slovakia's nationalist government. and in australia — more than 150 people are rescued from floods in sydney — as others prepare to leave their homes. welcome to bbc news. hello, i'm lukwesa burak. the israeli military has recovered the body of a hostage in gaza, during an overnight operation. it accused the islamichhad group of murdering the man, who's been identified as elad katzir. he was 47 years old. israel said its mission to search for hostages, and return them to israel, would continue. from jerusalem, hugo bachega reports. elad katzir was kidnapped in southern israel six months ago. his body returned from gaza today.

the israeli military says he was murdered in captivity by the islamichhad group. and his body was found overnight. during the attack on kibbutz nir oz in october. elad katzir�*s father was killed and his mother was abducted, but freed in a deal in november. in a facebook post, his sister committe blamed the israeli government for his death. in gaza, a desperate wait for food amid warnings of famine. aid deliveries have been, at best, sporadic when help does arrive. people rush to get it. translation: when we were displaced at the beginning, we used to eat rotten bread because of the high prices of food here. this is the only place where i can get food for my children. the attack on a convoy that killed seven aid workers this week has put even more pressure on israel. from the us came a warning it should

do more to boost humanitarian assistance and protect civilians and aid workers or risk losing american support. the world food programme has been able here to serve 1 million people every month with food because they completely depend on us. but we have challenges. we don't have the necessary security guarantees to work here. israel is not only facing pressure from its allies, but also threats from its enemies. the army here is on high alert. there is anxiety about a possible iranian strike. iran has vowed to respond to the death of a senior commander in damascus earlier this week, in an attack iran has blamed on israel. both sides may still want to avoid a full—out war, but miscalculation is always a risk, and the consequences of an escalation unpredictable.

our chief correspondent lyse doucet has been reporting from israel on the 6 month anniversary of the hamas attack in october last year. israel is under banding pressure to do more to bring the hostages home. but, also, to change the way it is fighting this war. presidentjoe biden of the united states, one of israel's strongest allies from the very beginning of this war, as in the past few days significantly toughened his language, and in what was widely described as a very tense telephone conversation on thursday, with israel's pro minister, benjamin netanyahu, he warned that if israel did not change the way it was fighting this war, america would have to change its policy. the united states and many other countries around the world arising israel to be much more to get aid into gaza, to protect civilians, and to bring about a ceasefire which could bring the hostages home. so,

is this a significant moment? i have been speaking to an ambassador, and former us diplomat, now president of the us deer council... i asked a feat she thought it was a turning point. feat she thought it was a turning oint. ~ ., �* , feat she thought it was a turning oint, ~ ., �* , ., , ~' point. we haven't seen anything like this in decades _ point. we haven't seen anything like this in decades in _ point. we haven't seen anything like this in decades in the _ point. we haven't seen anything like this in decades in the close - this in decades in the close relationship between the united states_ relationship between the united states and israel. there has not been _ states and israel. there has not been questioning at senior levels about_ been questioning at senior levels about our— been questioning at senior levels about our arms relationship, let alone _ about our arms relationship, let alone the — about our arms relationship, let alone the diplomatic relationship. this is_ alone the diplomatic relationship. this is a _ alone the diplomatic relationship. this is a change everyone can mark as significant and meaningful. the relationship, of course, there is a long _ relationship, of course, there is a long pipeline for weapon sales. any urgent _ long pipeline for weapon sales. any urgent or— long pipeline for weapon sales. any urgent or immediate pivot is something that would be very difficult — something that would be very difficult to carry out. the signal is strong, — difficult to carry out. the signal is strong, and one clearly the prime mihister_ is strong, and one clearly the prime minister is — is strong, and one clearly the prime minister is heeding. do is strong, and one clearly the prime minister is heeding.— minister is heeding. do you think president biden _ minister is heeding. do you think

president biden will— minister is heeding. do you think president biden will respond - minister is heeding. do you think president biden will respond to l minister is heeding. do you think i president biden will respond to this congressional call? he is willing to use tough talk, as you know, but many ask if he would actually take the step to suspend the transfer of those arms that israel depends on. they make up two thirds of the weaponry israel is using to fight this war. ~ ., weaponry israel is using to fight this war. . ., ., _ , this war. true. what i would say is that the president _ this war. true. what i would say is that the president clearly - that the president clearly communicated to the prime minister that he _ communicated to the prime minister that he meant business. president biden— that he meant business. president biden is— that he meant business. president biden is known for his straight talk, _ biden is known for his straight talk, which we understand was used during _ talk, which we understand was used during that — talk, which we understand was used during that call. these calls from democratic members of congress to strengthen his hand. this helps the prime _ strengthen his hand. this helps the prime minister understand that this is hot _ prime minister understand that this is hotiust_ prime minister understand that this is notjust talk, that prime minister understand that this is not just talk, that there prime minister understand that this is notjust talk, that there is smart— is notjust talk, that there is support from the united states from tong-time _ support from the united states from long—time staunch supporters of the government of israel and israel as a nation _ government of israel and israel as a nation who— government of israel and israel as a nation who are saying that enough is

enough. _ nation who are saying that enough is enough, that there are changes that are necessary. so, i strongly believe — are necessary. so, i strongly believe these members of congress are strengthening the hand of the president, and should give the changes— president, and should give the changes that the united states is looking _ changes that the united states is looking for that will mean the relationship doesn't have to alter in an— relationship doesn't have to alter in an appreciable way. the ambassador _ in an appreciable way. the ambassador who - in an appreciable way. the ambassador who is - in an appreciable way. tie: ambassador who is now the in an appreciable way. t'i9 ambassador who is now the president of the middle east policy council. president biden has called for an immediate ceasefire in gaza, and that comes after similar calls were made by foreign ministers across the region, and leaders who say that there should have been a ceasefire a long time ago. the call has been especially pronounced from arab foreign ministers who are allies of the united states. one of the loudest has come from jordan. i have been speaking to the foreign minister ofjordan and deputy prime minister, and i asked him what he made a president biden�*s toughening stance. let

made a president biden's toughening stance. , :, , , :, stance. let us hope it is, for the last six months, _ stance. let us hope it is, for the last six months, i'll _ stance. let us hope it is, for the last six months, i'll heard - stance. let us hope it is, for the i last six months, i'll heard nothing from _ last six months, i'll heard nothing from an— last six months, i'll heard nothing from an israeli government defying the whole _ from an israeli government defying the whole international community, proceeding with a massacre that has produced _ proceeding with a massacre that has produced nothing but death, suffering, and destruction to the palestinians. six months into the massacre. — palestinians. six months into the massacre, the world has to act more assertively— massacre, the world has to act more assertively to ensure israel complies with international law and humanitarian law, not only stopping the killing _ humanitarian law, not only stopping the killing of palestinians but stopping the starvation which is claiming — stopping the starvation which is claiming more lives day in and day out. claiming more lives day in and day out it— claiming more lives day in and day out it is— claiming more lives day in and day out. it is way past time that israel is held _ out. it is way past time that israel is held responsible for what it is done, _ is held responsible for what it is done, and — is held responsible for what it is done, and stops this massacre and allows— done, and stops this massacre and allows all— done, and stops this massacre and allows all of us to come together and see — allows all of us to come together and see how we can get beyond this misery— and see how we can get beyond this misery and — and see how we can get beyond this misery and work towards a future that witi— misery and work towards a future that will ensure peace and security for palestinians and israelis. israei— for palestinians and israelis. israet has _ for palestinians and israelis. israel has announced new steps to get desperately needed aid into gaza, including opening an organ

crossing, an israeli port, and expanding the capacity through jordan. will that make a difference? we have heard those promises before and we _ we have heard those promises before and we wiii— we have heard those promises before and we will believe them when we team~ _ and we will believe them when we team in— and we will believe them when we team. in the last six months, only an average — team. in the last six months, only an average of 100 trucks a day have entered _ an average of 100 trucks a day have entered gaza, the un estimated 800 trucks _ entered gaza, the un estimated 800 trucks were needed on a daily basis before _ trucks were needed on a daily basis before so. — trucks were needed on a daily basis before. so, the amount of humanitarian aid entering into gaza is completely significant as of yet, we will— is completely significant as of yet, we will wait and see if israel realty— we will wait and see if israel really does take any action to allow more _ really does take any action to allow more aid _ really does take any action to allow more aid in. — really does take any action to allow more aid in, and also, to allow a humanitarian agency into gaza, because — humanitarian agency into gaza, because without them being there in charge _ because without them being there in charge of— because without them being there in charge of those operations, without ngos _ charge of those operations, without ngos be _ charge of those operations, without ngos be able to work without the threat _ ngos be able to work without the threat of— ngos be able to work without the threat of being bombed and killed, the distribution will also be a major— the distribution will also be a major problem. what is needed now is opening _ major problem. what is needed now is opening att— major problem. what is needed now is opening all land crossings into gaza and allowing the un and other ngos the ability to receive and distribute the aid.- the ability to receive and distribute the aid. there is a

curowin distribute the aid. there is a growing debate _ distribute the aid. there is a growing debate in _ distribute the aid. there is a growing debate in britain, . distribute the aid. there is a - growing debate in britain, united states, about whether arms sales to israel should suspended. is that a move you and your arab colleagues with malcolm? the move you and your arab colleagues with malcolm?— with malcolm? the truth is that israel has ignored _ with malcolm? the truth is that israel has ignored every - with malcolm? the truth is that israel has ignored every poll. with malcolm? the truth is that israel has ignored every poll of| with malcolm? the truth is that i israel has ignored every poll of the international community to do what is right— international community to do what is right and — international community to do what is right and stop violating international law and stop the war. we saw— international law and stop the war. we saw the — international law and stop the war. we saw the un security council resolutions, two sets of provisional majors _ resolutions, two sets of provisional majors by— resolutions, two sets of provisional majors by the icj, and israel has done _ majors by the icj, and israel has done nothing. ithink majors by the icj, and israel has done nothing. i think it is time israei— done nothing. i think it is time israet face _ done nothing. i think it is time israel face consequences, and gets consequences for what the government is doing. israel has not listened, now is doing. israel has not listened, how the — is doing. israel has not listened, now the israeli government has to face consequences of its actions, and instead of sending weapons to israei. _ and instead of sending weapons to israei. i_ and instead of sending weapons to israel, i think the world should be sending _ israel, i think the world should be sending aid, political delegations to ensure — sending aid, political delegations to ensure we get over this catastrophe.

to ensure we get over this catastrohe. �* :, :, :, catastrophe. before we move on, i will take you _ catastrophe. before we move on, i will take you live _ catastrophe. before we move on, i will take you live to _ catastrophe. before we move on, i will take you live to tel _ catastrophe. before we move on, i will take you live to tel aviv. - catastrophe. before we move on, i will take you live to tel aviv. a - will take you live to tel aviv. a weekly occurrence here, these are protests being held in tel aviv. we are looking at anti—government protesters who have gathered. we saw these over the weekend. some protests to be held on sunday. there have been a series of protests being held in israel. they are both against the government and the government's current stance on fighting hamas and it's government's current stance on fighting hamas and its policy in gaza and the gaza strip. there are also calls for the release of the hostages, many of the family members of the hostages are currently being held in gaza, we understand, within the crowds, vast crowds of people there in tel aviv. they have been calling for the release of their family members, criticising prime

minister benjamin netanyahu as well. since the release of elad katzir, we have heard from his sister who said: it is a pain for an immediate and harsh reminder time is longer and for the hostages, there is no time for the hostages, there is no time for negotiation, no time for power struggles, no time for international diplomacy. so, a lot of domestic pressure on israel and benjamin netanyahu, never mind international pressure on what he is going to do next. the head of nato says western governments are facing an authoritarian alliance , comprised of russia, china, iran and north korea , which is working ever more closely together. jens stoltenberg told the bbc�*s "sunday with laura kuenssberg" programme that the government in beijing was propping up what he called russia's war economy. he said north korea was sending enormous amounts of ammunition to support president vladimir putin's war against ukraine.

mr stoltenberg said nato was responding by working with countries outside the alliance, including japan and south korea. on the war in ukraine, he said kyiv must prevail; but he said it might have to make compromises. most wars end at the negotiating table. but what we know is that what happens around the negotiating table is very closely linked to the situation on the battlefield. so now russia believes they can achieve their goals on the battlefield by by continuing to push militarily against ukraine. so the way to convince russia that they have to sit down and accept a solution where ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent, democratic nation in europe is to give military support to ukraine. then, of course, at the end of the day, it has to be ukraine that decides what kind of compromises they are willing to do.

we need to enable them to be in a position where they can actually achieve an acceptable result around the negotiating table. viewers in the uk can see more of that interview on "sunday with laura kuenssberg" on bbc one tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. meanwhile, seven people have been killed in two russian drone attacks on ukraine's second—largest city, kharkiv. the city's mayor says iranian—made drones hit several buildings, including a residential blocks of flats, early on saturday morning. 11 people were injured. our eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford gave us this update from kyiv. there are constant strikes in kharkiv at the moment. it is becoming increasingly regular to hear of missile and drone attacks against ukraine's second city up in the north—east of the country.

certainly, we know that seven people were killed early this morning. so the first missile struck sometime after midnight. two s—300 russian missiles, according to ukrainian authorities, fired at kharkiv killing residents in a residential areas of the city and wounding other people there. they then talk about a wave of drones launched at kharkiv city centre. they say those were shot down by ukraine's air defences and of course when that happens it means fragments fault of the ground, means fragments fall to the ground, they explode, more people are injured and more buildings are damaged. we know about nine residential buildings, blocks of flats, have been badly damaged in this latest attack on kharkiv, but it is the latest of many. certainly, we don't know exactly what the russians were targeting. they say it was a military target. we do know, though, in recent days the energy system in kharkiv has come under direct and sustained attack and that that city is now living with blackouts, rolling blackouts, people

without power for at least six hours every day. the military regime that seized power in myanmar three years ago has suffered another big defeat, this time on the eastern border with thailand. opposition forces have taken control of the busiest border crossing into thailand, through which much of myanmar 5 trade passes. for months, the soldiers have been under attack by ethnic karen insurgents who are fighting to overthrow the military. the authorities in myanmar have also lost control along parts of the border with india and china. mexico has suspended relations with ecuador. it's in protest against a police raid on its embassy in quito. officers arrested a former ecuadorean vice—president, jorge glas. he'd been sheltering in the compound since december but was wanted on corruption charges. mexico says it had granted glas �*political asylum', but ecuador authority called

the action �*illegal�*. glas's lawyer said he was innocent. it's been described as an election between those who support the west and those who favour the kremlin — people in slovakia are voting in presidential elections. they are choosing a successor to the country s liberal president, zuzana caputova. she decided not to seek re—election after receiving what she said was a torrent of abuse, including death threats. two men are now bidding for the largely ceremonial but highly influential post ? the pro—western former diplomat ivan korcok and peter pellegrini, the candidate of the populist nationalist government. i am nowjoined by our correspondent rob cameron, who is in prague, in the neighbouring czech republic. we will not have a result until

polls close at ten o'clock local time in bratislava, which is an hour ahead of london. it is being described, as you say there, as an incredibly important election for what is a largely ceremonial position. it comes at a time when slovakia really stands at a crossroads. some people believe that this election for the of president, that the whole of slovakia's liberal democracy hands on the balance of the outcome. ivan korcok, a liberal western former ambassador to washington, former permanent representative to the eu, his supporters say he will be able to act against the efforts of the populist nationalist coalition government to unpick some black ear�*s institutions and create what they claim is an illiterate

democracy. the man standing against him, peter pellegrini, is an ally in the coalition government. they say he will do nothing to hold back the current... we should have the result coming in around midnight in current. .. we should have the result coming in around midnight— coming in around midnight in terms ofthe coming in around midnight in terms of the depth — coming in around midnight in terms of the depth of _ coming in around midnight in terms of the depth of significance, - coming in around midnight in terms of the depth of significance, the - of the depth of significance, the geopolitical significance of the election, can you give us a much more context?— election, can you give us a much more context? absolutely. again, that issue of _ more context? absolutely. again, that issue of ukraine _ more context? absolutely. again, that issue of ukraine and - more context? absolutely. again, that issue of ukraine and support| that issue of ukraine and support for the ukrainian military and it's attempt to defeat russia, that has played a key role in their selection. peter pellegrini has accused ivan korcok of being a candidate of war, something echoed by the prime minister, robert fico. mr pellegrini said that what ukraine

needsis mr pellegrini said that what ukraine needs is not for the west to send weapons, but for them to go to the negotiating table with moscow to be a ceasefire. ivan korcok is in favour of continuing support of ukraine. the president is of course ceremonial position and has no executive power, so these claims by the government that ivan korcok would send slovak boys off to fight in ukraine are nonsense, frankly, because the government and the parliament to make that decision. but, ukraine has really coloured this election, and has made it an extremely tense and bad—tempered affair. how slovakia is regarded as an ally of ukraine and indeed part of the eu and nato will really depend on the outcome of the selection today.— depend on the outcome of the selection today. depend on the outcome of the selection toda . :, ,, , :, , : selection today. thank you very much indeed. we will _ selection today. thank you very much indeed. we will be _ selection today. thank you very much indeed. we will be getting _ selection today. thank you very much indeed. we will be getting all - selection today. thank you very much indeed. we will be getting all of - indeed. we will be getting all of the updates on those elections

through the day. thank you. breaking news: the issue of shipping in yemen going through the red sea reason. the reuters news agency have announced that the uk maritime security firm have received information that a vessel has been targeted approximately 61 nautical miles south—west of yemen data. houthi is aligned with iran received weapons from iran itself and staged attacks on shipping in the rates he region for months now in solidarity with palestinians. and the war in gaza by israel on hamas. we do not know a flag that that ship or vessel

is flying under, but we are getting reports that it has been targeted as it has travelled through the red sea region. more when we get it. an investigation�*s underway after two passenger planes collided on the ground at heathrow airport. a stationary british airways plane, with 121 passengers and crew on board was hit by the wing of an empty virgin atlantic plane, which was being towed at the time. there are no reported injuries and the incident has resulted in minor damage. to australia next. where 150 people have been rescued from floods in and around sydney. others have been told to be prepared to leave their homes because of the rising floodwaters. the region's main reservoir, which supplies most of the city's drinking water, is overflowing. there've been three days of torrential rainfall across much of eastern australia. people living in parts

of new south wales have been told to stay indoors. dozens of flights have been cancelled in the uk as storm kathleen has hit parts of the country. the met office has issued a yellow weather warning, with winds of up to 70 miles per hour forecast. but some of the country has been basking in sunshine — and temperatures of up to 22 degrees. simonjones reports. wet, windy, and wild. weather warnings failed to keep these vehicles away from strangford lough in county down in northern ireland. gusts of around 70 mph have brought down trees and part of a roof of the visitor attraction titanic belfast has been damaged. for families trying to get away on holiday, it's not gone entirely according to plan. we were expecting to be sitting in the hot tub overlooking strangford lough. unfortunately, it's very, very, very, very windy.

kathleen is the 11th named storm in the past eight months, with the republic of ireland hardest hit. the south—west and north—west of england have also been affected, but elsewhere you might wonder what all the fuss is about. in scarborough in north yorkshire, people headed to the beach as the winds actually blew in unusually warm weather. but in edinburgh, it has been a hair raising day. simon jones, bbc news. now pop sensation taylor swift will be performing in the uk this summer as part of her record—breaking eras tour. but police and consumer groups are warning fans to be vigilant when buying her tickets online, with reports of scams. here's our culture reporter noor nanji and her report contains flashing images. welcome to the eras tour! it's the hottest ticket in town — taylor swift's world tour, which comes to the uk later this year. this has been the most extraordinary experience of my entire life.

but some fans, desperate to see the us pop idol, have fallen victim to scams. they include sian williams, who had promised to take her daughter to swift's show in cardiff. it's the fact that we've paid £250, lost £250, so you're out of pocket, and we still haven't got any tickets. so it's sort of that roller—coaster of emotions. being angry with myself, sad that we've lost the money, even sadder still that we don't have tickets. tickets to taylor swift concerts sold out within minutes when they first went on sale, and now it is extremely difficult to find them. some swifties are turning to social media or other means, but that leaves them open to fraudsters. police scotland says it has received 16 reports of fraudulent taylor swift ticket sales online in the past fortnight, amounting to more than £5,000. it's urging the public to be vigilant. the warning has been

echoed by consumer groups. fraudsters love mass appeal and huge emotion, like a taylor swift concert, so we would say, buy your tickets through an official secondary ticket reselling platform. if you buy from a private seller, use a credit card or paypal, and always, if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. a cautionary word for swifties if they want to avoid a cruel summer. # it's a cruel summer #. noor nanji, bbc news. stay with us, more coming up on bbc news windy and one, the main characteristics of the weekend weather so far. storm kathleen brought gusts of winds along the west coast at 60—70 miles an hour.

hundred mile an hour at cairngorm. south—westerly winds across east anglia and south—east england, we have had the warmest day of the year, temperatures widely over 21 degrees. low pressure still, into the second half of the weekend, and this weather front here could bring more persistent of showery rain. a frequent rash of showers here, and by the middle part of the afternoon, a line of showers developing across south—west england, driven on by the south—westerly wind there will be heavy bursts are mixed in as well and heading into wales and the midlands. east anglia, south—west england dry and sunny, not as warm, but nevertheless, still above average for the time of year. a few showers into northern england, the scattering of showers continuing to scotland and northern ireland, temperatures of 10—13 . can medway were a few days ago, that is still better. moving into monday, pushing

in from the south—west. the working week begins on a unsettled note. a cold start on monday. —— not a cold start to monday. fairly mild. sunny to begin with, carrying overfrom the west, rain arriving, showery outbreaks into wales, heavy bursts in northern ireland and northern england. largely trying to scotland. the midlands, east anglia, south—east england dry with sunshine, still relatively warm. 17 degrees the overall height. now, moving into the middle part of the week, likely to remain unsettled. a ridge of high pressure for a time, another low moving in and bringing gale force wind to the south—west. then we have the high pressure setting across europe. that might keep things quiet towards the south by the end of the week. looking ahead, and unsettled star, showers and longer spells of rain and

temperatures back to where they should be them this time of year. take care. goodbye.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the israeli military confirms it's recovered the body of hostage elad katzirfrom khan younis — nearly 6 months after being abducted by hamas. president biden is facing growing pressure from within his own party to pause arms sales to israel, following the israeli air strike

that killed seven aid workers. 36 democratic members of congress have signed an open letter expressing outrage at the deaths. seven people have been killed in russian drone attacks on ukraine's second—largest city, kharkiv. the city's mayor says residential buildings and a children's nursery were struck. 11 people were injured. and in australia, more than 150 people are rescued from floods around sydney — as others prepare to leave their homes. the region's main reservoir, which supplies most of the city's drinking water, is overflowing. hello, and welcome to sportsday. the time is 6:31pm. here is what is

coming up...