and right now we are striking from the air every single day when we do not know where my cousin is, where we do not know where over 200 hostages are and we don't know if any of our bombs have killed them. here in london, pro—palestinian demonstrators, turn out in force. protests are also taking place in other capital cities, with calls for a ceasefire. fresh aid enters gaza, and the un tells the bbc they've managed to re—establish some contact with their teams on the ground. israel's defence minister says the intensifying bombardment of gaza showed the military has "shifted into a new phase" of the war and that its operation will continue "until further notice." israel says overnight air attacks hit 150 underground targets, killing several senior hamas commanders. the un secretary—general, antonio guterres, has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, saying a "humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes." israel has again warned people in the north of gaza to head south, saying their "window to act was closing." as the israeli operation unfolded, a bbc correspondent in gaza reported a huge bombardment in northern gaza — which he said — was on an unprecedented scale. that bombardment has continued with israeli artillery from the north of gaza. international aid agencies say they are struggling to contact their teams inside the strip, although the un has told us it has now managed to get in touch with some of their people there. more than 200 people are being held hostage by hamas, a proscribed terror organisation in the uk, us and many other western nations. relatives expressed alarm at the intensification of the fighting. they're meeting prime minister benjamin netanyahu to discuss their concerns. the hamas—run gaza health ministry says 7,650 people have been killed there, since the war began. about 1,400 israelis were killed by the hamas attacks three weeks ago. here's what the israeli defence minister, yoav gallant, said on the latest military action. translation: we have i shifted a phase in the war. last night, the ground in gaza shook. we attacked above the ground and below the ground. we attacked terror operatives of all ranks in every location. the instructions to the forces are clear, the action will continue until a new order. there is began to intensify around 24 there is began to intensify around 2a hours ago. let's get more from our middle east correspondent tom bateman, who sent this report from jerusalem. wave upon wave of israeli air strikes have pounded gaza. the military calls these massive significant attacks as its ground troops entered the territory. palestinians report an unprecedented level of bombardment while virtually all communications for nearly 2.5 million people appear to be cut. here, residents rushed the wounded to hospital by themselves as people say they could not call ambulances. paramedics in the darkness simply drove towards explosions. palestinian telecoms companies say the outage was caused by the air strikes. the israeli army hasn't commented on that. we have lost contact with our staff on the ground in gaza, communication lines are still down across gaza and we are incredibly terrified about the situation, especially after the heavy bombardment that was reported last night in gaza and it has been said that it is on a scale never seen before. the israeli military says its forces entered the northern gaza strip, calling it an expansion of its ground operations to eliminate hamas. it has said it has killed commanders overnight, including one of the leaders of the october 7th massacres against israel. hamas said it was fighting israeli forces on the ground. israel called these targeted attacks against specific hamas positions and its network of tunnels below gaza city. translation: last night, the ground forces entered | and continued expanding the ground force operations. the idf is continuing with its evaluation in an ongoing way, continuing massively with air strikes and also the sea. meanwhile, hamas continued to fire rockets toward southern israel this morning. and families of some of the more than 220 people being held hostage by hamas say they have spent the most terrible of all nights, fearing the ground operation could endanger them. whether this amounts to the full—scale land assault some expected isn't clear, the israeli army is calling this a limited invasion. what we do know is the attacks are intense but with communications out in gaza, most palestinians can't tell the world what is happening to them. this war has entered a new phase. three weeks on from the deadly attacks when hamas stormed israel and killed 1,400 people, almost 8,000 palestinians have now been killed, say doctors in gaza. the international calls for a ceasefire are going unheeded and the fighting only intensifies. tom bateman, bbc news, jerusalem. the latest on the ground and just a moment or two but let me bring you the latest line coming in diplomatically. we had from the un secretary—generaljust diplomatically. we had from the un secretary—general just a second diplomatically. we had from the un secretary—generaljust a second ago. the eu foreign policy chief also posting on social media that far too many civilians including children are being killed. this is against international humanitarian law, he has said. a pause is urgently needed. that is the latest on the diplomatic front, saying too many civilians are being killed. let's turn to what is actually happening. communication with people inside gaza is difficult, but our correspondent, rushdi abu alouf, who is in khan younis, has managed to send us this update. hundreds of israeli air strikes since last night and throughout the day across the gaza strip here in khan yunis, about 20 air strike today, but the shelling was intensified in the north and east and west of gaza strip, especially with the israelis announcing the new stage of the operation, expanding the ground operation. we understand that the tanks were deep as two kilometres in northwest gaza, close to the sea. people could see tanks in the area. you know, communication is very, very difficult in gaza since 2a hours, as israel cut all of the communication, mobile carrier, the two main mobile carriers are not functioning. the internet lines are not functioning in everywhere. and getting information is really hard and difficult. very few people who are still having international sim cards and they can do roaming using israeli mobile services, people who are close to to the border, they still can communicate. and between time to time they post on social media. they also, some of the local radio stations are still functioning. and they were able to talk to their correspondent in the north who describe what happened last night as the biggest ever air strike that targeted this area. he said it was like an earthquake. we understand that the indonesian hospital was struck with an air strike yesterday. the hospital was out of service for quite a long time, like a week ago, the hospital was out of service because no fuel and was evacuated. but today it was the main building of the hospital was destroyed. also around shifa hospital in gaza city, there was a lot of air strikes, 10, 15 airstrikes, according to people around shifa hospital. they are cutting most of the roads towards that hospital. communication, as i said, is extremely difficult. we are unable to verify a lot of reports about the number of people dead or injured. but as far as the health ministry was was doing a press conference this afternoon, they said about 400 people were killed overnight, but they said hundreds other are missing under the collapsed building in the north. also, the biggest refugee camp in gaza, also was bombed heavily. i saw very strong footage of destruction inside the camp, with about 100,000 people, they live in this camp. about half a million people are still living in gaza city in the north, the area where israel asked the people to leave to south. more than a million people, they live now in southern gaza and some of them, they live in this hospital in khan yunis. this is the second largest hospital in that serving half of the population and is really struggling to cope with the number of casualties that arrive to the hospital with the severe shortage of fuel and all of the medical essential needs to save people's lives, they shot most of the department and they only focus only on life—saving missions in the hospital. tonight, more air strikes, more israeli aeroplanes flying over gaza city and people are expecting more. a heavy bombing night. live now to general david petreaus, who commanded nato and us forces in afghanistan, and iraq, and is a former director of the cia. he is also co—author with andrew roberts of �*conflict: the evolution of warfare from 1945 to ukraine.�* thank you so much for being here on the programme. your assessment festival in terms of what we have seen overnight and today? this a- ears seen overnight and today? this appears clearly _ seen overnight and today? this appears clearly to _ seen overnight and today? ti 3 appears clearly to be a very substantial push by the israelis. my senseis substantial push by the israelis. my sense is that they are seeking to establish a lodgement, foothold in the urban areas. they are using air attacks to set the conditions to attacks to set the conditions to attack any known name at headquarters, bases, logistical sites. —— hamas. that restricts the command and control capacity. up until now, you could have a sense that what they were doing was feeling the edges of hamas, seeing how they would respond to reconnaissance. this appears to be the offensive, and i would be surprised if they would withdraw from this. rather, i would expect that they would seize a foothold and then commence what will be a very tough fight in which they will have two clear every building, every floor, room, tunneland two clear every building, every floor, room, tunnel and then hold it so you have to leave forces behind before you can move onto the next one. that's the only way that you can destroy an enemy like hamas, a terrorist army, not reconcilable extremists who have because visited the worst and most horrific on israelis and dues since the holocaust. israelis and dues since the holocaust-— israelis and dues since the holocaust. ., ., . holocaust. you have so much experience — holocaust. you have so much experience in _ holocaust. you have so much experience in that _ holocaust. you have so much experience in that whole - holocaust. you have so much experience in that whole area holocaust. you have so much - experience in that whole area but in terms of the next stages from what you are saying there, you think it only goes in one direction which is to intensify? i only goes in one direction which is to intensify?— to intensify? i think that's right and the intensification - to intensify? i think that's right and the intensification will- to intensify? i think that's right and the intensification will be l to intensify? i think that's right l and the intensification will be the actual ground operations. again, the air operations have been to set the condition so that, this is an enemy that doesn't wear uniform, fights from within civilian, using civilians as human shields, there are over 200 hostages that are still in captivity as well. the challenges of this cannot more substantial. we look back at all the cases that we looked at in the period since 1945 and we can't think of anything that is comparable to the magnitude of the challenge in this particular case. yes, we oversaw very substantial urban operations during the surge, clearing major cities. but none of them presented as formidable a set of challenges as does this for the israeli forces. that is quite something to say, that this possibly represents a challenge like no other in history in terms of what you have recently looked at and actually experienced. what then are the principal challenges here? what makes it so difficult potentially? the challenges of the enemy again, you are going to have to reveal yourself to have the enemy fire on you. some of the enemy may actually be willing to blow themselves up to take the israelis with them. presumably, they have had months if not years to plan this and if it is as creative and horrific sense that there original attack on the 7th of october was, then we can expect buildings are well up, rims or blow up. they are not concerned about what they are doing to bring this violence on the innocent palestinian civilians in gaza city and its going to be a very tough fight and then you add to that 300 miles of reinforced concrete tunnel underneath the city. it’s reinforced concrete tunnel underneath the city. it's as extensive _ underneath the city. it's as extensive as _ underneath the city. it's as extensive as that, - underneath the city. it's as extensive as that, 300 - underneath the city. it's as - extensive as that, 300 miles? yes. auain, extensive as that, 300 miles? yes. again. the — extensive as that, 300 miles? yes. again, the israelis _ extensive as that, 300 miles? yes. again, the israelis have _ extensive as that, 300 miles? yes again, the israelis have technology, they have developed a deal with some of this which is quite sophisticated and impressive. ithink of this which is quite sophisticated and impressive. i think you're site as it unveiled over time. at the end of the day, this will inevitably end “p of the day, this will inevitably end up in soldiers having to clear buildings and clear rooms and that is a very challenging endeavour indeed. in is a very challenging endeavour indeed. , ., ., ,., is a very challenging endeavour indeed. , ., ., ., ~ indeed. in terms of also making it ossibl indeed. in terms of also making it possibly the _ indeed. in terms of also making it possibly the greatest _ indeed. in terms of also making it possibly the greatest challenge i possibly the greatest challenge historically, you have this time in the equation, the whole hostage dynamic. that makes every calculation so much more difficult, doesn't it? it calculation so much more difficult, doesn't it? ., , , ., doesn't it? it does. there is no question- _ doesn't it? it does. there is no question- in — doesn't it? it does. there is no question. in modern _ doesn't it? it does. there is no question. in modern times, . doesn't it? it does. there is no. question. in modern times, that doesn't it? it does. there is no - question. in modern times, that is unprecedented. if you look at world war ii, there are some examples, stalingrad will be one of them. this is that kind of grinding offensive operation. my hope is, and i believe that this is the case. 0bviously, that this is the case. obviously, the israelis are going to adhere to what they term period arms, that is there, they have got to be seen by there, they have got to be seen by the world is taking steps to minimise innocence loss of civilian life. even with an enemy he uses a civilians to their advantage, clearly there has to be attention to the southern of gaza. there has to be an announcement about life after hamas that can give some degree of hope to the palestinians. and as we get during the surge, pointing out that life will be better after these extremist are no longer bring such violence into your mists. in extremist are no longer bring such violence into your mists.— violence into your mists. in the north, violence into your mists. in the north. there — violence into your mists. in the north, there are _ violence into your mists. in the north, there are still— violence into your mists. in the north, there are still at - violence into your mists. in the north, there are still at least i north, there are still at least 400,000 people, if not more, you are mentioning the cutting off of communications. part of the worry will be that these attacks will be happening where the eyes of the world can't see what is happening to civilians and that will cause a lot of alarm and a lot of different places. of alarm and a lot of different laces. ., , �* of alarm and a lot of different laces. . , ~ ., , of alarm and a lot of different laces. . , ~ ., places. that is true. and as always, there is always _ places. that is true. and as always, there is always the _ places. that is true. and as always, there is always the weighing - places. that is true. and as always, there is always the weighing up - places. that is true. and as always, there is always the weighing up of l there is always the weighing up of pros and cons of actions. but if you deny the enemy the ability to communicate, that is one of the steps to take. the question is what is the least bad choice? i tend to agree that hamas does have to be destroyed and that is a military term, that means that you have to render the enemy incapable of accomplishing their mission. even after this is done, when israel presumably is going to have to administer gaza, in the short term at least and restore services, begin the reconstruction of damaged and destroyed infrastructure, they will also have to have an elaborate intelligent structure that enables them to ensure that the remnants of hamas cannot be reconstituted, which they will seek to do and again, that task will be very substantial. there should be a vision for the ultimate overseeing of gaza, which should be a palestinian entity that is confident and capable, supported by the us, the gulf states and others that have obvious concerns for the plight of the palace and in people. they should talk about the vision for the palestinian is in the west bank as well. all of that would show that it bank as well. all of that would show thatitis bank as well. all of that would show that it is not more than just destroying hamas, it is also about providing a better future for the palestinian people, they cannot achieve that as long as hamas is carrying out horrific attacks on israelis as it has been doing. [30 israelis as it has been doing. do ou israelis as it has been doing. do you get the sense that the international community is focus on what happens after that mission they can achieve it, is achieved, in terms of getting rid of hamas, what happens on day one after that? when you ask israelis that question, there hasn't been particularly an answer but do you think the international community as well is focus on not enough? i international community as well is focus on not enough?— focus on not enough? i think it is. i know focus on not enough? i think it is. i know that _ focus on not enough? i think it is. i know that there _ focus on not enough? i think it is. i know that there are _ focus on not enough? i think it is. i know that there are a _ focus on not enough? i think it is. i know that there are a lot - focus on not enough? i think it is. i know that there are a lot of - i know that there are a lot of conversation going on behind the scenes on that very subject. i understand the reluctance of the israelis to announce that they may have to reoccu py israelis to announce that they may have to reoccupy gaza. they left in 2005 for a reason. but i see no alternative. at a certain point in time, they're going to have to state what it is they plan to do. but we learned this the hard way, the fight to baghdad, i rememberasking, could you give us a bit more detail what happens when they get to baghdad and they basically told me that they were from there. and that didn't prove adequate in the least and it was subsequently very foolish decisions. without any form of reconciliation. again, they have got to think this through and i know that individuals have been encouraging them to do just that. that isn'tjust encouraging them to do just that. that isn't just the encouraging them to do just that. that isn'tjust the commanders, going through a hugely challenging operation, again hard to imagine anything comparable to this. even other events and have people willing to blow themselves up and 300 miles of tunnels, hostages, enemies with drones. ~ . v of tunnels, hostages, enemies with drones. ~ ., �*, of tunnels, hostages, enemies with drones. ,, ., drones. what's your assessment of the potential— drones. what's your assessment of the potential of _ drones. what's your assessment of the potential of the _ drones. what's your assessment of the potential of the wider - drones. what's your assessment of the potential of the wider conflict? | the potential of the wider conflict? that has been the concern right from the start, you look at even comments today, saudi arabia condemning what is going on. you had very hostile comments coming from turkey and now a response from israel that whole policy from the americans of normalising relations of arab states with israel seems to be unravelling, let alone a wider conflict. i’m with israel seems to be unravelling, let alone a wider conflict.— let alone a wider conflict. i'm not sure unravelling _ let alone a wider conflict. i'm not sure unravelling is _ let alone a wider conflict. i'm not sure unravelling is really - let alone a wider conflict. i'm not| sure unravelling is really accurate with respect, i think that what was put on hold with the initiative with israel and saudi arabia, which the us was supporting. i'm not sure it's on life support yet but again, that is going to sit for quite some time. the big issue is not the criticism from those countries, it is really whether or not hezbollah will be compelled in this war. the last time there was a serious war between hezbollah and israel in 2006, i think they recognise it would almost be an act of suicide uses various systems, even if they could, because a response by israel is going to be devastating. and we reassessed several times in a way of the 2006 war, the level of damage that was done. it was not as apparent initially but when i was a central commander of the middle east, we reassessed and came to realise how significant that damage was. but they may still feel compelled to enter, they may be compelled to use tens of thousands of these rockets and missiles, perhaps iran pushing them to do so. there are concerns about the actions of irani and, the us was compelled to take strikes against those. those were just in syria, after us bases in cerebral attacks. yemen supported by iran have launched missiles at israel, clearly quite a lot of potential widening of the war, although one hopes that the posture of the us, two aircraft carrier, additional defences will discourage them from doing that but we will see how that's as —— that transpires. you that's as -- that transpires. you outline the _ that's as -- that transpires. you outline the clear _ that's as —— that transpires. you outline the clear dangers. your thought that you do think that the fundamental objective of wiping out hamas is an effective force was possible because many people think that there are so many difficulties with that but you think it is possible. what do you think the timeframe for someone like that is likely to be? it’s timeframe for someone like that is likely to be?— likely to be? it's impossible to sa . we likely to be? it's impossible to say- we saw — likely to be? it's impossible to say. we saw that _ likely to be? it's impossible to say. we saw that it _ likely to be? it's impossible to say. we saw that it took - likely to be? it's impossible to say. we saw that it took nine i likely to be? it's impossible to - say. we saw that it took nine months for the iraqi security forces to clear a city of similar size toe gaza city. it didn't have the knowledge or support of the people which will still be in existence undoubtedly in gaza, that hamas has in gaza. they didn't have anywhere near the assets that israel has submit very much depends on a variety of different factors. i do think it's possible, it's not a certainty. this is going to be a very tough fight but i think it is inevitable. i think it has to be done and israel has also announced that they are not just out to destroy hamas, but also to dismantle the political wing of hamas which means again that they will be compelled in the wake of this to assume control of gaza to administer it and again to distribute un humanitarian assistance and we construct. . , humanitarian assistance and we construct. ., , ., construct. inevitable though, thousands — construct. inevitable though, thousands more _ construct. inevitable though, thousands more civilian - construct. inevitable though, - thousands more civilian casualties? urban combat is very destructive, especially those with so many civilians and of course hamas wants to keep them there. they want to create problems for israel, they want to create a spectacle of damage and destruction. as a figure that may sound because, of course, it is their own people that they are putting in harms way but they seem unconcerned by that, frankly. general david petreaus, thank you so much forjoining us. let me take you back to tel aviv because we are telling you a little earlier because those protests that have been going on right through the course of the day. we started the day by seeing protests, families of the many hostages, 229 hostages being held by hamas. they are still there, with pictures of their loved ones. we are being told at that meeting with benjamin netanyahu is currently going on as they expressed their concern at the intensification of hostilities in gaza, so those some of the live pictures. we will have more of the headlines on this, our main story which is absently dominating here. three weeks after those hamas attacks. more from the middle east here and just a moment or two. hello. if you can see any blue sky overhead right now, do bear in mind it may not last, because rain continues to feature in our forecast for the rest of the weekend. and for some, quite a lot of rain. on our earlier satellite image, you can see clumps of shower clouds circulating around an area of low pressure. and then this stripe of bright white cloud pushing its way in from the south, bringing a band of heavy, thundery rain, squally gusty winds. could be a lot of rain in a short space of time across southern counties of england, up into parts of wales. it will be quite blustery here, particularly through the english channel. also windy up towards the north and the east of scotland. some outbreaks of rain here. quite a few showers across parts of northern ireland. still some spells of sunshine and temperatures, if anything, a touch above the average for the time of year — 11—16 celsius. tonight, this band of heavy rain drives its way northwards, there will be plenty of showers elsewhere. northern ireland looks like turning quite wet for a time. some clear spells too, it stays quite blustery, in fact the wind really pick up across north—eastern scotland and low pressure remains firmly in charge through tomorrow. showers circulating around below and this weather front becoming very slow—moving across parts of scotland. so through tomorrow, across england and wales, northern ireland too, we will see some sunny spells, quite a few showers, some really heavy, thundery ones again down towards the south—east of england, but for scotland, for eastern parts of scotland particularly, we are expecting heavy and persistent rain. some places could see in excess of 100mm of rain, especially up over higher ground, so that could well give rise to some further flooding. combined with very strong winds, gusting up to 50—60mph, those winds actually could bring big waves and some coastal flooding along that east coast. temperatures again generally between 10—15, maybe up to 16. things turn just a little bit quieter, but it's only a subtle difference, into the start of the new week. and then later in the week, we're keeping a very close eye on developments. don't take the details too literally at this stage, but we could see a very deep area of low pressure developing. that could bring some stormy conditions in places. but whichever way you slice it, as we move out of october into the start of november, it remains very unsettled.