bbc news goes inside gaza's largest hospital to see what israel says is evidence hamas has been using al—shifa as a command centre. they say that among the things they have uncovered are more than a dozen kalashnikovs, grenades, personal equipment from with the hamas military brigade insignia on it. both israel and the palestinians condemn the first un security council resolution calling for humanitarian pauses in the conflict. i'm sarah campbell in london. the other headlines: president biden holds talks with chinese leader xi jinping. the leaders agree to resume high level military communications. the uk's new top diplomat — former pm david cameron — heads to kyiv, his first foreign trip in the role.

hello welcome to bbc news, i'm mark lowen. we are coming to you live from southern israel. israel has promised to provide proof to back up its claim that hamas was using gaza's largest hospital as a command centre. hamas has repeatedly denied the allegations. president biden says the us has asked israel to be incredibly careful, as its military operation at al—shifa hospital, which began yesterday, continues. the one thing that has been established is that hamas does have headquarters, weapons, material below this hospital and i suspect others. our correspondent lucy williamson has been with the idf at al shifa hospital where israel has promised to show proof of a hamas command centre at gaza's largest hospital. she spoke to us from jerusalem.

israel is really coming under pressure to prove why it carried out the operation it is carrying out in gaza and driving into gaza last night it was clear the scale of the military operation there. parts of city looked as if it had been hit by an earthquake, building decimated, roads churned up, rows of tanks in the streets. so i think the scale of the streets. so i think the scale of the operation is clear, but also israel's desire to try and show the world why it is doing what it is doing. it is still very tense. they took us into the heart of gaza city and to al—shifa hospital that has been the scene of the fiercest fighting. we had to go in darkness through a hole in one of the perimeter walls and were taken to the mri department in the hospital. we weren't allowed to talk to

doctors or patients, we were shown the items the idf said they had found there hidden among the medical equipment. but the real proof that israel is under such global scrutiny for is to provide evidence of the network of turns under the hospital. that —— tunnels under the hospital. there is a lot of hospital to search and they and the us intelligence community believe those tunnels are there. we community believe those tunnels are there. ~ . ., , ., community believe those tunnels are there. ~ . . , ., ., , there. we are in an israeli military vehicle. they're _ there. we are in an israeli military vehicle. they're taking _ there. we are in an israeli military vehicle. they're taking us - there. we are in an israeli military vehicle. they're taking us towards | vehicle. they're taking us towards gaza city. this area is where the ground operation began weeks ago now and since then the israeli army has fought its way towards gaza city, towards the gates of the shifa hospital. that is where they're taking us now. we are still being told to keep our lights off. are we

going this way? the israeli army has been searching through this hospital, you can see they have had to force the door of the mri room to get inside. they have been looking for evidence of this being a hamas base, a place where hamas planned attacks. and they say that among the things they have uncovered are more than a dozen kalashnikovs, grenades, personal protective equipment, some with the hamas brigade insignia on it. we are also told that there have been lap tops the found with some information about the hostages, recent files that suggest this may have been a hamas operating base, as recently as a few days ago. israel has come under scrutiny for the humanitarian cost of its operation in gaza, not least inside the shifa

hospital, where doctors say they are struggling to keep people alive. the hospital doesn't have enough electricity, the food or water. among the patients are dozens of vulnerable new born babies. israel says it has delivered incubators and baby food. but we have no confirmation that the babies have been taken somewhere safer. israel is continuing to come under pressure and it is now that it has control of shifa hospital will come under pressure to prove that hamas was there. lucy williamson with a rare glimpse inside al—shifa hospital. in the uk, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, says he "regrets" the loss of 10 of his shadow ministers. they quit theirjobs over the party's stance on the gaza conflict. a total of 56 labour mps backed an snp amendment calling for a ceasefire. our political correspondent

hannah miller reports. ceasefire now! the calls are getting louder, both outside parliament and in. every minute, every hour, every day we wait is another orphan, another grieving mother, and another family wiped out. we need a full and immediate ceasefire now. my constituents have demanded this and i will not refuse them. there is nothing humanitarian about letting children - eat a little today, only. to bomb them tomorrow. the only humanitarian way forward is an immediate ceasefire. - keir starmer lost ten of his front bench team, including eight shadow ministers, and saw 56 of his mps rebel, all voting in favour of the snp's amendment for a ceasefire. among them is prominent, now former, frontbencherjess phillips.

in a resignation letter she called it a tough week in politics, and wrote... "i can see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk any hope of peace and security for anyone in the region." keir starmer had hoped that his motion calling for a longer humanitarian pause could keep his mps onside. in a letter he said he agrees that "much more needs to be done to ease the humanitarian crisis in gaza. "i regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. "but i want to be clear about where i stood, and where i will stand," he said. "leadership is about doing the right thing." keir starmer will hope this is the last of the challenges he faces on this issue. but as long as mps are hearing voices like this, the division in labour will remain. hannah miller, bbc news. joining me now is our chief political correspondent henry zeffman in westminster.

the resignations were expected in the labour party, is this likely to change labour's stance on the gaza conflict do you think? i change labour's stance on the gaza conflict do you think?— conflict do you think? i don't think it the will change _ conflict do you think? i don't think it the will change labour's - conflict do you think? i don't think it the will change labour's stance. i it the will change labour's stance. i think the resignations reflect the fact that labour's stance is not changing. this is a big rebellion, the biggest parliamentary rebellion there has been against keir starmer�*s authority and leader ship and his whip in westminster since he became labour leader almost four years ago. that is embarrassing for him. on the other hand, his supporters say, well, look he was under a lot of pressure from his mps, who in turn are under pressure from some of their constituents. and he held firm. and given that he has gone through the political pain of accepting these resignations, while trying to whittle them down, i would be surprised if his position now

changes, unless the position of western allies, the us principally, changes significantly. at which point i think labour would move a bit. d0 point i think labour would move a bit. , ., point i think labour would move a bit. i. , ., point i think labour would move a bit. , ., bit. do you feelthe rebellion has been contained _ bit. do you feelthe rebellion has been contained or— bit. do you feelthe rebellion has been contained or is _ bit. do you feelthe rebellion has been contained or is there - bit. do you feelthe rebellion has been contained or is there a - bit. do you feel the rebellion has. been contained or is there a sense there could be further resignations? it is an interesting question. i guess the reason there were resignations last night was because a parliamentary vote took place and the mechanics are such that that can't just the mechanics are such that that can'tjust happen every day. so i think you would have to have another parliamentary moment that forced mps to take a side, to cast a vote and i don't see that happening any time soon. so, ithink don't see that happening any time soon. so, i think for now, yes, don't see that happening any time soon. so, ithink for now, yes, it probably has been contained. but it has also exposed a genuine divide within the labour parliamentary

party on foreign policy. you have more than a quarter of labour mps defy keir starmer on this issue and i'm sure they and especially those mps who felt strongly enough to quit shadow ministerial positions over this, will continue to speak out and that will draw attention to the divide. . ~' , ., that will draw attention to the divide. ., ~ , ., ., that will draw attention to the divide. ., ~ ., , divide. thank you. you can see the s line of divide. thank you. you can see the skyline of gaza _ divide. thank you. you can see the skyline of gaza where _ divide. thank you. you can see the skyline of gaza where the - divide. thank you. you can see the skyline of gaza where the air- skyline of gaza where the air strikes continues. the un security council has — for the first time — approved a resolution calling for humanitarian pauses in the fighting in gaza. the resolution prioritises access for aid and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held inside gaza. both israel and the palestinians criticised the resolution.

joining me now is juliette touma from the united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees. do you have any hope now that the un security council has passed this resolution that aid will increase? there is always hope. a few things need to happen simultaneously at the same time, it is notjust about the increase of humanitarian aid. it is also about the need to get a ceasefire as soon as possible. it is about time, it has been five and a half weeks of hell for the people of gaza. a lot of loss and a lot of misery. there also needs to be a huge shipment of fuel and i when i say huge, i mean it. what we got yesterday is only a few drops. without fuel we won't be able to continue our humanitarian operation

in gaza. it is also time for the siege to be lifted.— in gaza. it is also time for the siege to be lifted. you mentioned the fuel that _ siege to be lifted. you mentioned the fuel that came _ siege to be lifted. you mentioned the fuel that came in _ siege to be lifted. you mentioned the fuel that came in yesterday, l the fuel that came in yesterday, some 23 thousand litres, we understand, just for the un to distribute aid, that your office has called a fraction of what it needs. what did that shipment of aid allow you to do yesterday that you have not been able to do? the you to do yesterday that you have not been able to do?— you to do yesterday that you have not been able to do? the fuel that we not, not been able to do? the fuel that we got. which _ not been able to do? the fuel that we got, which is _ not been able to do? the fuel that we got, which isjust _ not been able to do? the fuel that we got, which isjust over - not been able to do? the fuel that we got, which isjust over 23,000 | we got, which isjust over 23,000 litres, is conditional, by the israeli authorities. for unrwa to put it in our trucks, go to the border and pick up the aid. and then we cannot use that fuel for anything else. it is only for us to pick up those trucks that are coming via the border. we have not seen an increase in the supplies coming in and what we ned now is an increase in the number of trucks and also a predictable shipment and a regular

shipment of fuel coming in support of humanitarian operations in the gaza strip. of humanitarian operations in the gaza stri -. ., .,' . of humanitarian operations in the gaza stri. ., . gaza strip. your office said yesterday _ gaza strip. your office said yesterday that _ gaza strip. your office said yesterday that by - gaza strip. your office said yesterday that by the - gaza strip. your office said yesterday that by the end | gaza strip. your office said | yesterday that by the end of gaza strip. your office said - yesterday that by the end of the day 70% of gazans would be without access to clean water. can you give us a sense today, we are almost six weeks since this conflict began, about the situation on the ground? i mean, look, fuel is impacting people's day—to—day live and fuel is being used as a weapon of war. it is unacceptable and in fact unbelievable that organisations like mine, like unrwa have got to beg to be able to bring in fuel for that we are able to respond to the huge needs on the ground as it sinking further in a humanitarian traj can i. further in a humanitarian traj can l __ further in a humanitarian traj can i. —— tragedy. this should not

happen, fuel should not be used a as weapon of war. unrwa needs it for humanitarian operations, other humanitarian operations, other humanitarian organisations need it. otherwise people will start dying. thank you for your thoughts. another line that continues to is talks on a deal. joe biden said he is mildly optimistic on progress as talks are held for the release of 50 hostages and a similar number of women and children to be released from israeli prisons. we will

continue to bring you all the developments right across this region. that's all from us in southern israel. let's get today's other stories back in london with sarah. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. train drivers are set to stage a fresh round of strikes in their long running dispute over pay. the aslef union has announced a rolling programme of walkouts between the second and the ninth of december — with different train companies affected on each day. drivers will also refuse to work any overtime. bbc analysis shows that two—thirds of nhs maternity units in england don't consistently meet safety standards — as assessed by the health regulator. the care quality commission says maternity has the worst safety ratings of all hospital services it inspects. the government said maternity care was of the "utmost importance". almost half a million women in england will be able to get the contraceptive pill from pharmacies from next

month without the need for a gp appointment. treatments for urinary infections and other common conditions will also be on offer. nhs england said it was a safe and common—sense way of making nhs services easier for patients to use. you're live with bbc news. the former british prime minister, david cameron, has held talks with president zelensky in kyiv, on his first official trip as foreign secretary. lord cameron said he wanted ukraine to be his first destination in his new role, to which he was appointed by the british prime minister rishi sunak on monday. this was a surprise meeting. david cameron as you say, told president zelensky he wanted ukraine to be his first official visit and these are

friendly soils shall we say for a british minister. why? well, the uk is seen as one of ukraine's staunchest allies and the former prime minister, borisjohnson, who was in charge during the full—scale invasion, who was a... instructed his government to supply several, well endless military aid to ukraine. i think that is whey lord cameron referenced his successor borisjohnson, saying we disagreed on this things, but support for ukraine was one of the finest things that his government did. it is interesting when david cameron was prime minister, that was in 2014, when russia embarked on this campaign of aggression against ukraine and the uk and other western allies chose to instead impose sanctions on russia, to condemn the

actions of vladimir putin when he annexed crimea. i wonder what the he thinks now, but nevertheless this was a very warm meeting. mr cameron presumably flew into poland and then took a plane. no press conference. but what volodymyr zelensky would have been listening for was the world continuation, the continued support as david cameron put it as in terms of economic and military support that he said the uk will continue to provide. that will be some comfort to ukraine amidsts continuing political turmoil on the issue of support for ukraine among some allies. president biden has described his talks in san francisco with the chinese leader,

xijinping, as their most constructive and productive discussions yet. mr biden said they agreed to resume high level military—to—military communications. he said "clear and direct contact" was necessary to avoid accidents or misunderstandings. mr xi described china's relationship with the us as the most important in the world. our north america correspondent gary o'donoghue reports from san francisco. it's the first time in a year these two men have even spoken, let alone meet face—to—face. they spent around four hours together, discussing everything from taiwan and technology, to ukraine and the war in the middle east. both sides agreed to resume high—level communications between the two militaries. and china agreed to crack down on chemicals used to make the opioid fentanyl, the biggest killer of young americans. at the press conference afterwardsjoe biden was asked if he trusted president xi. do i trust?

i trust and verify, as the old saying goes. that's where i am. at times he read from prepared briefing cards. but off—script he was more forthright about president xi. would you still refer to president xi as a dictator? well look, he is. he's a dictator in the sense that he... some advisers won't have liked that one bit. after the meeting chinese state media said president xi had told his counterpart planet earth was big enough for both countries to succeed, and that conflict and confrontation would be unbearable for both sides. the meeting is in itself a sign of improving relations, but what really counts is what comes next. events can easily derail progress. gary o'donoghue, bbc news, san francisco. china's president xijinping later gave a speech in san francisco, where he spoke positively about meeting president biden. he also said his country has no intention of challenging the united states.

translation: it is wrong to view china, whip is which is committed to ted to peaceful development. china never bets against the united states. and never interferes in its internal affairs. states. and never interferes in its internalaffairs. china states. and never interferes in its internal affairs. china has no intention to challenge the united states or to unseat it. instead, we will be glad to see a confident, open, ever growing and prosperous united states. likewise, the united states should not bet against china. or interfere in china's internal affairs. it should instead welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous china. whatever stage of development

it may reach, china will never pursue expansion or impose its will on others. china does not seek spheres of influence and will not fight a cold or hot war with anyone. our news correspondent, helena humphrey has been following the events in san francisco, and said expectations were low going into this meeting. coming out of these talks, the white house said that the conversations were condid and they were also —— candid and constructive with agreements for co—operation on a range of issues. firstly that military to military co—operation, perhaps making the world feel like a safer place, bearing in mind the close calls between us and chinese military assets with regards s to planes over the south china sea. now they can pick up the phone army to army and make sure things are not misinterpreted that it isn't seen as

an act of war, were there to be an accident. with regards to ai, an agreement for a working to group to discuss some guard rails in that swiftly developing technology, which china is veried a vapsed in —— very advanced in and with fentanyl and an agreement to work on countering narcotics, that felt more personal for the united states as this country is still in the grip of an opioid epidemic and president biden going into an election year will have to make some progress on that. live now to our correspondent stephen mcdonell, who's in beijing. you is this being viewed, perhaps some headlines we wouldn't have expected prior to the visit? fine expected prior to the visit? one thin that expected prior to the visit? one thing that is _ expected prior to the visit? iaz thing that is interesting, you expected prior to the visit? ©“i2 thing that is interesting, you might expect that in state media here

there would be some reference to or condemnation ofjoe biden answering a question about whether xi jinping was a dictator. he was asked that question. did he still believe that, he said yes. i have seen no reference to that in the media and sometimes when the government wants a problem to go away, it tells the media to be quiet about something and get through it in that way. in fact the coverage has been very positive and here is the wire service coverage and it is in the adjectives. reference to a picturesque backdrop. a high stakes meeting. a significant rendezvous. this shows you that the party here wanted a good result from this, because xijinping wanted a good result from this, because xi jinping needs wanted a good result from this, because xijinping needs it. he has had a terrible 12 months, he has had

to sack some ministers and people want to see that xi jinping is steering china, us relations into calmer water and it may lead to greater economic activity. both leaders said there would be greater person—to—person exchange, that is business visits, students travelling between the two countries. so there is hope there will be a normalisation of relations here. and i think xi normalisation of relations here. and ithink xijinping normalisation of relations here. and i think xijinping will be happy with the way it's all panned out so far, apart from that one question and answer. far, apart from that one question and answer-— far, apart from that one question and answer. ., ,, , ., ,, , and answer. thank you. stay us with here in bbc— and answer. thank you. stay us with here in bbc news. _ and answer. thank you. stay us with here in bbc news. there _ and answer. thank you. stay us with here in bbc news. there is - and answer. thank you. stay us with here in bbc news. there is plenty i here in bbc news. there is plenty more for you today. hello, the temperatures will but and

down over the next few days. we are in a colder spell at the moment. but drier with some sunshine around and then into the weekend it turns more unsettled. but milder once again. today mostly fine, although cloud y. southern britain will see wind and rain at times. tied with this area of low pressure. the main impacts are felt in france and the channel islands. this front will work in from the west to bring some rain through the day. the wet and windy weather pulls away from southern britain as we head through the afternoon. elsewhere a lot of cloud, some showers to the east coast. best of the sunshine will be across northern scotland. rain pushes into northern ireland and spreads across the irish sea into western wales and scotland. a chilly day, temperatures of six to ten or 11 degrees in the south. tonight that weather front spreads across the country, bringing showersy rain. it is followed pi by

clear spells and scattered showers. it will be a chilly night especially in central and northern scotland, a sharp frost there. friday there are still a few fronts around. a much brighter day for friday than today. there will be lots of sunshine, although a chilly start. some showers in the west and later in the day signs of a new system bringing cloudier and windier weather to the south—west. a mostly chilly day. here is saturday, low pressure in control, a lot of isobars, a weather front spreading north. so it will turn blustery and a lot of cloud and rain spreading north through saturday morning, followed by sunshine and blustery showers in the afternoon. the temperatures much

milder on saturday. highs of nine to 15 degrees. similar on sunday, but we should see more sunshine on sunday. particularly top and tail of the country. showers will affect central areas and blustery in the south. still mild, temperatures of 10 to 14 celsius.

this is bbc news. the headlines...

israel is under pressure to prove its claim hamas was using gaza's main hospital as a command centre. soldiers raided the facility on wednesday. at their first face—to—face talks in a year, us presidentjoe biden and chinese leader xijinping agree on measures to ease tension between washington and beijing. and spain's acting—prime minister faces a crucial vote in his bid for re—election, after a controversial amnesty deal for catalan nationalists. there are fears that the mequon river is in crisis. it sustains more than 60 million lives as it travels through china and southeast asia. it is facing an onslaught of dam building,

intensifying climate change and sand dredging.