this is bbc news. the headlines: warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. more than 50 people have been killed in the past few days of violence. translation: they hurt citizens, police officers, burn _ houses, cars, synagogues. it's obvious we cannot accept this, and no country would accept it, and certainly not us. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out of jerusalem, the resistance is ready. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. it's welcomed by bereaved families, but some call for it to be sooner.

the catastrophic scale of the covid pandemic — could have been prevented — according to an independent report, into the global response. tributes have been paid to a nine—year—old boy who died after being struck by lightning during a football coaching session. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year — but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa once again sees an upsurge in migrants — over 2000 have arrived in the last few days. the deadly exchange of fire between palestinian militants in the gaza strip and the israeli

military has escalated significantly, with the un fearing a "full—scale war". israel has killed several top hamas military commanders and hamas launched a new barrage of rockets towards israel in response. earlier, an anti—tank missile was fired from gaza, killing an israeli soldier. the health ministry in gaza says 53 people have been killed. the worst violence in years in the region comes after weeks of rising tensions over a site injerusalem that is holy to both muslims and jews. the international community is urging calm. here's caroline hawley. it is an explosion of violence on a scale not seen here for years. israeli air strikes on the gaza strip this morning. israel says it is targeting the homes and offices of leaders of the militant group hamas, but the un's middle east peace envoy

says the cost of peace in gaza was devastating and being paid by ordinary people. the air strikes followed an overnight barrage of rockets from the gaza strip. they came one after the other after the other. israel says that in the past 38 hours, palestinian militants have fired more than 1,000 rocket and mortar shells. many were intercepted by israel's air defence system known as iron dome. but it couldn't cope with them all. here they are heading into tel aviv, israel's commercial capital, in a deadly tit—for—tat that is escalating despite international appeals for calm. many israelis spent the night in bomb shelters, but a 50—year—old woman was killed when one of the rockets hit a building. two people, a father and daughter, were also killed in the mixed jewish—arab city of lod,

a state of emergency has been declared here. it follows rioting by arab residents angry at police clashing with people atjerusalem, one of israel's holy sites. reinforcements have been sent to lod after businesses were set on fire. translation: we must act - against all those who try to attack israeli citizens or the state of israel, they hurt citizens, police officers, burn houses, cars, synagogues. it is obvious we cannot accept this and no country would accept this, and certainly not us. so this was gaza last night — people living in this 13—storey building had been warned to evacuate, but the air strikes were relentless. the heaviest offensive since the war of 2014. and israel's defence minister has warned this is just the start. hamas, which governs gaza, says it is prepared to fight back.

translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out of jerusalem, the resistance is ready. this is the message we give to everyone. tensions between israelis and palestinians have been building for weeks. plans to evict dozens of arabs from eastjerusalem, which the palestinians want for their capital, has been one source of friction. but for palestinians in the west bank, the hardship and humiliation of living under military occupation is a constant and it has now boiled over here once again. in gaza and in israel, the casualties are mounting and every funeral creates more fury. the middle east conflict with no solution in sight is a tinderbox, several matches have now been lit

and the fire spreading, with no sense yet of how to put it out. caroline hawley, bbc news. 0ur correspondent injerusalem joel greenberg joins us now. a greenberg joins us now. real sense they are from ( of a real sense they are from caroline of how tense things hire. how would you characterise how they stand at the moment?— you characterise how they stand at the moment? ., , , ., the moment? right now both sides are reall an the moment? right now both sides are really an escalation _ the moment? right now both sides are really an escalation mode. _ the moment? right now both sides are really an escalation mode. there's - really an escalation mode. there's been stepped up israeli air strikes in gaza and there were rocket barrages that reach tel aviv twice overnight. so right now both sides are not signalling a willingness to step down and it may take some time before diplomatic efforts can gather steam and try to bring it into this round of confrontation.— steam and try to bring it into this round of confrontation. where would that diplomatic _ round of confrontation. where would that diplomatic effort _ round of confrontation. where would that diplomatic effort come - round of confrontation. where would that diplomatic effort come from - round of confrontation. where would that diplomatic effort come from to l that diplomatic effort come from to you think? that diplomatic effort come from to ou think? ., ., ., you think? right now, we are hearing about efforts — you think? right now, we are hearing about efforts by _ you think? right now, we are hearing about efforts by the _ you think? right now, we are hearing about efforts by the un _ you think? right now, we are hearing about efforts by the un and - you think? right now, we are hearing about efforts by the un and the - you think? right now, we are hearing about efforts by the un and the un i about efforts by the un and the un special representative here in egypt from other regional actors to try

and get the conditions for some kind of cease—fire but right now both sides seem more committed to sending messages to each other through the conflict rather than de—escalating. in their previous conflict in 2014 from eventually a cease—fire was hammered out and one would expect this would happen here, the question is how many people will die and how many casualties before the two sides reach that point.— reach that point. what political conditions _ reach that point. what political conditions have _ reach that point. what political conditions have led _ reach that point. what political conditions have led to - reach that point. what political conditions have led to this? . reach that point. what political - conditions have led to this? really the background _ conditions have led to this? really the background to _ conditions have led to this? really the background to this _ conditions have led to this? really the background to this was - conditions have led to this? really the background to this was as - conditions have led to this? really the background to this was as was| the background to this was as was mentioned injerusalem, the conflict there, tensions between palestinians and israelis over this neighbourhood where palestinian residents were threatened with eviction to make way forjewish settlers. it was in court this time. later clashes in which hundreds of palestinians were injured at a mosque, which is a major holy site. so you have the religious layer here overlaying the

national ethnic conflict and then a mosque out of all that reached the outskirts ofjerusalem. —— hamas got involved. i know we have another cycle of conflict. the ferocity of it is in a way unusual, it is much more that we have seen in recent years. but it doesn't mean that i mimic of resolving the conflict will not kick in at some point as it has in the past without the question is whether the conflict itself will perpetuate itself for days to come. we will have to wait and see. indeed. many thanks for that. david makovsky is a former senior adviser to the special envoy for israeli—palestinian negotiations under president 0bama. he's now director of the project on arab—israel relations at the washington institute. hejoins me now. good afternoon. thank you forjoining us. i wonder

if i connected the same question. this violence will come out of the blue for many outside observers. what has been happening politically between israel and the palestinian leaders to create the conditions for this violence? it is leaders to create the conditions for this violence?— this violence? it is a good question- _ this violence? it is a good question- i _ this violence? it is a good question. i think- this violence? it is a good question. i think clearly i this violence? it is a good - question. i think clearly hamas to the moment here to try and seize the mantle of palestinian leadership, just a few days ago a lot of international attention but on the palestinian side, the president of the pa cancelled the first elections that were scheduled since 2006. and that were scheduled since 2006. and that led to greater illumination on the palestinian side and i think hamas wanted to kind of sees that sense of anger. that was one. joel greenberg mentioned jerusalem and we

can chart this, it is so clear that any time there are clashes in jerusalem near that sort mosque, thatis jerusalem near that sort mosque, that is what galvanises the outrage of the people. mcelroy knows if they want to seize this mental leadership, focusing on the religious dimension of the conflict thatis religious dimension of the conflict that is where you will get people. —— hamas knows. thejerusalem piece of plate into their hands. mohammed came out and set in advance that this is what we would do. he is a guy that was in charge of the bus bombings of the 90s. third, i think that hamas this also doesn't get a lot of attention, and the last two years a cease—fire they had with israel and gaza. they became more seen internally among some of their own people as more of a status quo power, they were willing to trade

quiet for economic things like fishing rights and infrastructure and they wanted to reassert their bona fides, so if you and all that together, i see this as hamas trying together, i see this as hamas trying to assert its primacy within the palestinian public as a future leadership. secession isjust a matter of time. leadership. secession is 'ust a matter of time.�* matter of time. there is the international _ matter of time. there is the international community - matter of time. there is the i international community urging matter of time. there is the - international community urging calm and the un is extremely worried. what can the us to. is there something the us can do given that joe biden has signalled he is ready to engage with the international community and through international bodies again? find community and through international bodies again?— bodies again? and theory, on one hand he has _ bodies again? and theory, on one hand he has made _ bodies again? and theory, on one hand he has made clear _ bodies again? and theory, on one hand he has made clear the - bodies again? and theory, on onel hand he has made clear the middle eastis hand he has made clear the middle east is not his priority except for the iran negotiations come all the

priority is either domestic with covid—19 relief or pivoting to asia, climate change but not the middle east. so this issue was not something he was looking for exactly. can he galvanise the international community along the lines of the need to rebuild gaza? what i think would have to be without hamas? ijust don't see them disarming right now but that is the way, otherwise he will put money into gaza if they feel it will get bombed? —— who will put money. in theory there is something he can do but will he get international coalition, the most immediate thing is egypt clearly and i think cairo is egypt clearly and i think cairo is the centre for people to see what can move. if we look at key moments of the cease—fire between israel and hamas over previous rounds, cairo has played the role. but i think joel greenberg said a very well, the sides are not ready for it yet. there is no sense that they want to de—escalate, that feel they need to sense of the terms of this other

happen and i think cairo has said publicly they're willing to step in but the parties have to want that and so far that has not happened. just one question on the position of the israeli prime ministerjimmy netanyahu, who has had a fairly rocky time of it. —— benjamin netanyahu. what is the situation likely to do in terms of his position? it likely to do in terms of his position?— likely to do in terms of his position? likely to do in terms of his osition? .. ., , ., . position? it might actually enhance it because this _ position? it might actually enhance it because this hits _ position? it might actually enhance it because this hits the _ position? it might actually enhance it because this hits the two - position? it might actually enhance it because this hits the two kind - position? it might actually enhance it because this hits the two kind of| it because this hits the two kind of fault lines of the israeli alternative coalition that was really emerging. we thought they were made to be a vote today at the end of last week, and bennett on the right is getting pressure that he is going with the coalition and it doesn't and on the left side, for the first time having an era party

to help provide a parliamentary safety net for this new coalition. —— an air of the party. the people against the coalition up when he got we don't need them supporting the israeli government. he is not supporting a tough hand. this proves what we have set all along. you cannot build on an era party as a alternative to this coalition. it is help netanyahu who would like it for the round of elections but the timing cannot be worse for this alternative to netanyahu. there were so close. —— a arab party. i wonder if things will unravel at this point. if things will unravel at this oint. �* , ., , ., point. i'm being told us we are s-ueakin point. i'm being told us we are speaking that _ point. i'm being told us we are speaking that a _ point. i'm being told us we are speaking that a ten _ point. i'm being told us we are speaking that a ten story - point. i'm being told us we are i speaking that a ten story building and gaza has been destroyed. i'm assuming as a result of israeli air strikes. we are going to see the building collapsing there. i strikes. we are going to see the building collapsing there.-

strikes. we are going to see the building collapsing there. i want to sa , the building collapsing there. i want to say. they have _ building collapsing there. i want to say. they have a — building collapsing there. i want to say, they have a knock _ building collapsing there. i want to say, they have a knock on - building collapsing there. i want to say, they have a knock on the - building collapsing there. i want to say, they have a knock on the door policy as they call it to help people evacuate. everybody must leave. they believe they give warning and and clearly hamas is saying you hit one of our big buildings and we will go for when you're big buildings. i don't think hamas gives the knock on door policy equivalents. we will have to see. it is clearly heading towards greater escalation for now. you is clearly heading towards greater escalation for now.— escalation for now. you think it is auoin to escalation for now. you think it is going to get _ escalation for now. you think it is going to get more _ escalation for now. you think it is going to get more serious - escalation for now. you think it is going to get more serious before| escalation for now. you think it is i going to get more serious before it is sorted out? i going to get more serious before it is sorted out?— is sorted out? i do. my hope was that with the — is sorted out? i do. my hope was that with the start _ is sorted out? i do. my hope was that with the start tonight - is sorted out? i do. my hope was that with the start tonight of - is sorted out? i do. my hope was that with the start tonight of the | that with the start tonight of the muslim holiday, thejoyous holiday on sunday night, that there might be a wind down. —— thejewish holiday. each side feels they want to set the rules of the game and therefore they want to escalate before him and he could be for hamas, they hit some

infrastructure pipeline yesterday, that was a first. so i wonder for them, they want that photo, we had a big infrastructure project of israel and may be then there will want to stop but obviously that will anchor the israelis even more and want to escalate further.— escalate further. very good to get our escalate further. very good to get your thoughts- — escalate further. very good to get your thoughts. thank _ escalate further. very good to get your thoughts. thank you - escalate further. very good to get your thoughts. thank you so - escalate further. very good to get | your thoughts. thank you so much. the prime minister has announced that an independent public inquiry into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will begin in the spring of next year. speaking in the house of commons, borisjohnson said �*the state has the obligation to examine it actions' and to learn lessons for the future. it comes as an independent panel appointed by the world health 0rganisation found serious failures on the part of both the who and individiual governments in their response to the pandemic. 0ur health correspondent jim reed reports.

15 months and 152,000 deaths. this pandemic has changed not just this country, but the whole world. when will we get a full enquiry, prime minister? will lessons be learned ? the government confirmed today there will now be a full public inquiry into its handling of the pandemic. speaking in the house of commons, the prime minister said it would place the state's actions under the microscope. amid such tragedy, the state has an obligation to examine its actions as rigorously and as candidly as possible and to learn every lesson for the future. which is why i have always said that when the time is right, there should be a full and independent inquiry. so, mr speaker, i can confirm today that the government will establish an independent public inquiry on a statutory basis, with full powers under the inquiries act of 2005,

including the ability to compel the production of all relevant materials and take oral evidence in public, under oath. similar questions are now starting to be asked, notjust in the uk, but across the world. a report was published this morning by an independent panel appointed by the world health organization. its conclusions are damning. the who waited too long to declare an international health emergency. countries in europe and america only started acting when the hospitals started to fill up. we have identified failures at every stage. and we do believe that it could have been possible to prevent this pandemic. scientists have long warned that other viruses and diseases will emerge in the future.

to prevent those turning into another major pandemic, the report suggests some key reforms, including the creation of a new disease surveillance system which can publish data without the permission of national governments. a recommendation that countries plan and invest now, as it may be too late when the next health crisis hits. so i ask the rhetorical question, do nations really want to go through all this again? that's my answer to why i hope there will be resolve now. to address the issues that need addressing. the success of the vaccine roll—out — at least, in richer countries — means there is now some cause for optimism when it comes to covid. but today, a reminder that lessons must be learned to prevent another destructive pandemic in the future. jim reed, bbc news. to talk us through the process of an enquiry i'm joined by peterjones who co—authored "the practical guide to public inquiries".

good afternoon to you. just to be clear, you have acted as a lawyer at various public inquiries, so you have seen them from the inside. i think one of the questions being asked about the cold inquiry being set up next year is is this a realistic period of time that it should only be starting next spring, is there a reason for that delay? —— covert inquiry. is there a reason for that delay? -- covert inquiry-— covert inquiry. this went over exclamation _ covert inquiry. this went over exclamation to _ covert inquiry. this went over exclamation to what - covert inquiry. this went over exclamation to what is - covert inquiry. this went over. exclamation to what is starting covert inquiry. this went over - exclamation to what is starting next spring means. if the couplet are expecting it to be public hearings and politicians and health professionals come actually giving evidence, that might be ambitious but the success of any public inquiry as you say having acted for many chair a public inquiries over the years that the success is and how it is set up. and how it is framed in the preparation work that goesin framed in the preparation work that goes in advance because the public hearings is a bit like the iceberg,

it there's a bit you see but you don't see all the preparation done beforehand. between now and next spring that is quite a long period of time and doubtless the government will want to put it to get use to make all the necessary preparations which there will be many. what make all the necessary preparations which there will be many.— which there will be many. what is aood which there will be many. what is good preparation _ which there will be many. what is good preparation if _ which there will be many. what is good preparation if you _ which there will be many. what is good preparation if you like? - which there will be many. what is | good preparation if you like? good preparation _ good preparation if you like? good preparation is _ good preparation if you like? good preparation is firstly _ good preparation if you like? (limp. preparation is firstly the set up who is going to chair your public inquiry because you have to have the right person, the necessary skills to actually assess evidence from deal with witnesses who will have a story to tell. everybody will have a story. this is complicated by the fact that in the uk we have devolved administrations as well and in scotland, wales or northern ireland, the governments have already said they too want a public inquiry, so are we going to have one for the uk government and one for each devolved administration? are they going to speak together or each going to have their own individual chair? if so,

are they going to take the same evidence and they all going to ask for members of sage to give evidence of public inquiry? they could see sage members giving evidence for different times at different inquiries. it can even see four different chairs listening to the same evidence. coming to different conclusions. now all of two... i5 conclusions. now all of two... is that a potential scenario? it - conclusions. now all of two... is that a potential scenario? it is l conclusions. now all of two... is that a potential scenario? it is a| that a potential scenario? it is a otential that a potential scenario? it is a potential scenario. _ that a potential scenario? it is a potential scenario. it _ that a potential scenario? it is a potential scenario. it is - that a potential scenario? it is a potential scenario. it is wholly l potential scenario. it is wholly available though. that is when we say how would a successful inquiry work, the successful inquiry works by addressing those questions now because if they are not thought about, they are conceived and they could happen. you could have their wills administration or scottish demonstration, that are confined by their own jurisdiction and can look at how they internally manage the problems and debt with issues. —— wills administration. but in reality, much of the procurement work for vaccination programmes done on the uk wide basis, so it seems to

me that whichever model issues come it will have to be at least cooperation and possibly a joint inquiry. these are issues that if they are thrashed out in the immediate future, will mean it is more hastily speed. we solve these problems are they even become problems. you work out if you have 45, one inquiry, one chair, and also what are the terms of reference going to be? whoever convenes the public inquiry in which government decides what the inquiry is going to investigate will have to set up detailed terms of reference which are the parameters that the chair and any fellow members love the look at. again, same theories arise, we have one in terms of reference for the uk, when the terms of reference for each devolved administration or all of them going to agree consensually that one lot of the term of reference can apply to all of those of the same lessons i learned by all the same lessons i learned by all the same lessons i learned by all administration? these are matters that all will come up.

the pandemic has dominated our lives for the last year longer than the year and people will want clear answers and quite quick answers. is that a realistic expectation that an inquiry of this sort could report back reasonably speedily? i think eve bod back reasonably speedily? i think everybody wanted _ back reasonably speedily? i think everybody wanted an _ back reasonably speedily? i think everybody wanted an inquiry - back reasonably speedily? i think everybody wanted an inquiry to i back reasonably speedily? i try “ia; everybody wanted an inquiry to come back speedily because whenever knows how this pandemic might devolved or developed or indeed where the further pandemics god for a bit us. therefore expectation is actually key in relations and the sooner that lessons are learned by looking back, the sooner one can make recommendations. —— god forbid. this a statutory inquiry, under the inquiries act, the trouble with that is it it becomes with the inquiry rules that dictate to a chairman how he has to run his inquiry in those rules have been heralding them the

lady that some say are not necessary. if one is really looking to expedite this inquiry because it is of such fundamental importance to each and every one of us, then there is a question also to be asked, do we immediately look at the inquiry rules to streamline it has been suggested many times over the years so that an inquiry in the direction of a chairman can run quicker than past ones have in the history? thank ou ve past ones have in the history? thank you very much _ past ones have in the history? thank you very much indeed _ past ones have in the history? thank you very much indeed for _ past ones have in the history? thank you very much indeed for all - past ones have in the history? thank you very much indeed for all those thoughts. we have news just coming we have newsjust coming into us. the prime minister borisjohnson has apologies unreservedly on behalf of the uk government for the events that took place and allie murphy. he has apologised to the families of those killed. it follows a call he

had with the first minister in the deputy first minister of northern ireland. that news just in after an inquest found that those ten people who were killed in that terrible eventin who were killed in that terrible event in 1971 were innocent of any wrongdoing. also in the past few minutes the family ofjordan banks who died after being struck by lightning in blackpool have paid tribute to him. they have issued this image and said yesterday we lost the brightest star in a beautiful boyjordan. his laugh, infectious smile, golden curls, he was our everything. wise beyond his years, caring, considerate, generous and so loving. i love is endless, good night, beautiful boy, we thank you all for your kind words and support but also as a family we ask that you respect

our wishes and privacy." those words given to members of the public who no doubt will want to share their sorrow at the terrible accident and that his nine—year—old jordan banks who died in blackpool after being struck by lightning. now i county court judgment i county courtjudgment has been registered against borisjohnson sneyd for an unpaid debt of £535. —— borisjohnson's name. the court order was made in october, according to a database ofjudgments. the creditor and the nature of the debt are not included in the record, which was first reported by private eye magazine. a no ten spokesperson told the bbc, "an application will be made for an order to set aside the defaultjudgment, to strike out the claim and for a declaration that the claim 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is in westminster. do we know anything more about that

claim against borisjohnson and also tell us more about downing street and their reaction. we tell us more about downing street and their reaction.— and their reaction. we don't know what the debt _ and their reaction. we don't know what the debt if _ and their reaction. we don't know what the debt if there _ and their reaction. we don't know what the debt if there was - and their reaction. we don't know what the debt if there was one . and their reaction. we don't knowl what the debt if there was one was for and we don't know who it was 02. but as you say come earlier today, a county courtjudgment but as you say come earlier today, a county court judgment listed but as you say come earlier today, a county courtjudgment listed as an unsatisfied record in the register of england and wales county court judgements surface, first reported by private eye for the sum of £535. it is very clear looking at online the name is borisjohnson, the address is 10 downing street, it was issued as you say on the 26th of october last year, the timing initially raised eyebrows because it is a key period concerning questions over the refurbishment of the downing street estate, the flat above number 11 downing st where borisjohnson above number 11 downing st where boris johnson lives above number 11 downing st where borisjohnson lives with the theocracy, but in response to questions, this lunchtime, downing street seem to be caught by surprise by this ccja or the appearance of a,

the spokesman was clear that it had nothing to do with the refurbishment of the downing street estate for which all bills have been duly paid. there are many questions went a little while ago downing street came back with a much firmer response describing the claim as "totally without merit" and said application would be made for in order to set aside what was described as the defaultjudgment and strike out the claim. that is something anybody who is served with a countyjudgment have to do but they have to prove in court that either the debt has been paid but there is no dent in the first place. this may well be some kind of mistake, somewhere along the line, but somehow, i county court judgment has been issued and boris johnson's name for the sum of £535. thank you, jonathan. nurses will be recognised for their contribution throughout the

pandemic. among those attending as a prime minister who arrived a short time ago. it is being held to coincide with the 201st anniversary of florence nightingale birth. the actors had a love cardiff who is a relative of the pioneer will be giving a reading. —— the actors helena bonham cardiff. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. sunshine and showers will continue to be the weather theme through the rest of this week. some of the showers will be heavy with hail and thunder. but get yourself into some sunshine, the sun is quite strong at this time of year, so it will feel relatively warm. it's a story of scattered showers for most through the rest of today. some slightly more persistent rain and certainly more cloud in the far north of scotland, and this heavier rain across parts of south west england, just cliping into south east wales as we head into the first part of the evening. and then overnight, this area of wet weather willjust pivot its way a little further north, so into southern and eastern parts of wales, maybe the west midlands as well. a lot of cloud across

the northern half of scotland. for southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england, that's where we'll see some clear skies. that's where we'll have the lowest of the temperatures, although the vast majority should avoid a frost. tomorrow, we have this area of cloud and showery rain across southern england and parts of wales, more cloud generally rolling into northern and eastern scotland and north east england. elsewhere, it is another day of sunshine and showers, highs of 10—16 degrees. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines — in the last hour, an israeli strike destroys of building in gaza amidst warnings of a full—scale war. translation: they hurt citizens, police officers, burn _ houses, cars, synagogues. it's obvious we cannot accept this, and no country would accept it, and certainly not us. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready.

if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out of jerusalem, the resistance is ready. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. it's welcomed by bereaved families, but some call for it to be sooner. the catastrophic scale of the covid pandemic could have been prevented, according to an independent report into the global response. the family ofjordan banks, who died after being struck by lightning in blackpool, pay tribute to him calling him the brightest star and a beautiful boy. borisjohnson says he apologises unreservedly on behalf of the government for the events that took place in billy murphy and in the huge anguish because of the families of those killed. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year, but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa once again sees an upsurge in migrants.

over 2000 have arrived in the last few days. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn. good afternoon. manchester united have announced women's head coach casey stoney will leave her role at the end of the season. the former england defender was appointed as the club's first manager back in 2018. united for a long time didn't have a women's team. she secured promotion to the women's super league in her first season, but after missing out on champions league qualification by a point and three years in thejob, she said now was the right time to step away and allow someone else to lead the team. a decsion on porto hosting this season's all—english champions league final between chelsea and manchester city is expected tomorrow. the city's estadio da drago stadium remains the frontrunner. wembley was under consideration, but the governement couldn't offer uefa guarentees that quarantine restrictions would be lifted. portugal is expected to step

in as the game on the 29th of may is moved from istanbul. liverpool's virgil van dijk has ruled himself out of this summer's european championship. the netherlands defender says he hasn't suffered a setback in his recovery from knee ligament damage suffered in 0ctober�*s merseyside derby, but that preseason with liverpool is a more realistic goal. managerjurgen klopp says they club won't rush his return. the won't rush his return. plan is for us that he can sta the the plan is for us that he can start the preseason with us but that is not sure. so the euros were just in the wrong moment but the good news is for holland as well is that when he will be fit because we will not force it because we cannot force it, he will then be 100% fit. andy murray could be handed a wild card to this year's french open. tournament director guy forget said murray, who plays doubles at the italian open this

afternoon, deserved one. murray's been hampered by injuries, his latest a groin problem picked up in march. he accepted a wild card to the french last year, losing in the opening round. there will be more crowds at roland garros this year than last. 5000 fans will be allowed onto centre court for the final five days. before that, spectators will be limited to no more than 1000 on any court. cameron norrie's italian 0pen is over after losing to spain's alejandro davidovich fokina. he would've faced the top seed novak djokovic in the third round. but having arrived late on court, slipped to a sraight sets defeat. mo farah will look to book his place for tokyo at the british athletics 10,000—metre championships next month. the four—time olympic champion has been focusing on road events since retiring from track racing back in 2017, but is looking to go to his fourth games in tokyo. he's twice won the 10,000 olympic

gold and will form part of a 12—strong team set to compete at the university of birmingham on the 5th ofjune. regular season nfl games will return to london this year with two to be staged at tottenham's north london stadium. it's the first time the nfl has played a match in the uk since 2019. the atlanta falcons will host the new yorkjets on october 10th. the jacksonville jaguars and the miami dolphins are in town to face each other at the same venue seven days later. the pandemic forced all of last year's games to be played in the us. one of the favourites at the giro d'italia has crashed out after hitting a race marshal towards near the end of today's fifth stage. spain's mikel landa, the lead rider for the bahrain victorious team, and yesterday's stage—winner joe dombrowski crashed less than three miles from the finish. landa has been taken to hospital. australia's caleb ewan went on to win the stage and alessandro de marchi retained the overall lead.

and finally, over in the netherlands, ajax have decided to share their championship trophy with theirfans. it's been melted down to create these small stars which will be sent to each of their 42,000 season—ticket holders. ajax won an unprecedented 35th dutch eredivisie title, and like most teams across europe, have played without fans this season. i suppose i do have 34 other trophies to the cabinet will not be looking to bear. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. and there is a full sports date to come up at 6:30 p:m.. let's return to our top story and the deadly exchange of fire between palestinian militants in the gaza strip and the israeli military. the un has said it fears a "full—scale war" following a significant escalation of tensions over

the past few days. joining me now from palo alto in california is 0mar shakir, the israel and palestine director at human rights watch. good afternoon to you. even in periods of calm, this is a tense region. we all know that. but i wonder what your perception is as to what the situation now has erupted quite as violently as it has. absolutely. i think we are as close as we have been since 2014 to full—fledged hostilities. ithink as we have been since 2014 to full—fledged hostilities. i think it to put the events in gaza in their proper context. these began over a israeli discriminatory attempt to evict palestinian landowners with their homes and to replace them with jewish israeli settlers in east jerusalem. this is part of a systematic practice of severe determination against palestinians living in eastjerusalem and other parts of the occupied palestinian

territory and reflects the mentality of apartheid and persecutions that millions of palestinians face. and when you have palestinians like wishing for years on the end facing the source of grave abuses, it's only a matter of time before we see periods of relative calm which palestinians are crimes against humanity, apartheid and persecution manifesting into the sort of more intense hostilities. but manifesting into the sort of more intense hostilities.— intense hostilities. but there is still some _ intense hostilities. but there is still some road _ intense hostilities. but there is still some road to _ intense hostilities. but there is still some road to travel - intense hostilities. but there is i still some road to travel between that policy that you have said of trying to relocate palestinians from that area and the enormous escalation that we have seen. why has that happened? i escalation that we have seen. why has that happened?— escalation that we have seen. why has that happened? i think several thins has that happened? i think several things happen _ has that happened? i think several things happen together— has that happened? i think several things happen together that - has that happened? i think several. things happen together that created a vicious cycle. so, first you had a daily reality of the source of evictions and an everyday reality of a part of the millions of palestinians face. of course palestinians face. of course palestinians mobilised. they were a number of factors led to mobilisation here that included

being the excessive force used at the mosque and of course homes authorities tried to use the opportunity to brandish their own credentials about infinitely firing rockets unlawfully at israeli population centres. and of course the israeli government given its own political situation as responded in turn by bombing entire civilian buildings, accident or unwanted to meet any standard of proportionality or legality. so those factors together create a situation which the kind of everyday reality for apartheid has ballooned into full—fledged hostilities. interesting use of that because we were speaking earlier to an expert from the washington institute who said that homes was trying to assert itself against the leader of the palestinian authority and this is partly about a power game in the palestinian circle. i

partly about a power game in the palestinian circle.— palestinian circle. i think definitely. _ palestinian circle. i think definitely. not _ palestinian circle. i think definitely. not only - palestinian circle. i think i definitely. not only hamas" definitely. not only hamas* authorities, their actions do nothing to help the city is in east jerusalem or anywhere but also a israeli government that has every reason giving recent pressure on them for not acting on gaza to take a disproportionate response to those attacks, so certainly having leadership on both sides there adds fuel to the fire. let's be clear that the fire here is this reality of apartheid and persecution which human rights watch document. we were least a major report on this a couple of weeks ago. that creates the kind of groundswell that leads to the cycles of hostilities that break out from time to time. so any sort of long-term _ break out from time to time. so any sort of long-term settlement - break out from time to time. so any i sort of long-term settlement appears sort of long—term settlement appears as far off as it ever was. all the attention now is about trying to calm the present situation down. we are just hearing that the white house is that it will nominate an

ambassador to israel in the coming weeks. but the priority must be surely to try and stop these facilities now. what prospect you see for any sort of resolution? i think there is certainly a possibility. the sun is setting in the region and we are hitting the eid holiday. there is certainly a possibility of subsiding tensions and certainly the events of the last 48 hours don't get much of the resin for that scenario. but to get to your question we are going to continue to see cycles of bloodshed or oppression for so long as there is an punitive or grave abuses. we have seen the same things happen can be proportionate attacks by israeli authorities, using excessive force, hamas* authorities firing in rockets at population centres. we have seen this film before and that will continue happening until you have the accountability for serious abuses and until the world recognises the reality for what it is, apartheid and persecution. fiifi

is, apartheid and persecution. 0k, thank ou is, apartheid and persecution. 0k, thank you very _ is, apartheid and persecution. 0k, thank you very much. that is the israel and palestine director human rights watch. thank you very much for your time. rights watch. thank you very much for your time-— the prime minister has announced that an independent public inquiry into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will begin in the spring of next year. speaking in the house of commons, borisjohnson said "the state has the obligation to examine it actions" and to learn lessons for the future. it comes as an independent panel appointed by the world health 0rganization found serious failures on the part of both the who and individiual governments in their response to the pandemic. i'm nowjoined byjamie brown from covid—19 bereaved families forjustice uk. good afternoon to you. thank you for joining us. i want to ask you first know before we get into the proposal for the inquiry about your father. so he was called tony and died for

covid last march. tell us a bit more about him and tell us what happened to him. ,, , ., , ., , to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony brown. to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony itrown- he — to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony brown. he died _ to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony brown. he died on _ to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony brown. he died on the _ to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony brown. he died on the 20th - to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony brown. he died on the 20th of. to him. sure. yet, my dad is tony i brown. he died on the 20th of march at 65, a month away from retirement. he more or less moved down to a pretty remote village on the coast of essex and commuted up to london once a week. last time he did that was before lockdown was called but weeks after it should have been called. he took the train come into the two, came home, fell ill shortly afterwards, could not get attacked because there was no testing at the time were told by the tv and he probably did not have covid but if he did he will be fine just take some paracetamol. then ten days later, we went to the hospital and within five minutes of arriving at cotswolds general, he suffered a

massive cardiac arrest resulted in respiratory favour and his lungs been falling apart for covid without us knowing and he was dead within five minutes of arriving. haifa five minutes of arriving. how distressing. _ five minutes of arriving. how distressing, you _ five minutes of arriving. how distressing, you can - five minutes of arriving. how distressing, you can see - five minutes of arriving. how distressing, you can see you remain very distressed at having to recount that. thank you for telling us. we were seeing a photo of him while you were seeing a photo of him while you were talking about him. he joined the group shortly after he passed away. you have heard today that the prime minister is committing to an inquiry. it will start next spring. what do you think of that? so we have been _ what do you think of that? so we have been calling _ what do you think of that? so we have been calling for _ what do you think of that? so we have been calling for this - what do you think of that? so we have been calling for this inquiry| have been calling for this inquiry for a year now. we asked the government in may last year and all through government in may last year and all throuthune and the intention was needed to have a rapid review so we could learn over the summer before the second inevitable wave hit in the second inevitable wave hit in the winter. which as we know now killed over 100,000 people. the

prospect of waiting another full year and through the winter which in the same speaks of the minister said it was likely going to lead to a surge cases and we expect deaths as well. i think this is a clear error that repeats the same cycle that we have seen from this government of dragging its feet. so let's be clear, as the campaign or i am very grateful and relieved to see the government is seeing some sense as committee not only to an independent inquiry but to a such a tory public acquire it with the power to compel everyone in the country to collect to give evidence. we are able for that. the timeline of a year away does not make sense. his that. the timeline of a year away does not make sense.— that. the timeline of a year away does not make sense. his point is that while we _ does not make sense. his point is that while we are _ does not make sense. his point is that while we are still _ does not make sense. his point is that while we are still dealing - does not make sense. his point is| that while we are still dealing with the pandemic and while there is likely to be another wave in the autumn and winter it would not make sense to divert resources, attention, energy away from coping with whatever it is we have to face.

yes, and we have heard that excuse repeated over the years. sadly, though... repeated over the years. sadly, thou~h. .. ., repeated over the years. sadly, thou:h... ., ,, repeated over the years. sadly, though- - -_ repeated over the years. sadly, thou:h... ., . , though... for you, is an excuse? yes, i though. .. for you, is an excuse? yes, i think— though... for you, is an excuse? yes, i think so. _ though... for you, is an excuse? yes, i think so. we _ though... for you, is an excuse? yes, i think so. we have - though... for you, is an excuse? yes, i think so. we have a - though... for you, is an excuse? | yes, i think so. we have a chance now over the summer while cases are low because we know people are not endorsed mixing. that is the chance to seize the moment, to really learn from our mistakes which we felt to do last summer. that's the opportunity. the priority here is to learn from our mistakes and put them right so that when we winter comes around, we are safer. we can take more time about further accountability that needs to happen but the timeline relate needs to be be considered at this stage. 50 it be considered at this stage. so it is some time _ be considered at this stage. so it is some time away. _ be considered at this stage. so it is some time away. when - be considered at this stage. so it is some time away. when it happens, what is it that you want to know? what do you want the inquiry to cover in what he wanted to reveal? this is pretty key and even before worrying about timelines, there is a something where the paris families

need to be involved, is firstly electing a chair, a suitable chair and notjust someone the government will speak kindly about their work. secondly, it is in terms of reference so it is vital that we each have our own stories and mine is simply a reflection of the fact that we drag our feet in the first lockdown and repeated that with the second and we opened up far too early to stop so our choice of a woman lockdown and decisions made around that, we have plenty members who lost an awful lot of family and care homes we failed to protect and will be lost and sent away. we have countless members who lost relatives through hospitals and we have so many in black and asian communities throughout were they so exposed? this list goes on really. considerably there is an awful lot of areas we failed to protect people. and reacted far too late. so

he let us in those areas looked into. ., ., ., , he let us in those areas looked into. . ~' . , , he let us in those areas looked into. w . , , ., into. taking all these things into account will _ into. taking all these things into account will take _ into. taking all these things into account will take time. - into. taking all these things into account will take time. of- into. taking all these things into | account will take time. of course. the thing want — account will take time. of course. the thing want to _ account will take time. of course. the thing want to start _ account will take time. of course. the thing want to start it - account will take time. of course. the thing want to start it as - account will take time. of course. the thing want to start it as it - account will take time. of course. the thing want to start it as it is l the thing want to start it as it is possible. there are key areas that we need to address quickly and i think what we can take lessons learned as soon as possible, so that's areas such as how do we establish a suitable time to have a lockdown. how can we learn to have other countries about best practice of protecting care homes in the vulnerable? and implements some quick learning. i think taking more time in what will you take more time is accountability and we are patient with that. the priority is about preservation of life as it always is. ., ., preservation of life as it always is. . ~' , ., preservation of life as it always is. ., ~ , ., , . is. ok, thank you very much indeed. that isjimmy _ is. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is jimmy brown. _ is. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is jimmy brown. thank - is. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is jimmy brown. thank you - is. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is jimmy brown. thank you so l that isjimmy brown. thank you so much. ——jamie brown.

time for the latest coronavirus data in the uk. more than 45 million and 700,000 he have receive theirfirst dose of the vaccine —— 35 million. receive their first dose of the vaccine. 29 men have been charged with child sexual exultation and coloured ale in west georgia. the minimum charge of the variety of offences that relate to alleged offences that relate to alleged offences against one female victim from 2003 have a 2010. aged between 13 and 20 years old at the time. the vast majority of offending occurred in called her dale but some offences occurred in the bradford district. the uk has agreed the bosnian serb

wartime leader should be transferred to a british prison to serve the rest of his sentence for his role and genocide. he is serving a life thatis and genocide. he is serving a life that is for his involvement in the massacre in that study five. a short time ago, the foreign secretary was asked why he was being moved to the uk. he asked why he was being moved to the uk. ., , . ., . ., ., uk. he was convicted and found uuil of uk. he was convicted and found guilty of the _ uk. he was convicted and found guilty of the genocide. - uk. he was convicted and found guilty of the genocide. the - uk. he was convicted and found i guilty of the genocide. the darkest moment in european history since the holocaust. and right away from the moment of his arrest was supported by britain in 2008 through to his trial, there was a british judge on the chamber so now we have supported the chamber so now we have supported the victims and their long 25 year march in search ofjustice and i think that something thatis that is to the great credit of this country. we've a moral duty and a sense of national purpose in trying to hold to account the very worst perpetrators of the very worst

crimes. we have listed a british judge of the international criminal court and actually in relation to the yugoslavian tribunal we were very heavily and closely involved. if you want to deter this kind of crime from happening i think it's right we do our bit. in the last few days, more than 2000 migrants have arrived on the mediterranean island of lampedusa off the coast of italy, seen as the gateway to europe. it's six years since the first migrants made the crossing, and there are fears that over the hot summer months, when the waters are calmer, more people could arrive in search of a better life. mark lowen reports. shadows seeking the light of europe. after days at sea, each step on land is controlled. they risked a perilous crossing from libya, buffeted by high winds. and even though they are detained here in italy and taken to guarded camps, they are safe and alive.

by day, too, they arrive. more migrants picked up at sea aiming for the island of lampedusa. over 2000 landing here since the weekend. this gateway to europe is under renewed pressure, battling the pandemic while carrying the hopes of the desperate. six years since the height of europe's migrant crisis, they are still coming. in lesser numbers now, but this is the third straight day of arrivals. the question is whether this is just a temporary spike or whether it is the start of the summer rush to europe's shores. for the eu's frontier countries like italy, migration remains an intensely political issue, and for some here, the hospitable welcome has worn thin. translation: it's time to say enough after 30 years. -

i wanted the camp to be closed immediately and a naval blockade so that they can't access the island. they should be helped in their own countries, not come here where the authorities spend millions on them, but let us die. through europe's outer door into a waiting room. but with the camp full, dozens are left outside. many here will have asylum claims rejected. but it's unclear how many of those will actually be sent back. you speak some english, yes? some. 0k. we can't speak to people? no, no. 0k, we're being told that we can't speak to the migrants. but from inside the camp, the stories came to us. i want to work. i want to feed my family, they are dying. i lost about four sisters because of hunger. the robbers come to your house, my own house in libya, and rob me. even now, i can't use this hand.

what about people who would say to you that you have come in an illegal way? no problem, let them say i come in an illegal way, because they don't know what happened. so let them say that. but if they ask me, they hear the story, they'd understand my pain. it's hand to mouth here but for some, this is better than what they left behind. and as long as dreams of europe remain, many more will follow in their tracks. mark lowen, bbc news, lampedusa. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. the kind of weather we have had today and yesterday and over the next few days if the county whether we will see over the next few days. the rest of the week will bring some heavy downpours but smells of warm

sunshine in between. all because of low pressure still sitting overhead providing showers and even longer spells of rain at times. this frontal system providing more persistent ran across some southern parts of the uk as we head to this evening into night, especially across the west country and into parts of southeast wales and the midlands and could see some outbreaks of rain developing across the southeast of inland as well. quite a lot of cloud across the northern half of scotland and elsewhere for northern ireland and some in scotland and northern easter parts of england, will have clear skies maybe one or two places it will get a little bit chilly for the vast majority will avoid eye frost. and into tomorrow, we start off with cloud and outbreaks which i ran across in england and the south of wales. a lot of that will tend to break up into a mix of sunshine the showers and elsewhere after a fine and dry start using the showers getting going to a late morning into the afternoon with some heavy with some hail and some thunder. in most places him at the temperatures up to 14 or 15 or 16 degrees but it will be a little bit cooler for subleased northern and eastern coast areas as more cloud rolls its way in. for

friday we will find ourselves between weather systems with low pressure to the east and to the west but in between in a bit of no man's land would be in the city normally when trying to establish itself with not much luck and not bringing cold arctic blast or anything like that but it will bring a chillier field to northern and eastern areas of the uk as we had through friday. quite a lot of cloud here as well rest of the south of england and wales and northern ireland once again a mix of sunny spells and heavy and thundery showers. temperatures up to 14 or 15 for most of it where you were in the northerly flow may be just ten for aberdeen and 11 for newcastle. for the weekend a band of rain will sweep its way eastwards through friday night into saturday. and then low pressure will assert itself once again and that means the sunshine and showers theme will continue. the showers will be quite well scatter—plot was a place is avoiding the and others seeing quite a few but some will be heavy with some hail and thunder mixing in but there

will be some showers of and some sunshine with a shunt such i'm feeling fairly warm.

at six: fears of war as the violence between the israeli military and palestinian militants intensifies. another terror block and gazza is destroyed. israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes and prime minister netanyahu promises more attacks — translation: what should i say? this was a crime. they didn't hit a militant nor unofficial. we are civilians sleeping _ militant nor unofficial. we are civilians sleeping in _ militant nor unofficial. we are civilians sleeping in our- militant nor unofficial. we are i civilians sleeping in our homes.

a barrage of rockets have been fired by rockets into israel