in coordination with un agencies. the head of the world health organization posted this picture of one of the babies on x — he said they were �*very sick�*. the israeli military remain inside the complex. last week, benjamin netanyahu said they had found a hamas �*command and control�* centre underneath the hospital. hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by many western governments, has denied they have a base at al shifa. on saturday, hundreds of people, including some patients, left the hospital on foot. but 20 health workers and about 300 critically ill patients remain at al shifa. meanwhile, the prime minister of qatar has said only �*minor obstacles remain�* in the way of reaching a deal on releasing some of the hostages taken by hamas in its attack on israel on october 7th. his comments came after the washington post said that israel, hamas and the united states were close to an agreement on the release of women and children. the united nations secretary—general antonio guterres has expressed his shock after a un school in gaza was struck, killing dozens of people. he said the number of civilian casualties in the war was �*staggering and unacceptable�*. mark lowen reports. gaza is running out of energy to grieve. food, water, family. what is left to lose? childhood innocence? it�*s already gone. khan younis is in southern gaza, where they were told to head for safety. hundreds of thousands have, but israel is striking here too and they don�*t know where else to flee. but thousands more are on the move from al shifa hospital, no longer a place of healing but of horror. as the israelis comb the site looking for the hamas nerve centre they claimed, those sheltering say they were forced out. israel says the hospital requested evacuation. the wounded are in very bad conditions there, says dr ramez radwan, with a lack of staff and medicine, bacteria are growing in their wounds. it�*s a miserable situation. the more than 30 premature babies left without vital incubators have now been moved, too, fleeing a war into which they�*ve been born. and in gaza city, the battle is still there. and in gaza city, the battles still flare. this footage released by the israelis shows them advancing on the ground, from the air and at sea. one of the middle east�*s most powerful armies held back by a force far inferior in numbers but still capable of resistance. israelis, too, have been on the move, but in protest, pressuring the government to prioritise the release of hostages, almost 240 still in hamas captivity. they walked from tel aviv tojerusalem, their own and their nation�*s trauma deepening with each step. qatar is among those mediating a hostage deal that could see dozens released from both sides, and today its foreign minister sounded hopeful. the sticking points honestly at this stage are more practical, logistical, not really something that represents core of the deal. for how long can this continue before some deal, any deal, is reached? 32 members of the same family were killed in this strike. a nightmare seen on constant loop. for gazans, it�*s their everyday. mark lowen, bbc news, jerusalem. live now to mark regev who�*s senior adviser to the israeli prime minister, he joins us from tel aviv. thank you forjoining us. let�*s begin first with the prospect of an agreement to release these hostages. the washington post has reported it is imminent, the prime minister benjamin netanyahu has said nothing is confirmed yet and in the last few hours one of your colleagues michael hertzog, the ambassador to the united states, says he is hopeful of something in the coming days. what can you tell us?— can you tell us? well, i think as we increase the _ can you tell us? well, i think as we increase the military _ can you tell us? well, i think as we increase the military pressure - can you tell us? well, i think as we increase the military pressure on . increase the military pressure on hamas, and our ground forces are doing that as we speak, that is increasing the chances of a release of hostages. hamas is a brutal terrorist organisation. we saw that not only in the violence they committed against innocent civilians 0ctober seven, and in the thousands of missiles they have fired at israeli cities, but we see that in the fact that they took these hostages in the first place, including out of the 240, some 32 children including babies and infants. what sort of people could not babies and infants? we know what sort of people we are dealing with. they will not release hostages because they have suddenly become humanitarians, they will do it if under great pressure and the military pressure they are receiving right now from the israel defence forces i believe can help expedite the release of hostages because we have said, as you know, the only way to get a temporary ceasefire is to have a hostage release and hamas knows that. if they want us to take a pause in the fighting, to stop hitting them hard, they release hostages. fin hitting them hard, they release hostaues. ., , hitting them hard, they release hostaues. . , , ,, hostages. on the military pressure as ou hostages. on the military pressure as you mentioned, _ hostages. on the military pressure as you mentioned, i— hostages. on the military pressure as you mentioned, i think - hostages. on the military pressure as you mentioned, i think many i as you mentioned, i think many people who watch around the world and read reports of what is going on, they appreciate israel�*s motives to secure the release of hostages, who as you mentioned were taken in this attack on october seven, but the question some of the methods, including targeting areas around hospitals. i mentioned earlier the statement from the un secretary—general describing it as staggering and unacceptable what appears to be an israeli strike on two un schools. is israel going about this the right way? i believe we are going _ about this the right way? i believe we are going about _ about this the right way? i believe we are going about it _ about this the right way? i believe we are going about it the - about this the right way? i believe we are going about it the only - about this the right way? i believe | we are going about it the only way. i wish it was possible to send a letter to the secretary general of the united nations and ask him to demilitarise gaza and disarm how mass and release all the hospitals no hostages and it would be over but thatis no hostages and it would be over but that is clearly not a realistic option. we have to send ourforces in to combat and we have to fight, first of all to end himars�*s reign of terror in gaza and also to get our hostages back. if there was another alternative, please tell me. we are not aware that there is one. on the topic of this hamas control 0n the topic of this hamas control centre which your government says is underneath the al—shifa hospital, you spoke to the bbc the other day and said there are miles and miles of tunnels underneath the hospital. we have seen small bits of footage and still photos released by the israeli notary. when will you be in a position to release more evidence that substantiates the israeli claims of a hamas command and control centre? we claims of a hamas command and control centre?— claims of a hamas command and control centre? we have released preliminary _ control centre? we have released preliminary evidence, _ control centre? we have released preliminary evidence, as - control centre? we have released preliminary evidence, as you - control centre? we have released| preliminary evidence, as you have said, and that is obviously showing the beginnings. but i expect shortly, may be in the coming hours or days, we will have much more. excuse me, it all depends on the combat situation on the ground. 0ne doesn�*t go into tunnels without care, one must be very reticent because there are booby traps and other things himars will have left for our forces. other things himars will have left for ourforces. but it other things himars will have left for our forces. but it is only a matter of time. i would remind you it is notjust israel that says there is an underground military complex immediately beneath a hospital, there is of course the americans, their intelligence has said so in parallel to ours, said both by the pentagon and the white house. i think if one wants to speak really honestly, the people of the area who have worked in the hospital know full well that there is a hamas military fortification and structure underneath the hospital. theyjust can�*t say so to western press because they know they will face violent retribution from hamas that doesn�*t appreciate people speaking out of turn. i doesn't appreciate people speaking out of turn. . , , . ., out of turn. i appreciate the point out of turn. i appreciate the point ou are out of turn. i appreciate the point you are saying — out of turn. i appreciate the point you are saying about _ out of turn. i appreciate the point you are saying about other- you are saying about other intelligence agencies supporting israel�*s claim. 0n the point of medics you mentioned, and accept the point that when it comes to people talking within gaza which is controlled by hamas, i interviewed a medic about this time yesterday who has spent a considerable amount of time in gaza. he said he�*s never seen any evidence of the hospital being run by hamas militia. he said this contention by the idf is, do use his words here, to be fanciful, from his perspective. he did concede he has no idea what is going on underneath the hospital but he said he has walked every inch of that hospital and he sees no evidence that he believes it is being used by hamas. how would he respond to that? i would respond by saying the following. the fact that the hospital is governed by hamas, the director of the hospital was chosen ijy director of the hospital was chosen by hammers, he is a hamas appointee, the fact we have already found inside the hospital ammunition vests, explosives and so forth, he obviously didn�*t see that, maybe he didn�*t want to see that all they were hidden from him, but that is a sideshow, the most important thing is the military structure underneath the hospital, he of course hasn�*t been done there so we can�*t see it, but i believe, as i say come in the next hours or days we will show conclusive evidence, and once again, if the idea that there is an underground military complex underneath the hospital is somehow a secret, it is one of the worst kept secrets in gaza city, it is common knowledge for the people of gaza. israel has previously encouraged civilians to move to the south for their safety. civilians to move to the south for theirsafety. it civilians to move to the south for their safety. it is now encouraging people to move further west. we are talking about 1.5 million people being encouraged to go into an area which is around 14 square kilometres for their safety. which is around 14 square kilometres fortheirsafety. is which is around 14 square kilometres for their safety. is that a reasonable request? why is it not possible to just guarantee their safety in the south as a whole around areas, for example, like khan younis? i around areas, for example, like khan younis? , ., , around areas, for example, like khan younis? , .,, , , , younis? i wish it was possible but unfortunately _ younis? i wish it was possible but unfortunately in _ younis? i wish it was possible but unfortunately in khan _ younis? i wish it was possible but unfortunately in khan younis, - younis? i wish it was possible butj unfortunately in khan younis, like gaza city, you have important hamas fortifications, rockets are fired into israel in their hundreds from that immediate area and we cannot dismantle the hamas military machine without going to places like khan younis. so i know it is difficult for people who have already fled their homes to once again move, i understand that, my father was a refugee, i know what it is to move in war, it is not easy, i�*ve heard it first hand at home over the dinner table. it first hand at home over the dinnertable. but let�*s it first hand at home over the dinner table. but let�*s be clear, it is better to move than to get caught up is better to move than to get caught up in the crossfire, that�*s the bottom line, we don�*t want to see innocent people hurt in the fighting between israel and hamas and we are urging people to leave. we know it isn�*t easy but surely it is preferable to staying in a combat zone and possibly getting harmed. it is better to move, and i believe as people move to the suggested area to the west of kahn younis you will see the west of kahn younis you will see the international aid agencies getting their act together, providing tents and medicine and a field hospital and the facilities will be there, it is only a matter of time. please move out of the combat zone, i don�*t what these people to get hurt. you combat zone, i don't what these people to get hurt.— combat zone, i don't what these people to get hurt. you say the aid arencies people to get hurt. you say the aid agencies would _ people to get hurt. you say the aid agencies would get _ people to get hurt. you say the aid agencies would get their _ people to get hurt. you say the aid agencies would get their act - agencies would get their act together, they say they are trying together, they say they are trying to get their act together but they are not getting the support they need from israel, whether it is communications being shut down, feel not being allowed in, food and medicines and other supplies also facing difficulties getting in. is israel doing enough to support these humanitarian organisations in their efforts? , ., ., , humanitarian organisations in their efforts? , ., ., ., , efforts? first of all, this area is in proximity _ efforts? first of all, this area is in proximity to _ efforts? first of all, this area is in proximity to the _ efforts? first of all, this area is in proximity to the rafah - efforts? first of all, this area is i in proximity to the rafah crossing which is open and that means the aid is coming in and can go directly to the area of safety. at the same time israel has placed no restrictions whatsoever on water, food, medicine coming in. we have gone up to now 100 trucks a day and we are hopeful to be able to double that sometime soon. we are ready for a major effort to support these people, now we know this is the safe area, this is the place where people can be, and we have to make a maximum effort. we are willing to do our part and we hope the aid agencies and others will make the effort as well. we have to safeguard these people until the conflict is over. the goal of israel in this conflict is twofold, to secure the release of the hostages, and as you mentioned, also it is to eradicate himars. hamas has existed since the late 19805 hamas has existed since the late 1980s and pretty much since day one its goal has been to see the end of the state of israel. do you think, after decades of conflict with hamas, this is a reasonable and realistic possibility that you will achieve your goal this time? it is unrealistic _ achieve your goal this time? it is unrealistic to _ achieve your goal this time? it is unrealistic to think _ achieve your goal this time? it 3 unrealistic to think we can end hamas as an idea but what we can do is end hamas�*s political and military control over the gaza strip. that is possible and it is feasible. i will give you an example, when the german chancellor was here he talked about hamas being the new nazis. are there still nazis in germany? 0f the new nazis. are there still nazis in germany? of course there are still nazis in germany in 2023, but if they control the german government, the german army? they do not, they are out of power, and that is the model we have for gaza. when this is over gaza will be demilitarised and de—radicalisd, and ultimately the end of hamas rule in gazais ultimately the end of hamas rule in gaza is not only good for israelis who don�*t have to live in fear of terrorists crossing the border in the middle of the night and butchering our children, but it is also good for the people of gaza who deserve better. better than this terrorist regime that has been in power for 16 years, and what has brought the people of gaza? 0nly bloodshed and suffering and poverty. 0n the international front, bloodshed and suffering and poverty. 0n the internationalfront, france, germany, the us and uk have all voiced their concerns over some of the israeli military activity. i mentioned that statement from the un secretary—general early on. are you concerned that israel is losing the support of some of its key allies in this conflict? ii support of some of its key allies in this conflict?— this conflict? if you read the piece that the president _ this conflict? if you read the piece that the president of _ this conflict? if you read the piece that the president of the - this conflict? if you read the piece that the president of the united . that the president of the united states has written in the washington post today, you will see that he is committed, like we are, to israel�*s right to act in its self defence, to eliminate this terrible terrorist organisation. if chancellor scholz called them the new nazis and the president called them a sheer evil and we can�*t go back to square one, we can�*t have some sort of stopgap solution that leaves hamas in power, we have to eliminate hamas, but in so doing we are committed to the rules of war, humanitarian support to the civilian population of gaza, and we believe we can do so hand—in—hand, in parallel to our relentless campaign against hamas�*s military machine, we will be working with the international community, do as best we can to safeguard the civilians of gaza and make sure they receive expeditiously humanitarian support. receive expeditiously humanitarian su i sort. ,, ., receive expeditiously humanitarian sun-oft, ,, ., . , receive expeditiously humanitarian su-tort. ,, ., s, , ., support. senior adviser to the israeli prime _ support. senior adviser to the israeli prime minister, - support. senior adviser to the israeli prime minister, mark | support. senior adviser to the - israeli prime minister, mark regev, thank you forjoining us. here in the uk, the british chancellorjeremy hunt says any tax cuts in this week�*s autumn statement to parliament will be done in a �*responsible way�* that won�*t risk fuelling inflation. mr hunt wouldn�*t comment on speculation he may cut inheritance tax but said there would be changes to the benefits system — with extra support for those with health issues who are looking for work, but tougher sanctions for those who turn down jobs. with inflation now falling, our political correspondent hannah miller looks at his options. as mortgage rates have hit their highest level for 15 years... we have had months and months of record hikes. rising food costs and soaring energy bills... all those price rises are now slowing down and as the economy turns a corner, could the chancellor do it, too? he�*s said he wants to set a path to cutting taxes he�*s said he wants to set out a path to cutting taxes in his autumn statement, but it is far from clear which ones, or when. i will only do so in a responsible way. i�*m not going to sacrifice the progress we�*ve made bringing down inflation. translate that, it means no income tax cuts this week. you will have to wait, and you are very experienced, laura, you know i will not give you any indication of my measures. i note you always used to say i won�*t cut income tax because it might fuel inflation. if you say i will not do anything that will fuel inflation