this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. our top stories: the un security council prepares for an emergency meeting later, as the conflict between israel and palestinians in gaza enters a seventh day. this will is continually hitting the hamas terror group until we feel we have reached our objectives. hamas decided when to start this round but we will decide when to end it. —— is real.

—— israel efforts to combat the indian variant of covid ramp up in england, ahead of lockdown restrictions being relaxed tomorrow. a young child has died and four people have been seriously injured, after a gas explosion at a residential area in heysham in northern england. leicester celebrate winning one of football's most famous trophies in front of the biggest crowd since the pandemic began. and coming up — fancy a job as a live—in officer st michael's mount is hiring. hello and welcome to bbc news. israel has carried out more air strikes in gaza — as the latest round of violence entered its seventh day. the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, said military action would continue until security was restored. in response to the latest airsrikes, palestinian militants fired more rockets at cities in southern israel. the us presidentjoe biden has

expressed his grave concern at the rising number of casualties. that now stands at nearly 150 people in gaza, according the health ministry, and ten in israel. these are some of the latest pictures from gaza. health officials said israeli air strikes overnight killed three palestinians and left many others injured. israel says the home of the hamas chief in gaza was among the targets. palestinian militants fired more rockets at cities in southern israel. the un has summoned the security council for an emergency meeting later. our correspondent helena wilkinson reports. within seconds, this building in gaza is reduced to rubble. it was home to journalists from the associated press and al jazeera tv. an hour earlier, they had been told to evacuate.

israel says the building was a target because of links to hamas, the militant group that rules gaza. israel is doing everything possible to protect our civilians and keep palestinian civilians out of harm's way. we demonstrated this yet again today when we warned civilians to vacate the building used by the hamas terror intelligence. they vacated the premises before the target was destroyed, and that's why you don't hear of casualties from these collapsing terror towers. there have, though, been civilian casualties on both sides. early this morning, israel targeted a house in gaza that it says belonged to a hamas leader. palestinian health officials say that at least three people died and many others were injured. in an earlier israeli attack, mohammed al—hadidi lost his wife and four young sons. his baby son, omar, who's

just five months old, was the only survivor. in ramat gan, a suburb of tel aviv, a hamas missile killed a man in his 50s. he was reportedly hit by shrapnel in his apartment. in sheikh jarrah, there continues to be anger and tension. attempts to evict palestinians from their homes in this area earlier this month helped start the escalation to the conflict. us presidentjoe biden has spoken to israeli and palestinian leaders ahead of a un security council meeting later today. but, with neither side appearing to back down, a quick breakthrough seems a distant prospect. helena wilkinson, bbc news. here's the former israeli defense

minister naftali bennett speaking to the bbc earlier. this is a rocket that hit an israeli home this morning. this is what we're trying to put out. i suggest you look at this rocket, your viewers look at this rocket and understand that we are defending our lives against a terror organisation that is out to kill us. they don't need an iron dome. their iron dome is very simple, stop attacking israel and all gaza citizens will be safe, that's the iron dome that we suggest. the bbc�*s paul adams is injerusalem. more casualties and deaths overnight, is there any sign of this conflict ending soon? you look at the exchanges overnight and you would have to conclude no but i think there are some signs. there is quite a lot of diplomacy going on at the moment. the american

envoyis going on at the moment. the american envoy is in town and meeting senior is really officials today. he met arab israeli leaders last night which is highly unusual meeting and had their grievances which are not just about the situation between israel and gaza but also arabs living in israel. there are also efforts we know involving the egyptians to try to broker some kind of ceasefire and we are beginning to hear some reporting herein israel that suggests the government is reaching the point and this happens every time an episode like this happens, when it has achieved quite a lot militarily but on the other side of the ledger the sense of international outrage is mounting and the awareness of the effect on the humanitarian situation in gaza

is also mounting and at some point. the issues connect and israel has to decide it has done enough and calls a halt so there are some signs israel is reaching that point. there is a cyclical quality to the conflicts between the israel and palestinians in gaza. it looks very unlikely that there will be a solution. how much damage has israel done? it feels it is killed a lot of senior hamas officials and destroyed a lot of these networks of underground tunnels and a lot of this damage will be long lasting and hard to do pr but it will be repaired and logic and past experience tells you we could face

this situation again. more fundamentally, where is the political will to see some way out of this? hamas as an organisation condemned as a terror group by israel and the united states and countries in europe and it does not believe israel has a right to exist and it has a very clear agenda. the palestinian authority is looking at the side from this and he is a bystander and he might want to negotiate, for negotiations to resume but he is probably right no more conscious of his political authority among his own people being usurped by hamas who have emerged as the kind of defenders of palestinian honour and palestinian rights in jerusalem. he is an incredibly weak situation so i think overall the

prospects for the resumption of meaningful negotiations toward some kind of solution, whether the old formula of a two state solution or something else, those prospects seem unbelievably remote. the uk government has rejected claims that it was too slow to ban travel from india — following a surge in covid cases caused by the indian variant. downing street has insisted the latest stage of its roadmap out of lockdown will go ahead in england as planned tomorrow. our political correspondent helen catt is here. the government is another tricky position because we have the indian variant causing real about its potential increased transmissibility potential increased tra nsmissibility but potential increased transmissibility but restrictions in england being eased tomorrow. and it is all about the ongoing balance of we know that lockdown is a socially and economically damaging, when other conditions are right in terms of being able to manage the virus to be

able to lift them further? one week ago the government said those conditions were right to be able to proceed to step three of the road map, the big thing is allowing in door mixing and also advice on having physical contact with relatives and friends who you do not live with. that is hugging, effectively, that is allowed again from tomorrow. the government said that the conditions were right. since then i has been this increasing concern about the transmissibility of the indian variant. towards the end of last week some of the scientists advising the government suggested that if it turns out the transmissibility is 30% to 50% more transmissible than the kent variant which started to spread very quickly around christmas time it could have quite devastating effects on the nhs. the key thing is the f in that sentence. at the moment scientists and ministers do not know how much more transmissible it is in the argument is if it only

turns out it is a little bit more it should not have much of an impact on the road map and theyjust want law for a couple of weeks while to get the data n and are able to look at it. so this is what they're looking at to balance but at the moment ministers are saying it is going ahead tomorrow, restrictions lifting is going ahead tomorrow. the thing looking perhaps slightly more doubtful and they will not know again for a few weeks is up for the final step of the road map, lifting all legal restrictions will go ahead on 21st ofjune. matt hancock said they will make a final decision on that on the 14th ofjune. the government has been criticised once again for not cracking down on travel from india sooner, not putting it on the red list of countries much sooner and allowing potentially thousands of people with the indian variant to come into the uk. there has been criticism not just of the date it went on to read list, the 23rd, but the fact they announced a few days before which gave a bit of a window for travel

between that. ministers are saying this morning that actually the decisions are taken based on a number of things and it was put on the red list six days before this variant became a variant under investigation and another week before it became this more serious a variant of concern. a spokesman also saying they look at the extensive consideration of the type of cases recorded rather than the amount so they're putting up quite a strong defence of that decision today but i think questions will still remain. as lockdown restrictions are eased in england, wales and much of scotland tomorrow, efforts are being stepped up to combat the increase in the indian variant of coronavirus as . it comes amid a huge demand for coronavirus jabs as the vaccine roll—out moves to people in their 30s. our correspondent daniela relph has more. margaret keenan was the first back

in december, but now 30 million people in england have received their first dose of the vaccine and 15 million, that's around one in three people, have had both doses. and as the roll—out moves to people in their 30s, there has been a huge demand for appointments. officials say they've witnessed a surge in bookings since thursday, when 38 and 39—year—olds were allowed to book a jab. more than 611,000 first and second appointments have been made. this group will be offered the pfizer or moderna vaccine, and younger people in their 30s will be called up shortly as the vaccination programme moves down the age groups. queueing for a jab in bolton, like in other areas, efforts are being stepped up to contain the indian variant of coronavirus. but officials have stressed it's not just about vaccines, more needs to be done to stop the spread. all aspects are important: testing, tracing, isolation and vaccination, all really important. it's not one single solution, it's working together,

but also with our communities as well, to make sure we support all of this. in england, two—thirds of people may have had their first dose of the vaccine, but as restrictions begin to ease, the message of caution and restraint remains. daniela relph, bbc news. earlier this year, europe s vaccination rollout was facing criticism for being too slow and lagging behind the uk and the us. just a few months later, some eu countries have turned their programmes around and are delivering jabs at record rates, as our europe correspondent jean mackenzie reports. the joy of alfresco dining in rome. only last month this was unimaginable. across europe infections reached

while vaccinations stumbled. this was belgium's largest vaccination centre. when we visited at the end of february — empty. now they are vaccinating nearly 3000 people a day. i think it's a bit busier than the last time we met each other, so it's good news. we are really doing well now. we have eight hours a day that are very well filled, so we are also at a very good, smooth capacity, good flow, as you can see. early on there were production delays, glitches and supply chains, and these put europe massively behind, but in the past couple of months there has been a remarkable turnaround. the vaccines are flowing freely, and more than a third of people in europe have now had their first dose. at this estate in neighbouring germany, authorities are trying to vaccinate everyone regardless of age. at one point, the country was sitting on masses of unused

doses, but this week it administered a record 1.3 million vaccines in a single day. the crowded estate, which is home to a0 nationalities, has been a hotspot for infections, but still many don't want get vaccinated. christian is here to convince them. if we don't get every person vaccinated, this pandemic will keep on going and nobody has the patience for it any more. doctors are giving lessons on how the vaccines work, but this women, who has recently moved with her daughters from romania, is still scared. she's never had a vaccine before. with shots now in solid supply, reaching the reluctant is the next challenge. europe is yet to reach

that magical tipping point that would protect it from another deadly surge, but at this pace it could come in time forsummer on the beaches of spain. in lancashire, a young child has died and four people have been seriously injured following a gas explosion. lancashire fire service were called to a row of terraced houses in heysham the early hours of the morning. firefighters are searching a collapsed property and a cordon had been put in place and nearby residents have been evacuated. troop reinforcements in myanmar have entered the town of mindat, where opposition activists took up arms against the military government three weeks ago. members of a group calling itself the chinland defence force say they have withdrawn to spare the town further bombardment. the volunteer force, which opposes the military takeover in myanmar, began launching attacks against troops last month. it has demanded the release of detained activists.

critics of the military government had warned of serious humanitarian consequences if the burmese military took control of the town. a un security council meeting to discuss the israel—palestinian conflict is to be held today. the united nations secretary—general antonio guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, saying too many innocent civilians have already died, and the conflict can only increase radicalisation and extremism in the region. joining me now from jerusalem, the bishop of southwark, the right reverand christopher chessun. thank you very much for being with us. you are dieses has strong links with jerusalem? us. you are dieses has strong links withjerusalem? it us. you are dieses has strong links with jerusalem?— with jerusalem? it does indeed. i have been _ with jerusalem? it does indeed. i have been here _ with jerusalem? it does indeed. i have been here for _ with jerusalem? it does indeed. i have been here for the _

with jerusalem? it does indeed. i l have been here for the installation of the new anglican archbishop which took place on thursday. a very joyous service but we are in this part ofjerusalem so i have heard the sound of stun grenades at night, debris on the streets during the day and we are just a short distance from the damascus gate, that particular entry into the old city ofjerusalem. particular entry into the old city of jerusalem.— particular entry into the old city of jerusalem. the world has been watchin: of jerusalem. the world has been watching with _ of jerusalem. the world has been watching with horror _ of jerusalem. the world has been watching with horror for - of jerusalem. the world has been watching with horror for the - of jerusalem. the world has been watching with horror for the last i watching with horror for the last few days at the latest flare—up of violence between israel and palestinians in gaza in particular. so many deaths, so many injuries. do you have any hope they can be some sort of peace agreement soon? we call for an sort of peace agreement soon? - call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, de—escalation will lead to a company that will take time,

and behind all the violence at the moment is the underlying issues, it is a multi layered and complex situation beyond what is happening on the ground now.— situation beyond what is happening on the ground now. indeed, and these conflicts, especially _ on the ground now. indeed, and these conflicts, especially in _ on the ground now. indeed, and these conflicts, especially in gaza _ on the ground now. indeed, and these conflicts, especially in gaza seem - conflicts, especially in gaza seem to be pretty cyclical, flailing up every few years. in the absence of a peace process that has pretty much ground to a halt in the middle east. the christian community of a population of 2 million n gaza is no under 1000. that is disadvantage locked and massive unemployment and real deep seated resentments so it is notjust simply a question of the

behaviour of hamas but the issues of creating a long—lasting peace with justice. d0 creating a long-lasting peace with 'ustice. , ., ., creating a long-lasting peace with 'ustice. ., , , creating a long-lasting peace with 'ustice. , ., justice. do you feel a sense of disappear _ justice. do you feel a sense of disappear when _ justice. do you feel a sense of disappear when you _ justice. do you feel a sense of disappear when you are - justice. do you feel a sense of disappear when you are in - justice. do you feel a sense of. disappear when you are in israel justice. do you feel a sense of- disappear when you are in israel and see more violence and more death? people of faith always have hope and i have been here as part of that demonstration of abiding hope, which is on all the face that claim jerusalem. —— for every faith that claimsjerusalem for itself jerusalem. —— for every faith that claims jerusalem for itself and jerusalem. —— for every faith that claimsjerusalem for itself and has a part in its destiny. i do not feel despair but i feel extreme sadness and disappointment and frustration that underlying issues are yet to be properly addressed and i was interested that that the united states high commissioner for interested that that the united states high commissionerfor human rights was commenting and seeing that one of the issues that the rule

of law has to be applied fairly, it is applied at the moment and and undeniably discriminatory fashion but that is a contributory cause. israel, of course, once security but simply trying to go for permanent containment is not enough. it has to be more than that, it has to be built on looking at the issues of the rights of people, of poor people in these lands and the poor people and building up partnerships of goodwill and people of goodwill who will lead to a civil society. thank ou ve will lead to a civil society. thank you very much — will lead to a civil society. thank you very much for _ will lead to a civil society. thank you very much for your- will lead to a civil society. thank you very much for your time. - has lockdown left you yearning for the wild outdoors? well if it has, there may be a job out there that's just for you.

st michael's mount, a remote island only accessible by boat or at low tide, is advertising for a live—in employee to work at its medieval castle. andrea ormsby has been to find out more. they say an englishman's home is his castle. well, st michael's mount is quite literally that for around 30 people. now there's room for one more, a live—in castle officer. we've had an overwhelming response, which has been fantastic. we need people who are happy with boats, happy with heights. i just think a real passion for people, to cornwall, the tourism industry is a must, really. newsreel: here in the west, where

the cornish coast flings sheltering i arm against the is abound in ireland where loneliness is only another name for enjoyment. st michael's mount has been capturing the imagination for years. i'm duncan, i'm the castle steward, and i've been living here for around two yea rs now. what i love about the mount is having a sea view from every window and having the support of the community around you. everyone is really friendly here, and the challenge of living here — it's different from living on the mainland. you can't get a takeaway pizza, so be prepared for that. if you can cope with that, have good sea legs and fancy a pretty cool address, this might be what you need to hear. don't be scared to apply. i think a lot of people on the socials last night was saying, it's my dream job but i couldn't do this or that. don't be put off by that. it will probably be one of the most life changing experiences for someone to come over. poland's entry for the eurovision song contest will miss the official launch of this year's competition in rotterdam later after

a member of his team tested positive for covid. the country's entire delegation is now in quarantine. but alasdair rendall, who's president of the uk eurovision fan club, says poland could still take part in the contest. first we had electric lamps. then we had lasers. now, cambridge scientists are developing the next revolution in light that could change the world. they have developed a way of isolating and detecting single particles of light, called photons, at room temperature. that matters because it could help power the next generation of super—quantum computers here s our science correspondent richard westcott. so much modern technology already relies on light but there is still more potential locked away in these beams. in a lab in cambridge this team says it is working on the next light revolution. first we had lamps and then we had lasers which completely revolutionised our lives

and our technology and now we may be on the cusp of the third stage in the history of light. we have single photon sources, devices that can emit one particle of light at a time. and that is the key here, being able to separate off those individual light particles. i'll explain why that is important in a second but first, here's how they do it. on this disc here, you can't see it, is a crystal that is one atom thick and it's got little defects on it the size of an atom and when you fire a laser at those defects they ping out

individual out individual photons, individual particles of light, and you can actually see them here, these bright yellow areas are the defects with the photons are coming out. this is where it gets weird. by singling out photons you can unlock what is known as the quantum world we are very, very small things behave very differently. you will need to pay attention to this bit. so there are two main properties that we can harness. the first one is superposition and the second one is entanglement. superposition is a particle being in two states at the same time so being up and down at the same time. entanglement is two particles being inextricably linked, so no matter where they are in the universe, whatever happens to one affects the other one, so say one is up, the other one has to be up. when we put these two effects together, we can build something like a quantum computer which is in orders of magnitude more powerful than anything

that we can compute today. you then need matthew's sensors to detect them. so what about practical uses? the quantum world is the only place you can generate genuinely random numbers — the team is now building a quantum random number generator to encrypt things securely online. we are at the start of the quantum revolution, if you like. this is going to be like the industrial revolution. what we have done is develop a room temperature components which are much simpler than the current state of the art which will unlock the potential of quantum technologies. from next level computing to better cameras to more accurate clocks and a more secure internet, the surreal quantum world is hard to grasp that the benefits are simple. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. away we started they were sunshine but clouds are building and the chance you will see a show before things are done. thundery with hail

showers as well particularly across england and wales and into southern scotland. some gusty winds around some of these but the winds are light and could last while these show yours arrive. —— while these showers arrive. showers across —— sunny spells across northern ireland and scotland so some places will stay dry. this showers will fade during the night but take some time doing so across south—eastern england. no frost tonight but a few clear spots could end up in low single figures as we start monday. a mixture of cloud and some sunny spells from monday morning. heavy and thundery showers spreading east during the day leaving many western areas with some sunshine and fewer showers through the afternoon. further showers to come as the week goes on. this is bbc news. the headlines: the un security council prepares for an emergency meeting

later, as the conflict between israel and palestinians in gaza enters a seventh day. israel will continue until we feel and understand that we have reached our objectives. hamas decided to start this round, but they will not decide when they will end it. efforts to combat the indian variant of covid ramp up in england, ahead of lockdown restrictions being relaxed tomorrow. a young child has died and four people have been seriously injured, after a gas explosion at a residential area in heysham in northern england. leicester celebrate their first—ever fa cup win, in front of the biggest uk crowd since the pandemic began. and, fancy a job as a live—in officer at a medieval castle on a remote island? st michael's mount is hiring.