Gaza: Israeli forces continue bombardment of parts of southern and central Gaza

Israeli forces have continued their bombardment of parts of southern and central Gaza, while the UN has warned that the volume of aid reaching the territory remains inadequate. Weekend's examine how Qatar became the Middle East's major mediator of choice.

Also in the programme: the Detroit Pistons losing streak; and poetry and spirituality

Joining Julian Worricker on the programme are; Shiva Rahbaran, an Iranian-born writer and Paul Melly, a fellow in the Africa Programme at the Chatham House thinktank.

(Picture: Smoke rises over Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, December 29, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura)