President was raving about a japanese restaurant. We begin tonight with the Stunning Development threatening efforts to bring peace to the middle east. Talks between israel and the Palestinian Authority are precarious as it is. Now theres even bigger threat. Rifle palestinian factions fatah and hamas have reconciled. We begin with atia rabawi who is in ra ramallah. Leaders believe the time is now to make a change. The theft that we both have the crisis and if we are not moving quickly, retail israelisl actually weaken both of us and there is no future palestinian state. The groups have often been at odds and sometimes at war with each other. Since then hamas has independently reuls ruled the ruled the 40 kilometer long gaza strip, home toe to palestinians. If this deal is successful it could be a winwin situation. For fatah it adds more legitimacy to president abbass presidency. And for hamas it might yield a tricstrict blockade. Rks. Never with the desired results of unification. Many marin palestinians say many palestinians say they are disappointed in their nation. I dont think fatah and hamas are going to succeed. In gaza one activist says one palestine needs to stand up to israel. This decision comes at a crucial time when the u. S. Talks between israelis and palestinians appear to be going ingamnowhere. Instead of moving into peace with israel he is moving into hamas. He has to choose. Peace with hamas or peace with israel. You can have one not the other. I hope he chooses peace, so far he hasnt done so. No one knows how the decision to youth hamas and fatah, step in the right direction, atiha abawa, al jazeera, ramalla. Richelle carey is here tracking u. S. Reaction and richelle not much optimism from president obama. Not at all john, the timing is whats really tricky here. Less than a week to go before the talks are scheduled to end. U. S. Is worried that the deal with hamas will make it all but impossible to extend negotiations. It is hard to believe that israel can negotiate with a state that doesnt have rights to exist. Thats been a result thats long been expected. First of all, nonviolence. The u. S. Says the palestinians must continue to honor previous agreements and obligations and it must recognize the state of israel. We talked to former secretary of defense plawrns Korb Lawrence korb. It is a terrorist group, has not reannounced violence. In fact today, th the israelis credit announced another attack. If you bring these people in with the philosophy they currently have how can we have peace talks if were at war with part of your government . And israel has already cancelled a meeting with the palestinians which had been scheduled for this evening. That doesnt leave much time to get talks back on track before talks expire next week. This hour in tokyo where its just after 9 00 tomorrow morning, president obama is trying to assure leaders that they have his support. What can we expect from the president today, Mike Viqueria . With everything going on around the world, first and foremost ukraine and iran, between the United States and its closest allies in this region between them and china and is really coming to a head. The president really went a long way today, further than he has ever gone, saying that the United States would aid japanese forces, over the sencok dayon, after chinese had territorial claims there over the course of the past few months japanese coastal vessels have been down there. Telling the largest daily here, that United States military forces would come to japanese aid if it came to that. It is certainly obviously no joke but something people are taking very seriously, this potential. Always welcome in japan as any american president last night having dinner at a very exclusive very famous japanese restaurant, 300 a plate you get what they serve you, a price fixed menu. Trying to iron out some issues that have come between the the United States and japan. The president will have a press conference with Prime Minister abe. Over the islands, and south korea. Japan is experiencing a rise of nationalism. The Prime Minister visited a controversial shrine where several world war ii criminals, class a criminals they are characterized are interred. This raised the ire of south korea. And animosities cannot be undersold here, very much alive 70 years after world war ii. So the president is going to be trying to iron those out as well as talking about a trade deal between 12 seef southeast asiand asian nations. Mike viqueria, thank you. At 11 15 eastern time well be watching it here on our 11 00 newscast. As for the state of play in ukraine tonight, military forces are on the move in and around the country. The government in kyiv is resuming its offensive against prorussian forces in the cities. Hundreds of u. S. Troops touched down in Eastern Europe they will be deployed for military exercises meant to bolster the allies there. More are due in estonia latvia and lithuania next week. Stationed along ukraines eastern border, todays russias foreign minister said russia will respond if they are attacked. U. S. Calling those comments ludicrous. And an american journalist is in the hands of prorussian forces tonight. The correspondent could be a spy. He was detained in slovyansk, one of the cities that the forces are trying to driver out prorussian activists. Jacky rowland are reports. They have heard the acting president has relaunched the socalled antique terrorist operations but they say they are not worried. This is not the first ultimatum. Secondly, we dont consider any of his words to be action. He doesnt do anything. Hes just a false governor and this whole government is illegitimate. This is going to focus on breaking up what the government in kyiv says is gangs. But the prorussian activates say they are ready to attack. They know the last time kyiv sent the army in many soldiers felt unwilling to confront. The local politician, seen arguing with prorussian instigators, all of this comes a day after the u. S. Vice president visited kyiv and promised support for interim government. As the standoff against russia intensifies they will need all the help they can get. If there is congregation from the they will not leave us alone with the aggressor. Maybe tested sooner rather than later. Moscow says if its interests are attacked in ukraine it will respond. Jacky rowland, al jazeera, slovyansk. Retired general mark hurtling served as the commanding general of the u. S. In europe, welcome. Thank you john. Can you give us an idea what you think these exercises, what is the point of these exercises and why are they important to the United States . Well i think first of all its to show resolve. Not only for whats going on in ukraine which is not a nato member but to also give resolve to some of our nato mems which are very concern members which are very concerned and have high anxiety over the presence of russia. Exercises they continue to do today, the unit you see participating in operations in both poland and the ba baltics, estonia, latvia and lithuania, from a station in italy. Elements of a prepare chute brigade is normal, we used to do it all the time. So its normal. Does that mean it really doesnt have that much impact . No, not at all. This is sending i think a clear signal to russia that we are prepared to protect our nato allies. The 28 nato allies are Standing Firm in this, certainly supporting the military of ukraine because theyve seen this kind of expansion. But i think its a clear signal that we are ready to respond if need be. It is one of several tools we have as well as the diplomatic and the informational, attempting to bring to bear in a consolidated effort. You said that it was usual. Doesnt the United States need to do something thats unusual in order to get the attention of the russians . Right. Well i think this is unusual because its unplanned. But i shows over years of practice and cooperation between our nato allies that we can do this very quickly. And i think that in and of itself sends a signal. This wasnt days and weeks, this was immediate, now theyre there. These Airborne Troops coming out of italy were quickly flown into poland and the Baltic States and they are prepared to exercise in a prepared manner. Its to show that we will stand firm with our nato allies. Somewhere it was said United States should about boots on put boots on the ground in ukraine, is that wise . I dont think so. I think the conversations between the Vice President and the Prime Minister of ukraine went a long way in that effort. Probably some scutl consultatiot what the United States could do in support. Some of those policies and some of though plans shouldnt be discussed on the air but they are certainly being discussed. General mark hurtling. Thanks again. Youre welcome. The United States is reacting to a mack akerr in the are south americas youngest country. James bays can is at the United Nations tonight. What came from that . They met in emergency session and youve seen the pictures that al jazeera filmed first. We had to blur out some of the images because they were so shocking. Well, the Security Council saw pictures that were later taken by the United Nations by their photographers. They werent blurredout. Im told those in the room were visibly shocked flp was a moamenmomentof silence when thew those pictures. They have talked about sending more troops. Theyve already authorized 5500 extra troops in january and only 600 arrived. Possibility of sanctions against both the government and opposition. The Security Council was briefed by the United Nations head of peace keeping. Hervil adzus. The United Nations is doing everything they can do to protect those fleeing from violence, war. But let us not forget, the primary support is for the government, we there are to support, it is for the government of south sudan to make it so, that its citizens are not killed. Later i asked him about did government of south sudan whether they were still a partner for the United Nations. And mr. Ladzus told knee yes, we have an me yes, we have an agreement with the government of south sudan but we are finding it hard to accomplish john. These pictures are the horrific but what options does the United Nations have . There arent many options. Only 60 of the troops have now arrived. Central African Republic is composesupposed to be taken ovee United Nations, its big problems getting troops there and its not just the political crisis and the fighting on the ground john. Theres one other problem on the horizon. Its supposed to be planting season right now in south sudan, because of the violence no one is planting their crops. And one u. N. Official is talking about a race against time. If something doesnt happen really soon theres going to be a famine. Raised the prospect, it could be as bat bad as the famine in etha that took as many as a million lives. What does it take in order to raise this issue to the level where other countries will get involved and actually do something about it . Well, i think south sudan is certainly a country that people notice, and will be following in the international community. Those nations on the Security Council and here at the United Nations. Here in some ways it gets more attention than central African Republic. And i think thats for a number of reasons. It is a worlds newest country many it has a lot of oil and also in a very volatile area. It was once part of sudan. There are three different u. N. Missions operating in sudan. So its a country they talk about or region they talk a lot about here at the United Nations. James bays, thanks for being on the program. A 12yearold victim of syrias civil war. Plus desperate for america. A hopeful family of a missing Mount Everest sherpa. A few areas where guns are still outlawed in georgia. Crews searching for flight trey 70 checked out debris found along the australia coastline but sheet metal that has washed up is not part of the wreckage. So far there have been no signs of the plane. Now dozens of sherpa guides left Mount Everest base camp. Reporting from kathmandu, nepal. A steady stream of mourners arrive at his home, sherpas presumed dead, whom rescuers are still searching for since fridays april lamp at everest. From anuka, his loss is simply unbearable. I cant believe hes gone. It feels like i have no one else now. Just cant believe it. With two Young Children under five, shes worried about who will provide for them. Hes the center of family life and everything just resolve around them. Im just worried about my childrens future. His brother says hes lost more than just an older sibling. If im not elder, my son and daughter and you are the second guardian of my side. While three are still missing who are presumed dead, several were injured and taken by helicopter to the capitol, kathmandu. Sherpas have refused to climb the mountain until their demands are met. While the government makes more than 3 million a year through climbing fees, sherpas make a very small fraction of that, up to 6,000 annually. Talking to the government. Shaping the mountain and the future, also, ill tell everybody that important. Back at haroms home, theyre hoping that while time is running out, he will be found. A week of mourning, visiting place of worship like this, offering prayers for the dead, and hoping that those that are still missing may be found alive and well. Phil rahman, al jazeera kathmandu. Join us tomorrow for the coverage of life on the Worlds Largest mountain. Thursday night at 8 30 and 11 30 eastern time. In south korea, parents who once held hope are now holding funerals for children who died on the sunken ferry. The children were on a school strip from the city of ansan and adrian brown reports. Its a community thats been crushed by grief. At a makeshift matte memorial aa Sports Complex there was a collection of mourners. Funerals are one of the few occasions in south korea where people are expected to express their feelings. It is been an emotionally draining week for the people, sceebs like this are scenes like this are set to be repeated for days if not weeks to come. Many are hoping they will recover after losing so many of their young people. First we need to recover from there sadness and the students also need to recover and be able to go back to their schools again. Reporter the operation to retrieve the bodies is gathering pace helped in part by better weather. The sinking of the ferry exactly one week ago was an anniversary that seemed to pass unnoticed in jindo where hopes are the families of the missing have been dashed in wave after wave of awful news. But the family of 16yearold kim bidnara can at least mourn their beloved daughter. I last spoke to her mother last saturday when she still wanted to believe she would make it. She was about to embark on a year of exams. Now the lost streams and ambitions. Was very good hat design. We thought she would work as an architect, we wanted to support her in that. The funeral is taking place in the memorial room of a local hospital where the family of her close friend were also gathering. This 16yearold loved music and had wanted to become a composer. The character of both lives conveyed by some of their most precious possessions. Reminders of children now lost forever. Adrian brown, al jazeera, south korea. Coming up next, two palestinian groups trying to make peace. What it means for israel. And cuban cuisine, how the menu is changing now that the Political Landscape is changing. Welcome back, this is Al Jazeera America, im John Siegenthaler in new york. We have a lot more to cover this half hour. Caught in the cross fire. A young syrian boy becomes a casualty of war after narrowly escaping death months ago. Ethnic getting maxed up with job candidates. And getting patched up with one of the best sushi restaurants in the world. Richelle carey is back with the headlines. John, listen to rival palestinian groups hamas and fatah say they will try to form a unified government. Israel has responded by pulling out of the negotiation process aimed at restoring peace in the region. The first of u. S. Troops touched down in Eastern Europe today, they will take part in a month of military exercises meant to support u. S. Allies there, unrest in ukraine, Russian Troops are holding their own drills along ukraines eastern border. And president obama is on Japanese Imperial passal. Trying to advance pacific nations security including territorial issues with china. And Caroline Kennedy is there too, she is ambassador. His trip will take him to south korea and asia. Thank you, richelle. Tragic story tonight out of syria, one that youll only see here. A family in the middle of a civil war is mourning the loss of a young boy. Hes a child that we first met a few months ago. Zena hoder has the story. Warning, the video is graphic. For the family youssef is not just a statistic. He was their 12yearold son. A mortar hid their home, it was only a few days ago his father was able to remove the bloodstains. There was smoke around there, i saw him down there, i picked him up and started to run.