Hello, im sarah campbell, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. We start with the war in the middle east, the border has been closed all day but despite hopes from washington that it would be open for a few hours. Lets look for a moment at the geography of gaza. The opening of the Rafah Crossing would also allow some foreigners including us citizens to leave. At the same time, hamas and israel have denied reports that theyve these are the latest pictures from the Rafah Crossing, showing the crowds there. We understand that Un Fuel Trucks did make it across the border this morning. Americas top diplomat, antony blinken, is back in israel, from egypt, where he was trying to persuade officials to reopen the border point. Egypts Foreign Minister is reported as saying israel had not yet taken a stance that would allow the crossing to open. Over the weekend, mr blinken held talks in six arab states, with a view to alleviating gazas humanitarian crisis and to prevent the war from escalating. Our correspondent nick beake has the latest. In gaza, families who have been forced from their homes are heading south to the border with egypt. But this, the Rafah Crossing, has remained closed to them, trapping palestinians as well as foreign nationals. They say theyve lost everything in israels response to hamas� s killing of civilians just over a week ago. This gaza strip and palestine, this is like, they think theres no people here. Theres people here theres people here live its not right some say theyve done exactly as israel ordered and left the north of gaza only to be bombed in the south. Translation no electricity, | no water, no nappies, no milk, corpses in the street. We fled to the un school, we thought it was safe, but they targeted it and people died. Across the border, a convoy of aid trucks has built up but there is still no deal with egypt to allow them in. Israel cut off supplies of food, medicine and other essentials to more than 2 Million People in gaza after the hamas attacks. Translation there have been reports of humanitarian aid being allowed into gaza in return for letting foreigners leave. At this stage, id like to state the crossings are closed and theres no such decision. There is no ceasefire and we are continuing our operational activity. Israel says it is preparing for a major operation by air, land and sea. Its most powerful ally is warning against an occupation of gaza. I think it would be a big mistake. Look, what happened in gaza, in my view, is hamas and the extreme elements of hamas dont represent all the palestinian people. Fighterjets are leading israels military campaign. The bombs obliterating whole buildings in densely packed Gaza Neighbourhoods and continue to kill civilians. Israel says its targeting hamas fighters and weapons. In tel aviv, one of many memorials to the 1,300 israelis killed in hamas attacks. The government here says the scale of the atrocities justifies its response. Most israelis seem to support what their military is doing in gaza, that hamas crossed a line. And hamas continues to fire rockets into israeli towns and cities, and that only hardens public opinion. People are also worried and angry that 199 hostages are still being held in gaza. There is no sign of the imminent release of those hostages, nor any breakthrough that would allow those in gaza to escape from this misery. Nick beake, bbc news, tel aviv. Its clear that israel and the United States are almost in lock step now, at least in this moment. The United States is doing everything it can, both to Show Israel Stand By it, stand by its right to defend itself, but also to send a very clear message as it staunchest of allies, that israel still has to do everything it can to try and minimise civilian harm. Antony blinken came to israel some days ago, he did his tour of the region, speaking to every arab leader who could have some sway over one side or the other, one part or the other in this conflagration. Hes come back to israel and we just heard that instead of going back to the United States as planned, he is going to go back to thejordanian capital, amman. When it he changes his travel schedule, it is a sign that he is working on something, we know they are focusing on two fronts. Number one, the only way into or out of gaza on its southern border to get the foreign nationals out, about 1000 of them. To get the 3pp out, about 1000 of them. To get the app desperately needed aid, full, fuel, medicine. The lorries are piling up at the sinai peninsula. They want to do Everything Possible to to ensure this crisis does not spread, as best as it is in israel and gaza, if it spreads even further, if it spills across the border, then it is an even more dangerous territory. Tell border, then it is an even more dangerous territory. Border, then it is an even more dangerous territory. Tell us, youre in ashkelon. Dangerous territory. Tell us, youre in ashkelon, the dangerous territory. Tell us, youre in ashkelon, the military dangerous territory. Tell us, youre in ashkelon, the military buildupl in ashkelon, the Military Build Up presumably there continues. Two, the Ground Offensive. Have you got any sense, just tell us what youre saying, what youre hearing where you are. Saying, what youre hearing where ou are. ~ � , saying, what youre hearing where ou are. ~ 3. Saying, what youre hearing where ouare. ~ h. , saying, what youre hearing where ou are. ~ 2. ,. , saying, what youre hearing where ouare. , h. , you are. Well its a day ten of this war, ten you are. Well its a day ten of this war. Ten days you are. Well its a day ten of this war, ten days since you are. Well its a day ten of this war, ten days since the you are. Well its a day ten of this| war, ten days since the massacres committed by hamas in Southern Israel. Weve seen with every day is really forces racing down to the border, the artillery, the armour, they are now in a zone of closed Military Zone which we are not allowed to enter, but throughout today we moved around Southern Israel including to sea route which is less than a mile from the border. There is a constant sound of it is really artillery firing into gaza, every place we went the Israeli Military moved us away. That it was too dangerous, we could be in the line of fire, the last position they said there could be an errant missile followed by the tanks which are firing into gaza. You get a sense of the Military Operations are gathering pace, and of course the Nonstop Bombardment of gaza. It seems as though israel wants to, well there was hope there could be a cease fire in southern gaza, that hasnt been released. But that is the focus now so that there can be more humanitarian and a rescue of some of the people in gaza. I have to say, its been relatively quiet. Two days ago the Air Raid Sirens went off almost every hour here in ashkelon. It has been relatively quiet today although there have been missiles fired in other parts of Southern Israel, and in border towns like this, an official evacuation is taking place to lead even more people to safety away from that border. �. , people to safety away from that border. �. ,. ,. Border. And that was our Chief International border. And that was our chief International Correspondent i border. And that was our chief i International Correspondent lisa doucet. Lets now focus on whats happening inside gaza itself our correspondentjon donnison reports. Amid the destruction in southern gaza, the homeless and the hungry in their hundreds of thousands are trying to survive. And the United Nations is now warning of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. We have nothing that we need to live, says this man, who fled south. Were living in a dump and if we move, well die. Amid the detritus and not enough toilets, there are fears about the spread of disease. Theres food, but not enough. All this will feed less than 2,000 people, says amir, just a fraction of those in need. There are long queues to get bread, but its being rationed. Weve been waiting here since six in the morning, he tells us, just to get food to feed the kids. We will run out of flour, the baker says, in two days maximum. Clean water is also in short supply. Fuel supplies needed to operate filters are dwindling. This is all the clean water i can get, he says. We left our homes in the north because we thought there would be aid, but where is it . He goes on. Give us electricity, give us water. And all the while, the hospitals in the south, like in the rest of gaza, are overwhelmed with casualties from the old to the very young. Seven days, ten days, four days . Those are the victims. Those are the injured here in the hospital. This little baby was born amid the chaos less than a week ago. As you can see here look. What kind of life lies ahead of her . This face, this children, does nothing. Jon donnison, bbc news. He helped provide humanitarian aid to civilians in gaza where water, food, and medical supplies are running low. He spoke at a joint News Conference with the Israeli Defence minister. You News Conference with the Israeli Defence minister. News conference with the Israeli Defence minister. , ~. ,. , defence minister. You know our deep commitment defence minister. You know our deep commitment to defence minister. You know our deep commitment to israels defence minister. You know our deep commitment to israels right, defence minister. You know our deep commitment to israels right, indeed | commitment to israels right, indeed its obligation, to defend itself. And to defend its people. And in that you have and have always had the support of the United States. Thank you. Thank you very much sir. Joining us now on the line is sami abu salem. He is a palestinian journalist in gaza. He has made his way south from gaza city to the al maghazi refugee camp. Hello to you, thank you so much for joining us. Can you just tell me first of all, where you are and what conditions are like where you are . Im. We im. We seem to i m. We seem to be having some auali i m. We seem to be having some quality with i m. We seem to be having some quality with the i m. We seem to be having some quality with the sound i m. We seem to be having some quality with the sound right i m. We seem to be having some quality with the sound right now, l quality with the sound right now, can you hear me . Well hopefully try to speak with him a little later in the programme, be interesting to hear his viewpoint, the journey has just made and where he is now, so well try to go back to him at some point. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. Further School Strikes are due to take place in scotland after a union voted to reject the latest pay offer for support staff. Unison, the union that represents administrators, Catering Assistants and janitors, said a Rolling Programme of strikes in schools and nurseries will take place in the coming weeks, with dates announced within days. Parliaments Behaviour Watchdog has recommended that conservative mp peter bone be suspended for six weeks for bullying and sexual misconduct. It follows a complaint made by a former member of staff, over alleged behaviour which took place over ten years ago. The suspension will have to be voted on by the House Of Commons to be approved. More foreign prisoners are to be deported to their home countries under plans to tackle overcrowding injails. Justice secretary, alex chalk is due to set out plans in the commons today for reducing the Prison Population in england and wales. Figures show thatjails are approaching full capacity youre live with bbc news. Translation a decisive victory on hamas. Removing translation a decisive victory on hamas. Removing its translation a decisive victory on hamas. Removing its threat translation a decisive victory on hamas. Removing its threat on translation a decisive victory on hamas. Removing its threat on the | hamas. Removing its threat on the state of israel once and for all. I have a message to iran and hezbollah. Dont repeat the mistakes you already did once, because today you already did once, because today you will pay a much heavier price. Join us again, he is a palestinian journalist, hes in gaza having made his way south to a refugee camp. Im hoping that you can hear me now, hello to you, can you tell me please, the conditions where you are at the moment . Please, the conditions where you are at the moment . Thank you, actually i am one of those at the moment . Thank you, actually i am one of those who at the moment . Thank you, actually i am one of those who fled at the moment . Thank you, actually i am one of those who fled from at the moment . Thank you, actually i am one of those who fled from the i am one of those who fled from the north to the south, looking for safety and for water. But we found neither safety nor water. And now im moving around the area of the gaza strip, i am at the refugee camp, there is garbage in the street, people are in long lines in front of bakeries, and water distribution points because of lack of water and even in the hospitals i have seen paramedics lost control in the hospitals because the huge numbers of bodies and. I have seen lots of people are between the bodies that are in, no room in the wards, bodies on the ground, not on the word itself, which already have a lack of electricity, thats why there are beds now inside and lots of people inside are crying because either because they. Because they didnt find the. On the ground. According to what i had seen, may be hundreds of people are still under the rubble of that destroyed houses. Because lots of people are being targeted but paramedics and rescue teams cannot evacuate the victims, the casualties from the rubble. According to, 1371 families. All of them were killed because most targets are civilians. Most targets are civilian people not. You targets are civilians. Most targets are civilian people not. Are civilian people not. You said ou are civilian people not. You said you travelled are civilian people not. You said you travelled as are civilian people not. You said you travelled as many are civilian people not. You said you travelled as many hundreds l are civilian people not. You said| you travelled as many hundreds of thousands of people have done from the north of gaza to the south, can you just explained to me and how difficult that journey was . fine you just explained to me and how difficult that journey was . Difficult that ourney was . One of the difficult that journey was . One of the difficulties difficult that journey was . One of the difficulties is difficult that journey was . One of the difficulties is how difficult that journey was . One of the difficulties is how to difficult that journey was . One of the difficulties is how to move i difficult that journey was . One of l the difficulties is how to move from north to south. It is about at least 20, 20 km. I north to south. It is about at least 20,20 km. I decided to walk north to south. It is about at least 20, 20 km. I decided to walk it. But i cannot walk because of my kids, i have children and my wife, they cannot walk. Thats why we use a taxi and its hard to find a taxi, i looked for hours and hours to catch a taxi, and some people with cars, some people with glorious, some people with bicycles and they are carrying their. There is something, they are carrying their stuff and moving to the south, looking for water and safety, which it is also in the south. And. Youve outlined very clearly the conditions where you are, what are people most urgently needing . We are hearing about lack of water particularly. Hearing about lack of water particularly hearing about lack of water articularl. ,. , particularly. Yeah, water now is. When we speak particularly. Yeah, water now is. When we speak about particularly. Yeah, water now is. When we speak about water, i particularly. Yeah, water now is. When we speak about water, we l particularly. Yeah, water now is. I when we speak about water, we speak about cleaning, we speak about drinking and taking care of kids, etc, refill some water and there are some water i have heard that some water works all ready have been destroyed. Key people cannot reach water even if they allows. Carrying children are carrying a gallon looking for water, any kind of water, for drinking orfor washing. And even i have seen people who are schools as children are leaving their schools because inside the schools there are no water. Everybody is moving here and here in droves, everybody looking for water and who would pay lots of money for just a bucket of water. Water, lack of water is the main problem in the gaza strip. Not only in the middle area, and maybe it continues, maybe it was days or weeks, now this is one of the main impediments here, some people also, by the way, are suffering from chronic diseases, there is lack of medications, especially those who are taking children, schools and children, there are no. In gaza. Thats why people are looking for medication, lack of medication. Oort blood pressure, but no medication. Thats where they are dying slowly, another point, by the way, sometimes they say to families, move to that safe place, there is no sick place. And israeli army makes ambush civilians. Semi , im so sorry, we are out of time. I really appreciate you talking to us and telling us what conditions are like where you are in southern gaza, thank you, so may solem, a palestinianjournalist, solem, a palestinian journalist, made solem, a palestinianjournalist, made the journey the journey to the south where he currently is. Live no