. All we know of those , dont we, that seven of those, dont we, that seven are are confirmed armed, dead, two are definitely being held hostage. And another seven are missing. And we dont know whether those people are are alive or dead. It is beyond imagining , isnt it, what these imagining, isnt it, what these people must be going through. And of course , this is one of and of course, this is one of the big focuses of this Diplomatic Mission of the foreign secretary and rishi sunak to try to get eight British Nationals out, both the hostages that were taken from israel and also british citizens or dual nationals who are currently trapped in gaza , currently trapped in gaza, unable to get out ahead of what we expect to be a Ground Invasion of gaza in the coming days, an incredibly difficult situation. Theres estimated to situation. Theres estimated to be about 50,000 british or dual nationals in israel and gaza and the west bank. We dont have any numbers on how many are in gaza specifically, and may be trying to get it out. Of course, we know that humza yousaf, the Scottish First minister, we know that his in laws are there unable to get out. His mother in law comes from dundee. They are absolutely beside themselves. The government stressing that they are doing everything they can. But in the meantime time, despite the news that israel have have moved on letting humanitarian aid in with President Biden. Yesterday, some 23 trucks of aid expected to go in to tomorrow potentially. But theres about 80 trucks waiting in egypt to go in. Part of the reason they havent gone in yet is according to the egyptians, that the road surface is not sufficiently good because israel bombed the rafah crossing a few days ago. So all ferocior famously difficult. But yes, a very moving press conference. Its unimaginable what these what these parents and relatives are going through who have had loved ones taken into gaza and dont know what happens to them. Catherine, thank you very much indeed. Much indeed. Lets go back to scotland where an entire town has been told to evacuate as officials warn of exceptional rainfall from storm babet, which is threatening to breach flood defences and affect buildings. Yeah, well, of course , the yeah, well, of course, the situation too, is that were getting an indication the rnli warning to people to stay away from the scottish coast because of the winds and id all rail travel north of edinburgh now cancelled school is shut as well. Lets get the very latest with tony whos in brighton tony somewhat 350 plus houses are now told get to safety and we can see why. See why. Yeah thats correct. Yeah thats correct. Certainly not my finest hour out in camera today , but as you say, in camera today, but as you say, 350 homes, properties being told that they are in the risk of severe flooding. Of course, breaking built along the bank of the river, south esk, one of two locations, is really pinpointed by the Scottish Government of being in severe risk of flooding. Now earlier today, we had talks with sepa as well as Angus Council , and talks with sepa as well as Angus Council, and then it was revealed that that was the plan that from around 3 00 today and into the afternoon before that , into the afternoon before that, all important red weather warning hits. And, you know, the even worse weather than what we are experiencing just now. And are experiencing just now. And of course, 7000 people here in breacan and many of them being told to get to either the Community Campus or one of the so called evacuation zones. And theyre being advised to bring their own sleeping bags, suppues their own sleeping bags, supplies and medications. Were just outside the lidl. A little earlier on, and we saw a queue of cars going inside just to kind of stock up for who knows how long that this will last and up on top of the hill, of course, was the Community Campus safe from the flooding . But many will be wondering what they will be going back to once this red weather warning ends at around 12 00 tomorrow afternoon. Soon 12 00 tomorrow afternoon. Soon now, already in the last 12 hours, weve seen the warning zone extend all the way up to south aberdeenshire and then back down to tayside and perth. Now perth and kinross , theyve now perth and kinross, theyve already dealt with some quite severe flooding, as has brighton and as it goes. And you know , and as it goes. And you know, brighton has some of the most revered flood Defence Systems and yet cpih looking at the figures and the rainfall expected over the next few hours and even they think that that will be stretched to the absolute limit and saying that the flood waters will likely come to the very, very top. But yet flooding is still expected. Yet flooding is still expected. And tony, we can see a vehicle with the yellow light flashing there behind you. Any idea what the local authority can actually do now in these coming hours to get people to safety . Safety . Yeah, thanks for reminding me. Im actually at the barnyard now just at where the locals are able to pick up sandbags. Now just at where the locals are able to pick up sandbags. So able to pick up sandbags. So Angus Council has certain of the number of these facilities around the council of angus. And since ive arrived here only 20 minutes ago or so , you know, minutes ago or so, you know, have seen a constant stream of cars and vans, people coming and loading up. And i would imagine that the idea is to and the flood risk areas is that theyre going to do their best to block any flood water from entering and damaging their property before they make the trip up to one of the Community Hubs where theyll be aiden for probably a long and sleepless night. It underlines how bad this is, tony. Not just looking at is, tony. Notjust looking at you in the middle of it, but also so were hearing that theres a potential for landslides across scotland, according to the British Geological survey. Geological survey. Yes, well, thats certainly wouldnt be surprised me. Of course, as soon as you really get up past stirling and perth, the landscape becomes extremely hilly and many of our our main carriageways and roads cut right through it. I mean, we heard from, from sepa and from the met office that we can expect you know, some communities to be cut off altogether on top of the power cuts and the travel disruption seems to have a problem. Problem. Things them worse. Okay, things them worse. Okay, were just getting an interference , tony, on the interference, tony, on the signal for obvious reasons. But thanks for staying with us, though, in those atrocious conditions. Stay safe, of conditions. Stay safe, of course, and well update people with the latest. But we have with the latest. But we do have now from Angus Council. Theyre saying that over the past few days, resilience colleagues have been working with sepa to identify areas at most risk of flooding due to the unprecedented level of rain that is expected to fall across. Is expected to fall across. Angus sepa have advised of a possible severe flood warning. Possible severe flood warning. Well, theyve gone on to say weve identified approximately 370 homes in brecken and additional homes at tannadice and finhaven where residents will be asked to evacuate for their own safety. In addition to their own safety. In addition to that, we know that scotrail and other services basically are stopping at edinburgh , nothing stopping at edinburgh, nothing north of edinburgh and then the rnli warning people to stay away from the scottish coast because of the high winds. You could also see theyre building up behind tony and that could mean that theyre literally blown into the sea. So it is becoming very treacherous situation. And the warnings now being extended, as tony was saying, further south. Now the Prime Minister has stressed its commitment to attempting to continue the flow of aid into gaza as he met for talks with the israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a little earlier in jerusalem. And of course , we had that and of course, we had that news to conference just a few minutes ago in tel aviv with the families of those being held. The idf believe at least 203 hostages being held in gaza, including children in babies, women and, of course, unarmed civilians. Will the uk government says that at least two britons are believed to be among them, with seven others missing. Lets speak now to missing. Lets speak now to human rights lawyer david haye and david, of course, lots of the focus has been on the situation of the palestine nians and whats going on in gaza. But lets reflect first on this hostage situation , because, of hostage situation, because, of course, they, too , have human rights. Good afternoon to you both. Good afternoon to you both. Youre correct. Youre correct. I mean, theres a multitude of International Human rights laws in this in this in this area. And the hostage taking is against the law. Against the law. The geneva convention. The geneva convention. The geneva convention. And both sides have breached that law. There are multiple other examples of breaches of International Law here, but thats quite right. That is one of them. Of them. I mean , what the basis of i mean, what the basis of International Law is , i mean, International Law is, i mean, one of the things we keep heanng one of the things we keep hearing is that is rail says the Prime Minister, for example , Prime Minister, for example, says President Biden has the right to defend itself within International Law. So how do you International Law. So how do you stay within International Law here . Well, thats the thing. I mean, most of what that youll see in discussed at the moment comes from a 1949 Un Convention and that basically the main prohibition in that that Armed Conflict is banned. Conflict is banned. And then there are provisos as to when its allowed. And one of them is obviously self defence. Self defence. So israel is arguing that in self defence. Thats why there is now an Armed Conflict and then that convention sets out various things that people in an Armed Conflict can and cant do. As you know , as absurd as that may you know, as absurd as that may soundin you know, as absurd as that may sound in some ways, taking hostages is one of them. Collective punishment is another. Thats one that a lot of people are talking about at the moment because obviously they are saying that israel is doing that everyone in doing that against everyone in hamas. Theyre punishing the whole territory. So there whole of the territory. So there are lots of various elements in International Law and obviously, once theyre a breach, then its how do you bring justice to those people and enforce it. And as we see, i was going to say, is part of this complicated action, the problem that youre talking about, things like an entity of a state that signs up to international to these international agreements. Agreements. The problem we have now is that hamas, although it controls gaza, a proscribed terrorist gaza, is a proscribed terrorist organisation, not a political state entity. State entity. Well, absolutely, thats one of the problems. But then as weve seen with with russia, even when you had originally signed these even state signed up to these even state signal the teeth of these conventions, its Un Conventions, whether its the un or international it or other International Law, it really isnt there. And thats one of the big problems. And as weve seen when we look at putin, when we heard earlier in the week from from the un, they they were questioning the whole International Law when it comes to telling people , palestinians to telling people, palestinians to telling people, palestinians to head south. And they have said the un, that the forcible transfer of civilians , i think they call it, civilians, i think they call it, is against International Law. How do you read that . Well, again , you know, youve well, again, you know, youve got to give civil liens that could be in collateral in the in the zone where theyre injured. The zone where theyre injured. Nofice the zone where theyre injured. Notice advance warning , but then notice advance warning, but then it gets onto, you know, is 24 hours enough . And then it comes down to all these legal definitions. So, i mean, you know, from a human rights perspective, i would argue that it isnt. But youre going to see more more of this. I see more and more of this. I think, as both sides battle this effectively. Also effectively. Its also a physical war, but its very much a propaganda one, an and we know exactly what hamas did on october the seventh. From what youve seen of what israel is doing. So far, do you believe they are staying within International Law . International law . No, i think both sides have have already committed crimes. And again , youve got the issue and again, youve got the issue with hamas not being a state. So both sides have most definitely committed war crimes. But as this creeps into other neighbouring countries , you may neighbouring countries, you may have other countries joining , have other countries joining, you know, the war crimes. Were also seeing as well, weve seen recently some ngos in the uk and politicians saying that they will look to prosecute our politicians like british sunak if theyre complicit with these war crimes. Thats something that seeing a lot of recently as well. Well. Okay. Well, david, thank you for your view on this. Of for your view on this. Of course. And no doubt the International Community will react once these events have finished. But we do have the assessment from rishi sunak, the Prime Minister who met Benjamin Netanyahu earlier , that israeli netanyahu earlier, that israeli leaders had the right and duty to respond with military action, effectively to go after hamas. That was his assessment at those meetings earlier. Lets just show you some live pictures from lebanon. Thats pictures from lebanon. Thats a helicopter in the sky. But we know that tensions are heightening by the hour on that northern border, as well as fears continue that this could descend into a regional war on many fronts. Many fronts. Rockets fired from lebanon into israel earlier armour, rockets are, though no one hurt. But the warning now from the us andindeed but the warning now from the us and indeed the Foreign Office for both us nationals and britons to leave lebanon while they were able to do so, well keep you updated, of course, here on gb news. Patrick is next with all the latest. Stay with us well. Good afternoon. Well. Good afternoon. Its 3 pm. Its patrick christys. Its gb news. And there is some ongoing breaking news to bring you. Yes, thats right. So just stop by. Just stop oil have gone after a bus full of people about to board the bibby stockholm barge. I think weve got a clip it. Think weve got a clip of it. There we so there we are. So there we go. So there we are. So they have actually seriously they have now actually seriously accused bus driver of trying accused the bus driver of trying to kill them. Okay forjust nudge the bus fonnard a little bit. They are trying to block the people getting back on the baby barge. Were not having much with bibi barge. Much luck with this bibi barge. Are we . Are. Well, there we go. Now, rishi sunak is well, he was in hes on his way in israel. Hes now on his way to saudi arabia. He said that we want win, which is not want israel to win, which is not really shock. Is he saying really a shock. Is he saying itll do everything to help stand israel . Think it stand with israel . I think it raises fonnard raises questions going fonnard about if anything, the about how much, if anything, the british is going to british taxpayer is going to give israel in this give to israel in this supposedly war that they give to israel in this sup planning war that they give to israel in this sup planning with var that they give to israel in this sup planning with hamas. They give to israel in this sup planning with hamas. Quite are planning with hamas. Quite a lot to unpack there. And yes, there go. Lovely is under there we go. Lovely is under fire. Right . So a load of pro palestine artists and actors, the usual types. Okay. Actors, the usual types. Okay. Have written a letter in that letter, they refuse to condemn the actions of hamas. It has got some people very, very exercised about the whole thing. Well be having at they have having a look at what they have to patrick christys. Gb to say. Patrick christys. Gb news get those emails coming in