Transcripts For BBCNEWS Newsday 20240703

The white house also says the president has discussed the war with the leaders of the uk, canada, france, germany and italy. Frances president Emmanuel Macron and the dutch Prime Minister, mark rutte, have also now announced theyll visit on monday and tuesday. And at the rafah border crossing, several trucks from a second convoy carrying humanitarian aid from egypt have crossed into the gaza strip. The convoy had earlier been detained at the rafah crossing for several hours so that they could be searched to ensure they were carrying only aid. The un warns hundreds of lorries are needed every day, to help the more than two million people, living under an israeli siege, and constant air strikes. Israel says the bombing raids, which have intensified, are targeting members of hamas, the Group Responsible for murdering around 1,400 israelis in attacks on october 7th. Hamas has been designated a Terror Organisation by many western governments, including the uk. Palestinian health officials, say more than 4,600 people have died in airstrikes. Wyre davies has our first report tonight, from jerusalem. The human toll in gaza is mounting. These casualties brought to the al aqsa hospital in central gaza are outside the zone from which israel had told civilians to flee. Its not known from where the victims came, but many of the dead and injured are children. Some images, too distressing to broadcast show the bodies of at least a dozen children. Translation we have been here since the crack of dawn and the bodies have completely felled the hospital yard. This is in addition to the bodies and refrigerators which are full. We dont have enough shrouds for the dead because the numbers are huge. Israeli air strikes in response to the massacres of october 7th are against what it calls strategic hamas targets. They have left parts of the gaza strip looking like a wasteland. Such bombings, say palestinians, is indiscriminate by its very nature, resulting in thousands of casualties. No ones getting out of gaza for now. But through the border with egypt today, more than a dozen aid trucks did get in carrying basic food and medical supplies. After an initial transfer of 20 truckloads yesterday. But the un says its nowhere near the 500 trucks daily needed to sustain a population of more than two million. 30 , according to our sources of the infrastructure, is already destroyed. The un says that many who fled south to escape israeli bombing are now heading back to homes in Northern Gaza towards the shelling. So dire is the humanitarian situation. Some people will die if they dont get insulin on a regular basis. There are 50,000 pregnant women in gaza. Water is absolutely necessary to keep them alive. But the situation is set to worsen. Thousands of israeli troops, tanks and heavy armour are preparing for a full scale Ground Offensive in gaza once bombing from the air achieves its objective. Its what israel says it has to do if hamas is to be crushed. I have no doubt that israel will need to go in on the ground to be able to effectively hurt and undermine and weaken hamas, but also to be able to project power in this region and show the world and its other adversaries that are watching that we have capabilities. And i think its a matter of day or days until that happens. But israel knows a Land Invasion of gaza could trigger conflict in the Palestinian West Bank city ofjenin. Israel says it hit a hamas cell preparing for an attack after cross border skirmishes, too, in southern lebanon. A warning from israels Prime Minister to hezbollah militia and their sponsors, iran, not to get involved in hezbollah. If hezbollah decides to enter the war, theyll be making the biggest mistake of their lives and hit with unimaginable force, said the Prime Minister, talking to Israeli Soldiers in the north today. One factor mr netanyahu cant control is the fate of more than 200 israeli and International Hostages held by hamas in gaza, whose families fear an israeli invasion may put their lives in further danger. Wyre davies, bbc news, jerusalem. Im joined now by steven simon he is a professor of practice in middle east studies at the University Of Washington and served as the Us National Security Council Senior directorfor the middle east and north africa. Is real has said it will intensify air strikes on gaza is real has said it will intensify air strikes on gaza it is real has said it will intensify air strikes on gaza it will is real has said it will intensify air strikes on gaza it will be is real has said it will intensify air strikes on gaza it will be a do or die battle, this conversation from president biden, as well as the israeli my minister, what do you think the focus will be in this flurry of diplomacy that we are seeing . Flurry of diplomacy that we are seeinu . ~ ~. ,. , seeing . Well i think there are a number of seeing . Well i think there are a number of objectives. Seeing . Well i think there are a number of objectives. One seeing . Well i think there are a number of objectives. One is i seeing . Well i think there are a number of objectives. One is to j number of objectives. One is to postpone and is really land incursion into the gaza strip. Thats, i think, incursion into the gaza strip. Thats, ithink, a key incursion into the gaza strip. Thats, i think, a key objective you know, in all western capitals including the United States. And one of the purposes related to that of having this steady stream of us and European High Level visitors is to make it hard for israel to launch that. That ground incursion. Because it would be impolitic in the extreme if it were to do so while these high level visitors were in israel. Counselling, in effect, the Israeli Government not to go in. So the more visitors arrive in israel, the more delayed the israeli incursion will be. That incursion is delayed, i think, also because there is uncertainty about what to do regarding the hostages. You know, hamas has said that the hostages would be punished if israel entered gaza on the ground. They would be killed, and thats an important consideration. Forthe killed, and thats an important consideration. For the Israeli Government as well as for other governments whose citizens are being held captive in gaza. There is an intensive Negotiating Process now ongoing, involving gaza. And another of other intermediaries regarding the release of the hostages and i think the israelis are hesitant to start a war while those negotiations are. �. �. ,. , are. Im afraid were having a little bit of are. Im afraid were having a little bit of technical are. Im afraid were having Aj Little Bit of technical difficulties trying to hear you, im just going to try once again. He said the Ground Offensive might be delayed, do you feel it might still be imminent considering the kind of statements that have been coming in from Benjamin Netanyahu saying this is a do or die battle, they said that they will intensify the air strikes, so how do you see that playing out despite these visits . Well theres no question, the israelis see two imperatives ongoing on the ground in gaza. The other one is restoring deterrence as they put it, they fear that they are regional adversaries, particularly iran, will see a failure to go into gaza as a sign of israeli weakness, and therefore invite further aggression. The israelis are concerned about that, and thats a strong motive. The other, of course, is to deal a Crushing Blow to hamas. I think they feel at this point there is no coexisting with hamas any more after they did what they did on october seventh. So those are powerful motivations, but they are not necessarily determinative. They may be, well, swamped by other concerns, not least of which is the brutal cost in social economic and political terms to all concerned of a widening of the war. Which could happen if israel moves into gaza. Im afraid thats all we have all the time we have, but think you very much for your time here on the bbc. Youre welcome. The bbc� s rushdi abu alouf, and his family, have been displaced four times in gaza in the last two weeks. Hes been reporting under very difficult circumstances. Heres his assessment of the situation on the ground, from an aid camp, in the city of khan younis, in the south of the territory. About 2000 families living in these tents. They are people displaced from the Northern Gaza. This is the camp has been built by the un. I was speaking to the families here. They said they are struggling to find water. They are struggling to find food. They are struggling to find a bathroom. They say the bathroom here is a real, real challenge, they said. Security also is a real challenge because, as you know, hamas has been under really heavy attack by israel for the last two weeks or so. So there is no police around the area to maintain law and order. A few problems here. Social problems in the area. But those people, they said we have been given very little food, very little water, very Little Medicine to the people who are in need for this. This is an example of how 7800 people who are displaced this is an example of how 700,000 people who are displaced from the north are living in a very difficult condition in gaza city. There have been continued reactions to the developments in the middle east across the world. In the pakistani city of karachi, Hundreds Of Pro Palestinian supporters marched towards the us Consulate On Sunday to show solidarity with palestinians in gaza and to condemn us support for israels bombardments in gaza. Demonstrators burned israeli and us flags and urged muslim countries to end diplomatic ties with israel. The protesters were halted about half a kilometre away from the us consulate. The march was organised by a National Body of shiite groups and clerics. Its been difficult for families awaiting news on their loved ones who continue to be in hamas custody. The family of a british teenager, whos been missing since the hamas attacks on october seventh, have confirmed she was killed. The body of noiya sharabi, who was 16, has now been formally identified. The deaths of her 13 year old sister and mother were confirmed last week. Other families are still waiting for news of their relatives who went missing in the attack, as lucy manning has now reports. A few months ago, mum leanne and her daughters celebrated. Now the british israeli family are all dead, murdered by hamas. 16 year old noiya had been missing. As her british family confirmed her body had been identified, they said she was clever, sensitive, fun and full of life, a gifted student and linguist. Most importantly, an amazing granddaughter, cousin and niece. We are heartbroken she is gone, they said, but forever grateful she was here. Other relatives have been kidnapped. And in london, the demand was free the hostages. More than 200 held by hamas. Hannah and her british israeli son, this was the photo hamas posted on her facebook as they kidnapped them, a gunman in the corner. I am worried sick for my mums health. I dont know how long she can survive without her insulin. I dont know how long my brother can survive without his medication. These are elderly people. There are children over there, and i want the British Government to do everything in their power. Her british israeli brother murdered, shot in the head and back. I havent grieved him yet. I have lost my brother, but i have to do everything in my power to bring my mother back. Do you think the International Community are doing enough . I think more can be done. These are innocent people. They havent harmed anyone, and these people need to be brought back. This nine month old and four year old ariel should be playing, not held in captivity. Their mum and dad also taken. Hamas filter kidnapped. It is described as babies surrounded by terrorist. It is the worst nightmare. I could never imagine Something Like this could happen. The entire world to just scream. All leaders of the world should look at his face, this babys face, and it is a nine month old baby who just started to crawl, he should be developing now, not being held in i dont know where, if he is underground, in a cage. I want them to put pressure for any kind of humanitarian organisation to go inside and check on them. And to release them. And you still have hope that you will see them . I have to. I have to have hope. Around the world and across the uk. This is bbc news. Bbc news, bringing you different stories from across the uk. For generations these people have walked through these lime trees. Campaigners want that to continue, in february protests stopped contractors felling the trees to make way for an access road to the new Stanton Cross housing development. Around 16 were chopped there are 45 temporarily spared. Campaigners have been told by a high courtjudge their protest can go through a fulljudicial review. These are our heritage, its a heritage of willingboro, it is a natural amenity and a natural monument within our town. Developers sa the monument within our town. Developers say they paused monument within our town. Developers say they paused work monument within our town. Developers say they paused work while monument within our town. Developers say they paused work while the monument within our town. Developers say they paused work while the legal i say they paused work while the legal challenge takes place, they cant comment until its resolved. Thats expected to be next year, where campaigners hope these fruit trees will still have a bright future. For more news across the uk had to the bb see news website. Youre live with bbc news. The Us State Department says that the United States stands with the philippines in the face of what it called chinas repeated harassment in the South China Sea, describing chinas actions as dangerous and unlawful. It comes after a chinese coastguard boat and a Philippine Supply Vessel collided in the South China Sea. The filipino vessel was on its way to a philippine outpost in the second thomas shoal, where tensions have escalated in recent weeks. Manila said beijings Dangerous Blocking Manoeuvres endangered the safety of the filipino crew. But china claimed it blocked the vessel because it was carrying illegal Construction Materials. Its the latest flare up in a long territorial dispute in the sea one of the worlds busiest trade routes. Joining me now is dr bill hayton, who wrote a book about the disputes in the South China Sea. He is associate fellow with the Asia Pacific Programme at chatham house. Thank you very much for your time here on newsday. Well as we know at the moment, both sides as expected, or blaming each otherfor the moment, both sides as expected, or blaming each other for the aggression in the area, how are you reading these developments . Iretell reading these developments . Well this ship has reading these developments . Ii this ship has been on the second Thomas Scholl since may 1999 and its quite literally falling apart, so the philippines is under pressure to bring some Construction Materials or some kind of Repair Equipment in order to simply, you know, stop the ship wasting away. There are about five or six Philippine Marines that live on there, and they have these regulars that rotate Resupply Missions where they bring supplies, Food Supplies and daily needs to the marines. But the chinese are trying to stop them bringing on extra things, you know, like steel or scaffolding poles to reinforce it. And so thats what its about. And china, im not quite sure why they tried to make this such a big issue at this time, but its been going on for some time but whats happening now is new, really, that both sides are releasing video images of whats happening to expose the actions of the other side. find happening to expose the actions of the other side. The other side. And all of this happening the other side. And all of this happening at the other side. And all of this happening at a the other side. And all of this happening at a time the other side. And all of this happening at a time where i the other side. And all of this i happening at a time where there the other side. And all of this happening at a time where there is a major conflict playing out in the middle east, much of the worlds attention is there, ensure that the situation does not escalate we know the us has released a statement that they stand by the philippines, but in the long run how will they be looking at these developments . The us, and looking at these developments . Tue us, and the looking at these developments . Tte us, and the british looking at these developments . Tt2 us, and the British Governments and some others as well said they are supporting the philippines efforts at the moment. This is actually the latest stage, something thats been going on for quite some time, and i dont think its a specifically timed to coincide with whats happening in the middle east or ukraine. I think this is the chinese agencies, the coastguard, the maritime militia, just doing their thing. And they have enough forces based at the islands that china has built over the past decade in the southern part of the South China Sea to enforce some kind of blockade against the philippines. So i think everyone is going to be watching this with some concern, the philippines in the us have a mutual defence treaty so if the chinese were to do something against a ship of the Philippines Navy or coastguard, that could be grounds to invoke that treaty. I think everybody will be very cautious before they do so. Mil everybody will be very cautious before they do so. Everybody will be very cautious before they do so. All right, we have to leave before they do so. All right, we have to leave it before they do so. All right, we have to leave it there before they do so. All right, we have to leave it there then, i before they do so. All right, we i have to leave it there then, thank you very much for your time here on newsday on bbc. In the United Kingdon the rains may have eased, but the impact of storm babet is still being felt across several parts of the country. People living in hundreds of homes in retford in nottinghamshire have been told to evacuate because of rising river levels and a risk of flooding. Andy gill reports. Parts of retford are already suffering the aftermath of storm babet. Up to 600 properties were affected by the flood warning. The Environment Agency says the situation is no longer severe enough to be a threat to life, but its already affecting peoples homes. Water splashing. It flooded in 2007 here after quite torrential rain. The council and the water board blamed it on the fact that the rivers havent been dredged or anything. Theyve since dredged them, but it seems to have just completely happened again. But this time its worse. Some residents have already left. This morning when i came home. Obviously there was all this. So everyones been asked to evacuate. Ive tried to get as much as possible upstairs and out the way, but yeah, itsjust horrible. But not everyone wanted to go. Alan stayed behind to look after his sick wife and his dog. The garden flooded, shedsre flooded and just waiting for the house to get flooded. Well, nothing we can do about it. Those who do choose to leave are being offered shelter in a local leisure centre. The absolutely unprecedented rainfall has created so much water. This hasnt happened before. And theres such a volume of water come down the river all at once that basically its not designed to cope with it. In south yorkshire, the flood water has been as high as people ceilings. Chesterfield in derbyshire has also been affected. In retford, theres relief that the risk, though still present, is not as bad as it was. Andy gill, bbc news. Voting is under way in argentina in polls to elect a new president as the country faces the prospect of economic collapse. The frontrunner is javier milei, a libertarian economist who says that adopting the us dollar as the official currency is the best solution to tackle the prospect of hyperinflation. Manchester united legend sir Bobby Charlton passed away on saturday at the age of 86 and since the news came in, fans have been travelling to old trafford all day to sign a book of condolence. Ben croucher reports. Sunday at old trafford. The sun still shines but it is a darker day. The fans came to sign a book of condolence and remember a great. Somebody who was selfless, who just played for the love of the game and the club. He even called the name, theatre of dreams. Ive witnessed dreams here. Some sadness, some glory. And thats what made me come. For sir Bobby Charlton, representing Manchester United was a dream come true. Playing for the first time, i was in heaven, i was in heaven. I couldnt have felt any better. He was a player who transcended generations and the sport itself. I think what probably epitomises his fame and the love for him is that wherever you go in the world, even if they didnt speak english, didnt speak your language at all, they used to know two words, and they were often Bobby Charlton. Be at the ballon dor, the world cup of the european cup, charlton was one of the most decorated english players to have ever lived, but ask anybody about him and they wontjust tell you about a great player, also a great and humble man. When the club decided that for all he had done for Manchester United was to name the south stand after him, bobby had been really humble and he just said, oh, i dont deserve this. I said, bob, you deserve everything that comes your way for what youve done. United women paid their respects today. The mens team will do so again when they next play on tuesday, to once more on a giant of the game. Sir Bobby Charlton whose name will continue to live on. Ben croucher, bbc news, old trafford. At the cricket world cup, india have beaten new zealand by four wickets. They reached their target of 200 and 7a with 12 balls to spare. They reached their target of 274 with 12 balls to spare. India are the only unbeaten side in the tournament. Indias next match is against england next saturday in lucknow. Thats all for now stay with bbc news. Thanks for watching. Temperatures even in our northern cities temperatures even in our northern cities close temperatures even in our northern cities close to freezing. Now throu. H cities close to freezing. Now through the cities close to freezing. Now through the day cities close to freezing. Now through the day weve i cities close to freezing. Now through the day weve got. Cities close to freezing. Ttmn through the day weve got low pressure trying to squeeze its way in from the west, High Pressure tomorrow, ridge of High Pressure across the near continent, thats how we start the day, largely dry under that area of High Pressure. Mist and fog patches. Any icy stretches, mist and fog clear way, long spells of sunshine, few showers into Northern Ireland, cornwall, Isles Of Scilly as well. 11 16. Ahead of this area of rain across parts of England Wales also seeing some rain as we had through the overnight. Into to say. So not quite as cold, certainly temperatures for some of us remain in the double figures as we move into tuesdays whether dominated by this area of low pressure, this is the remanence of a storm called bernard, brought windy weather across southern europe, see some shari outbreaks of rain, bit more persistent for the likes of lincolnshire, norfolk as well, eitherside likes of lincolnshire, norfolk as well, either side of that sunny spells perhaps one or two showers around but not persistent heavy rain that weve seen temperatures between 1116. That weve seen temperatures between 11 16. Very that weve seen temperatures between 11 16. Very typical of the time of year. Heading into the middle of the week and wednesday brings a weather front and from the atlanta, more persistent rain for the southwest of england, perhaps Northern Ireland in the day, sunny spells and a few showers around, 10 16 so certainly not been completely dry and things are looking quite autumnal and unsettled really through the week ahead so more wayne at times but we are not expecting the heavy disruptive rain that we saw during the course of last week with storm event. This is bbc news. We will have the headlines at the top of the hour. Welcome to hardtalk. Im stephen sackur. In war, not all soldiers are fighting on or for their own soil. Thanks to the internet, it has become easier than ever before for foreigners to immerse themselves in conflicts very farfrom home. My guest today is a young british man, aiden aslin, who has a remarkable story. Hejoined the ukrainian army. He was captured, tortured and sentenced to death by putins forces. He survived thanks to a prisoner swap. But why did he risk everything in someone elses war . Aiden aslin, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you. It is just over a year since you were released from captivity after being held by the pro Russian Forces in occupied donetsk. Looking at you, your physical scars have healed. What about your mental scars . Erm, definitely my physical scars have definitely healed or, like,