begun its ground offensive in southern gaza, north of the city of khan younis. it said there are armoured forces in the area. they have begun operating and attacking — what they say — are hamas targets. it says the idf expect to expand their ground operation in the region. the hamas—run health ministry in gaza says more than 15,500 palestinians have been killed over the course of the war. the idf also says 500 hamas tunnel shafts have been destroyed. hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by the uk and us governments, among others. live to the scene in khan younis. you can see people sitting outside the hospital. tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands are taking shelter in and around khan younis after fleeing shelter in and around khan younis afterfleeing fighting shelter in and around khan younis after fleeing fighting in the north of gaza in the early stages of the war. this morning, the israeli army issued evacuation orders for several districts, urging people to leave immediately. khan younis is in southern israel and has been over the last 2a hours one of the main targets of this renewed israeli offensive against hamas in the territory. israeli authorities believe members of the hamas leadership are hiding inside the city. what we do know is in the last hour or so, city. what we do know is in the last hour orso, israeli city. what we do know is in the last hour or so, israeli army radio has said the military has begun its ground operation in gaza. we know previously the ground operation we saw from the idf was concentrated in the northern part of gaza. this is very much concentrated in the southern part of gaza. as the ground offensive according to israeli army radio is starting, we are hearing a lot of different aid organisations talking about the toll this is taking on people in and around gaza. less cross live to a unicef spokesperson, james elder, who is in khan younis. we hear this breaking news from the israeli army radio about ground operations beginning in southern gaza. have you seen anything at all over the past hour or so? ., ., ., , ., , or so? no, i have only heard. it is chillin: or so? no, i have only heard. it is chilling news. _ or so? no, i have only heard. it is chilling news. i— or so? no, i have only heard. it is chilling news. i see _ or so? no, i have only heard. it is chilling news. i see the _ or so? no, i have only heard. it is chilling news. i see the panic, - or so? no, i have only heard. it is chilling news. i see the panic, i i chilling news. i see the panic, i can for the first time here weapons as opposed to normally artillery and bombs firing. mostly ijust as opposed to normally artillery and bombs firing. mostly i just see panic in people. women and children are grabbing onto me and playing to be taking somewhere safe. we don't know where a safe and gaza. we have heard israeli — know where a safe and gaza. we have heard israeli authorities _ know where a safe and gaza. we have heard israeli authorities are _ know where a safe and gaza. we have heard israeli authorities are urging - heard israeli authorities are urging people in and around khan younis to evacuate several districts. have they been able to do that? if not, why not? they been able to do that? if not, wh not? ~ ., they been able to do that? if not, wh not? , ., , they been able to do that? if not, wh not? , why not? more explosions, sorry. some peeple _ why not? more explosions, sorry. some people have _ why not? more explosions, sorry. some people have hundreds - why not? more explosions, sorry. some people have hundreds of i some people have hundreds of thousands on the move for the third time. some can't because there's not enough transport. many are moving to a place of no water, no shelter, it's cold and starting to rain. in shelters here is about one toilet per 400 people. 400 girls. you go somewhere else and there are no toilets for 4000 people. a doctor said to me the next phase of this, after the attacks in the sky, will be death from disease. these are not safe zones. it's a dangerous narrative, a cynical narrative. nowhere has been safe and sending people into places where previously they had been bombed anyway and there are no essentials they need is moving people on a chessboard. it is a lethal game here right now. you are in khan _ a lethal game here right now. you are in khan younis _ a lethal game here right now. you are in khan younis and we are seeing live pictures of the hospital there. what is a situation like at the hospital in terms of its ability to treat people there? i hospital in terms of its ability to treat people there?— treat people there? i was in the hosital treat people there? i was in the hospital earlier _ treat people there? i was in the hospital earlier today _ treat people there? i was in the hospital earlier today and - treat people there? i was in the hospital earlier today and i've i treat people there? i was in the i hospital earlier today and i've seen dozens of children come in with wounds of war, children with shrapnel in theirface, third degree burns, it's a war zone. the hospital during the ceasefire was unable to cope, at double its capacity. they ran out of the basic things to treat people. many children with amputations. and this flood of children because you hear explosions and 20 minutes later they are running through. some survive, some won't. the capacity of health workers is immense and the world's heart should go to them. it seems the world has closed its eyes to the suffering of the children. beyond the brutality from the skies, because it is brutal, seeing what is happening to children. a little girl kept coming to me in the hospital and it is chaos in the air, with two empty water bottles pleading that i filled them up. there is nothing other than brackish water in a hospital. the war on children has resumed, this time with more ferocity in the south but any time since it began.— since it began. how difficult does it make your _ since it began. how difficult does it make yourjob _ since it began. how difficult does it make yourjob given _ since it began. how difficult does it make yourjob given residentsl since it began. how difficult does i it make yourjob given residents are saying this city has faced its heaviest bombardment since the start of the war over the last 24 hours? incredibly difficult. agencies do not stop, unicef will help stop unaware has lost hundreds of colleagues. —— unrwa. people are putting themselves in harm's way to get those things people talk of, food, water, medicine, but there is no way. minimal aid food, water, medicine, but there is no way. minimalaid is food, water, medicine, but there is no way. minimal aid is coming food, water, medicine, but there is no way. minimalaid is coming in food, water, medicine, but there is no way. minimal aid is coming in and everyone has started from a nightmarish position and this is why... if there is peace now, we would be facing a genuine humanitarian crisis, given this devastation. 2000 people's homes damaged. now it so war zone again, we will see increasing deaths of children, mothers...— we will see increasing deaths of children, mothers... tammy this. earlier on — children, mothers... tammy this. earlier on you _ children, mothers... tammy this. earlier on you were _ children, mothers... tammy this. earlier on you were in _ children, mothers... tammy this. earlier on you were in rafa - children, mothers... tammy this. earlier on you were in rafa and i children, mothers... tammy this. | earlier on you were in rafa and are now in khan younis. how much longer do you think it will be safe for you to stay in khan younis? i do you think it will be safe for you to stay in khan younis?— to stay in khan younis? i don't think it's safe _ to stay in khan younis? i don't think it's safe at _ to stay in khan younis? i don't think it's safe at any _ to stay in khan younis? i don't think it's safe at any point - to stay in khan younis? i don't think it's safe at any point for. think it's safe at any point for anyone to be honest. unfortunately that has been true from the beginning, when you see children in their homes, hundreds now who have amputations or at risk of bleeding out. i spoke to those brave unrwa colleagues who lost their lives and i know in my position that i'm seeking to tell children's stories, talking to doctors and giving a sense of the reality here, trying to build empathy and compassion by simply sharing. it may be uncomfortable truths but sharing them, it doesn't support my safety in a place like this but to the world and those people with influence, we have influenced not to stop the bombardment. silence is complicity. we do whatever we can. it is getting more difficult though. thank you. we will leave you there but to reiterate the news we are getting in the last few minutes, the israeli military radio had said that ground operations have begun in southern gaza. we know there has been heavy bombardment earlier in that area around the city of khan younis and you had there from james elder that there were huge volumes of people taking shelter right now in and around that area. we will bring you the very latest as and when we get it on that situation. let's hear more from our middle east correspondent who has the latest from the region. in khan younis, this was a city the palestinians considered safe. now, it's a target for israel's bombs. at nasser hospital, chaos. doctors unable to save everyone. after pounding northern gaza, the israeli military is turning its focus to the south. children arrive already dead. this is where israel believes the hamas leadership is hiding. residents have been told to evacuate. the situation in khan younis right now is beyond catastrophic. we're being told, here's a map, you need to look out for your number somehow and leave, just leave. and it's a very, very cynical approach by the israeli military because they know that people will not all be able to leave. from israel's main ally, the united states, a clear message — more needs to be done for the population of gaza. you see, in this kind of a fight, the centre of gravity is the civilian population, and if you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat. in central gaza, prayers for more victims of this war. the death toll is rising fast, but israel says it's working hard to protect civilians. we're making a maximum effort. i said before, i used the word "unprecedented", to try to keep civilians out of harm's way. to avoid them getting caught up in the crossfire. that is not our goal. that's why we've actually sent out maps, a few days ago, which designated the safer areas for people to go to. talks between israel and hamas have collapsed. hamas says no more hostages will be freed until there's a permanent ceasefire. the families of the captives still hope for a deal for them to come home. in gaza, people still hope the guns will once again fall silent. we have been reporting about protests around the world. today there has been not a protest but a gathering of people in central london around downing street, the prime minister's residence. a interfaith peace vigil held for israel and gaza this afternoon. representatives from christianity, judaism and islam all been speaking to the crowds, calling for peace and resolution. and also for an end to hype the mac hate crime in the uk. —— hate crime in the uk. live now to meghan 0wen at downing street where there is an interfaith peace vigil for israel and gaza this afternoon. it's now dispersing but we have been hearing speeches from bereaved families, from many faith leaders and from politicians of all parties. the archbishop of canterbury spoke earlier and was on stage with rabbi david mason and said to we will not let is a phobia or anti—semitism have a place on our streets. that is one of the focuses of the events today. as well as a shared sense of mourning for the pain of palestinians and israelis. event organisations that make organisers say this is the biggest mass event of its kind and that's because it focuses on both sides. hundreds have turned out to grieve together, holding candles and listening to speeches. there was also music. this was a big gathering of people to reflect both sides of the conflict. and i noticed earlier that no one was holding placards. it feels different to the protest we have seen over the past few weeks. i was a different?— a different? that is one of the main differences- — a different? that is one of the main differences. nobody _ a different? that is one of the main differences. nobody is _ a different? that is one of the main differences. nobody is holding - differences. nobody is holding placards, people are holding candles because event organisers have encourage people not to bring placards. 0ne told me he didn't believe slogans could change anything. he is trying to encourage positive conversation and he was one of the many families who spoke about losing loved ones. he lost his parents in october, during the hamas attacks. it has felt sombre but peaceful here and it has been striking to see how many people have turned out of all ages and faiths and backgrounds and the theme of today's vigil was building bridges and it certainly seems to have been the case today. and it certainly seems to have been the case today-— the case today. what did the archbishoa _ the case today. what did the archbishop of _ the case today. what did the archbishop of canterbury - the case today. what did the i archbishop of canterbury have the case today. what did the - archbishop of canterbury have to say the people there? he archbishop of canterbury have to say the people there?— archbishop of canterbury have to say the people there? he spoke on stage with the rabbi — the people there? he spoke on stage with the rabbi and _ the people there? he spoke on stage with the rabbi and imam _ the people there? he spoke on stage with the rabbi and imam and - the people there? he spoke on stage with the rabbi and imam and said - the people there? he spoke on stage with the rabbi and imam and said we | with the rabbi and imam and said we arejewish, christian and muslim but all humans. he said the conflict is about human beings, innocent civilians. he preaches we should share love and forgiveness but also spoke about the rising islamic phobia and anti—semitism in the uk that we have seen in recent months. it was about taking a stance against that and promoting peace. thank you. that is outside _ that and promoting peace. thank you. that is outside downing _ that and promoting peace. thank you. that is outside downing street - that and promoting peace. thank you. that is outside downing street at - that is outside downing street at the vigil. to france now — where one person has been killed and two others, including a british man, have been injured, in a knife and hammer attack in central paris. the french interior minister gerard darmanin said the attacker targeted tourists around quai de grenelle — which is close to the eiffel tower. the man who was killed was german. authorities in berlin described his death as an �*abominable crime'. 0ur paris correspondent hugh schofield has more on the status of the injured british man. there was a statement from the health ministry saying that he and another man, a frenchman, who were injured in the sort of second phase of this attack, are both in good health. there's nothing particularly to worry about. they were attacked after the initial phase of this attack, which happened at about 9:15 last night, very near the eiffel tower, so you can imagine an area full of tourists or people wandering around, even though it was a very cold night. it was on the bridge right by the eiffel tower. and the first attack was with a knife. and this man lunged ata man, a german man, of german—filipino origin, we're told, who was a male nurse and killed him with the knife. his partner was with him, was going to be attacked but a taxi driver stopped the man carrying out the attack on the woman. the man then went off across the bridge to the north side and that was where now with a hammer he attacked separately these two men. the second of them was was the british man aged 66. and by then the police obviously were by this point swarming, and he was cornered and overpowered with a taser. more on that story on the bbc website. now it's time for a look at today's sport. hello from the bbc sport centre. five fixtures in the english premier league on sunday — four have just finished, let's tell you what happened... it's 2—1 in bournemouth's match against aston villa — it's 2—2 in bournemouth's match against aston villa — putting bournemouth ahead. chelsea are 3—1 up against brighton, despite being a man down after connor gallacher was sent off — facundo buononotte getting one back for brighton. it's been a thriller at anfield — liverpool against fulham. it's all square at the london stadium, mohammed kudus getting one for the hammers but 0dsonne edouard equalising for crystal palace at the london stadium. in the late kick off, manchester city face tottenham, with pep guadiola says spurs will still be a challenge — despite their injuries. if you ask me, the games they lost, i would say no. it's quite similar to win they were winning but, unfortunately, is different, of course, because ourjob depends on the players. they are a very good football side. it's a great test for us and where we are out as a group and a team and a project of trying to become a team that plays the game session way. nothing better than playing against the best and that's a strong test. we are looking forward to it and i'm certainly looking forward to it. in the scottish premiership, celtic came from behind to win at stjohnstone. diallang jaiyesimi put stjohnstone ahead, but three goals in the second half for celtic, ensured they took the three points, extending their lead at the top of the table to 11 points. hibs have put a goal past the dons. rangers are 1—0 up against st mirren. abdallah sima with the goal. plenty of fixtures across europe today... le havre lost 2—0 to psg where keeper gianluigi donnarumma was sent off in just the tenth minute. feyenoord lost to psv 2—i. and coming up later — some big games in italy, germany and spain. after a poor world cup england are in the west indies playing the first of three 0dis in antigua. it's the first game forjoss buttler�*s white—ball side after failing to defend their world cup title in india recently. england won the toss and elected to bat. meanwhile, the world cup winners, australia are still in india, playing the final game in their five match t20 series in hyderabad. the aussie's won the toss and elected to bowl, india have already won the series 3—1 with one to play. tiger woods says he's been pleasantly surprised by his return to action after he got a one—under—par 71 in the third round of the hero world challenge. woods had a mixed round with five birdies and four bogies, but still produced some glimpses of brilliance, as he continues his comeback from injury. the 15—time major winner is tied for 16th. he is 16 shots behind leader scottie scheffler. the world number one got a 7—under par 65 to lead england's matthew fitzpatrick by three shots. it could have been a little bit better than the score indicates. i think i could have shot something in the high 60s today, which would have been nice. but i think it was cleaner than it was yesterday. and the final of the uk snooker championship is underway. it's all square between england's ronnie 0'sullivan and china's ding jun hui — 4frames each. you can follow that match on the bbc sport website. and that's all the sport for now. baroness glenys kinnock of holyhead, a former minister, mep and