hello, i'm lucy hockings. returning to our top story now. hamas says its political leader, ismail haniyeh, has been killed in an israeli strike in the iranian capital, tehran. iran's supreme leader, ali khamenei, has said it will be teheran's duty to avenge the killing. we do know that he was killed in an air strike at about 2pm local time. to remind you, he is the most senior hamas leader to be killed since october the 7th tax. —— attacks. let's speak to yonahjeremy bob, senior military

correspondent at the jerusalem post and author of target tehran. what is your understanding of how this happened? this what is your understanding of how this happened?— this happened? this is the most exlosive this happened? this is the most explosive moment _ this happened? this is the most explosive moment may - this happened? this is the most explosive moment may be - this happened? this is the most explosive moment may be since october the 7th. we could now be looking at war between iran and israel, we could be looking at war between lebanon, hezbollah and israel. obviously there is already a war going on between israel and hamas and there has been low—level conflict between hezbollah and israel for some time. but when hezbollah killed about a dozen temple —— tend to matter in the north, and it is possible that they missed and it is possible they wanted to kill israeli soldiers. why would they want to kill israeli druze. but they did not kill the israelis, and israel said enough. they have been warning hezbollah for ten months and they are not part of this conflict in the first place.

israel needed to retaliate and they decided notjust to kill hezbollah his �*s teeth, but also, and they are the real address for ending the war. what is your understanding about the strike itself cost might we have had antony blinken say in the past hour orso antony blinken say in the past hour or so that he was not aware of all involved, that the us was not involved, that the us was not involved in the strike. can we assume that us military intelligence was working in coordination with the idf? ., ., , ., , idf? there are two separate events. there was the — idf? there are two separate events. there was the killing _ idf? there are two separate events. there was the killing of— idf? there are two separate events. there was the killing of the - there was the killing of the hezbollah military chief. my understanding is that the us was informed and is not denying it. and the fact that the hezbollah tree chief was on us designated terrorist list for some time due to planning attacks against the us in 1983 in beirut, but the attack in tehran, my understanding as it was not

coordinated with the us and the us will probably not have approved that. from the israeli perspective it was necessary, again because the view is that hamas and hezbollah are proxied by iran and if it wants all of this to tell iran you can be paying the price for this also, you can'tjust paying the price for this also, you can't just sit by the paying the price for this also, you can'tjust sit by the side and everything can become by you while israel is being attacked. so everything can become by you while israel is being attacked. 50 in israel is being attacked. so in terms of the _ israel is being attacked. so in terms of the assassination . israel is being attacked. so in terms of the assassination of| israel is being attacked. so in terms of the assassination of ismail haniyeh, the calculation you believe was made by israel, but this was one of their war was made by israel, but this was one of theirwaraims to was made by israel, but this was one of their war aims to take out the leadership of hamas, and that the threat of escalation of what could happen next, this was nonetheless worth it for this moment? tiara happen next, this was nonetheless worth it for this moment? two weeks auo i do worth it for this moment? two weeks ago i do not — worth it for this moment? two weeks ago i do not believe _ worth it for this moment? two weeks ago i do not believe israel _ worth it for this moment? two weeks ago i do not believe israel would - ago i do not believe israel would have killed ismail haniyeh because they wanted to make a hostage deal, but things changed very quickly in the middle east. as soon as 12 israeli druze were killed by hezbollah the hostage deal became a

second priority. i'm not saying there won't be a deal i'm sure there is a good chance, but something else needed to happen first. hezbollah, this is the perspective of the israeli military and government, they need to get the message and is run needed to get a message. flan they need to get the message and is run needed to get a message. item i run needed to get a message. can i 'ust ask run needed to get a message. can i just ask you — run needed to get a message. can i just ask you about _ run needed to get a message. can i just ask you about that? _ run needed to get a message. can i just ask you about that? why do you think there was still a good chance of a ceasefire deal where everything that we have been hearing today as a result of these two strikes in beirut and in tehran mean it is the threat of escalation that seems more possible. ratherthan threat of escalation that seems more possible. rather than any kind of talks taking place. you possible. rather than any kind of talks taking place.— possible. rather than any kind of talks taking place. you have to look at what did not _ talks taking place. you have to look at what did not happen. _ talks taking place. you have to look at what did not happen. israel- talks taking place. you have to look at what did not happen. israel did l at what did not happen. israel did not invade lebanon and they did not kill the entire council of hezbollah. there was a precise attack on one individual who was responsible for the attack on the israeli druze, and it was one precise assassination of ismail haniyeh in tehran. they killed

somebody who has been a target of israel the whole time. if there had been a deal that i think there would have been some sort of immunity for druze for a couple of years but because there was no deal and they wanted to turn up the heat on both sides without getting into a war with iran, i think that is why they picked those two targets, and i am not saying i think iran will respond, hezbollah will respond, but nobody actually want a full war. israel would be heard very deeply and iran knows that israel wins and that's why no one wants a full war. once a full war does not happen, in a couple of weeks people will be talking about how to bring this to an end and there is no other way other than a hostage deal. thank you for our other than a hostage deal. thank you for your thoughts. _ let's get more now the potential regional implications — i'm joined by our security correspondent, frank gardner. so, these were two targeted strikes and he thinks the potential for

ceasefire talks are still very much on the table. what do you think? well, they were certainly calibrated but this is extremely dangerous brinkmanship by israel because iran has fired and it is absolutely horrendous humiliation for iran. they were hosting druze in this house for war veterans at a time of great sensitivity for iran, the inauguration of its new president, and the fact that similarly, although israel has not taken responsibility for it, but everyone assumes, the whole world assumes, israel was behind this, that israel is seemingly using impunity to you'd a __ is seemingly using impunity to you'd a —— use a network of covert agents inside the islamic republic to knock off somebody who israel views as complicit in the october the 7th attacks. so iran has vowed to retaliate and now the big question is what form will that take? the

last time there was this kind of brinkmanship after israel hit the iranians consulate in damascus in april, killing the senior commander, iran responded with a barrage of missiles, if you remember in april. around 300 missiles and drones aimed at israel and it took a hurried military coalition put together of the us, jordan, uk, military coalition put together of the us,jordan, uk, france military coalition put together of the us, jordan, uk, france and others to try and fend off that missile barrage. that of course was followed by an israeli retaliation against a target inside iran, close to the nuclear facilities. against a target inside iran, close to the nuclearfacilities. we against a target inside iran, close to the nuclear facilities. we are now at a very dangerous juncture. it does not necessarily mean in the long term that this is going to blow up long term that this is going to blow up into a huge conflagration. there is that risk, but there are presidents in the past which are not necessarily applicable here, but

weather has been enormous cause for revenge. for example, january 2020, then president trump ordered the assassination of cilla money, the head of the external arm of the iranian guards and he was assassinated at baghdad airport. there were cries for revenge but not a great deal happen. president reagan in 1986 bombed libya and there were cries that the middle east was going to go up in flames but it did not. this time, the worrying thing is you've got a lot of different moving parts here, so you have got yemen where revenge has been found for israel �*s strike on the main port. you have got hezbollah in lebanon, who are wounded and bruised by the assassination of their commander a few hours ago. and you have got a dangerous and angered iran that feels the need it has got to respond. so the middle east is holding its breath once again. frank, good to get your thoughts.

thank you so much. to remind you, ismail haniyeh has been killed on a strike in a building in the iranian capital, tehran. the group blames israel for the strike, who have yet to respond but in the past have vowed to eliminate hamas leaders. details a serious failure of the defences as israel would have been able to strike if i a high—value target in the city. doctor bregman, thank you for joining us. of all these different moving parts that we have just been discussing, notjust the strike in beirut but also the killing of druze in tehran, what most worries you at this moment? i in tehran, what most worries you at this moment?— this moment? i think that the main wor is this moment? i think that the main worry is what _

this moment? i think that the main worry is what would _ this moment? i think that the main worry is what would be _ this moment? i think that the main worry is what would be hezbollah i this moment? i think that the main j worry is what would be hezbollah 's worry is what would be hezbollah �*s response to the assassination of the chief of staff in beirut yesterday? the hezbollah leader pledged in the past about an israeli attack on beirut and the response would be an attack on the region of tel aviv, and the question is whether he would do that if he decides to hit the region of tel aviv and maybe tel aviv, the big city of tel aviv, this could be a major escalation. could be a ma'or escalation. because what is could be a major escalation. because what is hezbollah _ could be a major escalation. because what is hezbollah 's _ could be a major escalation. because what is hezbollah 's military - what is hezbollah �*s military capabilities? what is hezbollah 's military capabilities?— what is hezbollah 's military capabilities? they cover with missiles israel _ capabilities? they cover with missiles israel from - capabilities? they cover with missiles israel from north i capabilities? they cover with missiles israel from north to | capabilities? they cover with - missiles israel from north to south. everything is covered by the missiles, and some of the missiles are very accurate, so they can

easily target tel aviv in north israel, so this is my main worry at the moment. what would be the reaction, and what would be the israeli reaction to this reaction because what we are witnessing an escalation. it because what we are witnessing an escalation. , ., ~' because what we are witnessing an escalation. , ., ~ ., escalation. it is often like that. what do you — escalation. it is often like that. what do you think _ escalation. it is often like that. what do you think then - escalation. it is often like that. what do you think then that. escalation. it is often like that. - what do you think then that tehran �*s response is going to be to the killing, which has been incredibly humiliating for the iranians authorities. it humiliating for the iranians authorities.— humiliating for the iranians authorities. , ., authorities. it is the main point, that it was _ authorities. it is the main point, that it was so _ authorities. it is the main point, that it was so humiliating. - authorities. it is the main point, that it was so humiliating. it - authorities. it is the main point, that it was so humiliating. it is l that it was so humiliating. it is not only about the assassination of a palestinian leader. israel tried to send a message to tehran, "we know you are behind this, behind hamas, and you have got to stop it,

and we can penetrate your airspace and we can penetrate your airspace and you cannot stop us". so it is a very clear message to tehran and i believe that iran will be cattle. i am not sure that they will attack israel directly, but they might use proxies. israel directly, but they might use roxies. ,., ., israel directly, but they might use roxies. ., , ., ., , proxies. good to get your thoughts. thank you- — proxies. good to get your thoughts. thank you- we _ proxies. good to get your thoughts. thank you. we will _ proxies. good to get your thoughts. thank you. we will return _ proxies. good to get your thoughts. thank you. we will return to - proxies. good to get your thoughts. thank you. we will return to event | thank you. we will return to event in the middle east throughout the day. detectives investigating the mass stabbing at a holiday club that left three children dead have been granted more time to question the 17—year—old suspect. hundreds of people attended a vigil last night, paying tribute to those three little girls who were killed in a knife attack at a children's dance workshop. and then we saw this just hours later. violent clashes breaking at close to where the girls

were stabbed to death. 39 police officers were injured and 27 needed hospital treatment. merseyside police described the violence as sickening. the prime minister sir keir starmer warned that the writers would feel the full force of the law. let's ta ke law. let's take you now to our correspondent who joins us now from there. what is the latest from merseyside police? so, as you have said, lucy, the 17—year—old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, they have been granted extra time to question him. they can now question him up to 96 hours. that 17—year—old boy for legal reasons we are not allowed to name, and we do know that he came from a village thatis know that he came from a village that is about three miles from here in southport, originally from cardiff and moved to the area in 2013, and his parents were

originally from rwanda. now, here is the same of those violent clashes last night. this is the mosque where those clashes happened and you can see the car here has got its windows smashed out, and above there are windows that have been smashed there. the merseyside fire service have put up one of the cherry pickers in the last ten minutes, also, to check those windows. when i arrived here this morning, all along this street was rubble, and the debris from the violence yesterday. here was a war that had been used, the bricks have been used by the rioters to throw at the mosque —— a wall. it has been a massive community effort. people came out with brooms to clear up and i spoke to one man who came from manchester all the way with a broom and a bucket to help. just in the last few minutes, you will see that some pizzas have been delivered here to

the mosque. a local person coming up and they have seen what is going on and they have seen what is going on and have delivered pizzas. we have had people bringing water, coffee, and even the journalists who are here, they are offering us things to eat because this has been a real community that has come together, who showed those vigil pictures last night where thousands of people came out in the centre of southport to remember the three girls aged six, seven and nine, who were tragically killed in that a riffing —— horrific stabbing incident on monday. it was very moving. there was a minutes silence and the mayor said this is just so you can hug a stranger, just comfort someone. what was interesting is the parents who brought their young children stop

they just seemed to brought their young children stop theyjust seemed to be hugging them just a bit tighter yesterday after this horrific incident on monday stop yes, of course they were, and it is remarkable to see the community coming together there in southport. this is bbc news.

let's bring you updates on some other stories from around the world. costa rica has said it's prepared to offer the venezuelan opposition leader, maria corina machado, asylum after reports the government in caracas had issued an arrest warrant for her. at least two opposition figures were detained on tuesday, when thousands gathered peacefully to protest the disputed result of the country's presidential election. a day earlier, at least 11 people died demonstrating against president nicolas maduro's claim of victory. rescue workers in the indian state of kerala are battling adverse ground conditions to reach communities hit by a series of landslides.

158 people are now known to have died in the disaster. a court in guinea is due to deliver a verdict today in a landmark trial against former coup leader moussa dadis camara and 11 others. they are implicated in the killing of more than 100 and 50 people protesting in a stadium in 2009. in the last hour, britain's alex yee has won the gold medal in the men's triathlon at the paris olympics. yee, who is 26 and from london, was in the silver medal position with moments to go in the race. the men's and women's olympic triathlons were finally allowed to take place in paris after tests showed the river seine to be clean enough for competition. france's cassandre beaugrand has won gold in an eventful women's triathlon. she broke the field at the end of the ten—

kilometre run, to the roar of thousands of spectators in her home city. julie derron clinched the second place for switzerland, while britain's beth potter got bronze. the race in the centre of paris took place after the water quality in the river seine was eventually declared safe. athletes swum a 1,500 metre course in the river, having to deal with strong currents, before taking to damp streets for the cycle stage. some competitors crashed in the tricky conditions. the men's event followed and is currently under way, having been postponed on monday, as bacteria levels in the river seine were deemed too high due to sewage pollution following heavy rains. the world triathlon authority did deem that the water was safe enough so they were involved in making that decision. let's return now to the middle east. israel has also launched an air strike in the lebanese capital of beirut, which they say targeted a key hezbollah commander.

the strike occurred in the densely populated suburb of daniyeh and is said to have targeted fuad shakr, who is believed to be a key advisor to the hezbollah leader hassan nasrallah. our middle east correspondent hugo bachega is in beirut, at the scene of the air strike. a short while ago he spoke to the lebanese government minister, walid fayad for his reaction. minister, your reaction to what happened here? my reaction is to stand in solidarity with our lebanese citizens, those who fell victims, and theirfamilies, of this savage attack by the israelis that is uncalled for and everything that is uncalled for and everything that is required for them to execute the international alliance, especially security council decision backed by everyone in the international arena... has been a wasting of time

deliberately by the israeli government regarding the execution and representation of the international resolutions. it is hezbollah _ international resolutions. it is hezbollah that _ international resolutions. it is hezbollah that has _ international resolutions. it is hezbollah that has been attacking israel, right? you hezbollah that has been attacking israel. right?_ israel, right? you have to look at it as a defence. _ israel, right? you have to look at it as a defence. in _ israel, right? you have to look at it as a defence. in a _ israel, right? you have to look at it as a defence. in a sense, - israel, right? you have to look at it as a defence. in a sense, what| israel, right? you have to look at i it as a defence. in a sense, what is required and what has been officially stated, it is a decision officially stated, it is a decision of the international community telling israel to stop the hostilities. and look at them now attacking again and inside beirut. so who is in breach today of the international resolutions customer it is the government of israel. but hezbollah is _ it is the government of israel. but hezbollah is in southern lebanon this is in breach of the un resolution... it this is in breach of the un resolution. . ._ this is in breach of the un resolution... , ., . resolution... it is part and parcel ofthe resolution... it is part and parcel of the lebanese _ resolution... it is part and parcel of the lebanese urban _ resolution... it is part and parcel of the lebanese urban fabric. - resolution... it is part and parcel. of the lebanese urban fabric. when there was an occupation in france there was an occupation in france there was an assistant to seize occupation and to kick out the germans. it is the same spirit with which hezbollah is so expert and thatis

which hezbollah is so expert and that is how it happened. {lilia which hezbollah is so expert and that is how it happened.- which hezbollah is so expert and that is how it happened. ok, so you are not going _ that is how it happened. ok, so you are not going to _ that is how it happened. ok, so you are not going to criticise _ that is how it happened. ok, so you are not going to criticise the - are not going to criticise the actions of hezbollah, but do you think that this attack is going to lead to an escalation of hostilities? i lead to an escalation of hostilities?— lead to an escalation of hostilities? ., ., . ., hostilities? i want economic growth and social prosperity _ hostilities? i want economic growth and social prosperity and _ hostilities? i want economic growth and social prosperity and i - hostilities? i want economic growth and social prosperity and i am - hostilities? i want economic growth and social prosperity and i am an i and social prosperity and i am an advocate for peace, not war. but i believe inside me and i am now expressing it to you that the first step is on israel to stop the aggression. step is on israel to stop the aggression-— step is on israel to stop the aggression. step is on israel to stop the an uression. �* , , ., aggression. but they started the attacks on israel? _ aggression. but they started the attacks on israel? no, _ aggression. but they started the attacks on israel? no, this - aggression. but they started the attacks on israel? no, this is - aggression. but they started the attacks on israel? no, this is an| attacks on israel? no, this is an 80-year-old — attacks on israel? no, this is an 80-year-old issue, _ attacks on israel? no, this is an 80-year-old issue, 100 - attacks on israel? no, this is an 80-year-old issue, 100 years . attacks on israel? no, this is an i 80-year-old issue, 100 years old. 80—year—old issue, 100 years old. let's talk about what is happening now. ., , ., ., , ., let's talk about what is happening

now. ., ., ,., ., ,, now. the invasion of israel happened in the 80s- — now. the invasion of israel happened in the 80s- their _ now. the invasion of israel happened in the 80s. they cannot _ now. the invasion of israel happened in the 80s. they cannot be _ in the 805. they cannot be responsible for something that precedes them.— responsible for something that precedes them. responsible for something that recedes them. �*, ., ~ ., ., precedes them. let's talk about what is happening — precedes them. let's talk about what is happening now- — precedes them. let's talk about what is happening now. a _ precedes them. let's talk about what is happening now. a lot _ precedes them. let's talk about what is happening now. a lot of _ precedes them. let's talk about what is happening now. a lot of people - precedes them. let's talk about what is happening now. a lot of people in. is happening now. a lot of people in this country believe and fear that hezbollah could be dragging lebanon into another conflict. do you think that this is going to escalate, to become a major conflict between hezbollah and israel? i become a major conflict between hezbollah and israel?— become a major conflict between hezbollah and israel? i hope that the international _ hezbollah and israel? i hope that the international community - hezbollah and israel? i hope that the international community and | hezbollah and israel? i hope that. the international community and the decision—makers who are watching as i understand what is at stake. the whole region and stability is at stake, and what is needed at this stage is the stoppage of hostilities and everybody knows all the international media that come and visit, they know what is needed, it is action by israel to stop the hostilities... is action by israel to stop the hostilities. . ._ is action by israel to stop the hostilities... they also say that hezbollah _ hostilities... they also say that hezbollah needs _ hostilities... they also say that hezbollah needs to _ hostilities... they also say that hezbollah needs to stop - hostilities... they also say that hezbollah needs to stop the i hostilities... they also say that - hezbollah needs to stop the attacks. of hezbollah needs to stop the attacks. of course, everything has to stop. do you think they are going to react to the attack that happened yesterday?— to the attack that happened esterda ? ., ., ., ., yesterday? you will have to ask them, but _ yesterday? you will have to ask them, but i _ yesterday? you will have to ask them, but i suspect _ yesterday? you will have to ask them, but i suspect that - yesterday? you will have to ask| them, but i suspect that maybe. yesterday? you will have to ask. them, but i suspect that maybe. i don't know.

hugojaeger speaking don't know. hugo jaeger speaking to don't know. hugojaeger speaking to a lebanese government minister, talking to him about the senior hezbollah commander that has been killed in beirut and the possible consequences of that. let's show you some pictures now of ismail haniyeh. this is one of our key stories today. hamas say their political leader has been killed in an air strike at about 2am local time. remember, he is the most senior hamas leader to be killed since the 7th of october attacks. hamas clearly blaming israel. we have not had an official israeli government response yet, but they have said, benjamin netanyahu, the prime minister, that one of his war aims is to eliminate the leader of hamas. the response we are getting from tehran thusly is that they have vowed to avenge his death will stop hamas as well i think they will exact revenge. this is the bbc news page which is being updated every

few minutes or so with reaction from the middle east, and right around the middle east, and right around the world. as redevelopment there for you on the website. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again! it's going to be another dry, sunny and warm day for most of us today, but there is the risk of thunderstorms coming in to the southeast. pollen levels are low or moderate across the board. grass pollen now in decline. we're still talking about weeds. and as we go through today, that risk of the thunderstorms in the southeast could produce some torrential downpours with the chance of some localised flooding, but we won't all see them. so a lot of dry weather around, a lot of sunshine, some fair weather cloud floating around as well and at times we'll see some more cloud coming in from the north sea, across eastern parts of scotland and northeast england. and a bit more cloud today too for northern ireland. but here are the thundery showers again, some downpours from them coming in from the english channel

and pushing across the south east. temperatures today about 22 in glasgow, 20 in belfast, 28 in cardiff and london. but the west midlands, gloucestershire in towards the west country could see 30 or 31. now through this evening we start off on a dry note but then further thunderstorms will develop. they become more widespread across england and wales again. some torrential downpours but not all of us will catch one. temperature wise it's going to be muggy in the south. not as cold as it was in parts of scotland last night when the temperature fell in tulloch bridge to just over one degree. tomorrow, we start with the thunderstorms moving away into the north sea. there'll be a lot of dry weather as temperatures rise, though. we'll see further thunderstorms develop across parts of england and wales again, the potentialfor some torrential downpours. temperatures 15 to 28 degrees drier across northern ireland in scotland. but then you can see what happens as we head into the weekend. a cold front goes through that will introduce some fresher conditions,

so if you're not enjoying this hotter weather, that is a change in sight. so friday a lot of dry weather to start the day with some sunshine across central and eastern areas. but here's the cold front bringing in the cloud and also the rain. and it will be breezier as well. temperatures 16 to 28 degrees but you can see already feeling fresher out towards the west. and then as we head into the weekend, the fresher conditions prevail across us all and we're looking at some rain or showers at times, but there will still be a fair bit of dry weather too.

today at one. former bbc news presenter huw edwards pleads guilty to making indecent images of children. arriving at court today, he admitted to three counts with at least one involving a child aged between seven and nine years old. he was one of the most trusted faces in broadcasting and announced how damaging is huw edwards' for from grace for the bbc? our other main story this lunchime. the mother of one of the three girls killed in southport calls for calm on the streets. tributes pour in for alice dasilva aguiar, bebe king and elsie stancombe who were killed at a dance class on monday.

overnight more than 50 police officers were injured in violent clashes. today the community joins forces to repair the damage. here in southport, residents have been clearing up the street with their bare hands, sweeping up bottles and glass to restore their neighbourhood. hamas says one of its most senior leaders has been killed in an israeli raid on his residence in iran. at the olympics, it's double gold for team gb. alex yee wins the men's triathlon as it finally went ahead and in rowing the women's quadruple were involved in a dramatic photo finish. it doesn't get bigger than this. it's really quite overwhelming to just experience this but we're really grateful. coming up on sportsday later in the hour on bbc news, we will have more from the olympics, more british medals as team gb secures bronze in the diving pool with andrea spendolini—sirieix and lois toulson.