The United Nations Secretary General has in the last hour made two direct humanitarian appeals to both hamas and israel. Antonio guterres issued a statement saying it was his duty as we are on the verge of the abyss in The Middle East. He called on hamas to immediately release the hostages it was Holding Without conditions. And urged israel to allow rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid into gaza including supplies and workers for the sake of civilians there. Mr guterres said each one of these two objectives are valid in themselves. They should not become Bargaining Chips and must be implemented because its the right thing to do. The statement comes as the israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said his military is ready to begin at any moment a Ground Offensive aimed at crushing hamas. Thousands of people in the gaza strip are continuing to flee south after an order by israel for more than a Million People to evacuate. These are the latest developments. Israeli troops c
Hello, im ben thompson. The israeli Prime Minister, benjamin netanyahu, says the military is ready to begin at any moment a Ground Offensive aimed at crushing hamas. Thousands of people in the gaza strip are continuing to flee south after an order by israel for more than a Million People to evacuate. These are the latest developments in the israel gaza war. Israeli troops continue to mass near gaza ahead of an expected Ground Offensive, but it has given no indication of when it might mount an attack. These pictures show tanks arriving today. The israeli air strikes on gaza continue. It says it is targeting hamas positions. Hamas is designated as a Terror Organisation by many western governments, including the uk. In the last hour, gazan Health Officials have said 2,670 palestinians have now been killed and 9,600 wounded in israels bombing campaign. The israeli Prime Minister, benjamin netanyahu, has held the first meeting of his Emergency Cabinet. He described those who killed more tha
Starting with the developments in israel, where the military says its preparing for a major Ground Offensive into gaza. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a Cabinet Meeting of the countrys expanded Emergency Government and has promised to destroy hamas, the group designated as a Terror Organisation by many western governments, including the uk, which was behind last weeks massacre of nearly 1,500 israelis. The Military Response from israel has already seen more than 2,600 People Killed in gaza from airstrikes, according to the Health Ministry there. The United Nations says gaza is now witnessing an unprecedented human catastrophe. Well report from inside gaza, and take a look at how any Israeli Military operation might pan out. And what of the ongoing diplomatic efforts in the crisis . But first, heres the bbc s jeremy bowen with the latest. Along the border, it looked like the eve of battle. In the next few days, israel will send its armed forces into the gaza strip. Israel de
To the programme. Lets begin at the Rugby Union World cup in france, where in the last hour england have booked their place in the semi finals, after a narrow 30 21; win over fiji. Andy swiss is in marseilles and joins us now. Andy, england have done it but they were pushed all the way. They certainly were. The england fans have Onlyjust Stop celebrating inside the stadium behind me. They are through to The World Cup semifinals but only after the most extraordinary drama. They got off to an excellent start, they scored two first half tries, the first from man u to langa who bulldozed his way over. How was his First International try for two years. Followed by a try from joe marchand. England were in total control of the star of the second half. They seemed on course for a straightforward victory but back came fiji and harrow, two tries in quick succession. And higher. Not much more than ten minutes left when the score was 2a all and the fiji fans sensed a remarkable comeback. But in th
Benjamin netanyahu, says the military is ready to begin at any moment a Ground Offensive aimed at crushing hamas. Thousands of people in the gaza strip are continuing to flee south, after an order by israel for more than a Million People to evacuate. These are the latest developments in the israel gaza war. Israeli troops continue to mass near gaza ahead of an expected Ground Offensive, but it has given no indication of when it might mount an attack. These pictures show tanks arriving today. The israeli air strikes on gaza continue. It says it is targeting hamas positions. Hamas is designated as a Terror Organisation by many western governments, including the uk. Gazan Health Officials say that 2,450 people have now been killed in israels bombing campaign. The israeli Prime Minister, benjamin netanyahu, has held the first meeting of his emergency cabinet. He described those who killed more than 1,400 israelis as monsters. Mr netanyahu said that his countrys forces were ready at any mom