live from washington. this is bbc news. israel's prime minister warns that challenging days lie ahead after the killing of a hamas leader and a hezbollah commander. pressure mounts on nicolas maduro as more countries urge him to verify the results of venezuela's presidential election. donald trump draws criticism after questioning kamala harris�* racial identity. hello, i'm carl nasman. the middle east is on edge after a series of air strikes killed senior leaders of the iran—backed groups hamas and hezbollah. the political leader of hamas, ismail haniyeh, was killed in an air strike early

wednesday morning in iran's capital, tehran. it's widely believed to have been carried out by israel, though it has not claimed responsibility. his assassination came the day after israel carried out an air raid near the lebanese capital, beirut, killing senior hezbollah commander, fuad shukr. this followed a hezbollah rocket attack on the occupied golan heights, which killed 12 children on a soccer field. in a televised address wednesday, the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu called fuad shukr one of the world's most—wanted terrorists, and said israel had "settled an account". translation: anyone - who slaughters our children, anyone who murders our citizens, anyone who hits our country will have blood on his own head. citizens of israel, challenging days lie ahead. since the strike on beirut there are threats from all directions. we are prepared for any scenario and will stand united and determined

against any threat. protests have erupted in iran and in gaza, as well as in lebanon, jordan, pakistan, the occupied west bank, and other areas in the region. major airlines have reportedly suspended flights to tel aviv, including united, delta and british airways. this comes after a slew of airlines cancelled flights to beirut in the past several days. the un security council held a meeting on wednesday to discuss the situation. separately, the un secretary general is said to have called the strikes on beirut and tehran a "dangerous escalation" at a time when the focus should be on achieving a ceasefire in gaza. the international community must work together to urgently prevent any actions that could push the entire middle east over the edge with a devastating impact on civilians. the way to do so is by advancing comprehensive diplomatic action for regional deescalation. the white house addressed concerns over the risk of escalation, but said the us will continue to support israel in the face of iranian threats.

we don't believe an escalation is inevitable. and there are no signs an escalation is imminent. we have and will maintain readiness to preserve our national security interest in the region. we won't have a blind eye to what iran are doing or have shown to be capable of doing in the region. we have not demonstrated an unwillingness to defend israel from threats in the region including from iran if that happens. we maintain that capability and readiness to do so now. our correspondent paul adams has more on fallout from the killing of hamas leader, ismail haniyeh. across the west bank this morning, a furious reaction to the news from tehran. they knew ismail haniyeh had a target on his back. and israel has assassinated many palestinian leaders before. but that doesn't lessen the shock. in ramallah, seat of

the palestinian government, they gathered at noon. the palestinian authority declaring this a day of mourning. condemnation here from supporters, and opponents of hamas. israel has just committed a terrible, criminal political act by assassinating a political leader. they have assassinated the person they were negotiating with about a ceasefire. so this sends a very clear message to palestinians. israel doesn't want peace, israel doesn't want a ceasefire. all israel understands is only the language of force. this city, ramallah, is not exactly a stronghold of hamas, and today's demonstration isn't huge, a few hundred people at most. but no—one should underestimate the strength of feeling, of dismay and anger, generated by the killing of ismail haniyeh. the hamas leader, seen here on the left, was in tehran for the new president's inauguration. iran backs hamas as well as

the houthis in yemen and hezbollah in lebanon. for one former israeli national security adviser, this was a perfect opportunity. in a way, it's the best place to kill him because it shows a connection between tehran and hamas. and in tehran, no—one can complain about it because they made hamas, and now hamas is paying the price. but is there another price? has the torturous business of bringing israeli hostages home just got that much harder? daniel's elderly grandfather was taken by hamas gunmen on october 7. it might hurt from one side of negotiations, from the other side, ismail haniyeh is responsible for the attacks of october 7. i think that assassinating someone like ismail haniyeh should not bother the negotiations. in gaza, the house where ismail haniyeh once lived, lies, like so much else, in ruins. but the war he watched from exile goes on. paul adams,

bbc news, jerusalem. the bbc�*s international editorjeremy bowen gave us his assessment. it was grief and defiance today at the beirut funeral for two children killed in last night's israeli air strike. but the threat of war hangs heavy here, too. this is the moment the air strike hit, captured from a nearby sports club, where people escaped. and the aftermath. here, israel killed the hezbollah leader they believed responsible for the attack on the golan heights. israel's previous attacks have been linked to the border. the iranian—backed group is more formidable and more heavily armed than hamas.

in this neighbourhood in beirut, support for iran and hezbollah is strong. so too is hatred for israel. but today, they were burying ten—year—old hassan and his six—year—old sister, amira. he never left her side, the family said. he played football, too — his team were among the mourners. their mother, miriam, stood by, overcome with grief. their aunt, zainab, promised vengeance. translation: the only criminals are israel and america. _ they are solely responsible for this act. translation: the only criminals are israel and america. _ they are solely responsible for this act. and may all the martyrs rest in peace. my son and his older brother willjoin the resistance and avenge their death. this has now claimed the lives of two more children and set up

an unpredictable chain of events, and the fragile understandings which kept lebanon out of the war have never looked more precarious. hezbollah�*s response — and israel's, too — will decide whether a new war costing countless more lives will ignite here in lebanon. quentin sommerville, bbc news, beirut. how significant is this killing? how will it affect the state of play between israel and hamas? my reaction as it is still the same. a high—profile removal. i know isabel didn't claim credit for a pop most would assume they were the

initiators of the act. what we are seeing is a continuation of the violence in this region for decades. it is an escalation that was the senior political leader of hamas. i go back to october of last year and israelis at that time said they were planning to get rid of every single one of the leaders involved. it is not surprising to me. what is surprising is the timing of it and the fact they were able to target ismail haniyeh in tehran.— they were able to target ismail haniyeh in tehran. what would ou sa haniyeh in tehran. what would you say about _ haniyeh in tehran. what would you say about the _ haniyeh in tehran. what would you say about the timing? - haniyeh in tehran. what would l you say about the timing? there was a grow) _ you say about the timing? there was a groua of _ you say about the timing? there was a group of people _ you say about the timing? there was a group of people in - you say about the timing? there was a group of people in table . was a group of people in table to celebrate with new president. and took the opportunity to meet with

counterparts in iran which is clearly behind most of the challenges in the region. instigating proxies for years. this has just been instigating proxies for years. this hasjust been more of instigating proxies for years. this has just been more of the same. to eliminate this particular individual i think is pretty significant and i expect that this will continue. i don't think this is the last time we heard about it. i am not sure what response there would be, if any coming from tehran. clearto would be, if any coming from tehran. clear to me based on prior actions and words from leadership injerusalem leadership in jerusalem that israel leadership injerusalem that israel is going to try and continue to hold all those responsible for that mexico to justice. responsible for that mexico to 'ustice. ., , , justice. that is the big question _ justice. that is the big question now. - justice. that is the big question now. in - justice. that is the big | question now. in terms justice. that is the big - question now. in terms of how iran might respond. you mentioned this took place in iran, in its capital of the day of the inauguration of its new president. we have seen

exchanges of fire between these two countries earlier this year. what might happen next? how will iran respond? will iran respond?— how will iran respond? will iran respond? tough to say. i think they — iran respond? tough to say. i think they would _ iran respond? tough to say. i think they would love - iran respond? tough to say. i think they would love to - iran respond? tough to say. i think they would love to do . think they would love to do something. you may be called recently after the last escalation, tit—for—tat, the iranians launched a very large air assault on israel that basically became a nonevent. whether they could try something like that again. one would expect based on their complete lack of success last time that they are probably looking for something else to do. the challenge is that this seems to be an un— ending back—and—forth and there does not appear to be any real effort to draw this to a

conclusion. i would expect, unfortunately, more of the same. ~ ., , unfortunately, more of the same. . . , ., ., same. we have been hearing from top officials _ same. we have been hearing from top officials in _ same. we have been hearing from top officials in who _ same. we have been hearing from top officials in who must _ same. we have been hearing from top officials in who must make - top officials in who must make that they are in shock. where do you think it leaves the group now? i do you think it leaves the group now?— do you think it leaves the group now? i have no idea because — group now? i have no idea because i _ group now? i have no idea because i don't _ group now? i have no idea because i don't think, - group now? i have no idea because i don't think, i . because i don't think, i certainly don't know and i am not sure we have anybody does, who is calling the shots in gaza. this was allegedly the political leader. i'm sure he had intimate knowledge of what happened back in october. israel is looking to eliminate military commanders. the problem is it is understandable and the idea behind decapitating the brains, legit grades of the organisation is it will be more difficult for minions to follow. the reality is it is a little different. eliminating senior leadership

causes immediate challenges and problems for whatever the organisation is but this is a very resilient outfit. they have been added for a long time. i believe the entire territory has been under control of hamas long enough that they probably still have thousands and adherent still active and looking for an opportunity to come back. the television network aljazeera says two of its journalists working in gaza were killed in an israeli strike. the journalists were reportedly killed while filming near the house of hamas's ismail haniyeh in the shati refugee camp, west of gaza city. israel hasn't commented on the deaths. many venezuelans are staying at home as the country tensions over a disputed presidential election and rumours of opposition arrests are on the rise. venezuelan president nicolas maduro said his political rivals have 'blood on their

hands�* after disputing his election victory, and vowed that they would 'never, ever�* gain power. argentina is refusing to recognise what is now president maduro's third term. the ruling socialist party leader asked venezuela's supreme court to audit the election results on wednesday. it's his first concession following international outcry for election transparency. with pressure mounting to prove his win, mr maduro promised to provide a breakdown of the ballots. us national security communications adviser john kirby said that patience is running out for venezuela's electoral officials to release voting data. thousands of people in cities and towns this weekjoined demonstrations in support of opposition leader maria corina machado and presidential candidate edmundo gonzalez urrutia. at least 16 people have been killed in unrest across the country, and more

than 1,000 arrested. our south america correspondent ione wells sent this update from caracas. on wednesday president maduro asked the supreme court to take action against those who he accused of instigating violence in the streets. a reference to some of the protests that have broken out since the disputed election result on sunday night. i think this is certainly paving the way for more arrests and more detention to take place. the government prosecutor has said more than 1000 people have already been arrested as a result of some of these protests and government figures including the president himself have not only accused the opposition of instigating a coup but said the opposition leader and opposition candidates should be arrested. it is not clear if that is something that will happen but the rhetoric is certainly something that has concerned opposition figures. the opposition say with more than 70% of the receipts from the electronic voting machines around the country can prove

they, not the government, won the election and said some members of their teams, some supporting the opposition facing detentions and even said one of their figures has potentially faced torture which is something they called on the un to help investigate. in response, president maduro held opposition figures directly responsible for some of the protests that have been taking place which is something that raised concern. they along with many other foreign governments demanded president maduro release proof of the election result that he says he won. maduro says now he will release proof but the question on people 's minds is when, how they will release it and why has it taken so long? let's look at some other stories making news. the bbc says it is shocked by what it calls the abhorrent behaviour of former presenter huw edwards — who on wednesday pleaded guilty

over images that show child sex abuse. the images were sent to him by a man police say is a convicted paedophile. edwards will next appear in court on september 16. police have made a third arrest in connection with the murder of a woman in suffolk. anita rose had been walking her dog in the village of brantham before she found unconscious with head injuries onjuly 24. she died in hospital on sunday. police confirmed a man in his 20s was arrested wednesday on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. west yorkshire police are treating a house fire that killed a woman and an eight—year—old girl as suspicious. firefighters rescued the woman and two children from the property in huddersfield early on wednesday morning. the woman and one of the girls died later in hospital. police are appealing to people who may have seen something to come forward with information. you're live with bbc news. us republican presidential

nominee donald trump returned to the battleground state of pennsylvania on wednesday to hold his first campaign rally in the state since the failed assassination attempt in butler, pennsylvania earlier this month. the rally was held indoors and came hours after the ex—president was in chicago at a conference for the national association of blackjournalists where he faced widespread criticism for questioning the racial identity of vice president kamala harris during an interview, mr trump was asked if vice president harris was only the presumptive democratic presidential nominee because she's a black woman. here's what he said: i have known her a long time indirectly, not directly very much. she was always of indian heritage and only promoting indian heritage. i did not know she was black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn black and now wants to be known as black. laughter.

i don't know, is she indian or black? she has always identified as a black woman, and went to an historically black college. i respect either one. because she was indian all the way and made a turn and became a black president. to be clear... somebody should look into that if you ask in that very nasty tone. donald trump spoke at the annual meeting of the national association of black journalists. it was the same all show. the divisiveness and disrespect. let mejust all show. the divisiveness and disrespect. let me just say, the american people deserve better. the american people deserve better. the american people deserve a leader who tells the truth. a leader who

does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts. we deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us. they are an essential source of our strength. you were there in the room. describe frosty atmosphere —— describe frosty atmosphere during this.— describe frosty atmosphere durin: this. ., ., ., during this. there was a lot of anticipation, _ during this. there was a lot of anticipation, the _ during this. there was a lot of anticipation, the news - during this. there was a lot of anticipation, the news came l during this. there was a lot of. anticipation, the news came out right before the condition was said to begin. already a lot of backlash. we were seeing on the internet. on top of it, the former president, the event started an hour or so late.

there was back and forth as to what exactly the reason for that was. trump immediately came onstage and blamed adhd, saying the order was bad. the audience were apprehensive. this was an opportunity to reach out to black voters. and really appeared to fumble and that opportunity, going after vice president harris and going after organisations and moderators. the audience was definitely at times turned off. other times seemed to laugh at jokes he was making. overall very apprehensive and there was definitely tension in the room. there were common people were picking up on about the racial and ethnic background of the vice president kamala harris. this is something he has done before and something he wants to on the one hand get support from the black community. this

is a demographic that will help determine who is in the white house and he wants to say i am doing better in the polls, i want to get the black support but on the other hand he is doing things that is turning off black voters. things like questioning the identity of barack obama, former president and now vice president kamala harris. this is something people have seen before and something they have not liked according to polls. haifa something they have not liked according to polls.— something they have not liked according to polls. how do you think the comet _ according to polls. how do you think the comet will _ according to polls. how do you think the comet will lead - think the comet will lead politically and more broadly in the african—american community? it will be interesting to see what the clean—up looks like and how the trump campaign will move on from this. as you mentioned, this is something that already has essentially gone viral on social media. people are already giving their thoughts. we had the chicago mayor 30 minutes or so ago address the convention i was sitting there for that and he said, literally cold trump a

liar. the democratic party is hoping sorry gets for the vp will come out and attack trump for that. trump had his own surrogates, own black surrogates, own black surrogates, there has been ben carson and his administration, florida representative byron donaldson, he had people who despite these comments have, and shown support and tried to rally and there were a group of black conservatives and black republicans they will be aiming to attract. it remains to be seen how that group, a crucial group for the former president, rugby act. group for the former president, ru:b act. ., ., , , rugby act. how does this appearance _ rugby act. how does this appearance fits - rugby act. how does this appearance fits in - rugby act. how does this appearance fits in with l rugby act. how does this i appearance fits in with the news around a week ago, it seems like this could be yet another misstep.— seems like this could be yet another misstep. yes. again, the ast another misstep. yes. again, the past month _ another misstep. yes. again, the past month has _ another misstep. yes. again, the past month has been - another misstep. yes. again, l the past month has been crazy. we have seen so many ups and

downs. trump was on a highjust two or so weeks ago. a he survived the assassination attempt that i was also present for. he was winning things on the legal side with his sentencing being postponed, had the rnc and the party now behind them, chose his new vpn after biden dropped out, we have seen so much support the democratic site and again, a lot of the support is coming now from the younger voters, black voters who were a little hesitant in terms of backing biden. we are not seeing the hesitancy nearly as much. they just released a poll showing paris is essentially a race all of the trumpet leaves and the black vote in particular really gathering behind her. we will see what happens. as of now, there event really seemed to exacerbate that and again, we will see what happens next. about 20 seconds left but do

you think this is something the kamala harris campaign might want to leverage?— want to leverage? absolutely. the campaign _ want to leverage? absolutely. the campaign released - want to leverage? absolutely. the campaign released a - the campaign released a statement, the white house released a statement. democrats have been essentially one of their main strategies here is to let trump and now his vp nomineejd vance talk and point toissues nomineejd vance talk and point to issues and draw contrast on abortion for example. there is big division. with these issue on race reaching out to younger voters, that is definitely something the harris campaign is going to capitalise on. before we go, you can find updates on all of today's top stories on our website. stay tuned. we will have plenty more coming up at the top of the hour on bbc news.

hello there. humidity levels are beginning to increase now, and we're starting to see a thundery breakdown take place across england and wales, certainly after this recent hot spell. so, a thundery day on thursday, some good sunny spells around. yes, it will continue to feel very warm and humid. if you catch some of these torrential downpours, you really will know about it. we'll start thursday morning with torrential downpours through central, northern and eastern parts of england. then, into the afternoon as a sunshine comes out, we'll see further thunderstorms developing — east wales, the midlands, southern and eastern england. scotland and northern ireland not doing too badly — variable clouds, some sunshine and comfortable conditions there, ranging from 17—23 celsius, but another very warm one across england and wales, 25—29 celsius. as we head through thursday evening, those thunderstorms fade out across central and eastern

england. it turns dry with clear spells, but the breeze picks up with more cloud developing across western scotland and northern ireland. a little bit warmer across scotland and northern ireland to start friday than we've had of late, but it will be another muggy one for england and wales. start to see some changes into friday — this new area of low pressure will bring weather fronts, outbreaks of rain, strengthening winds to western scotland and northern ireland through the day, winds also picking up through the irish sea. large parts of eastern scotland, certainly england and wales will have another sunny afternoon with a few thunderstorms across eastern england — but it's going to be another warm one again, 28—29 celsius in the warmest spots in the southeast, low—20s further north and west. and it will be turning fresher here as this weather front starts to cross the country during saturday. eventually, it will reach east and southeastern england during saturday afternoon, clearing through, then allowing fresher air to move in across most areas, with sunny spells, variable cloud,

scattered showers for western scotland and northern ireland. here, the high teens at best, further south, it's cooler as well, 21—25 celsius. the fresher air will be across all areas as we move into part two of the weekend. low pressure starts to dominate, bringing our air source from the atlantic. not a bad day in store for sunday — a lot of sunshine through central, southern, and eastern areas, more cloud further north and west. we'll start to see more persistent rain moving into northern ireland and western scotland with strengthening winds. high teens celsius again in the north and west, low—to—mid—20s further south.

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