the israel defense forces have announced the beginning of a new ground operation in southern gaza, just north of the city of khan younis. israel continued its renewed bombardment of gaza for a third day, having told more palestinians to leave areas in and around khan younis immediately. the hamas—run health ministry in gaza says more than 15,500 people have now been killed there since the start of the conflict between israel and hamas, which is considered a terrorist organsation by the uk government. this is the scene live outside al nasser hospital in khan younis an area that has been under frequent assault. the scenes both inside and ouside the hospital are traumatic. these pictures were shot today. children are among those being driven to the hospital carried inside by family and friends. for many, the journey to hospital was too late. a senior adviser to the israeli prime mininister has insisted israel is doing all it can to minimise the deaths of civilians in gaza, after the us defence secretary, lloyd austin, said israel had a moral responsiblity to minimise casualties not linked to hamas. our middle east correspondent paul adams has this report, and a warning it contains images some viewers may find distressing. in causes overcrowded south children are once more in the front line. —— gaza's. israel says it's going to great lengths to avoid killing civilians but can't —— khan younis is a hamas stronghold. the hospital is a hamas stronghold. the hospital is overrun. further south civilians try to evacuate as battles rage. for a week the streets were silent and not the israeli army is closing in. in jabalia refugee not the israeli army is closing in. injabalia refugee camp a generation in disparate losing parents and protection. people are fleeing not for the first time trying to follow the israeli instructions, not sure where to go. translation: ~ ., where to go. translation: ., , whereto go. translation: ., , where to go. translation: ., , ., , translation: we cannot see any safe area. this translation: we cannot see any safe area- this is— translation: we cannot see any safe area. this is his _ translation: we cannot see any safe area. this is his family _ translation: we cannot see any safe area. this is his family is _ translation: we cannot see any safe area. this is his family is a _ translation: we cannot see any safe area. this is his family is a six - area. this is his family is a six move. area. this is his family is a six move- we _ area. this is his family is a six move- we go _ area. this is his family is a six move. we go from _ area. this is his family is a six move. we go from place - area. this is his family is a six move. we go from place to i area. this is his family is a six - move. we go from place to place. there is no safety anywhere. israel says its new maps showing specific blocks in danger of being attacked should make it easierfor people blocks in danger of being attacked should make it easier for people to find safety. this is basically the policy of israel. but for one british policy and there was only confusion —— confusion. british policy and there was only confusion -- confusion. everyone is in a anic confusion -- confusion. everyone is in a panic because _ confusion -- confusion. everyone is in a panic because they _ confusion -- confusion. everyone is in a panic because they got - confusion -- confusion. everyone is in a panic because they got a - confusion -- confusion. everyone is in a panic because they got a blockl in a panic because they got a block for block 49 and they pulled the family in the area and told them they must leave.— family in the area and told them they must leave. people are being -ushed they must leave. people are being pushed like _ they must leave. people are being pushed like pawns _ they must leave. people are being pushed like pawns on _ they must leave. people are being pushed like pawns on a _ they must leave. people are being| pushed like pawns on a chessboard with no _ pushed like pawns on a chessboard with no water, no sanitation, no safetx — with no water, no sanitation, no safetx this _ with no water, no sanitation, no safety. this idea of safe zones is a very dangerous narrative. we safety. this idea of safe zones is a very dangerous narrative.- very dangerous narrative. we see here a fighting — very dangerous narrative. we see here a fighting tunnel _ very dangerous narrative. we see here a fighting tunnel of - very dangerous narrative. we see here a fighting tunnel of hamas. | here a fighting tunnel of hamas. israel_ here a fighting tunnel of hamas. israel says— here a fighting tunnel of hamas. israel says it _ here a fighting tunnel of hamas. israel says it continues - here a fighting tunnel of hamas. israel says it continues to - here a fighting tunnel of hamas. israel says it continues to show. israel says it continues to show evidence of hamas embedding itself in civilian areas here a tunnel close to a school. the battle for gaza now rages in the north and the south. it's tough for urban warfare full of risk and a determined enemy. this morning, a funeral of israeli staff sergeant wounded during the ground invasion last month. translation: we ground invasion last month. translation:— ground invasion last month. translation: ~ ., , ., , ., translation: we fought bravely for the protection _ translation: we fought bravely for the protection of _ translation: we fought bravely for the protection of the _ translation: we fought bravely for the protection of the state, - translation: we fought bravely for the protection of the state, we - the protection of the state, we salute you. the protection of the state, we salute yon-— the protection of the state, we salute you. the protection of the state, we salute ou. . , ., ., �* salute you. hamas is not done. all rockets fired _ salute you. hamas is not done. all rockets fired at _ salute you. hamas is not done. all rockets fired at israel _ salute you. hamas is not done. all rockets fired at israel today. - rockets fired at israel today. memories of the precious truths from last week fading fast. let's speak to our international editor, jeremy bowen, who's injerusalem. it feels very much like the israeli defence forces are now fully focusing on southern gaza and the area around khan younis. yes focusing on southern gaza and the area around khan younis.- area around khan younis. yes the israeli area around khan younis. yes the israeli army _ area around khan younis. yes the israeli army radio _ area around khan younis. yes the israeli army radio has _ area around khan younis. yes the israeli army radio has reported i area around khan younis. yes the l israeli army radio has reported that they are pushing into that area and thatis they are pushing into that area and that is a confirmation, effectively. there have been other sources as well saying that is happening. they have always said this is but they will do. the objective that they want to achieve which is to destroy hamas will mean that they will have to go into gaza but the comments particularly, those strong comments from the us defence secretary, lloyd austin, saying effectively, they could get a tactical victory, but a strategic defeat if they continue to kill civilians at the rate that they have. that they will also push people into the arms and the mindset of israel's enemies. i think that is something very powerful coming from where it does and it suggests, if you remember at the very beginning, presidentjoe biden came here and said, don't become blinded by your rage in the way that america was after the 9/11 attacks by al-qaeda in 2001. these continuing comments from american saying stop killing so many civilians suggesting that israelis have been blinded by rage in the opinion of the americans. find in the opinion of the americans. and the american — in the opinion of the americans. and the american opinion matters to the israelis, does not? it is the american opinion matters to the israelis, does not?— israelis, does not? it is israel's most important _ israelis, does not? it is israel's most important ally _ israelis, does not? it is israel's most important ally not - israelis, does not? it is israel's most important ally notjust . israelis, does not? it is israel's| most important ally notjust the most important ally not just the leading supplier of arms but critically, they have israel's back diplomatically at the united nations in the security council over a considerable period of time, america has used its veto to protect israel, diplomatically. so i think that america's opinion is highly significant for the israelis. however, mr netanyahu as a prime minister has a record of not doing quite as the americans want him to do and not least, joe biden. in the past they have had a very poor relationship and it may well be that they are prioritising what they believe is important, the israelis. which is to exact vengeance that mr netanyahu talked about at the beginning against hamas and also to remove it as a threat of any nature to the israeli people. the big question is whether they are going about it in the right way. clearly the americans have some doubts. and even whether that objective, the high bar they have set themselves, is attainable. in high bar they have set themselves, is attainable-— is attainable. in terms of the israeli people _ is attainable. in terms of the israeli people and _ is attainable. in terms of the israeli people and what - is attainable. in terms of the i israeli people and what people is attainable. in terms of the - israeli people and what people in israeli people and what people in israel inc. and believe, what are they saying about how things have gone so far? what is public opinion sing about the way things are going? i think this is still a highly traumatised country. i think people are still horrified by everything that happens on the 7th of october in more than that they are horrified by what it says about the security of the country. while the government of the country. while the government of mr netanyahu had a great deal of opposition, regular demonstrations at the weekend for months and months before all of this happened. i think israelis basically always had the idea that whatever happened with the politicians, the army can keep them safe. but that did not happen on the 7th of october. i think that for israelis, that is something very fundamental and it is one reason why they are, i think, still very traumatised about what happened. and also i think a lot of israelis have hardened their hearts about what is happening in gaza. they see this as a fight they have to win and they say, look, we did not start this on october the 7th, hamas attacked us, as to what israelis say. therefore, we have to take action any state would do it. the question though is whether israel is doing it within the laws of war which is leading allies, notjust americans but the british and others have a very clearly said they need to do. jeremy, thank you for that. our international editor there. let's gets more assessment now on israel's ongoing war. for further assessment of israel's ongoing military operation, we speak now to michael clarke, who is the former director—general of rusi. thank you forjoining us and let me ask you first of all but what we have seen so far in light of this latest ground operation we are hearing from israeli army radio. tiara hearing from israeli army radio. two oints of hearing from israeli army radio. “ti-nip points of importance today. one that is israel is going into the jabalia refugee camp in the north. it was always going to do that because the israelis always said and i am sure they are not wrong that the jabalia refugee camp was a headquarters for hamas they organise and recruited in the camp and had facilities below it. sojust the camp and had facilities below it. so just as the algae for hospital was a major israeli target in the north, jabalia refugee was the next. when they finished and i'll see for they would always go to jabalia refugee and that is what doing now. in the south it looks as if they had started a ground offensive toward khan younis. we were not sure if they would do this but if they do they are trying to get people moving west of khan younis towards the coast which is what they would like them to do and you and agencies have said, we won't facilitate this. we will not help. because all it will do if you cram people into the western corner of the gaza strip, there is no hygiene, no water, no facilities and so on. so the israelis are trying to move people around as one is your correspondent said almost like a chess board and that is not likely to work very well so as they move in towards khan younis this will certainly get a lot more brutal as far as civilian casualties and hamas, 20,000 of them now, are in with the civilian population so they will move in and of the civilian population as it moves.- will move in and of the civilian population as it moves. what is the next step for _ population as it moves. what is the next step for israel _ population as it moves. what is the next step for israel given _ population as it moves. what is the next step for israel given the - next step for israel given the complications you were talking about? , , about? they will destroy the -h sical about? they will destroy the physical facilities _ about? they will destroy the physical facilities of - about? they will destroy the physical facilities of hamas i about? they will destroy the l physical facilities of hamas as about? they will destroy the - physical facilities of hamas as they come across them so as they get into tunnels and whatever facilities they discover in khan younis and probably the rafah crossing as well which is probably the next area they will go for they will physically destroy what they can, but given that they can't take themselves, their 25,000 armed terrorists in hamas there are some sing 40,000 but are part—timers, 25,000 they think they have captured 5000 so there are 20,000, most now in the south so this people are not going to hang around to be killed or captured, they will keep moving either in tunnels or with the civilian population. so the israelis could physically destroy what hamas has got, but they will be lucky if they can actually eliminate the 20,000 they say they are determined to eliminate. in they say they are determined to eliminate. ., they say they are determined to eliminate. . ., , eliminate. in the meantime as the offensive continues, _ eliminate. in the meantime as the offensive continues, we _ eliminate. in the meantime as the offensive continues, we are - eliminate. in the meantime as the offensive continues, we are not i eliminate. in the meantime as the i offensive continues, we are not seen hostages were released in the same way they were being released during the truce. that is being held by many of the hostages families within israel over the head of the government.— israel over the head of the government. israel over the head of the rovernment. , ., ., ., government. yes, there are two real riorities government. yes, there are two real priorities here. _ government. yes, there are two real priorities here. what _ government. yes, there are two real priorities here. what netanyahu i priorities here. what netanyahu originally was saying is the best way to get hostages released is to attack hamas to then release some hostages as and when we come across them. we will have to take our chances that some will be killed in the offensive. we can't help that. when we put hamas under another military pressure they will do a deal to release hostages. but is what he was saying. the us in october, the 18th of october when jill biden went to see netanyahu in israel, it was clear thatjoe biden did not buy that argument. the whole of the international community said if you are going to get the hostages out you have to negotiate it with a pause, a cease—fire in which you are treating aid into gaza against cease—fire and hostages coming out so there are still 130 hostages there. what israelis are saying is that we are back to the original idea that the best way to get them out of sticky keep and hamas militarily. most of the reston world does not believe that so i think another pause is not impossible. i think is really doing what they can militarily while they can because they know that their time to conduct this offensive is probably limited as the rest of the world gets more worried by it and more appalled by the level of civilian casualties. professor michael clarke, thank you very much. an interfaith peace vigilfor israel and gaza is being held in central london this evening. live now to meghan owen at downing street. hi, earlier today that there was a village old that happened just behind me, hundreds gathered to listen to speeches by faith leaders including the archbishop of canterbury who talked about love and forgiveness and he also said that we will not let islam a phobia or anti—semitism have a place on our streets and there were also speeches about politicians from all parties and bereaved families as well. this is organised together for humanity and the aim of the vigil today was to promote peace and to mourn people who had been killed in the conflict on both sides. i am joined by two of the speakers a palestinian peace activist and an israeli peace activists. how did you feel that it went today? it activists. how did you feel that it went today?— went today? it went really well, many peeple — went today? it went really well, many people showed _ went today? it went really well, many people showed up - went today? it went really well, many people showed up and i went today? it went really well, i many people showed up and people were hungry teachers such vigils and such stands— were hungry teachers such vigils and such stands in this hard time because _ such stands in this hard time because people do not know how to deal with— because people do not know how to deal with this conflict, how to not choose _ deal with this conflict, how to not choose the — deal with this conflict, how to not choose the side of hate. and we showed — choose the side of hate. and we showed to— choose the side of hate. and we showed to them. it is good that they are paying _ showed to them. it is good that they are paying attention to this conflict _ are paying attention to this conflict but they should never let hate come to the way because no amount— hate come to the way because no amount of— hate come to the way because no amount of hate will ensure any family— amount of hate will ensure any family home. and if they can come together— family home. and if they can come together then this gives hope to people — together then this gives hope to people they are that one day there will be _ people they are that one day there will be peace there. you people they are that one day there will be peace there.— will be peace there. you both have very personal _ will be peace there. you both have very personal reasons _ will be peace there. you both have very personal reasons for - will be peace there. you both have very personal reasons for being i will be peace there. you both have i very personal reasons for being here you both had family members killed in the conflict, what drives you to be here today?— in the conflict, what drives you to be here toda ? . ., ., ., ., be here today? hamas has a son who is six and my — be here today? hamas has a son who is six and my son _ be here today? hamas has a son who is six and my son is _ be here today? hamas has a son who is six and my son is almost _ be here today? hamas has a son who is six and my son is almost seven i is six and my son is almost seven —— hamza _ is six and my son is almost seven —— hamza i_ is