hello, i'm geeta gurumurthy, welcome to bbc news now, in the middle east, a large—scale israeli military operation in the occupied west bank is cointinuing into a second day. israel says five palestinian fighters were killed while hiding in a mosque in the city of tulkarem. earlier, palestinian officials said at least 11 people had been killed during what israel describes as "counter—terror raids". the palestinian armed group, islamichhad, says one of its top commanders is among those who have been killed. this is, israel's largest operation in the west bank in about two decades. earlier, the un secretary general called on israel to halt its major military operation in the north of the territory — immediately. in a separate development, the eu's top diplomatjosep borrell

has accused some israeli government ministers of issuing hate messages against palestinians and proposing ideas that are against international law. he said he was consulting eu members on whether to impose sanctions on these ministers. well other members in brussells have backed mr borrell�*s suggestion including ireland's minister for foreign affairs, mihall martin. well, we will be supporting josep borrel�*s recommendation for sanctions in respect of settler organisations in the west bank who were fermenting and who were facilitating expansion of settlements, and also of two israeli ministers, that the high representative is also called for sanctions. let's cross live now tojerusalem and chat to our middle east correspondent yolande knell. tell us more about what we know on the israeli military operation at the israeli military operation at the moment. the israeli military operation at the moment-— the israeli military operation at the moment. this is in its second

da , it the moment. this is in its second day. it began _ the moment. this is in its second day, it began yesterday _ the moment. this is in its second day, it began yesterday morning. i the moment. this is in its second - day, it began yesterday morning. we understand israeli troops have now pulled out from one of the urban refugee bank camps that they were targeting in the north of thejordan valley, they had been backed up by military helicopters. they said previously they had found in a mosque, what they called an explosives lab and a command base for local palestinian armed groups. operations going on injanine and nearby cities and we have heard from palestinian communication companies that their services have been interrupted and that they are down interrupted and that they are down in these areas. we understand from the israeli military that there was a gunfight earlier at one of the mosques in an urban refugee camp and thatis mosques in an urban refugee camp and that is where they say that is where they killed the local leader of a network of palestinian armed groups, who was himself a member of islamic

jihad. who was himself a member of islamic 'ihad. ., ~' who was himself a member of islamic 'ihad. ., ~ ,, y who was himself a member of islamic 'ihad. . ~ ,, , . let's speak tojonathan conricus, former international idf spokesperson and senior fellow at the foundation for defence of democracies. thank you forjoining us. you will have heard that there is international concern about the operation because of the tensions in the every elite might region that already exist. what is the israeli logic for this operation?- already exist. what is the israeli logic for this operation? thank you for havin: logic for this operation? thank you for having me. _ logic for this operation? thank you for having me, good _ logic for this operation? thank you for having me, good data - logic for this operation? thank you for having me, good data you - logic for this operation? thank you | for having me, good data you enter the to the viewers. the israeli logic is an operation that is long overdue. overthe logic is an operation that is long overdue. over the last three years, and this has been underreported, so it might be a surprise to the viewers, over the last two or three years we have seen a steady rise in attacks, terrorist attacks from palestinian organisations in the area that you refer to as the west bank. these attacks are towards

israeli targets, civilian and military and attack other parts of israel. they are launching an operation that is designed to attack the infrastructure of those organisations stop until now, it seems the results are positive, very few, if any noncombatant casualties. i think 11 dead militants. say militants or terrorists because ten have been claimed by hamas and one has been claimed by islamichhad. i think that is a testimony to how precise and measured the israeli operations are. we are looking at the first stages of these operations. i think it will expand to other cities, where the palestinian authority has failed to rule and gain control and where there are lots of terrorist organisations. i can see this expand tojericho and other places. i think

that the big strategic picture here is that, as long as weapons keep coming in through thejordanian, israeli border, we will see lots of instability. we israeli border, we will see lots of instabili . ~ ., israeli border, we will see lots of instability-— instability. we are going to interrupted _ instability. we are going to interrupted that _ instability. we are going to interrupted that interview i instability. we are going to - interrupted that interview because we are waiting for colum eastwood to speak and we canjoin him now. that speak and we can 'oin him now. that is the 'ob speak and we can 'oin him now. that is the job that — speak and we can 'oin him now. that is the job that t — speak and we canjoin him now. that is the job that i will continue to do for as long as the people of derry will have me. i will continue to work day and night to represent them in westminster to fight for the people of that city and to be the voice of change for them. it has been a great privilege to be the leader for almost been a great privilege to be the leaderfor almost a decade been a great privilege to be the leader for almost a decade for the party ijoined when i was ia or 15 years old to fight for the good friday agreement, to support the work of what i think is the most

successful part political party on these islands i have been privileged to be the leader of this party. the bottom line is that these last four years have been a period of immense change across these islands. what we have seen after brexit has been really unstable in many ways, but also a moment of opportunity. now that we have the three strands, all the institutions of the good friday agreement in a more stable place. this is a big moment of change for this island. i want to give my full commitment to leading in that space. i want to be a voice for leading for change to develop a new island to have the space to do that some people may be don't realise how much

effort you have to put in to the day—to—day running of a political party and i have been privileged and happy to do that. the moment has come for me to step aside so that there are other people to take on that mantle, to allow myself to focus on things that represent the people of the city but also make the case for a new island, make the case for change across this island. that is the work that i am passionate about and the work that i am committed to do. i have told the party chairman that i will be resigning as leader of the sdlp at the upcoming party conference on the 5th of october and being there as a loyal servant of the party and to the legs leader. i look forward to making sure our voices heard at westminster with the new labour

government. we have lots of strong connections, we continue to do that work but it is now after a long period of leadership, it is now time to give somebody else the chance to re—energise the party and i look forward to being there to support them. they are fewer mps and councillors than when you took up office. how can you look back on your time and not see it as a failure? everyone understands when i took thisjob failure? everyone understands when i took this job everyone can understand that this party was in a bad place. we brought in a whole generation of people. we challenged another thinking within the party, we took much more progressive views and positions on many issues. i think we actually brought the party back to its radical beginnings. that

for me was very important. somebody else will have to take that forward. every political party goes through ups and downs electorally. most people understand it has been a difficult context for the sdlp and for the middle ground more generally. when we are standing here in derry, we took a seat back from sinn fein and from the dup and we held both of those seats a few weeks ago. that is not the norm for the sdlp. i think we are in a good place, a better place with a new change in context, a strong opposition, to take on this new executive and to provide hope to people. let's see what the future brings, but i will be there to support whoever the new leader is and help to continue that good work.

what is the point of the sdlp at this stage? we what is the point of the sdlp at this stage?— what is the point of the sdlp at this state? . ., ., . this stage? we came out of the civil rithts this stage? we came out of the civil rights movement _ this stage? we came out of the civil rights movement and _ this stage? we came out of the civil rights movement and then - this stage? we came out of the civil rights movement and then we - rights movement and then we set about ending the anglo irish conflict, setting the parameters for what became the good friday agreement. that has been an enormous change in our society, a fantastic opportunity for my generation and generations to come to live in peace and democracy. now we have two set out the case for the future. for me, the future is about building towards a new island. we have had over 25 years of peace. stop, start government not very successful between some of the other parties running this place, now the opportunity is there to set out the case for change and for the future. for me that is when the sdlp is best, dealing with those big issues and setting out a plan for the future. i will play my part in that and the party will play its part, but this will be a job of work for lots of people across democratic island, i am looking forward to play

my part in that. did island, i am looking forward to play my part in that-— island, i am looking forward to play my part in that. did somebody in the -a come my part in that. did somebody in the party come to _ my part in that. did somebody in the party come to you — my part in that. did somebody in the party come to you and say, - my part in that. did somebody in the party come to you and say, times - party come to you and say, times upcoming — party come to you and say, times upcoming it— party come to you and say, times upcoming it seems like the perfect place _ upcoming it seems like the perfect place to— upcoming it seems like the perfect place to push forward. i upcoming it seems like the perfect place to push forward.— upcoming it seems like the perfect place to push forward. i have taken time to make _ place to push forward. i have taken time to make this _ place to push forward. i have taken time to make this decision - place to push forward. i have taken time to make this decision and - place to push forward. i have taken time to make this decision and it i place to push forward. i have taken time to make this decision and it isi time to make this decision and it is my decision. i have spoken to others about it. you don't often get to pick your own moment and i think i am glad that i have been able to do that. you can play different roles in politics. i have been a party activist fast and foremost and i am committed to the principles of the sdlp but, more importantly, to the cause of delivering a new island. it is a lot of work over nine years to deal with the day—to—day issues of running a political party. i feel freer now to be able to... taste running a political party. i feel freer now to be able to... we are heafint freer now to be able to... we are hearing colum — freer now to be able to... we are hearing colum eastwood - freer now to be able to... we are | hearing colum eastwood resigning freer now to be able to... we are - hearing colum eastwood resigning as

the sdlp leader. questions from journalists but i want to cross over and speak to chris. it wasn't unexpected, he has been talking about burnout, but you spoke about him going on his own terms. his own majority was slashed in the summer election. ~ , ., majority was slashed in the summer election. ~ i. ., ., ~' majority was slashed in the summer election. ~ i. ., ., ~ ., majority was slashed in the summer election. ~ i. ., ., , election. whenever you look at any of these major _ election. whenever you look at any of these major decisions _ election. whenever you look at any of these major decisions made - election. whenever you look at any of these major decisions made by l of these major decisions made by leaders of political parties, there will be a number of factors at play. colum eastwood was setting out his stall, looking at the past and the future, framing it in the context of the broad sweep, if you like, talking about the fact that the sdlp, for many years, was the largest irish nationalist party in northern ireland from its formation in 1970. while it retained the ultimate goal of an irish nationalist party, taking northern ireland out of the united kingdom,

joining it with the republic of ireland, back in those days, when there was still the conflict known as the troubles... the sdlp saw its main objective as bringing a resolution to that and establish peace. the sdlp, many would say, was the main architect of the good friday peace agreement in 1998 that largely ended the violence. the party was under the leadership of john hume, colum eastwood's predecessor, and who won a noble peace prize for that work. now colum eastwood seems to be saying the party is in a different phase and he thinks it is time to press onwards towards that ultimate goal of irish unity. he says he wants to devote himself more fully to that aim. you had him challenged their by one of my colleagues that, if he wanted to push ahead with that objective,

surely leading an irish nationalist party would be the best way to do that. he pointed to other factors, he said i have been doing thejob for nine years, which is a long time in politics, and that the day—to—day running of the party, well, that was taking up a lot of time. also, he was pointing to the fact that there are different roles that people can have in politics. now the focus will turn on who his successor will be. the focus is on the mp for south belfast, claire hamer._ the focus is on the mp for south belfast, claire hamer. great to get our in-ut belfast, claire hamer. great to get your input there. _ belfast, claire hamer. great to get your input there. thanks _ belfast, claire hamer. great to get your input there. thanks very - belfast, claire hamer. great to get. your input there. thanks very much. colum eastwood has formally announced his resignation as party leader during that press conference and he has had to decades as an

elected officer. a formidable career. more on our website. to paris now where french president emmanuel macron has been meeting with the british prime minister keir starmer at the elysee palace. the prime minister travelled from berlin to paris to hold more meetings designed to show the uk wants to "reset" its relationship with the european union following years of post—brexit turmoil. firstly i am here in paris for the paralympics, which is a fantastic opening ceremony yesterday. i had a bilateral with the president while i am here to discuss a number of issues. obviously there are foreign policy issues which are pressing so we discussed the situation in ukraine as you would expect, the situation in the middle east, bilateral issues in terms of trade and defence and security. but also the wider reset that i want in relation to our relations notjust with france but with the eu in general. they were the topics we discussed as part of the reset rebuild.

and making sure that our number one mission, which is growing the economy, is absolutely central to everything that we go. with me is sebastian maillard, special adviser to the jacques delors institute. thank you very much for being with us. how far is present macron interested in a reset at the moment, given his incredibly complex domestic situation? he given his incredibly complex domestic situation?- given his incredibly complex domestic situation? ., , . domestic situation? he has domestic issues on his — domestic situation? he has domestic issues on his mind, _ domestic situation? he has domestic issues on his mind, but _ domestic situation? he has domestic issues on his mind, but he _ domestic situation? he has domestic issues on his mind, but he really - domestic situation? he has domestic issues on his mind, but he really is l issues on his mind, but he really is interested in having a deep relationship with the uk because, under brexit, the relationship between both countries had deteriorated, especially under boris johnson and liz truss. there is room for improvement and to speak more about fisheries and the channel, also the fact that, since brexit, the situation with the war in

ukraine has change the situation, that both countries understand that there is a need to talk seriously about nuclear deterrence, defence procurement, youth mobility perhaps, i think macron welcomes the change of tone from starmer, while remaining wary of how far we can go because brexit has happened. d0 remaining wary of how far we can go because brexit has happened. do you think there will _ because brexit has happened. do you think there will be _ because brexit has happened. do you think there will be a _ because brexit has happened. do you think there will be a new— because brexit has happened. do you think there will be a new specific - think there will be a new specific treaty and what policy changes or practical changes could be up for grabs? i practical changes could be up for trabs? ., �* , . ., practical changes could be up for trabs? , . ., grabs? i don't expect a new treaty as such because _ grabs? i don't expect a new treaty as such because france _ grabs? i don't expect a new treaty as such because france and - grabs? i don't expect a new treaty as such because france and the i as such because france and the uk already have the lancaster house agreement since 2010. the difference with germany they are talking about is because they are lacking in that sense. there is room for improvement there. on many of the issues they

can discuss, they have to be dealt with at the eu level. this trip to berlin for starmer is preparing for more potential discussion with their next european commissioner, when it comes to youth mobility and trade, even for defence and the single market, it is up to the eu. he needs the backing of germany and he has the backing of germany and he has the backing of germany, the backing of france is not as obvious as of germany but he needs those leaders behind him. ~ ., germany but he needs those leaders behind him. t ., ., , germany but he needs those leaders behind him. ., ., , ., . germany but he needs those leaders behind him-— behind him. what does france want from the uk? _ behind him. what does france want from the uk? on _ behind him. what does france want from the uk? on youth _ behind him. what does france want from the uk? on youth mobility, i behind him. what does france want l from the uk? on youth mobility, how important is it? it is from the uk? on youth mobility, how important is it?— important is it? it is very important _ important is it? it is very important because - important is it? it is very important because many| important is it? it is very - important because many french students used to enjoy coming to study in the uk and they cannot

afford it any more. notjust the students, also in terms of people coming for a job, there is a willingness from france and other countries to have young europeans come back to the uk. that is part of the negotiations. france would also welcome, on foreign policy and many other issues, they share views, on the middle east, on ukraine, there are regular talks to be done because all those discussions, because of covid—19 had begun to... let's get some of the

day's other news now. a canadian man has beenjailed for life for the rape and murder of four indigenous women in the city of winnipeg. jeremy skibicki was found guilty last month of killing morgan harris, marcedes myran, rebecca contois and an unidentified woman in her twenties. the court heard that skibicki targeted his victims at homeless shelters, in calculated and racially motivated crimes. riot police in argentina have clashed with demonstrating pensioners in buenos aires. crowd of protesters had gathered to march against an announcement by presidentjavier milei, that he would veto an approved pension increase. footage shows police firing tear—gas and pepper—spray at some of those protesting. members of the opposition condemned the police action, saying it amounted to repression. a court in south korea has ruled that the government's plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are unconstitutional — because they don't look far enough into the future — and therefore do not protect people's fundamental rights. this ruling is the first in asia to recognise that a government's response to climate change could violate its citizen's rights. here in the uk the government is considering banning smoking in pub gardens.

prime minister keir satrmer has now confirmed that the government is looking at measures to restrict smoking outdoors. as first reported by the sun newspaper, external smoking could be banned in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, outside hospitals and sports grounds. (gfx) inthe uk, in the uk, smoking is currently prohibited in enclosed public places, workplaces, and on public transport. and since 201a, it's been against the law to smoke in a car which is carrying children. let's just compare that to some other countries — starting in mexico, where smoking is banned at beaches, parks and in some cases private homes. in parts of australia, such as new south wales, smoking is banned at certain outdoor public areas — including public transport stops and at commercial outdoor dining areas. it's also not allowed within a metres of a pedestrian entrance to a public building. in europe, several countries have anti—smoking measures. in france, smoking is prohibited in public places and public transport.

restaurants are all non—smoking, with the ban applying to both indoor and covered outdoor areas. for more on this we can speak now to our political if you are sat outside a pub or a restaurant and someone lights up next year, people don't like it, they would much rather and that's what they tell us, they would rather have those areas as smoke—free. smokers want to smoke, they can get up smokers want to smoke, they can get up and further away. this is government overreach on a scale _ this is government overreach on a scale that— this is government overreach on a scale that is — this is government overreach on a scale that is ridiculous, if i stand here _ scale that is ridiculous, if i stand here smoking with the sky over me, i am not _ here smoking with the sky over me, i am not affecting anyone else. shouldn't i be able to make my own decisions? — shouldn't i be able to make my own decisions? if they do this it will

be decisions? if they do this it will he a _ decisions? if they do this it will he a death_ decisions? if they do this it will be a death knell on the pub. the indoor— be a death knell on the pub. the indoor smoking band saw a 20% decline — indoor smoking band saw a 20% decline on— indoor smoking band saw a 20% decline on pub takings. it has led to pubs— decline on pub takings. it has led to pubs and clubs closing. it would be to pubs and clubs closing. it would he the _ to pubs and clubs closing. it would he the end — to pubs and clubs closing. it would be the end of the traditional pub and that— be the end of the traditional pub and that is a bad thing for society. let's _ and that is a bad thing for society. let's talk— and that is a bad thing for society. let's talk to — and that is a bad thing for society. let's talk to our political correspondent. what has keir starmer said on this?— said on this? when he said the government — said on this? when he said the government was _ said on this? when he said the government was looking - said on this? when he said the government was looking at - said on this? when he said the| government was looking at this said on this? when he said the - government was looking at this ban he said that his starting point was to remind people that 80,000 people die every year because of smoking related illnesses. he said that these were preventable deaths and it was causing a huge burden to the nhs. he followed up by saying, we have got to take action and we are going to take decisions in this space. that report first published in the sun that the government is looking to take action to ban smoking in certain outdoor spaces

like pub gardens, outside hospitals, outdoor restaurants and so on. it is worth saying, we have had the reaction from people like nigel farage and the reform party and anti—smoking groups, there is also the divide in the hospitality sector. the chief executive of uk hospitality raised concerns about the impact on pubs and restaurants. on the other side of the argument, the nhs confederation said they were heartened by the plans that were under way. heartened by the plans that were underway. it heartened by the plans that were under way. it is also worth saying, as well as that wider debate that is going on within society, there is also a debate in westminster in government, we understand that cabinet ministers have raised concerns about these plans. once source said, we don't think it is a goodidea source said, we don't think it is a good idea for hospitality and pubs. there are concerns about the impact

on hospitality, but also in government itself. i on hospitality, but also in government itself. i guess the government — government itself. i guess the government will _ government itself. i guess the government will look - government itself. i guess the government will look at - government itself. i guess the government will look at the i government will look at the political impact and popularity of this move and whether it is worth the political fight. this move and whether it is worth the politicalfight. we are back in a few minutes. stay with us here on bbc news hello again. yesterday we reached 30 celsius in cambridge. today it's more likely to be 23. being our top temperature, it's going to feel fresher and we're looking at a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers. now, most of the showers today will be across northern england, northern ireland and scotland, enhanced by this weather front moving from the west to the east. driven along on quite a brisk breeze come further south. the spacing in the isobars is much wider, not much of a breeze at all. so away from the showers in the north a lot of dry weather, some sunshine, fair—weather cloud

bubbling up through the day. there's an outside chance of an isolated shower further south, but the lion's share will be in the north for some of those could be heavy and thundery. temperatures today 1a to about 23 degrees, so quite a drop from what some of us had yesterday. into this evening and overnight a lot of the showers will fade. we'll continue with a brisk breeze and some showers across the far north of scotland and in western areas. in the lighter winds we are looking at some mist and fog patches forming. it's also going to be a cooler night tonight than last night. our overnight lows — 7 to 11 degrees. so any mist and fog that's formed overnight will lift quite quickly tomorrow. high pressure is firmly in charge. tomorrow is going to be fine and settled. but on saturday we've got a change in the weather forecast. this weather front looks like it's going to produce a bit more cloud. so on friday a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine around, one or two showers coming in in a light breeze across the far

north of scotland initially and through the day we'll start to see some sea breezes developing. so if you head towards the coast, temperatures will be that little bit lower. but inland we're looking at 18 in glasgow, 19 in newcastle to 2a in london. so the temperatures climbing a little bit more on saturday. we start off with some mist and fog patches, but we've also got our weather front in the south. now that's going to introduce more cloud than we thought, and also the chance of some light and patchy rain. move north of that it's drier and it's sunnier, but something we're watching is that area of cloud in the north sea. itjust might come onshore across parts of eastern scotland and northeast england through the day. temperatures 1a to 22 degrees. now, beyond that, it turns a little bit more unsettled on sunday and monday we've got fronts moving northwards and also coming in from the west. they at times will introduce some rain and it could be heavy and thundery.

this is bbc news, the headlines. the israeli army says it's killed five palestinian fighters on day two of its major military operation in the occupied west bank. france opens an investigation into the russian—born founder of the messaging app telegram. the kremlin warns against political persecution. survivors of a famine that killed at least three million people in british india's bengal region recount their experiences for the first time. the eu's foreign policy chief, josep borrell, has accused some

israeli government ministers of issuing hate messages against palestinians and has proposed sanctions. speaking in brussels, he didn't specify names, but he did say he would ask member states to consider imposing sanctions against individuals. he initiated the procedures and in order to ask the member i initiated the procedures and in order to ask the member states if they wanted, if they would consider it appropriate, including in our list of sanctions, some israeli ministers that have been launching hateful messages. unacceptable hateful messages against the palestinians and proposing things that goes clearly against international law and a solicitation to commit war crimes. israel has yet to respond. mr borrell�*s remarks come as the israeli armed forces continue with what they say is an operation against terrorists in the occupied west bank.