including what's described as command and control centres, munitions depots, launch systems and air defence radar. it's in response to weeks of attacks by the iran—backed houthi movement, on cargo ships in the red sea, which have disrupted commercial shipping, threatening the global economy. some of the coalition�*s targets were in the yemeni capital sana'a, others in the port of hudaydah. the houthis, a political and military group which controls a large part of yemen is now warning that britain and the us "will pay a heavy price, for their aggression". thousands of people today took to the streets of the yemeni capital in support of the houthis. iran has condemned the strikes, as a clear violation of yemen's territorial integrity. with the houthis promising

retaliation, could western powers be pushed into engaging beyond targeted strikes? and what are the risks of a wider conflict in the region? we'll have full coverage, with analysis shortly from a leading middle east researcher. we'll also get the thoughts of today's panel — leon emirali, a former ministerial aide and pr consultant. and mo elliethee, executive director at the georgetown institute of politics and public service. but ahead of that, it's the first time rishi sunak has launched any kind of military operation, since becoming uk prime minister. some analysis now from our political editor chris mason on his decision, without consulting parliament, to join the attack. the early hours of this morning, back at their base in cyprus, the britishjets involved in air strikes on yemen. good evening, mr speaker,

should parliament be recalled? last night, the decision already taken by the prime minister, the speaker of the house of commons was called in for a briefing. will labour be supporting the government? so too were senior labour figures, keir starmerjoint remotely put on a visit to greater manchester, the labour leader said the air strikes were justified because of the actions of the houthis. they are putting civilian lives at risk and disrupting that traffic through the red sea, traffic that is vital for the other —— for the world economy. we support the action the government has taken. of course it is for the government to make a statement about it but the principle is an important one. 20 years ago, tony blair held a vote in parliament before the iraq war. this is the time for this house, - not just this government or indeed this prime minister, _ but for this house to give a lead... he won the vote, and technically governments don't need to do this, but the iraqi war was so controversial,

ministers have come under pressure to do so ever since. a decade later, in 2013, david cameron wanted british air strikes on syria. the nos have it. but the commons rejected the idea. the british parliament, reflecting the views of the british people, does not want to see british military action. i get that and the government will act accordingly. back to today, the scottish national party condemned the houthis but said the prime minister should have consulted more widely beforehand. parliament should have been recalled, the evidence base is laid —— mike evans and bassist... out, the legal basis laid out, and house of commons for mps to scrutinise and the issue to be debated and of course for a decision to then be taken. what's this? strawberry. the lib dems leader, visiting a school in stopper, said he sympathised with the government decide to act but...

it is really important that parliament, whenever. we use our military forces, has a saw _ i'm not saying we would not support it but i think it's reasonable - and the public would expect there to be a provision - of information from _ the government to make the case. the prime minister will be here on monday to face questions about what has happened. in the last hour of the us president joe biden has been asked about the strikes on houthi fighters in the imminent is what he said. i think the are imminent is what he said. i think they are a _ imminent is what he said. i think they are a terrorist _ imminent is what he said. i think they are a terrorist group. - imminent is what he said. i think they are a terrorist group. i - imminent is what he said. i thinkj they are a terrorist group. i don't think there were any civilian casualties and that's why it was a success.

leon emirali, a former ministerial aide and pr consultant. and mo elliethee, executive director at the georgetown institute of politics and public service. welcome to a context. we saw a us presidentjoe biden their delivered remarks saying we will make sure to respond to the houthis as they continue what he describes as this outrageous behaviour. do continue what he describes as this outrageous behaviour.— continue what he describes as this outrageous behaviour. do you think this tit for tat — outrageous behaviour. do you think this tit for tat is _ outrageous behaviour. do you think this tit for tat is going _ outrageous behaviour. do you think this tit for tat is going to _ this tit for tat is going to continue and end up with a much wider escalation? i continue and end up with a much wider escalation?— continue and end up with a much wider escalation? i think that's one concern that _ wider escalation? i think that's one concern that many _ wider escalation? i think that's one concern that many folks _ wider escalation? i think that's one concern that many folks have - wider escalation? i think that's one concern that many folks have but i | concern that many folks have but i also think— concern that many folks have but i also think the president is right. iran does— also think the president is right. iran does not want to see a full on kinetic_ iran does not want to see a full on kinetic conflict with the west. that is not _ kinetic conflict with the west. that is not as— kinetic conflict with the west. that is not as in— kinetic conflict with the west. that is not as in its interests. so, i think— is not as in its interests. so, i think what— is not as in its interests. so, i think what the us in the uk and the coalition— think what the us in the uk and the coalition partners david was send a strong _ coalition partners david was send a strong message, stop messing with our commerce, stop attacking the ships— our commerce, stop attacking the ships and — our commerce, stop attacking the ships and because now you see what we are _ ships and because now you see what we are willing to do, what our

capabilities are and if you keep continuing to do this, then you will see an _ continuing to do this, then you will see an appropriate response from the west _ see an appropriate response from the west i_ see an appropriate response from the west. i think the hope see an appropriate response from the west. ithink the hope is see an appropriate response from the west. i think the hope is that that will he _ west. i think the hope is that that will he a _ west. i think the hope is that that will be a strong enough deterrent and while — will be a strong enough deterrent and while we are hearing from a lot of nations— and while we are hearing from a lot of nations in— and while we are hearing from a lot of nations in the region that they would _ of nations in the region that they would like — of nations in the region that they would like to see, that they are concerned _ would like to see, that they are concerned with this being an escalation, i don't think we are at that escalation, idon't think we are at that point— escalation, i don't think we are at that point any time soon.- escalation, i don't think we are at that point any time soon. lyon, let me brina that point any time soon. lyon, let me bring you _ that point any time soon. lyon, let me bring you in- — that point any time soon. lyon, let me bring you in. we _ that point any time soon. lyon, let me bring you in. we have - that point any time soon. lyon, let me bring you in. we have from - me bring you in. we have from our political editor chris mason in that report. rishi sunak didn't go to parliament before making that decision, he did consult with the leader of the labour party, sir keir starmer, but there have been some opposition parties who now say that parliament should be recalled for debate what has happened. what parliament should be recalled for debate what has happened. what you make of it all? _ debate what has happened. what you make of it all? i _ debate what has happened. what you make of it all? ithink— debate what has happened. what you make of it all? i think the _ debate what has happened. what you make of it all? i think the first - make of it all? i think the first point to note is the prime minister is well within his rights to launch military action without going to parliament. there is no particular

law to say he has to go parliament but we have seen it in recent years when military action has been taken and we are hearing this chorus from political leaders in the uk asking that there should be some sort of debate or discussion in parliament and we will see that next week. of course, the difference being is going to be retrospective of the action that has been taken but i think we have heard from ed davey of the liberal democrats and keir starmer of the labour party saying they most likely would support a military action but they would like to have a discussion and have their input so i think it's part and parcel really a parliamentary politics in westminster. leon, mill, will be back— politics in westminster. leon, mill, will be back with _ politics in westminster. leon, mill, will be back with you _ politics in westminster. leon, mill, will be back with you in _ politics in westminster. leon, mill, will be back with you in shortly. - in the last hour of the us presidentjoe biden has been asked about the strikes on houthi fighters

in the imminent is what he said. i think they are a terrorist group. and let's hear what us department of defense spokesperson, patrick ryder, had to say about what the strikes had achieved... i don't know that i would necessarily describe that as retaliatory or whether what we are seeing is an effort on the part of the houthis say we are still standing but again, i think right now probably the houthis are evaluating what capabilities they have and they have a hard decision in front of them. whether or not they want to continue to feel the condemnation and the results and the response from the international community. at the end of the day, our focus is on ensuring that the red sea, this vital international waterway is a safe and secure for international shipping and the lives of mariners and us will continue to stay focused on.— stay focused on. patrick ryder s-ueakin stay focused on. patrick ryder speaking there. _ stay focused on. patrick ryder speaking there. and _ stay focused on. patrick ryder speaking there. and for- stay focused on. patrick ryder. speaking there. and for viewers outside the uk you can watch that full interview shortly here on bbc world news america.

we canjoin we can join live to washington as i'm joined by my correspondent tom bateman. we were listening then to the latest comments from president biden. what you make what he had to say. ? tram you make what he had to say. ? two thinus- you make what he had to say. ? two things- what — you make what he had to say. ? twr things— what they did last night was a success and you heard him as the question directly and also say he didn't think there were any civilian casualties in that added to the success. the houthis have said that at least five of their militia men were killed in the attacks. but certainly no additional claims of civilian casualties so that would seem to match what president biden as saying on the particular front. as to the wider issue, he asked iran and he was asked about iran and escalation and he said that iran does not want to enter a war with us. ifeel is interesting how in does not want to enter a war with us. i feel is interesting how in the statement that announced the strikes

from president biden last night there was no mention of iran. the word was not used and i think that's because in the heat of this moment, he didn't want to be seen to be directly pointing a finger at the iranians. he left that to lower level officials who in a series of briefings overnight and into the morning were talking with how they believed the iranians were involved in their words at every phase of the houthi attacks on shipping over the last few months. what you are seeing amid all of this is the americans, along with the british who were also involved in these military strikes, trying to walk this line to deter the houthis but not to escalate and wider regional situation and the risk of escalation is that it draws in the iranians and that's really why you're seeing the us in particular tried to disconnect what

they have done in the red the strikes against yemen, with the war between israel and her hamas in gaza. they say this has nothing to do with the warring gazza but to protect maritime shipping in the red sea there but the reality is that the houthis, their entire basis for what they have been doing over the last few months is to back palestinians and to call for an end to israel's siege on gaza and a ceasefire in gaza and that happens to be the policy position for much of the wider arab and muslim world, that they want a ceasefire. so the us and uk are acutely aware in the region, but direct military action makes it look as though they are there now doing this for the first time in defence of israel. they understand how the perception that

creates a risk of greater escalation but of course it's not accurate for them to say it's not connected to what's happening in israel and gaza because of course these two things are intimately connected. tam are intimately connected. tom bateman. _ are intimately connected. tom bateman, thank _ are intimately connected. tom bateman, thank you _ are intimately connected. tom bateman, thank you very - are intimately connected. tom bateman, thank you very much for bringing this up to date in washington. martin griffiths the un undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs has expressed his affair or concerns stop i remain extremely concerned for the risk of further regional spread of this conflict. ~ . , further regional spread of this conflict. ~ ., , . conflict. we are seeing increasing tension and _ conflict. we are seeing increasing tension and hostilities _ conflict. we are seeing increasing tension and hostilities in - conflict. we are seeing increasing tension and hostilities in the - conflict. we are seeing increasing| tension and hostilities in the west bank where there has been increased israeli raids on palestinian towns, alarming increases resulting in death and the demolition of homes and we are aware as we will be discussing later of the increase in tensions of military activity in lebanon, the red sea and my own

favourite country yemen. we cannot allow this to metastasise further, the consequence of a wider conflagration, as this is as it is not bad enough, will be on imaginable. in not bad enough, will be on imaginable.— imaginable. in the russian ambassador _ imaginable. in the russian ambassador to _ imaginable. in the russian ambassador to the - imaginable. in the russian ambassador to the united | imaginable. in the russian - ambassador to the united nations imaginable. in the russian _ ambassador to the united nations has said of the us and his allies has "single—handedly triggered or triggered a spill—over of the conflict into the entire region after those strikes in yemen." we can now speak to an associate director of middle east and north africa at a london based commercial intelligence and security expert but to simply, you're an expert on the region and you spent a lot of time there. let me ask you this to begin with, why do you think this has happened this week? because we were seeing the attacks on the red sea and we have been reporting on them

for a number of weeks now so why did the us and uk act now?— the us and uk act now? timing is alwa s the us and uk act now? timing is always significant, _ the us and uk act now? timing is always significant, as _ the us and uk act now? timing is always significant, as is _ the us and uk act now? timing is always significant, as is context i always significant, as is context behind these kind of surgical attacks. i think there has been a lead up of events over the past few days, weeks and indeed months and even stretching back beyond that. the houthis have constituted or threatened to disrupt maritime security in the red sea for a number of years and this is not necessarily a new development, with the scope and severity of the escalation is certainly new and connected to the israel— hamas war in gaza. this would not have been a decision taken easily by the us and the uk and i believe washington felt that it was stuck between a rock and a hard place, choosing to re—establish deterrence in a significant way, whilst the same time, avoiding the

escalation that analysts and indeed the peoples of the middle east are so anxious about. haste the peoples of the middle east are so anxious about.— so anxious about. we heard from president biden _ so anxious about. we heard from president biden earlier. - so anxious about. we heard from president biden earlier. there i so anxious about. we heard from l president biden earlier. there have been people who disagree with his actions on the actions of prime minister rishi sunak and one of the most strongest critics has been turkey. what is the wider reaction in the region to what's happened in the last 2a hours? in the region to what's happened in the last 24 hours?— the last 24 hours? there has been widesoread _ the last 24 hours? there has been widespread outrage _ the last 24 hours? there has been widespread outrage against - the last 24 hours? there has been widespread outrage against the i the last 24 hours? there has been | widespread outrage against the us and the ukjoint widespread outrage against the us and the uk joint strikes last night. this is unsurprising given the combination of various factors such as anti—americanism, especially heightened in the context of what's going on in gaza at the moment and a humanitarian tragedy that is unfolding before our eyes. it's not surprising that turkey and other countries, the foreign ministry of man also issued a strong

condemnation today warning against of escalation —— but man... and to return to talks in a genuine way about a ceasefire in gaza as well as about a ceasefire in gaza as well as a pathway palestinian statehood. the turkish president was strong, as he has been in this condemnation of israel's actions in gaza he described the us uk strikes as an attempt to turn the red sea into a sea of blood and supported, in his statements, the actions of the houthis in standing up and championing the palestinian cause. which has been consistent with previous statements. star; which has been consistent with previous statements.— which has been consistent with previous statements. stay with us, lease and previous statements. stay with us, please and we _ previous statements. stay with us, please and we will _ previous statements. stay with us, please and we will bring _ previous statements. stay with us, please and we will bring our - please and we will bring our panellists in. mo and leon. no, i

will bring you in first. we heard from the us and the uk about why they see these attacks as justified but as we heard there from our panellists they think it's a terrible idea.— panellists they think it's a terrible idea. and i think she exolained — terrible idea. and i think she exolained very _ terrible idea. and i think she explained very well. - terrible idea. and i think she explained very well. there . terrible idea. and i think she explained very well. there is terrible idea. and i think she i explained very well. there is a terrible idea. and i think she - explained very well. there is a deep desire _ explained very well. there is a deep desire within the region because of anti—americanism, because of anti-israel_ anti—americanism, because of anti—israel sentiment to connect this with — anti—israel sentiment to connect this with what is going on in israel and gaza — this with what is going on in israel and gaza. so to be able to point to that and _ and gaza. so to be able to point to that and say— and gaza. so to be able to point to that and say that they are standing with the _ that and say that they are standing with the houthis who are championing the palestinian cause is not very surprising — the palestinian cause is not very surprising. at the end of the day, i do think— surprising. at the end of the day, i do think that many of the critics in the region. — do think that many of the critics in the region, the cooler heads will prevail— the region, the cooler heads will prevail and they don't need to

embrace — prevail and they don't need to embrace the western action, but they will again— embrace the western action, but they will again want to see stability in the region— will again want to see stability in the region and know that the houthis are a disruptive force and so they will say— are a disruptive force and so they will say these things but i don't think— will say these things but i don't think you — will say these things but i don't think you will see any sort of rapid escalation— think you will see any sort of rapid escalation that brings in other nations— escalation that brings in other nations in— escalation that brings in other nations in the region. i don't think. — nations in the region. i don't think. at— nations in the region. i don't think, at least at this point, there is much _ think, at least at this point, there is much of— think, at least at this point, there is much of an appetite for that. leon, _ is much of an appetite for that. leon, how— is much of an appetite for that. leon, how do you think this will impact the uk public relationship and allies in the region? i impact the uk public relationship and allies in the region?- and allies in the region? i think it's important _ and allies in the region? i think it's important for— and allies in the region? i think it's important for the _ and allies in the region? i think it's important for the uk - and allies in the region? i think it's important for the uk to - it's important for the uk to maintain _ it's important for the uk to maintain its— it's important for the uk to maintain its relationship i it's important for the uk to l maintain its relationship with it's important for the uk to - maintain its relationship with the united _ maintain its relationship with the united states. _ maintain its relationship with the united states. i— maintain its relationship with the united states. i think— maintain its relationship with the united states. i think that's - maintain its relationship with the united states. i think that's the i united states. i think that's the key relationship _ united states. i think that's the key relationship in _ united states. i think that's the key relationship in this - united states. i think that's the key relationship in this scenario but of— key relationship in this scenario but of course, _ key relationship in this scenario but of course, in _ key relationship in this scenario but of course, in the _ key relationship in this scenario but of course, in the middle - key relationship in this scenario . but of course, in the middle east, where _ but of course, in the middle east, where the — but of course, in the middle east, where the uk _ but of course, in the middle east, where the uk does _ but of course, in the middle east, where the uk does have - but of course, in the middle east, where the uk does have a - but of course, in the middle east, where the uk does have a vested | where the uk does have a vested interest, — where the uk does have a vested interest, i— where the uk does have a vested interest, i think— where the uk does have a vested interest, i think there _ where the uk does have a vested interest, i think there is- where the uk does have a vested interest, i think there is going i where the uk does have a vested interest, i think there is going to| interest, i think there is going to be tension — interest, i think there is going to be tension because _ interest, i think there is going to be tension because the - interest, i think there is going to be tension because the uk- interest, i think there is going to be tension because the uk has. interest, i think there is going to. be tension because the uk has had interest, i think there is going to- be tension because the uk has had to straddle _ be tension because the uk has had to straddle a _ be tension because the uk has had to straddle a fine — be tension because the uk has had to straddle a fine line _ be tension because the uk has had to straddle a fine line ever— be tension because the uk has had to straddle a fine line ever since - be tension because the uk has had to straddle a fine line ever since the - straddle a fine line ever since the palestine — straddle a fine line ever since the palestine and _ straddle a fine line ever since the palestine and israel— straddle a fine line ever since the palestine and israel war- straddle a fine line ever since the palestine and israel war began i straddle a fine line ever since the j palestine and israel war began by being _ palestine and israel war began by being able — palestine and israel war began by being able to _ palestine and israel war began by being able to sit _ palestine and israel war began by being able to sit on _ palestine and israel war began by being able to sit on the _ palestine and israel war began by being able to sit on the side -

palestine and israel war began by being able to sit on the side of. palestine and israel war began byl being able to sit on the side of the israelis _ being able to sit on the side of the israelis whilst _ being able to sit on the side of the israelis whilst not _ being able to sit on the side of the israelis whilst not necessarily- israelis whilst not necessarily condoning _ israelis whilst not necessarily condoning all— israelis whilst not necessarily condoning all of— israelis whilst not necessarily condoning all of the - israelis whilst not necessarily condoning all of the extent. israelis whilst not necessarilyj condoning all of the extent to israelis whilst not necessarily- condoning all of the extent to which the military— condoning all of the extent to which the military action _ condoning all of the extent to which the military action is _ condoning all of the extent to which the military action is moving - condoning all of the extent to which the military action is moving and . condoning all of the extent to which the military action is moving and i. the military action is moving and i do think— the military action is moving and i do think for— the military action is moving and i do think for the _ the military action is moving and i do think for the uk, _ the military action is moving and i do think for the uk, they - the military action is moving and i do think for the uk, they tread i the military action is moving and ii do think for the uk, they tread this fine line _ do think for the uk, they tread this fine line and — do think for the uk, they tread this fine line and they— do think for the uk, they tread this fine line and they will _ do think for the uk, they tread this fine line and they will be _ do think for the uk, they tread this fine line and they will be cautious i fine line and they will be cautious of not _ fine line and they will be cautious of not wanting _ fine line and they will be cautious of not wanting to _ fine line and they will be cautious of not wanting to escalate - fine line and they will be cautious of not wanting to escalate but. fine line and they will be cautious of not wanting to escalate but i. of not wanting to escalate but i think— of not wanting to escalate but i think now— of not wanting to escalate but i think now all _ of not wanting to escalate but i think now all eyes _ of not wanting to escalate but i think now all eyes will - of not wanting to escalate but i think now all eyes will be - of not wanting to escalate but i think now all eyes will be on i of not wanting to escalate but ii think now all eyes will be on the iranians — think now all eyes will be on the iranians who _ think now all eyes will be on the iranians who backed _ think now all eyes will be on the iranians who backed the - think now all eyes will be on the iranians who backed the houthil iranians who backed the houthi rebels — iranians who backed the houthi rebels and _ iranians who backed the houthi rebels and if— iranians who backed the houthi rebels and if they— iranians who backed the houthi rebels and if they see - iranians who backed the houthi rebels and if they see this - iranians who backed the houthi rebels and if they see this as l iranians who backed the houthi| rebels and if they see this as an escalation, _ rebels and if they see this as an escalation, which— rebels and if they see this as an escalation, which i'm _ rebels and if they see this as an escalation, which i'm sure - rebels and if they see this as an escalation, which i'm sure theyl rebels and if they see this as an . escalation, which i'm sure they do, then— escalation, which i'm sure they do, then i'rn _ escalation, which i'm sure they do, then i'm sure— escalation, which i'm sure they do, then i'm sure think— escalation, which i'm sure they do, then i'm sure think the _ escalation, which i'm sure they do, then i'm sure think the uk - escalation, which i'm sure they do, then i'm sure think the uk and - then i'm sure think the uk and america— then i'm sure think the uk and america and— then i'm sure think the uk and america and its— then i'm sure think the uk and america and its allies - then i'm sure think the uk and america and its allies have - then i'm sure think the uk and america and its allies have to| america and its allies have to coordinate _ america and its allies have to coordinate a _ america and its allies have to coordinate a response - america and its allies have to coordinate a response to - america and its allies have to. coordinate a response to make america and its allies have to - coordinate a response to make sure the west _ coordinate a response to make sure the west does — coordinate a response to make sure the west does not _ coordinate a response to make sure the west does not seem _ coordinate a response to make sure the west does not seem fractured l coordinate a response to make sure i the west does not seem fractured and it does— the west does not seem fractured and it does seem — the west does not seem fractured and it does seem united _ the west does not seem fractured and it does seem united on— the west does not seem fractured and it does seem united on this _ the west does not seem fractured and it does seem united on this issue - the west does not seem fractured and it does seem united on this issue as l it does seem united on this issue as well as— it does seem united on this issue as well as other — it does seem united on this issue as well as other conflict _ it does seem united on this issue as well as other conflict zones - it does seem united on this issue as well as other conflict zones around. well as other conflict zones around the world — well as other conflict zones around the world hie _ well as other conflict zones around the world. ~ ., ., ., ., ,, the world. we are going to thank you and say goodbye _ the world. we are going to thank you and say goodbye to _ the world. we are going to thank you and say goodbye to you _ the world. we are going to thank you and say goodbye to you but - the world. we are going to thank you and say goodbye to you but leon andj and say goodbye to you but leon and know i will say goodbye to temporarily but we'll be back with you on short while. —— mil... let's take a look at some stories making the news. the uk economy grew by more than expected in november, according to new official figures.

the office for national statistics said the economy grew by 0.3%, after falling the month before. the grown was driven by the services sector, including a boost to retail from the black friday sales. a woman and her former partner have been given life sentences for the murder of her 18—month—old son. alfie philips died in a caravan in kent in 2020, with more than 50 injuries, and traces of cocaine in his body. sian hedges, will spend at least 19 years injail, while jack benham, won't be considered for release for 23 years. a ferry has had a rather bumpy crossing in the north—western state of washington in the us. heavy winds were causing waves to overwhelm the parking deck of the vessel. with only a few cars on board and no passengers, the ferry was able to maintain an upright position before heading into port. you're live with bbc news. israel has called on judges at the international court ofjustice to throw out the case brought by south africa

alleging that it is committing genocide in gaza. on the second and final day of hearings at the un's highest court, one of the lawyers acting for israel argued that demands by south africa to end the offensive in gaza lacked any merit. when a population is ruled by a terrorist organisation that cares more about wiping out its neighbor than about protecting its own civilians, there are acute challenges in protecting the civilian population. those challenges are exacerbated by the dynamic and evolving nature of intense hostilities in an urban area where the enemy exploits hospitals, shelters, and critical infrastructure. speaking outside court, the south african justice speaking outside court, the south africanjustice minister speaking outside court, the south african justice minister says speaking outside court, the south africanjustice minister says the self defence is no justification for genocide. trio self defence is no 'ustification for renocide. ., ., ., genocide. no matter what some individual in _ genocide. no matter what some individual in palestine _ genocide. no matter what some

individual in palestine are - genocide. no matter what some individual in palestine are gazza| individual in palestine are gazza may have done a no matter how great the threat to israel and the sequences might be, genocidal attacks on the whole of gaza and the whole of the population with the intent of destroying them cannot be justified at all.— justified at all. let's go back to our panel— justified at all. let's go back to our panel to — justified at all. let's go back to our panel to discuss _ justified at all. let's go back to our panel to discuss that - justified at all. let's go back to our panel to discuss that in - justified at all. let's go back to l our panel to discuss that in more detail. i'mjoined by our panel to discuss that in more detail. i'm joined by leon and mo... i want to talk to you about what you think the power of the icj is, rather than discussing the details of this case, we discussed them earlier and we have heard the two viewpoints but do you think something like the icj can actually make a difference in examining some of the charges that have been made against israel? it’s of the charges that have been made against israel?— against israel? it's an interesting . uestion against israel? it's an interesting question because, _ against israel? it's an interesting question because, yes, - against israel? it's an interesting question because, yes, the - against israel? it's an interesting| question because, yes, the ruling from the icj are legally binding technically but they aren't enforceable and i think that's why this is such an interesting case has been brought to the icj. what it does do is that if the icj rules in

south africa's favour and says there is evidence of genocide being committed by israel, then it will become very hard for the us and the uk and other israeli allies to continue their support for what israel is doing because it would ultimately be against the international law. that won't necessarily stop israel but i think the fact that this isn't enforceable is significant but i don't think it's necessarily significant enough to stop israel from acting. i did the big moment for us to keep an eye on is how the uk and the us and other allies respond to it and whether or not they will continue to support israel if they are seen to break that international law. mo. support israel if they are seen to break that international law. mo, i want to bring _ break that international law. mo, i want to bring you _ break that international law. mo, i want to bring you in _ break that international law. mo, i want to bring you in subject. - break that international law. mo, i want to bring you in subject. howl want to bring you in subject. how much traction is this story, what's happening in the icj, getting the us? ., ~ , happening in the icj, getting the us? . ~ , ., happening in the icj, getting the us? . ., ., ., a us? frankly not a lot. it's getting a little bit of _ us? frankly not a lot. it's getting a little bit of attention _ us? frankly not a lot. it's getting a little bit of attention but - us? frankly not a lot. it's getting a little bit of attention but i - a little bit of attention but i don't — a little bit of attention but i don't think there are a lot of people — don't think there are a lot of people sitting around waiting to make _ people sitting around waiting to make up— people sitting around waiting to make up their mind on how they feel about— make up their mind on how they feel about the _ make up their mind on how they feel

about the situation in gaza based on what the _ about the situation in gaza based on what the icj says or does. but i do agree _ what the icj says or does. but i do agree that — what the icj says or does. but i do agree that from a public relations and political perspective, there is already— and political perspective, there is already tremendous pressure on leadership in the united states and the uk _ leadership in the united states and the uk to— leadership in the united states and the uk to be more sympathetic to the plight _ the uk to be more sympathetic to the plight of— the uk to be more sympathetic to the plight of the palestinians and they are walking a fine line showing, rightfully — are walking a fine line showing, rightfully so, support for israel while _ rightfully so, support for israel while being may be less enthusiastic about— while being may be less enthusiastic about the _ while being may be less enthusiastic about the way israel is litigating this conflict. if a term like genocide, which is an incredibly charged — genocide, which is an incredibly charged term, get some sort of formal— charged term, get some sort of formal application to the situation there. _ formal application to the situation there, that pressure will only ratchet — there, that pressure will only ratchet up, that will put immense pressure — ratchet up, that will put immense pressure on president biden heading into this _ pressure on president biden heading into this next election from his own base and _ into this next election from his own base and i— into this next election from his own base and i suspect for the prime

minister— base and i suspect for the prime minister as well. will not be enough to weaken— minister as well. will not be enough to weaken their support for israel? i to weaken their support for israel? i don't _ to weaken their support for israel? i don't know but it will certainly complicate the political landscape for them — complicate the political landscape for them. ., ., complicate the political landscape forthem. ., ., , for them. leon and mo, interesting perspectives _ for them. leon and mo, interesting perspectives on _ for them. leon and mo, interesting perspectives on that _ for them. leon and mo, interesting perspectives on that ongoing - perspectives on that ongoing situation at the international court of justice. situation at the international court ofjustice. i will be back with both leon and mo after a short break where you are watching the context and bbc news. good evening. it's been a much colder week with frosty scenes across the uk and it has been drier. we have rain to come in the north overnight and first thing tomorrow but more significantly, this weather front will introduce even colder air, surging down from the arctic on strong winds so we will feel pretty bitter as we head into next with severe frost and a greater risk of snow. and come back to that. for the

meantime, this evening and overnight will have wetter weather making its way southwards so as we do go through the night and temperatures follow close to freezing and below freezing in a few spots, there could be the odd icy patch and as we have seen this week the default patch and it may well linger throughout the day on saturday so quite a lot of cloud mulling around and still a few spots of rain, but much brighter skies follow for scotland and northern ireland and england and then brightness further south as well once a mist and fog clears but well once a mist and fog clears but we hold on to a lot of cloud as well but the wind direction changes and is down from the north or north—west. not a particularly cold day in the face of things but i think it will start to feel chilly in that brisk north wind which will bring with it wintry showers increasingly so as we go through tomorrow night and into sunday so a colder night with the frost returning and a little bit more sharply in the north as you can see with longer clear spells here, but sunday, we still have the remnants of the weather front in the south and a few spots of rain but it's

snow we are expecting across scotland already and warnings out for those snow showers piling up and causing potential disruption. you can see it as a colder day. these are the areas we think through sunday and monday you will see disruptive snow. initially scotland within the risk increases on monday in northern ireland and you can see that yourself in a potentially later on monday and into tuesday you might see a spell of snow pushing southwards into southern scotland, northern ireland and northern england but ben the risk of disruptive snow pushing southwards as we could see five or ten centimetres over the hills and by wednesday, just a hint that we might see some snow in southern areas as well as those heavy showers continuing with the snowfall in the north so you can see there are areas where we are expecting to see most of the snow as we go into next week but not exclusively as there could be snow elsewhere but certainly it looks colder as we go through next week.

hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. a classified, closed—door briefing takes place on capitol hill over whistle—blower claims about "unidentified anomalous phenomena", better known as ufos. rishi sunak has made an unannounced visit to ukraine —

where he promised £2.5 billion — that's $3 billion — in new military aid. the prime minister said he wanted to send a strong signal to vladimir putin that the uk remained a strong supporter of the ukrainian people. the funding, which is £200 million more than in the last two years, will ensure the largest ever commitment of drones. mr sunak went on to address ukraine's parliament. let's hear some of what he had to say. putin cannot understand that while you can kill individuals and destroy buildings, no army can ever defeat the will of a free people. and that is why ukraine will win. let's bring in the panel. leon emirali — a former ministerial aide and pr consultant. and mo elliethee — executive director at the georgetown institute of politics and public service.