hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. i can tell you that we didn't have any intention or decision to kill the civilians. we absolutely know that the death toll continues to rise in gaza. of course we know that. but what we're saying is that we shouldn't rely on numbers put forth by hamas and the ministry of health. our goal is to completely eradicate hamas's capabilities, _ and we will use every means - at our disposal to accomplish this. how can representatives of states explain how horrible it is that 1000 israelis were killed and not feel the same outrage when 1000

palestinians are now killed every day? the hamas—run ministry of health in gaza publishes a detailed list of the more than 7000 people it says have been killed since israel's bombardment began, but tonight, the us government says that while a signifcant number of people have died, it still doesn't trust the figures from hamas. also on the programme, we'll have the latest from lewiston, maine, after a gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and a restaurant, killing at least 18 people and sparking a massive police manhunt. police say the ao—year—old suspect is still armed and dangerous. and artificial intelligence — a saviour or a threat? the uk's prime minister, rishi sunak, outlines the risks and the possible rewards of the next generation of smart software.

to talk about all this, tonight i will be joined from washington by the former republican party strategist rina shah and from london by peter walker, deputy political editor for the guardian. the situation in gaza is growing more desperate by the hour. the un's humanitarian aid chief has said that aid is "barely trickling in" to gaza and that 20 days on, the bombardments of gaza are still getting worse. humanitarian supplies are critically low, and the hamas—controlled health ministry has published with details of what it says are the more than 7000 people who have been killed in israeli strikes, almost 3000 of them children. more than 11100 people were killed in israel during hamas�* attack on october the 7th, including women and children. these are the latest pictures showing the destruction in the gaza strip.

as you can see, entire blocks of buildings have been destroyed. and these satellite images from maxar show the area before october the 7th. and this is after. you can see the extent of the damage. the israeli military says its ground forces carried out a significant incursion in gaza to attack hamas positions overnight. it released this video showing tanks and armoured bulldozers crossing the perimeter fence. israel's prime minister netanyahu says his aim is to destroy hamas. an israeli defense force spokesman told the bbc that soldiers carried out the tactical raid towards central gaza to "prepare the battlefield for future operations". we begin with this report from our international editorjeremy bowen. for hours, we could hear the explosions around ten kilometres away in israel.

it was the biggest israeli raid into the gaza strip so far in this war. the army released this video, it said of the battlefield being prepared, presumably for the invasion of gaza that the government says is coming. the soldiers pulled back into israel sometime before dawn. in khan younis in southern gaza, more raids and death in a place where israel told palestinians to go to be safe. "we want to live beautiful lives," said this girl, "not have rockets hitting our heads. the building fell on our heads." the un says nowhere is safe in gaza and the siege violates the laws of war. israel has killed thousands of palestinian civilians. just a few miles away in israel, sally partrush lives in one

of the communities hamas attacked. she has photos of some of the friends hamas killed. this is me, this is one of my friends, gil, and he was murdered. i'm all the time thinking what they did to them, how they suffered. with so much loss, whole families, she is furious that israel's response has been questioned. this time we realise that, after that, it's us or them. if it is, as you say, us or them, is it ok to ignore international humanitarian law? i'm tired of it, of what the law, the international law said. the international law didn't prevent these murders, these brutal murders. where was the world?

people was happy about it, people celebrated. along the gaza border, civilian volunteers are bringing home comforts to the troops. the soldiers�* commanders say they're ready and that it's a waiting game until the war cabinet orders them into gaza. the men i spoke to are certain that israel's actions since hamas attacked were legal, morallyjustified and vital for the security of their families. most of the soldiers here were reservists, called out of civilian life. you said you're a social worker. yes. you must deal with people with trauma. how long will it take israelis to process this national trauma, if ever? generations. i think something is broken here. we want to protect. we don't want to fight. we don't want to kill. but if we need to do it, - so here we are, here we are. if you're truly a western person, if you believe in human rights and freedom, then it's very obvious

that you should side with israel. i mean, do you want to side with people that are like you? we are the same. we have the same values of freedom, of free speech, women rights, lgbtq rights. ahead is complex urban warfare. when might depend on the success orfailure of talks to free the hostages. israelis get behind their soldiers, especially at times like this. almost everybody has been in the military or has a son or a daughter in uniform. it's a different thing when it comes to politicians. taking israel to war is a new experience for the prime minister. benjamin netanyahu's tough talk — he said hamas were dead men walking — will not impress his many political enemies. israelis, though, are united in their fight against hamas, but the country faces big challenges and their leader is under

crushing pressure. jeremy bowen, bbc news, in southern israel. israel's military has raised the number of people confirmed to be held hostage in gaza to 224, saying that number could rise further. so far, four hostages have been released by hamas, which is designated a terror organisation by the uk and many other countries, but a spokesman for the armed wing of hamas says as many as 50 of the hostages have been killed in israeli air strikes. a hamas spokesman has told the bbc that the group's attack was aimed to be a military operation, denying it was intended to target civilians. he was talking to our middle east correspondent hugo bachega. there was no command, no command to kill any civilians. you say this was a military operation, but the result of it was that hundreds of civilians were killed. because the area is very wide and there are many people there and there was clashes and confrontations.

it's not confrontation. you invaded houses. i don't have the details of what happened inside, but i can tell you that we didn't have any intention or decision to kill the civilians. how do you justify killing people as they sleep, families? how do you justify killing hundreds of people? i want to stop this interview. well, it's usually at this point in the programme that i introduced two of our panelists but due to technical issues we only have one of them rina a former republican strategist leigh from washington dc, soon we would hopefully have peter walker, the deputy political editor for the guardian. seica michael, one thing we been talking about in the programme in the last hour are the flurry of nickel back to meetings

taking place in the last 2a hours or so. you see an eu summit with some loose wording on a meeting of the un general assembly, and a week of frenzied visits by a hold host of leaders. the question i want to start with, do you think the diplomacy is actually making any difference? i diplomacy is actually making any difference? ~ diplomacy is actually making any difference?— diplomacy is actually making any difference? ~ ,, .,~ ., ., difference? i think speaking for a ureat difference? i think speaking for a great number — difference? i think speaking for a great number of _ difference? i think speaking for a great number of americans - difference? i think speaking for a great number of americans who l difference? i think speaking for a i great number of americans who feel that diplomacy has not helped us in this area the united states has a particularly tough apex right now, almost at the crossroads of where to go as a country. yet we have leaders who are continuing to use what i consider a bit of an old playbook. presidentjoe biden has a very significant foreign policy background, he was interested to do right by the american people, and their many americans today who feel their many americans today who feel the actions he has taken after

october seven have been sound and of 0ctober seven have been sound and of right mind, and they really showed america to be what is considered everybody�*s friend, neighbour, ally. in a situation like this, where we have hamas, where we talk about is an actual terrorist organisation, not representing the palestinian people, to see demonstrations across the united states in colleges, of expenses, large cities, where we see people saying they will not side with the united states in back in israel. it's almost like the unisys is into mine, we support our president in prison for the strong leadership, in a very, very precarious moments in the aftermath of what is been called many times over israel's 9/11, that's fine, but what comes after that, and their people today who i believe are rightly questioning america's role

in the world and how we move forward not just in the world and how we move forward notjust in this conflict but future wars. , , , , . ., wars. interesting perspective from ou in wars. interesting perspective from you in united _ wars. interesting perspective from you in united states, _ wars. interesting perspective from you in united states, what - wars. interesting perspective from you in united states, what i'm - you in united states, what i'm pleased to say peter is now in that box next to you, i'm glad you managed to get your resume working, let me ask you the same question i asked rina, do you think diplomacy is making a difference? i asked rina, do you think diplomacy is making a difference?— is making a difference? i think the short and unsatisfactory _ is making a difference? i think the short and unsatisfactory answer. is making a difference? i think the short and unsatisfactory answer is| short and unsatisfactory answer is it is too— short and unsatisfactory answer is it is too early to tell. the rhetoric _ it is too early to tell. the rhetoric in the uk, certainly the way the — rhetoric in the uk, certainly the way the uk prime minister dealt with this, has_ way the uk prime minister dealt with this, has been slightly similar to joe biden's approach, which is the initial_ joe biden's approach, which is the initial response to the massacre on october_ initial response to the massacre on october seven, is to say that we are 0ctober seven, is to say that we are with israel_ 0ctober seven, is to say that we are with israel all the way and back you in whatever— with israel all the way and back you in whatever you do. but, there is almost _ in whatever you do. but, there is almost this— in whatever you do. but, there is almost this diplomatic bank check, but as_ almost this diplomatic bank check, but as time — almost this diplomatic bank check, but as time has gone on the languages change a bit. and the understanding that as time goes on and we _ understanding that as time goes on and we move slightly from the

horrific— and we move slightly from the horrific scenes and news from the massacre. — horrific scenes and news from the massacre, to the very grim scenes about— massacre, to the very grim scenes about what — massacre, to the very grim scenes about what is going on in gaza now, there _ about what is going on in gaza now, there is— about what is going on in gaza now, there is a _ about what is going on in gaza now, there is a sense that the uk government in whatever limited ways it can, _ government in whatever limited ways it can, as— government in whatever limited ways it can, as well as the message it is supporting, — it can, as well as the message it is supporting, msa, international law must _ supporting, msa, international law must be _ supporting, msa, international law must be abided by. the language so far has— must be abided by. the language so far has been relatively mild but you can tell— far has been relatively mild but you can tell that when you talk to politicians in the uk, they are aware — politicians in the uk, they are aware that they cannot give this israet— aware that they cannot give this israet is — aware that they cannot give this israet is a — aware that they cannot give this israel is a complete blank check, but is _ israel is a complete blank check, but is at — israel is a complete blank check, but is at the same time restraint may not— but is at the same time restraint may not do— but is at the same time restraint may not do any good. so it's a long game, _ may not do any good. so it's a long game, something that is been going on for— game, something that is been going on for decades, but in the aftermath of 0ctuber— on for decades, but in the aftermath of october seven, there's a sense of having _ of october seven, there's a sense of having to _ of october seven, there's a sense of having to support israel but trying to find _ having to support israel but trying to find a _ having to support israel but trying to find a balance. would it work? the uk _ to find a balance. would it work? the uk is — to find a balance. would it work? the uk is a — to find a balance. would it work? the uk is a relatively small partner in this, _ the uk is a relatively small partner in this, and — the uk is a relatively small partner in this, and i— the uk is a relatively small partner in this, and i think it is very much going _ in this, and i think it is very much going to — in this, and i think it is very much going to try— in this, and i think it is very much going to try and follow the lead of what the — going to try and follow the lead of what the us and the un does, and in part that _ what the us and the un does, and in part that is _ what the us and the un does, and in

part that is what uk's role is to stay _ part that is what uk's role is to sta . �* , ., ., ., stay. let's not forget the role that ke arab stay. let's not forget the role that key arab nations _ stay. let's not forget the role that key arab nations holding - stay. let's not forget the role that key arab nations holding all- stay. let's not forget the role that key arab nations holding all of- stay. let's not forget the role that| key arab nations holding all of this including countries like egypt and jordan, we will be back with you peter and it rina, but for the moment, thanks. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. constance marten and her partner mark gordon have pleaded not guilty to charges over the death of their two—month—old baby. victoria's body was discovered on the first of march in a brighton shed after a weeks—long police search for the family. ms marten and mr gordon appeared at the old bailey on thursday and pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. the government could face a judicial review after excluding some health workers from a one—off bonus. it was part of a pay deal that recognised the pressure of the covid pandemic on staff, but thousands of outsourced staff such as community nurses will not receive it. the department of health says it's looking into the issue.

the jury in the new york fraud trial of sam bankman—fried was sent home after the founder of the now—bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange ftx took the stand to testify, but did not speak. he was instead asked to testify in private, with the judge deciding which parts of his testimony are admissible before the jury returns on friday. mr bankman—fried is accused of stealing billions from ftx customers. you're live with bbc news. now let's turn to another big story in the us. a teenage boy and his father are among the 18 victims of a mass shooting in the city of lewiston, in the state of maine, on the east coast. a 53—year—old woman and another man are also confirmed to be among those killed. police say, the gunman targeted multiple locations — including a bowling alley — and is still at large. a massive manhunt is under way, across the state for a ao—year—old us army reservist, who's believed to be suffering from

mental health issues. residents have been warned to stay at home. 0ur correspondent john sudworth has more first, it was a bowling alley, then a bar. around seven o'clock on a wednesday night, mobile—phone footage shows people fleeing in panic as, once again, ordinary, everyday america is torn apart by another mass shooting. just a normal night of bowling, and i don't know, hejust came in, and there was a loud pop. ijust booked it down the lane, and i slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up into the machine and was on top of the machines for about ten minutes until the cops got there. hundreds of police officers, including weapons and explosive experts, are now involved in an urgent manhunt, with residents across a number of towns and cities in this state urged to stay inside and lock their doors. the police have released these

images of the suspect, ao—year—old us army reservist robert card, holding what appears to be a semiautomatic rifle. 0ur reality for today is that this suspect is still at large, and we want to provide community support for the victims, for the families, and in communities across the state, but we also have an incredibly strong, laser—like focus on bringing this suspect into custody, and ultimately tojustice. lewiston is a small community of some 40,000 people in the largely rural state of maine that once saw itself as relatively unscathed by the scourge of gun violence. this city did not deserve this terrible assault on its citizens, on its peace of mind, on its sense of security. no city does, no state, no people. no words can truly or fully measure

the grief of many people today. this latest shooting will once again put america's gun control laws in the spotlight. the man the police are looking for is reported to have a history of mental—health issues and of threatening to carry out a shooting. 0ur correspondent nomia iqbal is live for us in lewiston. we believe the suspect remains on the run, what more can you tell us? the us coast guard has confirmed it is also involved in the search for robert card, also the main borders with canada and canada emergency services have issued a alert saying that robert card is dangerous and armed. i am that robert card is dangerous and armed. lam not that robert card is dangerous and armed. i am not farfrom the bar where, one of the locations where the shooting happened, four miles away is a bowling alley. the city is

in lockdown and other areas in lockdown because residents have that shelter in place in force, they have been advised not to leave their homes, businesses have closed for the day and colleges, in order for police to try and find card who has basically been on the run since last night, since p.m. eastern time when the shooting happened.— the shooting happened. nomia iqbal live in a scene, _ the shooting happened. nomia iqbal live in a scene, thank— the shooting happened. nomia iqbal live in a scene, thank you. _ we know that gun violence is a part of everyday life in america and a very divisive issue. the bbc�*s azadeh moshiri has been looking at the number of mass shootings in the united states. according to the data, mass shootings are on the rise in the united states. so far this year, there have been more than 500 mass shootings. that's according to the gun violence archive, and they measure mass shootings as incidents in which four or more people have been injured or killed. and if take a look at the three years prior, there have been more than 600 mass shootings for each year. that's almost two per day on average. and the worst mass shooting in

the united states was in las vegas. that was in 2017, and it killed more than 50 people and left 500 injured. it's important to note, though, that mass shootings leave fewer than ten people dead on average. now, we often talk about mass shootings and homicides. that's often because they're covered more prominently in the media, but it's worth also talking about suicides. because if you look at the figures in 2021, more than half of gun—related deaths were in fact suicides. that's according to the centers for disease control and prevention. and 2021 was in fact a record—breaking year. these gun—related deaths rose by nearly 8% compared to the previous year. now let's take a bigger look at the overall global picture, because as you can see here, more than 80% of all homicides were gun—related killings. and yet that's starkly different to what you see in england and wales, canada, australia, as well as several other countries.

and if you look at gun ownership, again the united states's figures far surpass those of other countries. according to the small arms survey, which is a swiss research project, in 2018, they calculated that there were more guns than people in the united states. and according to the data so far, gun ownership in the united states has risen since. let's bring the panel, rina and peter back in on that issue, i will start with you rina it since you are in the us. when i was a reporter in america, business orjust some of the mass routines may shooting that i have covered, charlottesville, sandy springs, every time there was a debate about gun laws, and every time very little changed. will it

change this time? we heard president biden today urging for a change in the law will stop i must say that as a mother and american am so disturbed by the fact that we continue to live like this. this is a choice- _ continue to live like this. this is a choice. our— continue to live like this. this is a choice. our lawmakers - continue to live like this. this is a choice. our lawmakers can . continue to live like this. this is i a choice. our lawmakers can help continue to live like this. this is - a choice. our lawmakers can help us a choice. 0ur lawmakers can help us get out of this vicious cycle of having to seek more of our fellow americans losing their lies lives to census gun violence. for international viewers watching, no, here we have the federal government and state government, but what what and state government, but what what a lot of american symbian is that second amendment, the right to bear arms, i've made my career in the republican party but i don't believe the founders of the united states would envision that many members of the republican party continued to stand behind the second amendment for this era of gun violence. they could never have envisioned high—powered weapons, the ones that killed so many people in these mass shootings. compared to our peer

countries and, and every bit of research i said this, the united states homicide rate is 26 times higher than other countries, that is unacceptable and i don't think any president can think less of them that or congress can do it in, i think it is a next generation of leadership that needs to come to legislative bodies and talk about common sense gun reforms. this shooting in maine, lawmakers abdicated their duty. they didn't take up any common—sense reforms, things like closing loopholes, background checks, we are talking about the most lax laws in the country on the books in maine, so why are we still have yet to learn about the shooting, including the actual number that are dead, and my heart goes out to all those families impacted in lewiston, i must say this is a disturbing moment because we know what could have prevented

the shooter. he was released from a mental health facility and said he wants to shoot other people, and yet she was given access to guns. second or i was she was given access to guns. second or i wasiumping _ she was given access to guns. second or i wasiumping on — she was given access to guns. second or i wasjumping on that _ she was given access to guns. second or i wasjumping on that point - she was given access to guns. second or i wasjumping on that point there l or i was jumping on that point there because people who believe firmly in the right to bear arms and i've met many, say it's not about guns but the people who get hold of guns. let me bring peter in on that, because people say that who support the right to have a gun might the debate is skewed the wrong way, it is not about people getting guns but who gets them. that about people getting guns but who nets them. . ., , ., ., gets them. that debate falls down on the fact that — gets them. that debate falls down on the fact that someone _ gets them. that debate falls down on the fact that someone who _ the fact that someone who is a person— the fact that someone who is a person with malevolent intent who doesn't _ person with malevolent intent who doesn't have a gun, cannot cause hearly— doesn't have a gun, cannot cause nearly as — doesn't have a gun, cannot cause nearly as much random violence on a whim _ nearly as much random violence on a whim and _ nearly as much random violence on a whim and someone was access to semi automatic— whim and someone was access to semi automatic weapons. without transit duck out _ automatic weapons. without transit duck out of — automatic weapons. without transit duck out of the debate, it's a bit tricky— duck out of the debate, it's a bit tricky for—

duck out of the debate, it's a bit tricky for someone on the uk side of things— tricky for someone on the uk side of things to _ tricky for someone on the uk side of things to basically have a valid input — things to basically have a valid input in — things to basically have a valid input in this because my sense is that pretty— input in this because my sense is that pretty much every other country in the _ that pretty much every other country in the world, certainly every other developed — in the world, certainly every other developed a rich country, looks at the us— developed a rich country, looks at the us and — developed a rich country, looks at the us and wonders what they're d°iii9~ _ the us and wonders what they're d°iii9~ it's — the us and wonders what they're doing. it's really obvious that unless— doing. it's really obvious that unless there is action taken to curb the access— unless there is action taken to curb the access to guns, and particularly in things— the access to guns, and particularly in things in— the access to guns, and particularly in things in states like maine, where — in things in states like maine, where they are almost no checks, you will continue — where they are almost no checks, you will continue to have as your report said i_ will continue to have as your report said i average of shootings every day. said i average of shootings every day it's— said i average of shootings every day. it's whether the country can continue — day. it's whether the country can continue to— day. it's whether the country can continue to tolerate that, the slightly— continue to tolerate that, the slightly antiquated while the he held right to bear arms is worth it. ithink— held right to bear arms is worth it. i think any— held right to bear arms is worth it. i think any other country in the world — i think any other country in the world would not think so. it's a bit strange _ world would not think so. it's a bit strange for— world would not think so. it's a bit strange for someone who is basically in the _ strange for someone who is basically in the uk _ strange for someone who is basically in the uk to— strange for someone who is basically in the uk to debate this and see it as this _ in the uk to debate this and see it as this argument, because to someone like me _ as this argument, because to someone like me and _ as this argument, because to someone like me and almost anyone in the politics— like me and almost anyone in the politics in— like me and almost anyone in the politics in the uk, there's only one

answer. _ politics in the uk, there's only one answer. and — politics in the uk, there's only one answer, and that is to go unarmed. we will— answer, and that is to go unarmed. we will separate there, peter and second michael, will be back shortly. hello there. good evening. well, it's been a very wet 0ctober so far. not for all of us, but certainly for many of us, especially across eastern areas of scotland, such as here in aberdeenshire. more wet weather here today, and there'll be higher rainfall totals to come as we head through the next few days yet again. so not a lot set to change for the rest of the month. it stays unsettled across the uk with more heavy showers to come and also some longer spells of rain, too. and if we just take a look at the rainfall accumulation chart over the next few days, you can see those bright colours starting to emerge again in eastern scotland. parts of the higher ground could see as much as 50—100 millimetres of rain. it's falling on saturated ground. could cause some more problems maybe. why's it happening? well, low pressure is out towards the west, which is where it's going to stay. more showers spiralling around it.

a south—easterly wind, brisk towards the east coast of scotland, just driving those showers further onshore. and then overnight tonight, there will be some clear spells developing, i think, further south for england and wales, some mist, some low cloud possibly forming. showers out towards the west, so not completely dry. and temperatures to start the day will be on the mild side, certainly frost—free, 6—10 degrees celsius. and then into friday, again, nothing much changes. the low pressure is still out towards the west, the showers spiral around it. we've still got that brisk south—easterly wind for eastern scotland, acting as a sort of conveyor belt, just a constant stream of showers. a lot of the rain will tend to be quite light and patchy, but it'll be pretty relentless, i think, as we head through the day and the rainfall totals will start to rack up once again. further south, there will be a lot of dry weather, some sunny intervals, but also some heavy, possibly thundery showers, maybe a flash or two of lightning. temperatures once again peaking between 10—15 degrees celsius, a little above the average towards the south. and then on saturday, well,

it's more of the same. we'll still see these showers across eastern scotland driving a little further westwards perhaps, the wind picking up towards the south coast of england by the end of the day. expect to see some heavy, persistent outbreaks of rain by the time we get to the end of the afternoon here. there are localised weather warnings in force, and that rain is going to be pushing further northwards as we head through saturday night and into sunday. again, falling on saturated ground in some places. still some uncertainty on the timing. low pressure still with us into next week, staying unsettled. bye— bye.

hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. ahead of a global summit on artificial intelligence, rishi sunak says addressing the risks of the technology should be a global priority. the prime minister rishi sunak says the uk will set up the world's first artificial intelligence safety institute to look at the risks of ai. speaking in london this morning, he said he hoped the institute would be effective in stopping the technology from being exploited by terrorist groups or criminals. it will carefully examine, evaluate and test new types of ai

so that we understand what each new model is capable of,