which is, to get the hostages back, israel has to use force. it really, we think, _ is impossible to see how you can fight a war amongst these people. there's nowhere for them to go. and on our panel — amanda renteria, former aide to hilary clinton's campaign, and david gauke, former conservative minister. first, though, the latest on bbc news. the international criminal court has said it's "deeply concerned" by the bombardment and potential ground incursion by israeli forces in the southern gaza city of rafah, warning that anyone breaching international law would be held accountable. recent strikes were part of a rescue mission to free two hostages being held by hamas. it's thought around 1.5 million palestinians are currently

sheltering in rafah. labour says it's withdrawn support for rochdale by—election candidate, azhar ali, after his comments about israel. mr ali is alleged to have said israel "allowed" the deadly attack by hamas gunmen on 7th october and the party had faced increasing pressure to act. labour say it is too late to replace him as their candidate in the by—election, being held at the end of this month. tributes have been paid to marathon world record—holder kelvin kiptum, who died alongside his coach in a car crash in western kenya. the us state department has defended israeli air strikes on the city of rafah,

despite claims from hamas around 100 palestinians were killed. the strikes hit the city of rafah, on the border with egypt, as part of a rescue mission to free two hostages being held by hamas — designated as a terror group by the uk, us and other nations. around 1.5 million palestinians are currently sheltering in rafah, with hundreds of thousands fleeing there amid months of fighting in gaza. aid agencies say people have run out of places to go, and senior un officials have stepped up calls for israel to refrain from attacking the city. president biden has been discussing the conflict with the king ofjordan today — more on that shortly — but earlier the uk foreign secretary, lord cameron, warned israel's prime minister about the prospect of more military action in rafah. it really, we think, is impossible to see how you can fight a war amongst these people. there's nowhere for them to go. they cannot go south into egypt,

they cannot go north back to their homes because many have been destroyed, so we are very concerned about the situation and we want israel to stop and think very seriously before it takes any further action. unicef has described the conditions on the ground in rafah as "catastrophic," and other aid agencies have expressed concern about a potential israeli ground operation there. bbc verify�*s nick eardley has been looking at how the situation has changed in rafah since the october 7th attacks. expert have been mapping the two buildings. you can see it here, it starts in the north but over time it moves to the south, all the way down to rafah. so have people. it is ready forces have urged people to move south of time for their own safety, too. but many have ended up in areas where the fighting is taking place. the current flashpoint is rafah, just here beside the border with egypt. this is a

satellite image from october. and this is the change injanuary. tents now cover a wide area leading to rafah being dubbed a tent city. this verifi video gives a sense of conditions. tents have been built around a cemetery. you can see more in the distance, too. the population of rafah has shot up as people moved here. the un says it is now 1.5 million compared to a quarter of a million compared to a quarter of a million in 2022. this image shows some of the destruction. this appears to bejust some of the destruction. this appears to be just beside where the two israeli hostages were rescued last night. the idf says this video shows that rescue and is just beside the area where we have identified damage. israel's allies have expressed concern about the impact of an offensive, a particular worry is if there is anywhere safer people

to lead to. the rafah crossing is closed to post and israel has yet to lay out any evacuation plan. they say that will come when an offensive in rafah is concerned.— in rafah is concerned. thanks to nick for that. _ israel says these latest strikes in rafah were part of an operation to rescue two hostages. the israel defence force have released these images of the operation. the two hostages — aged 60 and 70, are argentinian citizens and were rescued from the second floor of a building in the centre of rafah. this is the moment fernando simon marman and louis har were reunited with their families back in israel, having been held hostage since being kidnapped from their kibbutz by hamas on 7th october. i'm joined now by bilal saab — senior fellow and founding director of the defence and security programme at the middle east institute.

but they could threaten an invasion to force hamas to accept. what but they could threaten an invasion to force hamas to accept.— to force hamas to accept. what do ou make to force hamas to accept. what do you make of _ to force hamas to accept. what do you make of the — to force hamas to accept. what do you make of the warnings - to force hamas to accept. what do you make of the warnings from - you make of the warnings from israel's allies? and how much influence do you think they will have? , ., influence do you think they will have? , . . , , .

have? they are warnings. they are concerns. until _ have? they are warnings. they are concerns. untilyou _ have? they are warnings. they are concerns. until you actually - have? they are warnings. they are concerns. until you actually see i concerns. until you actually see measurable about demonstrable adjustment in policy, it is concerns, warnings, they are obviously said for political consumption, especially for this administration which is increasingly under pressure by a public opinion that has shifted over several years on the issue of israel. there is less of a consensus frankly on the relationship, orat less of a consensus frankly on the relationship, or at least unconditional support for israel, but i have yet to see a single once again practical adjustment in policy, via wording, we are not even calling for a ceasefire, forgot�*s sick. calling for a ceasefire, forgot's sick. ., ., , calling for a ceasefire, forgot's sick. . . , ., calling for a ceasefire, forgot's sick. . ., ., , calling for a ceasefire, forgot's sick. . ., , . sick. that was going to be my final oint to sick. that was going to be my final point to yom _ sick. that was going to be my final point to yom we — sick. that was going to be my final point to you. we have _ sick. that was going to be my final point to you. we have had - sick. that was going to be my final point to you. we have had allies i point to you. we have had allies causing per pauses in fighting and callings for a ceasefire. what do you make of the fact, how realistic is all of that talk right now? this

bunker mentality _ is all of that talk right now? this bunker mentality of _ is all of that talk right now? ti 3 bunker mentality of the israelis is nothing new. they had been exercising it for such a long time. every time there is a war against israel's at the sarries. this is not new to them. they have been isolated every time they wager such high—intensity combat operations, and the only thing really that they care about is one constituency, which is the united states. so as long as the united states is not really dramatically shifted its policy on its relationship with israel then they feel they have some sort of a carte blanche to continue and you try to accomplish their military objectives, even though there's objectives seem less and less achievable and only time has proven that they are actually less achievable. proven that they are actually less achievable-— proven that they are actually less achievable. . ~ , ., , . ., achievable. thank you very much for our achievable. thank you very much for your time- — achievable. thank you very much for your time. thank _ achievable. thank you very much for your time. thank you _ achievable. thank you very much for your time. thank you for _ achievable. thank you very much for your time. thank you for giving - achievable. thank you very much for your time. thank you for giving us . your time. thank you for giving us your time. thank you for giving us your thoughts and coming on the programme. let's bring in the panel — amanda renteria, former campaign aide to hillary clinton and now ceo

of code for america, and david gauke, a former conservative minister. good to see you both. thank you for coming onto the programme and being our panel for the next hour or so. let's start with the events in rafah, then, and potentially this impending increase in ground operations by israel. amanda, let's start with you. what do you make of the us position and the us warning? yeah, i think president biden is still in — yeah, i think president biden is still in it— yeah, i think president biden is still in it very difficult situation in terms — still in it very difficult situation in terms of how do you apply pressure _ in terms of how do you apply pressure on netanyahu to make sure civilians _ pressure on netanyahu to make sure civilians are — pressure on netanyahu to make sure civilians are taken care of and at the same — civilians are taken care of and at the same time give room for netanyahu to do and really focus on the republican side are really focusing — the republican side are really focusing to do now. we are in an election— focusing to do now. we are in an election cycle. this is all complicated by what is coming at the president _ complicated by what is coming at the president as well as how do you educate — president as well as how do you educate folks in the time of war

when _ educate folks in the time of war when people can get their own information on what they are seeing? so this— information on what they are seeing? so this particular set of events i think— so this particular set of events i think adds — so this particular set of events i think adds more to the conversation but doesn't — think adds more to the conversation but doesn't necessarily guide america _ but doesn't necessarily guide america to a different direction. the pressures will continue to rise and i_ the pressures will continue to rise and i think— the pressures will continue to rise and i think you will continue to see the town— and i think you will continue to see the town also sharpen, but this administration has still a very careful— administration has still a very careful navigation now given the political — careful navigation now given the political climate and all that is at stake _ political climate and all that is at stake. . ., , ., stake. david, i want to get your wider thoughts _ stake. david, i want to get your wider thoughts in _ stake. david, i want to get your wider thoughts in a _ stake. david, i want to get your wider thoughts in a moment. i stake. david, i want to get your. wider thoughts in a moment. but first, can i start by asking you specifically on david cameron's comments and what you made of them? talking about the fact that there is very little room for people to actually move, nowhere to go, calling on israel to think very carefully before taking any more action. what did you make of his comments?— action. what did you make of his comments? ,. . ., ., comments? there is clearly a lot of concern within _ comments? there is clearly a lot of concern within the _ comments? there is clearly a lot of concern within the british _ concern within the british government as to what the humanitarian consequences will be.

for the israelis to go into rafah. i think the government is faced, the british government is faced with this challenge of, on the one hand, being quite supportive or very supportive of israel's objectives are getting the hostages back and removing the hamas threat to israel, which as we saw on the 7th of october is a very real, very considerable, but at the same time i think everybody is seeing the pictures coming out of gaza and can see the humanitarian consequences of the action. it's very, very serious indeed. and the concern that rafah, with a very large proportion now of the gaza population there, very heavily concentrated, nowhere really to go, and the fear of what is about to go, and the fear of what is about to happen in terms of loss of lives and so on is going to be even greater than what we have seen so

far. and i think david cameron is trying to strike a balance and stay totally sympathetic to what israel is trying to achieve, but is it achievable and at what cost? and is trying to achieve, but is it achievable and at what cost? and if ou were achievable and at what cost? and if you were sitting — achievable and at what cost? and if you were sitting around _ achievable and at what cost? and if you were sitting around that - achievable and at what cost? and if you were sitting around that cabinet table, but would be your contribution as opposed to that discussion?— discussion? look, ithink what happened _ discussion? look, ithink what happened to _ discussion? look, ithink what happened to israel _ discussion? look, ithink what happened to israel on - discussion? look, ithink what happened to israel on the - discussion? look, ithink what happened to israel on the 7th | discussion? look, i think what i happened to israel on the 7th of october was horrendous. i think it is entitled to defend itself. it's objectives are proportionate. i think the question is can they achieve them through the means that they are, employing and the damage thatis they are, employing and the damage that is actually done to israel's standing around the world, and i speak as someone who is very sympathetic to israel. it does become more difficult as time goes on. i think we should have a lot of

sympathy with the challenge israel faces. but as time goes on, the cost in terms of civilian lives in gaza becomes even greater, it is a much more difficult position to defend. david, amanda, thank you both. back with you both and just a second. us presidentjoe biden has been meeting king abdullah ii ofjordan at the white house to discuss the conflict in gaza. it's their first meeting since us troops were killed in a drone strike on an american base injordan, which the us blamed on an iran—backed militia. live now to our correspondent nomia iqbal, who's in washington. so what has been happening there? this is such a significant meeting because — this is such a significant meeting because king abdullah is the first arab leader to meet president biden since october the 7th, and we very much _ since october the 7th, and we very much know— since october the 7th, and we very much know what king abdullah has to say, where _ much know what king abdullah has to say, where he stands on this. they have _ say, where he stands on this. they

have already met at the white house. ithink— have already met at the white house. i think the _ have already met at the white house. i think the king is due to give a press _ i think the king is due to give a press conference shortly. the king once a _ press conference shortly. the king once a ceasefire, he also wants humanitarian aid into gaza and underlined that over the weekend, state _ underlined that over the weekend, state tv— underlined that over the weekend, state tv in— underlined that over the weekend, state tv injordan underlined that over the weekend, state tv in jordan over the weekend showed _ state tv in jordan over the weekend showed him in military uniform, on a plane _ showed him in military uniform, on a plane with _ showed him in military uniform, on a plane with a — showed him in military uniform, on a plane with a jordanian air force, taking _ plane with a jordanian air force, taking part — plane with a jordanian air force, taking part in airdrop of humanitarian aid into gaza. jordan has some — humanitarian aid into gaza. jordan has some field hospitals inside the conciave — has some field hospitals inside the conclave. president biden we know has resisted calls for a ceasefire, however — has resisted calls for a ceasefire, however his town on israel has become — however his town on israel has become a _ however his town on israel has become a bit harsher. last week, he .ave become a bit harsher. last week, he gave a _ become a bit harsher. last week, he gave a rare _ become a bit harsher. last week, he gave a rare rebuke in which said israei's — gave a rare rebuke in which said israel's offensive in gaza had gone over the _ israel's offensive in gaza had gone over the top. so in some respects the king _ over the top. so in some respects the king is— over the top. so in some respects the king is meeting president biden in a very— the king is meeting president biden in a very different mood to what president — in a very different mood to what president biden was in immediately after october the 7th. king abdullah canceiied _ after october the 7th. king abdullah cancelled a meeting with him at the time, _ cancelled a meeting with him at the time, after— cancelled a meeting with him at the time, after a strike on a hospital. he is— time, after a strike on a hospital. he is meeting the president in a very different mood, there is no

doubt _ very different mood, there is no doubt that— very different mood, there is no doubt that he will be continuing to push his— doubt that he will be continuing to push his calls for a ceasefire, but also the — push his calls for a ceasefire, but also the king has been very clear, as has— also the king has been very clear, as has his — also the king has been very clear, as has his wife, also at the white house, _ as has his wife, also at the white house, that they do want a long—term proposal— house, that they do want a long—term proposal and that is that they have never _ proposal and that is that they have never given up hope for a two state soiution _ never given up hope for a two state solution between israel and the palestinians, so we can expect them to he _ palestinians, so we can expect them to be discussing that, too. let's bring in the panel. we were seeing those images, and it just struck me about the us�*s place in the world, the us�*s continuing influence, which is considerable. but, as there are eight but to it now? what is your assessment of the actual power and influence the us has in the region? i actual power and influence the us has in the region?— has in the region? i think it is not necessarily _ has in the region? i think it is not necessarily a _ has in the region? i think it is not necessarily a bat _ has in the region? i think it is not necessarily a bat but _ has in the region? i think it is not necessarily a bat but a _ has in the region? i think it is not necessarily a bat but a when - has in the region? i think it is not necessarily a bat but a when is i has in the region? i think it is not| necessarily a bat but a when is the united _ necessarily a bat but a when is the united states going to wield its power— united states going to wield its power in — united states going to wield its power in a certain direction or the other— power in a certain direction or the other direction. what you have from this administration is the movie to

create _ this administration is the movie to create allies before taking any forceful— create allies before taking any forceful step, and so it was intentional clearly to have this meeting — intentional clearly to have this meeting now, and i think what we will see _ meeting now, and i think what we will see from here is a continual effort _ will see from here is a continual effort to— will see from here is a continual effort to build a broader support network— effort to build a broader support network on whatever the united states _ network on whatever the united states is — network on whatever the united states is going to do next. the key piece _ states is going to do next. the key piece to— states is going to do next. the key piece to making any strong move always— piece to making any strong move always begins with really building allies— always begins with really building allies first, and that has really been — allies first, and that has really been the _ allies first, and that has really been the biden administration way. and you _ been the biden administration way. and you were seeing it now. thank ou ve and you were seeing it now. thank you very much _ and you were seeing it now. thank you very much for _ and you were seeing it now. thank you very much for that. _ around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. double child rapist and murderer colin pitchfork will face a fresh hearing after challenging a decision to keep him behind bars. he was jailed for life for raping and strangling two 15—year—old girls in the 19805. he was granted parole but this was challenged by ministers and the parole board denied his release in december. police say they will

take no further action against the conservative mp andrew rosindell after he was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and misconduct in a public office. scotland yard said the evidence threshold for criminal prosecution had not been met. a spokesperson for mr rosindell said he had been "completely exonerated". and schools are spending tens of thousands of pounds more a year to meet rising costs of contracts with private firms. these private finance initiative schools are locked into 25—30—year contracts in which charges rise more than at other schools. pfi investors say the contracts give long—term value for taxpayers. you're live with bbc news. former us president — and likely republican nominee — donald trump is facing even more criticism from nato allies, after his comments at a weekend rally that he would "encourage" russia to attack any alliance member

that fails to pay its bills. german chancellor olaf scholz is the latest leader to rebuke the comment. translation: let me clearly say, due to recent developments, - that any relativising of nato's collective defence guarantee is irresponsible and dangerous and is only in russia's interests. nobody should play or bargain with europe's security. also today, mr scholz called for a massive increase in the european production of armaments. he was speaking during a ceremony for a major new arms manufacturing plant. the firm he was visiting says it will invest more than $300 million in the new factory, but the chief executive said it would take a decade before europe was ready to defend itself. the eu has so far fallen short of its goal to supply ukraine with the ammunition it needs to fight russia.

let's bring the panel back in, david and amanda. let's talk about these comments by donald trump. there's been plenty of reaction already over the weekend, but the reaction and the weekend, but the reaction and the criticism for many here in europe is continuing.- the criticism for many here in europe is continuing. yes, and for those of us _ europe is continuing. yes, and for those of us in _ europe is continuing. yes, and for those of us in the _ europe is continuing. yes, and for those of us in the united - europe is continuing. yes, and for those of us in the united states, i those of us in the united states, this has— those of us in the united states, this has been a constant. there is been _ this has been a constant. there is been with— this has been a constant. there is been with trump and russia since 2015. _ been with trump and russia since 2015, 2016, when he said on stage, russia, _ 2015, 2016, when he said on stage, russia, take — 2015, 2016, when he said on stage, russia, take a look at hilary's e-ntails _ russia, take a look at hilary's e—mails. the real question here is what _ e—mails. the real question here is what are _ e—mails. the real question here is what are republicans going to do? and right — what are republicans going to do? and right now there is a bipartisan bill that— and right now there is a bipartisan bill that has come out of the senate for aid _ bill that has come out of the senate for aid to— bill that has come out of the senate foraid to ukraine bill that has come out of the senate for aid to ukraine and israel, and so this— for aid to ukraine and israel, and so this comment was as much about trun1p _ so this comment was as much about trump asking american enemies to enter— trump asking american enemies to enter the _ trump asking american enemies to enter the political sphere but also sending _ enter the political sphere but also sending a — enter the political sphere but also sending a message to the house and really— sending a message to the house and really testing what they will do now that a _ really testing what they will do now that a book bipartisan bill is in front— that a book bipartisan bill is in front of— that a book bipartisan bill is in front of them for foreign aid. david, — front of them for foreign aid. david, european perspective, what do you make of it? i david, european perspective, what do you make of it?— you make of it? i think it 'ust demonstrates i you make of it? i think it 'ust

demonstrates how i you make of it? i think itjust| demonstrates how thoroughly dangerous it would be for european security if donald trump was to be re—elected as american president. he is essentially giving the green light to russia to wage war on some nato countries and making it really clear that america will not stand by its nato obligations if he is the president. talk that this is all about getting more money out of european countries. now, it is not. it is essentially an isolationist position, america retreating under trump would retreat from the western world, from europe, and given that we have already got a war going on in europe as a consequence of russian aggression it does demonstrate how serious this is. and it is a real challenge for european nations, including the uk, as to how can we cooperate, how can we work together to protect our own security if we no longer have a reliable ally

in the united states, who have been so important to our security since the creation of nato and obviously before that. as i say, it is pretty unhinged comments and extremely dangerous. and we should all be very alarmed at the prospect that he might return to the white house. amanda, just briefly, on that idea of the us not being that reliable ally. i would just wonder, personally or politically, what you make of that? 50 personally or politically, what you make of that?— make of that? so i do think right now that is _ make of that? so i do think right now that is a _ make of that? so i do think right now that is a question, - make of that? so i do think right now that is a question, what - make of that? so i do think right now that is a question, what is i now that is a question, what is going — now that is a question, what is going to — now that is a question, what is going to happen in the republican party? _ going to happen in the republican party? you are seeing candidate nikki _ party? you are seeing candidate nikki haley really going after trump based _ nikki haley really going after trump based on _ nikki haley really going after trump based on this unhinged behaviour, and what _ based on this unhinged behaviour, and what you also hear is people saying _ and what you also hear is people saying there is a whole system of making _ saying there is a whole system of making sure that we stay in nato, that we _ making sure that we stay in nato, that we are — making sure that we stay in nato, that we are strong allies and we will be — that we are strong allies and we will be there. and again, there is a

lot of— will be there. and again, there is a lot of news— will be there. and again, there is a lot of news that has come out about things— lot of news that has come out about things trump tried to do in the first— things trump tried to do in the first administration and wasn't able to because — first administration and wasn't able to because you had dedicated public servants— to because you had dedicated public servants who actually run a lot of the strategy that happens. i think this is— the strategy that happens. i think this is a _ the strategy that happens. i think this is a warning to republicans that are — this is a warning to republicans that are out there, it is something that are out there, it is something that personally makes me concerned and worried, but i am still hopeful about— and worried, but i am still hopeful about all— and worried, but i am still hopeful about all of the dedicated public servants— about all of the dedicated public servants who understand how important europe is and how important europe is and how important nature is to democracy and to the _ important nature is to democracy and to the united states. just important nature is to democracy and to the united states.— to the united states. just as he wra ed to the united states. just as he wrapped up _ to the united states. just as he wrapped up there, _ to the united states. just as he wrapped up there, president i to the united states. just as he i wrapped up there, president biden came to the microphone. so let's take a listen. he came to the microphone. so let's take a listen.— came to the microphone. so let's take a listen. he has been a good friend. take a listen. he has been a good friend- look— take a listen. he has been a good friend. look back _ take a listen. he has been a good friend. look back to _ take a listen. he has been a good friend. look back to the - take a listen. he has been a good friend. look back to the white i friend. look back to the white house, my friend. along with queen rhiana he was withjill now, and the crown prince. i thought it was coming out. at any rate, we have known each other many years and his majesty has been a good friend of

all these years, a steadfast partner, alongside the queen, and a beloved leader to their people. the partnership between united states and our allyjordan is strong and is enduring. today, the king and i discussed with our senior foreign policy staff the issue that is front and centre in the middle east and well beyond, the war between israel and the terrorist organisation hamas. four months ago on october the 7th, hamas attacked israel in an act of sheer evil. massacring more than 1200 innocent women, men and children. the deadliest day for the jewish people since the holocaust. more than 250 hostages were taken. 134 are still being held hostage by hamas. we don't know how many are still alive. the anguish that their families are interviewing week after week, month after month is

unimaginable. and it is a top priority for the united states to bring them home. i made clear the united states share the goal of seeing a mass defeated and ensuring long—term security to israel and its people. after october at seven attacks, hamas retreated back into gaza. its leaders live in underground tunnels stretching for over 100 miles between civilian infrastructure, including schools, playgrounds and neighbourhoods. the past four months, as the war has raged, the palestinian people have also suffered an unimaginable pain and loss. too many of the over 27,000 palestinians killed in this conflict have been innocent civilians and children, including thousands of children. and hundreds of thousands have no access to food, water or other basic services. many families have lost notjust one but many relatives and cannot mourn for them, even bury them because it is

not safe to do so. it is heartbreaking. every innocent life in gaza is a tragedy. just as every innocent life lost in israel is a tragedy as well. we pray for those lives taken. 50 tragedy as well. we pray for those lives taken-— lives taken. so president biden the 're lives taken. so president biden they're speaking _ lives taken. so president biden they're speaking in _ lives taken. so president bidenl they're speaking in washington. lives taken. so president biden - they're speaking in washington. we are going to be keeping across the words he is speaking there about the war and we will bring any new lines to you. that is it for the moment. i'm lewis vaughanjones. this is bbc news. hello. good evening. rather showery today towards the north—west of the uk, but for many of us it was dry with some decent spells of sunshine. and in the best of the sunny spells, then, it felt rather spring—like. but still a lot of standing water out there, particularly for central, southern england and the midlands. we're only going to be adding

to those rainfall accumulations, too, as we head through this week. big changes on the way. it will be turning wetter and also milder from the south—west. so the cooler air still in place through the day on monday. temperatures close to the seasonal average. and then that milder air comes streaming through, displacing that colder air to the far north of scotland for still a few days to come. now, today we've been seeing this little feature just run west to east, piling some showers into scotland. again, some of the showers wintry over the tops of the hills. and we'll still see some wintry showers over around 200 metres overnight tonight. again, a few showers just pushing into northern ireland and maybe through the pennines and into western wales as well. cloudier towards the south tonight, so here it's going to be a milder start to the day tomorrow, but still a frost possible from the north of england northwards. quite a sharp frost, i think, across parts of scotland. now, as we head through tomorrow, we look out towards the south—west to see these weather fronts just push that milder air in. so temperatures will be rising throughout the day.

there'll be brisk south—westerly winds and quite a lot of thickening cloud as well. it's a warm front, some mist and murk. outbreaks of rain on and off, the odd heavy downpour at times. that rain eventually pushing into the south—east of england and east anglia as we head through the afternoon. it's a bright start to the day across northern ireland, but it will cloud over here. the rain will arrive, maybe some cloud into southern scotland, but it's across scotland where we'll see probably the day's best sunshine. still some wintry showers, though, over the tops of the hills. and then that warm front continues to push northwards into scotland as we head through the day on wednesday. a sharp frost to start the day across northern scotland, and then some of this rain likely to turn to snow as it bumps into the colder air. further south, outbreaks of rain on and off. misty, murky out there, some hill fog, maybe a slice of sunshine through the midlands into east anglia and north wales there. but temperatures will start to rise on wednesday to 13—14 degrees in the south, and they could rise even further, perhaps, as we head through thursday. it's generally milder, wetter for the rest of the week. bye— bye.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. labour has withdrawn support for its candidate in the rochdale by—election after comments he made about the 7th of october attacks in israel.

labour has withdrawn its support for its candidate in the rochdale by—election after criticism of remarks he made about israel. azhar ali is alleged to have told a labour party meeting that israel had "allowed" the deadly attack by hamas gunmen on the 7th of october as a pretext to invade gaza. in the last hour or so, a party spokesperson said... and added... labour had stood by mr ali until now and had been under increasing pressure to act.