of genocide brought by south africa. and rishi sunak makes a surprise visit to kyiv as the uk announces its £2.5 billion aid package for ukraine. let's go straight to the hague and bring you some of the pictures from inside the international court of justice, where it is hearing israel's response to south africa allegations that it is committing genocide in gaza. this is the final day of hearings at the un's hi scott. south africa is asking the icj to issue an injunction to stop israel's campaign and israel is arguing that it is acting in self—defence according to humanitarian law. yesterday south africa achieves the highest levels

of the israeli state of nurturing genocidal intent against palestinians in gaza. let's listen in to the court.— palestinians in gaza. let's listen in to the court. these commitments are a matter — in to the court. these commitments are a matter of _ in to the court. these commitments are a matter of express _ in to the court. these commitmentsj are a matter of express government policy, military directives and procedures. they are also an expression of israel's core values, and as shall also be shown, they are matched by genuine measures on the ground to mitigate civilian harm under the unprecedented and excruciating conditions of warfare created by hamas. it is inconceivable under the terms set by this very court that the state conducting itself in this way in these circumstances may be said to engage in genocide, not even prima facie. the key component of genocide, the intention to destroy people in whole or in part, is totally lacking. what israel seeks

by operating in gaza is not to destroy a people, but to protect the people, its people, who are under attack on multiple fronts, and to do so in accordance with the law even as it faces a heartless enemy, determined to use that very commitment against it. as will be detailed by counsel, israel's aims in gaza have been repeatedly articulated by its prime minister, is defence minister and all members of the war cabinet. as the prime minister reiterated again this week, israel is fighting hamas terrorists, not the civilian population. israel aims to ensure that gaza can never again be used as a launch pad for terrorism. as the prime minister reaffirms, israel seeks neither to permanently occupy gaza or to

displace its civilian population. it wants to create a better future for israelis and palestinians alike where both can live in peace, thrive and prosper and where the palestinian people have all the power to govern themselves but not the capacity to threaten israel. if there is a threat to that vision, if there is a threat to that vision, if there is a humanitarian threat to there is a humanitarian threat to the palestinian civilians in gaza, it stems primarily from the fact that they have lived under the control of a genocidal terrorist organisation that has total disregard for their life and well—being. that organisation, hamas, and its sponsors seek to deny israel, palestinians and arab states across the region the ability to advance a common feature of peace, coexistence, security and prosperity. israel is in a war of

defence against hamas, not against the palestinian people, to ensure that they do not succeed. in these circumstances, there can hardly be a charge more false and more malevolent than the allegation against israel of genocide. the applicant has regrettably engaged in applicant has regrettably engaged in a transparent attempt to abuse the convention's compulsory mechanism, to bring under the purview of the court matters over which, in truth, it lacks jurisdiction. court matters over which, in truth, it lacksjurisdiction. madam president, members of the courts, the genocide convention was a solemn promise made to thejewish people and to all peoples of never again. the applicant, in effect, invites the court to betray that promise. if the court to betray that promise. if

the term genocide can be so diminished in the way that it advocates, if provisional members can be triggered in the way that it suggests, the convention becomes an aggressor�*s charter. it will reward, indeed encourage the terrorists who hide behind civilians at the expense of the states seeking to defend against them. to maintain the integrity of the genocide convention, to maintain its promise and the court's and roll as its guardian, it is respectfully submitted that the application and request should be dismissed for what they are, a libel, designed to deny israel is the right to defend itself according to the law from the unprecedented terrorist onslaught it continues to face.— unprecedented terrorist onslaught it continues to face. studio: that was the le . al continues to face. studio: that was the legal adviser _ continues to face. studio: that was the legal adviser of _ continues to face. studio: that was the legal adviser of these _ continues to face. studio: that was the legal adviser of these really - the legal adviser of these really ministry of foreign affairs, speaking at the hague. we will bring

you updates throughout the day on bbc news. the united states and britain have carried out military strikes from the air and sea against houthi locations in yemen in response to the rebels' ongoing attacks on ships in the red sea. the us central command said over 60 targets at 16 houthi positions were attacked, including command centres, munitions depots and air defence systems. a houthi leader, mohammed al—bukhaiti, has condemned the attack and vowed to continue its support for palestinians in gaza and its attacks on ships in the red sea. russia and iran have condemned the attacks and china has expressed concern. live now to our political correspondent peter saull. can you talk us through what the british government has been saying about why it decided to launch these

attacks inside yemen? the about why it decided to launch these attacks inside yemen?— attacks inside yemen? the rhetoric has been getting — attacks inside yemen? the rhetoric has been getting stronger - attacks inside yemen? the rhetoric has been getting stronger in - attacks inside yemen? the rhetoric has been getting stronger in recentj has been getting stronger in recent days. the defence secretary grant shapps said, watch this space, a couple of days ago, about this growing concern about attacks on ships in the red sea. and now alongside american allies, they have decided to take this action. there was a hastily convened cabinet called last night. the leader of the opposition, keir starmer, was invited too, as was the speaker of the house of commons. together, they were briefed on what the government was intending to do. it has in a way, is a bit of a bolt from the blue. it was not something that was dominating the agenda here in westminster. the focus was on lots of more domestic issues. nevertheless, a huge decision that the prime minister has taken to get involved in this american military

action, a decision that no prime minister would take lightly. the line from the government is that this is an act of self—defence because of those attacks from hutu rebels on ships in the red sea, that this is a proportionate, measured approach. we will see whether there are more attacks in the coming days and whether this does escalate. because that is the risk when you intervene militarily overseas, that things get out of hand. we have seen that with previous foreign interventions, so this is a decision they will not have taken lightly. there are countries like the iranians, who are allied with the houthis, the chinese and the russians. britain has difficult international relations with russia because of what is going on in ukraine. quite a delicate situation in that region and one that the uk will not want to exacerbate. but

domestically, rishi sunak has made getting inflation down one of his top priorities, and the concern is, with ships having to take much longer routes around the african continent to avoid these attacks, it will push up costs and prices for consumers in the shops in the uk, so no doubt that would have been a consideration. the no doubt that would have been a consideration.— no doubt that would have been a consideration. . , ., ., , consideration. the impact is already ha - eninu consideration. the impact is already happening in _ consideration. the impact is already happening in terms _ consideration. the impact is already happening in terms of _ consideration. the impact is already happening in terms of the _ consideration. the impact is already happening in terms of the price - consideration. the impact is already happening in terms of the price of. happening in terms of the price of goods and there could be further increases on feel as well. there has been criticism from opposition parties, particularly the lib dems, talking about how there should have been a debate in parliament about this. as you said, it wasn't dominating the agenda in recent days and they didn't get a chance to discuss it before britain took action. ~ ., discuss it before britain took action. ~ . ., action. what the government said in resonse? action. what the government said in response? parliament _ action. what the government said in response? parliament is _ action. what the government said in response? parliament is not - action. what the government said in response? parliament is not sittingl response? parliament is not sitting today. it doesn't tend to on friday, said the liberal democrats have put out a statement saying parliament should be recalled to sit over the weekend. the scottish national party, the third largest party in westminster, say the same thing that parliament should be consulted on

this. the labour party, though, their leader keir starmer has been on the airwaves saying they support this action. there may be labour mps who disagree, there may be conservative mps too. no doubt the prime minister will give a statement next week, but in a way, it has already happened. the air strikes have taken place. if there were to be more, it would be difficult for the british government to row back at this stage. the liberal democrats believe there should be a retrospective vote on military action in the red sea. a lot of people in westminster are just digesting what happened last night, because it all came very quickly. some of the opposition parties will still be formulating their responses, frankly. but the prime minister will be aware that whenever you take military action overseas, it is going to be controversial and it is going to be controversial and it is going to be controversial and it is going to come in for criticism.— criticism. our political correspondent - criticism. our political correspondent peter | criticism. our political- correspondent peter saull. we're joined now by british liberal

democrat mp, layla moran. you have sent out your statement. let me read out a line that has come to us from the wires, a statement from hamas saying that the us and uk strikes on yemen will have repercussions. layla moran, hello to you. peter saull was talking about the fact that keir starmer and the speaker were called to downing street and informed about the plans, but you don't think that was enough of a consultation? ha. but you don't think that was enough of a consultation?— of a consultation? no. for two reasons- _ of a consultation? no. for two reasons. firstly, _ of a consultation? no. for two reasons. firstly, all— of a consultation? no. for two reasons. firstly, all mps- of a consultation? no. for two reasons. firstly, all mps have| reasons. firstly, all mps have constituents whose voices deserve to be heard in this and just because the leader of the opposition has been consulted, the other party leaders, to my knowledge, were not. there is also an important

convention here, which was hard fought off the back of the iraq war, whereby even if it were retrospective, and there are examples of retrospective votes that have happened in the past, notably syria, that convention was only broken in those 20 years by the 2018 non—vote by theresa may where we didn't have a chance to have that vote. wanting a debate and they vote isn't necessarily dissent. it is asking questions that need to be answered. the most important question is the endgame and the risk of escalation. the liberal democrats have said repeatedly that what the houthis are doing is against international law and that we support the un resolutions that say they must stop. but the response has to be balanced carefully with the chances of escalation. if to be balanced carefully with the chances of escalation.— chances of escalation. if you had had a chance _ chances of escalation. if you had had a chance to _ chances of escalation. if you had had a chance to debate - chances of escalation. if you had had a chance to debate this, - chances of escalation. if you had i had a chance to debate this, would you have said you supported the uk

government taking action? we asked for the recall — government taking action? we asked for the recall last _ government taking action? we asked for the recall last night, _ government taking action? we asked for the recall last night, hoping - for the recall last night, hoping they might be able to recall parliament for today so that we can have answers to those questions. another question we have is over the overall strategy and approach not just what is happening in the shipping lanes, but the links to what is happening to the war in israel and gaza. the liberal democrats have called for an immediate ceasefire in part because we could see that the longer that this went on, the more likely it was that it would ignite the tinga box —— tinderbox in the region. i know people think you going to parliament and you already know how you are going to vote. actually, when it comes to military action in putting service personnel on the front line, we are the only other country in active military operation with the us on this, so it is important that mps take that seriously and have the

debate and then the conclusions. it might be that parliament would have voted for it. but might be that parliament would have voted for it. �* ., ., , ., , voted for it. but now that this has happened. _ voted for it. but now that this has happened. do _ voted for it. but now that this has happened. do you _ voted for it. but now that this has happened, do you support - voted for it. but now that this has happened, do you support what i voted for it. but now that this has i happened, do you support what the voted for it. but now that this has - happened, do you support what the uk government has done injoining the us in these attacks, or not? hat us in these attacks, or not? not until we have _ us in these attacks, or not? ijrrt until we have had a debate. we haven't had a chance to have the proper briefing. who did they consult? did they speak with saudi arabia, egypt and jordan? these are all important players in the region. as much as it does affect the cost of living crisis with the way it has impacted the shipping lanes, every person watching this today will have higher food person watching this today will have higherfood prices person watching this today will have higher food prices and person watching this today will have higherfood prices and energy prices as a result of what is happening, but if that gets out of control, it could become even worse. there are questions that need to be answered. there is also a 20—year—old convention that came out of the debacle that was the iraq war that has been broken again. these things

need to be debated, and then we could make up our minds. but to the principle of whether the houthis should be stopped, i would put it to the government that if they put pressure to have that immediate bilateral ceasefire, they take out the rug from under what the houthis are using as their excuse to commit these heinous acts. to are using as their excuse to commit these heinous acts.— these heinous acts. to put the government — these heinous acts. to put the government side, _ these heinous acts. to put the government side, they - these heinous acts. to put the government side, they say - these heinous acts. to put the l government side, they say they these heinous acts. to put the - government side, they say they are acting in self—defence. you will have heard them talking about how a british ship was attacked in the last 48 hours and that it was self—defence to disrupt the capacity of those attacks, notjust on commercial ships, of those attacks, notjust on commercialships, but of those attacks, notjust on commercial ships, but on a british warship. commercial ships, but on a british warshi. , , commercial ships, but on a british warshi. ~ , ., warship. absolutely, i do understand. _ warship. absolutely, i do understand. when - warship. absolutely, i do understand. when we . warship. absolutely, i do l understand. when we were warship. absolutely, i do - understand. when we were talking warship. absolutely, i do _ understand. when we were talking of legislating for this, and it is liberal democrat policy to legislate this convention into law, it was understood that there will be times when the timing of these things is out of our hands, either in a quick

response or because we are working with allies who decide the timing for us. it sounds like it is the us who have decided the timing on this one. we understand that that can happen, but that is why we are calling for an immediate vote. and evenif calling for an immediate vote. and even if it is retrospective, this might not be the end of it. we have heard of potentially retaliatory measures from the houthis and others. is this going to ignite something bigger? what is our plan for that? who have we spoken to? i don't think it is unreasonable that as mps, we are able to ask this question on behalf of our constituents and then hold firm to the hard—fought conventions we forged in the wake of the iraq war. layla moran from the liberal democrats. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bringing you different stories from across the uk. dawn in the ashdown forest. and immediately, we spot a herd of fallow deer.

stalker charlie harwood has a hugejob on his hands, trying to reduce the numbers of the animals, which he says have now reached unprecedented levels. we are estimated to have around 14.2 deer per square kilometre around the ashdown forest. in comparison to where we want to end up, scotland have suggested that five is a healthy number to be around. but shooting the animals is very controversial, and some see culling as a cruel and ineffective way of controlling numbers. the ashdown forest's own countryside manager agrees a dramatic increase in the deer population is affecting native wildlife, and says numbers need to be sustainably managed. for more stories, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news.

rishi sunak is on a rare visit to ukraine to meet volodymyr zelensky. the prime minister's visit coincides with an announcement that britain will give ukraine more than $3 billion in military support for the next financial year. it's the largest annual commitment the uk has made to ukraine since russia's invasion nearly three years ago. mr sunak is also expected to sign a new agreement which will commit britain to supporting ukraine's long term security. officials said the package would be focused on providing long range missiles, air defence and artillery shells. let's ta ke let's take you back to the international court ofjustice in the hague. we are getting a live feed from inside the court. this is the un's high school and it is here in israel's response to south africa's allegations that the committee is —— the countries committing genocide in gaza. specific reaction. it is disingenuous for the professor to conclude that. israel must have been

aware from south africa's public statements and referral to the icc of israel's genocidal acts that a dispute existed between the two states. this is not a dispute, it is a unispute, a one—sided clapping of hands. the professor perhaps tries to retrieve the situation by declaring that special considerations apply to the existence of dispute concerning article nine, without telling us what those conditions could be. we come now to the rather bizarre story of the exchange of notes available. professor dugard would have us believe that such exchanges are merely a matter of courtesy, of little consequence. this is not the normal understanding of such notes

and their importance in international relations. but he says this for a reason, as we shall see. studio: that is the professor representing israel's defence against the charges south africa was talking about that the countries committing genocide in gaza. we will continue to follow this and there is plenty more on the abc news website. —— the plenty more on the abc news website. -- the bbc plenty more on the abc news website. —— the bbc news website. this plenty more on the abc news website. -- the bbc news website.— -- the bbc news website. this is incorrect- — -- the bbc news website. this is incorrect. israel— -- the bbc news website. this is incorrect. israel did _ -- the bbc news website. this is incorrect. israel did indeed - -- the bbc news website. this is i incorrect. israel did indeed respond that very day, informing south africa that the note verbale has been forwarded and that the response was expected shortly. south africa confirmed the next day that it had received the message. on the 26th of

december, the of israel �*s ministry of foreign affairs proposed with his counterparts in the department for international relations and cooperation of south africa by text to schedule a meeting at his earliest convenience to discuss the issues raised. on the 27th of december, the embassy sent to south africa by e—mail at note verbale suggesting a meeting of prospective director—general at the earliest convenience to discuss the issues raised. an attempt by the embassy to hand deliver the note was refused, due to a national holiday and the south african department of international relations specifically advised the embassy on the 28th of december to hand deliver the note on the 2nd of january. december to hand deliver the note on the 2nd ofjanuary. the december to hand deliver the note on the 2nd of january. the application was instituted on 29th december.

this was an attempt by the state of israel, in good faith, to open a dialogue and discuss south africa's concerns. but not only was this ignored at the relevant time, but south africa proceeded to institute proceedings the following day and declared in its application that no reply had been received to its note verbale, which was patently not the case. perhaps realising the effect of this, south africa, with some haste, sent a note verbale on the 4th haste, sent a note verbale on the 11th of january which essentially just repeated the contents of the note of the 21st of december. but it explains the following day in a letter to the registrar that the israeli note had not been received by the appropriate team. israel has proof of receipt. it also stated that a dispute is not capable of

resolution by way of her bilateral meeting. nevertheless, it suggested that they held a meeting the next morning. israel replied the next morning, expressing surprise that south africa had instituted proceedings without taking up the sincerely made offer to hold consultations and conveying its wish for discussions to be held following the close of these oral hearings. south africa, in a note dated the 10th of january, south africa, in a note dated the 10th ofjanuary, summarily and surprisingly in the circumstances said there was no point in such a meeting. curious indeed. south africa decided unilaterally that a dispute existed irrespective of israel's friendly response, since repeated. perhaps had south africa taken up this offer, at the time proffered as a result of its own

note, the parties may have decided there was no dispute as such the place before the court under the genocide convention. and that south africa's concerns over the genocide allegation would have been assuaged. we may never know. south africa's passivity and institution of proceedings for that option. it's a point worth underlining — south africa did not give israel a reasonable opportunity to engage with it on the matter is under consideration before filing its no doubt long preferred application. one wonders whether south africa, at the last moment, realised it needed to show the existence of a dispute under the terms of the genocide convention and proceeded to hastily formulate and dispatch a flurry of notes. ,, , ., ., , .,

notes. studio: you are listening to professor malcolm _ notes. studio: you are listening to professor malcolm sean _ notes. studio: you are listening to professor malcolm sean casey, - professor malcolm sean casey, representing israel's defence against the charges brought by south africa to the international court of justice citing genocide in gaza. we will stay across this feed, which is coming to us from inside the court in the hague and we will bring you updates throughout the day on bbc news. time for a look at the weather. hello. we have got a window of slightly less cold weather for the next couple of days. we did not see such widespread ice and frost around this morning, certainly compared to earlier in the week. still quite chilly and cloudy for many of us. but temperatures not as low as they have been. high pressure holding onto our weather. the winds rotating, coming in off the atlantic and the north sea, bringing quite a lot of moisture and that blanket of cloud for most of us. clearer skies today across scotland. could be the odd lingering misty patch around. temperatures 2—4 across scotland

but for most of us, typically 6—8. into the evening and we will see this weather front in the north slipping further south, bringing a bit of overnight rain to scotland and some snow on the very highest mountains. that will slip further south across parts of northern ireland and northern england on saturday morning but either side of that, clear spells. a bit of frost first thing tomorrow, a colder morning than this morning. through the day on saturday, a fair amount of dry and bright weather, a few splashes of light rain for northern ireland, north wales and perhaps in the midlands. sunny spells breaking through the cloud either side of that. reasonably mild, 5—8 on saturday. still lower than average but not as cold as it has been. into sunday, the wind turns more northerly. you can see the white colours of snow showers starting to move in across north and north—eastern scotland in particular. most of us still relatively dry and quiet on sunday. the change in wind direction through sunday into monday brings a chance of some snow showers, particularly for parts of scotland and also some exposed coasts around the irish sea

and the north sea as well. heading through into tuesday, we could well see this area of low pressure starting to move in. the potentialfor a bit more sleet and snow for parts of northern ireland, scotland, perhaps into northern england for tuesday and wednesday. midweek onwards, as we head through wednesday and into thursday, we still have a cold northerly wind in the north. low pressure may well stay across france but it has the potential to be a bit further north. just a small chance on wednesday and thursday of wintriness in the far south of england but again it will mostly be parts of scotland and northern ireland that see the chance of something a bit more wintry. either way, next week looks colder with northerly wind setting in. some snow showers, could be some disruption. keep tuned to the latest forecast.

live from london. this is bbc news. this is the scene live at the international court ofjustice, which is today hearing israel's defence against accusations of genocide brought by south africa. explosions across yemen as us and uk forces launch air strikes against houthi rebel targets in retaliation for attacks on commercial ships in the red sea. uk prime minister rishi sunak says that the strikes are a "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self—defence".

a senior houthi leader warns that the us and uk would "pay a heavy price" and says the attacks on ships are set to continue. hello, i'm lucy grey. let me take you straight to these live pictures from the hague, where israel is presenting its response to the international court ofjustice — after south africa claimed its actions in gaza were genocide. it's the second and final day of hearings at the united nations' highest court. let's listen in. or are being committed. _ let's listen in. or are being committed, but _ let's listen in. or are being committed, but it - let's listen in. or are being committed, but it does - let's listen in. or are being l committed, but it does have let's listen in. or are being - committed, but it does have to show that the genocide convention is in play. after all, this court has no jurisdiction to consider any other alleged crimes, however serious. we are only concerned with genocide. it

is indeed a difficult balance for the court.