nearly 1600 were wounded after the retaliatory action into the gaza strip. 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 100 people, (ani and wounding nearly a thousand. officials in the gaza strip say at least 198 people have been killed there, in retaliatory israeli strikes. (an12 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. with the latest on this fast escalating conflict, here's our middle east correspondent yolande knell — and a warning that you may find some of her report upsetting. israeli partygoers from an overnight rave. running for their lives. israel's nightmare scenario, armed palestinian militants at large in southern israel. it's thought that dozens entered, some cutting through the perimeter fence from the gaza strip. in the town of sderot, residents hid as fighters drove in. there was shooting and the israeli casualties began to mount in a dramatic turn, videos were also shared of israelis being taken into gaza as hostages. the day had begun with intense barrages of palestinian rockets, some reaching as far asjerusalem. but the worst damage was in the towns closest to gaza. this was ashkelon. israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, met top security officials, met both israeli and said since this morning the state of israel has been at war. translation: our first ob'ective is to clear out enemy h forces that infiltrated and restore the security and quiet the communities that have been attacked. the second objective at the same time is to exact an immense price from the enemy within the gaza strip to the leaders of hamas, from the enemy within the gaza strip too. the leaders of hamas, the islamist militant group which controls gaza, now living overseas was shown watching the unfolding news and praying. in gaza, there were celebrations after an israeli tank was captured and stolen. israeli military vehicles were driven in. but soon, the deadly pounding by israeli warplanes began. the israeli military saying it was targeting hamas sites. and in gaza, too, the hospitals have now been overwhelmed. many palestinian families have fled from their homes and are seeking safety in un run schools. after this unprecedented surprise attack, israel is calling up military reservists. it said hamas will pay the price for its actions and the fighting goes on. the question now, can it be stopped from spreading to other palestinian areas and the wider region? earlier, ourjerusalem bureau chief jo floto told us about the hostage situations unfolding. it appears that there are 50 people being held hostage in a small rural community. they are being held there by gunman. in another one, we think that there is a family being held hostage by gunmen with a grenade, a live grenade with the pen pulled out, he is threatening to detonate it if anyone enters. the military have been out and said that they are mobilising a large number. dozens of italians are already in the area now, they are mobilising more divisions in order to prepare what they call a heavy ground operation. we don't think that will happen immediately, it will take a lot of planning, but in the meantime, the israeli military has been striking the gaza strip from the air, and they have been striking the south, they have been striking the south, the middle, the north, and we are looking at 200 civilians now dead in gaza. civilians and militants. 0n the israeli side, we think it is more than 100 dead now, around 1000 wounded. it is very much an ongoing situation here. we have also heard in the last hour from foreign secretary, james cleverly who condemned the attack. live now to liverpool, where labour are holding their party conference. and i am nowjoined by shadow foreign minister david lammy. cani can i condemn these appalling attacks and the loss of life on israel today. this is heinous terrorist activity. men, women, and children have lost their lives, and there are hostages. now, the wait to see what happens to them. we unequivocally support israel's right to self defence at this very challenging time.- to self defence at this very challenging time. to self defence at this very challenauin time. ~ ., , , ., challenging time. what support do ou believe challenging time. what support do you believe the _ challenging time. what support do you believe the uk _ challenging time. what support do you believe the uk government i challenging time. what support do - you believe the uk government should be offering? you believe the uk government should be offerin: ? ~ you believe the uk government should be offerinu? ~ ., you believe the uk government should be offerin: ? ~ ., _, , ., be offering? well, of course, i have been speaking _ be offering? well, of course, i have been speaking to — be offering? well, of course, i have been speaking to colleagues - be offering? well, of course, i have been speaking to colleagues in - been speaking to colleagues in israel, many of them are hiding in their homes. i am sure the foreign secretary has spoken to the israeli ambassador here in london, as indeed have i. britain stands in support of our allies facing terror threats. of course, one would hope the response is proportionate and within international law, but this is escalating a live situation with hostages taken, and my heart goes out to families on both sides who are suffering today. we out to families on both sides who are suffering today.— out to families on both sides who are suffering today. we are looking at the live shot _ are suffering today. we are looking at the live shot over _ are suffering today. we are looking at the live shot over gaza - are suffering today. we are looking at the live shot over gaza at - are suffering today. we are looking at the live shot over gaza at the . at the live shot over gaza at the moment. we understand that nearly 200 people have been killed in retaliatory israeli strikes. what is your reaction to that, when you look at what you call a proportional response by israel? i’m at what you call a proportional response by israel?— at what you call a proportional response by israel? i'm quite sure that resnonse _ response by israel? i'm quite sure that response is _ response by israel? i'm quite sure that response is targeted - response by israel? i'm quite sure that response is targeted at - response by israel? i'm quite sure l that response is targeted at hamas. let us remember they are a terrorist organisation. there has been a tremendous loss of palestinian lives in this last year. further loss has been caused by these rocket attacks. it is important those hostages are handed back. it is important that the territory seized is handed back. that will bring cessation to the violence we saw overnight. [30 violence we saw overnight. do believe that could lead to a cessation? how concerned are you of escalation, the likes of which we may not have seen, and given this conflict, and how long it has gone for, for many decades. it is conflict, and how long it has gone for, for many decades.— for, for many decades. it is very important _ for, for many decades. it is very important that _ for, for many decades. it is very important that the _ for, for many decades. it is very important that the international| important that the international community come together to condemn this attack. i see of course that there is now going to be a very important un meeting, a closed meeting, on gaza tomorrow. this is a live situation, and it is ongoing with hostages taken and rockets flying. i do not want to speculate. what you hope comes out of that meeting at un? taste what you hope comes out of that meeting at un?— what you hope comes out of that meeting at un? what you hope comes out of that meetin: at un? ~ .. ., _, ., meeting at un? we need calm and cool heads. all meeting at un? we need calm and cool heads- all of — meeting at un? we need calm and cool heads. all of us _ meeting at un? we need calm and cool heads. all of us recognise _ meeting at un? we need calm and cool heads. all of us recognise the _ heads. all of us recognise the tremendous challenges in gaza and the west bank, and of course, we all recognise those challenges. let us remember that this has taken place during a festival. 50 years from the yom kippur war. we during a festival. 50 years from the yom kippurwar. we do during a festival. 50 years from the yom kippur war. we do not want to see a continuing loss of life, and it cannot be right to terrorise people in their own land, and to take women and children in this way. the shadow foreign secretary, thank you forjoining us there from liverpool. the hamas military group said that they have fired 150 rockets in response to an attack on a palestinian building, the second off that explosion we did here earlier across gaza. that is coming in from our correspondent in gaza, who we are hoping to speak to in the next few minutes. more rockets fired by hamas in the israel after that attack on another palestinian building. we have also heard in the last hour from foreign secretary, james cleverly who condemned the attack. we have seen an unprecedented attack on israel. reports of thousands of rockets being fired at civilian targets. and reports of arbitrary killings, murders, and kidnaps. we completely condemn, the uk, completely condemns, these terrorist acts against israel. we support israel's right to self—defence. of course, we will be working closely with the israeli government. we already have had contact with them and we will continue to do so to protect nationals british in israel and to try and bring peace as quickly as possible. what form does that support take? what support is britain ready to give to israel as they respond to these attacks by hamas? of course, we will respond to requests from the israeli government. we will be in close contact with them and we will remain in close contact with them as this progresses. of course, our priority in the short—term is to help protect british nationals in israel. there is travel advice on the fcdo website. people should follow that if they are planning to travel to israel. they should follow the advice of the israeli defence force if they are already in israel. it is now being reported that 150 people have been killed in these hamas attacks. live now to former israeli prime minister naftali bennett. this is the worst terror attack in our history. at 6:30am israel time, hamas, in an unprovoked and heinous method, came and attacked our communities, killed more than 150 women, children, men. kidnapped, we do not know the precise number, and as of right now, they are still... there are still more than a dozen terror attacks and kidnapped in israel. ~ ., terror attacks and kidnapped in israel. ~ . , terror attacks and kidnapped in israel. ~ . israel. what can you tell us about those ongoing — israel. what can you tell us about those ongoing operations? - israel. what can you tell us about those ongoing operations? we i israel. what can you tell us about| those ongoing operations? we are talkin: those ongoing operations? we are talking about _ those ongoing operations? we are talking about civilians, _ those ongoing operations? we are talking about civilians, we - those ongoing operations? we are talking about civilians, we are - talking about civilians, we are talking about civilians, we are talking about civilians, we are talking about several hostage situations throughout the day. i myself was talking to folks behind their doors and can hear the terrorists outside their door perhaps only two or three metres away. some of them are keeping silent and i had to keep their own babies from crying. it is reminiscent of other days, very dark days. this is unprovoked, a deliberate attack on the state of israel. the state of israel is at war. we are at war with the terror state of hamas in gaza, and will continue for as long as is necessary. continue for as long as is necessary-— continue for as long as is necessary. continue for as long as is necessa . ~ continue for as long as is necessa .~ ., necessary. when you say you are talkin: to necessary. when you say you are talking to people _ necessary. when you say you are talking to people in _ necessary. when you say you are talking to people in live - talking to people in live situations, can you expand on that? tell us who you spoke and what they were saying. a, tell us who you spoke and what they were saying-— were saying. a few minutes ago, i was talking _ were saying. a few minutes ago, i was talking to _ were saying. a few minutes ago, i was talking to a _ were saying. a few minutes ago, i was talking to a woman _ were saying. a few minutes ago, i was talking to a woman in - were saying. a few minutes ago, i was talking to a woman in one - were saying. a few minutes ago, i was talking to a woman in one of. were saying. a few minutes ago, i i was talking to a woman in one of the communities in the southern parts of israel. right now, there are terrorists wandering around her kibbutz attempting to enter homes. all of the homes are locked, they are burning some of the homes. her own parents were murdered. her brother is in a different apartment. she is very worried about him right now. that is one example. another example is another woman who has a baby, and she has been stuck with him since six in the morning, around 14 him since six in the morning, around 1a or 15 hours. she is running out of food, the baby is crying, and she is afraid that the noise of the baby will gain the attention of the terrorists. i am trying to help our commando forces and our special forces to get their and kill the terrorists.— terrorists. you are personally t in: to terrorists. you are personally trying to intervene, - terrorists. you are personally trying to intervene, to - terrorists. you are personally trying to intervene, to relay l terrorists. you are personally i trying to intervene, to relay this information to the security forces to get help to these people? yes. to get help to these people? yes, es, and to get help to these people? yes, yes. and i— to get help to these people? yes, yes, and i think _ to get help to these people? yes, yes, and i think that _ to get help to these people? yes, yes, and i think that over - to get help to these people? yes yes, and i think that over the last couple of hours, we have seen a large number of idf soldiers come to the southern part of israel. i met them in the field a few hours ago. we are preparing. but right now, the main thing is to clean up southern israel and send away the terrorists. then we can think about the next steps. then we can think about the next ste s. , .,, ., then we can think about the next stes. , ., , ., ., steps. these hostage situation, i don't know _ steps. these hostage situation, i don't know if— steps. these hostage situation, i don't know if you _ steps. these hostage situation, i don't know if you can _ steps. these hostage situation, i don't know if you can clarify - steps. these hostage situation, i don't know if you can clarify howl don't know if you can clarify how many people are being held hostage, our correspondent suggested 50 people being held hostage in one community and another for being held in their home. that community and another for being held in their home-— in their home. that is correct. that is the information _ in their home. that is correct. that is the information i _ in their home. that is correct. that is the information i am _ in their home. that is correct. that is the information i am aware - in their home. that is correct. that is the information i am aware of i in their home. that is correct. that is the information i am aware of as j is the information i am aware of as well. hostage situations are complex, i served well. hostage situations are complex, iserved in well. hostage situations are complex, i served in a unit that fought in these sorts of situations. you do not want to come and shoot everyone, you want to be selective and kill the terrorist and protect the hostages. we are trying to control these two situations. behind these two situations are the now dozens of other events where they are not hostage situations, they are simply battles going on right now. in several communities that is what is happening. in several communities that is what is happening-— is happening. how would you characterise _ is happening. how would you characterise for— is happening. how would you characterise for government | is happening. how would you - characterise for government response and the security forces's response? we heard the call for an emergency government. do you think that should happen, is it necessary?— happen, is it necessary? absolutely. i su ort happen, is it necessary? absolutely. i suoport an — happen, is it necessary? absolutely. i support an immediate _ happen, is it necessary? absolutely. i support an immediate unity - i support an immediate unity emergency government. 0ur enemies think israel might be vulnerable because of our domestic issues. they are wrong. israel is united. left and right, religious and secular, everyone together, we stand behind our soldiers, everyone together, we stand behind oursoldiers, behind our everyone together, we stand behind our soldiers, behind our civilians, we are going to fight back. this is a hard day for israel, but we will win. a, a hard day for israel, but we will win. �* ., a hard day for israel, but we will win. �* . . , , a hard day for israel, but we will win. ~ . , win. a hard day, but was it avoidable? _ win. a hard day, but was it avoidable? it _ win. a hard day, but was it avoidable? it is _ win. a hard day, but was it avoidable? it is a - win. a hard day, but was it i avoidable? it is a devastating intelligence failure. israeli officials have been predicting since august an attack by either hamas or hezbollah. ., ., hezbollah. right now, the immediate thin . hezbollah. right now, the immediate thin that hezbollah. right now, the immediate thing that we — hezbollah. right now, the immediate thing that we need _ hezbollah. right now, the immediate thing that we need to _ hezbollah. right now, the immediate thing that we need to do _ hezbollah. right now, the immediate thing that we need to do is _ hezbollah. right now, the immediate thing that we need to do is get i hezbollah. right now, the immediate thing that we need to do is get the i thing that we need to do is get the terrorists out of israel, clean it up, really sour hostages, and ultimately, release the israelis in gaza. at the same time, hamas have to pay the price, the most profound price possible so that this can never occur again. the palestinian authority controls _ never occur again. the palestinian authority controls of _ never occur again. the palestinian authority controls of the - never occur again. the palestinian authority controls of the west i never occur again. the palestinian i authority controls of the west bank. he says palestinians have the right to defend themselves. what is your response on that? that to defend themselves. what is your response on that?— to defend themselves. what is your response on that? that is nonsense. we handed garzo _ response on that? that is nonsense. we handed garzo over _ response on that? that is nonsense. we handed garzo over to _ response on that? that is nonsense. we handed garzo over to mahmoud l we handed garzo over to mahmoud abbas. this is the guy we gave the keys to 15 or more years ago. we pulled out every soldier, we were told, we would get released. instead what we got was afghanistan. it is their responsibility as well as hamas. i will say it again: we handed garzo over to mahmoud abbas. we did not want any more issues with gaza. they were shooting tens of thousands of rockets on israel. my own family, in my home, ten minutes ago, they had sirens, we were down in the sale shelter. it is all stemming from the gaza we handed over to the palestinians. this thing off wining all day about israel is utter nonsense. there is an aggressor here, and that is the palestinians. and hamas. and we are going to hit back. iloathed palestinians. and hamas. and we are going to hit back-— going to hit back. what does that look like? we _ going to hit back. what does that look like? we have _ going to hit back. what does that look like? we have already i going to hit back. what does that look like? we have already seen | going to hit back. what does that i look like? we have already seen at least 200 people were killed in gaza. it is unclear how many of those are militants. we do not have clarification. we saw israeli rockets targeting the leader of the high mass organisation's home. where does this end in terms of retaliation on gaza? it does this end in terms of retaliation on gaza? it does not need to end _ retaliation on gaza? it does not need to end soon. _ retaliation on gaza? it does not need to end soon. we - retaliation on gaza? it does not need to end soon. we stand i retaliation on gaza? it does not i need to end soon. we stand behind the government, we will give as much time as necessary to do the job. i want to be clear: a school, hospital, that hosts terrorists is not a home, a school, or a hospital, it is a terror base. as such, if they are shooting rockets at us from there, we will retaliate back. if you are the israeli prime minister, would you recommend that israel goes backin would you recommend that israel goes back in and take control of gaza? i will not give recommendations right now to the government. i know what it is like to run a country. they do not need more advice, they need backing. even if i opposed some elements on regular days, all israelis stand behind the idf and the israeli government right now. we need to do the job, we need to secure israeli lives. we need to do the job, we need to secure israeli lives.— secure israeli lives. we do appreciate _ secure israeli lives. we do appreciate your _ secure israeli lives. we do appreciate your time. i secure israeli lives. we do i appreciate your time. thank you secure israeli lives. we do - appreciate your time. thank you for talking to us about your experiences today, we do appreciate it. thank ou ve today, we do appreciate it. thank you very much- — live now to refaat alareer who's a palestinian writer and educator and resident of gaza city. welcome. tell us what is happening where you are. welcome. tell us what is happening where you are-— welcome. tell us what is happening where you are. what is happening is that an israeli _ where you are. what is happening is that an israeli official _ where you are. what is happening is that an israeli official is _ where you are. what is happening is that an israeli official is inciting i that an israeli official is inciting genocide against gaza natives and that the bbc is feeding him thoughts. this is what is going on. the western mainstream media is being complicit, whitewashing israeli crimes. i being complicit, whitewashing israeli crimes.— being complicit, whitewashing israeli crimes. ~ ., israeli crimes. i think that he will find that the _ israeli crimes. i think that he will find that the questions _ israeli crimes. i think that he will find that the questions were i israeli crimes. i think that he will| find that the questions were quite legitimate to be asked of a former israeli prime minister. i would love to know what is happening where you are. . to know what is happening where you are, ., . ., to know what is happening where you are. . . ., , ., .,, are. the war criminal before me was su: caestin are. the war criminal before me was suggesting bombing _ are. the war criminal before me was suggesting bombing schools, - are. the war criminal before me was l suggesting bombing schools, homes, hospitals, and you said not a word to push back against that. he hospitals, and you said not a word to push back against that.- to push back against that. he was talkin: to push back against that. he was talking about _ to push back against that. he was talking about those _ to push back against that. he was talking about those buildings i to push back against that. he was i talking about those buildings having hamas are militants in them. this pre-emptive _ hamas are militants in them. this pre-emptive attack _ hamas are militants in them. try 3 pre—emptive attack by palestinian resistance... this is exactly like the warsaw ghetto uprising. this is the warsaw ghetto uprising. this is the gaza ghetto uprising against 100 years of european and zionist colonialism and occupation. why do palestinians have to pay the price for european racism and anti—semitism? and nazism? we have been under occupation for over 700 ring 75 years. the situation —— occupation for over 75 years. more than 200 palestinians have been killed. homes have been bombed. essential buildings have been bombed. ambulances have been bombed. more than 1500 people have been injured. this comes in the context of destruction and... not only in gaza but in the west bank and jenin, jerusalem against muslims and christians in occupied jerusalem. what is going on is that palestinians, expectedly, reacted pre—emptively to israeli terror, israeli occupation. in march 2023, israeli occupation. in march 2023, israel killed several palestinian leaders and said that they were planning an attack against israel. israel exists. the israeli occupation exists. the palestinians have every right to react by all means possible, by all means necessary. this is not easy for palestinians, i want to use hamlet�*s proverbial sea of troubles. we know israel will killers anyway. we are starving, besieged, displaced, we know all of this. israel will killers anyway. israel wants us kneeling, it chooses to killers when it wants. why not fight back and die in dignity? this is the issue that israel has to understand. you cannot ever raise and oppress occupied people for nearly 100 years and not expect people to react and defend their very existence. haifa expect people to react and defend their very existence.— their very existence. how much su ort their very existence. how much support does — their very existence. how much support does hamas _ their very existence. how much support does hamas have i their very existence. how much i support does hamas have there? this is not a bad — support does hamas have there? try 3 is not a bad hamas, this is about 12 million palestinians in —— this is not about hamas. million palestinians in -- this is not about hamas.— million palestinians in -- this is not about hamas. hamas launched these attacks _ not about hamas. hamas launched these attacks on _ not about hamas. hamas launched these attacks on israel. _ not about hamas. hamas launched these attacks on israel. the - not about hamas. hamas launched| these attacks on israel. the attacks auainst these attacks on israel. the attacks against military _ these attacks on israel. the attacks against military bases, _ these attacks on israel. the attacks against military bases, israel- these attacks on israel. the attacks against military bases, israel is i against military bases, israel is using its third classjews... most of the captives were soldiers, some of the captives were soldiers, some of them taken literally from inside the camps. some of them are kept safe because palestinians wanted them to be safe because palestinians wanted the 5000 palestinians imprisoned, the political prisoners in israel, to be released in an exchange. but, the support area is popular, even from factions belonging to islamicjihad, leftist factions, they participated in these pre—emptive attacks against israeli military posts, against the tanks, you have seen the tanks. and even, the civilians, they were treated honourably, they were respected. there were videos of freedom fighters... these are people living in populated areas. one of these israeli villages, so—called villages, has land that belongs to my grandmother. she would always point and tell me that, if we free palestine, we were to be rich. i tell my grandmother, may god rest her soul, tell my grandmother, may god rest hersoul, now, tell my grandmother, may god rest her soul, now, that some of her neighbours liberated these lands, only perhaps momentarily, but this is how the dream comes true in the future. palestinians will keep fighting back, their zionists, aided and abetted by the west, europe, the united kingdom, they present palestine on a silver platter for the zionist movement for 100 years. we will continue, despite all of the act by israel, we will fight back, and if we die, we die fighting. iloathe and if we die, we die fighting. who funds her mass _ and if we die, we die fighting. who funds her mass ring hamas? i i and if we die, we die fighting. who funds her mass ring hamas? i am| and if we die, we die fighting. who i funds her mass ring hamas? i am not her mass good _ funds her mass ring hamas? i am not her mass good hamas. _ funds her mass ring hamas? i am not her mass good hamas. you _ funds her mass ring hamas? i am not her mass good hamas. you have i funds her mass ring hamas? i am not| her mass good hamas. you have seen the weapons that they are firing. they fired thousands of rockets into israel today, where did those come from? i israel today, where did those come from? ., �* ~ ., ., israel today, where did those come from? ~ ., ., ., israel today, where did those come from? ., �* ~ ., ., ., ., from? i don't know. i am not hamas's spokesperson- — from? i don't know. i am not hamas's spokesperson. you _ from? i don't know. i am not hamas's spokesperson. you can _ from? i don't know. i am not hamas's spokesperson. you can ask— from? i don't know. i am not hamas's spokesperson. you can ask them. i i spokesperson. you can ask them. i would happily speak to someone from hamas if they would come on television and speak to us. a concern amongst many is that iran actually funds hamas and other terrorist organisations, palestinian prescribed terror organisations, and that they are using them to their own ends to ferment problems in the middle east, to try to prevent israel from making alliances with other middle eastern countries. what are your thoughts on that? this other middle eastern countries. what are your thoughts on that?— are your thoughts on that? this has nothin: to are your thoughts on that? this has nothing to do _ are your thoughts on that? this has nothing to do with _ are your thoughts on that? this has nothing to do with iran, _ are your thoughts on that? this has nothing to do with iran, this - are your thoughts on that? this has nothing to do with iran, this is i nothing to do with iran, this is palestine, it is gaza defending itself. anybody mentioning iran is trying to make palestinians look even more evil and justify the genocide that is going to come. there will be massacres against palestinians, and they will be broadcast live on tv, and i hope that at least three people around the world will rise like a rose before. �* , ., ., the world will rise like a rose before. �* , . ., ., the world will rise like a rose before. �* , ., ., ., ~ the world will rise like a rose before. ~ , . . ., . ., before. alistair and ian wright and educator, thank _ before. alistair and ian wright and educator, thank you _ before. alistair and ian wright and educator, thank you for _ before. alistair and ian wright and educator, thank you for your i before. alistair and ian wright and j educator, thank you for your time. with me is news correspondentjon donnison. let us step back a bit and look at who hamas are. i asked that gentleman there. we did not get very far in it. explain why they are a prescribed terror organisation and tell us how much support you believe they actually have in gaza. thea;r tell us how much support you believe they actually have in gaza.— they actually have in gaza. they are an islamist — they actually have in gaza. they are an islamist organisation, _ they actually have in gaza. they are an islamist organisation, an - an islamist organisation, an offshoot of the muslim brotherhood, a group in egypt. they have a political wing and a military wing. their aim, political wing and a military wing. theiraim, in theirwords, is political wing and a military wing. their aim, in their words, is to liberate all of what they call palestine, the land which is now made of israel and the occupied palestinian territories. now, they were elected in the elections in gaza, they came to power in 2006, much to the surprise of many, and the annoyance of israel and it's the annoyance of israel and its allies. they have been in power there ever since. they are in conflict with israel, and over time that they have been in power, now more than 15 years, there have been sporadic flare—ups and short wars between israel and hamas. nearly half a dozen i would say by now. what is different about this is: first of all, it is the scale of the rocket fire coming out of gaza this morning. we have footage we can show. hamas said 5000 rockets, the israelis say around 2000. that is, in terms of scale, unprecedented, evenif in terms of scale, unprecedented, even if the method is not. we also have footage of some of the damage that has caused. if you look at the city of ashkelon, to the north of the gaza strip, you can see a number of buildings were on fire. there has been damage, not only in ashkelon, but in towns and cities across southern israel in particular. what is different about this, though, is that they have managed to cross into israel, infiltrate into israel. we have gun men managing to damage the fence, footage of them attacking the fence, footage of them attacking the fence has appeared, they even captured a tank and taking it back into gaza. so when we talk about this region and gaza, it is naturally a very small country, a very small territory. we were hearing that author passionate in defending gaza and the treatment they gaza people feel they have been subjected to since hamas took power. what about how the majority of people in gaza might feel? i how the ma'ority of people in gaza miaht feel? ., , how the ma'ority of people in gaza might feel?— how the ma'ority of people in gaza might feet?— might feel? i was working there in 2013 and 2014, — might feel? i was working there in 2013 and 2014, it _ might feel? i was working there in 2013 and 2014, it is _ might feel? i was working there in 2013 and 2014, it is a _ might feel? i was working there in 2013 and 2014, it is a while - might feel? i was working there in 2013 and 2014, it is a while since i | 2013 and 2014, it is a while since i have been there and i think things have been there and i think things have got worse. it is not very long, the total area is about half the size of london, i think. so it is small. and palestinians liken it to the world's largest open—air prison because they say that they have no control of their borders on either side with israel and egypt. so the conditions are very, very difficult. that aren't allowed freedom of movement, they are not allowed in and out unless they have permission from israel? and out unless they have permission from israel?— from israel? they are not allowed in and out without _ from israel? they are not allowed in and out without permission - from israel? they are not allowed in and out without permission from i and out without permission from israel or egypt. israel would say that it no longer occupies gaza because it pulled out its forces. they used to be israeli settlements. they used to be israeli settlements. the international community, the un don't see it that way, and they say they continue to control all those borders, as you say. and i think the position of hamas and the palestinians you speak to in gaza is that sometimes these flare—ups are portrayed as relatively short—term, something that has just happened, and the israeli response to something that has just happened. for palestinians, they see this as a decade—long struggle to liberate their lands, as we heard from your guest there. so they don't see it as a kind of tit—for—tat, they did this first, we are responding, back and forth. they see it as a decade—long struggle. forth. they see it as a decade-long strut tle. , ., ., ,, forth. they see it as a decade-long struttle. ., , struggle. 0k, jon, where do you see this going? — struggle. 0k, jon, where do you see this going? we _ struggle. 0k, jon, where do you see this going? we have _ struggle. 0k, jon, where do you see this going? we have retaliatory i this going? we have retaliatory rockets being fired into gaza, and around 300 people, possibly more than that now, killed. i asked the former israeli prime minister what he thinks that he wasn't willing to say whether he thinks israel should go back and occupy it. as we have seen when these conflicts flare up, and this is the biggest one in many decades, they can rapidly escalate and it is hard to de—escalate once that happens. it is. it is a depressing pattern, but what has happened in the past is there has been an escalation, it has led to short wars, and after a week, a few weeks, months, a ceasefire has been negotiated, and israel will return to the status quo, may wait a few years and it happens again. this is different because _ years and it happens again. this is different because at _ years and it happens again. this is different because at the _ years and it happens again. this is different because at the moment i different because at the moment israel has perhaps the most right—wing conservative government in its history, and they will be pushing benjamin netanyahu to have a really, really firm response. 0n the fact that we have got hamas saying they have 53 hostages, just remember what happened when hamas had one hostage that they held for five years, the israeli soldier, and that led to the release of a thousand palestinian soldiers in exchange, so if they have got 53, that will be seen as a huge victory by hamas, and i think israel is going to hit back extremely hard. the question that many people will be asking in gaza in is whether there is going to be a ground invasion of gaza, because that hasn't happened in the past, there have been small incursions, targeted, but there hasn't been a full—scale ground invasion and a reoccupation, full reoccupation, of the gaza strip with all the massive implications that that would bring. to jon, implications that that would bring. tojon, thank you. joining us now on the line from gaza is our reporter rushdi abu—alouf. described is our reporter rushdi abu—alouf. to me what is ha where described to me what is happening where you are. apologies, we have lost the line there. we will try and reconnect with him as soon as we can to get the latest from gaza, where we know that many israeli retaliatory rockets have been fired into the territory, and at least 200 people have been killed, many injured. we can talk now to boaz bismuth, he is part of the majorfar—right likud national liberal movement party. very difficult and devastating day for your country.— very difficult and devastating day for your country. yes, indeed. this is a very. — for your country. yes, indeed. this is a very. very _ for your country. yes, indeed. this is a very. very sad _ for your country. yes, indeed. this is a very, very sad day _ for your country. yes, indeed. this is a very, very sad day for - for your country. yes, indeed. this is a very, very sad day for israel. i is a very, very sad day for israel. what _ is a very, very sad day for israel. what hamas_ is a very, very sad day for israel. what hamas think in gaza is their biggest _ what hamas think in gaza is their biggest victory is going to be their biggest _ biggest victory is going to be their biggest defeat. what has happened today is— biggest defeat. what has happened today is something where the response will be very great towards hamas. _ response will be very great towards hamas, they will pay a very big price _ hamas, they will pay a very big price for— hamas, they will pay a very big price for what they did.- hamas, they will pay a very big price for what they did. what does that trice price for what they did. what does that price look _ price for what they did. what does that price look like a? _ price for what they did. what does that price look like a? i _ price for what they did. what does that price look like a? i heard i price for what they did. what does that price look like a? i heard the| that price look like a? i heard the commentator _ that price look like a? i heard the commentator before, _ that price look like a? i heard the commentator before, i _ that price look like a? i heard the commentator before, i don't i that price look like a? i heard the| commentator before, i don't know exactly _ commentator before, i don't know exactly who spoke, but terrorist attack _ exactly who spoke, but terrorist attack is — exactly who spoke, but terrorist attack is the only response to their situation — attack is the only response to their situation. let me mind you, that is nothing _ situation. let me mind you, that is nothing to— situation. let me mind you, that is nothing to do with the actual government of israel. during negotiations back in the 90s, we had terrorist _ negotiations back in the 90s, we had terrorist attacks here in tel aviv, and let _ terrorist attacks here in tel aviv, and let me — terrorist attacks here in tel aviv, and let me also remind you that what they did _ and let me also remind you that what they did today is killing citizens. we cannot show those pictures on television — we cannot show those pictures on television, i don't even think that the bbc_ television, i don't even think that the bbc can show those images that you can _ the bbc can show those images that you can see — the bbc can show those images that you can see on social media, entering _ you can see on social media, entering houses, entering towns beside _ entering houses, entering towns beside the board and kidnapping young _ beside the board and kidnapping young girls, taking elderly women, taking _ young girls, taking elderly women, taking kids back, slaughtering people — taking kids back, slaughtering people. this is what we are dealing with _ people. this is what we are dealing with and _ people. this is what we are dealing with. and another thing that you must _ with. and another thing that you must understand, this is not independence fighters. they flatter themselves slaughtering people. this is people _ themselves slaughtering people. this is people acting in a savage away towards — is people acting in a savage away towards a — is people acting in a savage away towards a corpse that they have just killed _ towards a corpse that they have just killed this— towards a corpse that they have just killed. this is what we are dealing with for— killed. this is what we are dealing with for decades, and the world must understand _ with for decades, and the world must understand it. every arab country that has— understand it. every arab country that has given their hand towards us, we _ that has given their hand towards us, we shook it, we wanted to make peace _ us, we shook it, we wanted to make peace the — us, we shook it, we wanted to make peace. the palestinians didn't want peace _ peace. the palestinians didn't want peace with — peace. the palestinians didn't want peace with us. they wanted to be here _ peace with us. they wanted to be here and — peace with us. they wanted to be here and we dared. what they think is their— here and we dared. what they think is their biggest victory is going to be the _ is their biggest victory is going to be the biggest defeat. the palestinian _ be the biggest defeat. tis: palestinian president mahmoud be the biggest defeat. ti9 palestinian president mahmoud abbas says that palestinians have a right to defend themselves against israeli crimes. the un report last month said that violence from israeli settlers has displaced many people from the occupied west bank. when you talk to palestinians who support what is happening today, they say they are pushing back against decades of oppression by the israelis. ~ . . ., decades of oppression by the israelis. ~ : .. ., , decades of oppression by the israelis. . . ., , ., ., . ,, israelis. when america was attacked in 9/11, did israelis. when america was attacked in 9m, did they _ israelis. when america was attacked in 9/11, did they look _ israelis. when america was attacked in 9/11, did they look for _ israelis. when america was attacked in 9/11, did they look for excuses? i in 9/11, did they look for excuses? when _ in 9/11, did they look for excuses? when great — in 9/11, did they look for excuses? when great britain was attacked by the nazis, — when great britain was attacked by the nazis, did they look for excuses? they never wanted us to liver _ excuses? they never wanted us to live, and _ excuses? they never wanted us to live, and you look for excuses for what _ live, and you look for excuses for what has — live, and you look for excuses for what has happened today. many is reallys _ what has happened today. many is reallys were slaughtered in their beds, _ reallys were slaughtered in their beds, and — reallys were slaughtered in their beds, and you look for excuses for what _ beds, and you look for excuses for what has _ beds, and you look for excuses for what has happened today? no. no excuse _ what has happened today? no. no excuse for— what has happened today? no. no excuse for what has happened today. you need _ excuse for what has happened today. you need no — excuse for what has happened today. you need no excuse to killjew, that is what _ you need no excuse to killjew, that is what they— you need no excuse to killjew, that is what they are programmed for. this is— is what they are programmed for. this is what— is what they are programmed for. this is what they are doing. this is a terrorist — this is what they are doing. this is a terrorist organisation. this is a terrorist — a terrorist organisation. this is a terrorist entity elected by the palestinians. it is not an entity you can — palestinians. it is not an entity you can negotiate with and have peace _ you can negotiate with and have peace with. according to them, i must _ peace with. according to them, i must not — peace with. according to them, i must not exist. this is like the nazis— must not exist. this is like the nazis in— must not exist. this is like the nazis in the 30s and the 40s. we belong _ nazis in the 30s and the 40s. we belong to — nazis in the 30s and the 40s. we belong to the free world. you must understand — belong to the free world. you must understand what we are dealing with. we are _ understand what we are dealing with. we are dealing with those who flatter — we are dealing with those who flatter and celebrate people. this is what _ flatter and celebrate people. this is what we are dealing with, and when _ is what we are dealing with, and when you — is what we are dealing with, and when you look at those films on the social _ when you look at those films on the social media, don't you understand what _ social media, don't you understand what we _ social media, don't you understand what we are — social media, don't you understand what we are dealing with? they slaughter— what we are dealing with? they slaughter kids and flatter themselves killing soldiers or children— themselves killing soldiers or children or anything, elderly women, and you _ children or anything, elderly women, and you flatter and you caught them? 0k, and you flatter and you caught them? ok, i and you flatter and you caught them? 0k. i want— and you flatter and you caught them? ok, i want to ask you about the intelligence failure. there were israeli officials are predicting just a couple of months ago in august are likely attack from either hamas or hezbollah. what has gone wrong? hamas or hezbollah. what has gone wront ? :, :, hamas or hezbollah. what has gone wront ? :, ._ , hamas or hezbollah. what has gone wront? :, , ., ., hamas or hezbollah. what has gone wront? ., , ., ., . wrong? today, first of all, victory, we think only _ wrong? today, first of all, victory, we think only of _ wrong? today, first of all, victory, we think only of one _ wrong? today, first of all, victory, we think only of one thing, - wrong? today, first of all, victory, we think only of one thing, we i wrong? today, first of all, victory, l we think only of one thing, we have had a _ we think only of one thing, we have had a very— we think only of one thing, we have had a very difficult day. tonight here _ had a very difficult day. tonight here in— had a very difficult day. tonight here in tel— had a very difficult day. tonight here in tel aviv we are supposed to celebrate _ here in tel aviv we are supposed to celebrate with the torah, this is a very holy— celebrate with the torah, this is a very holy day for us, and yet we are united _ very holy day for us, and yet we are united in— very holy day for us, and yet we are united in order to win victory very soon, _ united in order to win victory very soon. and — united in order to win victory very soon. and it— united in order to win victory very soon, and it will be very strong. after— soon, and it will be very strong. after that, _ soon, and it will be very strong. after that, we will look at what has happened _ after that, we will look at what has happened today. today, we are united in the _ happened today. today, we are united in the victory _ happened today. today, we are united in the victory that will come very soon _ in the victory that will come very soon this — in the victory that will come very soon this is _ in the victory that will come very soon. this is what should be done today _ soon. this is what should be done today and — soon. this is what should be done today. and another thing i want to say was _ today. and another thing i want to say was the — today. and another thing i want to say was the perspective. it happened on saturday, it happened on the 7th of 0ctober~ — on saturday, it happened on the 7th of october. looking at the television following the news debate, i was thinking of myself years— debate, i was thinking of myself years ago — debate, i was thinking of myself years ago. i was nine years old, the same _ years ago. i was nine years old, the same as— years ago. i was nine years old, the same as my— years ago. i was nine years old, the same as my son, it was the 6th of october— same as my son, it was the 6th of october 1973, same as my son, it was the 6th of october1973, it same as my son, it was the 6th of october 1973, it was a holiday for us, and _ october 1973, it was a holiday for us, and we — october 1973, it was a holiday for us, and we were surprised by egypt, by arab _ us, and we were surprised by egypt, by arab armies. 2665 casualties, but at the _ by arab armies. 2665 casualties, but at the end _ by arab armies. 2665 casualties, but at the end we won the war, and fortunately enough afterwards we were at _ fortunately enough afterwards we were at peace with egypt. and today there is _ were at peace with egypt. and today there is one big difference. egypt was courageous enough to make peace with israel. _ was courageous enough to make peace with israel, and that was a game changer~ — with israel, and that was a game changer. unfortunately with hamas you cannot — changer. unfortunately with hamas you cannot bring peace, because it means— you cannot bring peace, because it means dealing with terrorists. | means dealing with terrorists. i want means dealing with terrorists. want to means dealing with terrorists. i want to ask you before you go, what is the situation there? we have heard reports of there being rocket attacks in tel aviv. have you seen or heard anything?— attacks in tel aviv. have you seen or heard anything? yes, when i was waitint for or heard anything? yes, when i was waiting for you _ or heard anything? yes, when i was waiting for you to _ or heard anything? yes, when i was waiting for you to call, _ or heard anything? yes, when i was waiting for you to call, 15 _ or heard anything? yes, when i was waiting for you to call, 15 or - or heard anything? yes, when i was waiting for you to call, 15 or 20 i waiting for you to call, 15 or 20 minutes— waiting for you to call, 15 or 20 minutes before, we would have stopped — minutes before, we would have stopped the interview because there was a _ stopped the interview because there was a missile launch with two heavily— was a missile launch with two heavily wounded over there, and israel— heavily wounded over there, and israel is — heavily wounded over there, and israel is under attack by a terrorist _ israel is under attack by a terrorist organisation, and as i said, _ terrorist organisation, and as i said. this _ terrorist organisation, and as i said. this is _ terrorist organisation, and as i said, this is so important, they think— said, this is so important, they think it — said, this is so important, they think it is — said, this is so important, they think it is their biggest victory, but in — think it is their biggest victory, but i'm telling you, we have had a lot of— but i'm telling you, we have had a lot of cycles — but i'm telling you, we have had a lot of cycles of violence against hamas. — lot of cycles of violence against hamas, against terrorist organisations in gaza, but this time it is going _ organisations in gaza, but this time it is going to be a straight, very clear— it is going to be a straight, very clear victory. what they think is their— clear victory. what they think is their biggest victory is going to be their biggest victory is going to be the greatest defeat because the israeli _ the greatest defeat because the israeli army will provide this victory— israeli army will provide this victory to— israeli army will provide this victory to the israeli operation. i'm victory to the israeli operation. in sure — victory to the israeli operation. i'm sure we will hear from plenty more politicians who will call on your country for a measured response. how concerned are you that innocent civilians in gaza will be killed in your retaliatory response? what i would wish is that our friends — what i would wish is that our friends in _ what i would wish is that our friends in the world would understand that innocents are being killed. _ understand that innocents are being killed, slaughtered. today everyone canjust _ killed, slaughtered. today everyone canjust go — killed, slaughtered. today everyone canjust go to killed, slaughtered. today everyone can just go to the social media and see exactly. so before we think about _ see exactly. so before we think about this, on the contrary, ten, 20,000, — about this, on the contrary, ten, 20,000, and by the way, we know that we have _ 20,000, and by the way, we know that we have the _ 20,000, and by the way, we know that we have the capacity of giving us a bil we have the capacity of giving us a big sniash — we have the capacity of giving us a big smash against hamas, and by the way, those _ big smash against hamas, and by the way, those events mean that on the contrary, _ way, those events mean that on the contrary, the people on this side of the border— contrary, the people on this side of the border are the ones thinking of children. _ the border are the ones thinking of children, this is the side. we have missiles _ children, this is the side. we have missiles in — children, this is the side. we have missiles in order to protect children _ missiles in order to protect children. they have got children protecting their missiles. this is the difference. the difference between us and hamas, and we are dealing _ between us and hamas, and we are dealing exactly. try and imagine. hamas— dealing exactly. try and imagine. hamas is— dealing exactly. try and imagine. hamas is exactly, we are dealing with a _ hamas is exactly, we are dealing with a terrorist organisation. watch the videos — with a terrorist organisation. watch the videos and tell me if you wouldn't _ the videos and tell me if you wouldn't be shocked, because again, hijacking _ wouldn't be shocked, because again, hijacking 16— wouldn't be shocked, because again, hijacking 16 teenagers being happy and celebrating it. you must understand, when i unfortunate him in war. _ understand, when i unfortunate him in war. the — understand, when i unfortunate him in war, the civilians killed, i will be sorry— in war, the civilians killed, i will be sorry for— in war, the civilians killed, i will be sorry for that. when they kill civilians. — be sorry for that. when they kill civilians, they celebrate. this is the difference between us and them. thank— the difference between us and them. thank you _ the difference between us and them. thank you very much for your time. in fact, going to keep you there for one moment, we are hoping to talk to our correspond today in gaza, so i do want to just ask you another question about a possible unity government. we have heard from opposition leader yair lapid, so how would you welcome that, and how would you welcome that, and how would it help? fits would you welcome that, and how would it help? ass i would you welcome that, and how would it help?— would you welcome that, and how would it help? as i said before, we have a political— would it help? as i said before, we have a political era, _ would it help? as i said before, we have a political era, i _ would it help? as i said before, we have a political era, i understand i have a political era, i understand the turmoil— have a political era, i understand the turmoil of the last few years, we have — the turmoil of the last few years, we have had five rounds of elections, yet the more we see the country— elections, yet the more we see the country is — elections, yet the more we see the country is being attacked, we are united. _ country is being attacked, we are united. and — country is being attacked, we are united, and this is something that we will— united, and this is something that we will see. today nobody speaks in the different opinions, today we are only one _ the different opinions, today we are only one thing, israel. thank— only one thing, israel. thank you very much for being with us, we appreciate your time. with me is our security correspondent frank gardner and our middle east editor lyse doucet. let's talk about that issue of the intelligence failure. we didn't get a response, but it is a failure, isn't it? its, we didn't get a response, but it is a failure, isn't it?— a failure, isn't it? a colossal failure, and _ a failure, isn't it? a colossal failure, and most _ a failure, isn't it? a colossal failure, and most israelis i i a failure, isn't it? a colossal i failure, and most israelis i have spoken to say they are staggered at this, because he said this has taken place on the last day of a jewish holiday, at the end of the sukkot holiday. holiday, at the end of the sukkot holida . : .,. holiday, at the end of the sukkot holida . : .. :: holiday. and the exact 50th anniversary _ holiday. and the exact 50th anniversary of _ holiday. and the exact 50th anniversary of the - holiday. and the exact 50th anniversary of the yom i holiday. and the exact 50th i anniversary of the yom kippur holiday. and the exact 50th - anniversary of the yom kippur war. exactly. they took advantage of israel having its guard lowered to have a half in attack on a holiday to 50 years ago, and they have done it again. but how with all these resources, with satellite surveillance, informants inside the groups, cameras, ground sensors, military patrols regularly, knowing that hamas hates the ground they walk on, did israel not to predict this, did they not see this coming? think of all the preparations that must have been needed to amass five, may be 7000 rockets? all these people, the bulldozers, and yet hamas was able to keep this secret? in one of the most densely populated areas on the planet, they kept it secret somehow, or at least if they didn't, nobody did anything about it. . , it. . remember the last time when hostilities broke _ it. . remember the last time when hostilities broke out, _ it. . remember the last time when hostilities broke out, it _ it. . remember the last time when hostilities broke out, it was i it. . remember the last time when hostilities broke out, it was all - hostilities broke out, it was all about— hostilities broke out, it was all about destroying the tunnels. how else did _ about destroying the tunnels. how else did they get, how did israel not keep— else did they get, how did israel not keep an eye, how did it lose sight _ not keep an eye, how did it lose sight of— not keep an eye, how did it lose sight of what was obviously finding ways to _ sight of what was obviously finding ways to surreptitiously bring it, it either_ ways to surreptitiously bring it, it either has — ways to surreptitiously bring it, it either has to come from egypt or it has to— either has to come from egypt or it has to come — either has to come from egypt or it has to come from israel. they either has to come from egypt or it has to come from israel.— has to come from israel. they do roduce has to come from israel. they do produce a — has to come from israel. they do produce a lot _ has to come from israel. they do produce a lot of _ has to come from israel. they do produce a lot of stuff _ has to come from israel. they do produce a lot of stuff in - has to come from israel. they do | produce a lot of stuff in backstreet workshops, there is a flourishing industry, and it is often very low—tech. the initial barrage, we were told there was one israeli woman dead, killed, after thousands were launched. compared to the ordinance that is being used in ukraine, where pretty much every sheu ukraine, where pretty much every shell and drone has multiple casualties, it at first seemed it wasn't too bad, but now we know of course it is a lot more. find wasn't too bad, but now we know of course it is a lot more.— course it is a lot more. and 'ust described. fl course it is a lot more. and 'ust described, because i course it is a lot more. and 'ust described, because israelh course it is a lot more. and just described, because israel has l course it is a lot more. and just i described, because israel has this famous iron dome, its protection system, which is usually pretty infallible. describe how that works and why it hasn't been able. this huge barrage of rockets today. i haven't seen the exact map of where the iron dome is protecting, but certainly they are no strangers in ashkelon of incoming rocket fire from gaza. but there are long range weapons as well, some of which have got through and hit buildings in tel aviv, so i think it is the sheer force of numbers plus the fact that obviously they had a skeleton staff on duty in air defence and in intelligence. they were asleep at the wheel, and an investigation has already been started but the findings won't come out for some time and they have bigger priorities right now which is to resolve the hostage crisis that they have got where you have dozens of israelis held at gunpoint, some military, some civilian, and that is a massive bargain chip for hamas if they do choose to do that. it is a really delicate situation right now, and meanwhile of course because it is getting pounded. it is hard to believe it is going to be purely military deaths. they will be civilian casualties on both sides. and we are looking at pictures of gaza, and there have been a huge number of rockets already flying over from number of rockets already flying overfrom israel, attacking certain targets there, at least 200 people, we understand, killed in those attacks. lyse, just put this into context for us. gaza is extremely densely populated, very few places for people to hide, and they have experienced things like that before when this conflict has escalated, but a terrifying time for them. fix, but a terrifying time for them. a terrifying time, but it is always a very difficult time. it is basically impoverished. also even though isreel— impoverished. also even though israel likes to say that it withdrew from _ israel likes to say that it withdrew from gaza — israel likes to say that it withdrew from gaza many years ago, the gazans are not_ from gaza many years ago, the gazans are not in— from gaza many years ago, the gazans are not in control of their borders, the air, _ are not in control of their borders, the air, the — are not in control of their borders, the air, the sea, they are still circumscribed by israeli prescriptions and forces, israel controls — prescriptions and forces, israel controls what goes in and out, sometimes they let more in. so there is growing _ sometimes they let more in. so there is growing anger. there was recently a story— is growing anger. there was recently a story that — is growing anger. there was recently a story that the vast majority of -als a story that the vast majority of gels and — a story that the vast majority of gals and students who get scholarships to study abroad cannot take advantage of them because they simply— take advantage of them because they simply cannot get out. the people of gaza had _ simply cannot get out. the people of gaza had long described it as the wortd's_ gaza had long described it as the world's biggest prison, to which the israelis _ world's biggest prison, to which the israelis would say, why are you allowing — israelis would say, why are you allowing yourself to be led by the men who — allowing yourself to be led by the men who rule by the gun, the resistance _ men who rule by the gun, the resistance of hamas and the people of gaza _ resistance of hamas and the people of gaza know that as bad as it was, it is how— of gaza know that as bad as it was, it is now going to get much worse. what _ it is now going to get much worse. what we're — it is now going to get much worse. what we're hearing from some today is that _ what we're hearing from some today is that they _ what we're hearing from some today is that they knew there was going to be some _ is that they knew there was going to be some kind of a hamas operation eveh _ be some kind of a hamas operation even though israel was taken by surprise, — even though israel was taken by surprise, and they say our situation is so _ surprise, and they say our situation is so bad _ surprise, and they say our situation is so bad that we have nothing to loose _ is so bad that we have nothing to loose. �* . is so bad that we have nothing to loose. . . , . ., , is so bad that we have nothing to loose. ~ . , . . , ., loose. and that is certainly what i was hearing _ loose. and that is certainly what i was hearing from _ loose. and that is certainly what i was hearing from one _ loose. and that is certainly what i was hearing from one local- loose. and that is certainly what i i was hearing from one local resident, very angry about the conditions that they live in, and many are saying, this is what has really weaponised the people, they are being used almost as weapons, the use of gaza, because they feel so desolate, so hopeless in their situation. do you think, though, we say that hamas were elected. how much support they have within the territory politically and militarily? it is impossible — politically and militarily? it is impossible to _ politically and militarily? it is impossible to say _ politically and militarily? it is impossible to say with any certainty. there are no public opinion— certainty. there are no public opinion polls with any authority which _ opinion polls with any authority which are — opinion polls with any authority which are constructed with inside the gaza — which are constructed with inside the gaza strip. there are effectively trapped with this leadership. when it comes to war, they will— leadership. when it comes to war, they will rally around hamas in the same _ they will rally around hamas in the same way— they will rally around hamas in the same way that israelis who have been deepty— same way that israelis who have been deeply divided on the way forward, we have _ deeply divided on the way forward, we have been discovering these massive — we have been discovering these massive protests, reserve soldiers saying _ massive protests, reserve soldiers saying they are not going to serve because _ saying they are not going to serve because they are so upset with the direction _ because they are so upset with the direction of — because they are so upset with the direction of israeli policies under this very. — direction of israeli policies under this very, very right—wing government, but the is reallys will pull together and the gazans will pull together and the gazans will pull together, and we have heard from _ pull together, and we have heard from the — pull together, and we have heard from the palestinian leader, mahmoud abbas _ from the palestinian leader, mahmoud abbas he _ from the palestinian leader, mahmoud abbas. he basically has supported what has — abbas. he basically has supported what has been happening today. they have had _ what has been happening today. they have had no— what has been happening today. they have had no other choice. it is starkly— have had no other choice. it is starkly drawn, the divisions, even more _ starkly drawn, the divisions, even more. drawing blood.— more. drawing blood. there is an irony here — more. drawing blood. there is an irony here as _ more. drawing blood. there is an irony here as well _ more. drawing blood. there is an irony here as well with _ more. drawing blood. there is an irony here as well with america, | irony here as well with america, because the us state department said, it is time for a rethink on the middle east. we have been backing autocratic regimes, strong regimes, and we need to turn towards democracy, more democracy in the middle east. they got an election and the palestinian territories and they got a result they didn't like at all, hamas, but that is what people voted for. and the islamists who were all anti—western triumphed in other areas, and the state department was pretty quiet about elections after that. that really was the beginning of the decline in gaza's fortunes, because they elected an organisation which does not accept the existence of the state of israel. and it is terribly sad that whenever that looks like being progress in some kind of a peace deal, some kind of compromise, an act of violence would jeopardise it, and both said, that's it, we are so angry, we won't have negotiations now. it so angry, we won't have negotiations now. , ., , . , now. it is not 'ust hamas, it is the more these — now. it is notjust hamas, it is the more these things _ now. it is notjust hamas, it is the more these things rise _ now. it is notjust hamas, it is the more these things rise up, - now. it is notjust hamas, it is the more these things rise up, the - now. it is notjust hamas, it is the i more these things rise up, the more you see strength on both sides. it is known that they have strength from iran, they were the first to congratulate hamas today, and then of course there is hezbollah in lebanon, so there are many players involved in this current quagmire. i just want to bring our view is the latest death toll coming in from israeli media, saying that 200 is reallys have been killed today. i can't remember in my career any numbers like that in any conflict israel has been involved in the past several decades. the israel has been involved in the past several decades.— israel has been involved in the past several decades. the 2006 lebanon war would have _ several decades. the 2006 lebanon war would have been _ several decades. the 2006 lebanon war would have been the _ several decades. the 2006 lebanon war would have been the last - several decades. the 2006 lebanon war would have been the last time l war would have been the last time that there was a conflict of this size, but that is very different. there are many places this conflict could go where it gets a whole lot worse. rememberthat could go where it gets a whole lot worse. remember that that spokesman for the military wing of hamas has called on palestinians to rise up and take part in this essential intifada, this uprising, so in other words the west bank, but also arabs inside israel, if hezbollah get involved on the lebanese side of the border with their massive arsenal of rockets, israel could find itself fighting on two fronts. israel is pretty good at defending himself when it comes to existential threats, it has been called israel's 9/11. and i think it is, because he has been caught napping. and israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu has invited opposition leaders like yair lapid to join a unity government. what difference will this make? bestie the whole country united at this time, as you would expect. why is a unity government needed now? timer;r would expect. why is a unity government needed now? would expect. why is a unity covernment needed now? , ._ ., government needed now? they may have to, and it government needed now? they may have to. and it seems — government needed now? they may have to, and it seems there _ government needed now? they may have to, and it seems there are _ to, and it seems there are preparations for them to take military action that they had not taken before. we have seen another flare—up in hospitality hostilities, they did not want to have a reoccupation, they did not want a full scale ground invasion, we are now getting signals that in fact there may be preparation for that, we haven't heard that the signal was given but if they are going to take dramatic action, if all options are on the table, then prime minister netanyahu will want to be sure that he has the whole nation, that he has a mandate from both his political allies as well as his enemies. even his fiercest critics will say we are up his fiercest critics will say we are up against our enemy, we have a common enemy now, and however deep our divisions are, this is not the moment. it is israel that matters more than anything else. ii moment. it is israel that matters more than anything else.- moment. it is israel that matters more than anything else. if you look at israel, more than anything else. if you look at israel. a — more than anything else. if you look at israel, a lot _ more than anything else. if you look at israel, a lot of— more than anything else. if you look at israel, a lot of people _ more than anything else. if you look at israel, a lot of people are - at israel, a lot of people are coming _ at israel, a lot of people are coming up with very simplistic sotutiohs. _ coming up with very simplistic solutions, people who are sympathetic to the israeli position saying _ sympathetic to the israeli position saying it _ sympathetic to the israeli position saying it is perfectly simple, why don't _ saying it is perfectly simple, why don't they— saying it is perfectly simple, why don't theyjust ascend in the army and clean — don't theyjust ascend in the army and clean out the terrorists? well, it is hot— and clean out the terrorists? well, it is hot like — and clean out the terrorists? well, it is not like that, and one person might— it is not like that, and one person might be — it is not like that, and one person might be a — it is not like that, and one person might be a moderate civilian one day and take _ might be a moderate civilian one day and take up— might be a moderate civilian one day and take up the gun the next. thank ou ve and take up the gun the next. thank you very much. _ and take up the gun the next. thank you very much. stay _ and take up the gun the next. thank you very much, stay with _ and take up the gun the next. thank you very much, stay with us - and take up the gun the next. thank you very much, stay with us here . and take up the gun the next. thank you very much, stay with us here on i you very much, stay with us here on bbc news. we leave you with the live scene on gaza right now, stay with us for the latest. hello. are weekends of stark contrast in terms of the weather, so for many of us, unseasonably warm and lots of autumnal sunshine. this is the picture injersey, but not the same across scotland where we have had lots of heavy rain already today, this was the picture earlier in glasgow. disruption to road and rail networks as well with that heavy rain. we have this cooler air in the north, and that is where we are seeing all the rain, so an amber warning is in force until 6am sunday for that heavy rain on central and western parts of scotland, so here is the radar showing where we had lots of rain that has already ploughed in through the course of saturday, and it isjust ploughed in through the course of saturday, and it is just starting to ease a little in intensity as it pushes a bit further towards the north sea. into the evening hours, this band of rain still with us, but becoming heavierfor the this band of rain still with us, but becoming heavier for the likes of aberdeenshire, parts of the highland, drying up for dumfries and galloway for a time. northern ireland, england and wales keeping mild and largely dry weather overnight, certainly temperatures in the mid—teens for most of us. but they will be some mist and fog patches particularly around coasts and hills of the west. as we move through sunday, high pressure with us but we still have got this weather front that is going to be a troublemaker across scotland. it will push itself slowly further north on sunday, some more wet weather to come across parts of the highlands down towards aberdeenshire, but for much of southern scotland in the borders, england, wales and northern ireland, and temperatures well above average, 20-25, still and temperatures well above average, 20—25, still coolerfor and temperatures well above average, 20—25, still cooler for the north—east of finland and for scotland, so the mid to high teens here. heading into monday we will start to see the front clearing away altogether, so eventually a dry day for scotland, for england, wales and northern ireland predominantly dry, areas of cloud just drifting around, some low cloud, a bit misty. top temperatures, 2a or so, still very warm in the south, typically the mid—teens for scotland. then as we head for the middle of the week, tuesday to wednesday, low—pressure sets to the north, this frontal system will push its way south east across the uk, introducing a bit of rain at times and some cooler air. still one for many of us, especially in the south on monday and tuesday, but for wednesday onwards it will change to something and settled in cooler too. and by. live from london, this is bbc news. an unprecedented escalation in decades — israeli air strikes are continuing to pound gaza after palestinian militants luanched a surprise attack. 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 reports say at least 200 israelis have been killed following gaza's assault. israel's retaliatory air strikes have killed nearly 200 palestinians. these are live pictures from gaza. hamas said the operation was a response to israeli violence against palestinians in the west bank. israel's netanyahu declares his country is at war. this is bbc news. i am samantha simmonds. 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 200 people, and wounding nearly a thousand. 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.

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