she is also a member of the elders, an international non—governmental organisation of public figures who are calling for a shift in policy from us presidentjoe biden. the elders were started with nelson mandela as patron, kofi annan has chaired it, until his untimely death, and now it is the former president of ireland mary robinson. and mary robinson and ban ki—moon, former un secretary—general, both actually visited israel palestine backin actually visited israel palestine back in may this year and came away extremely worried about what they saw. and it was really with a sense of dread that the elders saw these events unfold. so, we did in the past of weeks right to president biden, we said that it needed him to step up now to rally forces for peace. there needs to be a clear plan for peace. now, clearly the longer you can keep a cessation of hostilities and a truce going, the more chance you have of building the conditions for peace. but it is going to need a big coalition of countries beyond israel palestine and its borders to really be pushing for once and all to get that two—state solution internationally supported in place. two-state solution internationally supported in place.— two-state solution internationally supported in place. now, i've read this letter that _ supported in place. now, i've read this letter that you _ supported in place. now, i've read this letter that you have _ supported in place. now, i've read this letter that you have sent - supported in place. now, i've read this letter that you have sent to i this letter that you have sent to president biden, which you have signed, helen, so, you talk about his leadership, how key it is that the us does lead on this, how do you see their leadership so far and the leadership of president biden on this so far?— leadership of president biden on this so far? ~ , �* this so far? well, president biden has made it _ this so far? well, president biden has made it very _ this so far? well, president biden has made it very clear _ this so far? well, president biden has made it very clear where - this so far? well, president biden has made it very clear where he i has made it very clear where he stands with respect to israel. but he's also obviously hearing other voices of great concern about the carnage which has occurred in gaza as a result of the bombardment. he has himself, several times during this current conflict, returned to the need for the two—state agreement. so, while in the situation we are in everything looks bleak, sometimes it is at the bleakest hour that people will step forward and say, we cannot continue to go through this. so, the us can't achieve this on its own, whatever its influence with israel may be. this needs a big group of actors to come together, i'm heartened that the european union is calling for an international peace conference, go back to madrid, where there was 1/30 years ago. we've had so many failed attempts, but can the horror we see now propel the world community to come together and to say to all forces between israel and palestine, please, neveragain, please negotiate on the solution that is on the table. it negotiate on the solution that is on the table. ., , ,. , the table. it has been described many times _ the table. it has been described many times as _ the table. it has been described many times as the _ the table. it has been described many times as the forever - the table. it has been described many times as the forever war, | the table. it has been described - many times as the forever war, this conflict in israel, in palestine, in gaza, one of the things you mention in this letter is the current leadership on both sides are not the right leaders to see through a peace agreement, give us your take on that? , a, that? so, the letter says that we don't believe _ that? so, the letter says that we don't believe that _ that? so, the letter says that we don't believe that israel- that? so, the letter says that we don't believe that israel and - don't believe that israel and palestine can do this on their own, and clearly implicit in that is, do the leaders currently in place there have the will, the capacity, to do this on their own? no, they don't. which is why the support of the us and europe, the support of the gulf states, egypt, jordan, the support of turkey, which is in the near neighbourhood, the support of others who have an interest in not seeing this go on and on. i think the coalition can be built, i think the us can't do it on its own, either, but the us now opening the door to others to come into the conversation, and that includes the un, which has often been somewhat marginalised on the issue of how to bring peace to the region, if we all work together, we could get the solution. but it needs many to tango, notjust two.— solution. but it needs many to tango, notjust two. also, it needs determination, _ tango, notjust two. also, it needs determination, resilience - tango, notjust two. also, it needs determination, resilience and - tango, notjust two. also, it needs determination, resilience and a - determination, resilience and a commitment for the long haul on this, doesn't it, something that you say clearly in this letter is, this is not going to be a quick fix by any means, and i'm sure everybody would agree with that? it will take some time to see through a peaceful outcome, whatever that looks like. given the political changes that we are going to see in the year ahead, it is a tumultuous year, 2024, we've got an election in the united states, in india, probably in the united kingdom, lots of leadership change across europe, it is a time when there could be a lot of change in politics globally? yes. when there could be a lot of change in politics globally?— in politics globally? yes, indeed. and often it _ in politics globally? yes, indeed. and often it has _ in politics globally? yes, indeed. and often it has been _ in politics globally? yes, indeed. and often it has been in - in politics globally? yes, indeed. and often it has been in the - in politics globally? yes, indeed. and often it has been in the last| and often it has been in the last year of an american presidency where a serious effort has been made to try to address the issue of the two—state solution. so, we're coming up two—state solution. so, we're coming up to that year again, we don't know what the end of the year will bring but i think 2024 is a critical year, if there is ever a year to try and do it, to build the confidence between the two sides, and it is in the end about confidence building measures, that is why a sustained truce in gaza is so important, then we could just crack it. but if we waste this opportunity now, when will it come back again?— waste this opportunity now, when will it come back again? helen, what is our cut will it come back again? helen, what is your gut feeling — will it come back again? helen, what is your gut feeling about _ will it come back again? helen, what is your gut feeling about this? - will it come back again? helen, what is your gut feeling about this? you i is your gut feeling about this? you have been to gaza in your role at the united nations, of course you are the elders with mary robinson, kofi annan and others, what is your gut feeling telling you about this situation which my gut feeling is telling me that it is incredibly hard. but my gut feeling is also telling me that on both sides of the line, israelis and palestinians want a future of peace and security where they can get on with their lives. i think one of the most powerful pressures on the israeli government now is the families of the hostages, because if a true sense now, with half the hostages still there, well, there's huge grief and concern in israel, and of course we're seeing many young people and also some women in released from israeli detention who really shouldn't have been there. so, now is the time, i know it's hard, but if not now, when do we try? helen clarke, former prime minister of new zealand. let's talk more about the aid situation in gaza. i'm joined now by bushra khalidi, 0xfam s policy lead, who's in ramallah. —— helen clark. welcome to you. what do you understand about what is happening in terms of aid are getting through to those people in gaza? ,, ., ., getting through to those people in gaza? ., ., , , getting through to those people in gaza? ., .,, , u, gaza? so, the aid has been coming in, as it gaza? so, the aid has been coming in. as it has. _ gaza? so, the aid has been coming in, as it has, before _ gaza? so, the aid has been coming in, as it has, before the _ gaza? so, the aid has been coming in, as it has, before the pause, - gaza? so, the aid has been coming in, as it has, before the pause, but basically now we don't have relentless bombardment or fear that we might lose some more aid workers, which the un already has many. there has been an increase in the trucks, up has been an increase in the trucks, up to 400, but we know that not all of them have come in every day. we know that only a few dozen have reached the north and it's also unclear how many people remain in the north. we're talking between 200000 and half a million people still potentially stranded in the north, unable to evacuate or unwilling to do so, and understandably so. so, i think it is not about a, it is about what this pause has provided for people in gaza, it provided them a glimpse into a very, very concerning future, people realised during this pause that their homes had been destroyed, that their homes had been destroyed, that their homes had been destroyed, that their belongings have gone, and really that their future has been shattered. there's no schools, no hospitals, very few running, and if they are running, they are running at maximum capacity with very little supplies and very little abilities. and water and electricity have still not been restored to gaza, nor have telecom, 100%. so, the aid should be a parallel support with the construction of gaza and should be sustained and we welcome the increase of trucks, of course, but these are not the key priorities, these are not the key priorities, the key priorities are a permanent ceasefire, so that we can brilliant meaningfully deliver a, an increase in the entry of fuel, because the fuel currently is not running the wastewater treatment plants or the power plants or the bakeries or the hospitals. so, the impact of this pauseis hospitals. so, the impact of this pause is not really being felt by ordinary gazans. if anything, like i said, they havejust ordinary gazans. if anything, like i said, they have just caught a glimpse into a really, really grim future. and that is understandable with so much of the north destroyed and so many personalfamily situation is now in very dire circumstances.— situation is now in very dire circumstances. the reality is, reconstruction _ circumstances. the reality is, reconstruction cannot - circumstances. the reality is, reconstruction cannot begin l circumstances. the reality is, i reconstruction cannot begin until there is a definite end in the hostilities, though? absolutely, exact and it _ hostilities, though? absolutely, exact and it is _ hostilities, though? absolutely, exact and it is not _ hostilities, though? absolutely, exact and it is notjust _ hostilities, though? absolutely, exact and it is notjust in - hostilities, though? absolutely, exact and it is notjust in the - exact and it is notjust in the north, by the way, there are entire neighbourhoods that have been raised to the ground in the south and in the middle area. the carpet bombing tactics that have been used have actually been used all across the gaza strip and this is why we have been stressing that there are no safe areas in gaza. my family has been displaced three times in gaza, and twice in the south. so, you know, and theyjust realised during this pause they were able to get in touch with neighbours of theirs that were in gaza city, which is where they are originally from, that went to the home and realised yesterday that the home was partially destroyed and a home for everybody is a dream and a home is a sanctuary, and a home is where you build your dreams as you build your children's dreams and their hopes, and not having a home, i think you and not having a home, i think you and i can both imagine what pain causes for people, let alone for those people that have also lost their entire families. so, i cannot stress enough that a permanent ceasefire is the only way for us as humanitarians to be able to deliver meaningfully and respond meaningfully and respond meaningfully to this unprecedented crisis. this is an unprecedented situation where we have almost 1.8 million people forcibly displaced, collectively punished by israel, by shutting off water and services and food and medical supplies and fuel. and these are war crimes. and not only do we need a permanent ceasefire, i think we need a permanent solution to this. and my nephews that live in gaza, this is not the first time they have lived this, every two years of their lives they have encountered, endured a war, they have never left gaza because they have never been allowed to. so, you know, also, we need an end to the siege in gaza. and an end to the occupation, and accountability, perpetrators of violence, all perpetrators of violence, all perpetrators of violence, should be held accountable for war crimes.— violence, should be held accountable for war crimes. thank you very much, and i'm for war crimes. thank you very much, and i'm sorry — for war crimes. thank you very much, and i'm sorry this _ for war crimes. thank you very much, and i'm sorry this is _ for war crimes. thank you very much, and i'm sorry this is very _ for war crimes. thank you very much, and i'm sorry this is very personal- and i'm sorry this is very personal and i'm sorry this is very personal and a difficult situation for you and a difficult situation for you and yourfamily, and as you and a difficult situation for you and your family, and as you would understand as well, israel would say they can't live next door to hamas, which is... i they can't live next door to hamas, which is- - -— which is... iwould disagree, i have many israeli _ which is... iwould disagree, i have many israeli friends _ which is... iwould disagree, i have many israeli friends and _ which is... iwould disagree, i have many israeli friends and we - which is... iwould disagree, i have many israeli friends and we work. many israeli friends and we work with israeli partners who actually disagree with that, and i think that there is a huge portion of population in israel which is not being heard right now by their government, their respective government, their respective government, and we saw this before 7th october, we had hundreds of thousands of israelis protesting in the streets against this right—wing government... that the streets against this right-wing government - -_ government... that is a different thing protesting _ government... that is a different thing protesting against - government... that is a different thing protesting against a - thing protesting against a government and a government saying, how can they live next door to an organisation designated a terrorist organisation, hamas, by many countries around the world including the us and the uk which perpetrated this horrendous attack on israel on 7th october in which 1200 people were murdered. but 7th october in which 1200 people were murdered.— 7th october in which 1200 people were murdered. but israel has been imprisoning — were murdered. but israel has been imprisoning palestinians _ were murdered. but israel has been imprisoning palestinians for - were murdered. but israel has been| imprisoning palestinians for decades without trial or arrest. it has occupied, it is an extinct land here in the west bank, i live in ramallah, i live under military occupation, and there is no hamas governing authority here, yet there is not a palestinian family or palestinian people here in the west bank that don't have relatives or friends that have been either put in prison, arrested, under administrative detention. there are 640 checkpoints, enclosures, we cannot move from one city to the other. and here, seven communities since 7th october have been forcibly displaced and expelled. 50. since 7th october have been forcibly displaced and expelled.— displaced and expelled. so, would ou sa displaced and expelled. so, would you say that _ displaced and expelled. so, would you say that hamas _ displaced and expelled. so, would you say that hamas were - displaced and expelled. so, would you say that hamas were justified | displaced and expelled. so, would i you say that hamas were justified in their actions? you say that hamas were justified in theiractions? ida. you say that hamas were 'ustified in their actions?— their actions? no, of course they are notjustified _ their actions? no, of course they are notjustified in _ their actions? no, of course they are notjustified in their - their actions? no, of course they are notjustified in their actions, | are notjustified in their actions, when did i ever say that? i am askint. when did i ever say that? i am asking- iitut — when did i ever say that? i am asking. but there _ when did i ever say that? i am asking. but there is _ when did i ever say that? i am asking. but there is a - when did i ever say that? i am asking. but there is a context| when did i ever say that? i am l asking. but there is a context to this that has _ asking. but there is a context to this that has fostered _ asking. but there is a context to this that has fostered violence l asking. but there is a context to i this that has fostered violence and has allowed violence to fester. and this is the root causes and when we talk about the root causes, that is military occupation and the siege on gaza, people have been living under siege, in an open—air prison, for 16 years, children have lived in an open prison for 16 years, not allowed to leave, not allowed to seek education outside of gaza, not allowed to seek help outside of gaza. what about all the cancer patients that should be getting treatment in the west bank and israel that are not allowed to leave? �* �* ., , israel that are not allowed to leave? �* .,, leave? aren't many palestinians ttettin leave? aren't many palestinians getting treatment _ leave? aren't many palestinians getting treatment in _ leave? aren't many palestinians getting treatment in israel, - leave? aren't many palestinians getting treatment in israel, thatj leave? aren't many palestinians l getting treatment in israel, that is the case that some are given treatment, i have seen that myself? they are stuck here, those that were getting treatment before 7th october that are unable to return back to gaza because... but that are unable to return back to gaza because. . ._ that are unable to return back to gaza because... but previously to 7th october- _ gaza because. .. but previously to 7th october- i— gaza because... but previously to 7th october. | just _ gaza because... but previously to 7th october. i just want _ gaza because... but previously to 7th october. i just want to - gaza because... but previously to 7th october. i just want to say - gaza because... but previously to | 7th october. i just want to say that 7th october. i 'ust want to say that man of 7th october. i just want to say that many of them. _ 7th october. i just want to say that many of them, most _ 7th october. i just want to say that many of them, most of _ 7th october. i just want to say that many of them, most of them, - 7th october. i just want to say that j many of them, most of them, 9996 7th october. i just want to say that i many of them, most of them, 99% of them, their permits have been refused to get tr