interference and political warfare. the former president and two of his sons are accused of fraudulently inflating the value of assets owned by the trump 0rganisation by billions of dollars. this is what he said going in. this comes at a time when the former president is by far the favourite to become the republican nominee for the presidential election. this is what he said going in. and it's a very sad situation - for our country, we shouldn't have — this is for third—world countries. and it's very unfair, it's very unfair. - but in the meantime, - the people of the country understand it, they see it, and they don't like it, - they don't like it, _ because it's political warfare, as you would call it, _ or political lawfare, another name — i got a lot of names for it, but usually it takes placel in third—world countries and banana republics. i nobody's ever seen that to this . extent, we've never seen it here. but we will go along - and we will hopefully do very well in every regard, _ we will win the election and make america great again, - that's what we're going to do. we are going to make america great again. i live now to nada tawfik, our north america correspondent in new york. so the usual trump blustar going in, but it's been pretty testy the last couple hours, hasn't it? it but it's been pretty testy the last couple hours, hasn't it?- couple hours, hasn't it? it really has, couple hours, hasn't it? it really has. matthew. _ couple hours, hasn't it? it really has, matthew, and _ couple hours, hasn't it? it really has, matthew, and donald - couple hours, hasn't it? it really. has, matthew, and donald trump couple hours, hasn't it? it really- has, matthew, and donald trump is testing the patience of this judge who has already remarked several times now for him to just answer the questions posed to him by prosecutors directly, to stop giving a monologue and a speech each time. he told donald trump, "this is not a political rally," asking his lawyers to get him under control. he has told donald trump when he's answered, "relevant, irrelevant, answered, "releva nt, irrelevant, just answered, "relevant, irrelevant, just answer the question." so we can clearly hear the frustration of the judge, but he's letting trump go on and give those answers, at one point as he can prosecutors if they are ok with all trump just rambling on. as he can prosecutors if they are ok with all trumpjust rambling on. —— at one point asking prosecutors. but donald trump has given a few answers that are quite telling, he's gotten democrat missed —— admitted... at times such as the seven springs property in westchester, he did think it was valued at too high, or like the trump tower penthouse that he did also think they placed the value to high. but today, he's referring to his external accountants — he, like his sons, continually tries to repeat this defence of theirs that they trusted their accountants to verify and attest to the accuracy of their statements, and he never directed them one way or the other to lower or raise those valuations. so some interesting comments there from donald trump, but he is certainly treating this as a political opportunity — on the stand, he criticised the attorney general, saying she was a trump heater, and this trial was crazy. —— trump hater. this trial was crazy. -- trump hater. . ~' , ., live now to gregory germain, professor of law, syracuse university college of law. thank you so much for being here with us. in terms of the last couple hours, is it roughly what you expected? it hours, is it roughly what you “meted?— hours, is it roughly what you expected? hours, is it roughly what you exected? �*, ., expected? it sounds like he's doing a tem - le expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle — expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle -- _ expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle -- typical- expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle -- typical donaldl a temple dongle —— typical donald trump appearance, with the rambling and political speeches in court, and thejudge and political speeches in court, and the judge doesn't like that. but he's a hard guy to control, i think, for anyone, he's a hard guy to control, i think, foranyone, including he's a hard guy to control, i think, for anyone, including ajudge or his own attorneys. in for anyone, including a judge or his own attorneys— own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution. — own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution, what _ own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution, what are - own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution, what are they - prosecution, what are they fundamentally trying to show here? that's a really good question. i mean, all these celebrity witnesses really have very little to say about the remaining issues in this case, which are whether or not he was justly enriched by the use of these false financial statements. and the other witnesses who are getting very little press coverage are the ones who are really saying things that are relevant to the issues in the case. i think it's more political theatre than anything else, and it seems to be working for trump. pt barnum's statement that there is no such thing as bad publicity seems to be coming true in this case. in terms of that defence, that basically this was all the accountants and we knew very little, but they signed the documents, didn't they, the two sons? the sons and donald — didn't they, the two sons? the sons and donald trump _ didn't they, the two sons? the sons and donald trump personally - didn't they, the two sons? the sons| and donald trump personally signed the documents, so it's not much of a defence, especially when there's been so much evidence from former lawyers and accountants that he was directing them to raise these values. so you know, there's a credibility problem, i think, with what he's testifying to. but again, that's really not the issue at this stage in the proceedings, the issue is, by how much was he enriched as a result of using these false statements? and none of these witnesses have anything to add on that score, so they are all trying to relitigate what the judge has already decided, which is that the statements were false.— already decided, which is that the statements were false. exactly on that point. — statements were false. exactly on that point. the — statements were false. exactly on that point, the judge _ statements were false. exactly on that point, the judge has - statements were false. exactly on that point, the judge has already. that point, thejudge has already decided and ruled on fraud, so what are they trying to establish? what are they trying to establish? what are they trying to establish? what are the things that move here? i think what these celebrity witnesses are trying to establish is that they want personally involved, and they are trying to put the blame on somebody else. and also, they're trying to make political points, rather than legal points that are relevant to the case. and rather than legal points that are relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at _ relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, _ relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, there - relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, there is - relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, there is a - relevant to the case. and in terms| of what is at stake, there is a huge amount at stake, it is a big fine but probably more pertinent for donald trump is that potentially here, he could be stopped and prevented from actually doing business in that state of new york. well, thejudge has already business in that state of new york. well, the judge has already ruled that his business licence should be revoked, and his businesses should be liquidated by a receiver. those two decisions were stayed pending appeal, so it'll be up to the appellate court whether those remedies are available. the only thing that's left for the trial court to determine is how much he's been unjustly enriched and should have to disgorge, in terms of getting back money, how much money does he have to pay back? it's not so much a penalty, but the claim is that he's been unjustly enriched. and as i said, none of the witnesses that are getting publicity have testified regarding that issue. there have been to other witnesses who have gotten almost no publicity, who have gotten almost no publicity, who are the relevant witnesses on that issue. the attorney general has called michael mccarty, an investment baker who's tried to come up investment baker who's tried to come up with some estimates of how much she's been unjustly enriched —— investment banker, and there's been a deutsche bank executive who testified that he kind of believed the financial statements, although not in every detail, and i think there will be real issues on appeal as to whether that's enough to establish unjust enrichment and disgorgement, which is what the attorney general is seeking. greg. attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to — attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave _ attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it _ attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it there _ attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it there but - attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it there but think so much forjoining us on the programme, thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. thousands of people in surrey are still without water after a technical issue at a thames water treatment works. the company has apologised to those affected and bottled water stations have been set up to help residents. some schools have been forced to close. the company says the problems were caused by storm ciaran. up to 20,000 health workers in england will receive a one—off bonus of at least £1,700, after previously missing out because they worked for non—nhs organisations. the extra payment was agreed as part of the nhs pay deal in england this year, but some staff were not included. after employers launched legal action, the government has now agreed to provide the funding. the prince of wales was said to have " kept up really well" during a training session with a british dragon boating team in singapore. the prince took to the water on the eve of the annual earthshot prize ceremony. five winners are chosen each year, with each receiving £1 million to fund projects that aim to save the planet. you're live with bbc news. let's turn to the middle east. the hamas—run health ministry in gaza says more than 10,000 people in the strip have been killed since the war with israel began a month ago. the announcement followed one of the heaviest bombardments so far by israeli forces. the director of al shifa hospital, in gaza city, said 200 people were killed overnight. he told the bbc, people used donkeys to move casualties because they couldn't phone ambulances. the israel defense forces said hundreds more targets had been hit some a50 in 2a hours, and a hamas military compound had been seized by troops. meanwhile, israeli ground forces have now reached the coast, in effect dividing the gaza strip in to two. the united nations has renewed its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in gaza. a statement on behalf of the leaders of 11 separate un agencies together with six humanitarian groups, also urges israel to protect civilians and allow more food, water, medicine and fuel into gaza. it said, an entire population was besieged and denied access to the essentials for survival. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has held talks in turkey on the final stop of a regional tour. he told reporters washington was playing play a leading role in preventing the conflict from spreading, and ensuring that more aid reached gaza. earlier, i spoke to the israel defense forces spokesman, lt col peter lerner, about the continued offensive on northern gaza. the idf is moving forward with its plan stage by stage, strike by strike, to dismantle and destroy hamas as a governing authority and a terrorist entity on the border with israel. this is part of the plan. and indeed, overnight we achieved the last stage of our encirclement of gaza city and taking the war to hamas so that they are pursued and can't live in comfort as they continue their attacks and attempted to continue their strikes against us. of course, part of this operation is indeed from the strategic perspective of removing hamas from governing gaza, but also keeping in mind the 240 or so hostages that hamas is still holding. well, on that, let me ask you a question. do you think those strikes, a50 through the course of the last 2a hours, makes it more or less likely those hostages will be released ? there are lots of efforts taking place in order to bring the hostages home, both operationally and diplomatically. there is, from our perspective, it is part and parcel of the effort and the war effort that is ongoing, absolutely. we have brought home and rescued some from captivity, and we will utilise all of the tools at our disposal in order to bring home the hostages. indeed, it is a huge... sure, that's a rescue of one out of 240. let's talk about the civilians, because upwards of 300,000 civilians still in the north of gaza. you've said before hamas was using them as human shields. you've said before that hamas is preventing them from leaving, yet the bombing by israel continues. are those people effectively collateral damage? i heard one soldier on the border talk about civilians as collateral damage. are those upwards of 400,000 people potentially collateral damage now? matthew, what we are seeing today on the border with israel in northern gaza is a true tragedy, a human tragedy of people that have suffered for at the hands of hamas, and are now suffering the repercussions of hamas's feeble decision. but it's your strikes that are killing them at the moment. matthew, they are paying the price for their government that failed the miserably. sure, but it is your strikes that are killing them at the moment. that is fact, isn't it? matthew, i'm seeing the images coming out and any decent person cannot be heartbroken by what's going on. but nevertheless, hamas have to go. this is the root cause of everything bad happening in the gaza strip today. they decided to go to war with israel. there is no other clear proscription other than removing hamas. and indeed, we need the international community, we need the international humanitarian organisations to rally around the paradigm change. well, they have rallied around, they've said today, "enough is enough." we've had reports that casualties are being taken to hospital by donkey because people can't actually phone for ambulances because you cut communications. cutting communications also means that the outside world can't see what you're doing, doesn't it? there is no lack of reportage from gaza. you've been reporting it extensively on the bbc. i would say that the reality on the ground is one dictated by our need to get rid of hamas. that is what needs to be done, and needs to be done quickly. indeed, there is a huge humanitarian cost to this war, and it is on both sides of the fence. but we need to do this and do it quick, and we need to make sure that both israelis and palestinians can live without this looming threat of hamas all the time. 0ur operations are conducted within the realm of international law and the laws of armed conflict, we operate based on distinction that hamas don't do. we operate in the understanding that we need a clear military necessity on the strikes that we're conducting. sure, i know you keep saying that, and you will be aware that there are plenty of those that contest that, i don't want to get go down that because i've gotjust time for ask you one more question, because the arc of these conflicts over the decades have been pretty much the same. israel is attacked, they're then given space to exercise self—defence. then the images come, and they continue to come in terms of horrors of what we're seeing, and then eventually, the us tells you to stop. is that the pattern that we're going to see here, as well? there is one or the major difference between all of the previous conflicts we've had with hamas and palestinian islamicjihad attacking us from gaza in the past, there was never a strategic decision to get rid of hamas. this is the decision that hamas ultimately, when they declared war, when they strategically decided to abduct murder, massacre, rape, bombard israel, they signed their own destiny. so this is different, even if even if washington says, "enough," you will make the decision? is that what you're saying? hamas need to be banished from the realm of existence. it's for the good of all decent people in this region. everybody deserves to live in peace, israelis and palestinians alike. good timing because the un secretary—general has just entered the room and talking to journalists about the situation in the middle east. , . ~ about the situation in the middle east. , . . ., . , ., east. the israeli defence forces and continued bombardments _ east. the israeli defence forces and continued bombardments are - east. the israeli defence forces and | continued bombardments are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and un facilities including shelters. no one is safe. at the same time, hamas and other militants use civilians as other shields and continue to launch rockets and is currently towards israel. i reiterate my utter condemnation of the abhorrent acts of terror perpetrated by hamas on the 7th of october, and repeat my calls for the immediate and conditional, and safe return of hostages in gaza. nothing can justify the deliberate torture, killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians. the protection of civilians. the protection of civilians must be paramount. i'm deeply concerned about clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing. let me be clear, no party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law. ladies and gentlemen of the press, gazais ladies and gentlemen of the press, gaza is becoming graveyard for children. hundreds of girls and boys are reportedly being killed or injured every day. morejournalists have reportedly been killed over a four—week period than in any conflict in at least three decades. more united nations aid workers have been killed then in any comparable period in the history of our organisation. i salute all those who continue their life—saving work, despite the overwhelming challenges and risks. in the unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian cease—fire more urgent with every passing hour. the parties to the conflict, and indeed the international community face an immediate and fundamental responsibility to stop the human collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to gaza. today, the united nations and our partners are launching a 1.2 billion dollar package to help 7 million people, the entire population of the gaza strip, and offer palestinians in the west bank, including jerusalem. some life—saving aid is getting into gaza from egypt's crossing, but the trickle of assistance does not meet the ocean of need. and let's be clear, the crossing alone does not have the capacity to process eight trucks at the scale required. just over 400 trucks have crossed into gaza over the past two weeks, compared with 500 a day before the conflict. and crucially, this does not include fuel. without fuel, newborn babies in incubators and patients on life—support will die. water cannot be pumped or purified. raw sewage could soon start gushing into the streets, further spreading diseases. trucks loaded wit