— the conflict special. hello. i'm jackie leonard, one of the hosts of the global news podcast. and, again, we've teamed up with the conflict podcast to answer some of your questions about what's going on in israel and gaza. we'rejoined by the host of the conflict podcast, lyse doucet, from jerusalem. and here in the studio is the bbc security correspondent frank gardner. so let's get on with the questions. this is camille from australia - and my question's about all the aid trucks, because i knowjust before this conflict started, _ there was a lot of discussion - about us funding and aid to ukraine, and now there's a lot of trucks amassed at the egypt border. | was this aid that was already destined to go into gaza? . cos i've also heard reports - that there was aid going in already, but not as much as now. so, just a note on how thisl manoeuvring had happened and if one affects the other. so, lyse, if you could start with that one. thank you very much for the question. it's very important. the... the un and other agencies tell us that before this war erupted between israel and gaza, that as many as 500 trucks a day were getting into gaza with all kinds of goods, and that includes commercial supplies as well. the united nations on its own was sometimes 100 trucks a day, sometimes 200 trucks a day. if you compare that to now, since the trucks started rolling across the border from egypt, through the rafah crossing into southern gaza, there was only about, at the time that i'm speaking, about 74 trucks, which is over the past few weeks, since this siege was imposed by israel. so, that is why the un says it is a drop in an ocean of needs, and it doesn't include fuel, which we're hearing from the united nations today, means that the aid operations they are able to still maintain in the gaza strip are collapsing. and greg in the us also draws comparisons with ukraine. this one is for you, frank. my name is greg and i live in logan, utah. i my question has to do i with european countries' response to war versus the middle eastern- countries' response. when war broke out in ukraine, the european countries - opened their arms to the women and children who needed safety. | why are the countries - in the middle east not doing the same for the women and children in gaza who are in— a similar situation? and why is this question not being asked by both media i and by the us in communication with these countries? _ launched simultaneous attacks on communities that they. this launched simultaneous attacks on communities that they.— communities that they. this was a mass attack. _ communities that they. this was a mass attack, well-planned, - communities that they. this was a mass attack, well-planned, well | mass attack, well—planned, well equipped. you can see they invested a lot of money in training and we failed. we failed to protect our people. failed. we failed to protect our --eole. failed. we failed to protect our neale, ., ., , failed. we failed to protect our --eole. . failed. we failed to protect our n-eole. . ., people. the hamas gunmen came from gaza. first elected _ people. the hamas gunmen came from gaza. first elected in _ people. the hamas gunmen came from gaza. first elected in 2006, _ people. the hamas gunmen came from gaza. first elected in 2006, hamas - gaza. first elected in 2006, hamas seized power in a bloody battle with palestinian rivals. rocket attacks and raids on israel led the uk government to declare them a terrorist group. the government to declare them a terrorist group.— government to declare them a terrorist group. the military wing of hamas believes _ terrorist group. the military wing of hamas believes in _ terrorist group. the military wing of hamas believes in armed - of hamas believes in armed resistance as the way to liberation and that is the only way with that aim in mind orat least and that is the only way with that aim in mind or at least that ambition, that all of historic palestine it will be restored and liberated. ~ , . . ., liberated. when israel was created after the second _ liberated. when israel was created after the second world _ liberated. when israel was created after the second world war, - liberated. when israel was created - after the second world war, hundreds and thousands of palestinians fled over forced from their homes. many went to gaza. the borders are under israeli control and it is considered occupied territory by the united nations. , . ., , ., nations. israel imposed a siege on gaza for the _ nations. israel imposed a siege on gaza for the last _ nations. israel imposed a siege on gaza for the last 16 _ nations. israel imposed a siege on gaza for the last 16 years. - gaza for the last 16 years. depriving people from regular electricity, from regular clean water. israel conducted five laws on them, during which time much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. hamas has on numerous occasions attacked _ hamas has on numerous occasions attacked the state of israel, with rocket _ attacked the state of israel, with rocket attacks, with missile strikes _ rocket attacks, with missile strikes. but what it has never achieved, _ strikes. but what it has never achieved, what it has never done is an attack_ achieved, what it has never done is an attack on— achieved, what it has never done is an attack on the scale we saw on the 7th of— an attack on the scale we saw on the 7th of october. an attack on the scale we saw on the 7th of october-— 7th of october. israel is that war. it was forced _ 7th of october. israel is that war. it was forced upon _ 7th of october. israel is that war. it was forced upon us _ 7th of october. israel is that war. it was forced upon us in - 7th of october. israel is that war. it was forced upon us in the - 7th of october. israel is that war. it was forced upon us in the most brutal— it was forced upon us in the most brutal and — it was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage _ it was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. _ it was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. but - it was forced upon us in the most. brutal and savage way. but although israet— brutal and savage way. but although israel didnt— brutal and savage way. but although israel didn't start _ brutal and savage way. but although israel didn't start this _ brutal and savage way. but although israel didn't start this war, - brutal and savage way. but although israel didn't start this war, israel - israel didn't start this war, israel will finish — israel didn't start this war, israel will finish it _ israel didn't start this war, israel will finish it.— will finish it. israel launched operations _ will finish it. israel launched operations swords - will finish it. israel launched operations swords of - will finish it. israel launched operations swords of iron. l will finish it. israel launched - operations swords of iron. fighter jets began striking what israel said were hamas targets. in one of the world's most densely populated areas, civilians also felt the full force of the bombing.— areas, civilians also felt the full force of the bombing. israel is not conducting — force of the bombing. israel is not conducting a _ force of the bombing. israel is not conducting a war _ force of the bombing. israel is not conducting a war on _ force of the bombing. israel is not conducting a war on hamas, - force of the bombing. israel is notj conducting a war on hamas, israel force of the bombing. israel is not i conducting a war on hamas, israel is conducting a war on hamas, israel is conducting a war on hamas, israel is conducting a war on the palestinian people, the 2.3 million people who are stuck there in gaza. this people, the 2.3 million people who are stuck there in gaza.— are stuck there in gaza. as the first bombs — are stuck there in gaza. as the first bombs were _ are stuck there in gaza. as the first bombs were dropping - are stuck there in gaza. as the first bombs were dropping in i are stuck there in gaza. as the - first bombs were dropping in gaza, thomas was still trapped in his home. did you wonder yourself, where it was the army? filth. home. did you wonder yourself, where it was the army?— it was the army? oh, god, yes. every hour, it was the army? oh, god, yes. every hour. every — it was the army? oh, god, yes. every hour, every minute. _ it was the army? oh, god, yes. every hour, every minute. normally- it was the army? oh, god, yes. every hour, every minute. normally we - it was the army? oh, god, yes. everyl hour, every minute. normally we have a quick response to these things. they were nowhere, they were absolutely nowhere.— absolutely nowhere. thomas' eight-year-old _ absolutely nowhere. thomas' eight-year-old daughter- absolutely nowhere. thomas'. eight-year-old daughter emily absolutely nowhere. thomas' - eight-year-old daughter emily was at eight—year—old daughter emily was at a sleepover with friends nearby. but hamas gunmen were roaming from house to house and he couldn't get to her. i stopped thinking about time. time becomes irrelevant. you are tense, you are scared, you are shaking sometimes, stiff with fear the other times. ., , ., ., ., . ~ sometimes, stiff with fear the other times. ., , ., ., , ., times. hours after the attack began, he couldn't get _ times. hours after the attack began, he couldn't get hold _ times. hours after the attack began, he couldn't get hold of _ times. hours after the attack began, he couldn't get hold of his _ times. hours after the attack began, he couldn't get hold of his life. - times. hours after the attack began, he couldn't get hold of his life. he i he couldn't get hold of his life. he turned on location tracking for her phone. we turned on location tracking for her hone. ~ ., . ~ turned on location tracking for her hone. . ., ,, ., , ., phone. we tracked it, it appears to have a route _ phone. we tracked it, it appears to have a route from _ phone. we tracked it, it appears to have a route from the _ phone. we tracked it, it appears to have a route from the community | phone. we tracked it, it appears to l have a route from the community nir oz, have a route from the community nir 02. to _ have a route from the community nir 02. to khan — have a route from the community nir oz, to khan yunis and that is what the location — oz, to khan yunis and that is what the location told us.— the location told us. israel says hamas took _ the location told us. israel says hamas took 222 _ the location told us. israel says hamas took 222 hostages - the location told us. israel says hamas took 222 hostages into l the location told us. israel says - hamas took 222 hostages into gaza. that afternoon, he saw a video posted online. i that afternoon, he saw a video posted online.— that afternoon, he saw a video osted online. , posted online. i saw my wife. some ofthe posted online. i saw my wife. some of the hamas _ posted online. i saw my wife. some of the hamas men _ posted online. i saw my wife. some of the hamas men put _ posted online. i saw my wife. some of the hamas men put a _ posted online. i saw my wife. some of the hamas men put a cover - posted online. i saw my wife. some of the hamas men put a cover on i posted online. i saw my wife. some l of the hamas men put a cover on her head~ _ of the hamas men put a cover on her head~ as _ of the hamas men put a cover on her head~ as the — of the hamas men put a cover on her head. as the camera moved to the right— head. as the camera moved to the right i_ head. as the camera moved to the right i so— head. as the camera moved to the right i so my— head. as the camera moved to the right i so my older girl, i identified her for sure, purple dress — identified her for sure, purple dress and _ identified her for sure, purple dress and long golden hair. after fleein: dress and long golden hair. after fleeing her _ dress and long golden hair. after fleeing her home, _ dress and long golden hair. after fleeing her home, this _ dress and long golden hair. fire fleeing her home, this lady and her baby found refuge with a neighbour. when the army eventually regain control, there was no news of her husband. , �* , ,., , husband. they didn't find his body. i ho -e that husband. they didn't find his body. i hope that he _ husband. they didn't find his body. i hope that he has _ husband. they didn't find his body. i hope that he has been _ husband. they didn't find his body. i hope that he has been kidnapped | i hope that he has been kidnapped like a lot of our families, the children that are over there. because it is the best option. i told him, you fool, come with me, don't be a hero now. this is what i thought afterwards, why did i fight with him, let's leave them alone and let's run away. with him, let's leave them alone and let's run away-— let's run away. after 12 hours, thomas was — let's run away. after 12 hours, thomas was finally _ let's run away. after 12 hours, thomas was finally rescued. l let's run away. after12 hours, i thomas was finally rescued. two let's run away. after12 hours, - thomas was finally rescued. two days later he discovered what hamas had done to his daughter.— later he discovered what hamas had done to his daughter. someone from the kibbutz rang _ done to his daughter. someone from the kibbutz rang me _ done to his daughter. someone from the kibbutz rang me up— done to his daughter. someone from the kibbutz rang me up and - done to his daughter. someone from the kibbutz rang me up and said, - done to his daughter. someone from the kibbutz rang me up and said, i i the kibbutz rang me up and said, i need to talk to you. i thought, here we go... here we go. and i was relieved. the weirdest thing, for a parent to hear that their child is dead and you are relieved. i knew she wasn't in gaza, i knew she wasn't terrified out of her life, i knew she wasn't going to be... in any more pain or stress, it wasjust all overfor her. more than 100 bodies were discovered in the area and looking at the scale of destruction, it is not hard to see via. hamas burnt, mutilated and murdered in a coordinated and targeted attack that day. i spoke to a hamas representative who is based in lebanon. hamas killed many israeli siblings, including women and children in the most brutal way. how can this ever be justified? —— israeli civilians. how can this ever be 'ustified? -- israeli civiliansh israeli civilians. how do you 'usti israeli civilians. how do you justify killing _ israeli civilians. how do you justify killing the _ israeli civilians. how do you i justify killing the palestinians israeli civilians. how do you - justify killing the palestinians for the last 75 years? the justify killing the palestinians for the last 75 years?— justify killing the palestinians for the last 75 years? the fact is, we have seen _ the last 75 years? the fact is, we have seen the _ the last 75 years? the fact is, we have seen the pictures, - the last 75 years? the fact is, we have seen the pictures, i - the last 75 years? the fact is, we have seen the pictures, i have i the last 75 years? the fact is, we i have seen the pictures, i have been to the places, many israeli civilians were killed in the most brutal manner by hamas, you cannot deny that? brutal manner by hamas, you cannot den that? . , ., �* brutal manner by hamas, you cannot den that? . , , , deny that? excuse me, i don't buy that from from _ deny that? excuse me, i don't buy that from you. i _ deny that? excuse me, i don't buy that from you. i don't _ deny that? excuse me, i don't buy that from you. i don't buy - deny that? excuse me, i don't buy that from you. i don't buy that - deny that? excuse me, i don't buy. that from you. i don't buy that from the israelis. six. that from you. i don't buy that from the lsraelis— the israelis. six days after the hamas attack, _ the israelis. six days after the hamas attack, israel- the israelis. six days after the hamas attack, israel dropped | hamas attack, israel dropped leaflets on northern gaza telling palestinians to move south. hamas told them to stay put. israel's completely sealed its border with gaza, it is impossible for me to go, so palestinians are filming what's happening there for us. the attacks are over and _ happening there for us. the attacks are over and over— happening there for us. the attacks are over and over and _ happening there for us. the attacks are over and over and over - happening there for us. the attacks are over and over and over again. l are over and over and over again. it's very close from us. rushdi lives with his wife and baby daughter in gaza city. his father is their mayor and rushdi is a documentary film—maker. their mayor and rushdi is a documentary film-maker. they 'ust attack again— documentary film-maker. they 'ust attack again and fi documentary film-maker. they 'ust attack again and again, i documentary film-maker. they 'ust attack again and again, overt documentary film-maker. they just attack again and again, over and i attack again and again, over and over. we hope we will be safe. he has decided to stay and record his personal experience. there hasjust been an airstrike personal experience. there hasjust been an air strike metres from his home. shouting. children are among the casualties. there are a number of victims, injured and killed people. i looked inside, still alive, still alive. , ., , �* ,, ., ., ., , alive. rushdi doesn't know how many of his neighbours _ alive. rushdi doesn't know how many of his neighbours were _ alive. rushdi doesn't know how many of his neighbours were killed. - of his neighbours were killed. israel says in the first six days of the conflict, it has dropped 6000 bombs on gaza. translation: ~ ., ., ., ., translation: we are going to attack hamas, translation: we are going to attack hamas. hamas' _ translation: we are going to attack hamas, hamas' infrastructure - translation: we are going to attack hamas, hamas' infrastructure is - hamas, hamas' infrastructure is embedded in the north, their arms depots, command and control. we don't want to see civilian casualties and we don't target civilians. we target hamas' military machine. you want me to tell panorama there will not be civilian casualties in war, that is irrational. it is impossible. it is irrational. it is impossible. it is very serious. — irrational. it is impossible. it is very serious, it _ irrational. it is impossible. it is very serious, it is _ irrational. it is impossible. it is very serious, it is absolutely serious, _ very serious, it is absolutely serious, the situation in gaza is absolutely— serious, the situation in gaza is absolutely serious. they are striking _ absolutely serious. they are striking back at the civilian population, not at hamas. that is not the _ population, not at hamas. that is not the way— population, not at hamas. that is not the way you do things. not every palestinian _ not the way you do things. not every palestinian in gaza is hamas or supporting hamas. this palestinian in gaza is hamas or supporting hamas.— supporting hamas. this is the hos - ital supporting hamas. this is the hospital in — supporting hamas. this is the hospital in gaza _ supporting hamas. this is the hospital in gaza city. - screaming. in the grounds, a makeshift camp for people whose homes have been destroyed. this man is here with his extended family. his mother is 90 years old. yoni is still waiting for news of his wife and daughters being held in gaza. i his wife and daughters being held in gaza. ., his wife and daughters being held in gaza. . ., ., ., , gaza. i am going to the fight of my life. i am gaza. i am going to the fight of my life- i am going _ gaza. i am going to the fight of my life. i am going to _ gaza. i am going to the fight of my life. i am going to the _ gaza. i am going to the fight of my life. i am going to the fight - gaza. i am going to the fight of my life. i am going to the fight of - gaza. i am going to the fight of my life. i am going to the fight of my i life. i am going to the fight of my life. i am going to the fight of my life and i will not give up on my baby girls, i will not leave them. he is doing a series of media interviews, hoping for his family's release. ., , ., release. the only feeling that i don't have _ release. the only feeling that i don't have in _ release. the only feeling that i don't have in my _ release. the only feeling that i don't have in my heart - release. the only feeling that i don't have in my heart is - release. the only feeling that i don't have in my heart is hate. j release. the only feeling that i - don't have in my heart is hate. even for hamas? — don't have in my heart is hate. even for hamas? l _ don't have in my heart is hate. even for hamas? i cannot _ don't have in my heart is hate. even for hamas? i cannot hate _ don't have in my heart is hate. even for hamas? i cannot hate anyone i for hamas? i cannot hate anyone riaht for hamas? i cannot hate anyone right now- _ for hamas? i cannot hate anyone right now- l _ for hamas? i cannot hate anyone right now. i cannot _ for hamas? i cannot hate anyone right now. i cannot explain i for hamas? i cannot hate anyone right now. i cannot explain to i for hamas? i cannot hate anyone| right now. i cannot explain to you why, i cannot feel hate in my heart right now. children are children. children are innocents, no child deserves any harm. the failure to prevent the hamas attack has shocked and angered israelis. , ., , attack has shocked and angered israelis. , ., ., , israelis. this was organised. obviously. _ israelis. this was organised. obviously, months - israelis. this was organised. obviously, months in - israelis. this was organised. obviously, months in the i israelis. this was organised. - obviously, months in the planning. we have invested millions in the security framework in the south and we have said no, they cannot cross the border and they did.— the border and they did. hamas destro ed the border and they did. hamas destroyed surveillance - the border and they did. hamas destroyed surveillance posts i the border and they did. hamas' destroyed surveillance posts and overran army positions. around 300 israeli soldiers have been killed. i israeli soldiers have been killed. i think across our national security establishment there was a feeling that we had successfully deterred hamas and that hamas was becoming a more rational actor. it is clear that was an intelligence failure. that is a fact, they took us by surprise. this man is a cameraman, living and working in gaza city. he hasjust said goodbye he has just said goodbye to he hasjust said goodbye to his wife, dena, his daughters and his brother. they are on a truck heading south when he gets news of an explosion. he believes the truck was hit by an israeli missile. israel says it hasn't attacked civilian convoys. he was still filming at the hospital as casualties from the truck blast came in. dino was taken to intensive care, but doctors couldn't save her. these are the last messages she sent to her husband. then another ambulance arrives. his daughters are alive. another hospital, this one in the south. israel told palestinians it would be safer here.— would be safer here. since the evacuation _ would be safer here. since the evacuation we _ would be safer here. since the evacuation we are _ would be safer here. since the evacuation we are receiving i would be safer here. since the i evacuation we are receiving patients with severe injuries. they need the operating theatre. medical supplies will vanish soon.— will vanish soon. when israel completely — will vanish soon. when israel completely sealed _ will vanish soon. when israel completely sealed the - will vanish soon. when israell completely sealed the border, medicine, food and few will not be allowed in. israel says the blockade will not be lifted until hamas releases the hospital. —— hostages. in the last few days, a small amount of humanitarian aid has been allowed in. 3a trucks so far. the un says gazait in. 3a trucks so far. the un says gaza it needs hundreds more. there have been protests against the air strikes in the west bank and east jerusalem, israel's palestinian neighbours. and more widely across the region. this neighbours. and more widely across the reuion. , ., ., . ~ neighbours. and more widely across the reuion. , . , ., neighbours. and more widely across the reuion. ,., ,., , the region. this attack is a proper sort of before _ the region. this attack is a proper sort of before and _ the region. this attack is a proper sort of before and after— the region. this attack is a proper sort of before and after moment. | the region. this attack is a proper. sort of before and after moment. it opens a new chapter in the palestinian—israeli conflict and it could well open a new chapter in the middle east and the middle east geopolitics in general, too. there are concerns _ geopolitics in general, too. there are concerns about _ geopolitics in general, too. there are concerns about what - geopolitics in general, too. there are concerns about what iran i geopolitics in general, too. there i are concerns about what iran might do. it has long supported hamas. iran has assumed the mantle of being the leader of regional resistance against the state of israel. the regime in iran has made this opposition to israel a cornerstone of its ideology. find opposition to israel a cornerstone of its ideology-— of its ideology. and israel's northern — of its ideology. and israel's northern border, _ of its ideology. and israel's northern border, iran i of its ideology. and israel's northern border, iran also. of its ideology. and israel's - northern border, iran also supports hezbollah in lebanon. hezbollah is well armed and has also been designated a terrorist group by the uk government. since the hamas attack, there have been daily exchanges of fire between israel and hezbollah, fuelling fears of a wider conflict. taste hezbollah, fuelling fears of a wider conflict. ~ ., hezbollah, fuelling fears of a wider conflict. ~ . ., . . , conflict. we are watching closely and it could _ conflict. we are watching closely and it could escalate. _ conflict. we are watching closely and it could escalate. the - conflict. we are watching closely i and it could escalate. the iranians might be interested in encouraging them to do so. we don't want it. but we are prepared, our troops are there and we will hit back, and hit back hard. , ., there and we will hit back, and hit back hard. , . , ., . back hard. israel says more than 1400 people _ back hard. israel says more than 1400 people were _ back hard. israel says more than 1400 people were killed - back hard. israel says more than 1400 people were killed in i back hard. israel says more than 1400 people were killed in the i back hard. israel says more than i 1400 people were killed in the hamas attacks. health officials in gaza say more than 5000 palestinians have been killed. around 200 hostages remain captive in gaza. yoni is still waiting for news of his family. forthomas, still waiting for news of his family. for thomas, there is guilt about not being able to protect his daughter emily. about not being able to protect his daughter emily-— daughter emily. should i have realised earlier? _ daughter emily. should i have realised earlier? i _ daughter emily. should i have realised earlier? i couldn't i daughter emily. should i have i realised earlier? i couldn't have realised earlier? i couldn't have realised earlier. i knew something was unusual, but i missed my window of opportunity to go and get her. and i regret that for the rest of my life. she is burying her husband. she found out four days after the attacks he had been killed by hamas. sobbing. i think israel will never forget this. so many people are dead, kidnapped and hurt, that i think israel will never be the same. israel's intensifying it air strikes in its mission to destroy hamas. in gaza city, it is becoming even more dangerous. it gaza city, it is becoming even more dancerous. , gaza city, it is becoming even more dangerous-— dangerous. it is very close to us. a hue dangerous. it is very close to us. a huge attack- _ dangerous. it is very close to us. a huge attack. give _ dangerous. it is very close to us. a huge attack. give me _ dangerous. it is very close to us. a huge attack. give me a _ dangerous. it is very close to us. a huge attack. give me a hug. i dangerous. it is very close to us. a| huge attack. give me a hug. rushdi recorded this _ huge attack. give me a hug. rushdi recorded this video _ huge attack. give me a hug. rushdi recorded this video last _ huge attack. give me a hug. rushdi| recorded this video last wednesday. explosions yesterday, there was another air strike close by. rushdi's wife and daughter survive. rushdi was killed. tens of thousands of israeli troops are massed on gaza's border. this is one of the most dangerous moments in this decades—old conflict. what happens next will affect the lives of millions. live from london. this is bbc news. israel's prime minister says the war in gaza will be hard and take time, but his priority is to win against hamas. translation: it is our second war of independence- _ translation: it is our second war of independence. we _ translation: it is our second war of independence. we will _ translation: it is our second war of independence. we will fight - translation: it is our second war of independence. we will fight and i translation: it is our second war of independence. we will fight and we i independence. we will fight and we will not surrender. we will not withdraw. meanwhile, hamas's leader in the gaza strip offers to release all hostages being held there in return for the release of all hamas prisoners in israeli jails. here in london, thousandsjoin pro—palestinian demonstrations. similar protests take place around the world, calling for a ceasefire. hello, i'm a lewis vaughanjones. welcome to the programme.