with the potential for the storm to enter her florida as a hurricane and leave florida as a hurricane on the atlantic coast, this could be the worst storm in over a century.- storm in over a century. we'll hear from _ storm in over a century. we'll hear from a — storm in over a century. we'll hear from a storm _ storm in over a century. we'll hear from a storm chaser- storm in over a century. we'll hear from a storm chaser on | storm in over a century. we'll. hear from a storm chaser on the ground and people in the path of the approaching hurricane. israel expands its ground operation against hezbollah into parts of south—west lebanon. 15,000 troops have now been deployed. explosions. hezbollah fires more than 100 rockets into northern israel — as the group's deputy leader calls for "ceasefire i'm anna foster live in beirut as air strikes continue. there doesn't seem to be a diplomatic solution in sight.

four becomes three — tory mps eliminate tom tugendhat from the race to be the next leader of their party. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. presiden biden has warned hurricane milton could be the worst to hit the state of florida in a century. the category four storm will make landfall in the next 48 hours. 51 florida counties are under a state of emergency, residents have been told to get out, fast. on monday, the mayor of the city of tampa said those who remained in areas subject to evacuation orders would die. as well as sustained winds of about 260 kilometres an hour, the hurricane is predicted to bring storm surges of up to 3.5 metres to western florida.

in the last hour president biden spoke to the white house. my biden spoke to the white house. my trip to germany and africa, try to work those out later, i just don't think i can get out of the country at this time. number one, numbertwo, we, we are going to stay focused with what's hitting us right now. i've been briefed by senior leaders of this administration and we are driving up... hurricane milton which could be one of the worst storms in a hundred years in florida, and continued efforts on hurricane helene. i urge everyone currently located in hurricane milton's past, to listen to local officials and follow safety instructions. shoulders are opened on the highways, everyone is heading out and if

you're under evacuation orders that you should evacuate now, now, now. you should've already evacuated. it's a matter of life and death, that's not hyperbole, it's a matter of life or death. that was president biden live on the programme. let's speak to adam lucio, who is a storm chaser in tallahassee. we heard the president they are saying it could be the worst of the century, it being described as a monster, what do you expect it is if it's a direct hit? ~ expect it is if it's a direct hit? . ., expect it is if it's a direct hit? . , ., hit? we are preparing for the worst case — hit? we are preparing for the worst case scenario. - hit? we are preparing for the worst case scenario. the - hit? we are preparing for the| worst case scenario. the area where this is forecast to make landfall hasn't seen a storm of this magnitude since 1921, that's over 100 years. the population has exploded in that time so this could be a situation similar to katrina where even if the storm is in a weakening phase, what will that allow the storm to do is expand

its wind field and broaden the reach of that storm surge. even if it doesn't make direct landfall, that storm surge is going to cover a very long area and we are preparing for that. one of the greatest dangers? is at the really high wind speeds or the storm surge?— or the storm surge? when it comes to — or the storm surge? when it comes to storm _ or the storm surge? when it comes to storm surge, - or the storm surge? when it comes to storm surge, it's l or the storm surge? when it i comes to storm surge, it's how fast the water comes in. it's almost like a tsunami. the waters can rise up to 10—15 feetin waters can rise up to 10—15 feet in a matter of minutes and it will catch you off—guard if you are not prepared for it and now we are anticipating it to make landfall over light so we are no longer going to have the light of day to see this wall of water coming. —— make landfall overnight. that will add to the emergency of the situation here. we add to the emergency of the situation here.— add to the emergency of the situation here. we are saying live pictures _ situation here. we are saying live pictures of _ situation here. we are saying live pictures of people - situation here. we are saying live pictures of people trying | live pictures of people trying to get out of the area, you are

heading towards it, i describe you as a storm teacher. what possesses you to head towards the hurricane like this is mac well, it's a mix of being fascinated by the power of mother nature and then wanting to help out. mother nature and then wanting to help out-— to help out. and to be of immediate _ to help out. and to be of immediate assistance i to help out. and to be of immediate assistance to | to help out. and to be of- immediate assistance to help in that scenario. there's a part of me that's fascinated by mother nature as well so we are one of the only cars driving south right now, traffic is very backed up going north. find very backed up going north. and live me very backed up going north. and give me an _ very backed up going north. and give me an idea _ very backed up going north. and give me an idea of what you're give me an idea of what you're saying, because presumably the saying, because presumably the closer you get, you must see closer you get, you must see all the damage from the last all the damage from the last hurricane that hit only a hurricane that hit only a couple of weeks ago. yes, i was couple of weeks ago. yes, i was actually already _ couple of weeks ago. yes, i was actually already in _ couple of weeks ago. yes, i was actually already in here - actually already _ couple of weeks ago. yes, i was actually already in _ couple of weeks ago. yes, i was actually already in here - couple of weeks ago. yes, i was actually already in here in - actually already in here in florida helping out with the couple of weeks ago. yes, i was actually already in here in - actually already in here in florida helping out with the relief from helene, so as we relief from helene, so as we are approaching the tampa area, are approaching the tampa area, the roads arejust lined the roads arejust lined are approaching the tampa area, the roads are just lined with are approaching the tampa area, the roads are just lined with debris. trees, furniture, all debris. trees, furniture, all sorts of things, and that's sorts of things, and that's going to make it even messier going to make it even messier

for this one. folks have barely for this one. folks have barely had a chance of what you're had a chance to even begin to clean up from the last one and now in the middle of that we will have to stop and prepare for the next one.— for the next one. final quick thought. — for the next one. final quick thought. are _ for the next one. final quick thought, are you _ for the next one. final quick thought, are you not - for the next one. final quick| thought, are you not scared, worried, heading towards when every official says if you are not in, out of the evacuation order you could die here? i’pe order you could die here? i've been through _ order you could die here? i've been through a _ order you could die here? is: been through a few of order you could die here? i"2 been through a few of these, order you could die here? i�*”2 been through a few of these, so i feel pretty confident in my abilities right now can we get there at least a day ahead of time to scout out locations. we need to know where we're going to retreat to, but there's always that fear of the unknown, every storm is different, mother nature will always throw a wild card in there that it doesn't matter how much we plan, there could always be something that happens that we don't plan for. the heightened sense of awareness, that's for sure. adam, good luck in the coming hours, thanks forjoining us. we've also been talking to others who are in the path of this storm. let's play a little

of an interview i did short while ago with a local radio host from tampa in florida and then a florida resident in the clearwater then a florida resident in the clea rwater area. then a florida resident in the clearwater area. jay has been covering the storm on his radio show. �* , , , , show. it's been pretty wild the last capple _ show. it's been pretty wild the last capple of— show. it's been pretty wild the last couple of days _ show. it's been pretty wild the last couple of days being - show. it's been pretty wild the last couple of days being a - last couple of days being a sports radio host, what we've turned into a storm show to everybody know that this is not a storm to be taken lightly. we put together our operation storm watch crew and we head down to miami from tampa and life and local starting on wednesday at 5am here eastern standard time, and we will be on as long as it

standard time, and we will be on as long a we will ride it they will say we will ride it out, to be honest with you there is a lot of people heating this warning, major evacuations. we left last night going south, majority of people going south, majority of people going north, to get out of the state completely. it's definitely a good sign that there are a tonne of people, probably way more than usual, taking to storm seriously. just looking at what the storm has done or is going to do or could do, it is very troublesome and there are a lot of people taking it seriously, we are very thankful for that. i’ll taking it seriously, we are very thankful for that. i'll be back to you _ very thankful for that. i'll be back to you in _ very thankful for that. i'll be back to you in a _ very thankful for that. i'll be back to you in a moment, i very thankful for that. i'll be | back to you in a moment, but let me bring lynn into the conversation. lynn, give me an idea of how the preparations you are making and whether you are considering moving? i am not considering _ are considering moving? i am not considering moving. i are considering moving? i am not considering moving. my parents _ not considering moving. my parents house which i'm taking my kids — parents house which i'm taking my kids and my animals too has hurricane — my kids and my animals too has hurricane impact windows and a whole _ hurricane impact windows and a whole house generator. the roof is also _ whole house generator. the roof is also reinforced, so we have

taken — is also reinforced, so we have taken all_ is also reinforced, so we have taken all the precautions that we can, — taken all the precautions that we can, and we were also not in an evacuation zone or a flood zone — an evacuation zone or a flood zone we _ an evacuation zone or a flood zone. we are pretty high and dry as— zone. we are pretty high and dry as far— zone. we are pretty high and dry as far as the county goes. i've _ dry as far as the county goes. i've also— dry as far as the county goes. i've also experienced many hurricanes from the florida keys — hurricanes from the florida keys which i have experience. we cannot _ keys which i have experience. we cannot have water or food coming — we cannot have water or food coming in _ we cannot have water or food coming in for several weeks that— coming in for several weeks that we _ coming in for several weeks that we are prepared for that. how— that we are prepared for that. how worried are you? you say you are a veteran of hurricanes, but every single forecasts suggest this one is going to be huge. i do realise that. my grandparents - going to be huge. i do realise that. my grandparents went l that. my grandparents went there — that. my grandparents went there andrew with no shutters on their— there andrew with no shutters on their house and barely survived _ on their house and barely survived. since then, every house— survived. since then, every house my— survived. since then, every house my parents have had, they put extra — house my parents have had, they put extra money it to reinforce it and — put extra money it to reinforce it and we — put extra money it to reinforce it and we are always making sure — it and we are always making sure we _ it and we are always making sure we are not in flood zones. my house — sure we are not in flood zones. my house is half hurricane impact _ my house is half hurricane impact windows that have not, because — impact windows that have not, because they are very expensive and the — because they are very expensive and the government does not offer— and the government does not offer enough opportunities to

help— offer enough opportunities to help you get them for your house. _ help you get them for your house, so that's why it i'm taking _ house, so that's why it i'm taking my— house, so that's why it i'm taking my kids and my animals and everything we don't want to lose to — and everything we don't want to lose to my— and everything we don't want to lose to my parents. find and everything we don't want to lose to my parents.— and everything we don't want to lose to my parents. and give me an idea, lose to my parents. and give me an idea. as _ lose to my parents. and give me an idea, as the _ an idea, as the storm approaches, the early effects of that or not yet, as were speaking? 50 of that or not yet, as were speaking?— of that or not yet, as were s-ueakin? ., , , ., speaking? so honestly, it would be a perfect _ speaking? so honestly, it would be a perfect beach _ speaking? so honestly, it would be a perfect beach day - speaking? so honestly, it would be a perfect beach day today i be a perfect beach day today if a hurricane was not coming. it is not — a hurricane was not coming. it is not too _ a hurricane was not coming. it is not too hot, there is a nice breeze — is not too hot, there is a nice breeze and _ is not too hot, there is a nice breeze and it's partly cloudy. we actually had worse weather yesterday, but i do know the hands — yesterday, but i do know the bands will start coming in as today— bands will start coming in as today goes on. let bands will start coming in as today goes on.— bands will start coming in as today goes on. let me put you today goes on. let me put you to the live — today goes on. let me put you to the live page _ today goes on. let me put you to the live page because i to the live page because continuous updates on the bbc�*s live page as this storm increases in intensity, it heads towards the florida coast that as you heard, president biden talking about perhaps it being the worst storm to hit florida in a century. so much preparation being done in these critical hours with those evacuation orders and you saw the pictures of so many people,

thousands of people actually fleeing from certain areas they are in florida. now as well as that, in a week since hurricane helene cause devastation in so many parts of the us in the middle of this election campaign, this information about the us government's response has been spreading on social media. bbc verify team has been finding out the truth and you can read more on the bbc news website about all of that and president biden also talking about that misinformation in that news briefing he gave just half an hour ago. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news.

you're watching bbc news. let's turn to the middle east now. the israeli military says, it's expanding its ground

offensive against hezbollah — by moving into a new zone, in south—western lebanon. it says, it now has some 15,000 soldiers deployed in the south of the country. hezbollah has fired more than 100 rockets at northern israeli cities — and while israel says it shot most of them down, there has been some damage in the port city of haifa. 0ur correspondent anna foster is in beirut. israel is making it clear they are now entering a new zone of lebanon and more rockets being fired in the other direction. that's right, we've used the word escalation a lot over the last week or so, but the facts on the ground really bear that out. as you are saying, israel now moving into more of the western area of southern lebanon, if you picture that buffer zone they've been focusing on the eastern side so far but they've now said they are working their way towards the southern lebanese city of

tyre. they cover a really large swathe of lebanon now, far further north in the area that's covered by a un resolution 1701 which is supposed to provide that buffer area, the area that has fighters and company are in, but israel clearly they've marked out an area that. —— has below. targeted and localised and limited, now being asked given the scale of the air strikes in the last couple of hours, exactly what israel intends to do there. doesn't want to that whole buffer zone? what is the israeli plan that comes to southern lebanon? in terms of resources being put into that operation is growing all the time. what israel says is that it's doing that to stop hezbollah firing rockets and missiles into northern israel

so around 60,000 or so people who are deeply displaced from their homes there can back. correspondent nick beek says there is particular concern in that area tonight especially as hezbollah have targeted haifa. this is a year to the day, of course, since hezbollah started to fire rockets into israel in solidarity, they said, with hamas and their own attacks the day before on october the 7th. and the striking and the targeting of haifa today is significant in itself. it's the second day in a row that israel's third city has been hit, and two of the five missiles that were fired yesterday, for example, managed to get through. and that prompted some concern among people about what was happening. but also, it was the first time in 18 years that haifa had been hit. the previous time was back in 2006, during the last time that hezbollah and israel

were engaged in this sort of ground warfare. so i think there is concern and there has been an escalation. certainly we've seen it today with the more than 100 rockets reported to have been fired from south lebanon by hezbollah into israel. that was nick beek in southern lebanon. that war has been taking place, in particular we seen again the idf today focusing on areas around the jabaliya camp in gaza, again they seem to be redoubling their efforts there, perhaps to fit in with this anniversary of the october 7 attacks, and philippe glaz arena any has said that now a year on, the whole of the gaza strip is now reliant on humanitarian assistance. we are becoming wordless. we soon have exhausted all our vocabulary to try to describe what has become a wasteland, what has become

an unliveable area. this war has been the war of all the superlatives. look at the number of civilian and people who have been killed. the number of humanitarian workers, unrwa workers. the level of destruction. the number of times people have been moved around like pinballs. and basically, there is a kind of a post—apocalyptic atmosphere prevailing right now in gaza, where people are just in pilot automatic mode trying to confronting, uh, death, confronting disease, confronting hunger, hunger, which, by the way, has also been man made in the gaza strip. the entire population of gaza, in fact, is dependent on humanitarian assistance. it is true that a few months

ago we were very close to a familiar situation. there have been a number of alarms. we have been able at that time to increase, in fact, the number of trucks entering into gaza. but i would say since a few months ago the number has significantly decreased. we have no food relief item entering into the north anymore. and the one in the south of gaza, i would say a quarter of the level of what we used to do at the peak time few months ago. it is also i think it important to look at irani in reaction to this. hamas in gaza, has below here in lebanon, both prescribed terror organisations —— hezbollah. what's interesting is the way iran is trying to link the two. i will play an interview in a moment, but i'll go to the un, antonio

gutierrez on the middle east situation. . situation. the nightmare in gaza is now _ situation. the nightmare in gaza is now entering i situation. the nightmare in gaza is now entering an i gaza is now entering an abominable second year. this has been _ abominable second year. this has been a year of crisis. humanitarian crisis, political crisis. — humanitarian crisis, political crisis, diplomatic crisis and a moral— crisis, diplomatic crisis and a moral crisis. overthe crisis, diplomatic crisis and a moral crisis. over the last year. _ moral crisis. over the last year, following the horrific terror— year, following the horrific terror attacks perpetrated by hamas — terror attacks perpetrated by hamas on the 7th of october, gaza — hamas on the 7th of october, gaza has— hamas on the 7th of october, gaza has become ground zero to a level— gaza has become ground zero to a level of— gaza has become ground zero to a level of human suffering that is hard — a level of human suffering that is hard to — a level of human suffering that is hard to fathom. more than 41,000 — is hard to fathom. more than 41,000 people have been reportedly killed, mostly women and children. thousands more are missing and believed to be trapped — are missing and believed to be trapped under the rubble. virtually the entire population has been displaced and no part of gaza — has been displaced and no part of gaza has been spared. people have _

of gaza has been spared. people have been— of gaza has been spared. people have been killed at a level not seen — have been killed at a level not seen in — have been killed at a level not seen in modern times, and humanitarians, those who have dedicated — humanitarians, those who have dedicated their lives to helping others, are facing unprecedented epic dangers. a record — unprecedented epic dangers. a record number equalling so many members — record number equalling so many members of our un family, have paid with — members of our un family, have paid with their lives. the vast majority— paid with their lives. the vast majority of those killed were part — majority of those killed were part of— majority of those killed were part of the backbone of humanitarian relief operations in gaza, — humanitarian relief operations in gaza, unrwa. in the midst of all the _ in gaza, unrwa. in the midst of all the upheaval, or more, more than _ all the upheaval, or more, more than ever— all the upheaval, or more, more than ever is— all the upheaval, or more, more than ever is indispensable, it is irreplaceable. that is why i have — is irreplaceable. that is why i have written directly to israeli _ have written directly to israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu to express profound concern — netanyahu to express profound concern about draft legislation that could prevent unrwa from continuing its essential work in the — continuing its essential work in the occupied palestinian territory. such a measure would suffocate — territory. such a measure would suffocate efforts to relieve human _ suffocate efforts to relieve

human suffering tensions in gaza — human suffering tensions in gaza and _ human suffering tensions in gaza and indeed the entire occupied palestinian territory. it would — occupied palestinian territory. it would be a catastrophe in what — it would be a catastrophe in what is _ it would be a catastrophe in what is already an unmitigated disaster — what is already an unmitigated disaster. let's be clear in practical— disaster. let's be clear in practical terms what such a measure _ practical terms what such a measure would mean. professionally, the legislation would — professionally, the legislation would likely deal a terrible blow — would likely deal a terrible blow to _ would likely deal a terrible blow to the international humanitarian response in gaza. from _ humanitarian response in gaza. from a's— humanitarian response in gaza. from a's activities are integral— from a's activities are integral to that response. —— when — integral to that response. —— when with _ integral to that response. —— when will. it will effectively end coordination to protect un convoys. — end coordination to protect un convoys, offices and shelters, serving — convoys, offices and shelters, serving hundreds of thousands of people. without unrwa, food and aid _ of people. without unrwa, food and aid to gaza's population would — and aid to gaza's population would help. without unrwa, gaza 's children— would help. without unrwa, gaza 's children would lose the only entity— 's children would lose the only entity that is able to restart education, risking the fate of

an entire _ education, risking the fate of an entire generation. and without— an entire generation. and without unrwa, many social services _ without unrwa, many social services would also end and the occupied — services would also end and the occupied west bank including east — occupied west bank including eastjerusalem. ifapproved, east jerusalem. if approved, such— eastjerusalem. ifapproved, such legislation would be opposed to the un charter and in violation of international law — in violation of international law. national legislation cannot— law. national legislation cannot alter those obligations. and politically, such legislation would be an enormous setback to sustainable peace _ enormous setback to sustainable peace efforts and to a two state _ peace efforts and to a two state solution, fanning even more — state solution, fanning even more instability and insecurity. these draft legislation comes at the situation in which gaza is in a death— situation in which gaza is in a death spiral. the latest developments in the north are especially dire. we are witnessing a clear intensification of military operations by israel.

residential areas have been attacked, hospitals order to evacuate an electricity cut off, — evacuate an electricity cut off, with _ evacuate an electricity cut off, with no fuel or commercial goods— off, with no fuel or commercial goods allowed in. around 400,000 people are being pressed yet again to move south to an _ pressed yet again to move south to an area — pressed yet again to move south to an area that is overcrowded, polluted — to an area that is overcrowded, polluted and lacking the basics for survival. consider the situation _ for survival. consider the situation for a family elite in the jabaliya refugee camp in the jabaliya refugee camp in the north. they were ordered to move _ the north. they were ordered to move from _ the north. they were ordered to move from their home in october 2023, _ move from their home in october 2023, operation subsided and they— 2023, operation subsided and they return. they were once again — they return. they were once again ordered to evacuate and december 2023. active operation subsided — december 2023. active operation subsided and they returned. they— subsided and they returned. they were ordered again to evacuate in may 2024. active operation _ evacuate in may 2024. active operation subsided and they returned. and just this month, they— returned. and just this month, they were _ returned. and just this month, they were once again ordered to evacuate — they were once again ordered to evacuate. the conclusion is

clear— evacuate. the conclusion is clear - _ evacuate. the conclusion is clear — there is something fundamentally wrong in the way this war— fundamentally wrong in the way this war is being conducted. ordering _ this war is being conducted. ordering civilians to evacuate does — ordering civilians to evacuate does not _ ordering civilians to evacuate does not keep them safe if they have _ does not keep them safe if they have no— does not keep them safe if they have no safe place to go and no shelter. — have no safe place to go and no shelter, food, medicine or water _ shelter, food, medicine or water. and no place is safe in gaza — water. and no place is safe in gaza and _ water. and no place is safe in gaza and no—one is safe. international law is unambiguous — civilians everywhere must be respected and protected and their essential needs must be met including through humanitarian assistance. all hostages must be released at a strongly condemn all violations of international humanitarian law international humanitarian law in gaza — international humanitarian law in gaza. meanwhile, southern gaza — in gaza. meanwhile, southern gaza is— in gaza. meanwhile, southern gaza is overwhelmed, supplies are running low and is authorities are only allowing a single — authorities are only allowing a single unsafe road for aid from the kerem shalom crossing where

many— the kerem shalom crossing where many israelis face armed looting _ many israelis face armed looting faced by desperation and public order safety. i've warmed _ and public order safety. i've warmed four months —— i've warned _ warmed four months —— i've warned for— warmed four months —— i've warned for months that it is a power— warned for months that it is a power keg and one party is holding a match. the situation in the — holding a match. the situation in the west bank is boiling over— in the west bank is boiling over and _ in the west bank is boiling over and now in the west bank is boiling overand now in in the west bank is boiling over and now in lebanon attacks including — over and now in lebanon attacks including on civilians are threatening the entire region. 0ver— threatening the entire region. over the _ threatening the entire region. over the last few days exchanges of fire from hezbollah in lebanon and israel defense — hezbollah in lebanon and israel defense forces have intensified across— defense forces have intensified across the line in total disregard of civilians... we are going _ disregard of civilians... we are going to _ disregard of civilians... 2 are going to leave antonio guitar is there that bleak assessment he is giving there at the united nations. more here on bbc news in the next little while.—

little while. the toll has already surpassed i little while. the toll has j already surpassed 2006 little while. the toll has i already surpassed 2006 war in lebanon~ — already surpassed 2006 war in lebanon. attacks by hezbollah and south of the line have killed _ and south of the line have killed at _ and south of the line have killed at least 49 people over the last — killed at least 49 people over the last year. lebanese authorities report overi authorities report over 1 million _ authorities report overi million people have been displaced in lebanon and 300,000 people have fled into syria _ 300,000 people have fled into syria. over 60,000 people remain— syria. over 60,000 people remain displaced from northern lsrael~ — remain displaced from northern israel. recently, the idf started _ israel. recently, the idf started incursions across the blue — started incursions across the blue line _ started incursions across the blue line. we are on the verge of an— blue line. we are on the verge of an all—out war in lebanon with— of an all—out war in lebanon with already devastating consequences. but there is still— consequences. but there is still time to stop. the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected. and members of our own— be respected. and members of our own peacekeeping force in lebanon — our own peacekeeping force in lebanon continue to carry out their— lebanon continue to carry out their mandates to the extent possible. the mission relies on

full compliance by all parties. i want — full compliance by all parties. i want to— full compliance by all parties. i want to get them to express my gratitude and admiration towards _ my gratitude and admiration towards peacekeepers. the men and women are serving and what is today— and women are serving and what is today the most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere. their safety and security _ anywhere. their safety and security must be assured and we must _ security must be assured and we must do — security must be assured and we must do far more on the humanitarian front. the 426 million _ humanitarian front. the 426 million us dollars of humanitarian aid for lebanon is only— humanitarian aid for lebanon is only 12%— humanitarian aid for lebanon is only 12% funded. i urge donors to step — only 12% funded. i urge donors to step up _ only 12% funded. i urge donors to step up. ladies and gentlemen of the media, the conflict — gentlemen of the media, the conflict in the middle east is getting _ conflict in the middle east is getting worse by the hour and our warnings about the horrific impacts— our warnings about the horrific impacts of escalation keep coming _ impacts of escalation keep coming to pass. every air strike, _ coming to pass. every air strike, every missile launched, every— strike, every missile launched, every rocket fired pushes peace further — every rocket fired pushes peace further out of reach and makes the suffering even worse for

the suffering even worse for the millions of civilians caught— the millions of civilians caught in the middle. that is why— caught in the middle. that is why we — caught in the middle. that is why we cannot and will not give up why we cannot and will not give up on _ why we cannot and will not give up on our— why we cannot and will not give up on our cause for immediate cease-fire _ up on our cause for immediate cease—fire both in gaza and lebanon~ _ cease—fire both in gaza and lebanon. the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and immediate life—saving aid to all those who — life—saving aid to all those who desperately need it. and that is— who desperately need it. and that is why we cannot and will not give — that is why we cannot and will not give up on our calls for irreversible action or a two state — irreversible action or a two state solution between israel and palestine. all people in the region deserve to live in peace _ the region deserve to live in peace. thank you.— the region deserve to live in peace. thank you. thank you secretary _ peace. thank you. thank you secretary general. _ peace. thank you. thank youj secretary general. yesterday the iranian former... secretary general. yesterday the iranian former. . .- the iranian former... you are listening _ the iranian former... you are listening to _ the iranian former... you are listening to the _ the iranian former... you are listening to the secretary i listening to the secretary general talking about a broad range of issues on the current conflict in the middle east. he started by defending the un

agency that looks after palestinian refugees, unrwa, let's listen to some of the questions. let's listen to some of the questions-— let's listen to some of the questions. the road map to implement _ questions. the road map to implement 1701, _ questions. the road map to implement 1701, what i questions. the road map to i implement 1701, what should be the first— implement 1701, what should be the first at? _ implement 1701, what should be the first at? we _ implement 1701, what should be the first at? we are _ implement 1701, what should be the first at? we are asking i implement 1701, what should be the first at? we are asking for. the first at? we are asking for a cease-fire _ the first at? we are asking for a cease—fire both _ the first at? we are asking for a cease—fire both in _ the first at? we are asking for a cease—fire both in gaza i the first at? we are asking for a cease—fire both in gaza andl a cease—fire both in gaza and in lebanon~ _ a cease-fire both in gaza and in lebanon.— a cease-fire both in gaza and in lebanon. . ~' ,, , . in lebanon. thank you very much secretary general, _ in lebanon. thank you very much secretary general, i _ in lebanon. thank you very much secretary general, i have - in lebanon. thank you very much secretary general, i have a i secretary general, i have a question— secretary general, i have a question about the peacekeepers there _ question about the peacekeepers there as — question about the peacekeepers there. as you know, the israeli army. — there. as you know, the israeli army. the _ there. as you know, the israeli army, the idf has set up a firing — army, the idf has set up a firing position right adjacent to outpost 652 where irish soldiers _ to outpost 652 where irish soldiers are currently stationed. what are your concerns now as the fighting moves — concerns now as the fighting moves forward, move north 's —— northwards— moves forward, move north 's —— northward's we are very concerned, i had a chance to speak— concerned, i had a chance to speak with your prime minister and after— speak with your prime minister and after that i did a number of talks—

and after that i did a number of talks with different entities and i can now tell you israeli — entities and i can now tell you israeli tanks and other armed i strongly appeal to both parties to fully respect the safety and security. thank you very much. that was un security. thank you very much. t'isgit was un secretary—general taking a couple of questions. you heard him talking about irish peacekeepers, members of the peacekeeping force who are right there in that area when the fighting is going on between the idf and hezbollah. they are not there to be part of that battle, they are there other un resolution 1701 as peacekeepers to assist the lebanese army. the lebanese army and not getting

involved in either.