hello, i'm steven lai. you're watching the context on bbc news. translation: we have hit out and we will continue doing so against - anyone who murders our citizens and hurts our country. then his days are numbered. we do know that after the october summit attacks committed by him as the israeli government said they were going to target all of the mosque leadership including political leadership. this is a massive gamble by the israelis. will this be the spark that tips the region into the all out war that so many people there with catastrophic consequences?

tension tonight in the middle east as the region waits to see what happens next, following the killing of ismail haniyeh, the political leader of hamas. iran has vowed to avenge his death, blaming israel. as we wait to see how hamas will respond — what will his death mean for the ongoing ceasefire talks? we will hear from a former idf spokesperson as well as a veteran middle east negotiator. the killing of ismail haniyeh came just hours after the idf hit back at his brother, with a targetted drone strike on a senior commander in southern beirut. we will also look at the reaction to that in lebanon, with concerns growing of a wider regional conflict. first — the latest headlines here in the uk. the bbc says it is "shocked" by what it calls the "aahorrent behaviour" of former presenter huw edwards — who has pleaded guilty to charges of making child abuse images. the images were sent to him by a man police say

is a convicted paedophile. police officers have been given more time to continue questioning a 17—year—old boy in connection with the killings of three girls at a summer holiday dance class in southport. since those attacked demonstrators believed to be from a far—right group through bricks and did not damage the mosque for the four arrests have been made. police say they will be more. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu says his country has challenging days ahead — but is prepared for all scenarios, following the killing of senior leaders of two iranian—backed groups. mr netanyahu said israel had dealt what he described as a �*crushing blow to its enemies' through the attack that killed the his brother leader in lebanon. that death — and the killing of the political leader of hamas in tehran — are driving fears of an escalation of the conflict. the hamas leader ismail haniyeh was in the iranian capital, where on sunday he was a guest at the inauguration of the country's new president.

according to iranian state media, he was killed when the building he was staying in was struck by a missile around 2am local time. israel hasn't commented on that death. but israel has claimed responsibilty for the death of a senior commander from the iranian—backed his brother group. faud shakr was killed in an air strike in the lebanese capital, beirut. hezbollah says his body has now been recovered. here's some of what mr netanyahu said in his televised address, less than an hour ago. translation: citizens| of israel, there are very challenging days ahead. we have been hearing those threats from everywhere. we're ready for any scenario and we will stand so he used and ready against any threat. they will pay a price if there is any aggression against us where that theatre is. most folks person spoke to bbc

arabic and had this response. translation: the assassination l of the martyr leader ismail haniyeh is a complete crime, and it's a political assassination operation, and the isreali occupation will their its consequences and ramifications, especially if we look at who was targeted and where it was conducted. there are repercussions for assassinating the top leader of hamas the political level. with me to help us understand the significance of these events, i'm joined by the bbc�*s chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. great to have you to help us understand what's been going on in the last 2a hours. let's start with that address from mr netanyahu. what is the main thing to understand about what he said? he seemed to have two audiences, _ about what he said? he seemed to have two audiences, one _ about what he said? he seemed to have two audiences, one of- about what he said? he seemed to have two audiences, one of the - have two audiences, one of the foreign powers of united states which is been pushing him for many months now to end the war. he said they have been asking me to end the war and he they have been asking me to end the warand he said, i have not, i've

stood firm. i'm looking and the war, he repeated. the mantra since the beginning of the war of his is not until hamas is completely destroyed. his other message, he singled out the families of the hostages who are now in greater despair, having been told when they went to washington that a deal within touching distance they were hoping their loved ones would be home. now they know they don't know when negotiations will begin again. and to the tens of thousands of israelis displays from the border areas for the viewer that first cup blue backlit comic challenges days ahead his brace for retaliation. as we speak those discussions must be going on. it is likely to be a consolidated to spot, which marshals the assets of iran, the so—called head of what they call access to evil, to reply if it's like for like it will have to be the word on the news, spectacular. while

we wait for what that could potentially be help us understand better netanyahu standing and position on this conflict. find better netanyahu standing and position on this conflict. and how he's handled _ position on this conflict. and how he's handled this _ position on this conflict. and how he's handled this conflicts - position on this conflict. and how he's handled this conflicts with i position on this conflict. and how. he's handled this conflicts with the how much support does he have how he has been conducting this conflict with notjust gaza but now stretching to lebanon and i went to toronto as well. == stretching to lebanon and i went to toronto as well.— toronto as well. -- tehran. if use no to toronto as well. -- tehran. if use 90 to the — toronto as well. -- tehran. if use go to the street, _ toronto as well. -- tehran. if use go to the street, including - toronto as well. -- tehran. if use go to the street, including the - go to the street, including the families of the hostages netanyahu is very unpopular. his ratings are low, they been consistently low throughout the war. sometimes they rise a bit when they feel the war is going in israel's favour. his ratings are not high. there has been broad support since the beginning for the execution of the war, for the israeli army. in recent months as the war has ground on and the

fears mount for the fate of the hostages about the poles have been saying that many israelis believe now is the time to do a deal. we have to put the fate of our own people first with the people in that yahoos own war cabinet has also said that. he's often —— netanyahu. these often accused of trying to pull over long list of war for his own political survival. when it's over he will have to face tough questions about his responsibility for not being able to protect israel on october seven. being able to protect israel on octoberseven. he being able to protect israel on october seven. he also knows the far right wing members of his cabinet had borrowed they will bring his government down if he ends the war. he is trying to balance these various pressures. he must be hoping that by killing a senior member of hamas in such an audacious way, in the heart of tehran on a day of very high security, the inauguration of a new president that this will win him points. i think many israelis, their party is the hostages, bringing

their loved ones home and now he will bejudged by their loved ones home and now he will be judged by their reaction to this. he will be 'udged by their reaction to this. . , . ~ will be 'udged by their reaction to this. . , ., ~ ., , will be 'udged by their reaction to this. .,~ ., , this. he has taken a big risk. it does sound _ this. he has taken a big risk. it does sound like _ this. he has taken a big risk. it does sound like a _ this. he has taken a big risk. it does sound like a big - this. he has taken a big risk. it does sound like a big of - this. he has taken a big risk. it does sound like a big of a - this. he has taken a big risk. it. does sound like a big of a gamble without knowing what sort of response he could be facing or response he could be facing or response he could be facing or response he could be putting the people of israel under as well. one key crucial relationship is the united states. they have said they support israel and will step in to defend for that when the us sees actions like this taken, does it shake their resolve?— actions like this taken, does it shake their resolve? what's not clear et shake their resolve? what's not clear yet is _ shake their resolve? what's not clear yet is how _ shake their resolve? what's not clear yet is how much _ shake their resolve? what's not clear yet is how much the - shake their resolve? what's not| clear yet is how much the united states new of the targeting, of the senior commander for that before the news came out what is happened there was a sense in the region that this could be dealt with. even though it was in beirut it was expected. but with this added onto it the tension and the risk has multiplies significantly. how much did the

united know that israel is going to attack in iran? not only has this created new risk in the region it has potentially shot through any chance, if there was an idea that they might try to improve relations with iran, the new president within hours of being sworn in, he had campaigned on trying to improve relations with the west. that might not be possible because he is surrounded by hardliners and a revolutionary regards of a controlled essentially foreign policy for the they had been a glimmer of hope for that that has been dealt a blow for the end the killing of ismail haniyeh there has been the hostage negotiation, to any possibility of at least any talking between iran and the united states this can't be good for the united states and joe biden, who by his own description, he is a committed scientist. he has never wavered in his —— scientists. in recent months

has become very critical in public about the war which doesn't end, even the prime minister netanyahu, i think they try to mend it a bit when prime minister netanyahu finally went to the united states, given this huge honour of addressing congress. one president after the other has found it difficult to deal with prime minister netanyahu. he says this is a badge of honour. he said, i'm standing firm, i'm standing for israel and only israel decides what israel does. {iii standing for israel and only israel decides what israel does. of course we do not know _ decides what israel does. of course we do not know who _ decides what israel does. of course we do not know who will _ decides what israel does. of course we do not know who will be - decides what israel does. of course we do not know who will be in - decides what israel does. of course we do not know who will be in the l we do not know who will be in the white house... that may also be part of the timing. thank you for helping us understand that better. thank you for helping us understand that better. let's speak tojonathan conricus, former idf spokeperson and now senior fellow at foundation for the defence of democracies, focused on the middle east. jonathan, thank you for speaking to me. just to get an understanding of understanding where israel is given the last 2a hours, is israel willing

to escalate this conflict and bring it face—to—face with ironic? i to escalate this conflict and bring it face-to-face with ironic? i think israel is in — it face-to-face with ironic? i think israel is in a _ it face-to-face with ironic? i think israel is in a much _ it face-to-face with ironic? i think israel is in a much better- israel is in a much better situation today then it was 2a hours ago or 30 hours ago because it has dealt a significant blow to two of iran's major proxies and hamas from within tehran. and contrary to what was said before i do not believe that the aim here is a gamble or actions are a gamble. the whole situation in the middle east is a horrible situation. not by israel's doing but by iran, hamas and hezbollah. and what israel is doing is defending itself. now to take out two enemy combatants, i would rather not have ismail haniyeh portrayed as a modern—day mahatma gandhi dealing in the release of hostages and being a

peace broker. he was a vile terrorist. an enabler for the october seven attack against israel and a spent his entire life planning or executing a murder of innocent civilians by ways of what they call resistance. i would rather not have him remembered or canonized as a man of positive qualities. what israel has done is to fight back and to send a rather strong message to around and his two most important

proxies

you cannot pursue military drive to release hostages and at the sign pretend to negotiate. it's incompatible, the goals he set himself. i really do fear for the region. i really do fear what's going to happen. i think we're at great risk of seeing this escalated into a regional war. that's the seriousness of it. thank you for

your insight today. our middle east former hostage negotiator. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. huw edwards, once the bbc�*s most senior news presenter, has pleaded guilty to having images showing child sex abuse.. after exchanging messages with a convicted paedophile on whatsapp. at westminster magistrates�* court, he admitted to having 41 indecent images of children. our media editor katie razzall has more on the bbc�*s handling of their former employee. the bbc, as you said, continued paying huw edwards, his vast salary, for five months after he was arrested, so questions around why that was. why also did they let him leave on his own terms? you remember, he resigned from the bbc in april, he said on the medical advice of doctors. we heard only last week

he was the third highest paid presenter on the bbc, that he was paid for months while he was suspended, and of course people will ask will the bbc he trying to recoup that money? my understanding is there's no legal recourse, no legal way of doing that. we have more on our website bbc .com. let's focus in now on the situation in lebanon following that drone strike in the capital beirut which israel says targeted a key hezbollah commander. the strike occurred in the densely populated suburb of daniyeh and is said to have targeted fuad shukr, who is believed to be a key adviser to the hezbolah leader hassan nasrallah. the us has had a $5 million dollar reward in place for information on shukr who they believe played a key role in the 1983 bombing of a us military base that killed 241. israel believes shukr

was responsible for a rocket attack on the occupied golan heights on saturday that killed 12, including many children. hezbollah has denied that attack but has now confirmed the death of shukr in that strike. but has now confirmed the death lebanon's prime minister najib mikati condemned "blatant israeli aggression" calling it a "criminal act". joining us now is hussein haridy, former egyptian assistant foreign minister. thank you so much forjoining me. we had initial reports that he survived the attack but now has bella has confirmed the attack.— confirmed the attack. yesterday there were _ confirmed the attack. yesterday there were doubts _ confirmed the attack. yesterday there were doubts but _ confirmed the attack. yesterday there were doubts but today - confirmed the attack. yesterday there were doubts but today it l confirmed the attack. yesterday i there were doubts but today it has been confirmed that the chief of staff of has blah —— has blah has died. as a result of the assassination on his life. we're waiting on some kind of retaliation on the part of hezbollah. we of

course don't know how things will develop after three retaliate. it all depends on the targets that will be chosen and whether israel will hit back at hezbollah. anyhow, i guess the united states and the arab countries including egypt are very concerned about the risk of further escalation between has blah and israel. i don't to think that the assassination —— hezbollah. palestinian leaders, whether they come from hamas or any other palestinian organisation would really diminish the resolve, the will of hezbollah and the palestinian organisations. to stand

and to be what is really says. whether you are thinking about assassinating hezbollah leaders or palestinian leaders, that won't solve the problems. he is not the first and he won't be the last leaders among hezbollah that israel has taken up. and similarly, talking about hamas, ismail haniyeh, is not the first one for that even some the israelis assassinated the founder of hamas. and later on five or seven leaders of hamas. and hamas staged the october seven attack against

israel. so taking out leaders in hezbollah in hamas or any other organisation won't really guarantee security. organisation won't really guarantee securi . , ._ organisation won't really guarantee securi . , , , ., security. others may step into the issues and — security. others may step into the issues and continue _ security. others may step into the issues and continue the _ security. others may step into the issues and continue the fight, - security. others may step into the issues and continue the fight, is i issues and continue the fight, is what you are saying. how worried are you in egypt that this conflict could escalate to the wider region? any miscalculation either on the part of israel are on the part of hezbollah will lead to wider. today the supreme leader of iran has promised to avenge the assassination of ismail haniyeh. we're very worried how this retaliation on the part of iran, how that will

develop... part of iran, how that will devel0p- - -_ part of iran, how that will develop... part of iran, how that will develo... ~ ., ., ~ , ., develop... we will have to keep a close e e develop... we will have to keep a close eye on _ develop. .. we will have to keep a close eye on how— develop... we will have to keep a close eye on how that _ develop... we will have to keep a close eye on how that does - develop... we will have to keep a i close eye on how that does develop. thank you. do stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. temperatures reached 29—30 degrees across southern parts of the uk again today, but we're starting to see a few changes. there has already been the odd shower around, but things are going to get more active overnight and into tomorrow with the risk of some thundery downpours, mainly across england and wales. but if we look towards the west, across northern ireland, there are some showers here and those will develop and push their way across southern scotland and then really generate some heavy, thundery downpours across england and wales later on in the night. a lot of cloud around overnight. it's going to be pretty warm out there, 17 degrees minimum in the south—east of england. and for scotland, it's going to be a lot warmer than it was last night. but we've got the downpours to begin with across the midlands,

northern england — it could be thundery — move out of the way and then we get a bit of sunshine that will trigger some further thundery showers for england and wales, whereas scotland and northern ireland, looking much drier. and, with a bit more sunshine in the afternoon, temperatures could be a little bit higher than today. elsewhere for england and wales, temperatures aren't going to be as high as they have been, but still very warm out there, particularly if you do miss those showers. now, we started the week with high pressure dominant. we're going to end the week with low pressure more dominant. there still could be some showers to clear away from eastern parts of england on friday morning. and then we look to the west because we've got this cloud thickening the wind picking up a bit and some rain moving in too. so northern and western areas will see temperatures a little bit lower. but ahead of that rain through the midlands and eastern england, it's going to be a very warm end to the week. we've still got temperatures 27—28 degrees. that will change, though, as we head through the weekend, because that weather front that's bringing the rain in the west will move its way eastwards may not be huge amounts of rain affecting some eastern parts of england on saturday morning. that moves away, sunshine follows on many places

will be dry on saturday, but the wind picking up in the north west will bring showers to northern ireland and western scotland, and those temperatures are going to be lower. we're looking at a top temperature of 25 degrees. we're all in this cooler and fresher air on saturday, with more of a west to south—westerly wind. further low pressure heading towards the north—west of the uk will eventually bring this rain in from the atlantic, so not such a good weekend for this part of the country. elsewhere, for england and wales, it's likely to be dry. there'll be some cloud, but some sunshine through the midlands and eastern parts of england and feeling quite pleasant — temperatures 23 or 24.

hello, i'm steven lai. you're watching the context on bbc news. the bbc says it is 'shocked' by what it calls the 'abhorrent behaviour�* of former presenter huw edwards — who has pleaded guilty to charges of making indecent images of children. six sport now and here is the bbc sport centre. hello there — straight to the olympics, where the medals events continue at the la defence arena, home to the swimming. the golden boy and home favourite leon marchand struck again, this time with an olympic record. marchand, the fans favourite in paris took the gold in a competitive men's 200 metres butterfly — getting the better of world record holder and tokyo

2021 champion kristoff milak. ilya kharun of canada took bronze.