hello. we begin in the middle east — where israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu will undergo surgery on sunday for a hernia his doctors discovered during a routine examination. mr netanyahu will be fully sedated during the procedure — his office says that mr netanyahu's deputy, yariv levin will serve as acting prime minister during this time. he's been speaking in the last half hour. my medical statement is transparent, it is known. sure, a lot of people are saying crazy things, but of course — no boundaries. my wife went to an appendectomy and people said that she spent a whole week at a villa somewhere, and ijust had the flu, people said that i was where? where was i? that i was in hospital. absolutely no boundaries to the lies. i just went through examination, and thank you to all the people asking for my well—being. i promise you that this operation that i'm undergoing tonight i will also go through very quickly and i will be back to my duties as fast as possible. benjamin netanyahu is speaking a short while ago. let's speak to jo floto, the bbc�*s middle east bureau chief. he was keen to brush off any hyperbole about his condition, and was he speaking the truth that there would be barely any interruption to his time as leader? he would be barely any interruption to his time as leader?— his time as leader? he is a prime minister of _ his time as leader? he is a prime minister of war, _ his time as leader? he is a prime minister of war, it's _ his time as leader? he is a prime minister of war, it's not - his time as leader? he is a prime minister of war, it's not a - his time as leader? he is a prime minister of war, it's not a good i minister of war, it's not a good thing to go under general anaesthetic and have to hand over the reins of power, even if it's only a short moment and only for what appears to be a relatively small in routine operation. he is looking tired, but he's been at war for six months, and he is 7a years old, and last year we had a pacemaker fitted for a heart problem. however, ithink pacemaker fitted for a heart problem. however, i think that was one of the reasons for this press conference, reassurance that he is still vigorously in control, and there isn't anything else going on in the background, but the other reason is that tonight injerusalem just a few kilometres from where i am now, it's a very large and raucous protest against the prime minister organised by the families and the supporters of those who are still being held hostage inside gaza, and this time they're being joined by another group of anti—netanyahu protesters, those who took to the streets in hundreds of thousands last year to object to his brand of constitutional reform, so in that press conference he also mentioned that anyone calling for an election was playing into hamas's hands, it would paralyse the government for months, and he was trying to make sure people knew that was not an approach that he approved, all that they should seek. meanwhile, a hamas offical says israel and hamas are �*too far apart�* for talks to progress — discussions over a possible new gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal are expected to resume in cairo, according to egyptian media. meanwhile, at least four people and have been killed and others injured. after the israeli military carried out an air strike inside a hospital compound in central gaza. this is the moment it happened. the israeli military says it carried out the air strike on an islamichhad command centre in the courtyard of al—aqsa hospital in deir al—balah. among those injured were 7 media workers including a freelance journalist working for bbc news. let's speak to arieh kovler — a writer and political analyst who is based injerusalem. your comments first on this attack in central glasgow which benjamin netanyahu actuallyjust mentioned in his press conference. yes. netanyahu actuallyjust mentioned in his press conference.— his press conference. yes, is really sa in: his press conference. yes, is really saying that — his press conference. yes, is really saying that for _ his press conference. yes, is really saying that for islamic _ his press conference. yes, is really saying that for islamicjihad - saying that for islamichhad terrorists were killed, and it's something based in the hospital, unclear yet about what a command centre means in this case, and it seems there are a number of people including journalists who were kind of based in tents in the hospital area, and i guess for the same reason perhaps that islamicjihad was there, that they felt the hospital provided them send safety, but unfortunately providing significant problems. find but unfortunately providing significant problems. and that's art of significant problems. and that's part of this _ significant problems. and that's part of this military _ significant problems. and that's part of this military operation? l part of this military operation? yes, it's quite a long operation in the hospital in gaza city, since the beginning of the war it didn't show much for israel despite the build—up to it. having gone back to shifa, there are some serious names of operatives either captured or killed by israel. the reali is captured or killed by israel. the reality is this _ captured or killed by israel. the reality is this conflict is not building resulted is looking for, it is not yielding the results of sufficient israeli hostages, really, and it is not yielding the international support he would like either. he pushed back at both of those things when he spoke a short while ago. those things when he spoke a short while auo. ., ., ., , while ago. yeah, one of the things that mr netanyahu _ while ago. yeah, one of the things that mr netanyahu was _ while ago. yeah, one of the things that mr netanyahu was arguing - that mr netanyahu was arguing against was a protest outside calling for a hostage deal and new elections, criticising his management of the war and failure to deliver on a hostage deal. he repeated over and over again that he has brought home hostages through a deal, to try to emphasise that he is not the block to holding up a deal. many of the protesters outside feel differently. while he's accepted the picture of complex, he knows the there are some things israel will not be able to give hamas, said, there's a question of how much because there is. find there's a question of how much because there is.— there's a question of how much because there is. and seeing the rall in because there is. and seeing the rally in israel, _ because there is. and seeing the rally in israel, it _ because there is. and seeing the rally in israel, it is _ because there is. and seeing the rally in israel, it is to _ because there is. and seeing the rally in israel, it is to protest - rally in israel, it is to protest against what in specific terms? is that the fact that the hostages have not been returned and it appears netanyahu is on their minds not sufficiently prioritise and that, or is that the concerns expressed by the international community about the international community about the lack of humanitarian support in gaza, the length of the war and the loss of life? it gaza, the length of the war and the loss of life?— loss of life? it certainly more the former than _ loss of life? it certainly more the former than the _ loss of life? it certainly more the former than the latter. _ loss of life? it certainly more the former than the latter. we - loss of life? it certainly more the former than the latter. we have l former than the latter. we have people with different views, there are people their concerns with the humanitarian situation in gaza, most people are frustrated at netanyahu as a leader, they come from the centre or centre—left, or even centre—right, they believe that the disaster of the worries and his leadership. this crossover with people protesting the judicial reform, and they believe they should be another leader, but that doesn't mean they feel the war needs to st stop. there is an extremely wide support in israel the idea that hamas can no longer be the government in gaza.- hamas can no longer be the government in gaza. wed of the fiuuhtin government in gaza. wed of the fighting going _ government in gaza. wed of the fighting going out? _ government in gaza. wed of the fighting going out? he _ government in gaza. wed of the fighting going out? he insists i government in gaza. wed of the j fighting going out? he insists he government in gaza. wed of the i fighting going out? he insists he is still planning to make an assault on rafa. do you believe him? it's a tough question, there are plans approved to go into a rafah with the israeli ministry, and many of the questions from the journalists were, you can say he will do this macro rafah thing for months, and by and when will you? i rafah thing for months, and by and when will you?— when will you? i think there certainly — when will you? i think there certainly is _ when will you? i think there certainly is a _ when will you? i think there certainly is a was _ when will you? i think there certainly is a was a - when will you? i think there certainly is a was a hope - when will you? i think there i certainly is a was a hope there when will you? i think there - certainly is a was a hope there will be some alternatives to come up from the protests that will enable them to go into voluntary exile, but it doesn't seem like it's on the table. i think realistically there may well be another operation. but israel doesn't have the troops, most reserves have been sent home. if and when there is a major operation to rafah, and they have an evacuation of civilians, there will be a long lead up time. there will be plenty of warning. king charles and queen camilla have attended the easter sunday service at st george's chapel in windsor. here they are leaving the chapel earlier — much to the delight of crowds who had lined up to see them. this is the king's most significant public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. he wasn't expected to mingle but he did — greeting well—wishers and thanking them for waiting out in the cold. the prince and princess of wales did not attend, as catherine is receiving cancer treatment. the king has continued some work since his diagnosis, but all engagements so far have taken place in private. so this attendance at the easter morning church service at st george's chapel will be seen as an encouraging sign about his health. our reporter charlotte gallagher has more. the king and queen arriving at the easter sunday service, and waves for the crowds at windsor castle. this is an annual tradition but this hasn't been a normal year for the royalfamily, with both the king of the princess of wales diagnosed with cancer. prince william and catherine weren't at the service today. they're spending the easter holidays with their three children in private. this was the last time they were all seen together in public — christmas day at sandringham. today marks the king's first significant public duty since his diagnosis last month. happy easter. best wishes for the princess of wales. you are very brave to stand out here in the cold. a chance to say thank you to well—wishers. hello, how are you? many had travelled to windsor especially to see the royals. i hope you haven't got too cold standing here. happy easter, i hope you are doing well. they didn't expect to meet the king. happy easter, your majesty. keep going strong. never give in. thank you very much. he seemed in great spirits, really, he seemed very humoured and i said to him, would you give, you know, our best wishes from wales to the princess of wales, and i spoke to her majesty the queen camilla as well and, yes, it was a joyful occasion. it's hoped this could be the start of the king making a slow return to public duties. now, we are not expecting him to be immediately carrying out a full calendar of events. but we are perhaps expecting him to be seen more in public and you got a sense today that he has missed being out, meeting people, chatting, shaking hands, and doing a part of the job which he obviously enjoys. lovely to see you. this has been a difficult few months for the royalfamily, but today seemed a positive sign about the king's health and recovery. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. joining me now is robert hardman — daily mail writer and author of charles iii: the inside story. i'm not the first person to say this, but king charles looks pretty chipper out and about. yes. this, but king charles looks pretty chipper out and about.— this, but king charles looks pretty chipper out and about. yes, i agree with ou. chipper out and about. yes, i agree with yon he _ chipper out and about. yes, i agree with you. he definitely _ chipper out and about. yes, i agree with you. he definitely looked - chipper out and about. yes, i agree with you. he definitely looked glad | with you. he definitely looked glad to be back, meeting the public again. he's been doing his constitutional duties, they haven't really stopped since his diagnosis, audiences with the prime minister and the red boxes and that kind of thing, but what he has missed is meeting the people, and that's something he's always enjoyed, and even the late queen, on easter sunday, would always expect a crowd outside st george's chapel, but she wouldn't do a walkabout. so, today was really a significant moment, just the facts in crossing the road there and shaking hands, and really shaking hands, lots of hands. i thought it was very significant. almost as if he enjoys it to the extent that he draws energy from it, in a way. the reality is he's been left very exposed from a personnel perspective. left very exposed from a personnel persneetive-_ perspective. yeah, we hear this hrase perspective. yeah, we hear this phrase slimmed _ perspective. yeah, we hear this phrase slimmed down - perspective. yeah, we hear this| phrase slimmed down monarchy perspective. yeah, we hear this i phrase slimmed down monarchy a perspective. yeah, we hear this - phrase slimmed down monarchy a great deal, and it is very slimmed down at the moment. he's obviously out of action, and the prince of wales is, and the prince of wales is looking after a lot, so what we saw today was the core supporters, there was the princess royal, for example, the duke and duchess of edinburgh, who are all stepping up, the duke of york was there as well, as a sibling, because it's a family event, he won't be undertaking any public meetings, but between them, led by the queen, queen camilla has been central to all of this, they will fill the gaps that have to be filled, so we have seen in recent weeks the princess royal doing many in vestiges, that's a key part of things, and we are coming up to the really busy summer period. in early june, particularly, is going to very busy. we have the 80th anniversary of d—day, plus all the regular royal events, so i think we will see the monarchy need the other members of the family in the weeks ahead. taste the family in the weeks ahead. we haven't heard from king charles as to when he intends to return back to public duties? h0. to when he intends to return back to public duties?— public duties? no, i think you'll see a gradual. _ public duties? no, i think you'll see a gradual, incremental- public duties? no, i think you'll. see a gradual, incremental move towards more events like today. i think each event will have to be edited, if you like, to ensure he is not in an enclosed, crowded space, but a lot of the things outdoors, are particularly in the summer, so events like trooping the colour, he can, and i would expect him to do his best to be on parade for an event like that. a lot of outdoor events shouldn't present too many problems, but we cannot be complacent. we do know that he is still undergoing treatment, taking all the advice necessary from his doctors, so today's event, the very fact of him going into st george's chapel, the fact of him crossing the road to shake hands with strangers, that will have been run passed his medical team, and i'm that will have been run passed his medicalteam, and i'm sure precautions were being taken. definitely the direction of travel, if you look back, compared to a couple of months ago, is very optimistic. couple of months ago, is very optimistic-— couple of months ago, is very otimistic. ., ~ , ., , . optimistic. thank you very much indeed. the archbishop of canterbury wished king charles and the princess of wales well in his easter sermon at canterbury cathedral. the pope also delivered his traditional easter mass in the vatican — where he renewed his call for a ceasefire in gaza and the release of hostages being held there. here's our foreign editor aleem maqbool. when pope francis pulled out of some easter events, concerns about his health intensified. but the vatican said it was to conserve energy for today. and that seems to have worked. though a little out of breath, easter mass went smoothly. after which the 87—year—old went on a drive about, to greet what police estimated to be around 60,000 people who'd come to saint peter's square. events culminated with the pope's easter message. in it he renewed calls for access to aid in gaza, for the return of hostages held there, and for an immediate ceasefire. he also focused on what children in gaza have been witnessing. translation: how much suffering we i see in the eyes of these children. i those children in that area of war have forgotten how to smile. with those eyes they ask us, why? why all this death? why all this destruction? war is always an absurdity and a defeat. celebrations in the holy [and this year, including at the church of the holy sepulchre at the site where christians believe jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, was scaled down. palestinian christians talked of an easter tinged with sadness and many foreign pilgrims stayed away. at canterbury cathedral, archbishopjustin welby did talk of foreign conflicts, but also prayed for the king and princess of wales and others he said were suffering the same way, and he talked of other struggles closer to home. whether it is the evil of people smugglers or county lines in our schools, or the pain and suffering in a family riven with grief or rage or substance abuse, jesus the god man who experienced every pain and temptation is calling you and me to love in action. the archbishop talked of the easter story, giving hope of bringing light to darkness, and here at the vatican the pope ended by saying it was also a reminder of the value of every human life. aleem maqbool, bbc news, in rome. now to turkey, where voting in local elections has officially ended. millions of people have been going to the polls, which could see president erdogan's party retaking control of key cities it lost in the last vote five years ago. the current mayor there — ekrem imamoglu — is seen as mr erdogan's biggest challenger in decades. if he wins today, it would boost his standing as a potential rival to president erdogan in 2028. the elections are taking place against a backdrop of severe economic problems, including inflation of nearly 70%. with more on this we can now speak to 0nur erem from the bbc turkish service. it's good to see. what a vote is particularly motivated to vote about, and is the turn out good? will it be good, do we think? yes. will it be good, do we think? yes, riaht now will it be good, do we think? yes, right now we _ will it be good, do we think? yes, right now we can _ will it be good, do we think? yes, right now we can say _ will it be good, do we think? is: right now we can say around 20% will it be good, do we think? i2: right now we can say around 20% of the votes are counted and it looks like, especially in the major cities, the last years of economic crisis has affected the voters decisions, and for the first time in local election history, the main opposition looks like they are getting more votes than the government party, and have involve more members in local councils, and also more mayors. it can say that may change because it's only 20% of the votes counted yet, but even getting a result close to the government party would be a huge success for the main opposition party, because they have been in an alliance with all the opposition in the last two elections, but this time they are standing alone in getting even more votes. right, and this election — getting even more votes. right, and this election could _ getting even more votes. right, and this election could act _ getting even more votes. right, and this election could act as _ getting even more votes. right, and this election could act as a _ getting even more votes. right, and this election could act as a turning i this election could act as a turning point concerning the political future of erdogan.— point concerning the political future of erdogan. yes, this is his last term, — future of erdogan. yes, this is his last term. and — future of erdogan. yes, this is his last term, and there _ future of erdogan. yes, this is his last term, and there might - future of erdogan. yes, this is his last term, and there might be - future of erdogan. yes, this is his last term, and there might be a l future of erdogan. yes, this is his i last term, and there might be a case that the mayor of istanbul, ekrem imamoglu, if he wins tonight, he might be a potential candidate in the next election against the candidate of mr ed's party. i see, and therefore, _ candidate of mr ed's party. i see, and therefore, if _ candidate of mr ed's party. i see, and therefore, if he _ candidate of mr ed's party. i see, and therefore, if he on _ candidate of mr ed's party. i see, and therefore, if he on the i candidate of mr ed's party. i see, and therefore, if he on the other| and therefore, if he on the other hand gains traction, in istanbul and also ankara, if you can carry on those two important cities, that might empower him to change the constitution and extend his power. yes, previously, he's been told he must change the constitution, but he doesn't have a puff of parliament. if it's a major upset.— doesn't have a puff of parliament. if it's a major upset. joining us. romania and bulgaria have become the newest members of the europe's schengen area of free movement — but only for air and sea crossings. land border controls will remain in place because of austria's opposition to the eastern european nations becoming full members of the zone. vienna fears an influx of asylum seekers if all border controls disappear. romania's interior minister catalin predoiu said joining schengen was an important moment for his country and its citizens. romania and bulgaria have become members of the europe's schengen area of free movement, but only for air and sea crossings. after a 13—year long wait, romania and bulgaria have officially joined the schengen area of free movement. but there is a catch. the free movement only applies to air and sea crossings. that's after austria opposed their full membership. it's concerned about an influx of asylum seekers if all border controls were to disappear. these are the scenes from sofia airport on sunday morning. it's extraordinary. what can i say? it's a special feeling. i took out my passport for nothing. it's nice to feel like a european citizen. it's very easy now at the borders. i had no problems at all. the president of the european commission, ursula von der leyen, welcomed the news. she posted on x, "this is a great success for the people of both countries. it also benefits millions of eu citizens across europe, making the schengen area even stronger." last month, the eu's border agency said it would triple the number of its officers in bulgaria to help stem the amount of people crossing into the bloc from turkey. both bulgaria and romania hope to complete the process for full membership by the end of the year. one of largest telecoms companies in the us — at&t — says personal data from more than 7.5 million current customers was leaked onto the dark web two weeks ago. in a statement, the company said more than 65 million former account holders had also been affected. at&t says it is still investigating the source of the data. it is not known whether it came directly from the company or a third party. the company said it does not have evidence of unauthorised access to its systems. it has contacted customers affected by the breach. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. well, this easter weekend, the amount of sunshine we had across the uk varied quite a bit. some of us didn't have any sunshine at all. if you look at the satellite picture, you can see the thicker cloud across parts of england and wales and the brighter skies earlier on across scotland and northern ireland, all part of a much larger rugged area of cloud shrouding many parts of europe. it's a big area of low pressure that's dominating the continent right now. and in the next few days, we are expecting a fair amount of rain. smaller areas of low pressure will come sweeping our way. and with that, outbreaks of rain and at times some strong winds. but it won't be raining all the time. there will be some fair weather in between these weather systems. so the forecast then — through the early hours, we have some rain across the south of the uk, maybe some cracks of thunder. also, this easterly breeze drags in rain bearing cloud into parts of northern england. so quite wet in yorkshire overnight. the temperatures early on monday, sin aberdeen, about 7 or 8 in the south. so no huge contrasts across the uk. so easter monday itself then. well, rain at times, that's the headline. but there'll be some sunshine too. i think the thickest of the cloud with the most persistent outbreaks of rain will be across northern england, perhaps around the northwest here, merseyside, the irish sea into eastern areas of northern ireland. either side of that, drier and brighter — i say drier, there will be showers breaking out across southern england. some of them could be thundery, but sunshine in between too. the forecast for tuesday shows that weather front moving northwards, kind of fizzling away, but still damp here. and then the next weather system sweeps into southwestern areas of the uk and then later in the day that rain will track northwards and eastwards across the uk. and here it is on wednesday. in its wake, showers are expected across the bulk of england and wales, and that easterly breeze there in the north of scotland keeping things fairly chilly. for our friends in stornoway, only 7 degrees — even colder than that in lerwick, about 7 in aberdeen, but in the south around 15 degrees. and in fact the south—southwesterly winds will be quite persistent across the bulk of england and wales. so the temperatures will be never that low. but of course often rain clouds in the north, always a little bit cooler. that's it for me. bye— bye. this is bbc news. the headlines... israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu will temporarily hand over power as he requires surgery under general anesthestic. a group ofjournalists are among the casualties of an israeli airstrike close to a hospital in central gaza. the idf says it hit a command centre used by islamichhad fighters. king charles has attended an easter service in windsor, followed by a walkabout to greet crowds. it's his most significant public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. polls have closed in turkey, where president erdogan is hoping his party can regain control of key urban areas. now on bbc news, the sport with gavin. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm gavin ramjaun.