this is bbc news, the headlines: hamas says its leader ismail haniyeh has been killed, in the iranian capital. tehran accuses israel of being responsible. iran promises the harshest response. the supreme leader says avenging the killing is iran's duty. hezbollah says one of its most senior military commanders, fuad shukr, was in a building in beirut targeted by israel yesterday evening but is yet to confirm his fate. in other news, the former bbc presenter huw edwards pleads guilty to three charges of making indecent

images of children. and at the olympics, it's double gold for team gb — alex yee wins the mens triathlon. and in rowing, the women's quadruple are involved in a dramatic photo finish. hello from the bbc sport centre great britain have surged up the medal table to fourth with five medals so far on wednesday, two of them gold. we had both triathlon races today after the mens was postponed yesterday because of the seine failing water quality tests. alex yee looked like he'd have to settle for silver in the men's race, just as he did in tokyo three years ago. but on the final lap of the 10k run, he overcame a iii—second deficit to pass his great rival, new zealand's hayden wilde and secure gold. great britain have won more triathlon medals than any other nation since becomingt an olympic

sport in 2000. the women's race was always scheduled for today, and they raced first. they were the first into the seine. it was close until the final lap of the run, when france's cassandre beaugrand pulled clear of switzerland'sjulie derron, with great britain's beth potter in third. derron says they had no concerns over the water quality the swimming was fine during the race. we know they took samples this morning and they take time to analyse so we don't know the results, obviously. we all though trust the authorities and the organisers, they keep us safe so we had a safe race yesterday. great britain's rowers failed to win a single gold in tokyo, bringing homejust two medals, but they have a gold on the board with an incredible finish in the womens quadruple sculls. with 200 metres to go, the british boat trailed the netherlands but they pulled it back to take the win with the final stroke,

the gb quartet of lauren henry, lola anderson, hannah scott and georgina brayshaw won it by 0.15 seconds. the first time team gb had won the event either mens or womens. netherlands won the men's quad. china have continued their perfect record, making it three golds from three diving events so far. they blew away the competition in the women's synchronised 10m platform, finishing far out in front. the bronze went to britain's andrea spendolini—sirieix and lois toulson who leapfrogged canada with this final dive. north korea, on the left, took their second silver of the games. we've had both finals in the freestyle bmx, the mens gold has gone to argentina, with britain's kieran reilly taking the silver medal. it was such a high quality final with argetina'sjose torres gil

setting the standard with a run of 9a.82 and that was more than enough for gold. world champion kieran reilly, was guaranteed a bronze going into hsi final run and threw everything at it, seeing her edge out the usa' perris benegas with her second run. bennegas made the podium after finishing fourth in tokyo, while australia's natalya diehm who claimed bronze — her country's first in freestyle bmx. the canada womens football team have had their appeal against a six point deduction rejected by the court of arbitartion for sport. they were punished after using a drone to spy on their first opponents in the olympics new zealand. head coach bev priestman and two of her assistants were also banned from any football related activity for 12 months. that leaves canada , who are 0lympic champions, on zero points in their group, needing to beat colombia

later to have any chance of reaching the quarters. and away from the olympics mercedes have been explaining the reason why george russel�*s car was disqualified, costing him victory at last weekend's belgian grand prix...the car was found to be one and a half kilograms underweight after the race , which mercedes have put down to the excessive wear on the tyres and the the underfloor plank and also russell himself losing more bodyweight than usual all formula i drivers lose weight during a race due to sweating, while the plank — aimed at stopping cars from running too low to the ground, had erroded more than expected. go to the bbc sport website that explains everything there and you can keep on top of the olympics. plenty more gold medals and gold medals to be won.

plenty more gold medals and gold medals to be won. and that's all the sport for now. hamas says the killing of its political leader, ismail haniyeh, in tehran will not go unanswered. hamas accused israel of carrying out the attack, which occurred in the early morning, just hours after mr haniyeh attended the inauguration of the new iranian president. the armed wing of hamas says the killing will take the battle to new dimensions. there's been no official comment from israel as yet. the attack leaves efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in gaza under new strain. let's speak to to dr sultan barakat. he's a professor of public policy at qatar's foundation hamad bin khalifa university thank you so much for being here on the program. give me an idea of the reaction there's been in qatar to this news. figs reaction there's been in qatar to this new-— reaction there's been in qatar to this news-— reaction there's been in qatar to thisnews. a ~ ., �* ., , this news. as you know, i'm actually in new york — this news. as you know, i'm actually in new york following _ this news. as you know, i'm actually

in new york following the _ this news. as you know, i'm actually in new york following the news - this news. as you know, i'm actually in new york following the news and | in new york following the news and the reaction that is coming out from the reaction that is coming out from the region. it, it isi the reaction that is coming out from the region. it, it is i of shock. it is probablyi of the most dangerous events and what is really dangerous about this about netanyahu was later taken the authorise the assassination. he was fully aware that he is doing it on a territory, he is infringing on the sovereignty, he is infringing on the sovereignty, he is, he should expect twice the reaction that iran put back in april. but, clearly from the fact that he has done this decision, he is no longer deterred what iran has a spring out on to israel. he feels involved and by the way the united states came to its rescue back in april and today we have boston, has reassured israel that they will come to their protection. most importantly, i think the united

states and the meeting is conducted, the speech agreed that congress given the impression that he is by far the most important maker now in the election. between democrats so nobody is going to oppose him. that has given him courage to go as far as poking the iranians right in the capital. can i ask you about your analysis on the impact on the phone for a sisterfire deal, analysis on the impact on the phone for a sister fire deal, hostage releases, because he was a principal character and that wasn't it? of course, the impact is going to be devastating and this is probably brought an end to a possibility of releasing the captors for negotiations. here is by fari of the modernist in the organisation—mac setup. before him, backin

now, there is a major in the political side of the movement who were calling for the release of the captives, the people who are trying to get the facts up on the ground. sorry to dive in, but she started that answer by saying that you thought that this ends hostage release deal. you're convinced of that, you don't think that perhaps it pauses, it causes another difficulty but eventually they will resume this discussion. you can present it? it resume this discussion. you can present it?— resume this discussion. you can present it? resume this discussion. you can resentit? , ., ., ., present it? it is not no more that1 assassinate _ present it? it is not no more that1 assassinate the _ present it? it is not no more that1 assassinate the counterpart - present it? it is not no more that1 assassinate the counterpart in - present it? it is not no more that1 assassinate the counterpart in a i assassinate the counterpart in a negotiation this is the government of netanyahu in this context so if israel was interested in a political outcome, and is generally had the

will to negotiate the last person they will think of would be haniyeh. so, i think the very difficult to see how the talks will go backtrack without him being around the table. 1 without him being around the table. i final thought, without him being around the table. ifinalthought, because without him being around the table. i final thought, because it without him being around the table. ifinal thought, because it is without him being around the table. i final thought, because it is very early hours since the events overnight but in terms of a replacement, do you see a possibility of perhaps a more extreme person taking over in that position eventually? then extreme person taking over in that position eventually?— position eventually? then they be someone stepping _ position eventually? then they be someone stepping given - position eventually? then they be someone stepping given the - position eventually? then they be i someone stepping given the urgency of this action and filling in for his place but i suspect leadership will go back into gaza. it will play a much greater role in taking decisions and him being on the grounds most decisions will be really a matter of survival. now that the political horizon, if you like, is, has been dealt this very

major blow. i like, is, has been dealt this very major blow— like, is, has been dealt this very ma'or blow. ., ., ., , ., , ., major blow. i have to leave you you for takinr major blow. i have to leave you you for taking the _ major blow. i have to leave you you for taking the time _ major blow. i have to leave you you for taking the time to _ major blow. i have to leave you you for taking the time to speak- major blow. i have to leave you you for taking the time to speak to - for taking the time to speak to speak to us on bbc news. about specifically, the impact on hostage negotiations, stay with that will meet once again. kidnapped welcome to the programme once again. to those events we saw overnight. thank you matthew for _ those events we saw overnight. thank you matthew for having _ those events we saw overnight. thank you matthew for having me. _ those events we saw overnight. trisha; you matthew for having me. yesterday was definitely a significant events in which we could not expect it to happen. my initial reaction was that it is perhaps a cause for celebration for many israelis, that, and to be honest palestinians as well that's such a man was taken out of the picture. at the same time, it

may have an impact on the negotiations and i would be cautious to determine whether the impact will be as positive or negative treatment straw in impacting negotiations the last few months and the pressure is coming from of operators in gaza to reach a negotiation treaty so that it can also lead to chaos and still negotiations for the next few weeks. i hope not. i negotiations for the next few weeks. i ho -e not. , ., negotiations for the next few weeks. ihoe not. , ., i hope not. i understand your anal sis i hope not. i understand your analysis there _ i hope not. i understand your analysis there in _ i hope not. i understand your analysis there in terms - i hope not. i understand your analysis there in terms of. i hope not. i understand your| analysis there in terms of the impact of negotiations but i don't know if you could hear our previous gas, an expert fair in qatar. his view that it ends any sort of hope of a hostage deal and further hostage releases. that is the bleakest of hostage releases. that is the blea kest of analysis hostage releases. that is the bleakest of analysis but it is quite possible, isn't it? given how

critical a figure he was in terms of negotiations of hostages. i critical a figure he was in terms of negotiations of hostages.- negotiations of hostages. i heard the analysis. _ negotiations of hostages. i heard the analysis. i — negotiations of hostages. i heard the analysis, i disagree - negotiations of hostages. i heard the analysis, i disagree with - negotiations of hostages. i heard i the analysis, i disagree with making such statements, so early on. it is still unclear how this will impact negotiations, as i said, it may have a negative effect but it will also have a positive i. ania is not being a good faith negotiator and we would not have reached the situation if they had chosen not to attack on october 7 in the 1st place. every leader has a substitute, we've learned that from history. the substitute could be worse or better and i hope that this military action will lead to strategic decisions in israel and the diplomatic rooms, which entails based on the defence

minister said the smaller, entails that this was a part of this that we need to reach a deal. we need to negotiate and i hope.— need to reach a deal. we need to negotiate and i hope. you will know what _ negotiate and i hope. you will know what critics _ negotiate and i hope. you will know what critics of _ negotiate and i hope. you will know what critics of the - negotiate and i hope. you will know what critics of the prime - know what critics of the prime ministers say, it was never serious about actual negotiations and they would point to this as being further proof of that. that to ashley take out i of the proof of that. that to ashley take outi of the principal people that you are talking to with batting releases. he will be aware of that criticism. you, though, don't sound like you buy that completely. i don't buy that completely, i have been critical of mr netanyahu only last week, his address to congress, which i... call on us election officials to hold him accountable, to demand clear answers for why we are not reaching an agreement, for

why it seems like the negotiations are stalling, despite the fact that the head of israel's ministry branches and high—level officials are saying that we have windows of opportunity to seal a deal. we keep calling ourfriends to opportunity to seal a deal. we keep calling our friends to do that, however i think in this instance the decision was to strategic, it was military, and i cannot make a conclusive assessment. i don't think anyone else can, it is too early to know how this will affect it, and previous kind of decisions, there were effects that are both positive and negative. let were effects that are both positive and negative-— were effects that are both positive and negative. let me ask your final ruestion and negative. let me ask your final question and _ and negative. let me ask your final question and about _ and negative. let me ask your final question and about your— question and about your brother—in—law. i assume that you have heard no further information since we last spoke a few weeks ago. all, have you had any further update? all, have you had any further u date? ., , ., all, have you had any further udate? ., , ., ., , update? no, iwish i had any updates- _ update? no, iwish i had any updates. the _ update? no, iwish i had any updates. the last _ update? no, iwish i had any updates. the last we - update? no, iwish i had any updates. the last we know i update? no, i wish i had any i updates. the last we know from update? no, i wish i had any - updates. the last we know from him who was kidnapped alongside other members of them, i was still kept

captive. i was featured in a psychological warfare that in late april but they had not given any updates since then and any sign of life from him. we keep advocating to hold policymakers accountable and prioritise this. i hopei hold policymakers accountable and prioritise this. i hope i day this will side to make such decisions on the battlefield, they take into account the effect of negotiations. they take into account the effect on the hostages. fin they take into account the effect on the hostages-— the hostages. on this on google. we have to leave — the hostages. on this on google. we have to leave it _ the hostages. on this on google. we have to leave it there _ the hostages. on this on google. we have to leave it there but _ the hostages. on this on google. we have to leave it there but thank - the hostages. on this on google. we have to leave it there but thank you | have to leave it there but thank you want to give here on bbc news. here a moment or 2, will discuss the other of this events, the strike in beirut on the target, and already promising to retaliate for that. more tension heightened in the

region, will return to that in to 2. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

is promised less return to the middle east, looking at that strike on the hamas leader. they confirmed they carried out that strike on the senior hezbollah commander. because it held him responsible for an attack on saturday that killed 12 children and teenagers in the israeli zone. they have been speaking to that i israeli zone. they have been speaking to thati of the country's ministers and his reaction to that. my ministers and his reaction to that. my reaction is to stand in solidarity with that to those who fell victim and their families of this savage attack by the israelis.

that is uncalled for and everything thatis that is uncalled for and everything that is required for them is to execute the solutions, especially the security backed by everybody. in the security backed by everybody. in the international arena. it is hezbollah — the international arena. it is hezbollah that _ the international arena. it is hezbollah that has - the international arena. it is hezbollah that has been attacking israel, right? it is hezbollah that has been attacking israel. right?— israel, right? it is a wasting of time, deliberately _ israel, right? it is a wasting of time, deliberately by - israel, right? it is a wasting of time, deliberately by the - israel, right? it is a wasting of i time, deliberately by the israelis viz a viz execution of the internationally including the. it is hezbollah at _ internationally including the. it is hezbollah at an _ internationally including the. it is hezbollah at an attacking israel? right what has been officially stated because of the decision in the international community to stop the hostilities and look at them now, look at them attacking again. so, who was in breach today? it is the government of israel. this

so, who was in breach today? it is the government of israel.- so, who was in breach today? it is the government of israel. this is in breach of the _ the government of israel. this is in breach of the un _ the government of israel. this is in breach of the un resolution. - the government of israel. this is in breach of the un resolution. part l breach of the un resolution. part and parcel _ breach of the un resolution. part and parcel of— breach of the un resolution. part and parcel of the _ breach of the un resolution. past and parcel of the lebanese, the urban fabric they should have been there. when there was an occupation, they wanted resistance to cease occupation and kicking at the germans. it is in the same spirit that hezbollah was doing so. that is how it happened. tour that hezbollah was doing so. that is how it happened-— how it happened. tour of invasion. so, ou how it happened. tour of invasion. so. you are _ how it happened. tour of invasion. so. you are not — how it happened. tour of invasion. so, you are not going _ how it happened. tour of invasion. so, you are not going to _ how it happened. tour of invasion. so, you are not going to criticise . so, you are not going to criticise the actions but you think this fact is going to lead to an escalation of hostilities? . ., ., . ., is going to lead to an escalation of hostilities?— hostilities? economic growth and social prosperity, _ hostilities? economic growth and social prosperity, i'm _ hostilities? economic growth and social prosperity, i'm here - hostilities? economic growth and social prosperity, i'm here for . social prosperity, i'm here for peace. i'm not looking for more. but, i believe, in the life inside me. that to stop the aggression. they have not initiated the aggression. but they have started the attacks. this is an 80 year old

struggle. , starting in 1920, the attacks. this is an 80 year old struggle. , starting in1920, 100 struggle. , starting in 1920, 100 years even. from the arriving of the zionist people, if you want. let years even. from the arriving of the zionist people, if you want.- zionist people, if you want. let us talk about what _ zionist people, if you want. let us talk about what is _ zionist people, if you want. let us talk about what is happening - zionist people, if you want. let us talk about what is happening now. zionist people, if you want. let us l talk about what is happening now. it happened in before the purge of hezbollah. being responsible for something that has been proceeding. we got the latest reaction to the strike that we saw last night. the tension in the region is a worry of course, is of course for a wider war in the region. much more on that, a main story coming up in the next of the well. i want to squeeze in 1 more story before the top of the hour and the us presidential hopeful has taken her campaign to georgia. let's get the very latest on that's from our reporter. excitement continues to build

for kamala harris, with thousands of people filling this stadium in atlanta to see her as she looks to become the first female president in us history. kamala harris' entry into the race has given democrats here a new found swagger. it seemed like the peach state was. out of reach with biden as the nominee, but the harris campaign believes it is now back in play. as long as they can get black voters out to the polls. kamala harris told the crowd that her path to the white house runs through their crucial battleground state. she said her vision for america was based on the future, while trump's was focussed on the past. and we are not going. back because ours is a fight for the future j and it is a fight for freedom. across our nation, we are witnessing a full on assault, on hard fought, - hard won freedoms and rights.

the harris campaign has also been boosted by grassroots support, raising $200 million in less than a week from mainly new donors. she's helped, you know, and the enthusiasm that we feel, it's it's like 2008 all over again. i think the energy and excitement | now, hopefully people will startl volunteering and hopefully that energy can be taken. _ so people vote in november. when you got history. history in the making, you want to be a part of it. so that's why we're here. and in a sign that republicans are taking notice of the shift in the race, the trump vans campaign just announced they will be holding a rally at the same venue on saturday, with 97 days until the election. the big question now is whether vice president kamala harris can sustain the momentum behind her bid for the white house. neda tawfik, bbc news, new york.

we will have live in the middle east to get the very latest on that, our main story here on bbc news. the weather looks like it will start to break down. will start to break down. like it will start to break down. we've the risk of heavy rain, thunder and lightning, mainly across england and wales. still difficult to pin the details down because those storms are yet to develop. we've had some threatening cloud here in the far southeast of england with showers closed by. these are the temperatures we have this afternoon. not really changing much for the northern half of the uk, it's much hotter further south, but because we've got an easterly breeze this time, the highest 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 in northern ireland and pushes across to scotland with thundery downpours across parts of england and wales. this more cloud around tonight, for scotland, warmer than last night, 5 degrees in glasgow. further south, no lower than 17 in the southeast of england. this wet weather through the midlands and northern england, possibly thundery, moving away with sunshine coming through, triggering more thundery showers across england and east wales. more sunshine across scotland and northern ireland in the afternoon with temperatures a shade higher than today but not quite so high further south. very warm or hot in places depending on those heavy showers. we end the week with low pressure approaching from the atlantic, so quite a turnaround in the weather. still heavy or thundery showers across eastern parts of england which will move away and as the breeze picks up in 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 weather front pushes west from saturday, we will have cooler and fresher air following, a west or southwesterly wind 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 normal for the time of year.

live from london, this is bbc news. hamas says its leader ismail haniyeh has been killed, in the iranian capital. tehran accuses israel of being responsible. iran promises the harshest response. the supreme leader says avenging the killing is iran's duty. hezbollah says one of its most senior military commanders, fuad shukr, was in a building in beirut targeted by israel yesterday evening, but is yet to confirm his fate. in other news, the former bbc presenter huw edwards pleads guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children. rioting in southport following a vigil to pay tribute to the three girls killed in a knife attack.

locals clear up the damage as detectives are granted more time to question the 17—year—old suspect. we begin in the middle east, where two separate attacks in the space of 12 hours on the senior leaders of two iranian—backed groups 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.