affairs and senior fellow in global governance at the council on foreign relation — and leon emirali, a pr advisor and former aide to the current environment secretary, steve barclay. more than 800 officials from the us and europe have criticised their governments�* policies on israel and the war in gaza. in a statement, they say israel has shown "no boundaries" in its military operation. the officials also warn that western countries may be complicit in "grave violations of international law". presidentjoe biden has taken part in a ceremony for the repatriation of the bodies of three american soldiers killed in a drone attack in jordan. two 16—year—olds who murdered another teenager in a frenzied knife attack near warrington last year have been named.

scarlettjenkinson and eddie ratcliffe lured brianna jai to a park in broad daylight, where they stabbed her 28 times. —— brianna ghey. this afternoon they were given life sentences with minimum terms of 22 and 20 years. the pair had discussed the murder in the weeks before. police have released new images of abdul shakoor ezedi, who they're still hunting in connection with an attack on a woman and her two children, using a corrosive substance that has left the mother with life—changing injuries. more details have emerged of ezedi's movements before and after the attack in south london on wednesday evening. but we begin tonight with an unprecedented warning from more than 800 serving officials in the us and europe denouncing their governments�* policy on israel and the war in gaza. in a signed a statement they warn that their own governments�* policies on the israel—gaza war could amount to "grave violations

of international law". one signatory to the statement — a us government official with more than 25 years�* national security experience — told the bbc those who understand the region were not being listened to. the statement warns that their administrations risk being "complicit in one of the worst human catastrophes of this century" but that their expert advice has been sidelined. it says israel has shown "no boundaries" in its military operations in gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of preventable civilian deaths. it also calls for the us and european governments to "stop asserting to the public that there is a strategic and defensible rationale behind the israeli operation". the statement is signed by civil servants from the us, the eu, and 11 european countries including the uk, france, and germany. meanwhile, un aid agencies say they�*re deeply concerned that the fighting in gaza could spread to rafah,

the territory�*s southernmost city. the area is now sheltering more than half of gaza�*s two million population. on thursday, the israeli defence minister said his country�*s forces would advance into the area once they�*d completed their mission against hamas in the nearby city of khan yunis. there remain hopes of a ceasefire — according to qatar, hamas has received a truce proposal that would include the release of hostages, but has yet to respond. live now to our state department correspondent tom bateman, in washington. let�*s start with that letter signed by 800 senior officials. what does it tell us about the levels of dissent within the governments of some of israel�*s key allies? well, we�*ve always known that there�*s been dissent amongst civil servants in posts, you know, people

with expertise in the region, people who work on those portfolios both in the us and in european countries — size you say, some of israel�*s most strategic allies. i think what�*s new about this and the important thing is the way this statement has been jointly published across 12 different countries now, the us and ii different countries now, the us and 11 other countries in europe, as well as officials from the european union. remember, these are people that are in theirjobs — they haven�*t published their names, but as well as correlating it, they�*ve put the letter out in public and domain, and it�*s my understanding that almost half of those that have signed it our civil servants with at least a decade of�*s experience in thejob each. so least a decade of�*s experience in the job each. so you�*re talking about reasonably experienced people and beyond, senior levels. one of those who signed it, you mentioned an official with more than 25 years

national security experts in the us, they said for them they had reached a breaking point, they have never signed a public declaration like this, but felt that fundamentally there warnings about the policy of, particularly in the united states, providing the diplomatic and military support to israel without a level of accountability or conditions in the current context was a flawed policy. because what this statement is saying is effectively that israel has been responsible for the mass destruction of property and lives in gaza. israel says a large number of those are militants, but clearly a huge number of civilians killed by israel — and what the officials are saying is there isn�*t a strategy behind this, it isn�*t leading to the defeat of hamas, to making sure that hamas can�*t attack israel again, that the policy is failing. therefore it�*s not making israel more secure, and it�*s leading the region —— leaving

the region more destabilised. so they are calling for western governments to do more to use their leverage and even withdraw some military support because the policy is a failure and they are asking for that fundamentally to be called out. so it feels like it�*s a significant moment in this dissent, as i say, it�*s always been there, it�*s just coming out a bit more forcefully. as for the israelis, they completely reject all this criticism — as for the governments involved, nothing formally from the us but the uk calls for israel to abide by international humanitarian law, that too many casualties have been killed, and the un says it�*s looking into this statement. killed, and the un says it's looking into this statement.— into this statement. tom, you say a bit more forcefully _ into this statement. tom, you say a bit more forcefully and _ into this statement. tom, you say a bit more forcefully and vocally - - into this statement. tom, you say a bit more forcefully and vocally - i i bit more forcefully and vocally — i wonder how it�*ll be received in the building behind you, they are in washington also in downing street, and in brussels — i wonder whether those leaders will look at this? there�*s a key allegation in this that�*s pretty damning, saying it

makes a distinction between not failing to prevent something, and then being actively complicit in it. there is an important distinction, but it�*s quite an allegation to level at those world leaders. yes. level at those world leaders. yes, and that goes _ level at those world leaders. yes, and that goes exactly _ level at those world leaders. yes, and that goes exactly back - level at those world leaders. 1&1: and that goes exactly back to the point i was mentioning, that a lot of these officials have talked about in the past, there�*s been a failure to prevent a crisis in a foreign state, a catastrophe or acts of war, or violations of war — that�*s one thing, and clearly those things have happened in the past where the west has not done that. what they�*re talking about here is the fundamental differences, the us gives $1.8 billion in military aid to israel each year, supplying it with the vast amounts of weapons. and they say that in those circumstances, in their view, and they say that in those circumstances, in theirview, it makes those governments effectively complicit in everything that�*s going wrong with the policy. i think in terms of what the administration will do, it�*s been very aware of this dissent for some time — antony

blinken, the secretary of state, said in november when there were letters being listened to written, "we are listening, we take on board the advice of our experts." the view of these officials is that after nearly four months in, they�*ve given their views and still it�*s the same rhetoric from the us administration — to many palestinian civilians are killed, but they�*re still seeing the same number of palestinians killed — so the rhetoric is not turning into action and reality. in the end, what the us administration is trying to achieve now, it�*s been announced that antony blinken will carry out a fifth tour of the reach this sunday. they need to get that deal struck between israel and hamas in gaza, a cease—fire for the release of hostages. the us hopes that�*ll open up hostages. the us hopes that�*ll open up the state to get a more lasting a permanent cease fire going. but of course, so far the price has been too high for both sides to get closer to an agreement. it seems

israel has agreed to a framework that�*s being handed to hamas at the moment — we don�*t know where that�*ll get to, but certainly antony blinken will try to push all that forward over the next week.— over the next week. tom, always ureat to over the next week. tom, always great to get _ over the next week. tom, always great to get your _ over the next week. tom, always great to get your insight, - over the next week. tom, always great to get your insight, tom i great to get your insight, tom bateman live in washington. and former ministerial aide to the current i�*m joined by leon emirali political commentator and former ministerial aide to the current environment secretary steve barclay. we were talking about the advice offered by senior civil servants in the us, uk and europe. talk about the us, uk and europe. talk about the role they play in advising ministers and presidents and prime ministers, and there allegation in this letter that this advice is simply not be heated. it�*s simply not be heated. it's incredibly _ simply not be heated. it�*s incredibly difficult situation where you have the mechanics of government, if you like, the civil servants at all it the political direction of the government —— at

odds. and i think that�*s clearly what we are seeing now when it comes to this conflict. this is unlike perhaps the russian invasion of ukraine, where there was a clear aggressor, a clear understanding of who was in the wrong. i think in this case, it�*s far more blurred than that, and i think a lot of people within government, senior people, military advisers, national security advisers are looking at the situation and saying that israel�*s response to what happened on october 7th is disproportionate, and that there is no risk of a real humanitarian collapse within gaza — and that will be a big problem where you�*ve got that disconnect between what civil servants believe and what the politicians believe. that said, there�*s an old saying in westminster, which is that advisers advise and ministers decide — and ultimately, that has to be the way in which a functioning democracy works. now it doesn�*t mean that this call from those advisers and civil

servants will go unheeded, but it will certainly highlight perhaps a tension in the west�*s response and support for israel in the long term. and leon, but also highlights, one assumes, is that the advice is just one part of the process of making a decision like a response to what�*s going on in the middle east, there are so many other factors at play, not least the decades of politics that go before it, but also the position of other world leaders who will want to present a united front when it comes to what is going on there — and that will factor in any decision made by any world leader, whether it�*s in the us, uk or elsewhere. it whether it's in the us, uk or elsewhere-— whether it's in the us, uk or elsewhere. . . , ., elsewhere. it certainly well, and i think there's _ elsewhere. it certainly well, and i think there's another _ elsewhere. it certainly well, and i think there's another big - elsewhere. it certainly well, and i think there's another big factor. think there�*s another big factor that�*s also impacting that decision—making, which is that there are elections in both the united kingdom, most likely, and in the united states happening this year. it's united states happening this year. it�*s very much we are in political mode of the election cycle, and

there�*ll be a lot of campaigning from all political parties, whether they are world leaders are the opposition right now, and that will certainly also weigh on the minds of politicians. if they can see that the public are not necessarily supporting the action we are seeing them take, then that will also have ramifications for them long term politically, as well as geopolitically. so i think there�*s a lot of consideration that must be taken into account. that said, i do think that for the mechanics of government, for the civil servants and advisers, theirjob is to keep the show on the road — so effectively, you let the politicians do their campaigning, say what they have to say to appeal to the electorate, but deep down we know the state continues to function and can be delivered. when it comes to something as complex as this, when it comes to something where there is clearly civilian lives being lost, i think that takes a whole new dimension where you effectively have

the ability for politicians to say, "we are going to do one thing and expect our state to implement it," and if there is resistance there, it can become incredibly complex and complicated at a time when tensions are already high.— are already high. leon, let's bring in esther at _ are already high. leon, let's bring in esther at this _ are already high. leon, let's bring in esther at this point. _ are already high. leon, let's bring in esther at this point. really - are already high. leon, let's bring | in esther at this point. really good to have you on the programme tonight, we arejust to have you on the programme tonight, we are just discussing that letter signed by some 800 senior officials and governments around the world, making some pretty severe allegations about the fact their advice has been ignored when it comes to what�*s happening in israel and gaza. we are looking to the process, that this is the advice thatis process, that this is the advice that is offered to rule leaders, this is just one that is offered to rule leaders, this isjust one part that is offered to rule leaders, this is just one part of their decision—making process about offering their support for israel. just give us a sense of will be happening behind the scenes now, and how that letter will be received in the white house and downing street, brussels? , , .,

brussels? firstly, good afternoon and aood brussels? firstly, good afternoon and good evening _ brussels? firstly, good afternoon and good evening to _ brussels? firstly, good afternoon and good evening to everybody i brussels? firstly, good afternoon - and good evening to everybody here. indeed. _ and good evening to everybody here. indeed. it _ and good evening to everybody here. indeed. it is— and good evening to everybody here. indeed, it is a remarkable statement of the _ indeed, it is a remarkable statement of the views— indeed, it is a remarkable statement of the views of multiple civil servants, _ of the views of multiple civil servants, foreign service officers from _ servants, foreign service officers from multiple countries. that said, there's_ from multiple countries. that said, there's always been a deep respect for viewpoints, whether it is the tradiiionai— for viewpoints, whether it is the traditional dissent channel, which we understand has been used in recent_ we understand has been used in recent months, that this would immediately go to the highest levels with this _ immediately go to the highest levels with this type of numbers behind it— and particularly, what these specific— and particularly, what these specific allegations and the specific— specific allegations and the specific recommendations are. sol think— specific recommendations are. sol think this _ specific recommendations are. sol think this could occasion some rethinking internally. know what is actuaiiy— rethinking internally. know what is actually mean, in terms of changes in policies — actually mean, in terms of changes in policies is — actually mean, in terms of changes in policies is a different question. it'll certainly get a serious hearing _ it'll certainly get a serious hearing — the question is, will there — hearing — the question is, will there he — hearing — the question is, will there be any serious results or

evaluations done, and actual actions as a result _ evaluations done, and actual actions as a result of reading this letter from _ as a result of reading this letter from so — as a result of reading this letter from so many senior officials? and that's a point _ from so many senior officials? fific that's a point about what from so many senior officials? fific that's a point about what this might that�*s a point about what this might change on the ground or in the days and weeks, or months to come, and i wonder as to whether it marked a turning point? just this week, joe biden approving sanctions on four israeli settlers who were accused of attacking palestinians in the occupied west bank. tonight, we hear canada may consider making a similar move. do you think there�*s any regret or nervousness about the unconditional support at the white house offered to israel at the start of this conflict? i house offered to israel at the start of this conflict?— of this conflict? i think it's perhaps — of this conflict? i think it's perhaps a _ of this conflict? i think it's perhaps a different - of this conflict? i think it's . perhaps a different response, of this conflict? i think it's - perhaps a different response, as in this is— perhaps a different response, as in this is a _ perhaps a different response, as in this is a new— perhaps a different response, as in this is a new stage, that the passage _ this is a new stage, that the passage of time, the extraordinary number_ passage of time, the extraordinary number of— passage of time, the extraordinary number of civilian casualties of course — number of civilian casualties of course will affect revaluing policy options — course will affect revaluing policy options. that said, i think this has

been _ options. that said, i think this has been percolating, the concerns about dissent _ been percolating, the concerns about dissent within and concerns within the foreign policy community have been _ the foreign policy community have been percolating for quite some time, _ been percolating for quite some time, and — been percolating for quite some time, and those have now emerged. at the same _ time, and those have now emerged. at the same time, you're seeing multipie _ the same time, you're seeing multiple countries also saying with the passage of time, you have to re—evaluate what's happening and look re—evaluate what's happening and took at _ re—evaluate what's happening and look at what steps to take now. and ithink— look at what steps to take now. and i think those concerned about the long-term — i think those concerned about the long—term peace in the region are saying _ long—term peace in the region are saying that — long—term peace in the region are saying that you have to address both the level_ saying that you have to address both the level of violence, as well as the level of violence, as well as the original conditions that led to the original conditions that led to the actions on october 7th and before — the actions on october 7th and before that. so all this has been percolating, but it certainly time for this— percolating, but it certainly time for this reevaluation.— for this reevaluation. yes, percolating _ for this reevaluation. yes, percolating and _ for this reevaluation. yes, percolating and this - for this reevaluation. yes, percolating and this time | forthis reevaluation. isis percolating and this time becoming a bit more vocal, we were hearing from our state department correspondent explaining some of what�*s going on there right now. the senior official who spoke to the bbc said he likened it to concerns within the us administration in 2003 over that faulty intelligence that led up to the invasion of iraq — he said

what�*s different this time is that many officials who had reservations didn�*t want to stay silent, and that is because they say there is a difference between failing to prevent something or being actively complicit in it — actively being complicit in it — actively being complicit in it — actively being complicit in one of the worst human catastrophes of this century. it is a serious allegation that is somewhat different to what happened in 2003, this isn�*t aboutjust bad orfaulty advice, this is in 2003, this isn�*t aboutjust bad or faulty advice, this is saying, "we are advising you on something and you�*re ignoring it." "we are advising you on something and you're ignoring it."— and you're ignoring it." indeed, i think this is _ and you're ignoring it." indeed, i think this is actually _ think this is actually unprecedented. again, ithink think this is actually unprecedented. again, i think it's important — unprecedented. again, i think it's important to note these are from the very professionals in the field who are experts on the region and making the point _ are experts on the region and making the point that the consequences of not using _ the point that the consequences of not using every tool you have no prevent — not using every tool you have no prevent further violence is serious. indeed. _ prevent further violence is serious. indeed. the — prevent further violence is serious. indeed, the united states and how it provides— indeed, the united states and how it provides assistance, but it allows its miiitary— provides assistance, but it allows its military material used by israel

to do— its military material used by israel to do is— its military material used by israel to do is all— its military material used by israel to do is all part of the us's role, and i_ to do is all part of the us's role, and i think— to do is all part of the us's role, and i think it's time to re—evaluate that and _ and i think it's time to re—evaluate that and that's coming out much more clearly— that and that's coming out much more clearly than _ that and that's coming out much more clearly than we've really ever seen before, _ clearly than we've really ever seen before, it — clearly than we've really ever seen before, it certainly in modern times — before, it certainly in modern times. ., ., before, it certainly in modern times. ., . ., times. good to have you both on the anel with times. good to have you both on the panel with us — times. good to have you both on the panel with us tonight, _ times. good to have you both on the panel with us tonight, we'll talk - times. good to have you both on the panel with us tonight, we'll talk in i panel with us tonight, we�*ll talk in just a moment. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let�*s look at some other stories making news here in the uk. a woman who drove at her fiance before dragging him more than 150 metres along a road has beenjailed fora minimum of 18 years for his murder. alice wood and her partner, ryan watson, had been arguing after a party in may 2022 — but she claimed his death was a "tragic accident". water companies are forecasting an above—inflation rise in average household bills in april, drawing criticism from campaigners. the average annual water and sewerage bill is expected to rise by 6% in england and wales — up to £473 — says the suppliers�* trade body water uk.

in scotland, water and waste charges will go up by nearly 9%. tv presenterjonnie irwin, who appeared on property shows including a place in the sun, has died at the age of 50. he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020 after the disease had spread from his lungs to his brain. a statement on his social media account said he "touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth and infectious spirit". you�*re live with bbc news. president biden has taken part in a ceremony today for the repatriation ceremony today for the repatriation ceremony of the bodies of three american soldiers killed injordan. they died in the strike near the border with syria on sunday. the plane carrying their bodies arrived at an air force base in delaware where they received military honours. the white house has said the attack on its military base, which wounded a0 others, was carried

out by enron blocked mission called islamic resistance in iraq. iran has denied any involvement. in response, joe biden has backed retaliation strikes. it said it will respond firmly. several iran backed groups have increased attacks on us and israeli linked entities since the beginning of the war on october 7th. let�*s talk to our panel, and esther, it�*s always a striking image, those repatriation ceremonies, and it always serves to underline that this is an active conflict and one that can reach right around the world. indeed, these are some of the most sombre ceremonies conducted by public officials, and indeed in a world where we usually are talking, these ceremonies are usually in silence, showing the deep respect the bidens have always had for those

serving in uniform and out, that they were there. and i should note that not only is it because of the current highly important strategic issues related to the tragic deaths, but also they�*ve actually had a long—standing interest in military families. for example, joe biden —— jill biden, when she was the second lady and he was vice president, actually had care of military families as one of her high priority focuses. so they, it both as the president and first lady, along with the secretary of defence and others. but also, because they realise the costs that are paid by americans as they serve in the armed forces. some breaking news at this point, we�*ve been reporting about the potential for the us to start launching some of those strikes against facilities in response to that drone attack earlier in the week that killed three us servicemen. we now understand from

the bbc�*s partner in the us that the us has begun conducting strikes in iraq and syria — this in retaliation for that drone attack that killed those three us soldiers on sunday. there are very few details at this stage, as he will expect. but we understand that those strikes have now begun. there had been pressure of course on presidentjoe biden to launch strikes directly on iran — he has stepped away from direct strikes inside iranian territory, we are told those strikes will now go on around the region. we heard yesterday, the white house saying they will be in a manager and time of choosing. they also pointed to the fact that the weather would be a significant factor, to make sure they could mitigate any civilian targets or casualties, and strike at specific targets. at this stage, we know very little except that the us

has now begun those strikes in iraq and syria. we should be really clear at this stage, there is a lot of speculation as to what those strikes might look like and what they may well target, but nonetheless we now understand that those strikes have begun. we will make sure we get a lot of clarification for you on what exactly is going on on the ground, because as i said, plenty of speculation. we will speak to our correspondence in the region. but this of course is significant because we know in an election year, president biden is under significant pressure to present a strong response to those strikes that have claimed the lives of three us soldiers — the first us soldiers to be killed in this current conflict since the war between israel and gaza began back on october 7th. as we said, there was pressure from some in the us to strike within iran itself, but at this stage we know

the strikes it�*s simply affecting iraq and syria. iranian backed militia targets. no previously, there had been launched some strikes against some of the facilities there, seen really to act as a deterrent. what we understand, these strikes will now involve reducing the capability of those iran backed militia to launch any strikes on us interests. so as i said, we will keep a really close eye on what happens right now, but our partner in the united states reporting that those strikes in iraq and syria have begun. let�*s take you to tom bateman, our state department correspondent in washington — tom, you�*re looking at the same news that i am, very little for us to go on at this stage, but we understand those strikes have begun. is there any response from the white house? nothing official at all, this has been approved by officials behind the scenes, as you�*ve been quoting,

two us officials confirming that what they say is the us retaliation has started, as you say, in iraq and syria. also significantly syria and state media quoting what it calls "us aggression" on a number of sites in the syria iraq border, resulting in the syria iraq border, resulting in a number of casualties and injuries. so confirmation that this retaliation was widely anticipated, and it has begun. we�*ve been getting some indications earlier of drone activity and explosions around the area, this is a corridor of towns that runs parallel with the euphrates in syria down towards the iraqi border. now that is an area of very high concentration of iran backed militias. the islamic

revolutionary guard corps, the irani and personnel are there had been some unconfirmed reports in the week that those areas are being evacuated, so that seems very much tonight to be the focus of the activity. we�*ve heard those unconfirmed reports of exclusions and drone activity on the ground, now it does make us officials confirming that us retaliation has started. ,, , . , ., confirming that us retaliation has started. ,, ,. , ., started. seeing pictures today, joe biden in started. seeing pictures today, joe itiden in that _ started. seeing pictures today, joe biden in that repatriation - started. seeing pictures today, joe| biden in that repatriation ceremony of the three servicemen killed on sunday. as we were touching on, biden under pressure to make direct retaliatory response. lloyd austin saying this week, "we will respond choose, when we choose, and how we choose." but at the same time they will have a very keen i on the fact that they don�*t want escalate this conflict any more, they want to ratchet town tensions all at the same time setting out the message that the us will not stand idly by

whilst its interest in the region are being directly attacked. you're absolutely right, _ are being directly attacked. you're absolutely right, and _ are being directly attacked. you're absolutely right, and we _ are being directly attacked. you're absolutely right, and we talked . absolutely right, and we talked earlier about the desire for the us to calibrate their response, not to draw in tehran into a direct us — iran confrontation. but at the same time, president biden has been under this pressure to create a meaningful deterrence after the deaths of three us soldiers in the region, the first killed as a result of hostile action since october 7th. now that is a tall order because what has happened here is iran backed militia and not just in iraq and syria, but also yemen have during this period, as the crisis in gaza has deepened, has really taken that opportunity to

extend and escalate the targeting towards israel�*s western allies. so we have those attacks on shipping in the red sea, and what have been many, many attacks on us bases by iran backed militias in iraq and syria — this one injordan, just over the border, it struck and defeated the baseballs make air defences, killing those three us reservists — so at that point, president biden had to respond. he was already being portrayed as weak by his republican rivals, so we see that tonight, but obviously the critical thing is, what exactly are they hitting, will that include iranian personnel, particularly senior commanders? we know a lot of these militias around the area, some

of them are syrian nationals, but in terms of the rank and file fighters on the ground, a lot of the commanders will be iranians. so if the us is targeting iranian personnel, as it�*s sad, or some of its officials briefed earlier this week that they would, then we are more likely to see some sort of response from the iranians, and certainly their ambassador to the un said earlier this week that if there was a strike on iran itself, or iranian interests, that they would give a strong response, they say. we�*ve been talking this week, guests telling us there was a lot of criticism that president biden was not stronger earlier on, that he allowed a radiant backed forces to target too many us interests before taking decisive action, that the deterrent, they said, was no longer working, and so some questioning why it has needed to come to this, that

perhaps earlier action may have prevented the need to launch these specific strikes, and we see too right across that region, whether it was there in syria but we�*ve also seen some of those attacks by houthi rebels on shipping in the red sea, that affecting things right around the world when it comes to things like global trade, so it feels they�*ve been pushed to a point where they�*ve been pushed to a point where they have had to act in the not least of course by that targeting of the base that killed those three us servicemen on sunday.— the base that killed those three us servicemen on sunday. yeah, this is alwa s the servicemen on sunday. yeah, this is always the calculation _ servicemen on sunday. yeah, this is always the calculation about - always the calculation about deterrent, isn�*t it, how hard do you strike to try to scare your adversary into not attacking you but not to the degree that you angered them so much they definitely will attack you? that balance is obviously very hard to strike. i think that the point is we have heard a lot over recent weeks and months about the us�*s objective in the middle east is to prevent the war in gaza are escalating and

spilling out into the wider middle east and of course it�*s absolutely