berlin. the death toll rises after a suicide bombing at a mosque in pakistan. more than 60 people are dead after the attack in the city here. most of them police officers. the taliban committee has claimed responsibility. also on the program, the u.s. secretary of state, antony blinken meets benjamin netanyahu and calls for urgent steps to

restore calm after the latest outbreak of violence between israel and palestinians. dissent in iran for those who dare to speak out against the regime. india remembers its founding father 75 years after he was assassinated by a religious extremist. we will look live it one of the most celebrated leaders in world history. to our viewers joining us around the world, welcome. more than 60 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a mosque in pakistan. the attack left does were injured and in critical condition. the blast occurred close to the

border with afghanistan. many of the victims were police officers from a law enforcement complex. >> panic on the streets, and alleged suicide bombers detonated his vest at a mosque during afternoon prayers. killing dozens and hurting more than one 150 people. emergency crews raced to the scene. some using their barehands to free those trapped in the rubble. cliques there was chaos at the site. i rescued seven people and put them in ambulances. one portion of the mosque had totally collapsed and the blast. i cannot give you the exact figure of casualties. there were many worshipers at the time of the explosion. >> most of the victims remembered the pakistan security services. the mosque is located inside a police compound and a high-security area with other

government buildings. it is a major security breach and it is not yet clear how the bomber was able to slip into the walls compound and blow himself up among the hundreds here. >> the mosque is adjacent to the office of the senior superintendent of police. we were preparing ourselves for prayer. we were on the stairs when the blast happened. we rescued some wounded people. >> the pakistani taliban have claimed responsibility for the blast. the i spoke to this journalist in karachi and she told us more about the casualties and the search operation following the bomb blast. >> what we do know at the moment

is 165 others are injured. we do know at least three dozen people remain trapped. earlier, four people were rescued. two others are still underway. cities across pakistan are on high alert. >> we heard it in the report, the mosque that was attacked is inside the police compound. this blast really indicates a major security breach. how are authorities investigating this? >> absolutely. this is the major security breach. what we had not heard is what they plan to do in these days. it is important to know that the

taliban commander clearly states this is the fourth attack. pakistan authorities really plan to define how they actually view the security set up in the days ahead. >> the pakistani taliban have claimed responsibility. what more do we know about the group operation in pakistan and the links with the afghan taliban? they have come out and condemned the attack, have not they? >> absolutely. each unravels players within liars. other factions are disputing their claim. it is interesting to know that the taliban crossed the border and condemned the attack largely, saying that mosques are not to be attacked. one could see how the situation unravels with regards to the

shower in pakistan. >> thank you for that update. the u.s. secretary of state is visiting israel and the palestinian territories as the region contends with a fresh spike in violence. lincoln met with the israeli prime minister in jerusalem for the first time since netanyahu formed a new far-right government. in a joint press conference reiterated that the united states supports a 2 -- a two state solution. the visit follows a series of violent incidents that have u.s. officials worried about a major escalation. a short while ago, we spoke to a journalist here in jerusalem. here are his takeaways. >> it is clear the two different visions when it comes to the attitude toward the palestinians -- blinken was talking about the vision of the two state solution. he was saying no steps should be

taken that would take the parties away from the two state solution. we know that netanyahu's government does not support a two state solution. netanyahu was presenting his philosophy. he was saying what israel has to do is make more relations with other arab countries. he was talking about the dramatic breakthrough with other arab countries. the idea is after israel will reach peace with neighboring arab countries, they did not mention saudi arabia. this is the country israelis are talking about. then it would be easier to reach peace with palestinians. blinken criticized netanyahu for the progress with the weakening of the judiciary. >> blinken did most of all call for calm and this current situation. how big our fears of a further escalation of tensions?

>> there is a fear here. i would say there is fear for both sides. israelis are saying there could be more attempts to launch attacks and palestinians are saying with the way israel is collectively punishing families of perpetrators and also launching a campaign of demolitions of houses and east germany and so forth, all of this will push toward more violence. the fear is there. >> this was the first tiebreak since netanyahu formed the coalition with far-right forces. has this impacted u.s. israeli relations? question relations between israel are very strong. when it comes to military exchange of information,

intelligence and so forth. i know that when it comes to other issues such as the kind of legislation israel is going to be passing and turning the judiciary weaker, these are the kinds of things we consume. not only the administration but the circus in american public opinion. >> this has been a trip along time in the making. what else did the pair talk about? request the parties discussed iran and syria. in the press conference, they were talking about the nuclear threat but behind closed doors, they were discussing the recent events. they were talking about a strike in iran.

according to reports, we are talking about a place where the iranians are producing missiles and the american newspaper said it was israel behind it. in israel, they are saying they did not take responsibility. they said americans want to distance themselves. following that strike, there have been two strikes in the border between iraq and syria. there was a convoy that left from iraq to syria and we know israel has been launching attacks in syria against the iranian back is and according to reports, in this convoy, they were not only supplies of food and goods but also a supply of arms. these trucks were targeted by israeli strikes.

what happened after that, the senior iranian official came to the site to observe the cause of this in syria. there was yet another strike in which he was killed. now there are threats from iran that they will retaliate. in israel, there is concern there would be retaliation. >> a very complicated situation. thank you for breaking it down for us. thank you so much. iran's parliament has proposed a new law that further limit free speech as the regime moves to crack down further on descent. those convicted could face up to 15 years in prison and financial penalties since the nationwide protests began about four months ago, about 20,000 demonstrators have been arrested. four of them have been executed. many ordinary iranians have decided to still speak their minds. >> we are approaching tehran. my visit will be restricted to

iran's capital. that is one of the conditions of my stay. the next morning, i head off to foreign ministry. i have to wear a headscarf. another condition of my visit. on the way, i noticed just how much graffiti there is, slogans against the regime and many places they have been painted over. >> there is a press conference at the ministry. about the eu plan -- officials are convinced it won't come to that. >> don't you think there has been a change inside of the european union when it comes to the policy toward iran? >> it is time some countries gave up on their failed policies. we will never succumb to such political pressure. >> after four months of unrest, there are now fewer protests on the streets but many women are stage in their own protest, not

wearing headscarves on the street despite the danger. we talked to a couple, we have made them anonymous for their own safety. >> are you afraid of your government? >> yes. we are very afraid. the state is ruthless. they don't show mercy to anyone. not with children, women or men. >> do you hope for others? >> of course. if we don't have hope, we have nothing to live for. it is the reason for living. >> reporting on the fight for freedom has become dangerous. more than 80 iranian journalists have been arrested including this photographer. i spoke to her but not in a way that could have put our remaining camera team in danger. she has been sentenced to six years. she is just waiting to be summoned to go back to prison.

class i left my mind in prison. there are a lot of young girls 18 years old you cannot even imagine how the situation is there. >> she wants her voice to be heard for as long as possible and that is exactly what the islamic republic fears. people willing to fight for their freedom. >> a quick look at some other stories making headlines around the world today. the polish prime minister says the country is planning to spend 4% of its growth -- roasted nesting product on its military this year. it would be the highest percentage among all nato countries. poland is working to expand its army following russia's invasion of ukraine. and a russian strike has killed one person and wounded three more in the eastern ukrainian city of our cave. according to the regional governor, a missile hit a residential building on sunday.

at least three more people were killed by a russian selling -- russian shelling in the city of harris on. russian forces in eastern ukraine have been focusing their firepower on the city of buffalo for months now, fighting there is among the heaviest scene in the world with extreme casualties on both sides. ukraine has been ramping up pressure on western allies to deliver more weapons to block any russian advance. they say german howitzers are already making a difference. >> we had out not long after daybreak following ukrainian soldiers do and artillery site near the front line. a self-propelled howitzer vehicle from germany has been stationed here since mid-2022. the soldiers using were trained in germany. >> has the howitzer changed much here? >> very much. we used to use so we artillery. comparatively, these machines are much quicker and they moved

-- they maneuver much better. they can fire much faster and they are much more precise. the technology is good. it does break down. when it comes to germany, that was great, i liked it. they trained us well. i am very happy i was there and i got some experience. that has helped us a lot. >> the soldiers have to bring the gun into an open field to use it. they are targeting russian tank units along with their artillery, only about eight kilometers from here. the soldiers were in us it is about to get extremely loud. we met the spokesman for ukraine's military command in the east. >> we think it would be ideal if we had aircraft as well.

military helicopters. we are very grateful for everything we receive and we use what we get. it is an investment, not only in our national security but also in the whole of europe. where -- we are sadly losing very human -- we are sadly losing very few human lives. >> the same day we see firsthand just how dramatic the situation in the donetsk region has become. russian rockets have struck constantine in the middle of a residential area. killing three people. the destruction continues. on the edge of the forest, the soldiers moved the howitzer back into the hiding spot. one of their biggest concerns is that it would be discovered by the russian military. we can't stay long. before we go, we are allowed a quick glimpse inside the howitzer. it is particularly dangerous here. >> we are very close to buck mood.

we are defending back mood. it is the focal point right now. cliques as we leave the site, we can already hear the russian artillery in the distance again. their assault on the city continues. >> moving to peru now where the countries congress has been due to debate, holding nationwide elections this year. the south american country has been torn by political turmoil in recent weeks. almost 50 people have died. the president has urged congress to add warning. she appealed earlier to congress to vote in favor of snap elections. >> ladies and gentlemen of congress, you have to understand your historic response ability. tomorrow, you have the opportunity to earn the trust of the country by attending to this long demand by the peruvian people.

vote for peru in favor of the country, bring the elections forward to 2023 and let's tell all of peru with the highest responsibility that we are all committed. if the consensus in congress does not move along tomorrow to discuss the bring forward of the election, the executive will immediately be presented to legislative initiatives as a matter of urgency. >> a lot of moving parts there. with me to discuss the crisis is dw's latin american department. she wants to see these snap elections sooner rather than later. why is congress not going along? >> the first resistance is a very profane one.

one of the problems of the peruvian political system are they are not allowed to run for reelection. the difficult one is there are a lot of different interests. they don't vote with a single voice very often. it is very difficult to see. i think we can say the leftist groups are voted against the new election. they are hoping to link the new elections. the right groups are in fear of this.

they will have momentum. they are the ones that will have the status quo. >> many motivations there. she obviously wants to give into protester demands. one of the central demands is they want to see her gone. why doesn't she just stepped out? >> she and her prime minister are probably in fear of prosecution. they might be in fear of that. >> the situation has been a long time coming. it has a lot to do with historic disenfranchisement, people feeling let down by the political elite. is there anyone that could step up now and steer the country into a better direction to solve

this crisis? >> that is part of the tragedy of peru. this is about the authority to lead peru to a new election. it is part of the tragedy of the crisis in peru in the last 20 years. congress and the political class have become more and more medicalized. >> thank you so much. it isn't -- to new zealand our record rainfall is pounding the island for a third straight day. >> chris has described the flooding as unprecedented.

>> waiting waist deep. dozens of homes have been damaged beyond repair. residents are processed in the shock. >> it was a swarm of people, first responders and everything. fortunately, everyone got out. quick the prime minister, chris higgins flew into see the extent of the damage.

>> it is a little bit overwhelming. >> experts are warning that more severe weather is underway. for at least the next few days, this is home. for those waiting out the storm. >> india is marking the 75th anniversary of the assassination of gandhi. modi paid their respects at a memorial settlement -- memorial ceremony in delhi. he was famed for his nonviolent resistance of the british role that helps bring about -- he was assassinated by a hindu-nationalist. more on what indians today make of gandhi.

>> today is designated as martyrs day. it is the 75th anniversary of the assassination of gandhi. there have already been ceremonies at the place worked gandhi was cremated. enter religious ceremonies and now, they move the ceremonies here at this place where gandhi lost his life. he was shot dead by a nationalist not too long ago. he had his dying was in this house. they will be singing in honor of gandhi. let me ask them what they should feel about gandhi. what do you feel about gandhi? >> he was a nonviolent person. he pushed away all the british out of our country without fighting. the one thing he said was -- everything we should do -- don't fight with them.

everything is just so mesmerizing about him. we are all here to celebrate his life. not only are we said that he is not with us but he is with us all the time. >> the first thing i like about him is that he is a nonviolent person. he fought but he died eventually. he promoted nonviolence and through the british out of the country and now we are celebrating his death. we are celebrating a life that was well lived gandhi. >> these are the future of india and as you can see, they see relevance in gandhi even today. 75 years after he lost his life. a life dedicated to nonviolence. he lost that life violently, right here in this house. >> here is a quick reminder of

the top stories we are following for you today. a bombing at a mosque in pakistan has killed at least 60 people and rude dozens more. many of the victims were police officers from a law enforcement complex surrounding the mosque. the taliban and pakistan have claimed responsibility. the u.s. secretary of state said america's commitment to the security of israel is ironclad in the context of escalating violence. you are watching dw news from berlin. stay with us now, after a short break i will be back to take you through the day. see you then.

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>> welcome to live from paris, world news and analysis from france 24. these are the headlines. russia is claiming incremental gains in eastern ukraine. he have says this has come at an enormous loss of life to russia's army underlining moscow's lack of concern for the fate of its military personnel. the president says the west sends more weapons to ukraine there will be a significant escalation. at least 59 dead in suicide blast in a mosque in pakistan. it is believed they were 400 worshipers present.