to the un agency for palestinian refugees, despite a plea from the un chief for countries to continue funding. and israeli delegation has arrived for talks about it gaza ceasefire with representatives from egypt and qatar. we start this hour with the breaking news that three us have troops have been killed in a drone attack on an american base injordan near the border with syria. the us military says more than 20 other personnel were injured. president biden said the the attack had been carried out the soldiers are the first american military personnel to be killed in the middle east, since the beginning of the gaza war. president biden said the the attack had been carried out by an iranian—backed militant group operating in syria and iraq and vowed reprisals.

no group has claimed it is behind the attack, and we have had no word from the iran. garden have already said that the attacks didn't take place inside a georgian about a card and turkey. what is the white house sing at the moment about this attack? , ., �* ., , ., attack? joe biden has said that america's how _ attack? joe biden has said that america's how is _ attack? joe biden has said that america's how is heavy - attack? joe biden has said that america's how is heavy today l attack? joe biden has said thatl america's how is heavy today as attack? joe biden has said that - america's how is heavy today as the country to grieve the loss of these three us service personnel. he described them as the very best of our nation. and in that statement, the white house said that iran about militant groups operating in iraq and syria were responsible for this attack. we understand that dozens were injured, some of them seriously, and those are seriously injured, some of those but evacuated from jordan. there was an incident

earlier this month when us about the groups struck a base in iraq with a drone. threes us service personnel injured, one of them critically, and that attack. the us then carried out air strikes on these groups in retaliation for that attack. joe biden today in his statement about that these acts wouldn't go unpunished, that the us would respond at a time and in a manner, he said, of our choosing. i think this is a very concerning them, very moment, as she said, these are the first american troops killed in the middle east since the war and gaza are begun, but there have been similar attacks. there has been a kind of pattern of escalation across the region. we saw what has happened in the red sea with the houthi attacks on shipping. the us in the uk under alice launching strikes

against houthi against those attacks. i against houthi against those attacks. , , , ., attacks. i suppose the big question is, what will _ attacks. i suppose the big question is, what will that _ attacks. i suppose the big question is, what will that response - attacks. i suppose the big question is, what will that response look - is, what will that response look like? , , ., _ is, what will that response look like? , ,, is, what will that response look like? , , ., like? yes. obviously, but don't want to speculate — like? yes. obviously, but don't want to speculate too _ like? yes. obviously, but don't want to speculate too much _ like? yes. obviously, but don't want to speculate too much at _ like? yes. obviously, but don't want to speculate too much at this - like? yes. obviously, but don't want to speculate too much at this point, | to speculate too much at this point, but if you look at how the us responded to that similar incident i just mentioned in december, and how the us and its allies have responded to them houthi attacks on red sea shipping, then i think we should to possibly expect something similar. but let's not try and predict that at this church. but i think this is at this church. but i think this is a very serious moment. this is a very concerning moment. it is always wanting when something like this happens, but i think at this time come when you are seeing what iran

calls resistance, hezbollah and lebanon are carrying out attacks on the border with israel, the houthi rebels in the red sea, these are run about militant groups that operate in iraq and syria, reducing body and pattern across the region. i think this will be very concerning. —— we are seeing a pattern. we will have to see what the pentagon's nicks moves out. to see what the pentagon's nicks moves out-— to see what the pentagon's nicks moves out. , . ., _, . ., moves out. ever since a conflict and gaza, the moves out. ever since a conflict and gaza. the years _ moves out. ever since a conflict and gaza, the years has _ moves out. ever since a conflict and gaza, the years has been _ moves out. ever since a conflict and gaza, the years has been trying - moves out. ever since a conflict and gaza, the years has been trying to l gaza, the years has been trying to prevent that wider confit with the secretary of state antony blinken travelling across the region a number of times.— travelling across the region a number of times. �* ., , �* ~ number of times. antony blinken has undertaken several _ number of times. antony blinken has undertaken several trips. _ number of times. antony blinken has undertaken several trips. bisson - number of times. antony blinken has undertaken several trips. bisson won| undertaken several trips. bisson won just a few weeks ago when he visited a number of countries in the region, met with key regional players. —— we saw one. to try to prevent this conflict in gaza from spreading

across the region, from escalating. of course, the last thing the us wants is the danger of any direct military confrontation with other players in the region. iran, of course, most dangerously. the us is expelling a lot of diplomatic energy and effort to ensure that that kind of nightmare scenario of escalation in the region doesn't happen. thank ou for in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining _ in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining us. _ in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining us. that's _ in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining us. that's get - in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining us. that's get more analysis on the use of three us service personnel have been killed. live now to tim ripley who is a defence and security analyst and the the editor of defence eye. this is a very serious attack. i mean, this is a very big and strategic bears at the corner of the borders of syria, iraq and jordan, where the meat out in the desert. it has been the fulcrum of a tight spot

had the syrian government and hezbollah forces for several years. and we have seen a steady increase as you corresponding in washington talked about, of attacks in this region, and a basis for british troops are best. only last week, hundred and 50 trips of the yorkshire regiment came under attack. it is notjust us forces. who do you think is likely to have attacked this attack?— attacked this attack? there are several groups _ attacked this attack? there are several groups in _ attacked this attack? there are several groups in this - attacked this attack? there are several groups in this region... that are linked to iran, and also up hezbollah. there are no loose alliance with the syrian government, the operate from their air bases, they are operated by russian forces. these are in just a few more guys in the desert. this is a coordinated attack by opinion militias searching down after kurdistan. this is quite

a widespread campaign of attacks on those isolated us bases. this a widespread campaign of attacks on those isolated us bases.— those isolated us bases. this bears in particular— those isolated us bases. this bears in particular that _ those isolated us bases. this bears in particular that has _ those isolated us bases. this bears in particular that has been - those isolated us bases. this bears in particular that has been hit, - those isolated us bases. this bears in particular that has been hit, and | in particular that has been hit, and we're not exactly sure which one it is, because thejordanians are saying it was in an dealtjordan, but there seem to be too busy certificates have been. you would imagine that us bases would be heavily fortified with the fact is, but still there's a drone has managed to hit it. —— with defences. 0k, managed to hit it. —— with defences. ok, we obviously have a problem with the line, so we will try and get that back to you. but a reminder of the breaking news in the last couple of hours that three us soldiers have been killed in a drone attack in jordan. we have a special allowed page “p jordan. we have a special allowed page up and running on the bbc news website and up, which has at the

very latest information, including analysis from a team of experts. you can find that out... and we will of course come back to it as such that it develops. next a major story here in the uk, a murder investigation has been launched after two boys, aged 15 and 16, were killed in a stabbing in bristol last night. avon and somerset police say they were attacked by a group of people who fled the scene in a car. a 44—year—old man and a 15—year old boy are in custody, but police are looking for more suspects. a vehicle has also been seized. people from the area have come out to pay their respects and a levels in tribute. locals have said they have been shocked by the incident. our correspondent danjohnson has just sent this update from the scene in bristol. the police were called

here to ilminster avenue on this estate in at about 11:20 last night to reports of these boys having been attacked and stabbed. and we believe that double decker bus marks the point where the attack took place. it's not thought that the bus itself was involved. itjust happened to be passing at the time and has been caught up in what is now a huge area that is cordoned off while the forensic investigation goes on here. detectives trying to gather all the evidence they can to piece together exactly what led to this attack. they are appealing for witnesses. they are appealing for people who have cctv or door—bell camera footage, anything that might give them a proper idea of who was involved in this, what the build up was, what led to this attack, and then, crucially, what happened afterwards, because police say they believe the offenders made off in a car, and they have made two arrests already — a 44—year—old man and a 15—year—old boy who are in custody being questioned. but the police are also saying they believe others were involved

and they are still being hunted. we believe that at least one of the boys lived on this street. so it has hit people here very hard. a huge amount of shock and sadness in the area. we've seen people coming to lay flowers. we know that the police have escorted some relatives of the victims to see closer to the scene. but it's something that's upset a huge amount of people here and it is causing a large degree of disruption, with officers out questioning neighbours and people who live here, looking for that evidence, trying to piece together exactly what happened while people here are trying to get their heads around how two boys so young can have lost their lives in such a violent way. commander superintendent mark runacres of avon and somerset police, who is in bristol.

and also to secure a cctv coverage when it has been available, particularly from local residents, may be on their door bells and the like. they have provided information we can follow up on. two arrests were made off at night, and we are seeking... there was a buzz on its use of it around 20 past 11, and that was caught effectively ii, and that was caught effectively in some of the cartons that we set “p in some of the cartons that we set up as officers secured the scenes, and we want to make sure we contact people who have made being but on that bus. i was at the scene recently, to speak to some residents and was approached by a local lady who identified herself as being on the bus. those are the kind of people we need to speak to. bristol is a richly diverse city in every respect, but south bristol is a part of the city but there are several

pockets of deprivation, and there are the associated issues that you would expect the police to deal with in areas that suffer in that way, the crime and anti—social behaviour. but what we have got yesterday as two local boys who have left your local address and have been set upon in that street by a group of people, arms and clearly intent on causing them significant harm, as they have done. it is hugely shocking. it is a tragic incident. i spent some time talking to residents there, and some relatives of the poor boys who died, and itjust brings it home how shocking this is for the families, for the community, and for the city. we will be working with a locally trained family liaison officers to support the families. i know that the widerfamily were support the families. i know that the wider family were rallying othering to support them and come together to grieve, and the

community, the neighbours, but expressing to me how the new particular one of the victims. they were talking about what's a good lad she had been. it has hit people are really hard. the united nations is urging governments not to withdraw funding from its main agency which delivers aid to palestinians in gaza — known as unwra. france is the latest country to pull money for the organisation — after israel alleged that 12 of its staff were involved in the deadly october 7th attacks by hamas. the agency, which employs 30,000 members of staff, 1,300 of whom work in gaza, says it is investigating and has already sacked nine employees. in a written statement, the un's secretary general antonio guterres said...

here's un spokesman, stephane dujarric. the secretary general is horrified by this news and asks mr lazzarini to investigate this matter swiftly and to ensure that any unrwa employees shown to have participated or abetted in what transpired on october 7th, or in any other criminal activity, be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution. meanwhile, the israel military is pressing ahead with its operation against hamas in the south of the gaza strip. palestinians continue to stream out of khan younis, where the israeli army says it's involved in intense fighting. multiple israeli air strikes have been reported there. the hamas—run health ministry says 165 palestinians have been killed in the past 2a hours, taking the total number killed

since the start of the war to more than 26,400. displaced palestinians leaving khan younis for rafah have been giving their reaction to the decision by some ten countries to pause funding for unwra. translation: teller mark croft it is my vote is a palestinian child to get help from these european countries. mil get help from these european countries-— get help from these european countries. �* , ., ., countries. all the people of gaza are suoposed — countries. all the people of gaza are supposed to _ countries. all the people of gaza are supposed to get _ countries. all the people of gaza are supposed to get it _ countries. all the people of gaza are supposed to get it from - countries. all the people of gaza are supposed to get it from the i are supposed to get it from the european countries. we are dispersed for the second time from a gaza, and we didn't see the rd routing is from the european countries.— we didn't see the rd routing is from the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will— the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will give _ the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will give us _ the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will give us food _ the european countries. unwra is our lifeline. he will give us food and - lifeline. he will give us food and drink_ lifeline. he will give us food and drink after— lifeline. he will give us food and drink after the war? may allah help the people. what can i say? the comments _ the people. what can i say? the comments of — the people. what can i say? the comments of britain, germany and some _ comments of britain, germany and some other— comments of britain, germany and some other european _ comments of britain, germany and some other european countries - comments of britain, germany and some other european countries in. some other european countries in regard _ some other european countries in regard to — some other european countries in regard to the _ some other european countries in regard to the aid _ some other european countries in regard to the aid for _ some other european countries in regard to the aid for the - regard to the aid for the palestinian _ regard to the aid for the palestinian people - regard to the aid for the palestinian people is. regard to the aid for the - palestinian people is considered a disaster— palestinian people is considered a disaster for— palestinian people is considered a disaster for us. _ palestinian people is considered a disaster for us. the _ palestinian people is considered a disaster for us. the occupation i disaster for us. the occupation keeps — disaster for us. the occupation keeps on — disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing _ disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing crimes - disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing crimes and - disaster for us. the occupation keeps on doing crimes and yet| disaster for us. the occupation - keeps on doing crimes and yet they are sopporiing _ keeps on doing crimes and yet they

are supporting them _ keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting them to _ keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting them to do - keeps on doing crimes and yet they are supporting them to do more . are supporting them to do more crimes— are supporting them to do more crimes on— are supporting them to do more crimes on those. _ are supporting them to do more crimes on those. what - are supporting them to do more crimes on those. what we - are supporting them to do more crimes on those. what we are l are supporting them to do more - crimes on those. what we are going through— crimes on those. what we are going through right — crimes on those. what we are going through right now— crimes on those. what we are going through right now is— crimes on those. what we are going through right now is not— crimes on those. what we are going through right now is not a _ crimes on those. what we are going through right now is not a war- crimes on those. what we are going through right now is not a war froml through right now is not a war from israet. _ through right now is not a war from israet. it— through right now is not a war from israet. it is— through right now is not a war from israet. it is a— through right now is not a war from israel, it is a war— through right now is not a war from israel, it is a war between - through right now is not a war from israel, it is a war between the - israel, it is a war between the world — israel, it is a war between the world against _ israel, it is a war between the world against us. _ let's go live to a nonprofit organisation that works to promote relations. can i get a reaction to the news site france on the other countries have suspended their funding? it countries have suspended their fundin: ? . countries have suspended their fundina? ,, _ countries have suspended their fundina? ,, ,_, countries have suspended their fundint? ,, ,_, , funding? it is simply a disgraceful condition, and _ funding? it is simply a disgraceful condition, and you _ funding? it is simply a disgraceful condition, and you very _ funding? it is simply a disgraceful condition, and you very wisely - funding? it is simply a disgraceful. condition, and you very wisely have aired the abuse of palestinians in gaza, because it those people, half of million plus of them in a situation of starvation, they have been collected locally penalised by the donor community by cutting off suspended aired to the largest humanitarian agency in the strip. it

will be those people who are undergoing the most extraordinary suffering who are the ones who are going to pay the costs for this. it is unconscionable that your first reaction to what were allegations, not ones that have been proven in a court or anything else, that you cut off funding to some of the most vulnerable people, notjust in gaza part in the entire planet. that is forsaking a duty that we as a donor states have to assist the needy and the most at risk. the states have to assist the needy and the most at risk.— the most at risk. the governments obviously believe _ the most at risk. the governments obviously believe it _ the most at risk. the governments obviously believe it was _ the most at risk. the governmentsj obviously believe it was necessary, because the claims were so serious. and this is on the airports. surely it is no don't to the united nations to get the investigation done, and then pose donor countries can then assess again whether there should restart the funding? tithe

assess again whether there should restart the funding?— restart the funding? one has to auestion restart the funding? one has to question what _ restart the funding? one has to question what the _ restart the funding? one has to question what the united - restart the funding? one has to i question what the united nations restart the funding? one has to - question what the united nations is meant to do here. it has dismissed immediately, without any due process, in fact, the unwra staff against him allegations have been made. it has initiated an investigation. the attitude of the action of a responsible agency. rather than wait for the outcome of that investigation, what these are donor states have done as a punishing the whole institution, and in fact more importantly punishing the civilian population in gaza, who are enduring unspeakable crimes at the moment. in fact, let me remind you that the international court of justice, the paramount international legal body on the planet, deemed only on friday that it israel had a case to answer, that there are plausible currents that genocide is being committed against the palestinians of gaza. and we have

done nothing to uphold that ruling, but we are now penalising innocent civilians one united nations is actually taking the correct measures in the situation to address the allegations. it is extraordinary, it is wrong—headed. i hope that they will reverse this decision as quickly as possible. it sent all the wrong messages. the rest of the world is watching aghast, wondering why we are taking it out on innocent palestinian civilians. what have they done wrong to deserve this? but there are other agencies working on there are other agencies working on the ground. kind they step on? these the ground. kind they step on? those other agencies _ the ground. kind they step on? those other agencies are _ the ground. kind they step on? those other agencies are doing _ the ground. kind they step on? turn other agencies are doing terrific work. —— can they step in? but unwra is by far and away the largest agency in the gaza strip. it doesn't

employ 1300 people in gaza, it employs 13,000 a few words on the british government, david cameron, has been pushing this comic to get more humanitarian aid into gaza, the only agency capable of distributing it at any skill as unwra. that is no other agency. it at any skill as unwra. that is no otheragency. if it at any skill as unwra. that is no other agency. if you wanted to put together a number of workers from other agencies, they make number and the few hundred. unwra has 13,000 come up with the mechanisms to distribute. of course, that distribution is extremely difficult if not impossible in that situation bombardment, and that is also up the international court ofjustice instructed israel to enable and facilitate aids to go into the gaza strip. and yet, the british government has not pushed israel to actually adhere to those decisions. it is extraordinary. it is a modern

version here. we are literally looking at a situation above the rest of the world is sent to more rules —based artery, true, why does israel enjoy this climate of impunity, and why it is only palestinians that are getting penalised at every stage of this confit? —— a moral inversion. now to istanbul where one person has been killed and several injured in an attack by masked gunmen on a catholic church. the shooting happened at the church of santa maria during sunday morning mass at around 11:1t0am local time. this is the moment the masked gunmen were on their way to the church. turkey's interior minister has condemned the "vile attack" and said an investigation has been launched. police are still searching for the suspects. our senior international correspondent, orla guerin, spoke to us from the church of santa

maria. there's a real sense of shock here in the community about what has happened. turkey's interior minister has just left. he made a visit to the church behind me, offered his condolences to the congregation and to the priest. as he was leaving, he said that those who were trying to destroy the unity that exists between different religions in turkey would not succeed. now, local officials here have been stressing to us that this is an area where christians and muslims had lived together in harmony. one local official who we met this morning was so distressed he was close to tears and could hardly speak. cctv tv footage has emerged which appears to show the moment of the attack. now it is very chilling. two gunmen, who are masked, walk into the back of the church. they appear to be following a man in black. the congregation are already on their feet. they're facing the altar. they become aware of the shooting behind them. they start to duck and try to hide.

but this appeared very much to be a targeted killing. the gunmen went directly for this one man. they shot him. and once that happened, they moved quite calmly towards the back of the church and left. now, there is a large police presence here still in the area. we've been hearing police helicopters and the search for the attackers is ongoing. there has been no claim of responsibility for this attack. we don't know what the motive may be. attacks like this on turkey's christian minority are rare. they have happened in the past, but they are a rare occurrence. the military rulers of burkina faso, mali and niger have announced they are withdrawing from the regional economic bloc ecowas with immediate effect. the military rulers of burkina faso, mali and niger have announced they are withdrawing from the regional economic bloc ecowas with immediate effect. all three nations were suspended by the economic community of west african states after military takeovers. their withdrawal is a blow

to the body's efforts to get them to provide a clear timetable to return to democratic rule. the three military leaders say they want to restore security before holding elections. translated: after 49 years, the valiant people of burkina faso, mali, and niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of pan—africanism. they argue that ecowas, underforeign influence, betrayed its founding principles and became a threat to its member states and their populations, which it was supposed to ensure the well—being of. finally, venice carnival has been kicked off by a giant rat. 0k, not a real rodent. take a look at this. rather a giant rat boat. hundreds of vessels took part in the parade along the famous waterwaters.

this year, the carnival is markinge 700th anniversary of marco polo, one of its greatest travellers who died in 1324. three us service members have been killed and dozens injured in what the united states as a drawn—out site near george and's bordered with syria. we will keep you updated on bbc news. —— nearjordan's border. we don't expect it to get a bit warmer to do more, but it may turn out to be a record—breaking day. with some sunshine and a southerly point ahead of a pint of rain in highland scotland temperatures reach close to 20 degrees earlier on. and that would smash the previous january template record in the uk. they went out dropping actually. and the temperature is going to be

dropping too. this band of rain ripping through scotland and northern ireland is heading into northern parts of england and wales, and following on from that, we are getting into colder air. so much so that the northern parts of scotland, there is likely to be it. note, whereas elsewhere it is still in melt start to monday. this rain will hang around and england and wales. much of scotland and northern ireland likely to be tried with some sunshine. lighterwinds, but much colderthan sunshine. lighterwinds, but much colder than today. temperatures typically seven or 8 degrees, whereas predators dry across the midlands and southern england, just 12 miles. it is notjust rain that we are going to see on monday. after dark a mother could be some snow on the southern points, leading to a sea conditions by tuesday morning, by price point that any of the process believe a cloudy start for england and wales. some sunshine for scotland are northern ireland will

push southwards through the day. that very mounted is going to get purse to become about 12 degrees is still possible in the south—east, but for many in the afternoon it is going to be nearer 8 degrees. turning chilly from the north. if you look to the north again by the middle part of the week, more isobars. that is turning wet and windy, particularly in scotland. widespread guilt on wednesday, and across northern ireland, north of england. the really strong winds are on the far north of scotland, but over the highlands we could see a couple of inches of rain. that wet and windy weather in scotland will sink down into northern ireland. england and wales looking dry. the warmth much later further south, england and wales looking dry. the warmth much laterfurther south, and some sunshine, temperatures of ten and 11. the weather front will move southwards overnight. the rental petered out. surely by for a while but the more chance the wind direction by thursday, bringing an melter area and also workload.

this is bbc news. the headlines: three american soldiers are killed in a drone attack nearlyjordan— syria border. more than 25 others were injured. the white house said the attack had been carried out by an iranian backed militant group. president biden has promised to retaliate. knife crime in the uk: two people

have been arrested after a 15—year—old and 16—year—olds were killed in a stabbing attack by a group of people in bristol in the south—west of england. police say they are looking for further suspects. france has become the latest government to suspend payments to the un agency for palestinian refugees, despite a plea from the un chief for countries to continue funding. and reports from paris say an israeli delegation has arrived for talks about a gaza ceasefire with representatives from the us, egypt and qatar. us negotiators are said to be cautiously optimistic that a deal is within reach. i will be back with a full bulletin of news at the top of the hour. now, disappeared: mexico's missing 43.