hello, and welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin in the middle east, where two separate attacks in the space of 12 hours, on two senior iran—backed militant leaders have raised fears of a wider regional conflict. hamas says its political leader ismail haniyeh was killed during a visit to tehran. early indications suggest that he and his bodyguard died when a rocket hit the house where he was staying. hamas has accused israel of being responsible and described the killing as a grave escalation. hours earlier, israel said it had killed a senior hezbollah figure in a strike in beirut. the movement has confirmed that fuad shukr, one of its top military commanders was in a building targeted by israel, but hasn't confirmed his fate. israel said shukr was responsible for an attack that killed twelve youngsters in

the israeli—occupied golan heights. what will happen joins us from jerusalem. what is the latest were hearing about the killing of esmail hannigan? the hearing about the killing of esmail hanniaan? , ., , hearing about the killing of esmail hanniaan? , . , ., , hannigan? the israelis have “ust held hannigan? the israelis have 'ust held a briefing i hannigan? the israelis have 'ust held a briefing and i hannigan? the israelis have 'ust held a briefing and what i hannigan? the israelis have just held a briefing and what came i hannigan? the israelis have just. held a briefing and what came out hannigan? the israelis have just - held a briefing and what came out of that was exactly nothing in terms of them talking about the haniyeh that killing. that they are not answered questions about whether they were behind it. they often don't when their assassinations in the region attributed to them, frankly, so in the latest briefing at the official said that they had nothing to say about that. clearly, it's very widely believed in the region that israel was behind this and we are waiting to see now what the next step is. not only in terms of how iran react but how has polar firm in lebanon reacts, the commander there

have been killed recently. and all hamas reacts in terms of this is further to been going on because they will have to appoint a new leader before those can continue. indeed refers to any scope for them to continue as haniyeh was the person involved in the median action efforts. ~ ., ., , person involved in the median action efforts. ~ ., , person involved in the median action efforts. . ., efforts. what has been the reaction from hamas? _ efforts. what has been the reaction from hamas? very _ efforts. what has been the reaction from hamas? very strong - efforts. what has been the reaction from hamas? very strong rhetoric, | from hamas? very strong rhetoric, the said from hamas? very strong rhetoric, they said this _ from hamas? very strong rhetoric, they said this is _ from hamas? very strong rhetoric, they said this is a _ from hamas? very strong rhetoric, they said this is a zionist _ from hamas? very strong rhetoric, they said this is a zionist crime - they said this is a zionist crime that will not go unpunished, they have said that it would strengthen their resolve and there own determination to continue fighting the occupation and they are said it would strengthen the determination of others who are doing so. those of the references to the iran—backed groups like hezbollah and the houthis. that has been their response to the killing. that they

have meanwhile been organising the funeral which will take place tomorrow in iran, an official funeral, then it will continue in qatar where you will have more popular representation, which is where mr haniyeh will be buried because that is where he had been living. then there will be the important step of appointing a new leader to fulfil his position as the overall political leader for hamas. as we move to lebanon, at the response from hezbollah and state military capabilities that hezbollah has if they choose to strike in response to this?— has if they choose to strike in response to this? yes, that this is a strike the _ response to this? yes, that this is a strike the israelis _ response to this? yes, that this is a strike the israelis have - response to this? yes, that this is a strike the israelis have taken . a strike the israelis have taken responsibility for, they're very clear about why the hit this military commander. they said it was a response to what they say is a hezbollah strike in the israeli—occupied golan heights last

week, that killed 12 children, something hezbollah has denied but israelis insist carried by them. they say this is the reason for this attack. hezbollah has not responded in terms about how it is going to react. at the moment, they have not even acknowledge that the military commander is dead although they have said he was in the building and they are looking at through the rubble to see what his fate was, is how they put it. they do have very heavy weapons, they are said to missiles, some of which can reach deep into israel. up until now, the israelis and hezbollah, neither have wanted to trigger an all—out war, or that has been the understanding, but the question is how hezbollah responds, how deep and how grave its next phase will be. and then you have the killing of mr haniyeh in iran,

bringing iran more directly into the picture. it's unclear what the next step will be but it is clear that having these two strikes in the space of a short period of time has significantly increased the stakes and also detentions.— significantly increased the stakes and also detentions. thank you. we no to the and also detentions. thank you. we go to the israeli _ and also detentions. thank you. we go to the israeli government - go to the israeli government spokesperson whojoins go to the israeli government spokesperson who joins as now. i know you will not be able to confirm or deny that israel deliberately targeted a smell haniyeh but i have you asking the question and put it to you that within the region, everyone is not only saying that israel is responsible but saying who else would be responsible and who our capability to put a strike like into tehran, thousands of miles away from israel? into tehran, thousands of miles away from israel?— from israel? thank you for having me on. we established _ from israel? thank you for having me on. we established this _ from israel? thank you for having me on. we established this country - from israel? thank you for having me on. we established this country 76 i on. we established this country 76 years ago as a homeland for the

jewish people, to be a safe haven for the jewish people, jewish people, to be a safe haven for thejewish people, to get away from anti—semitism, which we've suffered from it for centuries and still goes on today in many countries. to a large extent, that has been successful but it is these iranian proxies, like hamas and hezbollah, seek to destroy this country. set setup to destroy it on october the 7th and to continue through the many fronted more work we are fighting today. but the days of people killing hebrewjews or the youngsters that were killed last week with this hezbollah rockets, they won'tjews, they were druze. we established this nation as a home country with the people salou here. the druze are one of them, love them dearly. they are israeli. i visited

northern golan heights yesterday, it is a catastrophe what has happened to those poor families. is a catastrophe what has happened to those poorfamilies. will always defend ourselves, always. 50 to those poor families. will always defend ourselves, always.- to those poor families. will always defend ourselves, always. so that is imlicit defend ourselves, always. so that is implicit acknowledgement _ defend ourselves, always. so that is implicit acknowledgement that - defend ourselves, always. so that is implicit acknowledgement that you i implicit acknowledgement that you were responsible for the strike in beirut? ., �* ., ., beirut? no, i didn't do that, as it were not commenting _ beirut? no, i didn't do that, as it were not commenting on - beirut? no, i didn't do that, as it were not commenting on that. beirut? no, i didn't do that, as it - were not commenting on that incident but we can comment on the number two of hezbollah, who was struck on yesterday evening that was eliminated. that is a good thing for humanity. there was a $5 million bounty on his head... can humanity. there was a $5 million bounty on his head...— humanity. there was a $5 million bounty on his head... can i now ask about this — bounty on his head... can i now ask about this point _ bounty on his head... can i now ask about this point attention _ bounty on his head... can i now ask about this point attention we - bounty on his head... can i now ask about this point attention we are i about this point attention we are right where we have hezbollah, whether iran, hamas, all these different front furious today and we can add qatar to that mix who are upset about what this does to the ceasefire negotiations they have been involved in — what is israel

now braced for? been involved in - what is israel now braced for?— been involved in - what is israel now braced for? you don't get to start a war _ now braced for? you don't get to start a war on — now braced for? you don't get to start a war on october _ now braced for? you don't get to start a war on october the - now braced for? you don't get to start a war on october the 7th i now braced for? you don't get to start a war on october the 7th -| now braced for? you don't get to i start a war on october the 7th - and start a war on october the 7th — and to be clear, it was rome that started this war worked as long you don't get to start a war, invite our country, kill our people and have an ongoing warfor ten country, kill our people and have an ongoing war for ten months, country, kill our people and have an ongoing warfor ten months, fire 7000 rockets at us, more than 300 rockets from iran and iraq, you don't get to do all those things and the houthis as well, you don't get to do all those things and then walk away and throw your hands up and cry to the world and say there has been a big escalation here. that is ridiculous. we have defended ourselves and we will always defend yourselves. we consider the uk to be an ally because are not only our enemy, they are your enemy is well. the only see us as a stopgap on the way to you and the eu. i

the only see us as a stopgap on the way to you and the eu.— the only see us as a stopgap on the way to you and the eu. i notice your home front — way to you and the eu. i notice your home front command _ way to you and the eu. i notice your home front command has - way to you and the eu. i notice your home front command has not i way to you and the eu. i notice your- home front command has not changed, there is no warning in place at the moment for israelis who must be feeling incredibly worried today. are you not expecting some kind of imminent retaliation? i’ll are you not expecting some kind of imminent retaliation?— imminent retaliation? i'll tell you how israelis _ imminent retaliation? i'll tell you how israelis feel, _ imminent retaliation? i'll tell you how israelis feel, they _ imminent retaliation? i'll tell you how israelis feel, they feel i how israelis feel, they feel determined. to become much of they answer to this entire saga is a victory, victory at all costs, because we are facing these jew killers, these anti—semites, these israel haters. devoted to destroy all of us and all of israel's people from left to right. at the overwhelming majority want us to finish thisjob... overwhelming ma'ority want us to finish this job. . ._ finish this 'ob. .. what would you sa to finish this 'ob. .. what would you say to the— finish this job. .. what would you say to the families _ finish this job. .. what would you say to the families of _ finish this job. .. what would you say to the families of the - finish this job. .. what would you l say to the families of the hostages today who thought that a deal might be close. now that deal that we are hearing from regional players is off the table, what would you say to them? ., , , the table, what would you say to them? . , , . ., ., them? the deal is very much on from our oint them? the deal is very much on from our point of — them? the deal is very much on from our point of view, _ them? the deal is very much on from our point of view, it's _ them? the deal is very much on from our point of view, it's hamas - them? the deal is very much on from our point of view, it's hamas that i our point of view, it's hamas that always walks away, has always walked

away since the start of this conflict. the americans and that qataris make that clear, as of the egyptians. until last night, turned down another 29 amendments... i just down another 29 amendments... i 'ust have to clarify — down another 29 amendments... i 'ust have to clarify something, i down another 29 amendments... ijust have to clarify something, we have just heard from egypt that says the killing of a smell haniyeh indicates a total lack of is will for de—escalation? i5 a total lack of is will for de-escalation?- a total lack of is will for de-escalation? , ., , de-escalation? is the only way we have brought _ de-escalation? is the only way we have brought hamas _ de-escalation? is the only way we have brought hamas to _ de-escalation? is the only way we have brought hamas to the - de-escalation? is the only way we have brought hamas to the table | de-escalation? is the only way we | have brought hamas to the table is through a harsh military pressure. not against gazans, we are freeing gaza from hamas. we always get civilians out of harm's way. were targeted this war against hamas but it's when there is harsh military pressure, that's when hamas... but tarauetin pressure, that's when hamas... but targeting ismail haniyeh, who is not part of the military, lived outside of gaza and was the negotiator, a political figure, of gaza and was the negotiator, a politicalfigure, what of gaza and was the negotiator, a political figure, what was a reason for that? aside from revenge, how

does that help israel? i for that? aside from revenge, how does that help israel?— for that? aside from revenge, how does that help israel? i must say, i cannot comment _ does that help israel? i must say, i cannot comment on _ does that help israel? i must say, i cannot comment on this _ does that help israel? i must say, i cannot comment on this issue i does that help israel? i must say, i cannot comment on this issue of i cannot comment on this issue of haniyeh, which are talking about, but this rather bizarre rehabilitation of ismail haniyeh's reputation — again, i would not comment on the incident — but calling a pragmatist and a liberal is just calling a pragmatist and a liberal isjust ridiculous. just calling a pragmatist and a liberal is just ridiculous. just google him, watches youtube speeches, watch him watching the 7th of october massacre, smiling and welcoming it. he designed the 7th of october massacre. again, i'm not making any comment or what has happened to him but let's be honest about who the person was. he was not a politician, he has been given this posture must glow about him from the bbc and sky at — the sky was a ruthless killer... i at - the sky was a ruthless killer- - -_ at - the sky was a ruthless killer... ., , ., ., ., killer... i have been on air for eiuht killer... i have been on air for eight few— killer... i have been on air for eight few hours _ killer... i have been on air for eight few hours and _ killer... i have been on air for eight few hours and we i

killer... i have been on air for eight few hours and we have l killer... i have been on air for. eight few hours and we have not called him any of those things and we do not use that language. i listen to the today programme and it was called a pragmatist and a reformer, nonsense. the guy was a ruthless murderer and he said it with its own mouth. wejews we understand that when people say they wish to wipe us off the face of the earth, we believe them. you may not believe them, we do. i am not commenting on that issue but the sky was a bad man. commenting on that issue but the sky was a bad man-— was a bad man. thank you for “oining us. that is was a bad man. thank you for “oining that is the — was a bad man. thank you for “oining us. that is the view i was a bad man. thank you for “oining us. that is the view from i was a bad man. thank you forjoining us. that is the view from israel. i us. that is the view from israel. let's hear from the co—founder of the palestinian national initiative. he says the killing of the hamas political leader will continue to fuel resistance to the israeli occupation. fuel resistance to the israeli occuoation-_ fuel resistance to the israeli occuation. , ., ., occupation. due to this action, there is a _ occupation. due to this action, there is a complete _ occupation. due to this action, there is a complete national. occupation. due to this action, i there is a complete national strike all over the west bank without

exception. there were demonstrations in every major city. people are very angry at what they consider a terrible crime, a crime of political assassination against a palestinian leader. although israel was negotiating the possibility of an agreement, what is done has to be considered a crime and this is commits many palestinians are what you see in issue now is a fascist government taking the region into a very terrible and dangerous escalation. very terrible and dangerous escalation-— very terrible and dangerous escalation. ., ~ ., escalation. what you think hamas' resonse escalation. what you think hamas' response could _ escalation. what you think hamas' response could be _ escalation. what you think hamas' response could be now, _ escalation. what you think hamas' response could be now, what i escalation. what you think hamas' response could be now, what is i escalation. what you think hamas' i response could be now, what is their military capability and what could they do? military capability and what could the do? . . , , military capability and what could the do? ., ., , , ., they do? hamas will be even more determined — they do? hamas will be even more determined to _ they do? hamas will be even more determined to resist _ they do? hamas will be even more determined to resist occupation i they do? hamas will be even more | determined to resist occupation and the message that israel has sent to every palestinian man, woman and child is that they don't understand anything about this war were and have no intention of achieving peace

with palestinians. this is now the belief of everybody. but regarding hamas, i do believe hamas is a movement with a democratic leadership and a collective one and there were now choose a new leader and continue. flan there were now choose a new leader and continue-— and continue. can i put you one of thins i and continue. can i put you one of things i hear— and continue. can i put you one of things i hear from _ and continue. can i put you one of things i hear from the _ and continue. can i put you one of things i hear from the middle i and continue. can i put you one of things i hear from the middle east things i hearfrom the middle east today about israel's objectives here and just see what your response has been been — this might conceivably present benjamin netanyahu with a kind of victory moment. you can say he's achieving his war aims and therefore are back away a bit and return to the negotiating table, that we might actually venture in the next few weeks see some kind of ceasefire because he will be able to say, i've achieved one of my key aims? i say, i've achieved one of my key aims? ., �* ~' say, i've achieved one of my key aims? ., �* ,, ,., , say, i've achieved one of my key aims? ., �* ,, , , aims? i don't think so, this is wishful thinking. _ aims? i don't think so, this is wishful thinking. netanyahu l aims? i don't think so, this is i wishful thinking. netanyahu doesn't want ceasefire. he did everything he

could to put conditions to prevent ceasefire and i think the whole world is underestimating how long the fascists are now in the israeli government, how long the right—wingers within the government are and how far netanyahu himself is moving in that direction. he wants not only the condition but that that continuation of the war were and this genocide against palestinians, who wants to drag the whole region into a new conflict.— into a new conflict. israel has also launched an _ into a new conflict. israel has also launched an air— into a new conflict. israel has also launched an air strike _ into a new conflict. israel has also launched an air strike on - into a new conflict. israel has also launched an air strike on the i launched an air strike on the lebanese capital of beirut which they say targeted a key hezbollah commander. i been ordered speaking about that with the israeli spokesperson. it occurred in a densely populated suburb of daniyeh and is said to have targeted fuad shukr. the us has had a 5 million dollar reward employees for information on him, they believe it played a key role in the bombing of us military base which killed 241.

us military base which killed 241. us police trainer was responsible for a rocket attack on the occupied golan heights on saturday which killed 12, including many children. hezbollah has denied the attack and not confirmed the death of shakr but he was in the building on the day of the attack. they have condemned blatant israeli aggression and condemned the act.— blatant israeli aggression and condemned the act. before the assassination _ condemned the act. before the assassination of _ condemned the act. before the assassination of ismail- condemned the act. before thei assassination of ismail haniyeh condemned the act. before the i assassination of ismail haniyeh in iran and the concerns over a possible escalation of hostilities across the region involving iran, the news here in the region yesterday was the assassination of fuad shukr, a senior commander inside hezbollah. the israeli military described him as the right—hand man it to the hezbollah

leader helen swole. so this attack happened yesterdayjust before happened yesterday just before sunset happened yesterdayjust before sunset here in daniyeh, a hezbollah stronghold in southern beirut. the lebanese health ministry said at least three civilians were killed, including two children, as a result of the attack. this morning we had the first reaction from hezbollah following the attack, saying that the senior commander was in the building when this attack happened but they did not confirm that he was killed. they said that rescue efforts continued, that emergency services were searching through the rubble. i was searching here this morning, there was a heavy presence of hezbollah members, also soldiers from the lebanese army. the concern now here, the focus is on hezbollah and how the group is going to response, we've seen that every time

there was an assassination targeting a senior member of the group, hezbollah responded with hundreds of rockets, targeting military positions inside israel. i think what happened yesterday it may be seen by hezbollah as a provocation from israel. it hit its base here in beirut, the first time we believe that hezbollah was targeted here in the lebanese capital. intention now is on hezbollah and how the group is going to respond. ilirui’e’ilil is on hezbollah and how the group is going to respond-— going to respond. we'll have more reaction from _ going to respond. we'll have more reaction from the _ going to respond. we'll have more reaction from the middle - going to respond. we'll have more reaction from the middle east i going to respond. we'll have more i reaction from the middle east coming up, this is bbc news.

here in the uk, the former bbc news presenter huw edwards has pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, one as young of seven and vet nine years old.

he was arrested last november and charged last month, before making the plea this morning at westminster magistrates court. until last year, edwards was one of the main presenters on bbc one's news at ten and often fronted coverage of major national events, including the death of queen elizabeth ii. our culture and media editor katie razzall reflected on what we have heard today about huw edwards. i think what is important is to reflect on how important someone who was the face of the bbc was. this is a man held our hands through a really key moments of national life. notjust presenting the flagship news at ten programme, one of the most trusted faces of news, but also some of the bbc pick to replace, when david dimbleby and elsie was no longer going to present the election night programmes, it was huw edwards to bbc turned to. he was a man who announced queen elizabeth's deaths when she died. he narrated the coronation of king charles. these are key moments in the public life of britain and yet, if he has

pleaded guilty some really significant, really terrible charges and i think everybody in this building and much further afield would be shocked to hear about this. and a big questions will be busy to answer too about the pay rates are received, the fact he didn't let the bbc know potential that he had been arrested. irate bbc know potential that he had been arrested. ~ ., �* ~ ., bbc know potential that he had been arrested. ., �* ~ ., ., bbc know potential that he had been arrested. ~ ., ., ., arrested. we don't know that for sure and they — arrested. we don't know that for sure and they need _ arrested. we don't know that for sure and they need answering i arrested. we don't know that for sure and they need answering to someone went to the bbc learn of his arrest, why was he still being paid five months after his arrest in november, will the bbc try to recoup his salary. and did he tell the bbc when he was arrested? at my understanding was there had been a little or no contact but we just don't know. these are all questions we've put to the bbc and we expect an answer on. policy been granted more time to question a 17—year—old boy of four of the deaths of three girls on a knife attack in southport. the

teenager was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after three girls were fatally stabbed at a dance workshop. eight other children and also two adults were wounded. this and it has been overshadowed by disorder in the town last night. this is nine—year—old alice dasilva aguiar, described by her headteacher as the happiest of souls and a true ray of sunshine. this is six—year—old bebe king, described by her headteacher as one of our brightest and most wonderful shining stars. and this is seven—year—old elsie dot stancombe, described by her teacher as a caring, charismatic young lady who loved to please. and in her grief, elsie's mum jenny pleaded for calm following a night of rioting, saying "stop the violence in southport tonight. the police have been nothing but heroic." church bell tolls.

last night, thousands gathered at a vigil to remember the three who'd lost their lives and the seven other children and two adults still being treated in hospital. and today, the tributes continue to come. i've got a big building site to unlock and i want to see the lads safely at work. they're all worried that the kids can't go on the streets everywhere, everyone who i know, i'm shocked by this. i've actually gone through this myself. my niece was murdered, stabbed to death years ago, four years ago. and itjust kind of to see this brings it all back. and ijust can't imagine, well, i do know what the families are going through, but it'sjust, it's a horrible feeling. southport is still coming to terms with the attack. this community is still in shock, now trying to find ways to express their feelings. a book of condolences has been opened to allow people to add to their thoughts and messages

already being left by the police cordon. it is a community of resilience. it's a community that cares for each other. have come together to share their grief and show their support to each other. southport is in healing, mourning together, remembering all of those affected by the horror of monday's attack. for more details on our top story, go to the bbc website, we have a live page up and running with all the latest events across the middle east. that is ismail haniyeh, iran vowing to avenge the killing of hamas' leader. he died in a strike last night in tehran. there have

been two strikes against two senior iran—backed leaders. there are fears of wider escalation across the region. the heatwave continues today across some parts of the country but overnight tonight and into tomorrow, the weather looks like it will start to break down. at the risk of heavy rain, thunderand to break down. at the risk of heavy rain, thunder and lightning, to break down. at the risk of heavy rain, thunderand lightning, mainly across england and wales. still difficult to pin the details down because the storms are yet to develop. we've had some threatening cloud here in the southeast of england with showers closed by. this are the temperatures we have this afternoon. not really changing much for the northern half of the uk, it's much hotter further south, for the northern half of the uk, it's much hotterfurther south, but because we've got an easterly breeze this time, higher temperatures will get pushed that little further towards the west. even some showers into wales and northern ireland but

things get going overnight. the wetter weather develops overnight and pushes across to scotland with thundery downpours across parts of england and wales. morecambe around tonight, for scotland is warmer than last night, 5 degrees in glasgow. further south, last night, 5 degrees in glasgow. furthersouth, no last night, 5 degrees in glasgow. further south, no lower than 17 in the southeast of england. this wet weather tomorrow, possibly thundery, moving away with sunshine coming through triggering it more thundery showers across england and east wales. more sunshine across scotland and northern ireland were temperatures a shade higher than today but further south, the temperatures not quite so high. very warm or hot in places depending on those showers. we end the week with low pressure approaching from the atlantic, so quite a turnaround in the thank you. still heavies or thundery showers across eastern parts of england which will move away and as the breeze picks up any work the west, outbreaks of rain

moving in here. that will keep the temperatures a bit lower, only 20 degrees, though still very warm across eastern england, up to 28 celsius here. as that whether front pushes west from saturday, we will have cooler and fresher air, a west or southwesterly winds and low pressure bringing rain into the northwest of england on sunday. in the southeast, rain to begin on saturday and the rest of the weekend dry, temperatures are lower and nearer normalfor dry, temperatures are lower and nearer normal for the time of year.

this is business to live from new york where us markets are growing recovering some of yesterday's losses. bowen reports with an even larger loss for the 2nd quarter, can be plain cheat charter a new trajectory? also coming up, medwatch the us central banks is expected to keep them at a 2 deck is high but a cheaper borrowing costs on the

the s&p 500 and nasdaq moved lower on tuesday as investors continue to unwind their investments in major technology stocks. . .we've also got a key meeting at the federal reserve later today. but let's start with boeing — we've had results from the planemaker, reporting a larger quarterly loss than compared to a year ago. its second—quarter net loss stood at $1.44 billion, the company said on wednesday, compared with $149 million a year ago. joining me now is christopher carey. he is a portfolio manager with carnegie investment counsel. christopher: let's talk about boeing. the loss was expected — but does this magnitude shock you? it doesn't really, mainly because boeing has had a tumultuous time, it is blown off but it has given crises after crises. what is really encouraging though, is that they have woken up, they've had a ceo search and that has been named this

morning. and, the ceo was coming into the