now blaze out into an all—out conflict which would have huge consequences for israel, for lebanon and for the wider region. now, we've said from day one that we do not want an all—out war with israel. but if we reach that stage, unfortunately, lebanon will not hurt alone. their health care needs are pretty catastrophic, and while we know what's needed to be able to address those needs, getting it in and getting it to those children is another thing entirely. the us—israel relationship has been strained in recent weeks over military shipments, the humanitarian crisis in gaza, and fears the conflict could spread. it's against this backdrop that israel's defence minister holds meetings in washington today. we're live in washington and we'll also hearfrom a hostage family. buckingham palace says princess anne is expected

to make a full recovery, after suffering a concussion after she was injured by a horse. three days of mourning have been declared in dagestan, after police posts, churches and a synagogue were attacked there. 20 people were killed — most of them police officers. and a 12—year—old boy with severe epilepsy has become the first person in the world to trial a new form of treatment. in recent weeks, the relationship between the us and israel has been strained. israel's claimed american shipments of arms have been delayed. america's warned israel to ensure civilian lives are protected in gaza, as the conflict continues. all the while, the humanitarian crisis in the territory is getting worse, and the families of the hostages who were taken on october 7th are desperate for them to return home.

and it's against this backdrop that that israel's defence minister, yoav gallant, has been in washington dc today. he's at the state department, where he's meeting us secretary of state antony blinken, who'll press him on the importance of a realistic plan for the governance of gaza once the war is over. here's the state department spokesperson with more on what the two men will discuss. he is going to emphasise the need to avoid further escalation of the conflict. and then he will, as always, emphasise the need to improve humanitarian access, where we have seen somewhat of an slowdown in access in the south, and the secretary is going to emphasise to the minister that we want to see that situation reversed, and he will hope to hear concrete commitments from him to work on that problem. let's get more from nomia iqbal who's in wasghington. so, first of all, just tell us what this meeting could achieve. we see a lot of officials fly back and forth between israel and the us. well,

yoav gallant _ between israel and the us. well, yoav gallant is _ between israel and the us. well, yoav gallant is here _ between israel and the us. well, yoav gallant is here for— between israel and the us. well, yoav gallant is here for the - between israel and the us. -ii yoav gallant is here for the second time in washington, dc. last time he was here in march, he is meeting his counterpart, the defence secretary lloyd austin and you mentioned the secretary of state antony blinken as well as the head of the cia and he will be discussing the next phase of the war in gaza, but also those increasing tensions on the lebanese border, which is of huge concern for the americans because of concern about what that might open up in the middle east. the prosecutorfor the international criminal court has requested an arrester for yoav gallant, alleging he is responsible for war crimes in gaza and crimes against humanity but the us has rejected that, and they see yoav gallant as a crucial voice and a crucial ally, especially since mr vote once a day after plan in gaza once the war is over and a plan that does not want this really is

occupying gaza, which is what the us wants, and that is at odds with mr netanyahu and there has been tension between yoav gallant, mr netanyahu and the us administration. in terms of lebanon, the escalating tension there is of huge concern, notjust to the israelis but also to the americans and it could end up as a nightmare scenario and we know the biting administrator is committed to israel but they do consider his hezbollah different to hamas and they would not commit to troops on they would not commit to troops on the ground, for example. —— de biden administration is committed to israel. it's expected all of that will be discussed with mr gallant

and his counterparts here in washington, dc. find and his counterparts here in washington, dc.— and his counterparts here in washington, dc. and his counterparts here in washinaton, dc. �* . , , ., washington, dc. and there has been a back-and-forth _ washington, dc. and there has been a back-and-forth about _ washington, dc. and there has been a back-and-forth about this _ washington, dc. and there has been a back-and-forth about this so-called i back—and—forth about this so—called freezing or unfreezing of shipments of bonds between israel and the us and a lack of clarity over who is saying what will stop —— bombs. mr saying what will stop —— bombs. iji' netanyahu saying what will stop —— bombs. m netanyahu gave this long interview over the weekend saying that us is essentially slow rolling aid to israel and saying that is affecting their defences in gaza, something their defences in gaza, something the has completely denied, and john kirby described mr netanyahu's comments as perplexing and the white house press secretary said, we generally do not know what mr knight and yahoo is talking about, he has made these comments without evidence. —— mr netanyahu. the

americans are saying they have paused one shipment of £2000 bombs because they have concerns they are being used in civilian areas, heavily populated areas, but other than that, they have been continuing to give israel the military aid it requires and there is no evidence there has been a detrimental effect on what israel is doing in gaza, and it is worth mentioning that gallant will, as i mentioned, he is seen as a crucial ally and will presumably try to ease the tensions here in the us that we are seeing flare up between the americans and mr netanyahu. between the americans and mr netanyahm— netanyahu. 0k, nomia iqbal in washington — netanyahu. 0k, nomia iqbal in washington with _ netanyahu. 0k, nomia iqbal in washington with the _ netanyahu. 0k, nomia iqbal in washington with the latest - netanyahu. 0k, nomia iqbal in washington with the latest on | washington with the latest on israel's defence minister's trip to america. thank you for the moment. many hostage families have been calling for a hostage deal to bring the living captives home. one such family is of or levy, who was taken hostage by hamas on seventh october after arriving at

a the nova festival with his wife, einav, who was murdered. tomorrow, almog, the son of einav and or, will celebrate his third birthday without his mother and his father. we are joined by the brother of or levy, michael, injerusalem. welcome to the programme. of course, this continues to be an incredibly difficult time for you. when you see israel's defence minister in washington, dc having more talks with various people, including the secretary of state, what is your message to him? my secretary of state, what is your message to him?— secretary of state, what is your message to him? secretary of state, what is your messaueto him? g , , message to him? my message is very simle, net message to him? my message is very simple. get to — message to him? my message is very simple. get to a _ message to him? my message is very simple, get to a deal— message to him? my message is very simple, get to a deal as _ message to him? my message is very simple, get to a deal as soon - message to him? my message is very simple, get to a deal as soon as - simple, get to a deal as soon as possible and get them all out. that is as simple as that. they are running out of time and they are still alive, and they have to be home as soon as possible. what does a deal look like _ home as soon as possible. what does a deal look like to _ home as soon as possible. what does a deal look like to you? _ home as soon as possible. what does a deal look like to you? for— home as soon as possible. what does a deal look like to you? for me, - home as soon as possible. what does a deal look like to you? for me, it. a deal look like to you? for me, it is very simple- —

a deal look like to you? for me, it is very simple. hamas _ a deal look like to you? for me, it is very simple. hamas will- a deal look like to you? for me, it is very simple. hamas will release all the hostages and this war will end, it is as simple as that. and end, it is as simple as that. and what did you — end, it is as simple as that. and what did you think— end, it is as simple as that. and what did you think of the way that benjamin netanyahu has handled things so far, because we have seen many families of people who were taken on the 7th of october take to the streets in tel aviv and jerusalem in protest at the way they feel he has handled things. what is your view on that? for feel he has handled things. what is your view on that?— feel he has handled things. what is your view on that? for me, the only thin that your view on that? for me, the only thing that is — your view on that? for me, the only thing that is important _ your view on that? for me, the only thing that is important is _ your view on that? for me, the only thing that is important is to - your view on that? for me, the only thing that is important is to bring i thing that is important is to bring them all back. the fact that they are not back means that none of us is doing enough to bring them back, and we have to do it. i am talking about myself, i am talking about the media and i am talking about the israeli and foreign governments. we all have to put more pressure on hamas to release their hostages and get them free, set them free as soon

as possible. find get them free, set them free as soon as possible-— as possible. and i guess the question _ as possible. and i guess the question is. _ as possible. and i guess the question is, do _ as possible. and i guess the question is, do you - as possible. and i guess the question is, do you think- as possible. and i guess the question is, do you think at| as possible. and i guess the i question is, do you think at the moment your government, or the us, indeed, is applying the right amount of pressure? because so far there hasn't been a deal and people are still being held captive. i hasn't been a deal and people are still being held captive.— still being held captive. i guess ou are still being held captive. i guess you are right- _ still being held captive. i guess you are right. i _ still being held captive. i guess you are right. i think— still being held captive. i guess you are right. i think that - still being held captive. i guess you are right. i think that the i still being held captive. i guessl you are right. i think that the us and any government in the world should put more pressure on hamas, because they are committing crimes against humanity. my brother's only crime was that he wanted to celebrate peace and love in a music festival and he saw his wife being murdered in front of him, and then was abducted into gaza by monsters that were, as you saw on the video, celebrating the fact they caused so much death and suffering to innocent

civilians. like you said, we have an almost three—year—old son that will not celebrate his birthday with his parents because of it and no kit in the world should suffer from it. how do ou and the world should suffer from it. how do you and your _ the world should suffer from it. how do you and your family get through every day knowing that you no longer have your brother or his wife, but also so many other people are still being held? —— no kid in the world. we arejust trying being held? —— no kid in the world. we are just trying to wake up every morning, if we actually managed to sleep, and keep fighting for or and the rest of the hostages' release, that's it, that's all we do 20 a7. and do you feel hopeful that a deal might be around the corner soon? we have might be around the corner soon? - have to get you a deal, there is no other choice, not for israel and not

support hamas. this war should end and the hostages need to be back. the right order is actually the hostages are released and then this war will end. {eek hostages are released and then this war will end-— war will end. 0k at michael leavy, thank ou war will end. 0k at michael leavy, thank you very _ war will end. 0k at michael leavy, thank you very much _ war will end. 0k at michael leavy, thank you very much for _ war will end. 0k at michael leavy, thank you very much for sharing i war will end. 0k at michael leavy, i thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and of course, condolences to you and the rest of your family for your loss. to you and the rest of your family foryour loss. —— to you and the rest of your family for your loss. —— michael levy. thank you so much. meanwhile, israel's prime minister has said what he called the intense phase of fighting hamas in gaza is nearly over, allowing troops to be freed up to be deployed to israel's northern border with lebanon, where fighting has escalated with the hezbollah armed group. in his first israeli media interview since the start of the war in october, benjamin netanyahu said he expected the ground operation in the southern gaza city of rafah to be completed soon. but he said the war wouldn't finish until the islamist group no longer controls the gaza strip.

the un children's agency, unicef, has been saying for a while now that there is no safe place for children, who are paying the highest price in the war. the charity warned that the effect of the war on gaza's children "will span generations," affecting them both physically and psychologically. well, now, the international charity save the children has released new figures suggesting as many as 21,000 children are missing in gaza. the organisation estimates 17,000 children have become separated from their families during the chaos of the conflict, especially during the latest displacements following the israeli offensive in rafah. a further a,000 are believed to have been trapped beneath rubble, and an unknown number detained or buried in unmarked graves. let's speak to president of the middle east policy council, ambassador gina abercrombie—winstanley.

let's discuss all of those issues. welcome to the programme. there is a lot to get to and we will come to the humanitarian situation and the children in a minute but ijust want to ask you about today's talks in washington to begin with. it seems like we talk about a dealer being around the corner. what do you think might be substantive in this particular visit from yoav gallant, israel's defence minister? —— we talk about a deal being around the corner. flit talk about a deal being around the corner. i i, , , i, i, talk about a deal being around the corner. , , i, i, i, corner. of course, there is a lot of fence mending _ corner. of course, there is a lot of fence mending to _ corner. of course, there is a lot of fence mending to be _ corner. of course, there is a lot of fence mending to be done - corner. of course, there is a lot of fence mending to be done by- corner. of course, there is a lot of fence mending to be done by the i fence mending to be done by the minister in response to the prime minister's public statement critical of president biden, making very clear there is hesitation about accepting the ceasefire that originated from israel, so all of that has got to be navigated in addition to everyone getting on the

same page about the arms transfers that are indeed coming from the united states to israel, because the border conflict with lebanon on and hezbollah is definitely heating up. do you think that is then a huge concern across the corridors of power in washington? absolutely. we have heard from _ power in washington? absolutely. we have heard from the _ power in washington? absolutely. we have heard from the chairman - power in washington? absolutely. we have heard from the chairman of- power in washington? absolutely. we have heard from the chairman of the l have heard from the chairman of the joint chief of staff's warning that a possible israeli incursion into lebanon on good not only bring a response from hezbollah but a response from hezbollah but a response from hezbollah but a response from iran itself and the difficulty that that would likely bring us forces in the region. president biden is approaching an election, it is a very difficult time to have this conflict in the region and certainly one that brings in us forces, american lives in danger to a greater extent, is going

to be something to be avoided at all costs. i, �* , i, costs. indeed, and let's return to what we were _ costs. indeed, and let's return to what we were discussing - costs. indeed, and let's return to what we were discussing just - costs. indeed, and let's return to i what we were discussing just then, which is the humanitarian crisis in gaza, you are hearing from unicef that there is no safe place for children that are paying the highest price in the war and that of course remains a huge concern, notjust amongst people in the region but again, where you are in washington. yes, it is part of the great challenge for the american administration, for president biden, to balance the continued support for the state and people of israel in the state and people of israel in the face of these costs to the civilians in the gaza strip, particularly children put civilians in general, the devastation of

infrastructure. indeed, their very futures. and we are cognisant of that and americans are paying attention to that and it is in our press, in our media, and people want the president, as best he can, to help find a solution to it. unfortunately, it is not in his hands, it is in the hands of the leaders of hamas and israel. and we of course also _ leaders of hamas and israel. and we of course also spoke _ leaders of hamas and israel. and we of course also spoke to _ leaders of hamas and israel. and we of course also spoke to the - leaders of hamas and israel. and we of course also spoke to the relative i of course also spoke to the relative of course also spoke to the relative of someone who was killed in those attacks on the 7th of october and there are many families of people who are still being held hostage you want their loved ones to return home as well. my last question to you, ambassador, is what leveraged you think the us realistically has over israel in all of this? the think the us realistically has over israel in all of this?— israel in all of this? the us has been adamant _ israel in all of this? the us has been adamant about _ israel in all of this? the us has been adamant about the - israel in all of this? the us has - been adamant about the importance of the return of the hostages from the beginning. the president has been very steady on that. right now, it appears that neither the prime

minister, northe appears that neither the prime minister, nor the head of hamas, is interested in a cessation of this conflict. even at one of them, and hamas in particular, should have stepped up with a clear acceptance of the ceasefire, but the reality is neither side has. as far as the hostages are concerned, we heard the president say, we will have to see what he does, that if he ceasefire negotiations between israel and hamas do not go forward, that the united states would see about whether a separate deal could be done via the united states and we will see if he follows through on that. i, ~ , i, , i, will see if he follows through on that. i, ~ , i, i will see if he follows through on that. i, ~ i , i, that. 0k, thank you so much, gina abercrombie _ that. 0k, thank you so much, gina abercrombie winstanley, - that. 0k, thank you so much, gina abercrombie winstanley, bringing | that. 0k, thank you so much, gina l abercrombie winstanley, bringing as your analysis on that main story. thank you. your analysis on that main story. thank you-— your analysis on that main story. thank you. around the world and across the _ thank you. around the world and across the uk, _ thank you. around the world and across the uk, this _ thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is _ thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc - thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. |

princess anne is in hospital

with concussion after apparently being injured by a horse. the incident happened on her estate in gloucestershire yesterday. buckingham palace says the princess, who's 73, is expected to make a full recovery, though is likely to remain in hospital for some days. here's our senior royal correspondent, daniela relph. just over a week ago, trooping the colour. the princess royal was on horseback, where she loved to be. an accomplished horsewoman, she played a leading part in the event. but last night, princess anne was injured on her estate, gatcombe park, in gloucestershire. it is understood she was hurt after coming into contact with a horse's head or legs while on a walk. in a statement, buckingham palace said...

year on year, princess anne tops the list of royals who carry out the most public engagements. her work is often under the radar, without the glamour and attention others receive. but in a year when the royal family has faced serious health issues, her contribution has been more important than ever, especially her support for her older brother. their closeness and his appreciation of his sister have become more obvious since he became king. princess anne's accident adds to the depleted number of full—time working royals at the moment. these have been challenging months, but there are now real gaps in terms of who can carry out public duties. princess anne is notoriously keen to avoid a fuss at all costs, but her injuries mean her engagements this week have been postponed, including a trip to canada.

she is likely to remain in hospital until later this week. daniela relph, bbc news. staying with the uk, a man has gone on trial accused of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the well—known tv presenter holly willoughby. gavin plumb, who's 37 and from essex, is alleged to have developed an obsession with the star over a number of years. he denies the charges. our correspondent lizo mzimba was in court. good morning and welcome to your wednesday�*s this morning. holly willoughby is one of tv�*s best known faces. a presenter on itv�*s this morning for ia years. herfinal two years on the popular daytime show was when the prosecution say that gavin plumb was planning the presenter�*s kidnap and rape. the jury heard that in october last year, gavin plumb, who was present in court, was communicating online with an individual about his plans in graphic detail, and that he sought to encourage

the individual to commit kidnap, rape and murder with him, adding that what the defendant didn't know was that the person was an undercover police officer, based in the usa. the court was told that the 37—year—old security guard had a sexual obsession with holly willoughby, and that he'd previously made kidnap attempts against other women, trying to force two women from a train under the threat of a gun, and tried to tie the hands of two 16—year—old girls at knife—point. any alleged victim of a sexual crime, like incitement to rape, automatically receives lifelong anonymity. in this case, holly willoughby has chosen to waive that. the prosecution also said she wouldn't be a witness as the case was only concerned with plumb's planning, which they say was interrupted by his arrest. the trial is expected to last two weeks. gavin plumb denies the charges. lizo mzimba, bbc news, chelmsford crown court.

the prime minister, rishi sunak, has said he is not aware of any other conservative candidates being investigated by the gambling commission over allegations of betting on the general election. mr sunak is under mounting pressure from within the conservative party to take a tougher stance against those who are being investigated. let's speak to our political correspondent, harry farley, who's in the spin room at the sun newspaper's election debate in london. first of all, just tell it is a bit more about the nature first of all, just tell it is a bit more about the nature of first of all, just tell it is a bit more about the nature of this first of all, just tell it is a bit more about the nature of this debate and then what we have heard. that’s and then what we have heard. that's ri . ht, and then what we have heard. that's riaht, i am and then what we have heard. that's right. i am in — and then what we have heard. that's right, i am in the _ and then what we have heard. that's right, i am in the spin _ and then what we have heard. that's right, i am in the spin room, - and then what we have heard. that's right, i am in the spin room, or- right, i am in the spin room, or what is left of it because most of the journalists have now written their script for tomorrow and to be transparent, they are in the bar next door, but an hour or so ago, this room was packed with journalists and in the room next door, we had the sun election special with rishi sunak and keir

starmerfacing questions special with rishi sunak and keir starmer facing questions from an audience of sun readers and from harry cole, the son's political editor and both men managed to get their point across and made their main arguments they have been arguing throughout this campaign but they both had uncomfortable moments with rishi sunak, as you were saying there, being pressed on this gambling scandal and the revelations we have seen over the past few days and he said he was as angry as anyone but refused to be drawn on whether he should take further action and as you said, he has been facing calls to suspend the particular conservative candidates who are facing inquiries and being investigated over alleged bets placed at the time of the election and rishi sunak refused to be drawn on taking action, saying there were independent investigations in place and it was important that nothing he said or did compromise the integrity of those investigations but he also focused on the nhs, cost immigration, and when it came to keir starmer, he was particularly

pressed on his previous support for former labour leaderjeremy corbyn, and that was uncomfortable at times for keir starmer, and he was asked why he had backed the labour manifesto and described it as an honourable and decent manifesto. his argument that he made was that he didn't think that labour would win and he interestingly said he bought it was important to stay in the labour party, in his words, to save the labour party afterjeremy corbyn. the labour party afterjeremy corb n. corbyn. ok, i refile it there with the latest _ corbyn. ok, i refile it there with the latest on — corbyn. ok, i refile it there with the latest on the _ corbyn. ok, i refile it there with the latest on the general - corbyn. ok, i refile it there with i the latest on the general election. this is the context. stay with us. —— harry farley there. hello there, good evening. well, it's been hot and humid today right across the uk with temperatures well above the seasonal average for many. some of the best of the sunshine and the highest of the temperatures across eastern areas of scotland, such as here in aberdeenshire. but for scotland and northern ireland, we've just seen the warmest day of the week. it will be turning fresher from the north and the west from tomorrow. some showers at times, but the hot, humid air stays towards the south still as we head

through the next few days. now, the fresherfeeling conditions come behind this cold front that's going to be sinking southwards and eastwards through tomorrow. it starts to make inroads overnight tonight, just pushing some showers, some outbreaks of rain, more cloud across the western isles and down through northern ireland. it's going to feel muggy, sticky tonight, uncomfortable forsleeping, particularly across parts of east yorkshire, where temperatures may not dip below 16 or 17 degrees celsius. elsewhere, ias, 15s to start the day. there'll be lots of low clouds and mist and some murk again, mostly for western coasts. more cloud around throughout the day tomorrow across scotland and northern ireland, but brighter by the end of the afternoon. also feeling a lot cooler, particularly across northern scotland there. some showers for eastern scotland down through northern england, but across much of the rest of england and wales, it's still warm. temperatures above the average, close to 30 degrees celsius in the south and the east. and of course the pollen levels for much of the uk will again be very high. of course, we're well into the grass pollen season now. on wednesday we look out towards the atlantic to find this deep area of low pressure rolling in from the north west. that's going to change things across the board as we head

towards the end of the working week. but still on wednesday, we've got some areas of cloud around, some showers, mostly towards the northern half of the uk. northern ireland probably seeing quite a lot of brightness and sunshine, also for western scotland, but fresher. here again, it's warm, it's humid, it's dry and it's sunny for the most part towards much of the south and the east. now, wednesday into thursday, our area of low pressure is going to be sending these weather fronts sweeping eastwards across the whole of the uk, eventually introducing that cooler feeling air across the board. so if we just take a look at the outlook for our capital cities, you can see that by the time we get to friday, temperatures are much closer to the seasonal average, but of course, still warm in the sunshine. bye for now.

we've all got a big decision to make. get the opportunity to have your say. tonight, it's the turn of the co—leader of the greens, adrian ramsey. welcome.

i'm going to make the same promise to you, which is everything you say will be broadcast in full. i want you to have the chance to make your points. i hope you'll answer the questions that are about topics that people... and you've not had any advanced warning. let's start with the general question. who the green party really is. we're going to come to that very soon. sometimes you'll click the party wants to save the countryside. who are the greens? the -a is a countryside. who are the greens? tue: party is a party that countryside. who are the greens? tue party is a party that wants to think about what really matters in life. for me, surviving a society was more equal where people can assess public services. the big issue that people

raise on the doorstep across the country is the