murderous acts of terror and deplorable use of innocent men, women and children as human shields. in our meetings with israeli leaders here and injerusalem, and palestinian leaders in ramallah, we discussed our continued focus on preventing the conflict from spreading, whether to the west bank, to israel's northern border, or the broader region. i raised our deep concerns about steps that could escalate tensions in the west bank, including violence and proposals from parts of the israeli coalition government to further expand settlements. i made clear our expectations about addressing these issues. we also focused on what we can do, what we must do now to prepare for the day after the conflict. to create the conditions very durable and lasting peace, building up the principles i said last week during the g7 meeting in tokyo. breaking out of the cycle of violence, the cycle of conflict, ensuring israel's and during security, demands improving the lives of thousands in the west bank in immediate and tangible ways, and providing them with a credible path towards their legitimate aspiration towards their legitimate aspiration to statehood. in ongoing conversations with israeli and palestinian leaders, we will discuss practical steps to make real a just and lasting peace, and what each of us is prepared to do to help achieve it. we have no illusions this will be easy, we will surely have disagreements along the way. but if we are going to move forward towards practical steps to a lasting peace and lasting security, we have to work through these disagreements because the alternative, more terrorist attacks, more violence, more innocent suffering is unacceptable. that's why the united states is here, and we are leading towards this goal. with that, i'm happy to take some questions. the first question goes to reuters. hello. — first question goes to reuters. hello. mr_ first question goes to reuters. hello, mr secretary. _ first question goes to reuters. hello, mr secretary. you've i first question goes to reuters. i hello, mr secretary. you've just said the — hello, mr secretary. you've just said the us is urging israel to ensure — said the us is urging israel to ensure the protection of civilians before _ ensure the protection of civilians before starting its operations in southern — before starting its operations in southern gaza. i'm wondering, you've talked _ southern gaza. i'm wondering, you've talked about — southern gaza. i'm wondering, you've talked about what you made clear to prime _ talked about what you made clear to prime minister netanyahu and the war cabinet. _ prime minister netanyahu and the war cabinet, but what more concrete and specific _ cabinet, but what more concrete and specific assurances have you gotten from them, — specific assurances have you gotten from them, if any, based on what you heard _ from them, if any, based on what you heard from _ from them, if any, based on what you heard from them today, are you confident — heard from them today, are you confident israel will follow the international laws of war in southern _ international laws of war in southern gaza when it resumes its military— southern gaza when it resumes its military operations? my second question— military operations? my second question is, you and others in the administration have repeatedly said that the _ administration have repeatedly said that the united states wants to see a revitalised palestinian authority to rule _ a revitalised palestinian authority to rule gaza and the west bank. could _ to rule gaza and the west bank. could you — to rule gaza and the west bank. could you tell us what exactly the us viston— could you tell us what exactly the us vision is for a revitalised pa, and does — us vision is for a revitalised pa, and does it— us vision is for a revitalised pa, and does it include a reshuffle in the leadership? thank you. so and does it include a reshuffle in the leadership? thank you. so as i said, we the leadership? thank you. so as i said. we made _ the leadership? thank you. so as i said, we made clear _ the leadership? thank you. so as i said, we made clear the _ said, we made clear the imperative before any operations go forward in southern gaza, that there be a clear plan in place that puts a premium on protecting civilians as well as sustaining and building on the humanitarian assistance it's getting into gaza. and the israeli government agreed with that approach. there are concrete steps that it's not appropriate for me to detail here tonight, that we know and heard can ensure to the best of anyone's ability that that happens. it's always a challenging given the conditions israel has to deal with in getting to hamas and making sure that it can't represent the threat that it can't represent the threat that it can't represent the threat that it posed on october 7th. but again, israel understands the imperative of protecting civilians, of the humanitarian assistance, and will continue to work to ensure that that carries forward in practice. and again, as i said, to the prime minister, to the war cabinet, intent is obvious where you start, and it's vitally important, and i'm very confident in the intent — but results are fundamentally what matters. with regard to the palestinian authority, we've said, andindeed palestinian authority, we've said, and indeed i had an opportunity to discuss today with president abbas the need for reform, the need to revitalise, to revamp the palestinian authority so that it can most effectively meet the aspirations of the palestinian people and deliver for them. aspirations of the palestinian people and deliverfor them. there are a number of things that go into that, including for example reforms so it more effectively combats corruption, that engages and empowers in civil society, that it supports a free press and open media, and a number of other things. leadership choices, these are of course up to the palestinian people, and the palestinians themselves. but there are a number of things that we think would be critical to making sure that again, the palestinian authority can be effective in helping to advance the aspirations and the needs of its people. that is the us secretary _ and the needs of its people. that is the us secretary of _ and the needs of its people. that is the us secretary of state _ the us secretary of state speaking to the press in tel aviv after his meetings in ramallah and jerusalem today. 2—3 things to pick out, it was interesting he prioritised the arguments and concerns over aid in gaza — not enough is in gaza at the moment, he wants more to be fast tracked. prime minister netanyahu has said he will resume the operation in gaza, "i made it clear to mr netanyahu that its operations have to put in place protections for civilians." netanyahu and the war cabinet agreed with this approach, he said. it is a more nuanced approach from the americans, there is support from the continued israeli operation, but he is emphasising, as he has done before, that innocent lives must be protected on all sides. we'll perhaps get some reaction to that through the course of our programme. we are excepting shortly another handover of hostages, and the reciprocal release of palestinian prisoners in the west bank. we have news on two hostages released earlier today. back with her family tonight, 21—year—old mia schem, abducted from the supernova music festival, who you might recall was one of the first people to appear in a hostage video that was released by hamas. this was the moment she was reunited with her family after almost eight weeks. she is back home, safe again. so too the ao—year—old lawyer amit soussana, who was kidnapped from kibbutz kfar aza. and we hope in the next hour, we will have details on the release of six more who were on today's list. 30 palestinian prisoners are also set to be released tonight — 22 of them children, and eight women. from jerusalem, here is our international let's go live to oliver mcternan, director who has worked in hostage negotiation for over 20 years. he played a key role in the negotiations surrounding the release of the israeli soldier gilad shalit, held hostage by hamas for five years. before we came to air tonight, we've had another video released by hamas which is quite upsetting to watch. we won't show the video because it's being filmed under duress, and it is extremely upsetting. but yesterday, you'll recall that hamas claimed his wife and their two young boys, who have become symbols for the israeli public throughout this, were killed they said by an israeli bomb, and they said by an israeli bomb, and they are saying tonight that they have offered to return the three bodies, the mother in the bodies of the two children, and that israel has refused. what do you make of that? ~ , ., ., , ., that? well first of all, christian, i think the _ that? well first of all, christian, i think the practice _ that? well first of all, christian, i think the practice of _ that? well first of all, christian, i think the practice of showing i i think the practice of showing videos of people being held is quite immoral because it obviously creates anxiety, increases the anxiety of the relatives. so i first would feel that's an important point to make. i can believe that the deaths did occur given the extent of the destruction in northern gaza. we've been told that it's now accepted that the hostages are not in one place. so if they not in one place, it's obvious the risks of some of them being killed whilst waiting to be released is very, very real, and i think it's very sad that it has happened in this case. i hope somehow that the whole thing will be resolved so that the family will be able to deal with the emotion that it's obviously caused to them. well. it's obviously caused to them. well, if it's true that _ it's obviously caused to them. well, if it's true that they _ it's obviously caused to them. well, if it's true that they were _ it's obviously caused to them. well, if it's true that they were killed, - if it's true that they were killed, they would release him so he could grieve properly, correct? i they would release him so he could grieve properly, correct?— grieve properly, correct? iwould auree grieve properly, correct? iwould agree entirely. — grieve properly, correct? iwould agree entirely, but _ grieve properly, correct? iwould agree entirely, but in _ grieve properly, correct? iwould agree entirely, but in a - grieve properly, correct? iwould agree entirely, but in a worse . agree entirely, but in a worse situation — we've talked before about this, in a normal negotiation for the release of hostages, there is a process and columnists. it's not carried out publicly, they are not carried out publicly, they are no press conferences, no videos of that release. sign of life is given privately to the negotiators in the family. i think the situation is quite out of the ordinary, and therefore, it's extremely complex. we are not only caught in a real war where people are dying, but also a propaganda war. and i think that to me is the despicable part of it because it's costing more and more lives and prolonging the pain of relatives. {iii lives and prolonging the pain of relatives. _, , lives and prolonging the pain of relatives. .., , . lives and prolonging the pain of relatives. _, , ., , ., , relatives. of course, and if you put that with the _ relatives. of course, and if you put that with the return _ relatives. of course, and if you put that with the return of _ relatives. of course, and if you put that with the return of the - relatives. of course, and if you put that with the return of the women | that with the return of the women today and the emotional reunion which we've shown our viewers, it shows you what a roller coaster this is for the families. they genuinely don't know whether their loved ones are alive or dead.— are alive or dead. yes, i agree, and the one family _ are alive or dead. yes, i agree, and the one family that i _ are alive or dead. yes, i agree, and the one family that i am _ are alive or dead. yes, i agree, and the one family that i am in - are alive or dead. yes, i agree, and the one family that i am in touch i the one family that i am in touch with, their relative was released today and i know what relief that will bring them. the today and i know what relief that will bring them.— will bring them. the israelis talk about 140 who _ will bring them. the israelis talk about 140 who are _ will bring them. the israelis talk about 140 who are still - will bring them. the israelis talk about 140 who are still left - will bring them. the israelis talk about 140 who are still left in i about 140 who are still left in captivity — how many of those would you suppose are still women and children? , ' . you suppose are still women and children? , , . ., children? very difficult to say because 17 — children? very difficult to say because 17 october _ children? very difficult to say because 17 october -- - children? very difficult to say. because 17 october -- october children? very difficult to say - because 17 october -- october 7th because 17 october —— october 7th was chaotic. and i think to know who survived it, who's been kept by whom i think would be a nightmare, but i keep coming back, christian — the only hope we have of seeing all the hostages returning safely is for a complete cease—fire. we've talked before about the incompatibility of two objectives saying "i will eliminate hamas" and at the same time, i will go i'm going to negotiate with hamas to ensure the secure release of the hostages." so i think that incompatibility, and we saw it reflected with secretary of state antony blinken's remarks tonight, i don't think it's recognised that those are competing objectives. they not only prolong the process, but i think they put the process, but i think they put the lives of those being held in captivity at risk. just the lives of those being held in captivity at risk.— captivity at risk. just a quick final one. — captivity at risk. just a quick final one, oliver, _ captivity at risk. just a quick final one, oliver, i'm - captivity at risk. just a quick final one, oliver, i'm sure l captivity at risk. just a quick- final one, oliver, i'm sure you've spoken the hostages who have been released in the past, how much information and intelligence do you think the israelis will have gleamed in these seven days from the other hostages? because broadly speaking, we are not allowed to interview them or we are discouraged from speaking to them. in your mind, is that purely to retain any intelligence they may have passed on? well i would hurt _ they may have passed on? well i would hurt post-dutch _ they may have passed on? well i would hurt post-dutch hope - they may have passed on? well i would hurt post-dutch hope first| they may have passed on? h i would hurt post—dutch hope first and foremost, it's the documentary in principle. they need space, they will be traumatised, they need to come to terms with that. "dust of course, the information services will try to get that information. but of course, the way gilad salit was held in five years, where and how he was being held wasn't ever discovered. so i think in a way, the intelligence that they would gather would be very, very limited, and it would be very, very limited, and it would only apply to exactly where they were being kept. it wouldn't give insight to anyone else that's being held hostage.— give insight to anyone else that's being held hostage. oliver, always aood to being held hostage. oliver, always good to talk— being held hostage. oliver, always good to talk to _ being held hostage. oliver, always good to talk to you, _ being held hostage. oliver, always good to talk to you, thank- being held hostage. oliver, always good to talk to you, thank you - being held hostage. oliver, always good to talk to you, thank you for| good to talk to you, thank you for your thoughts this evening. lovely, thank ou, your thoughts this evening. lovely, thank you, christian. _ let's get some reaction now from our diplomatic correspondent paul adams who is injerusalem. there is nuanced support from the americans for the there is nuanced support from the americans for th— americans for the resumption of operations _ americans for the resumption of operations in — americans for the resumption of operations in gaza, _ americans for the resumption of operations in gaza, and - americans for the resumption of operations in gaza, and the - americans for the resumption of operations in gaza, and the us l operations in gaza, and the us secretary of state stating that the lives of civilians must be put first. , , . , lives of civilians must be put first. , , ., , , first. this is a very interesting and important _ first. this is a very interesting and important press - first. this is a very interesting i and important press conference first. this is a very interesting - and important press conference by antony blinken. he spent about the first three minutes or so talking about the ongoing effort to try and secure the release of hostages, what you've just been talking to oliver mctiernan about, but i think he spent the rest of the time talking about frankly what happens when this process ends, because i think everyone knows that we are in the tail end of the process now, that we will return to war fighting pretty soon, perhaps within a matter of days. so the secretary of state's message to the israelis about what happens at that point was really, really important, and ijust want to check my notes here — he talked about first of all, before israel resumes military activity, it needed to make sure that the humanitarian scene was set, if you like, with the proper provisions for aid, for a proper provisions for aid, for a proper understanding of designated areas where people would be safe — not the single safe area that the israelis have been talking about for weeks now, but specific designated areas inside un facilities, particular locations, hospitals, schools, where civilians would know they would not be hit. he also said there should be no enduring internal displacement, and that people should be allowed to return to the northern part of the gaza strip as soon as circumstances permitted. and it laid down a challenge to the israelis, saying, "look, you have one of the most sophisticated military is in the world, you ought to be able to do this. it'll be difficult but you can do it. intent matters, but so does the result," he said. and he said without giving details that the israeli government had broadly speaking i agreed with this approach, and would act accordingly. just a word on this video that's being released by hamas tonight, how has that been received in israel, this video and all the circumstances surrounding a? what sort of pressure does that put on the israeli government? —— circumstances surrounding it? it government? -- circumstances surrounding it?— surrounding it? it does, ithink it's worth _ surrounding it? it does, ithink it's worth noting _ surrounding it? it does, ithink it's worth noting that - surrounding it? it does, ithink it's worth noting that this - surrounding it? it does, i think. it's worth noting that this video, just like the one several weeks ago in which a female hostage — a group of three women, one of them delivered and passionate appeal to the netanyahu government, and that was very redolent of today's video, very redolent of that one, it was a painful video to watch. most israelis, in fact i would hazard all israelis, in fact i would hazard all israelis have not seen it, and certainly have not heard it. it has not been broadcast, it's been alluded to for some the israeli military has said it's seen it, describing it as psychologica