This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Alex Ritzen and in the early hours of Sunday the 12th of May, these are our main stories.

Israel Defiant, despite widespread international criticism of its military operation

against Hamas in the Garzan city of Raffa.

Meanwhile, the winner of this year's controversial Eurovision final has been announced.

More on this later.

And in Georgia, tens of thousands protest against a law which they say would silence independent media.

Also in this podcast.

No excuse for violent men.

One two, three, four, we won't take it anymore. What's driving the high levels of violence against women in Australia?

The head of the European Council, Shahmichel, has become the latest international figure

to urge Israel to respect humanitarian law and hold back on a ground invasion of the southern Gaza and city of Ruffer.

For their part, the Israelis say they're pressing ahead with plans to destroy what they claim

are Hamas's last remaining units in Gaza and that they're killing lots of fighters.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari speaks for Israel's army.

So far we've eliminated dozens of terrorists in the eastern part of Raffer.

We've found a significant underground route with lots of weapons.

We've repeated the temporary evacuation of the population in several other parts of eastern

Rafa, which are close to the area of combat.

Hamas will continue to try and restore its military capabilities

and we will be required to act to dismantle them.

There is no way to verify the Israeli claims.

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