Transcripts For BBCNEWS Politics 20240703

Was fired by islamichhad from a nearby cemetery. It was at the time that 6 59pm when there were reports of an explosion at the Ali Al Madani hospital in gaza city. According to our intelligence, hamas checked the reports, understood it was an Islamichhad Rocket that had misfired and decided to launch a Global Media Campaign to hide what really happened. They went as far as inflating the numbers of casualties. They understood with absolute certainty that it was a rocket misfired by islamichhad that damaged the hospital. Analysis of our aerial footage confirms that there was no direct hit to the hospital itself. The only Location Damage is outside the hospital in the parking lot where we can see signs of burning, which i will show later. No cratering and no structural damage to nearby buildings as opposed to the damage caused by any aerial munition which would have been of different nature. We would have seen craters and structural and structural damage to the buildings, both of which havent been identified in this incident. The size of the damage we see here is due to the warhead of the Islamichhad Rocket. But most of the rocket� s propellant is still evident due to the short flight of the rocket because the launch failed. The following visual evidence shows infrared imagery of the parking lot, you can see the central locations of the fires, some debris of rooftops, craters can be identified. I want to show you that. This is the area of the hospital. We are showing the parking lot in the hospital. 0k, those are the red spots. This is not an infrared so you can understand it better. This is the parking not. This is the parting note. Can see the parking lot also now in this picture. The aftermath, after the head. There is no Structure Damage to the building. There was standing intact. There are no craters here. All of the above, which i said, no structural damage, there was a stay intact, new craters, this shows that it was not aerial admission which has hit the parking not. We also have examples of what air to ground munition craters apply. As you can see, they dont exist in this instance. Many Media Outlets are medically reported the unverified claims by hamas. This work lies spread by hamas. He was laying out israels argument that it was not to blame for an explosion last night at an overcrowded hospital in gaza in which hundreds are said to have been killed. Very distressing images coming out of that incident. The palestinian governors of gaza hamas, also labelled a Terrorist Organisation by the us and uk, insist israel was definitely to blame. Us President Joe Biden is in israel today and appeared to say that he had seen israels arguments and believed that israel was not to blame. Emissions have been even further inflamed as a result of that massive loss of life that Will Explosion Yesterday in gaza. Protests across the streets in much of the arab world. Security forces responded with tear gas. Reports of the Hospital Strike came in from gaza, thousands took to the streets in protest. There is anger directed at israel but also at president bass and his Palestinian Authority. Many perceive as weak and lacking in legitimacy. He announced he was cancelling a meeting with President Biden injordan and was flying home. There were mass protests there this evening, chile, and clashes outside is really embassy in a man. Translation ,. ,. ,. , translation during the foundation of its occuried translation during the foundation of its occupied this translation during the foundation of its occupied this area, translation during the foundation of its occupied this area, they translation during the foundation of its occupied this area, they are of its occupied this area, they are breaching International Humanitarian law. Geneva agreement is obvious in this regard, medical centres and hospitals should not be touched. In turkey also, thousands rallied against israel as there were in gaza escalates, it is a dangerous moment for the wider region. Emissions passions inflamed across the region, and i was upset at this dire humanitarian situation inside gaza. In israel, whether you go onto the streets and listen to peoples conversations, you look at the papers, listen to the radio, there is so much concentration on that massacre ii is so much concentration on that massacre 11 days ago by hamas and other militants from gaza crossed into israel, killing 1,400 people, including children, im taking 200 people hostage into gaza, again including children and the elderly as well. Distressed relatives that joe biden will be meeting here on a visit to israel today. The family of a 13 year old british girl who had been missing from her home in israel since those attacks 11 days ago, now say that she was murdered. Her mother was also killed. Her 16 year old sister and their father remained missing. This 13 year old, just a few months ago celebrating the moment a jewish girl enters adulthood. If your she no realise. Murdered by hamas. Her older sister, no realise. Murdered by hamas. Her oldersister, missing. Her british family shared his pictures. They said she was beautiful, full of adventure and mischief, a bundle of unbridled energy and joy, cheeky and sharp. Will forever miss her, they said. She truly kept her life. Both enough tojump out said. She truly kept her life. Both enough to jump out of a plane. With the family on a skydiving trip, she made them laugh before she jumped. This family, hamas tried to h. She was murdered, british born mum, leanne, almost mccoy submitted. Sister and father, missing. She leanne, almost mccoy submitted. Sister and father, missing. Sister and father, missing. She was the funny one sister and father, missing. She was the funny one. She sister and father, missing. She was the funny one. She was sister and father, missing. She was the funny one. She was speaking i sister and father, missing. She was l the funny one. She was speaking very fast and i remember telling her, just slow down. She would sit with me and show me pictures on her phone. Me and show me pictures on her hone. , me and show me pictures on her hone. , me and show me pictures on her hone. , , phone. Hurricaine relatives said she and her family phone. Hurricaine relatives said she and her family loved phone. Hurricaine relatives said she and her family loved coming phone. Hurricaine relatives said she and her family loved coming here i phone. Hurricaine relatives said she | and her family loved coming here for and herfamily loved coming here for christmas and easter, enjoying the british festive season. Her mum had moved to israel when she was just 19, to volunteer on a kibbutz. Leanne was the one he wanted to celebrate with. She knew how to sing, she taught me how to drink beer, good friends. He sing, she taught me how to drink beer, good friends. Beer, good friends. He still had ho e for beer, good friends. He still had hope for them . Beer, good friends. He still had hope for them . Of beer, good friends. He still had hope for them . Of course, beer, good friends. He still had hope for them . Of course, of l beer, good friends. He still had hope for them . Of course, of course. Until we get hope for them . Of course, of course. Until we get a hope for them . Of course, of course. Until we get a clear hope for them . Of course, of course. Until we get a clear message, hope for them . Of course, of course. Until we get a clear message, i until we get a clear message, i dont want to say at top now i have to arrange the funeral of and her daughter and i dont even know how to do it because i never did when the funeral. How can we arrange to or three orfour . The funeral. How can we arrange to or three or four . Or three or four . Shipboard life into our lives, or three or four . Shipboard life into our lives, said or three or four . Shipboard life into our lives, said her or three or four . Shipboard life into our lives, said her family, | or three or four . Shipboard life i into our lives, said her family, for into our lives, said herfamily, for the two short time she was with us. National trauma in israel following the massacre of 1,400 and israel and 200 hostages which were taken into gaza. You can so the security of there. Joe biden is in israel today, trying to impose some calm, he hopes. Hello again. Weve got some heavy rain and strong winds on the cards, notjust today, but as we go through the rest of this week. Its only through the weekend it gradually starts to turn drier, less windy and chillier. But at times across the north and also the east, we could have gusts of wind to gale force, even severe gales. Now, storm bebet� s coming our way today, pushing northwards as we go through tonight and tomorrow. Weve got this next area of low pressure which could affect southern areas during the course of friday. But its going to be windy throughout this period. So to take a look, first of all, at how much rainfall were expecting, the key is up here. Weve got lots of blues in the charts. So you can see were looking at between 30 and 50 millimetres of rainfall quite widely. But we also have some whites indicating 100 millimetres or more of rainfall. So the met office has an Amber Weather Warning out for the North East Of Scotland Thursday and friday where we could have up to 200 millimetres of rainfall. Now, thats largely on higher ground, but its falling on saturated ground, could lead to some flooding and disruption. Today, though, weve got some heavy and persistent rain across the south and also the west. A lot of dry but cloudy weather around. These black circles represent the strength of the wind gusts, so the wind picking up everywhere as we go through the course of the day. But especially windy across the far north of scotland. Temperatures 10 to 19 degrees. This evening and overnight, the heavy and persistent rain continues to advance northwards. It will remain dry, but strengthening winds across the north east of scotland and some heavy, potentially thundery showers coming in across the south of england. So as a result of all of this, its not going to be a cold night. Tomorrow, then, storm babet pulls out of Northern England and stalls across north east scotland. This is where weve got the Amber Weather Warning. So after heavy rain, it will dry up across Northern England through the day, but continue to rain across Northern Scotland where the totals will really be mounting. For Northern Ireland, the rest of england and wales, its a day of sunshine and showers, but some of those showers could be heavy and thundery. And were looking at gales, even severe gales across the far north and north east. Into friday, that low pressure i was showing you is sliding along the near continent and could bring some heavy rain in across the south east. Therell be showers around, but the rain easing across scotland, but still very windy with gales in the north and also the east. This is bbc news. The headlines. Joe biden as is israel for talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, asjordan cancels a planned summit with arab leaders. Joe biden� s trip comes as israel and hamas blame each other for an explosion at a hospital in gaza, that is said to have killed 100. President biden says he doesnt believe that israel was at fault. The blast sent shock waves through the region. Palestinians lay the blame on israel. As you have heard palestinian officials have directly blamed israel for striking a hospital, but israel blames last nights deadly explosion on the malfunctioning of a rocket. The islamichhad Militant Group was firing, it said, at israel. A huge number of deaths at the hospital triggered angry Street Protest in palestinian cities in the west bank, and also across the arab world. President biden had been hoping to attend a of arab leaders injordan after visiting israel. That was cancelled when the president of the Palestinian Authority pulled out, following a hospital explosion. Three days of mourning has been declared for the men, Women And Children killed. The Palestinian Health minister says the number of People Killed in gaza is now at least 3300, with more than 13,000 wounded. That is over the last 11 days. Director general of the Palestinian Red Crescent gave this reaction to the tragic events at the hospital in gaza last night. It is shocking. Hospital in gaza last night. It is shocking. It hospital in gaza last night. It is shocking, it is hospital in gaza last night. It 3 shocking, it is horrifying. Our hospital has received a number of threats. We have issued days and days before, a warning, that if this continues, people are going to die. We have patients, we have people who are sheltering. Our colleagues are really today thinking about what if another bomb, another bombardment, as we have been threatened, and the Occupation Army has told us it will be your responsibility if you dont move your patients. They are really in a very difficult situation. They are also transporting and rescuing those people who have been injured. We have already transported about 73 people. 37 of them were killed. It is a horrifying, shocking situation, especially that we have been warning the whole International Community that there must be some pressure on israel to stop this, to have a ceasefire. The order to evacuate the hospital is a Death Sentence in itself. ,. ,. , itself. The loss of life and the chaos at that itself. The loss of life and the chaos at that hospital, itself. The loss of life and the i chaos at that hospital, following the explosion, has inflamed emotions and tensions which were already high. What you are seeing there are life pictures from the west bank city. There were demonstrations also in west bank towns and cities last night and across the arab world. There has been mounting upsets about the humanitarian situation inside gaza, something Whichjoe Biden is addressing with israel today in his meetings. This meetings with israels Prime Minister and the war cabinet, the need to make sure that aid gets to palestinians inside gaza. Margaret harris is from the world health organization. She gave us some background on who was being treated at the hospital at the time of that terrible explosion. Of that terrible explosion. There were a large of that terrible explosion. There were a large number of that terrible explosion. There were a large number of of that terrible explosion. There | were a large number of patients, of that terrible explosion. There were a large number of patients, at least 2000 patients in hospitals, who have got such severe injuries and such severe needs, that they couldnt be moved. They are on ventilators or they were needing dialysis, Orthey Ventilators or they were needing dialysis, or they were babies in incubators. Patients that no dr or nurse would be willing to move. I am lost for words about this and the only good outcome of any of this would be if the hostilities stopped right now, and that the world just took a breath and said, lets be humans, let humanity prevail. Stop the anger, stop the hatred. Be human. When i was a junior dr our biggest fear was a bus crash. This is. Like 100 buses crushing, at a time when your hospital doesnt have the people, doesnt have the equipment, has run out of, notjust fuel, but the bandages, the trauma supplies, all the things that are sitting on our trucks on the other side of the border, have run out in these hospitals. For side of the border, have run out in these hospitals. These hospitals. For more on the devel0ping these hospitals. For more on the developing situation these hospitals. For more on the developing situation i these hospitals. For more on the developing situation i am these hospitals. For more on the developing situation i am joinedl these hospitals. For more on the l developing situation i am joined by paul adams, developing situation i am joined by pauladams, our developing situation i am joined by paul adams, our diplomatic correspondent. Attempts at diplomacy today byjoe biden, in the region, the first us president to come to israel during a war, that is how he was greeted by israels Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, but it wasnt supposed to stop at israel, wasnt supposed to stop at israel, was it chris mackie had been supposed to go to a man and talk to arab leaders. That was cancelled after the loss of life at the Gaza Hospital. Has that limited the effectiveness he could have in this visit . , effectiveness he could have in this visit . , , ,. , visit . Inevitably. This is a remarkable visit . Inevitably. This is a remarkable moment, visit . Inevitably. This is a remarkable moment, the j visit . Inevitably. This is a remarkable moment, the First American president to come to israel in the middle of a war. An extraordinary moment. Clearly the first half of that trip, meeting israeli leaders, exchanging one words with Benjamin Netanyahu, a man he has a fairly troubled relationship with over the years, and then meeting israel is affected by the violence of 11 days ago. All of that is extremely important. It is part of this overwhelming sense of america wanting to show israel support and backing it up to the hilt. He was, as you say, meant to go to amman to read the palestinian leader, the egyptian king,. After the explosion, mum and a bass pulled out, blaming israel for the explosion of the hospital, and that meeting has been called off. That is important because the americans have been trying very hard, particularly with egypt, to try to shore up this humanitarian access parts of the diplomatic effort, it is the first time they have given any indications as to where palestinian should go. The announcement said where humanitarian assistance will be provided. I didnt say by whom, there were no details, but that is clearly something the americans are working on. That diplomatic effort will go on. That diplomatic effort will go on withoutjoe biden� s involvement, but i think you clearly felt that if he wanted to be a part of that, he wanted to be in that meeting in amman. ,. ,. ,. , � amman. Speculation that she wouldnt have us president amman. Speculation that she wouldnt have us president taking amman. Speculation that she wouldnt have us president taking a amman. Speculation that she wouldnt have us president taking a security have us president taking a Security Risk and diplomatic risk by coming here to the region at this time if here to the region at this time if he didnt have an announcement like that to make. How much has that been complicated chris mackie mentioned egypt their stop agents as we have all of these convoys ready at the border with gaza to let in aid. Israel says, how about letting people out . There is this tussle at the border there. Is this too big forjoe biden, even though he will be to speaking to egypts president on the phone, we are told is yellow that diplomatic effort is obviously going to continue. By far the most important part ofjoe biden� s mission is to come to israel to demonstrate that foursquare support, that rhetorical support, that military support. The that rhetorical support, that military support. That rhetorical support, that military support. The fact that there are military support. The fact that there are two military support. The fact that there are two Naval Military support. The fact that there are two naval Task Military support. The fact that| there are two naval task forces military support. The fact that i there are two naval task forces in there are two naval task forces in the eastern mediterranean, all of thatis the eastern mediterranean, all of that is part of showing israel that america is there, supporting at every step of the way. That is overwhelmingly the most important side of things. They are acutely conscious that the longer this goes on, the worse the humanitarian situation becomes in gaza, the attack on the hospital, whoever was responsible, and the israelis insist this was a misfired palestinian rocket. � g. , � this was a misfired palestinian rocket. �. , � , rocket. And joe biden implied. It was rocket. And joe biden implied. It was the rocket. And joe biden implied. It was the other rocket. And joe biden implied. It was the other team, rocket. And joe biden implied. It was the other team, i rocket. And joe biden implied. It was the other team, i think rocket. And joe biden implied. It was the other team, i think he l it was the other team, i think he said. Clearly the americans buy the argument that the israelis have made, quite forcefully and in some detail, that this was a pistol at the live palestinian rocket. Putting aside the question of who was responsible, the humanitarian situation is getting worse. It is one thing to tell palestinians where they can go. It is quite another to get assistance, water, food, all the essentials to keep them alive. Hundreds of thousands of people, who have already fled their homes and now need to be looked after. The americans know that the longer this goes on, the worse and worse it looks. It is a real matter of urgency. It is not surprising that the president will be having conversations with egypts president on the phone, because it is vital that somehow that triangle between the us, israelis and egyptians is resolved, to get that situation addressed in some meaningful way. The assumption is that, even though the words in public are very much our strong allies, Behind Closed Doors joe our strong allies, behind Closed Doorsjoe Biden will be having frank discussions with Benjamin Netanyahu. We will have to leave it there for the moment. Thank you so much for joining us. Pauladams, our diplomatic correspondent. The situation remains tense, notjust in and around gaza but in Northern Israel as well, near the border with lebanon. Parts of the lebanese side of the border are controlled by hezbollah, a militant organisation which, like hamas, has close links to iran. On tuesday Israeli Forces killed at least four of the groups fighters, who they said were trying to cross the border to plant explosives. Israel has established a wide buffer zone in the border, and it has evacuated villagers for, what it has evacuated villagers for, what it says, are security reasons, which raises concern about what might happen there next. Lets hear now from a former general in the lebanese army. I asked him whether he thought there was a real possibility of escalation of facilities across that boundary. The northern facilities across that boundary. Tue Northern Region facilities across that boundary. Tte Northern Region is facilities across that boundary. Tt2 Northern Region is closely facilities across that boundary. Tt2 Northern Region is closely linked to what is happening in gaza and the link is, everyone knows that. The lebanese government doesnt control anything, unfortunately. Hezbollah is now the principal actor in south lebanon. The clashes all along the border started ten days ago. We are still in control of the situation because israel and hezbollah, during the past 15 years, where playing in a rule of engagement, a shell against another shell, a killed person against another killed person, a petition against the position. Forsure person, a petition against the position. For sure these ten days, the intensity of these clashes increased in a very significant way. It may slip and go out of control. Now the visit of President Biden in israel, before the problem of the bombing of the hospital in gaza, we intended first of all to limit the conflict to gaza, and to avoid extending it to lebanon. What we heard from the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister yesterday was a warning to israel and to the United States that hezbollah may undertake pre emptive actions because hezbollah is not sure whether israel will not finish with gaza and it turns to lebanon and a large scale operation. We are talking about a war, here, and not about clashes that we are hearing all along the border during the past ten days. President biden doesnt want to involve the us forces, despite the fact that, during the past 15 years, the United States tried to extract itself from the east, in order to focus on russia, on china, on other issues. The middle east is not a distraction and it called back the american diplomacy and the american forces. One third of the American Power is here. We have two Aircraft Carriers with their Carrier Strike group, and this is a huge force with a huge fire power, that is not intending to support israel only, but to dissuade iran from getting involved and to dissuade hezbollah. The us doesnt want to get involved. The us doesnt want to get involved. The us doesnt want to get involved. Yes . Involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed, involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed. As involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed. As i involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed, as i was involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed, as i was saying, involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed, as i was saying, the involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed, as i was saying, the us| involved. That is what. Yes . Indeed, as i was saying, the us said that its carriers are there as a deterrent in the region. That is the declared aim of it, as a deterrent to iran to hezbollah. What could be the deciding factor . We did hear from hezbollah, it warned that if the humanitarian situation continued to get worse and worse inside gaza, that it would feel it had to take action after the explosion at the hospital in gaza yesterday, which, israel says, it was not responsible for, but a mass word might govern in gaza said that it was stop hezbollah called for a day of rage. What could be a deciding factor. Hezbollah is a massively armed organisation, but it also has interesting government in lebanon, which is suffering an economic crisis. Will it look at lebanon and think, the people of lebanon and think, the people of lebanon cant afford a wore white now, or might it feel compelled to take action in this very tense situation . Take action in this very tense situation . ,. , situation . Lebanon, of course, doesnt situation . Lebanon, of course, doesnt afford situation . Lebanon, of course, doesnt afford to situation . Lebanon, of course, doesnt afford to be situation . Lebanon, of course, doesnt afford to be the situation . Lebanon, of course, | doesnt afford to be the Theatre Situation . Lebanon, of course, i doesnt afford to be the theatre of a new war. The last one occurred in 2006. We received 7500 tonnes of ammunition. We had 73 bridges destroyed. Some infrastructure destroyed, and the other infrastructure was good because of the spared by other efforts. If there is a larger scale or total war on the lebanese soil, no infrastructure will be spared. This is a really dramatic situation and i dont think that the International Community, neitherthe dont think that the International Community, neither the arab community, neither the arab community, can afford to turn lebanon into a new gazza matt garza. This is mad and crazy, but for now lets focus on principle point. Try to rein in hezbollah. The lebanese government cant do anything, but the International Community, and with the contacts with iran, and we know there are back channels functioning full speed and now, either through cutter or other channels between the United States and iran, in order to rein in the situation. There is somewhere for unknown factors that could deteriorate the situation. What will hezbollah decide . This is the first question. Whatever they decide, iran should give a green light. This is the first thing. The second thing. If, of course, but now the situation in gaza is very fluid. If israel, undergoes an operation, a large scale operation and wins in the short time, there are risks for hezbollah to see Israel Turning and coming and finishing. Hezbollah to see Israel Turning and coming and finishing. Former general in lebanons coming and finishing. Former general in lebanons army. Coming and finishing. Former general in lebanons army. We coming and finishing. Former general in lebanons army. We can coming and finishing. Former general in lebanons army. We can bring coming and finishing. Former general in lebanons army. We can bring you | in lebanons army. We can bring you some live pictures now from romana, from the palestinian City Of Ramallah in the west bank. Angry demonstrations, emotional demonstrations. We are seeing these of different parts of the west bank today. A lot of upset at the explosion in gaza yesterday. Deep upset, at the hospital, an overcrowded hospital, in which hundreds are said to have died. The palestinian president , mahmoud abbas, has blamed israel for the explosion. Israel says it was not behind the attack and that it was actually a malfunctioning rocket fired by the militant Group Islamic jihad inside gaza, trying to fire at israel. These demonstrations you are seeing right now, in in ramallah, they are aimed at mahmoud abbas, anger at him, accusations by the crowd, that he is not showing enough strength in the Current Situation after 11 days of Aerial Bombardments from israel. Israel says they are aimed at militants in the gaza strip, those who came into israel 11 days ago, massacring 1400 strip, those who came into israel 11 days ago, massacring1400 people, including children, taking 200 hostage. But in the Aerial Bombardments so many Palestinian Civilians have died over the last days. We heard from the Palestinian Health authorities today. 3300 have died in these last days. Women and children. Bear in mind, in gaza, 50 of the population is under the age of the population is under the age of 18. Enormous disquiet and upset here that you are seeing in ramallah, but also in other parts of the arab world, where we saw demonstrations last night. This upset, the head of the British Security service, m15, has also been speaking about that to our security correspondent, monitoring the potential radicalisation of people in the uk, it says, because of events here in the middle east. Ken mccullum was speaking at his First Everjoint appearance, with ever joint appearance, with counterparts everjoint appearance, with counterparts from the so called five eyes intelligence group, that is spy chiefs from the us, uk, canada and australia and new zealand. They met at an event hosted by the fbi in california. It is from the that this report comes. California. It is from the that this report comes california. It is from the that this reort comes. , ,. , report comes. Seen in public for the first time together, report comes. Seen in public for the first time together, what report comes. Seen in public for the first time together, what are report comes. Seen in public for the first time together, what are known | first time together, what are known as the five eyes. These are the security chiefs of five allies, the us, uk, australia canada and new zealand, appearing together in california to warn of the threat of secrets being stolen. But speaking in the shadow of violence in the middle east. In the shadow of violence in the middle east. , , middle east. This is the first time we have chosen middle east. This is the first time we have chosen together middle east. This is the first time we have chosen together to middle east. This is the first time | we have chosen together to come togather we have chosen together to come together in public. The element before together in public. The element before the event i spoke to ken mccullum, including the threats from hamass mccullum, including the threats from hamass attack and as dale the man israel hamass attack and as dale the man israel. ~. ,. , ,. ,. , israel. What does this mean for israel . Israel. What does this mean for israel . We israel. What does this mean for israel . We have israel. What does this mean for israel . We have seen israel. What does this mean for israel . We have seen radicalisation beini israel . We have seen radicalisation being fuelled israel . We have seen radicalisation being fuelled by israel . We have seen radicalisation being fuelled by various israel . We have seen radicalisation being fuelled by various conflict being fuelled by various conflict across being fuelled by various conflict across the world, and clearly, one of the across the world, and clearly, one of the things that concerns me most iiliit of the things that concerns me most right now of the things that concerns me most right now is of the things that concerns me most right now is to understand quite what right now is to understand quite what the right now is to understand quite what the shape of uk impact will be, coming what the shape of uk impact will be, coming from the recent and ongoing unfolding coming from the recent and ongoing unfolding events in the middle east. The meetings focus was not the the meetings focus was not the middle east, but china. It was held at Stanford University because it is at Stanford University because it is at the heart of silicon valley, home of technological innovation. The message was that Companies Need to understand the risks of their work being stolen was blue if you are working today at the cutting edge of technology, then geopolitics is interest in you, even if you are not interested in geopolitics. At the individual company level, what it can mean is that the precious assets that you have worked so hard to develop through your resort, through your innovation, through your perspiration, those assets can be stolen from you pretty quickly, by ruthless actors backed by states on the other side of the world stop the challenge for m15 is dealing with competing threats. Do you balance the ability to track a teenage would be terrorist, consuming extreme right wing, hateful material in his bedroom, and potentially considering buying a bladed weapon, with the longer term risks posed by theft of Cutting Edge Research on one of our universities. They both matter, but trying to find the best available way of responding to these competing risks, is one of the most channelling two challenging parts of our role. After this brief appearance by the public, the five eyes will go back to watching. What we can take you back to those live pictures from the palestinian City Of Ramallah in the west bank. Crowds gathering, angry at israel, they say. There was an explosion at a Gaza Hospital yesterday, where hundreds are said to have died. Palestinian leaders have blamed that explosion on israel. Israel has been carrying out Air Bombardments across the gaza strip for the last 11 days, since militants from gaza crossed over into israel, killing 1400 people, massacring them, and taking 200 people hostage, including children and the elderly. Israel insists it was not to blame. This crowd also angry with mahmoud abbas, for being weak in the face of this developing humanitarian crisis. And all the while here in israel, joe biden has arrived to try and say he is a close ally of israel, but urging force and calm. See security there outside the talks Thatjoe Biden is holding with israels Prime Minister and his war cabinet as well. His message, that the us stands close to israel, but it has to think of civilians inside gaza as well, with the risk of escalation to the wider region. You are watching bbc news. Please stay with us. Youre watching live scenes, where shortly we will have Prime Ministers questions. Rishi sunak will be answering questions for the First Time Since the Political Party conferences, and the First Time Since the start of the israel and gaza war. Watching it all with us will be our political correspondent, helen kat, who is live at westminster. As mentioned, the israel and gaza war is a major issue here, politically, here in the uk as well. How much is it going to be reflected in todays session . T reflected in todays session . I think it will be pretty surprising if it isnt. What has been interesting so far is that, both the main parties, labourand interesting so far is that, both the main parties, labour and the conservatives, have been pretty much aligned in their review on this. They have been pretty consistent, pretty united, insane that they support israels right to defend itself, but they have raised humanitarian concerns. I would expect that we would hear more than that, which could give Prime Ministers questions quite a different tone to what we are used to, at least for part of it. Usually we expect to see a bit of knock about, a bit of too and fro and political point scoring. You are unlikely to see that anywhere around this issue. It could make for quite an interesting session. Ides this issue. It could make for quite an interesting session. An interesting session. As you mentioned an interesting session. As you mentioned there, an interesting session. As you mentioned there, the an interesting session. As you mentioned there, the prime l an interesting session. As you mentioned there, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition have had similar views on the conflict happening in the middle east. What about the backbenchers because mike did the rest of their parties also share their perspectives on how to resolve the crisis in the middle east . Perspectives on how to resolve the crisis in the middle east . There was a debate on crisis in the middle east . There was a debate on monday crisis in the middle east . There was a debate on monday and crisis in the middle east . There was a debate on monday and there crisis in the middle east . There was a debate on monday and there wasl a debate on monday and there was broad agreement from a lot of the backbenchers who stood up with a position that the two parties are taken. Not entirely, though. There were some who were raising concerns that they believed that what was happening in gaza amounted to collective punishment, and there was concern about that. There has also been a call instigated by 35 mps today, mostly labour, but with representatives from other parties, calling a ceasefire. There are different because coming from the backbenchers, which are slightly different from the position of the leadership. Mostly though, most mps we have seen get up and speak have been broadly backing the position of the main parties. We been broadly backing the position of the main parties. The main parties. We are also expecting the main parties. We are also expecting an the main parties. We are also expecting an urgent the main parties. We are also expecting an urgent question | the main parties. We are also expecting an urgent question from the shadow Foreign Secretary. What we know about this . This the shadow Foreign Secretary. What we know about this . The shadow Foreign Secretary. What we know about this . This is when an urient we know about this . This is when an urgent question we know about this . This is when an urgent question is we know about this . This is when an urgent question is when we know about this . This is when an urgent question is when an we know about this . This is when an urgent question is when an shadowl urgent question is when an Shadow Minister can call a minister to the House Of Commons to explain and answer on a particular topic that is newsworthy or has come up. Is topical, that is the word i am looking for. David lambie is going to ask about the attack on the hospital in gaza. We know what the subject is. I suspect they will want to know what the uk government knows about it. In these scenarios, often the government is not necessarily keen to give out a huge amount of intelligence, orshare keen to give out a huge amount of intelligence, or share a lot of detail they have got through intelligent, but we will have to wait and see what it is that james cleverly, if it is him who responds, will say about this. Just cleverly, if it is him who responds, will say about this. Will say about this. Just to remind our viewers. Will say about this. Just to remind our viewers, we will say about this. Just to remind our viewers, we are will say about this. Just to remind our viewers, we are waiting will say about this. Just to remind our viewers, we are waiting for i our viewers, we are waiting for Prime Ministers questions to start at westminster. Helen, one thing that has been reported over the last few days, is that there is an expectation that the Prime Minister could go to israel himself. What we know about this . Last could go to israel himself. What we know about this . Could go to israel himself. What we know about this . At the moment we know about this . At the moment we know very little know about this . At the moment we know very little. There know about this . At the moment we know very little. There are know about this . At the moment we know very little. There are reports i know very little. There are reports that rishi sunak is considering a visit to israel or to the region. We have seen other World Leaders do that, so obviously present biden today, that would be a much more high profile visit, of course, then rishi sunak. We have seen other european leaders, for example the german chancellor has been to israel. We have also seen as shot going. Otherworld israel. We have also seen as shot going. Other World Leaders have gone. Itd have any more detail than that we dont have it at this stage. Downing street hasnt confirmed that thatis Downing Street hasnt confirmed that that is the position. The Downing Street hasnt confirmed that that is the position. That is the position. The Prime Minister is that is the position. The Prime Minister is under that is the position. The Prime Minister is under a that is the position. The Prime Minister is under a lot that is the position. The Prime Minister is under a lot of that is the position. The prime i minister is under a lot of pressure to act on the government is under a lot of pressure to act and try and maybe help send aid to gaza, but also politically to try to resolve the situation there. Downing street has been cleared to say that, perhaps it doesnt have the power thatis perhaps it doesnt have the power that is expected to get involved in the middle east . Brute that is expected to get involved in the middle east . That is expected to get involved in the middle east . We have seen the government the middle east . We have seen the government do. The middle east . We have seen the government do, you the middle east . We have seen the government do, you mentioned i the middle east . We have seen the | government do, you mentioned aid, rishi sunak did announce on monday that the uk would send more aid. I think it was Something Like 10 million that was going into that. There was more aid going. There have been deployments from the uk military, ships and marines have been sent to the area. And there is an effort to try and make sure that the violence doesnt spread and that there isnt a further destabilisation in the wider region. That has been what the uk has been focusing its diplomatic efforts on, in trying to contain that, to make sure it isnt this why the destabilisation of the region. It is of course only one player, diplomatically,. We are working independently and with our allies to find out what has happened. I am sure that honourable members will be raising further questions with me tryings session. I had meetings with mysterio colleagues in addition to judges of this house and i shall have further such meetings today. Such meetings today. When i associate such meetings today. When i associate myself such meetings today. When i associate myself and such meetings today. When i associate myself and my i such meetings today. When i. Associate myself and my party such meetings today. When i associate myself and my party here with the horrors of the unfolding tragedy of the bombing last night gaza at the hospital. The Rafah Crossing Engine shipped has been hit by several sunni strikes causing absolute are for those who educate me this crossing open to escape. Councillor in dundee and the wife of the First Minister has had to take calls from her parents, like all others stuck in gaza, have been describing the horrors of death and indiscriminate killings everywhere. Members of the head yesterday from a drone and not as mother was saying her final goodbyes this morning, adding, last night was the end for me. Better if my heart stops and then i will be at peace. I cannot take another night. Mr speaker, with Military Action intensifying and the death to rapidly rising, the Prime Ministers this responsibility must be to bring the british citizens home. Can he please give us personal assurances that every single status being taken to open the crossing with humanitarian aid and for uk nationals to flee. Mr with humanitarian aid and for uk nationals to flee. With humanitarian aid and for uk nationals to flee. Mr speaker, of course the nationals to flee. Mr speaker, of course the thoughts nationals to flee. Mr speaker, of course the thoughts of nationals to flee. Mr speaker, of course the thoughts of everyone | nationals to flee. Mr speaker, of l course the thoughts of everyone in this house will be with those families affected by what has happened in israel and gaza and i can give the honourable gentleman of that assurance that we are doing everything in our part to ensure safety of british nationals caught up safety of british nationals caught up in all of this, including michaels regulars across the region, particularly around the opening of the rafa border crossing. We continue to have dialogue with the israelis and egyptians about the Rafah Crossing. Mr the israelis and egyptians about the Rafah Crossing. Rafah crossing. Mr speaker, i am roud to Rafah Crossing. Mr speaker, i am proud to live Rafah Crossing. Mr speaker, i am proud to live in Rafah Crossing. Mr speaker, i am proud to live in the Rafah Crossing. Mr speaker, i am proud to live in the successful proud to live in the successful democracy in the world but it does suddenly and i think it shows this whole house that britishjewish people have been subject to such foul abuse and hatred in recent days. Anti semitism and all hate crimes fly in the face of British Values and we should not allow events abroad, no matter how horrific they are, to be used just a sense of division in our own country. So, whilsti sense of division in our own country. So, whilst i welcome all the actions that my right honourable friend is taking to fight hate crimes, to bring people together, may i ask him to consider urgently and immediate and specific policy of revoking the visitors of any Foreign National that can mix and active Anti Semitism or any other hate crime. I antisemitism or any other hate crime. , , antisemitism or any other hate crime. , ,. , crime. I completely agree with my riiht crime. I completely agree with my right honourable crime. I completely agree with my right honourable friend crime. I completely agree with my right honourable friend who i crime. I completely agree with my right honourable friend who has. Right honourable friend who has himself done so much a veneer is to fight Anti Semitism. The increase of incidents we have seen over the past week is utterly sickening. This government will do whatever it takes to keep ourjewish communities safe. That is my provide an additional £3 that is my provide an additional e3 of funding to support the committees Security Trust and we are working with police to ensure that hate crime and the revocation of terror is met with the full force of the law. Under our existing immigration rules, have the power to cancel a persons presence in the uk it isnt conducive to the public good. One not tolerate this hatred, not in our country, not in the century. Can not tolerate this hatred, not in our country, not in the century. Country, not in the century. Can i start by warmly country, not in the century. Can i start by warmly welcoming i country, not in the century. Can i start by warmly welcoming the i country, not in the century. Can i start by warmly welcoming the new member for rutherglen and hamilton west. Mr speaker, the news last night as hundreds killed at the Baptist Hospital in gaza is incredibly distressing. But it is much worse for the people of gaza. Their fear that there is much worse for the people of gaza. Theirfear that there is no place much worse for the people of gaza. Their fear that there is no place of safety is profound. International law must be upheld and that means hospitals and civilian lives must be protected. Last night, the Foreign Secretary said the uk will work with our allies to find out what has happened. I know this only happened last night but can the Prime Minister please tell us when he thinks he might be able to update the House On Progress with that work . I the House On Progress with that work . ,. ,. , work . I the whole house will have been shocked work . I the whole house will have been shocked by work . I the whole house will have been shocked by the work . I the whole house will have been shocked by the scenes i work . I the whole house will have been shocked by the scenes at i work . I the whole house will have| been shocked by the scenes at the hospital. Any loss of innocent life is a dreadful tragedy and everyone will be thinking both of those who have lost their lives and the families they leave behind. We should not rush to judgment before we have all the facts on this of the situation. Every member will know that their words we say here have an impact beyond this house. This morning, i met with the National Security adviser but also the chair of the joint Intelligence Committee and i can tell the honourable gentleman are Intelligent Services have been rapidly analysing the evidence to independently establish the facts. We are not in a position at this point to say more than that but i can tell him we are working at a pace but also, cooperating and collaborative with our allies on this issue is to get to the bottom of the situation and will also continue our efforts to get humanitarian aid into the vision. I think the Prime Minister for his think the Prime Ministerfor his answer. The terrible news last night came as we are still running that Terrorist Attack on israel last week sub jewish people Terrorist Attack on israel last week subjewish people taken hostage, intermittent, slaughtered. Yesterday i met from his some of the hostages held by hamas. Every minute of every hour of everyday, they hope the good news but fear the worst. They note the lives of their loved ones or in the lives of their loved ones or in the hands of murderers. It is unimaginable agony. Israel has a right, a duty, to defend itself from hamas, keep its people safe and bring hostages home. But isnt it clear that if hamas have a single concern for human life, a single concern for human life, a single concern for human life, a single concern for the safety of the Palestinian People, then they would never have taken this hostages and they should release them immediately. It they should release them immediately. They should release them immediately. It is important consistently immediately. It is important consistently for immediately. It is important consistently for us immediately. It is important consistently for us to immediately. It is important i consistently for us to remember immediately. It is important consistently for us to remember that israel has suffered a shockingly short Terrorist Attack and it is hamas and hammer that is responsible for this conflict. Our thoughts are likely with those who have taken hostage, and their families. The distress there filling will be unimaginable for others affected. I will be meeting with some of the families and offering them all the support of the British Government to get their relatives home. We are working around the clock with our partners and allies to secure their freedom and importantly, in a month, my other original cause, i spoke specifically with the america tour yesterday on this very issue, which were discussed at length. The qatari government is taking a lead in working intensely to release the hostages and we are working closely with them to ensure the same safe return of the british hostages. Yesterday, i also met charities with staff working in gaza and heard their accounts of the harrowing humanitarian crisis. Children fleeing their homes, hospitals barely built a function. The lights are going out on the innocent civilians of gaza are terrified that they will die in the darkness. Out of sight. International law must always be followed. Hamas the Palestinian People and the Palestinian People and the Palestinian People and the Palestinian People not hamas. Does he agree that medicines, food, fuel and water must get into gaza immediately . This is an urgent situation and innocent palestinians need to know that the world is not just simply watching, but acting to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. As i have said on monday, an acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding thatis humanitarian crisis is unfolding that is right that we support the Palestinian People because they are victims of hamas, to the despair we have provided a further £10 million in humanitarian aid for people in the region and were working through pre emptive loot moving aid and relief teams to each chapter, specifically to the airfield where working with local partners like the egyptian red crescent and United Nations primarily on deploying navy assets to the region as well as exploring how we can submit logistical requirements. I have also raised this issue of your monitor and access in all of my conversations as a parrot tape with every leader in the region will continue working with them to get aid to where it is needed as quick as possible. Ibls aid to where it is needed as quick as possible as possible. As has already been alluded to, as possible. As has already been alluded to, since as possible. As has already been alluded to, since hamas as possible. As has already been alluded to, since hamas wasnt i alluded to, since hamas wasnt Terrorist Attack, our country has any disgusting rise in Anti Semitism. Jewish businesses attacked, jewish schools marked with red paint, and jewish families hiding her they are. We have seen an appalling surge in islamaphobe your, racist graffiti, mosques forced to mmp racist graffiti, mosques forced to ramp up security, british muslims and palestinians spoken to a set they were terrorists. Does he agree with me that every member of this house has a duty, a duty, to work in their constituency and across the country to say no to this hate and to ensure that every britishjewish person and every british missing person and every british missing person knows they can have their lives free from fear and free from dissemination here in their own country. Mr dissemination here in their own count. ~. ,. , country. Mr speaker, all of this in this house country. Mr speaker, all of this in this house can country. Mr speaker, all of this in this house can play country. Mr speaker, all of this in this house can play our country. Mr speaker, all of this in this house can play our part i country. Mr speaker, all of this in this house can play our part in i this house can play our part in stamping out those who seek to cause division and tate in our society. Make sure we continue funding the community and Security Trust but also the equivalent protective Security Grant to protect mosques and other places of worship for the Islamic Committee in the uk. That funding was increased earlier this year. Also remain in dialogue with police to make sure theyre aware of the full chance at their disposal to arrest those who perpetrate head crimes, inside racial or other religious violence. There is no place for that in our society and i know this house will stand united in making sure those who do this place before first. We making sure those who do this place before first. ~. ,. , making sure those who do this place before first before first. We do not want this conflict to before first. We do not want this conflict to harm before first. We do not want this conflict to harm us before first. We do not want this conflict to harm us here before first. We do not want this conflict to harm us here at i before first. We do not want this j conflict to harm us here at home before first. We do not want this i conflict to harm us here at home and we do not want to escalate in the middle east where there has been too much bloodshed, too much darkness for tehran. A two state solution, a Palestinian State alongside a safe and secure israel feels more distant than ever. But it remains the only way through. Does the Prime Minister agree that because hope is at its thinnest, we must work our hardest to ensure the voices of division and despair are sidelined and that however difficult it seems, political path to is maintained. It is precisely because it is that vision of a more hopeful, peaceful future that hamas tried to destroy, that we must redouble our efforts to try and bring that future about and although conversations with myself and the Foreign Secretary has had with regional leaders, we have emphasised our commitment to making sure that we make progress on all the avenues that will lead towards that peaceful future and that has been a feature of both mine and the Foreign Secretarys dialogue and im confident theres one in this in the region not to escalate this crisis beyond dealing with hamas, the Terrorist Organisation, but also to strive very hard for a future where palestinians and israelis can exist peacefully side by side and look forward to a future filled with dignity, security and prosperity. This is a crisis about lives hanging balance. Where the enemies of peace and democracy would like nothing more than for us to become divided. And to abandon our values. Does the Prime Minister agree that during this great crisis, this house must strive to speak with one voice, and condemnation of tear, in support of israels right to self defence, and for the dignity of all human life that cannot be protected without humanitarian access to those suffering in gaza and the constant maintenance of the role of International Law. I maintenance of the role of International Law. Maintenance of the role of International Law. , International Law. I agree, well, in this house. International law. I agree, well, in this house, speak International Law. I agree, well, in this house, speak with International Law. I agree, well, in this house, speak with one International Law. I agree, well, in this house, speak with one voice i International Law. I agree, well, in| this house, speak with one voice in condemning hamas for Perpetrating A shockingly brutal Terrorist Attack and causing untold suffering money. As the honourable gentleman said, we stand united in supporting israels right to defend itself, to protect its people and act against terrorism unlike hamas, the israeli president has meted very clear that their armed forces will operate in accordance with International Law and we will continue to urge the israelis to take every precaution to avoid harming civilians whilst remembering importantly in this house that it is hamas that is embedding itself in civilian populations. Embedding itself in civilian populations embedding itself in civilian populations. Embedding itself in civilian oulations. ,. , i, populations. Can i associate myself with the words populations. Can i associate myself with the words of populations. Can i associate myself with the words of the populations. Can i associate myself with the words of the prime populations. Can i associate myself. With the words of the Prime Minister and can i commend him on the Foreign Secretary for the work they are doing to find a peaceful settlement in the middle east. Can i welcome the promiseds decision to provide £12 billion worth of funding for East West High speed lines between manchester and liverpool . And his focus on Great Northern terms as well as cities in the north, with a promise to ensure that towns like warrington benefit fully from this rail upgrade and that a hub station at Warrington Bank key, thinking powers has discussed the line remains a key part of the network . Can i thank him for his continued campaign to improve Rail Services in warrington and he is right, will be investing £12 billion to Better Connect manchester and liverpool. This will allow all the delivery of more than power will exactly as previously planned, including high speed lines which will provide better Rail Connections for the People Living in northern towns like warrington and i know he will be discussing this further when he meets with the rail minister. Brute discussing this further when he meets with the rail minister. We all continue to meets with the rail minister. We all continue to unequivocally meets with the rail minister. We all continue to unequivocally condemn| continue to unequivocally condemn the apparent Terrorist Attack on the jewish people and the s release date. We can support the defeat of hamas and of course the safe return of all hostages have been taken. So, too, to be all hope the same common humanity of protecting civilians and condemning any acts of collective punishment against the Palestinian People. In that regard, many of the images emanating from gaza in recent days will shock us all to the core, so can i ask the Prime Minister, will hejoin with so can i ask the Prime Minister, will he join with us on this benches and calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region . Mr speaker, we believe that ceasefire in the region . Mr speaker, we believe that israel ceasefire in the region . Mr speaker, we believe that israel does ceasefire in the region . Mr speaker, we believe that israel does have i ceasefire in the region . Mr speaker, we believe that israel does have a i we believe that israel does have a right to defend itself, to protect its people and to act against terrorism and ensure that the awful attack that we have seen from hamas cannot happen again and unlike hamas, the Israelis Have Medicare that their armed forces will operate within accordance with International Law and continue to urge the israelis to take every precaution to avoid harming civilians. Mi; israelis to take every precaution to avoid harming civilians. Avoid harming civilians. My ask for avoid harming civilians. My ask for a ceasefire avoid harming civilians. My ask for a ceasefire is avoid harming civilians. My ask for a ceasefire is done avoid harming civilians. My ask for a ceasefire is done with avoid harming civilians. My ask for a ceasefire is done with all a ceasefire is done with all sincerity, Sincerity Put to protect civilians but also to ensure that we have the safe creation of humanitarian corners. Humanitarian corridors which will allow for food, water and vital medicines to get into gaza but also for innocent civilians caught up in this terrible conflict to flee. In respect of those who wish to flee, come and ask the Prime Minister what any consideration, if any, the Prime Minister what any consideration, ifany, his government has given to the creation of a Refugee Resettlement scheme, taken to that purposely put in place for syrian nationals, afghan nationals and of course, nationals. I am proud that we are already one of the most significant contributors to the United Nations efforts to support Palestinian Refugees and our Funding Support is 5. 8 million refugees annually and on monday we announced a significant increase in Ourfunding Ofaid announced a significant increase in ourfunding of aid to the region including to the un to support refugees. With regard to humanitarian aid, we are already working through plaintively loving aid to relief teams to the area but critical, the most important thing is to open up access for that aid to get into gaza, which is why our conversations with the egyptians and others are so critical. We continue to work closely with allies to find every major get that aid to the people who need it as quickly as possible. People who need it as quickly as ossible. , people who need it as quickly as ossible. ,. , people who need it as quickly as ossible. ,. ,. , possible. Last night, sections of the british possible. Last night, sections of the british media possible. Last night, sections of the british Media Reporting i possible. Last night, sections of the british Media Reporting as l possible. Last night, sections of l the british Media Reporting as fact that it was initially rockets that had landed an attack on the hospital, relying on information supplied by officials in terrorist controlled gaza. The headlines have since been rewritten but the outpouring Ofjewish People Hatred and social media overnight was vile so will he please make the point again that the weather this is being reported has massive implications for Ourjewish Community and that any information coming from hamas must be treated with a degree of scrutiny and Cross Examination that is sadly sometimes lacking. Can scrutiny and Cross Examination that is sadly sometimes lacking. Cahi is sadly sometimes lacking. Can i commend my is sadly sometimes lacking. Can i commend my right is sadly sometimes lacking. Can i commend my right honourable friend for his excellent intervention. He is absolutely right that we should not rush to judgment before we have all the facts on the appalling situation that we saw yesterday, particularly given the sensitivity that he raises, the impact on communities here, but also across the region and as i said, it is incumbent on all of those in positions of responsibility in this house and outside in the media to recognise that the words we say will have an impact and we should be careful with them. While working with our allies to establish the truth of what has happened, we will do that robustly and independently, but he is right to point out in the same way that we do not treat what comes out of the kremlin is the gospel truth and we should not the same with hamas. Can gospel truth and we should not the same with hamas. Gospel truth and we should not the same with hamas. Can i associate my iartin same with hamas. Can i associate my parting with same with hamas. Can i associate my parting with the same with hamas. Can i associate my parting with the comments same with hamas. Can i associate my parting with the comments in parting with the comments in relation to the deplorable mass of human life, of innocent life, in both israel and gaza. Mr speaker, having left the european union, building links and cooperation across the four nations of our United Kingdom can only strengthen the union. When the Prime Minister agreed with my proposal for the creation of an East West Counsel, to bring together all parts of the uk family to discuss and collaborate on the trading and many other opportunities presented by the union. I opportunities presented by the union. ~. ,. ,. , union. I think the right honourable ientleman union. I think the right honourable gentleman made union. I think the right honourable gentleman made a union. I think the right honourable gentleman made a powerful union. I think the right honourable gentleman made a powerful case i union. I think the right honourable| gentleman made a powerful case in his Conference Speech last weekend for a strong, functioning Northern Ireland within our. Secretary of state has had the opportunity to discuss our shared commitment to with his party over recent weeks and months and am grateful for the constructive approach and time taken in those discussions. I think is considerable murder in the idea of an East West Counsel to further strengthen the union and forward to exploring the issue with him and his colleagues further. Colleagues further. Following my riiht colleagues further. Following my right honourable colleagues further. Following my right honourable Friend Colleagues further. Following my right honourable friend was i colleagues further. Following my right honourable friend was my| right honourable friend was my decision to reallocate funding from hst, can i urge him to consider the number of projects that will best the economy and improve the quality of life for my constituents and for Northern Lincolnshire in order to improve access to the freeports of the humber, we need a joining of the 815 lincoln and the ai joining of the 815 lincoln and the a1 and is the a180 in particular that because problems for residents in nearby villages because of the concrete surface. Can i urge him to do with resurfacing and finally, mr speaker, betty mike i think the atlas has run out speaker, betty mike i think the l atlas has run out he speaker, betty mike i think the i atlas has run out he has atlas has run out promised . He has been a longstanding atlas has run out promised . He has been a longstanding champion i atlas has run out promised . He has been a longstanding champion in i been a long standing champion in particular the importance of strong regional transport connections. Network north will see how fully committed to the Northern Powerhouse network, which i know he will welcome and also by this lincolnshire was shared in a brand new £2. 5 billion fund to support local transport connections, perhaps some of the ones he mentioned, but i know he will be have delighted to see a test service to keep observers here and i can assure him that dft are continuing work to see a direct service to london instead. Mr work to see a direct service to london instead. Work to see a direct service to london instead. ~ ,. , , london instead. Mr speaker, members from the party london instead. Mr speaker, members from the Party Opposite london instead. Mr speaker, members from the Party Opposite has london instead. Mr speaker, members from the Party Opposite has said london instead. Mr speaker, members from the Party Opposite has said the i from the Party Opposite has said the way to fix the economic crisis that they have caused is to cut State Spending by 200,000,000,002 frees nhs budget. When when the Prime Minister stand up to the extremists in his party and condemn these ideas . Mr in his party and condemn these ideas . ~ ,,. ,. , ideas . Mr speaker, weeks after becomin ideas . Mr speaker, weeks after becoming prime ideas . Mr speaker, weeks after becoming Prime Minister, i ideas . Mr speaker, weeks after becoming Prime Minister, we i ideas . Mr speaker, weeks after becoming Prime Minister, we announce a significant increase of almost £14 billion for the nhs and social care. We followed that up with the first long term Workforce Planning the nhs was my history to ensure trained doctors and nurses will need for the future and that demonstrates a commitment to the nhs and we also, i am pleased to say, a settlement with the 1 am pleased to say, a settlement with the1 million nhs workers including our nurses, for a full, fair and further repairs. Our nurses, for a full, fair and further repairs. And poured into gaza into thousand further repairs. And poured into gaza into thousand and further repairs. And poured into gaza into thousand and five i further repairs. And poured into | gaza into thousand and five when esther withdrew enlightened governance could have made a success of it. It is hamas that has turned it into hell, hasnt it . Mr speaker, i know it into hell, hasnt it . Mr speaker, i know this it into hell, hasnt it . Mr speaker, i know this is it into hell, hasnt it . Mr speaker, i know this is a it into hell, hasnt it . Mr speaker, i know this is a subject it into hell, hasnt it . Mr speaker, i know this is a subject with it into hell, hasnt it . Mr speaker, i know this is a subject with which | i know this is a subject with which he speaks with authority and i thank him for his previous work in the area. But i can say is that with regard to funding, the Foreign Secretary will outline later, we have stringent governance in place to make sure it is spent on humanitarian needs which want to address but also i agree with him, there is one person and one person alone responsible for the atrocities we are seeing and that is hamas. {lin we are seeing and that is hamas. On behalf of the Liberal Democrats, we are seeing and that is hamas. Q� t behalf of the Liberal Democrats, may i associate myself and my party with all comments that are talked about the protection of innocent civilians today, wherever they may be. When sitting hospital in devon is earmarked for demolition to this government. The proposal to deliver destroy this, the space was given to Nhs Property Services but thanks to Nhs Property Services but thanks to the charging policy, that company is demanding £200,000 in rent. The Prime Minister that the Nhs Property Services hand over the space to help charities and Community Interest groups so we can stop the Wrecking Ball going to the hospital . Ibls groups so we can stop the Wrecking Ball going to the hospital . Ball going to the hospital . As see news, decisions ball going to the hospital . As see news, decisions about ball going to the hospital . As see news, decisions about hospital i news, decisions about Hospital Infrastructure or for the nhs. News, decisions about Hospital Infrastructure orfor the nhs. Im told that dead and integrated keyboard or working together with Nhs Property Services and Community Health care providers to establish a future sustainable use for the currently vacant space and magical opportunity to commend the work the memberfor a stubborn is doing on this topic, too. I member for a stubborn is doing on this topic. Too this topic, too. I would like to thank the this topic, too. I would like to thank the premised this topic, too. I would like to thank the premised on this topic, too. I would like to thank the premised on his i this topic, too. I would like to thank the premised on his commitment to improve Transport Links in the north. To ensure complete strategic approach to links is achieved across the region, it should include the much needed upgrade to the line running from my constituency, sheffield, to sheffield. An upgrade which we would like to see delivered. Would my right performed commit to including the Network North plans . Mi; commit to including the Network North plans . North plans . My friend is a fantastic north plans . My friend is a fantastic campaigner i north plans . My friend is a fantastic campaigner for i north plans . My friend is a | fantastic campaigner for the north plans . My friend is a fantastic campaigner for the line will upgrade. That right honourable friend, the transport secretary, is conducting a Corridor Study given commitment to sheffield and leeds and sheffield to hull and is part of that exercise, we will consider Answering Service on the huddersfield to penistone and shivered and i know he will discuss this further when he meets the minister. In this further when he meets the minister. ,. , this further when he meets the minister. ,. ,. ,. , minister. In this south, around a third of children minister. In this south, around a third of children in minister. In this south, around a third of children in poverty, minister. In this south, around a| third of children in poverty, most of them in working households. It is about the same as in tamworth. The conservatives handed over about families struggling to make ends meet. Will he condemn that candidates comments . Mr meet. Will he condemn that candidates comments . Mr speaker, i am roud candidates comments . Mr speaker, i am proud of candidates comments . Mr speaker, i am proud of our candidates comments . Mr speaker, i am proud of our record candidates comments . Mr speaker, i am proud of our record supporting am proud of our record supporting people with The Cost Of Living and thanks to the actions we have taken, we paid half of the typical familys energy bill last winter, person fuel duty, best of the National Living wage to record levels and 8 Million People across this country are now receiving payments with £900. Whilst helping people with The Cost Of Living, neighbours ideas are doing is costing them a fortune. You may notice that is costing them a fortune. You may notice that it is costing them a fortune. You may notice that it is is costing them a fortune. You may notice that it is in is costing them a fortune. You may notice that it is in the is costing them a fortune. You may notice that it is in the chamber is costing them a fortune. You may notice that it is in the chamber or | notice that it is in the chamber or wearing pink for Breast Cancer awareness but roughly 15 of those with Breast Cancer diagnosed with a little known strain that is harder to detect, has worse outcomes and no dedicated treatment. I am working with a doctor at a project to campaign for with a doctor at a project to campaignfora with a doctor at a project to campaign for a dedicated research strain. When he met with us to discuss this and how the government can help us save more lives from this cancer . I can help us save more lives from this cancer . Can help us save more lives from this cancer . I thank her for all her work in this this cancer . I thank her for all her work in this area. This cancer . I thank her for all her work in this area. Diagnosis this cancer . I thank her for all her work in this area. Diagnosis is this cancer . I thank her for all her work in this area. Diagnosis is keyj work in this area. Diagnosis is key in the nhs has helped as to seek the barriers for people accessing diagnosis and treatment. Banks to treatments and faster detection, survival rates progress cancer are increasing and last year more than i million scans were carried out, preventing an estimated number of deaths but this bus Cancer Awareness month, i encourage anyone invited to take up the offer of Breast Cancer screening. At take up the offer of Breast Cancer screeninu. , take up the offer of Breast Cancer screeninu. U, ,. , screening. Of course the Sadism Of Hamas can screening. Of course the Sadism Of Hamas can be screening. Of course the Sadism Of Hamas can be condemned screening. Of course the Sadism Of Hamas can be condemned and screening. Of course the sadism ofl hamas can be condemned and there screening. Of course the Sadism Of Hamas can be condemned and there is no question is wheres right to defence and security but International Law is very clear, mr speaker, that acting against International Law and response to terrorism is unjustified. So in all of these packages Prime Minister has announced that the packages he announced that the packages he announced last week, can he tell the house how the government will ensure that International Law is adhered to just statements from ezras at a state . He talked about military assets. Let me be crystal clear. The assets we have moved into the region are not there in any combat capacity. They are there for two reasons. First and foremost to provide surveillance to ensure this crisis doesnt escalate and that arms arent being sent to item deliver entities like hezbollah. The next set of assets arriving this week will also help. They are there to provide Contingency Support for humanitarian assistance corp, as and when required. {lin assistance corp, as and when required assistance corp, as and when reuuired. ,. Assistance corp, as and when reuuired. ,. , required. On sunday, terence carney, 70yearold required. On sunday, terence carney, 70yearold was required. On sunday, terence carney, 70yearold was murdered required. On sunday, terence carney, 70yearold was murdered by required. On sunday, terence carney, 70yearold was murdered by an 70 year old was murdered by an asylum seeker. People are afraid and angry. Every week my office is besieged by asylum seekers. My staff are intimidated by young men. The fact is most of them are Illegal Migrants who should be expelled. My thoughts and sympathies are with mr carney� s family and friends, and all my constituents affected by this heinous crime. Sympathy is not enough. They deserve action and i am demanding it. With the Prime Minister take action . Will he make sure enforcement is delivered . Will he ensure that people who have no right to be here are expelled . Enough is enough. I once these people out of hartlepool now. Is my honourable people out of hartlepool now. Is my honourable friend people out of hartlepool now. Is my honourable friend knows people out of hartlepool now. Is my honourable friend knows i people out of hartlepool now. Is my honourable friend knows i am people out of hartlepool now. Is my honourable friend knows i am unable to comment on cases which are currently before the court, but can i join currently before the court, but can ijoin her in expressing my simper this to the families affected. I would like to reassure her that this government is doing everything we can to tackle illegal migration and the harm it causes, by removing those with no right to be here in the uk. We have excellent, long standing relationships to return people to many come true. We are returning thousands more this year than we have done in the past and we will continue to use every avenue at our disposal to ensure it is only this country and this government to decide to come here and not criminal gangs. We government to decide to come here and not criminal gangs. And not criminal gangs. We have all been horrified and not criminal gangs. We have all been horrified by and not criminal gangs. We have all been horrified by events and not criminal gangs. We have all been horrified by events in and not criminal gangs. We have all been horrified by events in israel i been horrified by events in israel and gaza and we condemn utterly the inhuman terrorism of hamas. This should also be the case with any war crimes carried out by the Israeli Defence force. Both un and medicine some frontier have described the seizure of gaza and the withholding water as collective punishment a war crime under the geneva convention. But this week the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition have supported. Why . The leader of the opposition have supported why . The leader of the opposition have supported. Why . Quite simply put, israel suffered supported. Why . Quite simply put, israel suffered from supported. Why . Quite simply put, israel suffered from a supported. Why . Quite simply put, israel suffered from a butyl israel suffered from a butyl Terrorist Attack at the hands of hamas, and it is absolutely right that israel does have a right to defend itself, to root out terrorism, and ensure that such an act doesnt happen again. Their military will operate within International Law, but what the honourable gentleman failed to acknowledge, that it is hamas that embeds themselves inside civilian populations, puts innocent civilians in harms way, and he would do well to remember that. Mr; in harms way, and he would do well to remember that. To remember that. My right honourable to remember that. My right honourable friend to remember that. My right honourable friend has to remember that. My right honourable friend has been | honourable friend has been absolutely right to lead the nation in reassuring the Britishjewish Community in the wake of the utterly appalling atrocity visited upon israel and jews on the 7th of october. My right honourable friend, i understand will be travelling to the region and he will see for himself the shock and trauma after this event. To shock and trauma that is also accompanied by a rage. And the enormous danger is that the israeli reaction, led by a Prime Minister who will be held accountable for this failure of intelligence, is going to, is indeed amounting to a war crime, and that will not only be a crime, it will be a mistake. I urge my right honourable friend, there is no no one better placed to urge for strength just israel to stay within the International Rule of law and exercised restraint on behalf of us all. Is exercised restraint on behalf of us all. ,. , exercised restraint on behalf of us all. ,. , all. Is a friend, we will always urre all. Is a friend, we will always urge israel all. Is a friend, we will always urge israel to all. Is a friend, we will always urge israel to take all. Is a friend, we will always urge israel to take every all. Is a friend, we will always urge israel to take every possible practical precaution to avoid harming civilians and indeed, to act within International Law, as their president has said that their armed forces will do, whilst recognising the incredible complexity and difficulty of the situation on the ground. It does bear repeating, hamas is a Terrorist Organisation that embeds itself is inside civilian populations. That is something we would have to remember and israel is taking every practical possible step to avoid harming civilians. We will do everything we can to provide humanitarian support to the area. The can to provide humanitarian support to the area to the area. The Prime Minister will be delighted to the area. The Prime Minister will be delighted to to the area. The Prime Minister will be delighted to know to the area. The Prime Minister will be delighted to know that to the area. The Prime Minister will be delighted to know that nuclear. Be delighted to know that Nuclear Veterans like my constituent� s grandad john are starting to receive the medal is promised. John is still not getting his full medical records. His blood tests from christmas island, which are crucial for claiming a war pensioner missing, and countless veterans report the same. I asked the Prime Minister, as the mod has admitted it holds at least 150 files, with help from National Archives referring to blood tests and other data, will he review those documents, report back to the house, and hold a Public Inquiry into why medical record emissions ever happened, and on whose instruction . Can emissions ever happened, and on whose instruction . Whose instruction . Can i start by thankina whose instruction . Can i start by thanking all whose instruction . Can i start by thanking all our whose instruction . Can i start by thanking all our veterans whose instruction . Can i start by thanking all our veterans for whose instruction . Can i start by| thanking all our veterans for their contribution to our safety and security. I am delighted i was able to announce the new Nuclear Test Medal last year and it is starting to be received by many people, including the honourable ladys constituent. I cant comment on ongoing litigation in respect to requests for health records. However i can say that anyone can request copies of their own medical data by submitting a subject access request to departments, and, if they are not satisfied with the processing of that request, they can make a formal complaint by the complaints process. We appear to be on a downward spiral in the middle east which is inevitably going to lead to a humanitarian crisis. The road of egypt will be fantastically important. What can we in the International Community do to help work with the egyptians to ensure that refugees, legitimate refugees coming on to egyptian soil, pose no threat to the egyptian state, and are not terrorists in disguise . Mr; are not terrorists in disguise . Ii honourable friend are not terrorists in disguise . Ii1 honourable friend raises an excellent point about the concerns of the egyptians with regard to that border. I can tell him we have prioritise speaking with presidency and will continue dialogue with our egyptian partners to see what we can do to provide reassurances, get humanitarian aid to the region. We are currently working with local partners like the egyptian red present. There will be a significant logistical challenge in stockpiling aids at the border and then moving it into gaza. I want to reassure my honourable friend, and the whole house, that is something the Development Minister is actively engaged as we speak. We can play a leading role in facilitating the provision of that aid. This leading role in facilitating the provision of that aid. Leading role in facilitating the provision of that aid. This is the final question provision of that aid. This is the final question before provision of that aid. This is the final question before the provision of that aid. This is the j final question before the urgent question final question before the urgent uestion. , i, final question before the urgent iuestion. , i, , i, question. The industrial dispute at the defence question. The industrial dispute at the defence equipment question. The industrial dispute at the defence equipment and question. The industrial dispute at. The defence equipment and support ministry of defence site in my constituency is dragging on as workers engage in strike action for parity and fairness in the workplace. These workers are critical in ensuring that necessary supplies to ukraine uninterrupted. All attempts by the workers to resolve this dispute have proved unsuccessful in the face of management intransigence. With the Prime Minister personally and urgently use his influence to ensure a meaningful offer is made to these workers in order that this can be resolved, further action can be averted, and supplies to the uk can continue without disruption . Ihsnd i continue without disruption . And i think the honourable continue without disruption . fific i think the honourable member for think the honourable memberfor highlighting the Critical Role played by operatives at defence munitions. Differing rates are paid for workers with different skills and qualifications which is entirely normal practice, both in the public and private sector. This year a generous pay award was delivered as part of pay 2023. It significantly improved the base pay of workers engaged in the dispute and i am told that officials continue to be open to talks on a constructive basis with the gmb to resolve the situation. I with the gmb to resolve the situation with the gmb to resolve the situation. I i, situation. I will let the chamber clear before situation. I will let the chamber clear before we situation. I will let the chamber clear before we come situation. I will let the chamber clear before we come to situation. I will let the chamber clear before we come to the situation. I will let the chamber clear before we come to the urgent question clear before we come to the urgent question. Write that was the conclusion of Prime Ministers questions in westminster. Todays session dominated questions in westminster. Todays session dominated by questions in westminster. Todays session dominated by the questions in westminster. Todays session dominated by the war questions in westminster. Todays session dominated by the war in i session dominated by the war in israel and gaza. The Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition, keir starmer, saying they would speak in one voice in condemning her mass would makes attacks on israel. They also both cold for humanitarian access for gaza and talking about the attack on the hospital at gaza city, Al Ahli Hospital. We are also expecting an urgent question from the shadow Foreign Secretary and thatis the shadow Foreign Secretary and that is just about to happen now. I that isjust about to happen now. I asked the Foreign Secretary to make asked the Foreign Secretary to make a statement on the bombing of the mosque in gaza. The destruction of the Al Ahli Hospital in gaza is an appalling tragedy. Hospital is a place of compassion and care. This devastating loss of human life is profoundly disturbing. Im sure i speakfor the profoundly disturbing. Im sure i speak for the whole house when i offer my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and injured. The uk is working intensively with our allies to establish the facts. We will not rush to judgment. The whole house will understand that pointing fingers prematurely only fuels regional instability and upsets cohesion here in the uk. We need a firm grasp on what has happened, not a slew of social media commentary. We all share a duty to be thoughtful and careful in how we respond to reports emerging from this conflict, which can, at best, be incomplete or, at worst, examples of active disinformation. We are carefully analysing the evidence that has been put in the Public Domain and other information, and as soon as we have reached a definitive conclusion for ourselves, we will make that public. However there are some things which are not in doubt. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister set out, hamas carried out a terrorist assault in israel, unprecedented in that countrys 75 year history. The whole house is united in support of israels right to defend itself against terrorism. In defending itself, israel must act with professionalism and with an unwavering commitment to International Law. States must take every precaution to minimise civilian casualties and ensure humanitarian support reaches those in need. I welcome the an equivalent commitment, made both directly to me and in public, that israel is operating in accordance with International Law. By embedding themselves in civilian populations, are using innocent palestinians as human shields, by launching thousands of rockets since saturday, from one of the most crowded places in the world, and preventing civilians from heeding israeli warnings about future areas of operation, hamas reveals themselves and their callous indifference to human life. In this tense situation uk diplomacy is relentlessly focused on our aims. That is to support our nationals in their moment of need. To push and deliver humanitarian support, and working to prevent the tensions spilling over into the wider region, or playing out on the streets of this country. I have travelled to israel. I have engaged with g7 allies, regional portland to live partners, and will be visiting the region again because we recognise that this will require intensive effort. None of us know how this complex, protracted situation will develop. The government is committed to keeping the house updated. Both here, in the uk and in the region, this is a time for cool heads and determination to make a positive difference. Thank ou so make a positive difference. Thank you so much make a positive difference. Thank you so much for make a positive difference. Thank you so much for granting make a positive difference. Thank you so much for granting this make a positive difference. Thank you so much for granting this urgent question. I am grateful to the Foreign Secretary for his engagement with the opposition at this very difficult time. Today we stand united in mourning the death of hundreds of innocent Palestinian Civilians at the al ahli mosque,. Hospital, forgive me. A place of healing became a scene of destruction. Hospitals must always be protected. The death of every civilian, palestinian or israeli, is an equal tragedy that pushes back the cause of peace. When facing an incident of this magnitude, we all have a duty to act responsibly and judiciously, as the facts are determined. All the Foreign Secretary joined determined. All the Foreign Secretaryjoined me in urging everyone in this house and beyond, to be wary of disinformation and to avoid dangerous speculation before the facts are clear. On the point that the Foreign Secretary raises, will he also update the house and what he is doing to deal with outsize powers that might be seeking to drive Division Within our own shores . I know that the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have rightly said that they are working to establish the facts, looking at intelligence with our allies, and that must be right. We know also President Bidens comments. Can you confirm that the uk government shares that initial assessment because my guy asking to share what information he can with us, either publicly or on privy council terms. Does the Foreign Secretary agree with me that those responsible for the deaths at the Al Ahli Hospital must be held to account . Since hamass appalling terrorist track, labour has been crystal clear. First we support israels right to defend itself, rescue hostages and protect itself, rescue hostages and protect its citizens. Second, International Law must be followed at all times, and third, civilians must not be targeted, aid provided, and innocent lives protected. Gaza is in the middle of an active humanitarian emergency. Innocent Palestinian Civilians are terrified for their lives. Can the Foreign Secretary today commits that the government will leave no stone unturned in its diplomatic efforts to secure humanitarian access to food, water, fuel, electricity and medicines, ensure the establishment of humanitarian corridors, and the proper protection of humanitarian workers, Palestinian Civilians in gaza must know the world is not simply watching, but we are acting on their behalf. The simply watching, but we are acting on their behalf. On their behalf. The right honourable on their behalf. The right honourable gentleman. On their behalf. The right honourable gentleman makes a on their behalf. The right honourable gentleman makes a number of incredibly important points and i commend the house to listen to the point is that he made, a number of which i will respond to and indeed amplify. He is absolutely right. This is an incredibly sensitive situation, notjust for the region itself, and our desire to prevent this tragedy expanding into a regional conflict remains an absolute priority. Of course we have absolute priority. Of course we have a duty as a government, and it is a passion im sure are shared by the whole house, to ensure thatjewish communities in the uk, muslim communities in the uk, muslim communities in the uk, muslim communities in the uk, are safe and feel safe and do not experience ramifications of circumstances far beyond these shores and beyond their control. Forthat beyond these shores and beyond their control. For that reason everybody, particularly those who have a voice, whether formal or informal in the public sphere, should be particularly careful of what information they disseminate. They should be particularly vigilant against disinformation and speculation is never useful. I appreciate that the house, and indeed the country, we want to understand what is going on in real time, and sometimes the pores we impose on our self to make sure the information they giver provides can be frustrating, but i would prefer, of course, to be accurate rather than just work at pace. He is of course, to be accurate rather thanjust work at pace. He is right, there are malign influences seeking to take advantage of the situation. We guard ourselves against this and we take note of what President Biden has said, but we will come to our ownjudgment and we has said, but we will come to our own judgment and we work on that quickly. We will ensure that our assessment is put in the Public Domain as soon as we are confident of the details. We domain as soon as we are confident of the details domain as soon as we are confident of the details. We should soon know the direct cause of the details. We should soon know the direct cause of of the details. We should soon know the direct cause of this of the details. We should soon know the direct cause of this explosion. I the direct cause of this explosion. I will send on to him a letter i have received from the worthing islamic society. I thinkjewish people and others in my constituency will agree with every sentence. It ends up by saying that the government please use its influence and support to encourage a peaceful and support to encourage a peaceful and sustainable resolution that prioritises the rights and well being of innocent citizens caught up in the onslaught. The floor of the caught up in the onslaught. The floor of the house makes caught up in the onslaught. Ti9 floor of the house makes incredibly important point. As a former ministerfor the middle important point. As a former minister for the middle east important point. As a former ministerfor the middle east im acutely conscious of the implications for select communities, both in the region and here in the uk, and the of those people is as close to my heart is the protection ofjewish people here in the uk. We will relentlessly pursue what is the enduring uk government position, which is a viable two state solution, with israelis and palestinians living in peace, side liy palestinians living in peace, side by size. Of course these circumstances are a setback, but nevertheless we will not be fatalistic. We will continue to work with israel, with the Palestinian People, and the wider region, to bring about that positive outcome. We are just leaving proceedings there in parliament, where there was an urgent question by the shadow Foreign Secretary, david lammy, to the Foreign Secretary, james cleverly. This was off the back of Prime Ministers questions where the crisis in the middle east, the war between gaza and israel, really dominated questions today. We can turn to our political correspondent, helen catt, who has been watching Prime Ministers questions. I want to ask about the mood in the house. This isnt the usual Prime Ministers questions that viewers might be used to. Iiia ministers questions that viewers might be used to. Might be used to. No it wasnt. Usually at might be used to. No it wasnt. Usually at prime might be used to. No it wasnt. Usually at Prime Ministers usually at Prime Ministers questions we get a lot more political point scoring. There is a bit more knock about. As every time it has been discussed in the commons, it has been much more sombre, much more subdued, and what is striking about it is certainly between rishi sunak and the leader of the opposition, sir keir starmer, a lot of agreement, a lot of unity. They both said in prime questions that they believed westminster should speak one voice. There was a little bit of difference of opinion from the snp, the Scottish National party, which agrees with the government and agrees with labour in condemning the attack by hamas on israel defending itself, but they are calling for an immediate ceasefire. They are also concerned about what they say is the collective punishment of civilians in gaza. There is a slight difference of opinion there. Just to u date difference of opinion there. Just to update our difference of opinion there. Just to update our viewers, difference of opinion there. Just to update our viewers, we difference of opinion there. Just to update our viewers, we are difference of opinion there. Just to update our viewers, we are also i update our viewers, we are also getting reports from our diplomatic correspondent, james landale, saying that the Foreign Secretary, james cleverly, is expected to travel to the middle east in the coming days to discuss the situation in gaza with allies in the region. What did the Prime Minister have to say about the Prime Minister have to say about the governments efforts to, first of all, try to bring an end to the conflict as it stands, but also to bring humanitarian assistance to people in gaza . The bring humanitarian assistance to people in gaza . Bring humanitarian assistance to people in gaza . The Prime Minister had sioken people in gaza . The Prime Minister had spoken about people in gaza . The Prime Minister had spoken about what people in gaza . The Prime Minister had spoken about what the people in gaza . The Prime Minister had spoken about what the uk had spoken about what the uk government has been doing. He talked about the ongoing efforts that they have, conversations with egypt, to try to get the Rafah Crossing open. Eight had been increased to gaza, that it was being stockpiled and logistics were happening to get it moved to the region when it was possible. He talked about the importance of aid. He also spoke about the attack that happens on the hospital and that is what the urgent question about, and was very clear that the uk is saying not to rush to judgment, that British Security Intelligence Services are rapidly doing their own analysis. They want to come to their own conclusion on what happened. That to come to their own conclusion on what happened to come to their own conclusion on what hai iened. , , , what happened. That was the comment from the prime what happened. That was the comment from the Prime Minister, what happened. That was the comment from the Prime Minister, the what happened. That was the comment from the Prime Minister, the british from the Prime Minister, the British Government is reviewing its own evidence to find out who was responsible for that attack on the hospital in gaza city. Just looking more broadly, the conversation has been dominated by events in the middle east. Here at home the Political Parties are gearing up for two key by elections tomorrow. How are the chance of stacking up for them at the moment . To byelections tomorrow, them at the moment . To byelections tomorrow. Both them at the moment . To byelections tomorrow, both in them at the moment . To byelections tomorrow, both in conservative them at the moment . To byelections tomorrow, both in conservative held l tomorrow, both in conservative held seats in mid bedfordshire and also in tamworth. We will be looking to see what happens with those, certainly what we are seeing in tamworth is a particularly a challenge from labour to the conservatives there. They are hoping to take that. In mid bedfordshire we are seeing what is, unusually, a three way fight between the conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and labour both saying they are challenging there. At the moment we simply dont know what those results are going to be. Polls open tomorrow and if you join is overnight tomorrow night we will be able to tell you what happens with those. Thank you very much, thanks for joining us today. Just to remind viewers that we have live pages on the bbc website. I will to two of them. As we have been discussing Prime Ministers questions, we have analysis updates on Prime Ministers questions. You can pick up some of the highlights of what was said, questions that were asked, and obviously, just looking at the top story here, developments from gaza and israel more broadly. Now we are just going to take you to some live pictures of gaza, the skyline, where we continue to hear reports of further attacks there in gaza. Obviously the focus right now has been on the aftermath of the explosion at Al Ahli Hospital, where hundreds of people died. We will continue to bring you updates throughout the day here on bbc news. And now it is time for a look at the weather. Weather is going to be awfully wet and windy in the coming days and the advice is to keep track and listen to the latest updates. Storm babet is coming out of the south west, already the rain are spreading across the uk. The met office has issued a rare red warning for eastern scotland, valid from thursday evening to friday. Torrential rain is to bring disruption churn and serious flooding to some parts of eastern scotland. We will all get at least some rain and all of us are in for heavy rain. The focal point there for the really high rainfall accumulations, well in excess of 100 millimetres in some spots. Lets see what is happening to the course of this evening. This is the weather front associated with storm babet. It moves northwards across the uk so it is a definitive area of heavy rain, it wont be running all through the night. The rain will come and go and then actually the scales might clearfor a come and go and then actually the scales might clear for a time. Towards the early hours of the morning the weather front is in the north of the country. In the south we have got showers, maybe some thunderstorms, and i think this is when the worst of the rain is going to happen. Later on thursday and into friday it is across eastern parts of scotland and eventually the north east of england as well. It is a really messy picture on thursday. The bulk of the country, it is a mixture of sunny spells and showers. Gale force winds on that north coast and also around scotland. Lets go through the warnings. These are the amber warnings from the met office. Some of them overlap because there are warnings for both rainfall and severe gales. In these orange areas it could be in excess of 100 millimetres of rain, gusts of wind on the coast of aberdeenshire up to 70 miles an hour, but this is the really serious warning, that rare red warning from the met office, extensive flooding possible, and we could even see 250 millimetres of rain, especially across some of the upland areas. On friday that weather system is still very much with us. This time i think we will see torrential rain and persistent heavy rain across many parts of england, again, Gale Force Winds on those naughty coasts and particularly wet in the south east. Wherever you are, take care. Only. Two. Two. The claimant. Claims and counter claims surround the attack on a Gaza Hospital which hamas says killed hundreds of people. Hamas has blamed it on israel. Israel has shown evidence it says proves the explosion was caused by a rocket from the palestinian islamichhad group. The bbc� s correspondent there has spoken to eyewitnesses. He said that they were just sitting in their garden peacefully, and suddenly a huge explosion rocked this area. The us President Joe Biden is in israel. Hes met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pledged americas support. I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion in gaza at the hospital yesterday. And based on what ive seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team. And the other main stories on the programme. Food prices fell last month but petrol and diesel cost more. It means inflation stands still at 6. 7 . And we hear from danny boyle about his latest show thats opening the major brand new arts centre in manchester. And coming up on bbc news, after england qualify for the euros, well hear from captain harry kane about their desire to go