and the eu's head of foreign affairs, josep borrell, in calling for the truce between israel and hamas to continue. international pressure really mounting. international pressure really mounting. let's go live now to tel aviv and join anna foster. what is going to happen today? what is the holder, what we know about how this could possibly things today? it how this could possibly things toda ? . , , ., today? it was interesting hearing ou today? it was interesting hearing you describe _ today? it was interesting hearing you describe those _ today? it was interesting hearing you describe those two _ today? it was interesting hearing you describe those two things . today? it was interesting hearing l you describe those two things that seem quite contradictory on the face of it, the idea there is still negotiation going on about release lists, but at the same time, they are talking about a possible extension to the truce. in terms of those lists, what has happened so far is the evening before the day of release, hamas have given a list to the israeli authorities with the names of hostages they will release the following day and at that point of the israeli authorities then pass that on to the families, they call them, they talent their loved ones names are on the list for the next day. —— they tell them. it looks like that has been delayed, because the prime minister's office has said negotiations about the list were ongoing and they reiterated not to spread rumour and misinformation, but we do know because of that statement that something is not quite on course the way it normally should be at this time of day. bear in mind, it is for pm here in israel and gaza and that is the time the swap is supposed to get under way. we will continue to watch that. we also have these ongoing discussions about the potential continuation of this ceasefire, because this is the fourth and final day of this post. there were provisions put in place to allow that to continue, there were more prisoner names on the palestinian prisoner list, more than the 150 included in this deal. there were 300 names published, so it gives scope to extend that side of things. israel has had for every further ten hostages released, they would commit to a further 24—hour pause in fighting, so there are ways and means for this to continue for longer. we know these negotiations are continuing and constantly, over time we are getting these new is, new pieces of information. first of all, let me give you what the israeli government spokesperson gave lui maxted in a press conference. he was asked about this and this is what he said. —— he was asked about this. the campaign to end hamas and bring our hostages home will resume immediately with the end of the hostage release pause. i'm not going to speculate, obviously, about the exact operational movements of our troops and the continuation of that strategy, but hamas is on notice that an option for an extension is open, we want to receive another additional 50 hostages beyond tonight on our way to bringing everyone home, and as soon as that framework expires, israelwill continue with full force towards those three objectives — eliminating hamas, making sure the gaza strip can never be a security threat to israel and releasing all the hostages. it is of course israel's military pressure that has bought hamas to bear to agree to release those hostages. we have had it begging for a breather because it has been clobbered over the last month and that pressure will continue until we get everyone home. now let's catch up with the rest of the day's developments, with this report from our middle east correspondent hugo bachega. celebrations in israel as more hostages return home. the latest group of captives released by hamas last night, 14 israelis and three foreign nationals. this is the moment the sisters, 15 and eight, were finally reunited with their mum. this woman was freed with her three children. for the family of this 84—year—old woman, the agony isn't over. she is now fighting for her life in hospital after being deprived of her medical treatment in captivity. this girl spent her fourth birthday as a hostage, she is israeli—american and president biden campaign for her release. hamas killed both her parents. celebrations in the occupied west bank, too — as part of the deal, israel released 39 palestinian prisoners from jails. women and teenagers. many children are detained by israel on charges of throwing stones. they had a hero's welcome. the green flag of hamas flying in the crowds. today is the final day of the temporary ceasefire truce between israel and hamas. president biden said his government would work to extend the deal. more is needed but this deal is delivering life—saving results. critically needed aid is going in and hostages are coming out. this deal is structured so it can be extended to keep building on these results. that's our goal. the israeli prime minister says he's open to an extension but that the war isn't over. translation: we have three goals for the war. | eliminating hamas, returning all our hostages and ensuring that gaza doesn't become a threat to the state of israel again. we will continue until the end, until victory, nothing will stop us. in gaza, the pause has allowed the delivery of much—needed aid. and brought the most sustained peace since the start of the war. translation: we hope the truce expands because we are tired - and can't take it any more. we are worn out, not functioning. 0ur mental state is also exhausted. our kids are in one place and we are in another. we don't know where to go. early indications suggest hamas could agree to an extension. amid the ruins of gaza, palestinians wait, hoping that the days stay quiet. let issues and live pictures of the rafah crossing at the moment. you can see those trucks of humanitarian aid, additional trucks that were a large part of this deal had been passing through in far greater numbers. we will also be watching the rafah crossing later today because that is the key point where the hostages are actually brought out of. slightly different yesterday because one of them was particularly ill so were taken straight into israel, but the rafah crossing as those two key elements we look for during this deal on the fourth and final day. see the humanitarian aid continue to move in there as planned. let's speak to professor tamar hermann from the israel democracy institute research center, who has been tracking the attitudes of israeli citizens to the conflict. thank you so much forjoining us. tell us first of all, is there a united israeli approach to what is happening here, particularly the way the israeli government is handling this? are using different attitudes among different groups? obviously there is not one _ among different groups? obviously there is not one public _ among different groups? obviously there is not one public opinion. - among different groups? obviously there is not one public opinion. we j there is not one public opinion. we have dues—word—mac and arabs, they have dues—word—mac and arabs, they have relatives in gaza, they see things differently. thejewish population is divided by its political privileges, although there is some concerns of certain issues. for example, no one ignores... let’s for example, no one ignores... let's take ou for example, no one ignores... let's take you live — for example, no one ignores... let's take you live to _ for example, no one ignores... let's take you live to central _ for example, no one ignores... let's take you live to central london and rejoin the covid inquiry, where we understand the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, is continuing to be quizzed and give evidence as part of those proceedings.— evidence as part of those ”roceedins. ., ., ., proceedings. you met a “unior minister mi proceedings. you met a “unior minister in the i proceedings. you met a junior minister in the department i proceedings. you met a junior| minister in the department for transport _ minister in the department for transport at that time in relation to funding — transport at that time in relation to funding as public transport. the second _ to funding as public transport. the second meeting was on the 12th of march, _ second meeting was on the 12th of march, one — second meeting was on the 12th of march, one of more relevance perhaps. _ march, one of more relevance perhaps, the first meeting with robert — perhaps, the first meeting with robertjenrick, then secretary perhaps, the first meeting with robert jenrick, then secretary of state _ robert jenrick, then secretary of state for— robert jenrick, then secretary of state for the ministry of housing, communities and local government. now the _ communities and local government. now the department of levelling up. in now the department of levelling up. in relation— now the department of levelling up. in relation to that meeting on the 12th in relation to that meeting on the izih of— in relation to that meeting on the 12th of march, can you assist us on that? _ 12th of march, can you assist us on that? ., ., , ., ., , 12th of march, can you assist us on that? ., .,, ., ., , ., that? that was to inform us about the commencement _ that? that was to inform us about the commencement of _ that? that was to inform us about the commencement of the - that? that was to inform us about the commencement of the delay l that? that was to inform us about - the commencement of the delay phase and in effect i think it was the introduced chimp of the shielding arrangements, but —— introduction of the shielding arrangements. there also enhancements of people not taking cruises and school holiday it was not getting to the enormity of what was happening a few days later, we talked about ppe, how we were getting on with local arrangements. it was quite a relaxed meeting if i remember. it was quite a relaxed meeting if i rmember-— remember. button opportunity to seak with remember. button opportunity to speak with the — remember. button opportunity to speak with the secretary - remember. button opportunity to speak with the secretary of - remember. button opportunity to | speak with the secretary of state, the liaison — speak with the secretary of state, the liaison department between centrat— the liaison department between central government and local government. central government and local government-— central government and local covernment. , ., , government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were _ government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning _ government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning to - government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning to say - government. yes, and ifi remember, i think we were beginning to say to i i think we were beginning to say to him, we are becoming more worried and it feels like it is changing. it was a good opportunity, and although the relations would get more difficult later in the year, at that point, the fact he was convening the mayor bloom to have that discussion was a good thing. —— mayors. the was a good thing. -- mayors. the 23rd of march, _ was a good thing. —— mayors. the 23rd of march, the date lockdown was formally— 23rd of march, the date lockdown was formally announced, you had a meeting — formally announced, you had a meeting at 6:30pm the secretary of state for— meeting at 6:30pm the secretary of state for transport, grant shapps, at that— state for transport, grant shapps, at that time, and that was with other— at that time, and that was with other metro mayors in relation to transport — other metro mayors in relation to transport as well. was there any indication— transport as well. was there any indication at that stage that lockdown was about to be announced? from nry— lockdown was about to be announced? from my memory of that period, it was not so much what was happening in those meetings but what was happening outside of them. from the meeting with robertjenrick up until the 23rd of march, i can remember things becoming increasingly brought, to the point where on the monday of the 23rd of march, i think i appeared on good morning britain and called for lockdown, a national lockdown. i remember debating with my team, it felt strange to say 20 government were not saying it's a bad time. —— when the government. it felt like the whole world was saying, we cannot carry on like this, and yet, from memory, i think grant shapps possibly alluded to an announcement coming later, you can probably guess what it is— type approach. we were not sat down and briefed on lockdown. bud approach. we were not sat down and briefed on lockdown.— briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime _ briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime minister— briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime minister made - briefed on lockdown. and two hours later, the prime minister made the| later, the prime minister made the national— later, the prime minister made the national announcement on television. another— national announcement on television. another feature in terms of communication coordination, which is the focus _ communication coordination, which is the focus of— communication coordination, which is the focus of these questions, relates— the focus of these questions, relates to cobra and whether you are invited _ relates to cobra and whether you are invited to _ relates to cobra and whether you are invited to attend any cobra meetings. in the lead up to lockdown, where you invited to any cobra _ lockdown, where you invited to any cobra meetings? no. did you ask to cobra meetings? no did you ask to attend? cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. _ cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. how? _ cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. how? i- cobra meetings? no. did you ask to attend? repeatedly. how? i referredj attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i — attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put _ attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out _ attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out on _ attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out on twitter- attend? repeatedly. how? i referred to a thread i put out on twitter in - to a thread i put out on twitter in the session before lunch. i am pretty sick sure i said there that the mayors should be invited to some if not all cobra meetings. the reason i said that is because i shared the meetings on swine flu. it was an open environment, notjust a small number of people meeting in secrecy and keeping it to themselves. using the facilities of cabinet office, we would often meet with ministers in the room but people were able to dial in around the country. 50 people were able to dial in around the country-— the country. so in your view there was a way — the country. so in your view there was a way in _ the country. so in your view there was a way in which _ the country. so in your view there was a way in which metro - the country. so in your view there was a way in which metro mayors| was a way in which metro mayors could _ was a way in which metro mayors could have — was a way in which metro mayors could have been participants in cobra, — could have been participants in cobra, which was practical? certainly. it should have happened. i have a memory of chairing a weekly meeting during swine flu where, in the cabinet office, in all of the technology, you could bring in voices from around the country and i remember a council leader here, an official in the welsh or scottish government would sit in those meetings. it was, i would say, the way it should have been done. in relation to that, we have heard evidence — relation to that, we have heard evidence of the utility of the cobra meetings, whether there was much benefit _ meetings, whether there was much benefit to— meetings, whether there was much benefit to them, but at that time, from _ benefit to them, but at that time, from your— benefit to them, but at that time, from your perspective, what benefits did you _ from your perspective, what benefits did you think they would have been as an _ did you think they would have been as an attendee?— as an attendee? structured environment _ as an attendee? structured environment where - as an attendee? structured environment where serious j as an attendee? structured - environment where serious issues could have been properly raised. for instance, one that myself and the mayor of the liverpool city region raised throughout the whole thing and never got the response, which was financial support for people on the lowest incomes in secure work and have been asked itself isolate, but had no access to sick pay. we repeatedly raise that issue. but also those excluded from public support, self—employed people, freelancers. we raise those issues but we had nowhere to go. we raised them in the media because we had no alternative. if cobra had been properly structured, we would have been able to put days issues on the agenda and have a response to them but we were never afforded that opportunity. but we were never afforded that opportunity-— but we were never afforded that ouortuni . ., ., . opportunity. you touched upon your collearue, opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow _ opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow mayor, _ opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow mayor, the - opportunity. you touched upon your colleague, fellow mayor, the mayor of liverpool, and both of you in june _ of liverpool, and both of you in june 2020 _ of liverpool, and both of you in june 2020 made a number of public announcements seeking that you would have the _ announcements seeking that you would have the opportunity to attend cobra — have the opportunity to attend cobra. is this have the opportunity to attend cobra. is this a fair summary, you wished _ cobra. is this a fair summary, you wished to— cobra. is this a fair summary, you wished to have the voice of english regions _ wished to have the voice of english regions represented?— wished to have the voice of english regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was — regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was a _ regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was a london _ regions represented? 10096. our worry was there was a london centric - was there was a london centric approach to decision—making and we probably wanted to create a balance in people's thinking by saying, look, this is how it seems from here. and genuinely, it was in the spirit of national emergency. we were not there to use it as a platform for politics or anything like that. it was to say, we are worried, this is a challenging situation, we want to be heard and just taken as seriously as anywhere else. classic example would be the lifting of the first national lockdown. before we get to that, forgive me for interrupting, rewinding a couple of stages. you said ou rewinding a couple of stages. you said you had _ rewinding a couple of stages. you said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned _ said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a — said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter— said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter feed. _ said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter feed. did - said you had asked to attend avenue mentioned a twitter feed. did you i mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact _ mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number— mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number ten _ mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number ten and - mentioned a twitter feed. did you contact number ten and asked i mentio