thousands of people attend the funeral of hamas�*s deputy leader, killed in a drone strike in beirut. a shooting at a high school in the us state of iowa — police say there are multiple gunshot victims. prince andrew and bill clinton are among those named in newly—released court documents relating to sex offenderjeffrey epstein. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories and checking out the truth behind them. we begin in the middle east and the aftermath of several acts of deadly violence in different countries. the funeral has taken place in lebanon, just outside beirut, for saleh al—arouri, the deputy leader of hamas who was one of several people killed in an explosion

in beirut on tuesday. hezbollah, a powerful paramilitary and political group in lebanon, has blamed that attack on what it says was "flagra nt israeli aggression". israel has not commented. both hamas and hezbollah, banned terrorist organisations in many countries, have close ties to iran, which itself is holding a day of mourning after 84 people were killed by explosions near an event to mark the anniversary of the death of the iranian general qasem soleimani. the islamic state group has now said it carried out that attack in the southern city of kerman. alongside this, several nations have issued a warning to the houthi militants in yemen, who are also close to iran, to stop the attacks on shipping in the key lanes in the red sea. and, of course, the fighting in israel and gaza which has played a role in sparking all this — there are reports of dozens more deaths from air strikes in southern gaza as israel continues its military operation. let's start with the funeral of the hamas leader in beirut.

our reporter carine torbey was watching. palestinian refugees from different palestinian camps across lebanon have come here to the capital, beirut, to take part in the funeral of saleh al—arouri, who was assassinated two days ago in an air strike in the southern suburb of beirut. sirens. this killing was seen as potentially becoming a turning point in the conflict between lebanon and israel. gunfire. hezbollah said that this is not going unpunished, especially that it happened in the southern suburb of beirut, and something that did not happen or occur since 2006.

joining me live from jerusalem is robbie sabel. he is a professor of international law at hebrew university and a former legal adviser to israel's foreign ministry. thanks very much for being with us, let's pick up on that meeting between the us special envoy and the israeli defence minister, saying there is a short window of time for a diplomatic solution with lemon on�*s hezbollah. what you think he means by that? the on's hezbollah. what you think he means by that?— means by that? the united states wants industrial _ means by that? the united states wants industrial quiet, _ means by that? the united states wants industrial quiet, it's - means by that? the united states wants industrial quiet, it's very i wants industrial quiet, it's very wide, there will be a wider conflagration in the middle east so there making an effort to try and reach a agreement. strange enough, hezbollah, has been limiting its attacks, it's attacking villages on the border and hasn't been extending into israel. ~ ., _, ., the border and hasn't been extending into israel. ~ ., ., ., , into israel. what could a double medic solution _ into israel. what could a double medic solution between - into israel. what could a double i medic solution between hezbollah into israel. what could a double - medic solution between hezbollah and israel look like? it

medic solution between hezbollah and israel look like?— israel look like? it would have to mean there _ israel look like? it would have to mean there are _ israel look like? it would have to mean there are no _ israel look like? it would have to mean there are no terrace - israel look like? it would have to mean there are no terrace on - israel look like? it would have to | mean there are no terrace on the border with israel. there would have to be some sort of security belt supervised by some international organisation, united nations is there on the spot but we can no longer tolerate having terrace actually on the border and shooting at our civilian villages there. find at our civilian villages there. and ou think at our civilian villages there. and you think that — at our civilian villages there. and you think that such an agreement could be actually reached? i don't know. all could be actually reached? i don't know all i _ could be actually reached? i don't know. all i know, _ could be actually reached? i don't know. all i know, is _ could be actually reached? i don't know. all i know, is that - know. all i know, is that lebanon isn't interested in a wider, and the middle east to be a prophet is not a very good profession. taste middle east to be a prophet is not a very good profession.— very good profession. we are all speculating _ very good profession. we are all speculating at — very good profession. we are all speculating at the _ very good profession. we are all speculating at the moment - very good profession. we are all speculating at the moment that| very good profession. we are all. speculating at the moment that you have the advantage of a lot of knowledge and experience in the region. tell me what your view is of the potential repercussions of the assassination of hamas' deputy leader, it's also being marked in

the west bank, some concerns i could also lead to a wider conflagration of this conflict. do you think that is possible now? it of this conflict. do you think that is possible now?— is possible now? it all hasn't officially taken _ is possible now? it all hasn't officially taken responsibility i is possible now? it all hasn't i officially taken responsibility for the attack, but i have to admit, we are not very sad about it. he was in charge of military terrorist activities, and i don't think he is death is a loss to humanity. and we made it clear that all those responsible for the attack of hamas would have to bear responsibility, either capture them or be killed in battle. this either capture them or be killed in battle. �* , ., ., ., ., ., battle. as i mentioned a moment ago, the us has an — battle. as i mentioned a moment ago, the us has an envoy _ battle. as i mentioned a moment ago, the us has an envoy in _ battle. as i mentioned a moment ago, the us has an envoy in the _ battle. as i mentioned a moment ago, the us has an envoy in the region, - the us has an envoy in the region, heading to turkey first and expected to be in israel on monday, there's been increasing criticism by the united states of israel's actions and concerns over the high death

toll, perhaps not enough care being taken to toll, perhaps not enough care being ta ken to protect toll, perhaps not enough care being taken to protect innocent civilians, what you expect to come out of this visit by secretary of state blinken now? how concerned are the israeli government about that increasing criticism coming from the us? obviously, we have to pay careful consideration to the cases by the united states, and we have increased the civilian aid to the gaza strip, knowing that some of it will go to hamas. but nevertheless, we've allowed increased aid into gaza and apparently we also allow it for israeli territory, but hamas seizes part of it for its own good, we're depended on the united states for ammunition, for political support, and i have no doubt the israeli government will take into consideration their requests. we talk about the government, it is a national unity government formed in the aftermath of the hamas attacks

on october seven. how much of a final essay does benjamin netanyahu have over the final decision—making made within that government? there are those who are worried, concerned that perhaps he's more interested in his fate, his politicalfate, then the relationship with the us. in his fate, his political fate, then the relationship with the us. in the ast, the relationship with the us. in the past. netanyahu — the relationship with the us. in the past, netanyahu has _ the relationship with the us. in the past, netanyahu has been - the relationship with the us. in the past, netanyahu has been very - past, netanyahu has been very careful to prevent large—scale outcomes on our borders. i believe he still wants to avoid this, however he is a politician. he is a coalition government, and i think i have to admit that i have to take into account his coalition partners. so he's trying to steer a careful balance between the two, not to break up his coalition which includes extreme right wing groups, but also to make sure that israel doesn't enter into a wider armed conflict, or into dispute with the united states. it's a balancing act, which he's proved capable of doing in the past, i hope he'll be able to

continue to do it.— continue to do it. robbie sable, thank you _ continue to do it. robbie sable, thank you very _ continue to do it. robbie sable, thank you very much _ continue to do it. robbie sable, thank you very much for - continue to do it. robbie sable, thank you very much forjoining| continue to do it. robbie sable, i thank you very much forjoining us there from jerusalem. live now to our security correspondent frank gardner. there has been another tack on a merchant vessel off the east african coast. i'm not sure of the exact details of it but this comes after the us, uk, and ten other states have warmed to the rebels in yemen but there will be consequences if they continue to attack commercial attack in the red sea. —— houthi rebels. it attack in the red sea. -- houthi rebels. , ~:: ., rebels. it took place 460 nautical miles east _ rebels. it took place 460 nautical miles east of _ rebels. it took place 460 nautical miles east of africa, _ rebels. it took place 460 nautical miles east of africa, and - rebels. it took place 460 nautical miles east of africa, and it - rebels. it took place 460 nautical miles east of africa, and it would | miles east of africa, and it would put it right in the indian ocean.

attacking shipping that far away from their cause, the danger zone comes in the southern bit of the red sea, just north of the very narrow choke point, it's off the coast of yemen that the houthiany links to israel quite often cases where they got it wrong. so that is very tense from right there now because you've got a lot of navies with warships in that region, you've got operation prosperity guardian led by the us, a ten nation navy patrol there, which is basically got its finger on the trigger. they've issued a final warning to the houthi, they don�*t warning to the houthi, they don't seem to be stepping down, so i would be surprised of doing the next few days, if it continues, we will see

some kind of preemptive action against houthi bases or their equipment in the red sea. and this isjust one of equipment in the red sea. and this is just one of many tectonic plates of tension, i would put it, that are moving around the middle east right now. so you've got the tension in lebanon, upon lebanese border. you've got tension in iran about after the double bombings yesterday, which no islamic states has claimed response will before. you've also got tension in iraq because there was a us air strike in baghdad on a militia leader, and you've got the ongoing conflict in gaza and searing tensions in the west bank. so it's a really fiery start to the new year in the middle east.— in the middle east. what's your assessment of _ in the middle east. what's your assessment of iran's _ in the middle east. what's your assessment of iran's can - in the middle east. what's your assessment of iran's can roll i in the middle east. what's your. assessment of iran's can roll and control over the situation? en hamas, on hezbollah, and on the houthi. . ~ . , hamas, on hezbollah, and on the houthi. . . ., , hamas, on hezbollah, and on the houthi. . . . , ., hamas, on hezbollah, and on the houthi. . . . , , houthi. iran certainly has a very close ties _ houthi. iran certainly has a very close ties to _ houthi. iran certainly has a very

close ties to what _ houthi. iran certainly has a very close ties to what it _ houthi. iran certainly has a very close ties to what it calls - houthi. iran certainly has a very close ties to what it calls its - close ties to what it calls its proxy militias. right now they are the three h's. hamas, hezbollah, and houthi. fundamentally those organisations take their own decisions. so they are unlikely to take any strategic decisions without consultations with tehran. in the case of the houthi, for example, it's very unlikely that they would be angering the international global community, as well as the international shipping community, by attacking shipping in this way. driving up commodity prices. i can't see them doing that without first letting the iranians know what they're doing. it doesn't say that iran has allowed them to do it, but iran has allowed them to do it, but i think they would have informed to run first. ~ �* ., ,, run first. we've got the us sec. state heading _ run first. we've got the us sec. state heading to _ run first. we've got the us sec. state heading to the _ run first. we've got the us sec. state heading to the region - run first. we've got the us sec. state heading to the region in l run first. we've got the us sec. i state heading to the region in the coming hours, going first to turkey, and we expect arriving in israel on monday. what is going to be his

focus for this latest visit, his fifth since the october three attacks? ~ ., , ., ., attacks? well, to try and calm down tensions and — attacks? well, to try and calm down tensions and ultimately _ attacks? well, to try and calm down tensions and ultimately get - attacks? well, to try and calm down tensions and ultimately get the - attacks? well, to try and calm down tensions and ultimately get the war| tensions and ultimately get the war to stop in gaza, but so far both publicly and rapidly to israel, don't seem to have ratcheted down the temper with gaza. they want israel to move away from these rather blunt attacks, these blunderbuss mallet attacks on entire buildings and blocks using drone strikes, artillery and air strikes, to far more focused, specialised, special operations tactics to take out hamas leaders. in the same way, assuming it was israel, which everybody does, that they assassinated saleh al—arouri in southern beirut, israel has not claimed responsibly for that but it's widely assumed in the region

that they were behind it because he was a top target for israel and he was a top target for israel and he was a top target for israel and he was a named terror suspect in the united states as well. but the us treaties don't seem to have a great effect on israel, they are operating very closely in terms of ammunition supply and so on, that is making the us and very unpopular in the region. i was at the arab islamic summit in riyadh in november, and they were coming up to me and lecturing me, saying this is hypocrisy by the west. you ask us to condemn russia for fatalities in west. you ask us to condemn russia forfatalities in ukraine, why are you doing more in gaza, stopping the killing or? so we are seeing increasingly vociferous words complaint and warnings by western leaders against the mass killings of civilians in gaza, alongside the elimination of hamas groups that

israel considers to be terrace. but these words don't seem to be having much effect. these words don't seem to be having much effect-— beijing said it remained on high alert to any activity that, as it put it, created flashpoints. late last year there were a number of confrontations between ships from the philippines and chinese coastguard vessels. at least one person has been killed and others injured in a shooting on thursday morning at perry high school in iowa, according to law enforcement officials. sheriff adam infante from dallas county sheriff's office has been speaking about what happened. this morning at approximately 7:37am, we had a serious radio activation at the high school, which indicated an active shooter situation. our officer first arrived within seven minutes of that activation and

located multiple gunshot victims. no further danger to the public. the community is safe. we're just now working backwards, trying to figure out everything that happened and make notifications. there'll be another update later on today. it's still very early. this happened at approximately 7:37am this morning. school didn't start yet, luckily, so there was very few students and faculty in the building, which i think contributed to a good outcome in that sense. but we'll have more information later on this afternoon. we will not be releasing any more information in the meantime, so please be patient with us so that we can talk with these victims and their families and try and figure out what happened. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other

stories making news. a row about emergency cover has broken out between nhs chiefs and union leaders as a six—day strike by england's junior doctors enters its second day. the doctors' union has accused health leaders of misusing the system for calling doctors back to work when patient safety is at risk, but nhs england insists they were genuine requests for help. a 49—year—old man has been arrested after reports shots were fired at a cinema in liverpool on wednesday evening. merseyside police locked down the showcase cinema in croxteth when a man threatened staff in the foyer before shooting at the outside of the building. officers responded to three separate incidents involving shots being fired, but no—one was injured. more than 40 people who applied to a troubles victims pension scheme have died before any decision was made, figures obtained by bbc ni reveal. the scheme, which opened in 2021, offers payments to those who suffered physical or psychological injuries in the troubles in northern ireland.

you're live with bbc news. rishi sunak has been accused of "squatting" in downing street by his political opponents after he downplayed holding a general election in the spring. speaking in mansfield, mr sunak said his working assumption is that a poll will be held in the second half of 2024. labour say he's delaying a vote because the tories are unpopular. here's mr sunak earlier. my working assumption is we will have a general election in the second half of this year, and in the meantime i have got lots that i want to get on with. this saturday, we will be introducing a significant tax cut for millions of people in work, worth on average £450 for an average worker, because we have halved inflation and we want to keep managing the economy well and cutting people's taxes. but i also want to keep tackling illegal migration. we cut the number of arrivals last year by over a third, but we have got more to do and we plan to get the rwanda scheme through parliament

and up and running. we have a full deterrent. that is how i am going to solve this problem once and for all. so i have got plenty to get on with and that is what i am focusing on doing, delivering for the british people and it is great to be talking to people here in the east midlands about our progress today. we are ready for a general election, the country is ready for a general election, turn his back on the crime, usher in the hope and change that a labour government can bring. the prime minister is now hinting, with and without setting a date, that it might be later in the year. was he hiding, was he hiding? why can't he set a date? this, you know, squatting in downing street for months on end, dithering and delaying, when the country wants change. delaying, when the country wants chance. ~ . , delaying, when the country wants chance. ~ .,, change. was he hiding? the conservatives _ change. was he hiding? the conservatives have - change. was he hiding? the conservatives have a - change. was he hiding? the i conservatives have a mandate change. was he hiding? the - conservatives have a mandate to serve in government throughout this year, you can clamourfor an earlier

election, but that's the constitutional truth. it’s election, but that's the constitutional truth. election, but that's the constitutionaltruth. �* , constitutional truth. it's the third prime minister _ constitutional truth. it's the third prime minister that _ constitutional truth. it's the third prime minister that they've - constitutional truth. it's the third prime minister that they've had l prime minister that they've had since the one in 2019. this prime minister, northe since the one in 2019. this prime minister, nor the one before, actually put themselves before the country. so i think you're pushing a bit to suggest that he's got a mandate, he's never got a mandate. so the conservatives... find mandate, he's never got a mandate. so the conservatives. . ._ so the conservatives... and that is wh . so the conservatives... and that is why- wherever _ so the conservatives... and that is why. wherever you _ so the conservatives... and that is why. wherever you go, _ so the conservatives... and that is why. wherever you go, people - so the conservatives... and that is why. wherever you go, people are| why. wherever you go, people are saying let's just bring why. wherever you go, people are saying let'sjust bring it why. wherever you go, people are saying let's just bring it on, why. wherever you go, people are saying let'sjust bring it on, let's get this over and done with, and set out the faces against a better future. ., , ., ., out the faces against a better future. ., ., ., , future. one of your own colleagues, sa s it's future. one of your own colleagues, says it's difficult _ future. one of your own colleagues, says it's difficult to _ future. one of your own colleagues, says it's difficult to identify - future. one of your own colleagues, says it's difficult to identify the - says it's difficult to identify the purpose of a future labour government. and this guy is on your side, what does that say about your leadership? aha, side, what does that say about your leadershi - ? �* .., side, what does that say about your leadershi - ? �* .. ., leadership? a decade of national renewal. that's _ leadership? a decade of national renewal. that's the _ leadership? a decade of national renewal. that's the central - leadership? a decade of national i renewal. that's the central defining purpose of an incoming labour government. to be contrasted with 14 years of the client, but so... he

sa s years of the client, but so... he says you — years of the client, but so... he says you are _ years of the client, but so... he says you are elusive man, difficult to find. ., ., ~' says you are elusive man, difficult to find. ., ., says you are elusive man, difficult tofind. . ., . ., . to find. look, a decade of national renewal is — to find. look, a decade of national renewal is underpinned _ to find. look, a decade of national renewal is underpinned by - to find. look, a decade of national renewal is underpinned by five - renewal is underpinned by five missions that i set out in great detail last year, and i think if you look at those missions, they are strong enough to notjust fix the problems that we have in this country, we know we've got huge problems, nobody argues with that. but actually take our country forward... so it's nonsense, isn't it? ~ ., �* 4' forward... so it's nonsense, isn't it? ~ ., �* ~ �*, it? well, i don't think it's possible. _ it? well, i don't think it's possible, really, - it? well, i don't think it's possible, really, to - it? well, i don't think it's possible, really, to say i it? well, | don't think it's| possible, really, to say to it? well, | don't think it's. possible, really, to say to a it? well, i don't think it's- possible, really, to say to a leader of the opposition who set out five national missions... he of the opposition who set out five national missions. . ._ of the opposition who set out five national missions... he says you are elusive and — national missions... he says you are elusive and difficult _ national missions... he says you are elusive and difficult to _ national missions... he says you are elusive and difficult to find, - national missions... he says you are elusive and difficult to find, maybe i elusive and difficult to find, maybe if you are, on the one hand, someone who tried to getjeremy corbyn elected as permanence, and you praised margaret thatcher, maybe he's right about being elusive. let's just test that out. one of the ingredients of our mission is to how violence against woman and girls. i

know how hard it will be, what a difference that will make, of lives of women and girls. another mission is 1.5 million homes to be built. what a difference that will make it to the very many people who don't have a home of their own at the moment. these are real differences, another mission is to get those next—generation adults good schools, secure jobs. next—generation adults good schools, securejobs. to next—generation adults good schools, secure jobs. to everybody who doesn't have that. that is a massive difference. i can't see that there's any ambiguity there or lack of clarity there, for anybody who thinks there is, i sayjust bring the election on. let's test this in practice because i've been challenged for a number of years not to turn the party around. we have won by elections in other parts of the country, for the best part of 12 months, 18 months. so when we do test this, then we show we are able

to win, and we want the chance now to win, and we want the chance now to take the country forward. due to rising river levels on the river trent caused by storm henk, water levels on the river could reach their highest levels since 2000, expected to peak this evening, we'll have more on this for uk viewers in around 15 minutes times. associates, friends and alleged victims of the convicted sex offenderjeffrey epstein have been made public after previously private court documents were released overnight. the 900 pages relating to epstein, who killed himself injailfive years ago, contain dozens of references to prince andrew, who was accused by one woman of having sex with her when she was 17. they also include testimony from another woman who claimed that he had groped her.

the prince, who has denied all the allegations against him, stepped down from public duties in 2019. simonjones has this report. jeffrey epstein was a billionaire financial adviser to the rich and powerful, but he was also a serial abuser of underage girls. now the release of almost 1000 pages of court documents has shed new light on his acquaintances. there were more than 60 separate references to prince andrew, these include a claim from one woman he said he put his hand on her breast atjeffrey epstein's manhattan apartment in 2001, to pose for a photo with another accuser. buckingham palace previously said the allegation was categorically untrue. virginia giuffre said she had been forced to have sex with the prince when she was 17. the prince said he had no recollection of ever meeting virginia giuffre, or miss roberts, as she was then. you can say categorically

that you don't recall meeting virginia roberts, dining with her, dancing with her, going on to have sex with her in a bedroom in a house in belgravia? i can absolutely, categorically tell you it never happened. in 2022, the prince settled a private case brought by virginia giuffre against him, but made no admission of liability. he withdrew from public life. the court documents named bill clinton and johanna schoenberg testified thatjeffrey epstein once told them that bill clinton likes them young, referring to girls. but there is no implication of any illegality. bill clinton has previously said he knew no knowledge of jeffrey epstein's crimes. epstein's abuse of young girls went back decades. he was first investigated in 2005

accused of molesting miners accused of molesting minors in his palm beach mansion. in 2008, after a plea deal he was sentenced to 18 months in prison but spent most of it on a work release programme. that deal gave him immunity from prosecution, which was fought by his victims. the judge ordered the release of a new document as part of a legal case associated to ghislaine maxwell. she is serving a 20 yearjail term for helping him abuse girls. the papers don't appear to reveal any new bombshell revelations about epstein, who died injail, but more documents are expected to be released in the coming days. simon jones, bbc news. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello there. as we head towards our first full weekend of january, the weather story is on the change. somewhat drier conditions are expected by the weekend, but before that, we've got this area of cloud that's bringing some persistent rain across channel—facing coasts. so it arrived in the south—west, some of it quite heavy at times, accompanied by gale—force gusts of winds on exposed coasts in the channel. and that is going to continue to drift its way steadily eastwards. it means that there will be some difficult driving conditions if you're out and about on the roads over the next few hours. this was the isle of wightjust before darkness arrived, and you can see there are certainly some localised flooding in the area. now that rain will continue to drift its way south and east. it may lingerfor a time across the east midlands, lincolnshire, east anglia as well. a few scattered showers and stronger winds across eastern scotland and some coastal showers out to the west, but sandwiched in between the two, some clearer skies and we could have some patchy mist and fog forming by morning. now the low pressure still sitting up into the far north will give

stiff winds and showers to the northern isles and eastern scotland, but a ridge of high pressure is slowly building in. so there will be some showers out to the east, a legacy of cloud east of the pennines across england. further west, some brighter, sunnier spells with a few scattered showers driven in by that north—westerly wind. temperatures are likely to peak into single figures for many into the afternoon, so we're looking at around 4—9 degrees, pretty much where they should be for this time of year. but as we move out of friday into the start of the weekend, that high pressure's continuing to build in. the isobars open up, the winds falling light. again some patchy fog could be an issue first thing on saturday morning. we still keep a risk some showers and introduce some strong wind across the northern isles, but it's going to be a chilly start to saturday. low single figures in towns and city centres. just below, a touch of frost likely, away from the breeze. now high pressure is set to establish itself for the start of the weekend, and as the wind direction swings in a clockwise

direction around that high, we're either going to have an easterly or a north—easterly, which at times will drag in quite a lot of cloud off the north sea. so, yes, we're going to be chasing cloud amounts around, but look at this. it's going to be dry, settled with some sunshine at times, but we'll need to look out for overnight frost and fog.

this is bbc news. the headlines — a major incident is declared in nottinghamshire as the county is hit by flooding and rising river levels caused by storm henk. britain's prime minister says a general election is likely to take place in the second half of this year. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's paul scott. hyatt, samantha, good evening. we begin with tennis, where preparations for this month's australian open are well under way. britain's emma raducanu, who this week was awarded a place in the main draw despite a year of injuries, was in action earlier this morning. she won the first set against second—seed elina svitolina in auckland, but eventually ran out of steam and was beaten two sets to one. raducanu was playing only her second match since wrist and ankle surgeries.

svitolina won the second set after another tie break,