horrible day, on holiday in israel for the jewish people. we see from this morning at 6:30am a combined offensive _ this morning at 6:30am a combined offensive from hamas, from land, air, and _ offensive from hamas, from land, air, and see — offensive from hamas, from land, air, and see. there is currently, as we speak, — air, and see. there is currently, as we speak, two things going on. first of all. _ we speak, two things going on. first of all, fighting in these moments, in multiple — of all, fighting in these moments, in multiple hot links —— hot points surrounding — in multiple hot links —— hot points surrounding the gaza strip. there has been — surrounding the gaza strip. there has been massive deployments approved by the ministry of defence, and thousands of reservists have been _ and thousands of reservists have been called for duty, because israel has declared a state of war, and we are in— has declared a state of war, and we are in a _ has declared a state of war, and we are in a war— has declared a state of war, and we are in a war right now, and we will nieke— are in a war right now, and we will make hanias — are in a war right now, and we will make hamas pay for the mistake they've _ make hamas pay for the mistake they've made this morning when they chose _ they've made this morning when they chose to— they've made this morning when they chose to attack israel. we have seen videos _ chose to attack israel. we have seen videos going around social media of them _ videos going around social media of them entering both by parachutes, on them entering both by parachutes, on the sea, _ them entering both by parachutes, on the sea, on _ them entering both by parachutes, on the sea, on trucks, on land, and right— the sea, on trucks, on land, and right now— the sea, on trucks, on land, and right now as— the sea, on trucks, on land, and right now as we speak, idf ear vessels — right now as we speak, idf ear vessels are striking hamas targets in the _ vessels are striking hamas targets in the gaza strip. we are waiting until— in the gaza strip. we are waiting until we — in the gaza strip. we are waiting until we have clear details to put out statements. the idf take full responsibility to not overwhelm faniilies— responsibility to not overwhelm families with information until we are100%— families with information until we are 100% certain, and that is what we have _ are100% certain, and that is what we have not— are 100% certain, and that is what we have not put out a statement regarding _ we have not put out a statement regarding possible casualties or kidnapped individuals. there are thousands if not tens of thousands of reservists that are being deployed right now toward southern israel _ deployed right now toward southern israel to _ deployed right now toward southern israel to attempt getting the situation back to normal, to regain stabilitv _ situation back to normal, to regain stability. we are hoping that with correct _ stability. we are hoping that with correct actions by the end of the day we — correct actions by the end of the day we will be closer to clearing israeli _ day we will be closer to clearing israeli territory of hamas terrorists, but right now what is happening is idf special units, they are going _ happening is idf special units, they are going almost door—to—door in places— are going almost door—to—door in places where we know terrorists have infiltrated. _ places where we know terrorists have infiltrated, and they are clearing apartments, making sure there are no terrorists— apartments, making sure there are no terrorists hiding. that will take time, — terrorists hiding. that will take time, it— terrorists hiding. that will take time, it may take hours. lets take ou to time, it may take hours. lets take you to the — time, it may take hours. lets take you to the bbc _ time, it may take hours. lets take you to the bbc live _ time, it may take hours. lets take you to the bbc live page. - time, it may take hours. lets take you to the bbc live page. we - time, it may take hours. lets take you to the bbc live page. we are i you to the bbc live page. we are closely keeping you up—to—date with all the developments on the live page, but the reason we have pulled it up is to show you this matter and the focus on sderot. this is one of the focus on sderot. this is one of the large towns close to the israeli border with the gaza strip, and they live there under the shadow of the conflict between israel and the palestinians. today, this day of rest, the sabbath, but also a religious holiday as well. they woke up religious holiday as well. they woke up to palestinian militants on the street, so it has been a terrifying day for people in sderot. the reuters journalist who is there says they have many bodies on the streets, and is still an active situation. if we stay on that map, oh, it is gone, let's go back, it reminds us of the geography. what have we heard coming out of the west bankin have we heard coming out of the west bank in terms of the reaction from palestinian authorities? be, it is interesting, because in recent months it is the west bank and jerusalem that are regarded as occupied palestinian territories where the tensions have been highest. this is particularly around the dam at a northern city. it is going to be very interesting to see what the reaction is from ordinary people living in the west bank, ordinary palestinians, to see whether they take action and reaction to what is happening in gaza, which usually happens. you mention the palestinian authority. we have heard from president mahmoud of us saying palestinians have the right to defend themselves. then;r right to defend themselves. they sav- -- that _ right to defend themselves. they sav- -- that is _ right to defend themselves. they say... that is not _ right to defend themselves. he say... that is not anything right to defend themselves. tie say... that is not anything terribly new from the national authority, but the key thing to point out is how disenfranchised they are, the palestinian people. they are so disillusioned by the leadership on the west bank, and there has obviously been this long running split, this feud between hamas in power in gaza, and the palestinian authority in power in the west bank. there is nothing mahmoud abbas says that makes any difference to an angry young man in the gaza strip? and it is my exteriors when there is these flare—ups, not to mention short wards in gaza, it is good for hamas popularity, perhaps only in the short term, but it certainly boosts their credibility in gaza and the west bank. there were elections way back in 2006, 2007, mahmoud abbas was elected president, and they promised fresh elections ever since that have never materialised. his legitimacy is pretty difficult to say that it is strong will stop he is also quite an elderly leader now, and there has been much speculation for years about who might succeed him. 5m? speculation for years about who might succeed him.— speculation for years about who might succeed him. stay with us, because let's _ might succeed him. stay with us, because let's continue _ might succeed him. stay with us, because let's continue the - because let's continue the conversation about what is happening right now in gaza. also, perhaps in reaction from the west bank. a colleague from bbc arabic is with us. have you seen the pictures of the ii—storey building that has been brought down? apparently does the home of hamas radio in gaza, but very dramatic pictures, and we are waiting to hear, have you heard about the aftermath of that building coming down?— about the aftermath of that building coming down? yes, there have been nictures coming down? yes, there have been pictures and — coming down? yes, there have been pictures and reports _ coming down? yes, there have been pictures and reports about _ coming down? yes, there have been pictures and reports about this - pictures and reports about this tower block being hit in the centre of gaza city. we don't know how many people were in that building when it was hit. however, these figures will emerge in the coming minutes or hours, but what we know so far is that there is a high number of casualties in the gaza strip. also, there are casualties in israel. all there are casualties in israel. all the figures we have at the moment are not final or official figures, it is only preliminary figures, and we expect the numbers to arrive in the coming hours. the we expect the numbers to arrive in the coming hours.— the coming hours. the idf has 'ust released a statement i the coming hours. the idf has 'ust released a statement about i the coming hours. the idf hasjust released a statement about this i released a statement about this exact attack. it says that they provided advanced warning to the occupants of the building, and asked them to evacuate. how'd that happen? that is certainly what has happened in the _ that is certainly what has happened in the past — that is certainly what has happened in the past and they struck tower blocks _ in the past and they struck tower blocks like — in the past and they struck tower blocks like that. they do what they calla _ blocks like that. they do what they call a knock on the roof, where they fire a _ call a knock on the roof, where they fire a small— call a knock on the roof, where they fire a small missile onto the top of the building to identify that that building is under threat. the building to identify that that building is underthreat. in the building to identify that that building is under threat. in the past, — building is under threat. in the past, they— building is under threat. in the past, they have sent notification to the landlords of those buildings to try and _ the landlords of those buildings to try and get people out, and i remember ina try and get people out, and i remember in a previous conflict the tower— remember in a previous conflict the tower block— remember in a previous conflict the tower block with the associated press _ tower block with the associated press news agency was completely flattened in a similar way, and you have _ flattened in a similar way, and you have images i rememberat flattened in a similar way, and you have images i remember at the time ofjournalist scrambling to get out at very— ofjournalist scrambling to get out at very short notice. israel says it gives— at very short notice. israel says it gives some — at very short notice. israel says it gives some warning. how long that notices. _ gives some warning. how long that notices, and obviously when a building — notices, and obviously when a building like that comes down, it is notjust_ building like that comes down, it is notjust the — building like that comes down, it is notjust the people in it who building like that comes down, it is not just the people in it who are at riski _ not just the people in it who are at risk, it— not just the people in it who are at risk, it is— not just the people in it who are at risk, it is the— not just the people in it who are at risk, it is the people in the surrounding area. it is hard to imagine— surrounding area. it is hard to imagine that there won't have been fairly significant casualties were not building was hit. hamas radio nright— not building was hit. hamas radio might have occupied one or two floors _ might have occupied one or two floors of— might have occupied one or two floors of that. i would be surprised if they— floors of that. i would be surprised if they occupied all 11 floors. the idf seen their _ if they occupied all 11 floors. “iie idf seen their struck if they occupied all 11 floors. i“ie idf seen their struck infrastructure in multistorey buildings used by hamas operatives were carrying out terrorist activity, they say. they say hamas deliberately places military assets in the most populated areas of the city. but like it is very populated theyi populated areas of the city. but like it is very populated they are, and i remember _ like it is very populated they are, and i remember when _ like it is very populated they are, and i remember when i _ like it is very populated they are, and i remember when i was - like it is very populated they are, and i remember when i was in i like it is very populated they are, l and i remember when i was in gaza city, _ and i remember when i was in gaza city, rockets — and i remember when i was in gaza city, rockets were fired within a hundred — city, rockets were fired within a hundred metres of our hotel there. near— hundred metres of our hotel there. near where — hundred metres of our hotel there. near where the journalist and the ngos _ near where the journalist and the ngos stay, there were deftly rockets bein- ngos stay, there were deftly rockets being fired from within 100 ngos stay, there were deftly rockets being fired from within100 metres of that— being fired from within100 metres of that building, presumably because palestinian militants thought that was a _ palestinian militants thought that was a relatively safe space for them to fire _ was a relatively safe space for them to fire from — was a relatively safe space for them to fire from. what is debatable is who is— to fire from. what is debatable is who is getting hit by the strikes nowi _ who is getting hit by the strikes now, because i would imagine that the very— now, because i would imagine that the very senior hummus leadership are deep— the very senior hummus leadership are deep underground somewhere —— very are deep underground somewhere —— verv senior— are deep underground somewhere —— very senior hamas leadership. we�*ve very senior hamas leadership. we've been talking — very senior hamas leadership. we've been talking about _ very senior hamas leadership. we've been talking about the _ very senior hamas leadership. we've been talking about the lack - very senior hamas leadership. we've been talking about the lack of - been talking about the lack of legitimacy that mahmoud abbas has right now, but can you help explain to us who supports hamas in gaza, and how young people they are particularly feel about it after years of occupation, being under a blockade, and seeing palestinians killed as well, and what draws them to hamas? ~ killed as well, and what draws them to hamas? . , ., , ., to hamas? well, people in gaza feel ve much to hamas? well, people in gaza feel very much trapped — to hamas? well, people in gaza feel very much trapped by _ to hamas? well, people in gaza feel very much trapped by the _ to hamas? well, people in gaza feel very much trapped by the blockade. | very much trapped by the blockade. also, they are not happy about some of the draconian policies which hamas has introduced to the gaza strip. gaza is not a happy place to live at the moment. people who can leave have been leaving, and they are trying to leave. most people in the gaza strip, about 2.5 million people, find themselves trapped in that place, with very little access to things. it has been going on for a longtime, almost to things. it has been going on for a long time, almost 15 to things. it has been going on for a longtime, almost 15 years now, this blockade of the gaza strip. at times like this when you have a bombardment or in recursion or whatever, people can take care of each other. —— or an incursion. no one is pointing figures at anyone at the moment, they say the priority is to stay alive and try and help their relatives and go somewhere safe. in gaza, there is no such thing as a safe space. there are no bomb shelters. it is a very crowded place, so yes, we expect more and more casualties as the fighting rages on. more casualties as the fighting ra . es on. ., more casualties as the fighting ra . es on. . , , more casualties as the fighting raies on. . , , ., rages on. can i 'ust bring you a new newsline from i rages on. can ijust bring you a new newsline from the _ rages on. can ijust bring you a new newsline from the leader _ rages on. can ijust bring you a new newsline from the leader of - rages on. can ijust bring you a new| newsline from the leader of hamas, saying the storm began in gaza, he says, but it will expand to the west bank. . . ., says, but it will expand to the west bank. , , ., ., says, but it will expand to the west bank. , , . ., , bank. this is what we have been heafini bank. this is what we have been hearing all _ bank. this is what we have been hearing all day _ bank. this is what we have been hearing all day from _ bank. this is what we have been hearing all day from various i bank. this is what we have been i hearing all day from various hamas leaders. it is not going to stop in gaza. they're hoping they will be escalation in the west bank and east jerusalem, and inside israel. the scene following 2021 and the confrontation there that many palestinians have entered the fray, and there were protests among the palestinian population within israel. also, they're hoping that other places like lebanon will have some kind of escalation. what we can say from this is that the hamas leadership is trying to change the status quo. for 15 years, we have had several incursions, confrontations in the past 15 years, but they all lead to the same things. they go back to square one. this time they are trying to change that equation, where there is disquiet for disquiet�*s sake. they want to have some kind of result, they want to change things on the ground, this is what they are aiming for this time. flan ground, this is what they are aiming for this time-— for this time. can i 'ust get your perspective h for this time. can i 'ust get your perspective on _ for this time. can i just get your perspective on another - for this time. can i just get your perspective on another line i for this time. can i just get your i perspective on another line coming us as the israeli government response, and the military, to what is happening? i've been seeing to mps all across the divide, her united at the moment supporting the military and their forces, but we are hearing an opposition leader wants to form an emergency government? it wants to form an emergency government?— wants to form an emergency government? we government? it is interesting, we are talking _ government? it is interesting, we are talking about _ government? it is interesting, we are talking about the... _ government? it is interesting, we are talking about the... you i government? it is interesting, we are talking about the... you are l are talking about the... you are right. _ are talking about the... you are right. the — are talking about the... you are right, the opposition leader, he is a much _ right, the opposition leader, he is a much more moderate figure than benjamin _ a much more moderate figure than benjamin netanyahu, and he is offered — benjamin netanyahu, and he is offered to form this joint emergency government, because the current government, because the current government of benjamin netanyahu, niuch _ government of benjamin netanyahu, much further to the right, there will be — much further to the right, there will be people pushing benjamin netanyahu for a very strong reaction to this. _ netanyahu for a very strong reaction to this. and — netanyahu for a very strong reaction to this, and the opposition leader is prepared to say look, this is the nionient_ is prepared to say look, this is the moment where we need a national unity— moment where we need a national unity government, and exactly how that will— unity government, and exactly how that will come about i'm not very sure _ that will come about i'm not very sure they— that will come about i'm not very sure. they are no to elections in israel. _ sure. they are no to elections in israel. and — sure. they are no to elections in israel, and whether this will be a temporary— israel, and whether this will be a temporary thing, that's what we'll find out _ temporary thing, that's what we'll find out -- — temporary thing, that's what we'll find out. —— no strangers to elections _ find out. -- no strangers to elections-— find out. -- no strangers to elections. . , ., , elections. the latest from the idf sa s that elections. the latest from the idf says that our _ elections. the latest from the idf says that our goals _ elections. the latest from the idf says that our goals are _ elections. the latest from the idf says that our goals are that i elections. the latest from the idf says that our goals are that all. says that our goals are that all terrorists will be killed and all communities will be rid of terrorists. they confirmed there are hostage situations taking place, we reported that on them before, but they had be confirmed. —— hadn't been confirmed. this is the news thatis been confirmed. this is the news that is not also just israeli army personnel that have been taken hostages. it personnel that have been taken hostaies. . personnel that have been taken hostaies. , ., hostages. it is in those two locations. _ hostages. it is in those two locations, and _ hostages. it is in those two locations, and apparently l hostages. it is in those two l locations, and apparently 22 locations, and apparently 22 locations along the boundary where there _ locations along the boundary where there is— locations along the boundary where there is ongoing fighting. the significance of hostages is that, if you think— significance of hostages is that, if you think back to 2011, when you had the release _ you think back to 2011, when you had the release of the israeli soldier who was— the release of the israeli soldier who was captured and held by hamas for five _ who was captured and held by hamas for five years in gaza, that moment, for five years in gaza, that moment, for a _ for five years in gaza, that moment, for a lot— for five years in gaza, that moment, for a lot of— for five years in gaza, that moment, for a lot of israelis, really sticks in the _ for a lot of israelis, really sticks in the memory, and then when they woke _ in the memory, and then when they woke up— in the memory, and then when they woke up to — in the memory, and then when they woke up to the news today of what was going — woke up to the news today of what was going on and they have seen the hostages _ was going on and they have seen the hostages have been taken, both soldiers — hostages have been taken, both soldiers and civilians, they will be thinking _ soldiers and civilians, they will be thinking of— soldiers and civilians, they will be thinking of that saga. i was there in gaza _ thinking of that saga. i was there in gaza when the deal was done to -et in gaza when the deal was done to get hini _ in gaza when the deal was done to get him released, and to release one israeli _ get him released, and to release one israeli soldier, palestinian militants, they managed to get more than 1000 _ militants, they managed to get more than 1000 palestinian prisoners released — than 1000 palestinian prisoners released in exchange. if hamas, as they say. _ released in exchange. if hamas, as they say, have 53 hostages, and i have _ they say, have 53 hostages, and i have to _ they say, have 53 hostages, and i have to bear in mind they are only saying _ have to bear in mind they are only saying that — have to bear in mind they are only saying that at the moment, israeli officials _ saying that at the moment, israeli officials have confirmed there are some _ officials have confirmed there are some hostages, then you can imagine that hamas _ some hostages, then you can imagine that hamas and islamicjihad will be looking _ that hamas and islamicjihad will be looking for— that hamas and islamicjihad will be looking for considerable leverage with these hostages. how looking for considerable leverage with these hostages.— with these hostages. how many palestinian _ with these hostages. how many palestinian prisoners _ with these hostages. how many palestinian prisoners are - with these hostages. how many palestinian prisoners are in i with these hostages. how many l palestinian prisoners are in israeli jails? it palestinian prisoners are in israeli “ails? . . ., palestinian prisoners are in israeli “ails? , , . ., jails? it is estimated there are about 5000 — jails? it is estimated there are about 5000 palestinian - jails? it is estimated there are i about 5000 palestinian prisoners in israeli jails. all ages, and there are some female prisoners as well. the palestinians have always made their prisoners' releases a priority, but in the last few years we have not seen any exchanges of prisoners between the palestinians and israel. there are three israelis who have been detained in the gaza strip according to israel, but we haven't seen any movement on the ground to release or exchange those prisoners. the ground to release or exchange those irisoners. ., , ground to release or exchange those irisoners. . , ., , prisoners. the latest, we are still kee-iin prisoners. the latest, we are still keeping across — prisoners. the latest, we are still keeping across the _ prisoners. the latest, we are still keeping across the idf _ prisoners. the latest, we are still| keeping across the idf statements that are coming to us, confirming central command is bolstered with regular battalions, and preparations are being made for riots as well. john, to reiterate, they're prepared to call hundreds of of reservists. for many people, most israelis, they train in the military for some time, they are on standby. it is train in the military for some time, they are on standby.— they are on standby. it is almost everyone- _ they are on standby. it is almost everyone. some _ they are on standby. it is almost everyone. some of— they are on standby. it is almost everyone. some of israel's i they are on standby. it is almost i everyone. some of israel's religious communities don't serve in the military. — communities don't serve in the military, but by and large most people — military, but by and large most people have done time in the military. _ people have done time in the military, and those people who have niaybe _ military, and those people who have maybe finished their compulsory niilitary— maybe finished their compulsory military service and are now in the reserve. _ military service and are now in the reserve, they could be thinking, well. _ reserve, they could be thinking, well. i'ni — reserve, they could be thinking, well, i'm going to be called up. they— well, i'm going to be called up. they have — well, i'm going to be called up. they have been called up, and they could _ they have been called up, and they could be _ they have been called up, and they could be heading to the gaza border. speculation is going to be in the coming — speculation is going to be in the coming hours and days, is israel going _ coming hours and days, is israel going to — coming hours and days, is israel going to launch a ground offensive in gaza. _ going to launch a ground offensive in gaza, which is something we haven't— in gaza, which is something we haven't done before? they have had incursions _ haven't done before? they have had incursions into gaza, but they haven't — incursions into gaza, but they haven't had a major ground offensive. the questionnaire, what happens. _ offensive. the questionnaire, what happens, even if you succeed in re—occupying on the ground the gaza strip. _ re—occupying on the ground the gaza strip. of— re—occupying on the ground the gaza strip, of course, israel pulled out all its _ strip, of course, israel pulled out all its troops more than a decade a-o all its troops more than a decade ago there. — all its troops more than a decade ago there, they still control the sky. _ ago there, they still control the sky. the — ago there, they still control the sky, the sea, the land border, but if they— sky, the sea, the land border, but if they were — sky, the sea, the land border, but if they were to reoccupy the strips on the _ if they were to reoccupy the strips on the ground, that is a long—term, bil on the ground, that is a long—term, big deal— on the ground, that is a long—term, big deal if— on the ground, that is a long—term, big deal if they are going to do that. _ big deal if they are going to do that. -- — big deal if they are going to do that. —— reoccupy with troops on the ground. _ that. —— reoccupy with troops on the ground. we — that. -- reoccupy with troops on the round. ~ . that. -- reoccupy with troops on the round. . , ., ., ,, ground. we 'ust saw a massive expiesien — ground. we just saw a massive earplosion in — ground. we just saw a massive explosion in gas _ ground. we just saw a massive explosion in gas are _ ground. we just saw a massive explosion in gas are in - ground. we just saw a massive explosion in gas are in the i ground. we just saw a massive l explosion in gas are in the skies. do they normally continue to air strikes throughout the night? i think there will be air strikes throughout the the night tonight, and for— throughout the the night tonight, and for many people in gaza, there simply— and for many people in gaza, there simply isn't — and for many people in gaza, there simply isn't a safe space. one iniagines _ simply isn't a safe space. one imagines the power might be out. | imagines the power might be out. i think imagines the power might be out. think parts imagines the power might be out. i think parts of gaza have lost power. but like it is a pretty scary situation, but like it is a pretty scary situation.— but like it is a pretty scary situation, , , , �* situation, because there isn't too many safe _ situation, because there isn't too many safe spaces. _ situation, because there isn't too many safe spaces. the _ situation, because there isn't too many safe spaces. the safe i situation, because there isn't too i many safe spaces. the safe spaces there _ many safe spaces. the safe spaces there are. — many safe spaces. the safe spaces there are. i— many safe spaces. the safe spaces there are, i would imagine that is where _ there are, i would imagine that is where the — there are, i would imagine that is where the hamas leadership are hanging — where the hamas leadership are hanging out. where the hamas leadership are hanging out-— where the hamas leadership are haniiinout. ., , hanging out. people you have been s-ieakin hanging out. people you have been speaking to — hanging out. people you have been speaking to in _ hanging out. people you have been speaking to in gaza, _ hanging out. people you have been speaking to in gaza, how— hanging out. people you have been speaking to in gaza, how do - hanging out. people you have been speaking to in gaza, how do they i speaking to in gaza, how do they prepare for a night like tonight? people in gaza have seen it all before. that doesn't mean that it is not as scary as it was before. people are bracing themselves, trying to find somewhere where they could be safe, although like we have been saying, properly nowhere is safe in the gaza strip due to the crowded situation there. however, people will try and move out of areas where they think those areas would be targeted, where they think there are positions for the various palestinian factions, so it is a question of trying to keep your head above the water at this stage. in terms of other regional influence, because we have just been discussing statement from president biden, where he is giving his unwavering support to benjamin netanyahu, saying he unequivocally condemns the appalling assault against israel by hamas terrorist from gaza, and he says terrorism is neverjustified, israel has a right to defend itself and its people. the us is warning any party hostile to israel in the situation. it any party hostile to israel in the situation. ,., , ,, , any party hostile to israel in the situation. , ,, , ., situation. it sounds like it is a direct warning _ situation. it sounds like it is a direct warning to _ situation. it sounds like it is a direct warning to hezbollah i situation. it sounds like it is a j direct warning to hezbollah or situation. it sounds like it is a i direct warning to hezbollah or other groups, but it is mainly hezbollah who is very much part of what is happening. in the last few years, the border between israel and lebanon, since 2006, have been fairly quiet. i don't think the question of hezbollah being dragged into this confrontation is a serious threat at this stage, however the americans saw fit to ensure the statement. there have been calls from other countries in the least, like egypt from other countries in the least, like egythordan, were calling for restraint. filth like egypt jordan, were calling for restraint. ., restraint. on that, where with the palestinians _ restraint. on that, where with the palestinians right _ restraint. on that, where with the palestinians right now, _ restraint. on that, where with the palestinians right now, not - restraint. on that, where with the | palestinians right now, not hamas, but the authorities in the west bank, who are they talking to this evening, where they are looking to get support from, given we have seen israel normalising ties with a lot of arab countries? the palestinian authority is _ of arab countries? the palestinian authority is in _ of arab countries? the palestinian authority is in a _ of arab countries? the palestinian authority is in a very _ of arab countries? the palestinian authority is in a very fragile i authority is in a very fragile position. it almost has no credibility within the palestinian society. you were talking about mahmoud abbas in 2009, there been no election since, it is an ageing leadership. for most palestinians, it is out of date, irrelevant. however, it is still considered by the international community as the leadership of the palestinian people, and when foreign dignitaries go to the region, they go and meet with mahmoud abbas and so forth. however, on the ground, people are in a completely different position, because they are promised they will deliver our palestinian state, and the end of the occupation. for most people in palestine, they failed to deliver what they have promised. another point that occurred to me that we could explain to our viewers as we look at the slightly different live shop that we have of gas are, is that if you haven't been to this part of the world, you can see gaza in the foreground, but in the background, just how close israel actually is. when you're driving around, you are talking about a very small patch of the world. it is around, you are talking about a very small patch of the world.— small patch of the world. it is very small patch of the world. it is very small patch _ small patch of the world. it is very small patch of _ small patch of the world. it is very small patch of the _ small patch of the world. it is very small patch of the world. - small patch of the world. it is very small patch of the world. the i small patch of the world. it is very | small patch of the world. the gaza strip is _ small patch of the world. the gaza strip is about 26 miles long. you can drive — strip is about 26 miles long. you can drive up— strip is about 26 miles long. you can drive up and down it in 40 minutes. _ can drive up and down it in 40 minutes. they run a marathon the length _ minutes. they run a marathon the length of— minutes. they run a marathon the length of the gaza strip, and i think— length of the gaza strip, and i think it — length of the gaza strip, and i think it is _ length of the gaza strip, and i think it is around about eight miles wide. _ think it is around about eight miles wide. it— think it is around about eight miles wide. it is— think it is around about eight miles wide. it is absolutely tiny, roughly area about — wide. it is absolutely tiny, roughly area about the size —— about half the size — area about the size —— about half the size of— area about the size —— about half the size of london. one of things about— the size of london. one of things about that — the size of london. one of things about that part of the world is that you can _ about that part of the world is that you can be — about that part of the world is that you can be sitting in an israeli cafe _ you can be sitting in an israeli cafe in — you can be sitting in an israeli cafe in sderot having your cappuccino in summing a like starbucks,... cappuccino in summing a like starbucks, . . ._ cappuccino in summing a like starbucks, . .. cappuccino in summing a like starbucks,... ., ,, ., starbucks,... forgive me, this shot here, is starbucks,... forgive me, this shot here. is that _ starbucks,... forgive me, this shot here, is that israel _ starbucks,... forgive me, this shot here, is that israel in _ starbucks,... forgive me, this shot here, is that israel in the _ starbucks,... forgive me, this shot here, is that israel in the far- here, is that israel in the far distance?— here, is that israel in the far distance? ., ., , distance? to me that is looking north towards _ distance? to me that is looking north towards the _ distance? to me that is looking north towards the cities - distance? to me that is looking north towards the cities of i north towards the cities of ashkelon, and not far beyond that you have — ashkelon, and not far beyond that you have tel aviv, a huge, cosmopolitan, relatively wealthy city. that — cosmopolitan, relatively wealthy city. that city is now well in range of some _ city. that city is now well in range of some of— city. that city is now well in range of some of those missiles that have been fired _ of some of those missiles that have been fired from gaza. we have seen those _ been fired from gaza. we have seen those missiles reaching the outskirts ofjerusalem, and the one thing _ outskirts ofjerusalem, and the one thing i_ outskirts ofjerusalem, and the one thing i would say is that, tonight as you _ thing i would say is that, tonight as you can— thing i would say is that, tonight as you can see, night is sitting there. — as you can see, night is sitting there, there will be for real fear on both— there, there will be for real fear on both sides. they are in for a terrible — on both sides. they are in for a terrible night, terror on both sides. — terrible night, terror on both sides. that's what people, families, their children will be feeling. it is the — their children will be feeling. it is the imbalance between the military— is the imbalance between the military power that means that in gaza _ military power that means that in gaza they — military power that means that in gaza they are going to come off a lot worse — gaza they are going to come off a lot worse in terms of casualties. that— lot worse in terms of casualties. that doesn't mean that the fear they are feeling _ that doesn't mean that the fear they are feeling on the israeli side is very— are feeling on the israeli side is very great— are feeling on the israeli side is very great indeed, and there will sadly— very great indeed, and there will sadly be — very great indeed, and there will sadly be casualties, there are casualties on both sides. to stay with us. hello. it is a weekend of big contrasts in terms of the weather, both temperature and rainfall as well. lots of dry, sunny weather for many of us. this is a picture in brixham in devon. blue skies there. a very different picture across scotland, though. heavy rain is causing some flooding problems for quite a wide area in scotland. in fact, we've got this slow moving front, dividing that warm, humid air in the south to the colder air in the far north. so with this front producing up to about 180 millimetres of rain, possibly by about 6am sunday in the wettest spots, an amber warning is in force. so flooding and further disruption likely. here's the radar. we've seen all that rain piling in across much of scotland over the past six hours or so. we've already seen flooding problems, problems with the trains, the roads, and that will continue through the rest of the afternoon with this heavy rain. away from scotland the rest of the uk predominantly dry with lots of sunshine around. temperatures really contrasting, just nine degrees in aberdeen, but up to about 25 degrees possible down towards london and the southeast, widely above 20 degrees for much of england, wales and northern ireland, but much cooler with the heavy rain across scotland, which slowly lifts a little bit further north through this evening and overnight too. so perhaps drying up for the scottish borders, for instance, further south, mostly dry, could be some mist and fog patches forming tonight. it's a little bit murky. certainly not cold, though, wherever you are to start the day. so sunday here, this frontal system still with us just edging its way a little bit further north and high pressure is holding on across much of the uk. so, yes, some more rain tomorrow, but i think it will ease from central and southern parts of scotland, just continuing in the far north, caithness and sutherland up towards the northern isles as well. elsewhere, lots of sunny, dry weather. once again, temperatures well above average by about ten degrees, in fact, for this stage in october. for monday, the front will have eventually cleared away from scotland. so we are looking at a drier day really across the board. again, spells of sunshine for many of us, lifting temperatures to 211 or 25 in the warmest spots in the south, typically into the mid—teens across parts of scotland. heading into the middle of the week and low pressure will push this frontal system gradually further south. so some spells of rain, i think wednesday into thursday for many of us. and you'll notice those temperatures drop off to more typical for the time of year in the south later on next week. bye— bye. live from london. this is bbc news. israel's army confirms its soldiers and civilians have been taken hostage by the palestinian militant group hamas — after a barrage of rockets assaulted israeli territory. local media say at least100 israelis have been killed following gaza's surprise attack. israel's retaliatory air strikes have killed almost 200 palestinians. this is the same live in gaza right now, still subject to ongoing air by israel. hamas so that the operation was a response to violence against palestinians in the west bank. benjamin netanyahu has declared that his country is at war. hello. dozens of israeli soldiers and civilians are being held hostage, as part of an unprecedented attack by palestinian militants on israeli territory. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu says his country is �*at war�*. his government says the palestinian militant group hamas launched more than 2,000 rockets into the country, killing at least 70 people, and wounding hundreds more. officials in the gaza strip say at least 198 people have been killed there, in retaliatory israeli strikes. the barrage of rocket fire from gaza into israeli territory began just after dawn, with explosions heard on the streets of ashkelon. sderot is one of the towns thought to have been infiltrated by militants.