launched its ground offensive in gaza, with 2a soldiers killed. the uk and the us carry out more strikes on houthi targets in yemen — prime minister rishi sunak will address the commons shortly. and votes are cast in the new hampshire primary, where nikki haley is challenging donald trump for the republican nomination. the latest round of uk and allied strikes against houthi targets was designed to "send the clearest possible message" to the rebels that attacks on cargo ships are "unacceptable". the words of the uk foreign secretary lord cameron. britainjoined the us in carrying out a fresh set ofjoint air strikes in yemen in response to the houthi rebels targeting international shipping along vital red sea and gulf of aden trade routes. let's show you the scene in the house of commons, where we are expecting the prime minister rishi sunak to update mps on the decision

to further target the houthis. live now to westminster, where our political correspondent rob watson is there for us. yes, we expect to hear from yes, we expect to hearfrom rishi sunak but it seems we may also hear from the house of commons speaker. yes, the house of commons speaker has indicated that he really does think that mps should be brief, they should get notice if there is going to be continuing action. so i think the speaker would distinguish between if there are going to be limited air strikes between that and something far more full—scale british bombardment. i'm not entirely sure there will be some almighty row but i think the speaker is sending out a signal, if it is going to go further, you need to

keep us on side. [30 going to go further, you need to keep us on side.— going to go further, you need to keep us on side. do we expect to hear from — keep us on side. do we expect to hear from rishi _ keep us on side. do we expect to hear from rishi sunak? - keep us on side. do we expect to hear from rishi sunak? he - keep us on side. do we expect to hear from rishi sunak? he is - keep us on side. do we expect to | hear from rishi sunak? he is now keep us on side. do we expect to i hear from rishi sunak? he is now in hearfrom rishi sunak? he is now in the house and has taken his seat. that has shut me up instantly, lucy, because i cannot see the monitor. we have heard from foreign secretary lord cameron, this is the uk, allies, the us and a few others, sending a message that we will not tolerate attacks on international shipping in the red sea to the houthis. do you the united states and united kingdom think this will make the houthis stop?— make the houthis stop? where's listenin: make the houthis stop? where's listening to _ make the houthis stop? where's listening to the _ make the houthis stop? where's listening to the house _ make the houthis stop? where's listening to the house speaker. | make the houthis stop? where's i listening to the house speaker. the statement, callthe listening to the house speaker. the statement, call the prime minister.

at my— statement, call the prime minister. at my order overnight the raf engaged in the second wave of strikes. we saw an ongoing and imminent threat from the houthis to uk vessels and those of our partners in the red sea and the wider region. i said we would not continue to respond if the axe continued to protect innocent lives and ensure freedom of navigation. we acted alongside the us with support from bahrain, australia, canada and another one is acting on the same basis as 11th january, fully in line with international law in self—defence and in response... and in response to a persistent threat. and, as with the first wave, the strikes were limited to carefully selected targets with maximum care taken to protect civilian lives. mr speaker, attempting to counter every houthis attack after it has been launched is

simply not sustainable. we have over shut down dozens of missiles and drones targeted at civilian vessels and the houthis have conducted at least 12 further attacks on shipping since the 11th of january including just last night shortly before our strikes were conducted. so we acted to further degrade their ability to mount such attacks. last week, i gave the house our initial assessment of the first wave of strikes. since then, we have seen further in evidence that they were successful integrating the houthis's military capability. last night, we hit two military sites just north of macleay, each containing multiple targets which the houthis used to support their on shipping. —— just north of sanaa. irate support their on shipping. -- 'ust north of sanaai support their on shipping. -- 'ust north of sanaa. we are not seeking a confrontation. _ north of sanaa. we are not seeking a confrontation. we _ north of sanaa. we are not seeking a confrontation. we urge _

north of sanaa. we are not seeking a confrontation. we urge the _ north of sanaa. we are not seeking a confrontation. we urge the houthis l confrontation. we urge the houthis and those who enable them to stop these illegal and unsuccessful attacks that if necessary the united kingdom will not hesitate to respond again in self—defence. we cannot stand by and allow these acts to go unchallenged. inaction is also a choice. with that in mind and given the persistent nature of the threat it was important to update to the house again today. i listened carefully to honourable and right honourable members last week and we will give the house for a chance for a full debate and a broader approach in the red sea tomorrow. mr speaker, we took extensive steps to address this step to international security before launching action. we launched operation prosperity guardian in december with 20 other countries. international community issued repeated statements in the 1st of december, the 90 december, third of the bray, i2 december, the 90 december, third of the bray, 12 january, condemning the attacks and urging the houthis to desist —— the 19th of december. ——

of january. desist —— the 19th of december. —— ofjanuary. the un security desist —— the 19th of december. —— of january. the un security council passed a resolution urging the houthis to stop the attacks and it is important to note also the internationally recognised government of yemen has also condemned the houthis for their actions, accusing them to create a conflict for propaganda serving only their own selfish aims. as we saw in their own selfish aims. as we saw in the house last week, members are keen to hear how the situation could be brought to an end. we have a vital right to self defence when we have attacks but that is only one part of the response, which we want to say more about today. first, we are increasing diplomatic engagement because we recognise deep concerns about the complexities of the current situation. i spoke to president biden about these issues last night. this foreign secretary will be in the region in the coming days and he met his reigning counterpart last week. he made clear that they must cease supplying the

houthis with weapons and intelligence and use their intelligence and use their intelligence to stop houthi attacks. secondly, we must end the illegal flow of arms to the houthi militia. we have intercepted shipments in the region before including components are the very missiles used by the houthis today. this brings home the importance of maritime security in the region which includes working closely with our allies and partners to disrupt and deter the supply of weapons and components. third, we are going to use the most effective means at our disposal to cut off the houthis financial resources where they used to from these attacks. we are working closely with united states and plan to announce a new sanction measures in the coming days. fourth, we need to keep helping the people of yemen, who have suffered so terribly as a result of the country's civil war. we will continue to deliver humanitarian aid and support a negotiated peace in that conflict,

notjust because it is the right thing to do but also because we need to show the people of yemen that we have no car roll with them as a yemeni government itself understands. so, mr speaker, this is our strategy and we will keep all other tools under close review as well. mr speaker, i repeat that there is no link between our actions of self defence in the red sea and the situation in israel and gaza. those who make that link to the houthis work for them i want to be clear that there is here at home who glorify the houthis attacks are glorifying terrorism, plain and simple. glorifying terrorism, plain and simle. ., ., glorifying terrorism, plain and simple-_ they - glorifying terrorism, plain and simple._ they will| glorifying terrorism, plain and i simple._ they will be glorifying terrorism, plain and - simple._ they will be met simple. hear, hear. they will be met with a zero — simple. hear, hear. they will be met with a zero tolerance _ simple. hear, hear. they will be met with a zero tolerance approach. - with a zero tolerance approach. oliver said, with a zero tolerance approach. oliversaid, mr speaker, iwould like to address the situation in israel and gaza directly because it remains at the forefront of members' mines. president biden and and i discussed this yesterday and he shares my deep concerns about the

situation, terrible suffering and loss of human lives. together we are working to establish a new aid of it to the port of ashkelon and mr speaker the uk wants to see an end to the fighting in gaza as soon as possible. we are causing for an immediate humanitarian pause to get a reading and hostages out of a vital step towards building a sustainable permanent ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life. but to achieve that, hamas must agree to the release of all hostages. they can no longer be in charge of gaza. the threat from hamas terror and rocket attacks must end and an agreement must be in place for the policy and authority to return to gaza to provide governance and security. that is the pathway to peace that should unite the whole house and i believe we are also united in support of a two state solution. mr speaker, through all the complexity of the current

situation, our principles hold firm. resolute in the face of threats, compassionate in support of those in need and determined in maintaining stability, security and the rule of law. that is what our allies and partners have come to expect from the united kingdom. that is what we stand for and i commend this statement the house. i stand for and i commend this statement the house.- stand for and i commend this statement the house. i now call the leader of the _ statement the house. i now call the leader of the opposition, _ statement the house. i now call the leader of the opposition, keir - leader of the opposition, keir starmen _ leader of the opposition, keir starmer. . ~ leader of the opposition, keir starmer. ., ~ , ., ~ leader of the opposition, keir starmer. ., ~ ~ .,~ leader of the opposition, keir starmer. ., ~ ~ starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and thank ou starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and thank you to — starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and thank you to the _ starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and thank you to the prime _ starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and thank you to the prime minister - starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and thank you to the prime minister for i thank you to the prime minister for advance copy of his statement. labour said we willjudge further action on the houthis on a case—by—case basis so let me be clear, we back this targeted action to reinforce maritime security in the red sea. the houthi attacks must stop. they are designed to destabilise us. so we must stand united and strong. they bring danger

to ordinary civilians working hard at cease we must accept them and they aim to disrupt the flow of goods, food and medicine so we must not let them go unaddressed. the professionalism and bravery of those serving on hms diamond and flying raf typhoons are both what is to be expected and completely remarkable. without them, britain cannot be a force for good in the world. mr speaker, of course, these are the second set of strikes the uk has participated in any stated aim of the first set was to deter and degrade houthi capability but we now know that their attacks have continued. so while we do not question the justification for action, it is right that the house he is more about their effectiveness. just make the house he has more. labour of course

recognised that strikes can be used to reduce that without eliminating it and we recognise that the military action taken is just one component of a wider diplomatic strategy but nonetheless i would ask the prime minister to set out his confidence that these strikes will be effective in reducing houthi capabilities. and while of course we understand clearly the basis for these actions, as the situation has evolved, can a fire minister now commit to restating and republishing the government's legal position? mr speaker, alongside the uk in the us, other countries have provided nonoperational support for these strikes and maritime protection in the red sea. many more support the united nations security council resolution that possibly condemns the houthi attacks. unless the premise minster will work is being done to hold together that coalition and to if possible in light of that coalition. the action the uk takes must draw on the support of all

those who care about international law and given the special role the uk plays in yemen, can he set out the concrete steps in addition to those in his statement that we are taking to help the people of yemen who have suffered terribly as a result of that civil war. because, mr speaker, the international community cannot allow itself to be divided. that is exactly what the houthis backers in tehran would love to see. and on that note can you also update the house and whether his government has given further consideration to the prescription of the irgc. we do need every tool at our disposal to disrupt irgc activities we must show iran that it cannot pursue its ends by destabilising the entire region. because, like the prime minister, i totally reject the houthis claims that attacking ships from around the world is somehow linked to the

conflict in gaza. these attacks do absolutely nothing for the palestinian people. what is needed in gaza is a humanitarian truce now, a sustainable ceasefire to stop the killing of innocent civilians, a space for the return of over hostages, urgent humanitarian relief and a decisive step towards a two state solution because palestinian speaker is the —— because, mr speaker, palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the palestinian people. it is not in the gift of a neighbour. does he play with me that a six year palestinian state alongside a secure israel is that viable path to a just and lasting peace? we must stop those who sow disk vision? we must do what we can to disrupt and deter houthis and stay united and steadfast in defence of our values, security invite a self defence. labour will

always act in the national interest and we can provide ourfull support for these necessary and proportionate strikes. for these necessary and --roortionate strikes. . ~ , ., ~ proportionate strikes. thank you, mr seaker. proportionate strikes. thank you, mr speaker- hear. _ proportionate strikes. thank you, mr speaker. hear, hear. _ cani can i thank the leader of the opposition for his statement and he raises all the right questions about the action today which i am happy to answer. he asked about the effectiveness of strikes in the tearing and degrading capability. i'm pleased to tell him further evidence after the initial statement i made last week has demonstrated to us the strikes last week were effective and degrading capability and all the intended targets were destroyed and i'm also pleased to see there are initial evidence from last night that the strikes were destroyed all intended targets which demonstrates to us working with our allies with the same view the

strikes are working to the great capability even though there may be a difference between reducing and eliminating but we are confident the targets us specifically selected on the basis of intelligence, military sites which impact the security and safety of seafarers and shipping and i'm confident the strikes are being carried out in a way that is effective in achieving that aim. i thank him for acknowledging this strikes set within a wider strategy within the region to bring about an end to what we are seeing. the foreign secretary will be in engaging extensively with partners and allies and all the topics he raised, particularly ensuring we can continue making progress on a sustainable peace in yemen and no doubt talking to our partners from saudi arabia and broadening the coalition support and we are taking

and there have been multiple statements made by a wide coalition of countries around the world in support of action and we are continuing to expand that coalition of support because the security of navigation and shipping facts are countries wherever they might be, notjust countries wherever they might be, not just on the countries wherever they might be, notjust on the red sea. all of us have seen the consequences of the war in ukraine on energy bills across europe on the continent and beyond so i think people are very life to the interconnectedness of the global economy and the importance of protecting freedom of navigation everywhere. with regard to legal advice, we are eminently about to publish a summary of legal advice and confirm to him the basis for action remains the same as it was last time but an update to that effect has been published or sure they will be by the attorney general. —— mike shockley will be.

—— mike shockley. —— shortly. he is right to highlight the malign threat of iran in the region and we are working with our allies to knock out the bestjoint way of counteracting the bestjoint way of counteracting the threats and the foreign secretary spoke with his counterpart last week and will continue to use all measures and our disposal and we have already sanctioned the irgc n its entirety and i thank again for his support the action we have taken. we have taken limited, proportionate and i believe necessary action and self defence and will always reserve the right to do that to protect innocent lives under freedom do that to protect innocent lives underfreedom of do that to protect innocent lives under freedom of navigation. do that to protect innocent lives underfreedom of navigation. i desired outcome as father —— as

father —— is that houthis the escalate and we will use everything available at our disposal to ensure that. can i welcome what he says about and humanitarian efforts and cuttin: off about and humanitarian efforts —.ic cutting off the supply of about and humanitarian efforts —.wic cutting off the supply of arms. i predict a welcome what it says about the effectiveness of strikes that have already taken place. will he agree in order to protect civilian shipping this may need to be a prolonged and persistent targeted campaign alongside our allies? can i thank my right _ campaign alongside our allies? can i thank my right honourable friend for his question. i want to be clear that no decision has been taken to embark on a sustained campaign of the nature he mentioned. these were limited strikes specifically in response to threats we perceived but we reserve the right to take action

in self—defence but military action as part of a borders strategy involving diplomatic sanctions and others and we will use all levers to bring about the end to the destruction and illegality houthis are causing. destruction and illegality houthis are causing-— destruction and illegality houthis arecausinu. ., ., ., ., ., are causing. freedom of navigation is not a choice, _ are causing. freedom of navigation is not a choice, it _ are causing. freedom of navigation is not a choice, it is _ are causing. freedom of navigation is not a choice, it is a _ are causing. freedom of navigation is not a choice, it is a necessity - is not a choice, it is a necessity because of the impact it may have an all the people we are very fortunate to represent. as such i think it is fairfor the government to represent. as such i think it is fair for the government to use proportionate and robust action to defend that right to freedom of navigation. howeverfor defend that right to freedom of navigation. however for all of us defend that right to freedom of navigation. howeverfor all of us in this chamber we do need to be mindful of the opponent we face in this regard. the houthis have been under almost constant bombardment from saudi arabia up for the best part of eight years. they didn't get that message so why are we so confident they will get our message this time around was mike natalie to

the wider question of what is the ultimate strategy here going forward? notjust in relation to the houthis but the wider region? in the last week we have seen missile strikes on iran and iraq and lebanon on and pakistan and syria and in yemen. meanwhile continue to see the complete destruction of gaza and hamas continue to obtain hostages themselves. we need to understand that the government strategy not just the calm waters in the red sea but come what is right across the region, and surely that must begin with a ceasefire n gaza? by mike as difficult as the situation as, to do nothing would also be a choice. i

believe it would be the wrong choice because it would be tantamount to ceding control of a global shipping route which is economically vital to a dangerous militant group backed by iran and putting innocent lives at risk. but military taste iran and putting innocent lives at risk. but milita_ iran and putting innocent lives at risk. but military we are engaging on all fronts. _ risk. but military we are engaging on all fronts, i _ risk. but military we are engaging on all fronts, i have _ risk. but military we are engaging on all fronts, i have been - risk. but military we are engaging on all fronts, i have been clear - risk. but military we are engaging on all fronts, i have been clear no | on all fronts, i have been clear no one wants to see this conflict go on for a moment longer than necessary, and in the immediate pause is necessary to get 18, hostages, that is what we have been calling for, the best outcome will be a sustainable ceasefire but as i was coy about, there are a number of things that need to happen for that to be possible, the release of all the hostages by hamas, no longer being in charge of gaza. that is a

conversation we have been having, we will continue to push for that, the best outcome, supported widely by everyone in this house.— best outcome, supported widely by everyone in this house. some people are late, everyone in this house. some people are late. help — everyone in this house. some people are late, help each _ everyone in this house. some people are late, help each other _ everyone in this house. some people are late, help each other by - everyone in this house. some people are late, help each other by being . are late, help each other by being as quick— are late, help each other by being as quick as— are late, help each other by being as quick as we can. chair of the foreign — as quick as we can. chair of the foreign affairs select committee. | foreign affairs select committee. welcome foreign affairs select committee. i welcome these air strikes conducted solely to re—establish freedom of maritime movement, there are a number of however iranian proxies operating across the middle east. a fundamental threat to uk security in the region. what is the approach to comprehensively reduce the threat from old proxies and allies we face we don't end up playing whack a mole? and opportunism from al-qaeda

is evidenced? can we launch track to negotiations to get some progress towards a two state solution? the behaviour of _ towards a two state solution? the behaviour of the iranian regime including the actions of the ircg pose threat to the uk and our allies, particularly around's threats against people here are the uk as well as destabilising the region. we have sanctioned more than 400 iranian individuals including the ircg in its entirety and the national security act last year provides new measures for our police and security services to counter the hostile influence we see. the former suspect is iranian counterpart last week, we will continue that diplomacy this week and as i pointed out we have previously interdicted the supply of iranian missiles being

smuggled to the houthis this year and before, the flow of the weapons to them is critical to their ability to them is critical to their ability to carry out these attacks. can to them is critical to their ability to carry out these attacks.- to carry out these attacks. can i thank the _ to carry out these attacks. can i thank the prime _ to carry out these attacks. can i thank the prime minister - to carry out these attacks. can i thank the prime minister for - to carry out these attacks. cewi i thank the prime minister for his statement as i made clear last week, the lib dems accept the case for strikes against the houthis as long as they remain limited. as the prime minister up there is the house for the second time in this matter, there is remarkably little clarity about what the next steps are and when the uk differ my objectives will be adjudged to have been fulfilled, nor has the prime minister sufficiently addressed how he plans to avoid regional escalation in a fragile region. and i thank him for agreeing to debate the matter tomorrow but will he not give the house the opportunity to vote on this matter not least given

the huge cross—party support there is which would strengthen the signal surely that he intends to give. what surely that he intends to give. what is ethical tory _ surely that he intends to give. what is ethical tory is _ surely that he intends to give. what is ethical tory is the _ surely that he intends to give. what is ethical tory is the houthis ramping up attacks on commercial shipping and watching missiles and drones against us and uk warships and threatening allied bases the region, military action was a last resort, we provided warning after warning, including with allies and the un security council. the houthis had and continue to have the ability to prevent this by stopping their illegal attacks. there are also risks to an action because it will damage international security, damage international security, damage the global economy, sends the message that british vessels, lives and interests are fair game, i don't think any of that is acceptable, i'm pleased there will be of the debate tomorrow but we reserve the right to take action on a limited, proportionate and legal way in

self—defence, that is the right thing and the country would expect nothing less from the government. can i welcome the primer is to double statement of action and on theissue double statement of action and on the issue of run can he say what contingency planning has been done in the eventuality that attacks by the houthis in the red sea are followed up by attacks in the persian gulf. he followed up by attacks in the persian gulf.— followed up by attacks in the persian gulf. , ., persian gulf. he is right to point out the link _ persian gulf. he is right to point out the link between _ persian gulf. he is right to point out the link between iran - persian gulf. he is right to point out the link between iran and i persian gulf. he is right to point| out the link between iran and the houthis, something i discussed with president biden last night, he will know we have assets in the region and are working closely with their allies to ensure maritime security whether that is interdicting arms, or more generally as to ensure maritime security whether that is interdicting arms, or more generally as assuring the freedom of navigation, diplomacy will also have to play a part which is why the foreign secretary's conversation with his reigning counterpart is so important but we will do everything we can to reduce the risk. the prime

minister is right, _ we can to reduce the risk. the prime minister is right, doing _ we can to reduce the risk. the prime minister is right, doing nothing i we can to reduce the risk. the prime minister is right, doing nothing is i minister is right, doing nothing is not an option but to do something is in need of a strategy, so if the attacks continue and the disruption of maritime trade, does he have a plan b? of maritime trade, does he have a [an b? . , of maritime trade, does he have a [an b? ., , , ., ., 4' plan b? that is why we are working extensively — plan b? that is why we are working extensively with _ plan b? that is why we are working extensively with our _ plan b? that is why we are working extensively with our allies, - extensively with our allies, broadening the international coalition of support condemning the houthis' behaviour and putting pressure on them in different ways, it is important military action is not seen in isolation, but part of the economic and diplomatic strategy, we will put something together with their allies in the coming days. flan together with their allies in the coming days-— together with their allies in the cominu da s. . , ,, , coming days. can i express my full su ort coming days. can i express my full support for— coming days. can i express my full support for the _ coming days. can i express my full support for the action _ coming days. can i express my full support for the action the - coming days. can i express my full support for the action the prime i support for the action the prime minister has approved? can i ask my right honourable friend to extend his strategic objectives because it seems that this threat will remain as long as the third might have a safe haven to operate from. it is a question of how we do with what

effectively is an ungoverned space, that part of yemen.— effectively is an ungoverned space, that part of yemen. what is clear is that part of yemen. what is clear is that the houthis _ that part of yemen. what is clear is that the houthis behaviour - that part of yemen. what is clear is that the houthis behaviour is i that the houthis behaviour is actually damaging, we talked previously about... you are watching bbc news, stepping away from proceedings in the house of commons they are worthy prime minister rishi sunak has been making a statement to mps and answering questions following a fresh round of us and uk air strikes in yemen against houthi targets. lucy hockings will be here shortly with the latest uk and global headlines. the israeli military suffers its

heaviest losses since it launched its ground defence in gaza. the uk and us carry out more strikes on houthi targets in yemen, it is the second time in 11 days. and nominations for this year's oscars will be announced shortly, with special live coverage coming up. s hello, i'm lucy hockings. it has been the deadliest day for israeli forces since the start of their ground operation in gaza. funerals are taking place for some of the 24 soldiers killed on monday. it all happened in a single incident. troops inside two buildings ready for demolition troops inside two buildings ready for demolition which troops inside two buildings ready for demolition which were troops inside two buildings ready for demolition which were hit troops inside two buildings ready for demolition which were hit by troops inside two buildings ready for demolition which were hit by a rocket propelled grenade despite losses, the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu said that israel will push on with the fighting in gaza until absolute victory.

translation:—