we will take you to the state department where antony blinken is speaking. department where antony blinken is s-ueakin. a a, department where antony blinken is s-ueakin. _, a, , department where antony blinken is sheakin _ u, a, , , speaking. over the coming hours they will receive any _ speaking. over the coming hours they will receive any support _ speaking. over the coming hours they will receive any support and _ will receive any support and assistance they need and of course we are very anxious to reunite them with our loved ones. we share in the belief that the families, friends and loved ones are feeling but there are still ten additional americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict. we note that some of them are being held hostage by hamas along with an estimated other 200 hostages held in gaza. they include men, women, young boys, young girls, elderly people from many nations.

every single one of them should be released. since the earliest hours of this crisis, the president has made clear he will do everything possible to secure the release of every hostage. during my own recent troubles in the region i am beside him urgency and importance of this to the united states and pressed partners to do everything they can to help us secure the release. since that time we work relentlessly with partners to do just that. i can't speak publicly about the details of these efforts, i know you understand that, but the urgent work to free every single american, to free all of the hostages continues. as does our work to secure the safe passage out of gaza for the american strap there. in this particular instance, i want to thank the government of qatarfor the important i want to thank the government of qatar for the important assistance. when i was in israel last week i met with the families of us citizens

that hamas have taken hostage. president biden had the opportunity to hearfrom families. it is impossible to adequately put into words the agony of not knowing about the loved ones, worrying relentlessly about them, their security, safety and well—being. no family anywhere should have to experience this torture. what i share with the families is the entire united states government will work every minute of every day to secure the release, to bring their loved ones home. they have my solemn pledge those who continue to have loved ones held hostage by hamas we will continue to do that, working so these family members were our own. now the questions. thanks for coming down _ now the questions. thanks for coming down you _ now the questions. thanks for coming down. you said you wouldn't talk

about _ down. you said you wouldn't talk about specific details but i'm wondering, you did thank the government of qatar and i'm wondering, since you were there, and they have _ wondering, since you were there, and they have an— wondering, since you were there, and they have an office, the hamas office. — they have an office, the hamas office. if— they have an office, the hamas office, if you could elaborate a little _ office, if you could elaborate a little bit — office, if you could elaborate a little bit on what their role was and if — little bit on what their role was and if you _ little bit on what their role was and if you continue to think that channel— and if you continue to think that channel their them having an office there _ channel their them having an office there is_ channel their them having an office there is worthwhile? secondly, a lot has been _ there is worthwhile? secondly, a lot has been made by you, by the president, by other officials about how it _ president, by other officials about how it is _ president, by other officials about how it is important for israel, if and when — how it is important for israel, if and when it— how it is important for israel, if and when it begins a ground incursion— and when it begins a ground incursion into gaza, for it to respect _ incursion into gaza, for it to respect the rules of war. and i'm curious_ respect the rules of war. and i'm curious if— respect the rules of war. and i'm curious if you think that to date, even _ curious if you think that to date, even before the ground incursion has started. _ even before the ground incursion has started. it_ even before the ground incursion has started, if israel is respecting those — started, if israel is respecting those rules and laws? you will understand — those rules and laws? you will understand that _

those rules and laws? you will understand that because - those rules and laws? you will understand that because this i those rules and laws? you will| understand that because this is those rules and laws? you will- understand that because this is an ongoing effort, to get americans who are hostage in gaza are out to secure their release and get them back with their families, i really can't go into any details about what we're doing, how we are doing it and all i can say with regard to qatar is, in this instance, we appreciate their assistance. beyond that, is, in this instance, we appreciate theirassistance. beyond that, i really can't say because i want to focus on getting those who remain hostage back home and with their loved ones. that is the single most important thing. with regard to how israel is conducting operations, you heard the president speaking, you heard the president speaking, you heard me speak to it very clearly. we have said we believe strongly that israel has not only the right but the obligation to defend itself against what. .. but the obligation to defend itself against what... it is hard to put into words, the nature of the

barbarity of the attacks and they really do have the obligation to defend themselves against it, to do whatever they can to make sure it doesn't happen again but we are very clear that their way israel does this matter is and in particular it is important that operations be conducted in accordance with international law, humanitarian law, the law of war as applicable and that everything be done to minimise the loss of civilian life and we continue to focus on that and just as we are focusing on getting assistance into people in gaza who need it. there will be plenty of time to make assessments about how these operations were conducted but i can just say ford these operations were conducted but i canjust say ford on these operations were conducted but i can just say ford on the these operations were conducted but i canjust say ford on the part these operations were conducted but i can just say ford on the part of the united states if this continues to be important to us and it is what distinguishes us and distinguishes israel from terrorist groups like hamas, which not only have absolutely no concern for innocent

human life, they intentionally use innocent human lives to hide behind, to use as quite literally human shields, knowing that civilians invariably are going to suffer in conflict. ., ., , ., ., conflict. following up on that, hamas has — conflict. following up on that, hamas has issued _ conflict. following up on that, hamas has issued a _ conflict. following up on that, | hamas has issued a statement conflict. following up on that, - hamas has issued a statement and i know_ hamas has issued a statement and i know with _ hamas has issued a statement and i know with her huge caveat it is her terror _ know with her huge caveat it is her terror group — know with her huge caveat it is her terror group and do not attach credibility to that, but they have said that — credibility to that, but they have said that all the hostages, the civilian— said that all the hostages, the civilian hostages, which include the americans. — civilian hostages, which include the americans, could be released, this could _ americans, could be released, this could be _ americans, could be released, this could be the start of something bigger. — could be the start of something bigger. if— could be the start of something bigger, if there are no air strikes. if the _ bigger, if there are no air strikes. if the this — bigger, if there are no air strikes. if the this be a moment where, if under— if the this be a moment where, if under israel's discretion obviously, it would _ under israel's discretion obviously, it would be — under israel's discretion obviously, it would be wise to pause, dig a bit more _ it would be wise to pause, dig a bit more time — it would be wise to pause, dig a bit more time to see if this is a moment, _ more time to see if this is a moment, if the ground invasion is not static. —

moment, if the ground invasion is not static, should the air strikes be stopped as if you could get more people _ be stopped as if you could get more people out? it is notable without going _ people out? it is notable without going into details, in the president's statement he said he expressed his thanks to israel in partnership with israel, a notable connection— partnership with israel, a notable connection the. the obvious inference _ connection the. the obvious inference is that they were working together~ _ inference is that they were working together. does this give you hope that, _ together. does this give you hope that, despite everything that happened, there could still be a trroader— happened, there could still be a broader relationship and avoid a wider— broader relationship and avoid a wider war? _ broader relationship and avoid a wider war?— broader relationship and avoid a wider war? ., , , , wider war? two things, first, it is very simple- _ wider war? two things, first, it is very simple. hostages _ wider war? two things, first, it is very simple. hostages should - wider war? two things, first, it is very simple. hostages should be | very simple. hostages should be released immediately and unconditionally. that is in our position from day one and it remains our position. to your point, i would not take anything that hamas says at face value. i'm not sure anyone in this room would take at face value

our report something that isis had said. same applies to hamas. the opposition is clear —— mark our position is clear, every hostage needs to be released now. there is no doubt from my own travels in the region that one of the important things throughout this very difficult period, and since the unconscionable attack by hamas, is to continue to find ways for countries to operate, coordinate when it is in the interest to do so and we will continue to do that and any operation that we can listen, any operation that we can listen, any cooperation we can elicit that security provision of humanitarian assistance, to three children in

gaza who desperately need it, we work on that and i think we can say we have seen some of the cooperation. the broader question is important because what is abundantly clear is the vast majority of countries, the vast majority of people want the same thing. they want a region where countries are working together, where relations are normalised, where there is greater integration, where people are working together, studying together, travelling, doing business, the overwhelming majority of people want that, and we want to see as well the rights and aspirations of the palestinian people fulfilled in the context of that kind of region. and that is one vision and it remains very much alive in every conversation that i had. the alternative is equally clear. and it is very stark. it is

hamas, hezbollah, iran, destruction, it is death, terrorism, darkness. so the more we are able to make real that first vision, the more i am convinced that it's a vision that everyone or virtually everyone subscribe to. so even as we are working through this challenge, this crisis, it is important to keep that vision alive because it is important that people know that there is an alternative and that everything they hoped for, everything they aspire to is going to be best addressed through what i just is going to be best addressed through what ijust described in the first vision and we will continue to do that. ~ . . . first vision and we will continue to do that. ~ ., .. i. , first vision and we will continue to dothat. ~ ., , do that. what can you tell us about the condition _ do that. what can you tell us about the condition of— do that. what can you tell us about the condition of these _ do that. what can you tell us about the condition of these two - do that. what can you tell us about l the condition of these two americans who have _ the condition of these two americans who have been released, what is their— who have been released, what is their health status? do you have details _ their health status? do you have details on — their health status? do you have details on the condition of the americans being held hostage? have you heard _ americans being held hostage? have you heard of any proof of life? and of the _ you heard of any proof of life? and of the rafah crossing, what is a

hold-up — of the rafah crossing, what is a hold-up on _ of the rafah crossing, what is a hold—up on operation this deal? i hold—up on operation this deal? i can't hold—up on operation this deal? can't speak hold—up on operation this deal? i can't speak to the condition of the two cottages just released, out of respect for the privacy and because we haven't had a chance yet —— the two hostages, we haven't got our own team in there to evaluate them and most importantly to reunite them with their loved ones. so i'm sure that'll come out in the hours and days ahead but i don't have anything for you on that now. nor do i have anything on the status or condition of americans who continue to be held by hamas. with regard to the rafah crossing, as you know, when some of us were travelling together in the region over the past week, getting assistance moving was among my top priorities and we work very hard with the government of israel, the government of egypt to do just that. and we secured an understanding that we would develop a plan to move

assistance. that understanding was cemented by president biden when he was in israel and also speaking to president of egypt. in the time since we have been working on the ground with the united nations, with egypt, with israel to put that into motion and my expectation is that you will see that moving soon. thank you. you will see that moving soon. thank ou. . y ., you will see that moving soon. thank ou. ., ,,. ._ you will see that moving soon. thank ou. ., ,,. ., , ., you. thanks, everyone. secretary of state antony — you. thanks, everyone. secretary of state antony blinken _ you. thanks, everyone. secretary of state antony blinken given - you. thanks, everyone. secretary of state antony blinken given us - you. thanks, everyone. secretary of state antony blinken given us an . state antony blinken given us an update on their two cottages, judith and natalie raanan a work release this evening and are now with the israeli defence force at a central base in israel, seem to be handed over to the us embassy in israel where of course they will get all the care and attention they need. a couple of things to pull out of what we just heard from antony blinken. there are still ten americans unaccounted for. he called on hamas to release all american hostages and

although he didn't go into detail about the conversations that are clearly going on in the background, it is clear to everyone by now that qatar which host hamas office in doha is key to this negotiation. cut in connection with israel still in contact with hamas about the other hostages, 201 still being held. a chink of light tonight that two of them had been released and hamas, there are reports through channels in the arab press in the region that hamas is saying that if the bombing was to stop, then more hostages could be released but obviously we have to take that with a pinch of salt, given where that is coming from. our panel tonight. lord peter ricketts, and brian stelter, chief corresponding for cnn. thank you

brian for coming on the programme. what do you make up what you just heard and clearly a success for the biden administration. time for the people to hear the secretary of state but ten more hostages unaccounted for.— state but ten more hostages unaccounted for. , ., , unaccounted for. yes, and when this was breaking — unaccounted for. yes, and when this was breaking in _ unaccounted for. yes, and when this was breaking in the _ unaccounted for. yes, and when this was breaking in the afternoon - unaccounted for. yes, and when this was breaking in the afternoon in - unaccounted for. yes, and when this was breaking in the afternoon in the| was breaking in the afternoon in the united states, the major broadcast networks, the major cable networks went wall—to—wall with a special report, in some cases interrupting game chosen soap operas to report on the hostages. that is incredibly significant because it shows that every single new bit of information about the situation with these hostages is going to be a major political news event in the united states. i think we are seeing that as well in other countries, given there are 200 plus still there. there is a situation for president biden and four other leaders of other countries where they are being judged every hour and every day on

the status of these hostages. peter, that is a good _ the status of these hostages. peter, that is a good point. _ the status of these hostages. peter, that is a good point. i _ the status of these hostages. peter, that is a good point. i wonder- the status of these hostages. peter, that is a good point. i wonder if- that is a good point. i wonder if the british government is watching this tonight. there are a handful of british hostages being held, we think. it is still murky. will the government to be looking at what happened in wondering whether there same channels are open? i’m happened in wondering whether there same channels are open?— same channels are open? i'm sure the will same channels are open? i'm sure they will be _ same channels are open? i'm sure they will be and _ same channels are open? i'm sure they will be and it _ same channels are open? i'm sure they will be and it is _ same channels are open? i'm sure they will be and it is excellent - they will be and it is excellent news — they will be and it is excellent news for — they will be and it is excellent news for the families of the two cottages — news for the families of the two cottages but there is clearly a great — cottages but there is clearly a great deal of hamas manipulation coming _ great deal of hamas manipulation coming on — great deal of hamas manipulation coming on as well. the timing is very— coming on as well. the timing is very interesting as we seem to be now zeroing in on the ground offensive _ now zeroing in on the ground offensive by israel and surely a sign _ offensive by israel and surely a sign from — offensive by israel and surely a sign from hamas first of all towards qatar. _ sign from hamas first of all towards qatar. their— sign from hamas first of all towards qatar, their major players, and no doubt _ qatar, their major players, and no doubt to— qatar, their major players, and no doubt to come for gate decision—making in israel and america — decision—making in israel and america by showing that the way to -et america by showing that the way to get hostages released is to negotiate rather than do deals with hamas _ negotiate rather than do deals with hamas. i'm sure all comments are taken _ hamas. i'm sure all comments are taken this— hamas. i'm sure all comments are taken this very seriously and they want _

taken this very seriously and they want to— taken this very seriously and they want to talk to the americans about how exactly this happened in the hope _ how exactly this happened in the hope it— how exactly this happened in the hope it will be possible to get more of these _ hope it will be possible to get more of these poor hostages released. let me of these poor hostages released. me bring in of these poor hostages released. let me bring in pauladams, who of these poor hostages released. let me bring in paul adams, who hasjust joined us from jerusalem. we have detailed from the secretary of state that us embassy will be involved in providing care for the two women who had been released. what more do you know from the israeli side? thea;r had been released. what more do you know from the israeli side?— know from the israeli side? they are not seeinu know from the israeli side? they are not seeing a — know from the israeli side? they are not seeing a whole _ know from the israeli side? they are not seeing a whole lot _ know from the israeli side? they are not seeing a whole lot yet _ know from the israeli side? they are not seeing a whole lot yet except - not seeing a whole lot yet except that the two former hostages now were delivered to the edge of the gaza strip and then driven to a military base and were in the centre of the country where they are being reunited with family members and we have had a statement from natalie raanan's uncle, saying he is extremelyjoyful raanan's uncle, saying he is extremely joyful and raanan's uncle, saying he is extremelyjoyful and happy, he extremely joyful and happy, he thanks, extremelyjoyful and happy, he thanks, he said that the two cottages have had an initial medical exam by the red cross and he says we are people apiece, seeking the

well—being of all people and denounce violence of all people to any human being. he goes on to thank joe biden for his efforts but peter wasjust talking joe biden for his efforts but peter was just talking about the kind of complications, the political trying elation is involved. it is worth noting that every now and again i can hear notjust a sound ofjets flying overhead but the sound of distant bombing in the gaza strip which is about 70 kilometres away. if hamas are demanding an end to the bombing of gaza in order to release further hostages, that is not a very likely prospect. we don't know exactly how qatar managed to engineer this. they said it was through days and days of communication and they are also saying, the qatari foreign ministry, but they have these channels of communication will lead to the release of further foreign nationals, not necessarily israelis but some of the other foreign nationals and there are thought to be perhaps dozens of those. but it

does feel tonight as if we might be at the start of some kind of process which will see rather slowly the release of further hostages. fin which will see rather slowly the release of further hostages. on the bombin: , release of further hostages. on the bombing. there _ release of further hostages. on the bombing, there was _ release of further hostages. on the bombing, there was some - release of further hostages. on the i bombing, there was some speculation today that it was a little bit quieter. it is friday, the day of friday prayers, so we don't know if that was part of it, but did it seem to you that there was a lull in the exchange of fire today and could not be explained with what was going on in the background relating to the hostages? it in the background relating to the hostaues? , , ., hostages? it is tempting to speculate. _ hostages? it is tempting to speculate, isn't _ hostages? it is tempting to speculate, isn't it? - hostages? it is tempting to speculate, isn't it? hard. hostages? it is tempting to speculate, isn't it? hard to| hostages? it is tempting to - speculate, isn't it? hard to really know because, set against that, warnings tonight that the hospital in gaza has been told to evacuate. this is not the first time a hospital has been told to evacuate but there are currently over 400 patients been treated there and around 12,000 displaced civilians in that area. they are being told to

evacuate, presumably told to move south, which suggest that israel, which is often alleged in the past that hamas uses places like hospitals and un schools to hide men and equipment and infrastructure, but that hospital could soon be targeted. it is a kind of thing you can only imagine that could throw this whole delicate negotiation over hostages completely off the rails. and the agony these families are living through, 201 hostages still being held by hamas. paul adams, thank you very much. president biden back from the war zone is called on americans to support what i made for israel and ukraine. americans to support what i made for israeland ukraine. he americans to support what i made for israel and ukraine. he says it is vitalfor us national israel and ukraine. he says it is vital for us national security. these conflicts might seem far away, he said, but the outcome of these fight for democracy against terrorism will be vital for the safety and security of american

people. we are facing an inflection point in history. one of those moments where the decisions we make today are going to determine the future for decades to come. hamas and putin represent different threats, but they share this in common. they both want to completely annihilate neighbouring democracy, completely annihilate it. you know, history has taught us that when terrorists don't pay the price for their terror, when dictators don't pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction. they keep going. there are concerns that in the white house the number of overseas conflicts, this confluence of crises could spiral into something much bigger. as well as a current was in ukraine in the conflict in israel and gaza which they worry about, they obviously think that could roil they obviously think that could roil the entire middle east, there are fears about iraq, yemen, the

perpetual threat from north korea, the interests of china is taken in taiwan and more generally the alliance developing between russia, china and iran, that access we have talked about before. unlike any other period since world war ii, there is a new weapon fuelling all these tension, and that is a spread of doctored orfaked these tension, and that is a spread of doctored or faked videos to manipulate what people see and think, fake videos that make it impossible to detect what is real and what is not. let's bring in max boot. live now to max boot, who's a senior fellow in national security studies at the council on foreign relations and a columnist for the washington post. you will have seen reporting today that within the white house there is now deeply concerned that we are facing something very different now, notjust facing something very different now, not just one facing something very different now, notjust one or two conflicts, it is a connection between them and the role that china, russia and iran are playing in the background. it is obviously a _ playing in the background. it is obviously a very _ playing in the background. it 3 obviously a very dangerous global situation which could easily spiral out of control but i think this is a time and a good thing we have

somebody likejoe biden in office as a leader of the free well because he has decades of experience dealing with foreign policy. he understands the stakes, the issues and i think he is acted very quietly in assembling a coalition to help ukraine as well as moving to israel's side since the attack and sending two us aircraft carriers to the eastern mediterranean to dissuade iran and hezbollah to avoid this conflict. to keep the war contain. ~ ., ., i. this conflict. to keep the war contain. ~ ., ., .,~ ., contain. what do you make of his seech contain. what do you make of his speech last _ contain. what do you make of his speech last night? _ contain. what do you make of his speech last night? if— contain. what do you make of his speech last night? if it _ contain. what do you make of his speech last night? if it is - contain. what do you make of his speech last night? if it is a - speech last night? if it is a moment, did he rise to the challenge? i moment, did he rise to the challenge?— moment, did he rise to the challenue? ~ , ., , moment, did he rise to the challenue? ~ i. , ., challenge? i think you did rise to the challenge — challenge? i think you did rise to the challenge and _ challenge? i think you did rise to the challenge and i _ challenge? i think you did rise to the challenge and i think - challenge? i think you did rise to the challenge and i think it - challenge? i think you did rise to the challenge and i think it is - challenge? i think you did rise to the challenge and i think it is his| the challenge and i think it is his finest hour. he has had otherfine hours, especially the way the ballot about the ukraine, but this place to be strength because he understands

foreign affairs, the stakes, he's been warning about the threat for a long time and he has done a good job of mobilising to oppose it and explain to the american people what the stakes are. the question now is whether he will be able to overcome the dysfunction in us politics and the dysfunction in us politics and the dysfunction in us politics and the dysfunction among house republicans because they can't elect a speaker. flan republicans because they can't elect a seaker. . , republicans because they can't elect a seaker. ., , i. republicans because they can't elect a seaker. . , ,, ., a speaker. can i bring you in on this, a speaker. can i bring you in on this. brian _ a speaker. can i bring you in on this, brian stelter. _ a speaker. can i bring you in on this, brian stelter. he - a speaker. can i bring you in on this, brian stelter. he has- a speaker. can i bring you in on this, brian stelter. he has now| a speaker. can i bring you in on i this, brian stelter. he has now got to convince the american public that $105 billion, which is what he is asking forfrom $105 billion, which is what he is asking for from congress, $105 billion, which is what he is asking forfrom congress, is $105 billion, which is what he is asking for from congress, is worth it. why were people in america be concerned about all these wars which are along half a world away from their daily lives?— their daily lives? that is a starting — their daily lives? that is a starting point _ their daily lives? that is a starting point of - their daily lives? that is a starting point of this - their daily lives? that is a - starting point of this conversation. if i did _ starting point of this conversation. if i did use — starting point of this conversation. if i did use one word to describe the american people's emotion, feeling, — the american people's emotion, feeling, got in this moment in 2023 it would _ feeling, got in this moment in 2023 it would be — feeling, got in this moment in 2023 it would be the word exhausted,

exhaustion. they are so tired of political— exhaustion. they are so tired of political chaos, foreign wars. you saw this— political chaos, foreign wars. you saw this from donald trump and is supporters— saw this from donald trump and is supporters but there is also a version — supporters but there is also a version on _ supporters but there is also a version on the left, wanting to be much _ version on the left, wanting to be much more — version on the left, wanting to be much more focused on in word, on the us. much more focused on in word, on the us so _ much more focused on in word, on the us so biden— much more focused on in word, on the us. so biden hasn't an immense challenge — us. so biden hasn't an immense challenge. even though it there is a lot of— challenge. even though it there is a lot of support for ukraine, the record — lot of support for ukraine, the record of— lot of support for ukraine, the record of the united states, i am driving _ record of the united states, i am driving through so—called red republican neighbourhoods, i cease about _ republican neighbourhoods, i cease about the _ republican neighbourhoods, i cease about the ukraine, i see ukrainian flags— about the ukraine, i see ukrainian flags in_ about the ukraine, i see ukrainian flags in the — about the ukraine, i see ukrainian flags in the united states but that there _ flags in the united states but that there is— flags in the united states but that there is a — flags in the united states but that there is a sense of exhaustion, not wanting _ there is a sense of exhaustion, not wanting to — there is a sense of exhaustion, not wanting to have to go and help others — wanting to have to go and help others once again to try and focus at home — others once again to try and focus at home so — others once again to try and focus at home. so biden has a giant challenge _ at home. so biden has a giant challenge that will take not just one speech, not one day but weeks and months — one speech, not one day but weeks and months of persuasion. because, peter, we and months of persuasion. because, peter. we need _ and months of persuasion. because, peter, we need the _ and months of persuasion. because, peter, we need the americans - peter, we need the americans involved from a european perspective and with the greatest respect to my american colleagues who are with us, there will be thoughts back to the first world war, the second world war when the americans relate to the

party. they will want the americans engage from the get go because money so important. the engage from the get go because money so important-— so important. the americans had been encuae so important. the americans had been engage from — so important. the americans had been engage from the _ so important. the americans had been engage from the get _ so important. the americans had been engage from the get go _ so important. the americans had been engage from the get go in _ so important. the americans had been engage from the get go in ukraine - so important. the americans had been engage from the get go in ukraine in l engage from the get go in ukraine in particular and injoe biden... with britain as well and also it has been said in deterring threats from iran, trying to exploit the situation in israel and gaza while israelis are occupied on its gaza border. there is a clear at risk here but now the international oxygen is all being sucked out by the gaza crisis, no one is talking about ukraine. there is an arms delivery schedule to israel and ukraine is facing a difficult winter while russia will go against its energy infrastructure again and the eyes of the world are under israel and gaza crisis. so i'm afraid a country is big and important and influential as america

has to be able to handle multiple crises at the same time. i agree this is one of those periods where there are more concurrent crisis going on then i can remember. it is all part of the sense that the old international order has broken, that china and russia feel they can act with impunity and iran is looking for opportunities and i think it is really important that american leadership is both on the ukraine and israel, garces crisis. lute leadership is both on the ukraine and israel, garces crisis. we have been squeezed — and israel, garces crisis. we have been squeezed by _ and israel, garces crisis. we have been squeezed by the _ and israel, garces crisis. we have been squeezed by the secretary l and israel, garces crisis. we have| been squeezed by the secretary of state. thank you for your time. hello there. storm babet has been pummelling parts of the uk with strong winds and some torrential rain. this was sunderland, and around some of our north sea coasts today, we've had gusts of wind running into the 60s of miles an hour. meanwhile, elsewhere, flooding has been the cause of some major concern and we still have a number of severe flood warnings, a plethora of other warnings still in force across various parts of the uk. probably the best way to keep up

to date with this ever—changing situation is looking at the bbc weather website for the latest number of warnings. but looking at the weather warnings, well, overnight, we've got this warning still in force across the peaks of the pennines, into the scottish borders, and further warnings issued into scotland. by saturday, it's these scottish warnings thatjust remain in force. you'll notice another red one for parts of angus and aberdeenshire. remember, they're the top level warnings. another 70 to 100 millimetres of rain expected. further severe flooding is a certainty for this part of the world. now, overnight, some of the heaviest rain will continue to drift northwards across from northern england, into eastern scotland, with the winds continuing to be very gusty here. meanwhile, further south, across the midlands, we've seen lots of flood warnings through the day. the rain tending to become lighter and patchier before clearing out of the way, so we should see a modest improvement with the weather here as we go through saturday. the rain eventually turning a bit lighter and patchier as well across northern england on saturday, but this part of the world, there are some rivers that take

quite a while to respond to the rainfall that has fallen, so there could be some communities where flooding gets worse before it gets better. but the main focus of the heavy rain will be across eastern areas of scotland, still with those amber and red weather warnings in force throughout the day. further severe flooding, then, is very likely indeed. as we go through saturday night, finally, the majority of the rain pulls away. what's left across north—east scotland will tend to be a bit lighter and patchier. a few mist and fog patches elsewhere to start the day on sunday, but sunday is a much, much drier day. plenty of sunny spells around, and our temperatures quite close to average — around 12—15 degrees celsius. but of course, there will still be some areas suffering from flooding even as the sunshine comes out and the rain finally stops falling. it might be a brief hiatus, though, because next week does look pretty unsettled. low pressure in charge, and that means further rain on the way.

hello, i'm christian fraser. this is the context on bbc news. hardlinerjim jordan loses republican support to be speaker of the house after an unsuccessful third vote. we'll look at what happens next. a reminder that...

israel has confirmed that two american hostages have