we are absolutely focused on getting hostages back, and getting them back to their families in safety, and we believe that among other things, a humanitarian pause could help that effort. but israel's military has struck an ambulance in gaza city — it says it was being used by hamas fighters near battle lines. a statement saysa number of fighters had been killed, and accuses hamas of using ambulances to transport weapons. also on the programme.

the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has been back in tel aviv — with washington increasing the pressure for a humanitarian pause. we'll tell you what has come out of those meetings. this, as the leader of hezbollah — hassan nasrallah — gives a speech praising the hamas attacks, saying the possibility of �*total war is realistic�*. joining me to discuss all that is my panel — ayesha hazarika and former us federal prosecutor, joe moreno. israel says its troops in gaza, are engaged in face—to—face combat, with fighters from hamas. the israeli military says its troops have now completely encircled gaza city, in the north of the territory — almost four weeks since the start of this war. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has been back in tel aviv — as washington increases the pressure for a humanitarian pause.

meanwhile, the leader of hezbollah — like hamas — a proscribed terrorist organisation — has spoken from a secret location. hassan nasrallah praised the hamas attacks and said, the possibility of �*total war is realistic�* more foreign nationals have been getting out of gaza — at the rafah crossing point into egypt — 124 british nationals are on the list of people, who are being allowed to leave. the hamas—run health ministry in gaza says, more than 9,000 people have been killed in the strip — since october the 7th — after hamas killed 1,400 people in the attacks in southern isreal. the situation for those inside gaza remains dire. our special correspondent, fergal keane, who's based injerusalem, has for days now been working with journalists filming for the bbc on the ground in the territory to report the impact of the war on civilians there. a warning, his report contains distressing images from the start.

sometimes, a face can tell all there is to know. of war, in the lives of the young. the brothers came to al—aqsa hospital in central gaza after a bomb hit their home. further north, in beit lahiya, another hospital. more of war�*s wounded. a crowded floor. who can be saved,

who is beyond help? the process of checks that's become all too familiar. this woman's life, fading fast. and then gone. there are stories of miraculous escape, told to our bbc cameraman. a five—year—old, tuleen abu alros, at al—nusrat hospital, pulled from the rubble of her bombed out home. she's physically recovering, but she is unlikely to forget. "with injured children, the psychological trauma stays "with them for years," says dr al—hams. "and the children who witness or watch what's going "on have ptsd for months." there are now more than 1.5

million displaced in gaza. creating, says the un, a vast humanitarian crisis. here, at a gaza beach, they collect salt water for washing. the children, as children do, find comfort in each other. because, when they leave here, there is only the war. fergal keane, bbc news, jerusalem. joining me is ayesha hazarika, political commentator and former adviser to the labour party, and former us federal prosecutor, joe moreno. hello to both of you. such distressing _ hello to both of you. such distressing images - hello to both of you. such distressing images are . hello to both of you. such - distressing images are coming hello to both of you. slc'i distressing images are coming out of

gaza today, and perhaps i'll start with you, joe. we'll talk about secretary of state antony blinken who is in israel. to put pressure for these humanitarian pauses that everybody is talking about, but he hasn't gotten anywhere on that front, has he?— hasn't gotten anywhere on that front, has he? ., �* . . front, has he? you can't watch those imaaes front, has he? you can't watch those images and — front, has he? you can't watch those images and not _ front, has he? you can't watch those images and not feel— front, has he? you can't watch those images and not feel heartbroken - images and not feel heartbroken about this. this is a horrible situation. the problem of this concept of a humanitarian pause, i get the rationale, we want to recover the hostages and minimise civilian college casualties. but it's basically a semantic reversion of the idea of a cease—fire. and that's putting israel in extremely dangerous position because idf forces have not already worked their way into gaza, asking them to basically stop hostilities puts them in a very dangerous spot. hamas has a long record of violating cease—fires. so i don't think it's realistic at this point. and

remember, hamas can stop this any time it wants... the idea is that these pauses are just a matter of hours to allow aid agencies to get more aid in and get it to the areas it's needed. in terms of the difference between a real cease—fire and a pauses a length of time, isn't it. it's a short period. i length of time, isn't it. it's a short period.— length of time, isn't it. it's a short period. length of time, isn't it. it's a short eriod. ,, , short period. i guess you could try that, but i — short period. i guess you could try that, but | don't— short period. i guess you could try that, but i don't know _ short period. i guess you could try that, but i don't know how- that, but i don't know how mechanically feasible that truly is. and president biden �*s own defence department has said it does not recommend any kind of a cease—fire. so i guess we could try it some kind of short. but i get it again is creating a extremely dangerous situation for israel. hamas could lay down their arms and surrender anytime they want and stop this carnage. i don't think they will, unfortunately, but it's in their hands. q , . ,

unfortunately, but it's in their hands. , , ,, ., hands. ayesha, put pressure on israel, stand _ hands. ayesha, put pressure on israel, stand up— hands. ayesha, put pressure on israel, stand up for— hands. ayesha, put pressure on israel, stand up for the - israel, stand up for the humanitarian side of things but also being seen to be very supportive of israel and unwavering in that. yeah, and this is the _ israel and unwavering in that. yeah, and this is the whole _ israel and unwavering in that. yeah, and this is the whole democratic - and this is the whole democratic western— and this is the whole democratic western allies absolutely wanting to show solidarity to israel because of the attacks that took place on the 7th of— the attacks that took place on the 7th of october. putting a huge amount— 7th of october. putting a huge amount of pressure on the israeli government tojust try amount of pressure on the israeli government to just try and not let their_ government to just try and not let their understandable anger and rage cloud their_ their understandable anger and rage cloud theirjudgment about what is the right— cloud theirjudgment about what is the right thing to do. now i think it's fairly— the right thing to do. now i think it's fairly obvious that there's no chance _ it's fairly obvious that there's no chance of— it's fairly obvious that there's no chance of a _ it's fairly obvious that there's no chance of a cease—fire from both sides_ chance of a cease—fire from both sides but— chance of a cease—fire from both sides but i— chance of a cease—fire from both sides but i think the idea of allowing _ sides but i think the idea of allowing some aid to get in is not only the — allowing some aid to get in is not only the right thing to do from a moral point of view, just literally you have — moral point of view, just literally you have 2 — moral point of view, just literally you have 2 million people starving in gaza _

you have 2 million people starving in gaza now because the supplies are so low _ in gaza now because the supplies are so low. there are people almost dying _ so low. there are people almost dying of— so low. there are people almost dying of thirst because there isn't enough _ dying of thirst because there isn't enough water. people are drinking sea waler— enough water. people are drinking sea water and dirty water, there's going _ sea water and dirty water, there's going to _ sea water and dirty water, there's going to be — sea water and dirty water, there's going to be you know huge epidemic of disease _ going to be you know huge epidemic of disease. sojust going to be you know huge epidemic of disease. so just from a cruelty point _ of disease. so just from a cruelty point of— of disease. so just from a cruelty point of view and humanity point of view, _ point of view and humanity point of view, just— point of view and humanity point of view, just let some aid come in. but this is— view, just let some aid come in. but this is strategic reason for doing this, _ this is strategic reason for doing this, there's a lot of goodwill and support— this, there's a lot of goodwill and support for israel but israel doesn't _ support for israel but israel doesn't want to squander that by behaving — doesn't want to squander that by behaving in a way which, even its closest _ behaving in a way which, even its closest allies would think a minute, this doesn't — closest allies would think a minute, this doesn't seem right. wilde " isn't it? and — this doesn't seem right. wilde " isn't it? and we've _ this doesn't seem right. wilde " isn't it? and we've seen - this doesn't seem right. wilde " isn't it? and we've seen the - this doesn't seem right. wilde " - isn't it? and we've seen the change over the last few weeks starting off with we had rishi sunak here in the uk, we are offering this unequivocal support for israel, but the issue is that the longer these images play out on our tv screens every single night that the more likely people are going to come under pressure, leaders are going to come under

pressure before they are, the people in their own countries to be seen to be doing more, to go for these pauses and to do more in terms of the humanitarian aid. the pauses and to do more in terms of the humanitarian aid.— pauses and to do more in terms of the humanitarian aid. the pauses a ureat the humanitarian aid. the pauses a great idea. — the humanitarian aid. the pauses a great idea. l _ the humanitarian aid. the pauses a great idea, i think _ the humanitarian aid. the pauses a great idea, i think the _ the humanitarian aid. the pauses a great idea, i think the problem - the humanitarian aid. the pauses a great idea, i think the problem is l great idea, i think the problem is carrying it out, and asking hamas to actually honour it. i think there's very little chance that they would actually do that. i think we have to remind ourselves to, hamas' mission is the eradication of israel. israel's only response is to eradicate hamas. there is no good third option. so while all of us of course want to minimise or stop the civilian casualties, israel has to make that decision. that if they don't remove hamas now, they will just keep trying and conduct the same kinds of terrorist activities they did on october seven. so it's a brutal decision that has to be made. but israel is in a very very difficult position now. yeah 0k, well as we _

difficult position now. yeah 0k, well as we were _ difficult position now. yeah 0k, well as we were reporting - difficult position now. yeah ok, | well as we were reporting israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has warmed hezbollah not to get involved in the conflict. so what is hezbollah, and what have they said and done since october 7th? merlyn thomas from bbc verify has been analysing what we know, and is in the verify hub with more. since this conflict started on the 7th of october, tensions between israel and lebanon have been rising. and this is israel and the gaza strip where the war is unfolding. and here's lebanon, israel's northern neighbor. now you can see the border marked here in red. hezbollah is a powerful political and military force in lebanon. it's backed by iran and designated a terrorist organisation by western states, israel, gulf arab countries and the arab league. and hezbollah and israel have a long history, including in 2006, when a full blown war broke out between the two. so what has hezbollah's response been since the war began? there have been attacks on both sides. now, if you take a look at this map, this is the border between lebanon and israel.

analysts from geoconfirmed have been tracking these cross—border strikes by monitoring social media. now, the blue dots you can see here are strikes by israeli military and the red dots are the strikes by hezbollah. and this is a video released by hezbollah yesterday, claiming that it shows an attack on an israeli military base. by looking at the geography of the area, key road features and the shape of the buildings, we've been able to verify the location. and the israeli military have been retaliating using air strikes, tank and artillery fire against hezbollah positions in lebanon. this is a video released today by the israel defense forces, what it says are tank strikes on hezbollah in lebanon. they say these strikes hit hezbollah terrorist infrastructure and there have been casualties reported on both sides. so what does all of this mean for the war? well, this is hassan nasrallah. he's the leader of hezbollah who's been speaking today. he's a shia cleric who has led the group since 1992. and he's played a key role

and in turning it into a political as well as military force. now, he has close links with iran and its supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei, which dates from 1981. in a speech watched by thousands at a beirut rally, hassan nasrallah praised the hamas attacks on israel on the 7th of october, but said they were 100% palestinian. translation: this is the fist - operation, which has been a historic point and blast point. this was a palestinian decision 100% and supported by the palestinians 100%. hamas in gaza has repeatedly urged its allies to join the fight, but israel has warned of unimaginable consequences if hezbollah joins the israel—gaza war. and the army says its forces are on very, very high alert at its border with lebanon.

10 two, your reaction to what was said in that speech? —— ayesha. having no sense of compassion or horror— having no sense of compassion or horror of— having no sense of compassion or horror of what happened on the 7th of october. — horror of what happened on the 7th of october, to be praising the attacks— of october, to be praising the attacks on the 7th of october is absolutely chilling and immoral and terrifying _ absolutely chilling and immoral and terrifying. what also is interesting though _ terrifying. what also is interesting though it — terrifying. what also is interesting though it was the language about saying _ though it was the language about saying these were very much palestinian attacks, sending a signal— palestinian attacks, sending a signal and trying to convince the world _ signal and trying to convince the world that this was not, you know, done _ world that this was not, you know, done tty— world that this was not, you know, done tty iran — world that this was not, you know, done by iran. i'm not quite sure people — done by iran. i'm not quite sure people will— done by iran. i'm not quite sure people will believe that because we all know _ people will believe that because we all know that hamas is certainly propped — all know that hamas is certainly propped up and funded and well resourced through irani and channels. but certainly, look, if this spills— channels. but certainly, look, if this spills out into a wider

regional— this spills out into a wider regional conflict, we are all in a huge _ regional conflict, we are all in a huge amount of trouble. the situation _ huge amount of trouble. the situation is horrific as it is, but the geopolitical fallout if this goes — the geopolitical fallout if this goes wider is really terrifying and pretty— goes wider is really terrifying and pretty unimaginable. and, goes wider is really terrifying and pretty unimaginable.— goes wider is really terrifying and pretty unimaginable. and, joe, the reaction widely _ pretty unimaginable. and, joe, the reaction widely today _ pretty unimaginable. and, joe, the reaction widely today is _ pretty unimaginable. and, joe, the reaction widely today is being - pretty unimaginable. and, joe, the reaction widely today is being that l reaction widely today is being that people were quite relieved really because the last time that hezbollah spoke about this, this is the first time the leader has spoken, but they are saying we are fully ready to get involved and it did feel a little more imminent but there was a sense that perhaps he is leaving all the options opened, it seemed to be quite palpable relief after that speech. quite palpable relief after that seech. ~ . ., �* . ~ speech. welll mean, i don't take much of that _ speech. welll mean, i don't take much of that speech _ speech. welll mean, i don't take much of that speech to _ speech. welll mean, i don't take much of that speech to heart, i l much of that speech to heart, i think whether it is hamas in palestine or whether it's hezbollah in lebanon, the fact is they are both trained by the... traces back to iran and that's the source of this issue that's what needs to be done, and iran not only back to the

october seven terrorist attacks but they have made attacks on us service members now in iraq and syria in the last few weeks. so again, i know we're sort of soft pedaling a reaction to iran, because we've trying to engage them in recent years but i think that displays weakness and i think iran does not see engagement as a positive thing, they see it as a weakness, they see it as a way to take advantage and assert themselves further, and i think we let our ballistic missile sanctions lapse a few weeks ago against iran, the sooner the biden administration and our allies change course there, that's the only time we will be able to actually attack the source of these problems. it didn't seem to also be a shout out to its proxy groups, didn't it, almost sort of endorsing the attacks on us troops, how worrying was that? varying worrying. and again, going back to when the us was in iraq and

we would have proxy groups attack servicemembers in iraq, but yet we only responded in iraq itself. we would not go into the homeland of iran. and we respected that boundary for a very long time, and i'm not advocating regime change, i know that's not a popular position right now. but we do have to be realistic and not expect, not have this pollyanna —ish viewed that an arab spring is always around the corner. as long as we hold out that hope realistically and don't actually look at the hard facts in the middle east this is going to continue. yeah, ok. we'll talk more in a moment because i want to bring in my next guest. as we've been reporting, hezbollah has not said it will engage in full? blown conflict with israel. that's partly because a war waged on israel would result in the us becoming more involved, in order to defend its ally. this highlights how the us now finds itself stretched between three major geopolitical conflicts — the israel? gaza war, the war in ukraine, and its stated

rising threat from china in the asia? pacific. let's unpack this further with michael doyle, professor at columbia university and author of �*cold peace: avoiding avoiding the new cold war�*. how is the us doing, seeing how it so stretched in all these different directions? it so stretched in all these different directions? . . , so stretched in all these different directions? . . i, directions? it certainly is stretched, _ directions? it certainly is stretched, but _ directions? it certainly is stretched, but it - directions? it certainly is stretched, but it is - directions? it certainly is - stretched, but it is important to realise that this stretching is diplomatic, strategic, and financial. it�*s not a stretching that involves us boots on the ground and active combat. it�*s very different from the war on terror, which cost an estimated $8 trillion in the 20 year course of it. nevertheless these are real commitments and of interest to the biden administration. the first is the commitment to defend ukraine,

that�*s 75 billion so far, 60 billion to come. there�*s a commitment as well as we see in the middle east, to protect israel�*s legitimate right to protect israel�*s legitimate right to defend itself, but at the same time we are trying to deter an attack by hezbollah which seems to be working so far, by iran, also so far working. and at the same time, avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in gaza. then return to china, and then again we see a new and significant commitments by the biden administration on two locations it said we would defend taiwan and we are committing to keeping the sea lanes open in the south china sea. so a lot of commitments that have been made but they are strategic, diplomatic, financial. at the present time we are not in the framework that we were in for 20 years of the war on terror, which had us boots on the ground and a

national cost estimated at $8 trillion. . , , . trillion. yeah, 'ust seeing also today that — trillion. yeah, 'ust seeing also today that the — trillion. yeah, just seeing also today that the us _ trillion. yeah, just seeing also today that the us hasn't - trillion. yeah, just seeing also - today that the us hasn't announced a today that the us hasn�*t announced a new package of military aid, up to $425 million, i suppose it is inevitable isn�*t it, that it is moving down the priority list i suppose with all the focus being on gaza at the moment.— gaza at the moment. yes, that's certainly true. _ gaza at the moment. yes, that's certainly true. one _ gaza at the moment. yes, that's certainly true. one of _ gaza at the moment. yes, that's certainly true. one of the - gaza at the moment. yes, that's. certainly true. one of the scarcest commodities that exist today is the time of the president, secretary of state, secretary of defence, and now we see this spread to a new crisis that they never anticipated, they were surprised. of course as everyone else was. and it also opens up everyone else was. and it also opens up political risks at home, which makes it easierfor up political risks at home, which makes it easier for especially maga at republicans, now that they can beat their chests on supporting israel. so this is putting political

strains on this quite ambitious agenda that the ministration is put forward. shill agenda that the ministration is put forward. �* ., , forward. all of this with the presidential _ forward. all of this with the presidential election - forward. all of this with the i presidential election looming i suppose and a concern about voters and whether they care so much about foreign policy. how much is that playing on the mind do you think? most american elections are not one on foreign policy. if the country as a tactic there is a rally around the flag. if there is a disastrous and seemingly unnecessary war, the administration is punished. but most american elections are one of domestic issues. but the selection though it may not likely be fought on foreign policy, will have severe and significant consequences on foreign policy. mr trump, the leading republican candidate, gets elected, will see some very significant shifts. ukraine would have no reason to expect continued us support from what we�*ve heard so

far. nato in itself would indeed be in trouble. there will be continuity via v china, in regard to the middle east it�*s completely transactional. the trump administration was very close to the netanyahu government but somehow mr netanyahu stepped on the toes of mr trump and now it looks like it�*ll totally be erratic or transactional, looks like it�*ll totally be erratic ortransactional, it�*s looks like it�*ll totally be erratic or transactional, it�*s very hard to predict. the one thing we can be sure is a more consistent, more strident, more bellicose, more threatening policy towards iran. and threatening policy towards iran. and ou were threatening policy towards iran. and you were special adviser to un secretary—general kofi annan, weren�*t you? in terms of the un�*s ability to determine what�*s happening in gaza, i would you assess that? we�*ve had the un cheese antonio guitars really angering, when he talked about this not happening in a vacuum. the

when he talked about this not happening in a vacuum. the un role here as in many _ happening in a vacuum. the un role here as in many other— happening in a vacuum. the un role here as in many other instances, - happening in a vacuum. the un role here as in many other instances, is| here as in many other instances, is predominantly normative. that is, it�*s a form in which member states enunciate the principles that they think should guide a particular conflict. they condemn some and praise others. you probably know there was a vote in the general assembly, just a week ago. that brought in 128 countries in favour of a cease—fire. —— 28 countries in favour. there was an amendment to that for a temporary pause, along with a strong condemnation of the vicious hamas attack on israel, and that amendment issued by canada only got 88 post. so the cease—fire did not, it�*s predominantly a normative framework that is been set up. the

un's framework that is been set up. the un�*s real role is now under immense pressure and crisis is humanitarian. it provides through unrwa and other services, civil services have lost lives, the salt number is somewhere around 30 at this point. in their ability to provide service is very degraded. the who has described an emerging humanitarian catastrophe. state with me a moment mike, i�*m going to bring my paneling. state with me a moment mike, i'm going to bring my paneling. ayeshia, what do you — going to bring my paneling. ayeshia, what do you think _ going to bring my paneling. ayeshia, what do you think about _ going to bring my paneling. ayeshia, what do you think about this? - going to bring my paneling. ayeshia, what do you think about this? the i going to bring my paneling. ayeshia, | what do you think about this? the un does not have — what do you think about this? the un does not have a _ what do you think about this? the un does not have a hue _ what do you think about this? the un does not have a hue much _ what do you think about this? the un does not have a hue much amount. does not have a hue much amount of power— does not have a hue much amount of power any— does not have a hue much amount of power any more. it's very important from a —

power any more. it's very important from a symbolic point of view, it gives— from a symbolic point of view, it gives international players a form world _ gives international players a form world they can air their views and hopefully— world they can air their views and hopefully a — world they can air their views and hopefully a civilised manner but really _ hopefully a civilised manner but really when it comes down to it these _ really when it comes down to it these authorities, hamas, netanyahu, they're— these authorities, hamas, netanyahu, they're not— these authorities, hamas, netanyahu, they're not going to listen to what they're not going to listen to what the un _ they're not going to listen to what the un is— they're not going to listen to what the un is saying, so i'm afraid this kind of— the un is saying, so i'm afraid this kind of highlights that as our geopolitics moves on and is all the more _ geopolitics moves on and is all the more fragile, the un does seem quite toothless _ more fragile, the un does seem quite toothless in _ more fragile, the un does seem quite toothless in the face of all this. how— toothless in the face of all this. how do — toothless in the face of all this. how do you feel about that, michael? definitely. the role as normative. it definitely. the role as normative. it symbolic— definitely. the role as normative. it symbolic as _ definitely. the role as normative. it symbolic as the _ definitely. the role as normative. it symbolic as the previous - definitely. the role as normative. it symbolic as the previous figure | it symbolic as the previous figure 'ust it symbolic as the previous figure just said — it symbolic as the previous figure just said and _ it symbolic as the previous figure just said. and it— it symbolic as the previous figure just said. and it affects _ it symbolic as the previous figure just said. and it affects global. just said. and it affects global attitudes— just said. and it affects global attitudes and _ just said. and it affects global attitudes and they _ just said. and it affects global attitudes and they filter- just said. and it affects global attitudes and they filter down| just said. and it affects global. attitudes and they filter down to citizens. — attitudes and they filter down to citizens. at— attitudes and they filter down to citizens, at least _ attitudes and they filter down to citizens, at least in— attitudes and they filter down to citizens, at least in democratic. citizens, at least in democratic countries _ citizens, at least in democratic countries so— citizens, at least in democratic countries. so in— citizens, at least in democratic countries. so in the _ citizens, at least in democratic countries. so in the long - citizens, at least in democratic countries. so in the long run, i countries. so in the long run, there's— countries. so in the long run, there's a _ countries. so in the long run, there's a change _ countries. so in the long run, there's a change of— countries. so in the long run, there's a change of mood, i countries. so in the long run, there's a change of mood, ai countries. so in the long run, - there's a change of mood, a change of expectations, _ there's a change of mood, a change of expectations, but _ there's a change of mood, a change of expectations, but in _ there's a change of mood, a change of expectations, but in terms - there's a change of mood, a change of expectations, but in terms of- of expectations, but in terms of mediation — of expectations, but in terms of mediation or— of expectations, but in terms of mediation or military _ of expectations, but in terms of mediation or military pressure i of expectations, but in terms ofi mediation or military pressure or deterrence. _ mediation or military pressure or deterrence, those _ mediation or military pressure or deterrence, those are _ mediation or military pressure or deterrence, those are never- mediation or military pressure ori deterrence, those are never roles that the _ deterrence, those are never roles that the un — deterrence, those are never roles that the un can— deterrence, those are never roles that the un can play— deterrence, those are never roles that the un can play unless - deterrence, those are never roles that the un can play unless there| deterrence, those are never roles l that the un can play unless there is a significant — that the un can play unless there is a significant coalition _ that the un can play unless there is a significant coalition of— that the un can play unless there is a significant coalition of forces -

a significant coalition of forces and the — a significant coalition of forces and the backing _ a significant coalition of forces and the backing of— a significant coalition of forces and the backing of the - a significant coalition of forces| and the backing of the security council — and the backing of the security council including _ and the backing of the security council including all— and the backing of the security council including all of- and the backing of the security council including all of p5 - and the backing of the security council including all of p5 and i council including all of p5 and under— council including all of p5 and under those _ council including all of p5 and under those circumstances i council including all of p5 and l under those circumstances the council including all of p5 and i under those circumstances the un mediates — under those circumstances the un mediates but— under those circumstances the un mediates. but otherwise, - under those circumstances the un mediates. but otherwise, it - under those circumstances the un mediates. but otherwise, it is i under those circumstances the un mediates. but otherwise, it is a, i under those circumstances the un| mediates. but otherwise, it is a, a symbolic, — mediates. but otherwise, it is a, a symbolic, dramatic, _ mediates. but otherwise, it is a, a symbolic, dramatic, global- mediates. but otherwise, it is a, a symbolic, dramatic, global norm l symbolic, dramatic, global norm creator~ — symbolic, dramatic, global norm creator~ and _ symbolic, dramatic, global norm creator. and most _ symbolic, dramatic, global norm creator. and most of _ symbolic, dramatic, global norm creator. and most of the - creator. and most of the international— creator. and most of the international crises i creator. and most of the international crises that i creator. and most of the - international crises that emerge, and that— international crises that emerge, and that applies _ international crises that emerge, and that applies in _ international crises that emerge, and that applies in many- international crises that emerge, | and that applies in many different areas _ and that applies in many different areas and — and that applies in many different areas. and certainly— and that applies in many different areas. and certainly in _ and that applies in many different areas. and certainly in this- and that applies in many different areas. and certainly in this one, i areas. and certainly in this one, which _ areas. and certainly in this one, which is — areas. and certainly in this one, which is one _ areas. and certainly in this one, which is one where _ areas. and certainly in this one, which is one where the - areas. and certainly in this one, which is one where the great i areas. and certainly in this one, i which is one where the great powers including _ which is one where the great powers including iran— which is one where the great powers including iran as _ which is one where the great powers including iran as a _ which is one where the great powers including iran as a regional- which is one where the great powers including iran as a regional great i including iran as a regional great power. _ including iran as a regional great power. run — including iran as a regional great power. run the _ including iran as a regional great power, run the show _ including iran as a regional great power, run the show with - including iran as a regional great power, run the show with the i including iran as a regional greatl power, run the show with the us, including iran as a regional great i power, run the show with the us, the saudis _ power, run the show with the us, the saudis the _ power, run the show with the us, the saudi's, the israelis, _ power, run the show with the us, the saudi's, the israelis, very— saudi's, the israelis, very importantly, _ saudi's, the israelis, very importantly, egyptians i saudi's, the israelis, veryi importantly, egyptians and saudi's, the israelis, very- importantly, egyptians and others. this is— importantly, egyptians and others. this is a _ importantly, egyptians and others. this is a regional— importantly, egyptians and others. this is a regional scene _ importantly, egyptians and others. this is a regional scene where i importantly, egyptians and others. this is a regional scene where the i this is a regional scene where the un is— this is a regional scene where the un is only— this is a regional scene where the un is only a — this is a regional scene where the un is only a backdrop. _ this is a regional scene where the un is only a backdrop.— un is only a backdrop. right. and joe. un is only a backdrop. right. and joe, we un is only a backdrop. right. and joe. we were _ un is only a backdrop. right. and joe, we were just _ un is only a backdrop. right. and joe, we were just talking - un is only a backdrop. right. and joe, we were just talking earlier i joe, we were just talking earlier about the us being so stretched in all different ways. three fronts really. it�*s used to it, the us is used to that, isn�*t it? i suppose you could see it as a good time to shine. ~ . , .,

shine. well, we are used to it, unfortunately _ shine. well, we are used to it, unfortunately our _ shine. well, we are used to it, unfortunately our history i shine. well, we are used to it, unfortunately our history in i shine. well, we are used to it, | unfortunately our history in the last two decades is not spectacular. obviously we are going to do our best to support our allies, to try and spread peace in the middle east, to try to support our allies throughout europe and in different conflicts, and ukraine. but the us has to recognise that the strains on itself, too, both financial as well as... there is definitely a cultural limit to how far americans are willing to interview and foreign policies. like michael said, we are very good about rallying around the pellagra, but when we are attacked, americans are not as good at supporting our allies across the seas... biden has his hands full keeping people focused, in support of israel, support of ukraine, we tend to have unfortunately a short attention span in these areas. what attention span in these areas. what about the uk _ attention span in these areas. what about the uk and _ attention span in these areas. what about the uk and the _ attention span in these areas. what about the uk and the role it's about the uk and the role it�*s plain, how big a player it seems to be or otherwise in this, what do you

make of it? the be or otherwise in this, what do you make of it?— be or otherwise in this, what do you make of it? . , . ,., . make of it? the uk has an important historic role- — make of it? the uk has an important historic role. i _ make of it? the uk has an important historic role. i think— make of it? the uk has an important historic role. i thinkjust _ make of it? the uk has an important historic role. i thinkjust a _ make of it? the uk has an important historic role. i thinkjust a few- historic role. i thinkjust a few days was— historic role. i thinkjust a few days was the anniversary of the infamous — days was the anniversary of the infamous ball for decoration which .oes infamous ball for decoration which goes back— infamous ball for decoration which goes back to the origins of what we are saying — goes back to the origins of what we are saying now. i think we have to be realistic— are saying now. i think we have to be realistic that the uk, it wants to show— be realistic that the uk, it wants to show solidarity with israel, there — to show solidarity with israel, there is— to show solidarity with israel, there is an agreement between... and his majesty's official... i don't his majesty's official... idon't think— his majesty's official... i don't think netanyahu or anybody else is going _ think netanyahu or anybody else is going to _ think netanyahu or anybody else is going to change course just because of what _ going to change course just because of what the british government says ithink— of what the british government says i think that — of what the british government says i think that is true of other important western alleys, i spoke to the german ambassador last week he .ave the german ambassador last week he gave exactly the same point. he said germany— gave exactly the same point. he said germany particularly because of germany's history, always once to stand _ germany's history, always once to stand shoulder to shoulder with israel — stand shoulder to shoulder with israel in — stand shoulder to shoulder with israel. in terms of the hard—core

diplomacy, — israel. in terms of the hard—core diplomacy, as your previous commentator said, it is a regional place _ commentator said, it is a regional place and — commentator said, it is a regional place and really the americans are the only— place and really the americans are the only show in town.— place and really the americans are the only show in town. thanks very much to you. _ the only show in town. thanks very much to you, michael, _ the only show in town. thanks very much to you, michael, for - the only show in town. thanks very much to you, michael, forjoining i much to you, michael, forjoining us. the panel stay with us, but thank you very much to michael, for your time. and let�*sjust show thank you very much to michael, for your time. and let�*s just show you some live pictures of gaza right now, as you can see it�*s very hard to see anything at all because there is no electricity, you can see the odd light there obviously, the lines that we�*ve had out of there today are interesting, the thing from the pentagon saying it has confirmed that us drones have been flying over gaza in the wake of those attacks and what they called support of hostages. you�*re watching bbc news. will our viewers who are joining us from around the globe at right now. former president donald trump�*s son eric has finished giving testimony on friday in the new york civil fraud case against him, his family and their business.

eric trump was questioned about his involvement in his father�*s financial statements that eric signed off on, statements the court has already deemed fraudulent. these statements were then provided to banks in order to get to secure favourable loans. eric trump denied any wrongdoing and said he "believed everything in the statements was accurate". former president donald trump and his daughter ivanka trump are expected to take the stand next week. outside the court, eric trump spoke to reporters. what this state is trying to do to my father is absolutely inside. we have one of the greatest companies anywhere in the world. we employ thousands of new yorkers. these people, they make their living relying on us. they feed their families relying on us. we�*ve never missed a note, we�*ve never missed a payment, we�*ve never defaulted on a loan. we�*ve got some of the greatest properties in the world, and because you have an attorney general that plays politics with everything... you�*ve seen that time and time again. she effectively went after the last governor and threw him out of office because she wanted to run, and then she got 2% in the polls. all of you saw that. she�*s come after my father ruthlessly. every single day a trump is in this court, guess what?

she shows up. why? because it�*s her press moment.