Thousands of athletes from Around The World set to compete across 22 sports, with the first events starting tomorrow morning. We start in the middle east, where at least nine people have been killed in the biggest israeli operation in the occupied West Bank for 20 years. Last month, the international Court Ofjustice ruled that israels continued occupation of the area, captured in 1967, breached international law. Violence has been increasing in the occupied West Bank since hamas� s deadly attack in israel on seven october, with the un saying more than 650 palestinians have been killed by israeli soldiers or settlers there. Attacks have also been launched from the occupied West Bank against israelis. Since 1993, control of the West Bank has been divided across three zones where there is either full control by the Palestinian Authority, partial control shared with israel or where israel is in full control. Unlike gaza, hamas has no control there. Overnight, israeli forces simultaneously went into the cities ofjenin, tulkarm, nablus and tubas, on a scale that hasnt happened for decades. Israel says its been conducting a Counter Terrorism Operation with Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, describing the situation as a war that must be won. A senior palestinian official has accused israel of trying to escalate the war In Gaza, warning of Dire And Dangerous results. The palestinian president , Mahmoud Abbas has cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia because of the attacks. Our international editorjeremy bowen. Our international editorjeremy bowen. , our international editorjeremy bowen. , our international editorjeremy bowen. , bowen. What do you make of this . The bowen. What do you make of this . The west bowen. What do you make of this . The West Bank bowen. What do you make of this . The West Bank itself i bowen. What do you make ofl this . The West Bank itself has been spiralling into deeper violence since October Seven Last year when hamas attacked israel. While it has of course not been on the scale of gaza, it has been steady and steadily getting worse. And this operation by the Israeli Army which israel says it is basically an operation to try and hit people they call terrorists who might attack their civilians, and these people israel says are backed by iran, this is a significant escalation of what went before and its also a reminder that for all the talk of iran and so on, fundamentally what this is about is this long running immutable conflict between israelis and palestinians for control of the land. Control of the land. What is our control of the land. What is your View Control of the land. What is your view on control of the land. What is your view on iran, control of the land. What is your view on iran, and control of the land. What is your view on iran, and the l your view on iran, and the claim by the Foreign Minister Israel Katz that it is trying to establish an Eastern Front against israel and the West Bank . I against israel and the West Bank . � against israel and the West Bank . , � ~. ,. Against israel and the West Bank . ~. ,. � , bank . I dont know what hes basing that bank . I dont know what hes basing that on, bank . I dont know what hes basing that on, there bank . I dont know what hes basing that on, there is bank . I dont know what hes basing that on, there is been| basing that on, there is been various reporting from other journalists that the iranians are trying to funnel weapons and, i dont think that would be any sort of surprise. When ive been in some of these West Bank towns, ive seen young men carrying modern, brand new american assault weapons, which on the black market, cost more than 20,000. 50 clearly is not something they could have bought themselves. Someone is paying for those. But, you know, but we always have to remember with this is that all of this comes out of this long conflict between israelis and palestinians, and responding to the latest reports of who may be responsible, it is of course important, but the fundamentals of it is that this is a long occupation, long conflict. Despite many attempts to find a Military Solution not least by israel, that has not succeeded. Israels Prime Minister is talking about temporary evacuations of people in the West Bank. Do know the scale of that, where they will move to and how large that could be . No, we do not know detail about that. A lot of what the israelis are doing in terms of destroying civilian infrastructure is quite reminiscent about what theyve been doing In Gaza for the best part of the year. If they go down the path of issuing evacuation orders, in specific areas, say a Refugee Camp perhaps, in one of the towns of the West Bank, then that is very like what they do In Gaza, and i think there would be fears because there is an extra factor in the West Bank that doesnt exist In Gaza. That is the presence of armed and militantjewish settlers. Militant jewish settlers. Question mark. Militantjewish settlers. Question mark. Im only raising this now. If palestinians moved out of an area, would settlers then move in, would they then refused to budge . There are all sorts of implications. Thats why they may well be, the army will not want to do that, but well see. Will not want to do that, but well see well see. When you talked about the well see. When you talked about the settlers, well see. When you talked about the settlers, the well see. When you talked about the settlers, the us| well see. When you talked i about the settlers, the us has imposed sanctions on a jewish settlement of an israeli nonprofit. What you make of that development, is it significant . That development, is It Siunificant . � ,. , significant . The americans have done this kind significant . The americans have done this kind of significant . The americans have done this kind of thing significant . The americans have done this kind of thing before, l done this kind of thing before, not very much though. These are a similar organisation which is, was involved in the expulsion of about 250 palestinians from their homes and also a prominent Security Official in one of the most militant West Bank settlements. So these are people who really are the sharpened of the militant settler movement. I think the important thing to know is that essentially, these are symbolic acts by the americans, its not going to change a great deal because the settlers have support from within the israeli cabinet. Prime Minister Netanyahu actively supports a great deal, not everything, but a great deal of what they do. And he has and pointed to be the senior official dealing with the West Bank, a man who has been doing it for a while, who is one of the ultranationalist in his coalition, who is very much in the idea as is the position of the israeli government, that this isjewish land and there is no prospect of palestinian Independence Or Freedom on that land. Freedom on that land. Jeremy, thank yom lets speak to alon pinkas, former israeli diplomat and Prime Ministerial adviser. Welcome, thank you very much for being with us. Whats your assessment of the scale of this operation, the largest by the israeli military and the West Bankin israeli military and the West Bank in some 20 years . Hello, Samantha Bank in some 20 years . Hello, samantha. To bank in some 20 years . Hello, samantha. To begin bank in some 20 years . Hello, samantha. To begin with, bank in some 20 years . Hello, samantha. To begin with, i samantha. To begin with, i agree with 99. 9 of Whatjeremy Bowen just agree with 99. 9 of Whatjeremy Bowenjust said. In agree with 99. 9 of Whatjeremy Bowen just said. In terms of putting this in a Border Context of an immutable, im quoting him, and immutable conflict that has no solution. After this attack, specifically, there are two things to bear in mind. One thing, it could very well be that it was a counterterrorism operation. Lets not dismiss that, and it could be that it was based on intelligence and preemptive action to foil a terror attack, lets not dismiss that. But if you look at it slightly from a board broader angle, at it slightly from a board broaderangle, broader at it slightly from a board broader angle, broader lens, this is designed to weaken the Palestinian Authority. If you recall, samantha, eversince recall, samantha, ever since october seventh recall, samantha, Eversince October Seventh and the beginning of the war In Gaza, Mr Netanyahu, per Minister Netanyahu has been reluctant and dismissive and defiant in all, and engaging the us in a so called postwar gaza scenario, according to which the americans, the Palestinian Authority should extend its governance to gaza. Secondly, for many years, at least since 2018, he has been vetting and encouraging the funnelling of funds and the strengthening of hamas In Gaza, yes, thats exactly what he was doing, in order to, and he exactly what he was doing, in orderto, and he said exactly what he was doing, in order to, and he said this publicly, we can the Palestinian Authority so as not to be pulled in or lured into a peace process, which he is not interested in. So if you put the operation of the last 2a hours in that context of weakening the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank, with whom security Forces Israel has cooperated in a very effective way, if you put it in that context, things become much clearer. That context, things become much clearer. Whats your view on the israeli much clearer. Whats your view on the israeli justification on the israeli justification that they say iran are trying to establish in Eastern Front against israel in a the West Bank . �. ,. , against israel in a the West Bank . ~. ,. Bank . Again, you know, if an Individual Bank . Again, you know, if an individual or bank . Again, you know, if an individual or a bank . Again, you know, if an individual or a Terror Bank . Again, you know, if an individual or a Terror Cell Bank . Again, you know, if an individual or a Terror Cell has | individual or a Terror Cell has connections to iran, i cant refute that. But to accuse iran of everything, i mean, this is almost science fiction. And its, its consistent with the Prime Minister who is trying to distance himself from the debacle of october seven by saying this is Notjust Hamas terrorism, this is a civilisational war. Israel is in a 360 degrees front, from all directions, the epicentre of this anti israeli campaign. The iranians are employing a web of proxies, they are doing it and gaza with hamas, they are doing it in lebanon with hezbollah, they are doing it in South West Yemen and the Red Sea with the houthis, and they are doing it in the West Bank. So ascribing Responsibility And Collusion to iran, itjust, you know, it works wonders with the narrative and exempts Mr Netanyahu from having to deal with gaza and having to deal with gaza and having to deal with lebanon. Its all about iran and look, samantha, that he, for months has been trying to drag the us into a conflict with iran. So far unsuccessfully. I dont think hell ever succeed in doing that. His iran policy has been a success of failure but he keeps on, as you suggested, he keeps on, as you suggested, he keeps on, as you suggested, he keeps on pointing to iran as the source of all Evil And Terror activity no matter what. Thank you very much for being with us, and for urinalysis. Lets speak to khaled elgindy, a senior fellow at the middle East Institute and former adviser to the Palestinian Authority. Welcome to you, thank you for being with us. Whats your assessment of this operation by the israeli military in the West Bank today . The israeli military in the West Bank today . The israeli military in the West Bank toda . , West Bank today . Yeah, i mean, i think West Bank today . Yeah, i mean, ithinkthis West Bank today . Yeah, i mean, i think this is West Bank today . Yeah, i mean, i think this is the West Bank today . Yeah, i mean, i think this is the latest West Bank today . Yeah, i mean, i think this is the latest in West Bank today . Yeah, i mean, i think this is the latest in a i think this is the latest in a series of very dramatic and alarming escalations by the israeli government, by prime Minister Netanyahu, you know, weve had escalations on the lebanon border, with iran, the assassinations of hamas leaders and others. And now this massive. Military operation in the West Bank. I think its pretty clear to everyone that these escalations are attended intended to do a number of things. One is to satisfy the Extremist Flank of this Ruling Coalition of benjamin netanyahu, who would like nothing more than to deepen their control in the West Bank, to remove, frankly, they talk openly about removing palestinian populations. And replacing them withjewish settlers. But its also, i think, serving the personal needs and interests of tHe Perimeter himself. Who has as we just heard, perimeter himself. Who has as wejust heard, He Perimeter himself. Who has as we just heard, he would like to see a prolonged and expanded war in orderfor him to remain war in order for him to remain in war in orderfor him to remain in power. If he can draw the united states into it, all the better. And hes managed to do it, ithink, quite successfully. His Poll Numbers are now up, people are no longer asking the questions about well what went wrong, who is responsible for the failures on october seven. And hes bought himself considerable latitude is his Ruling Coalition and i think the question that people have to ask themselves in the uk and certainly in washington is, is it worth igniting the region on fire over and over again in order to save the political career of benjamin and yahoo, who as weve seen, will do nothing, will spare no remain in power. Benjamin netanyahu. In power. Benamin netanyahu. fi in power. Benamin netanyahu. In power. Benamin netan ahu. ,. , netanyahu. Demands for those hosta. Es netanyahu. Demands for those hostages to netanyahu. Demands for those hostages to be netanyahu. Demands for those hostages to be returned, netanyahu. Demands for those j hostages to be returned, israel says it has evidence that iran is increasing its financing and equipping militant groups in the West Bank. You are a former adviser to the Palestinian Authority, is it . I adviser to the Palestinian Authority, is it . Adviser to the Palestinian Authority, is it . I dont think its a secret authority, is it . I dont think its a secret that authority, is it . I dont think its a secret that iran authority, is it . I dont think its a secret that iran has its a secret that iran has provided support to various groups, various armed palestinian groups. In the West Bank and In Gaza. I dont know that there has been any dramatic change in that regard, but as we heard from mr pincus a Minute Sick of gopal it also resonates with parallel constituencies, republicans in the us congress, conservatives in europe, playing this Civilisation Card of this islamic Boogie Man Epicentre in iran, i think serves a certain ideological narrative. But the Islamic State ideological narrative. But the Islamic State is ideological narrative. But the Islamic State is committed i ideological narrative. But the j Islamic State is committed to the destruction of the strait of israel, isnt it . The government would say it does have a right to defend itself. The state of israel. Have a right to defend itself. The state of israel. Against what exactly the state of israel. Against what exactly is the state of israel. Against what exactly is israel what exactly is israel defending itself . Against dissidents defending itself . Against dissidents who defending itself . Against dissidents who are defending itself . Against| dissidents who are funded defending itself . Against dissidents who are funded by a regime that wants its instruction. Regime that wants its instruction. First of all, i dont know instruction. First of all, i dont know if instruction. First of all, i dont know if its instruction. First of all, i | dont know if its actually true. We have to take the assertions of this, again, very extreme government with a grain of salt. This is a government that defines human rights workers, international humanitarian aid workers, as terrorists, or a front for terrorists. So we have to be careful in wholesale adopting the language and assertions of this, again, very extreme government. So we have to see where theres evidence, but also these armed groups, who are they attacking . They are attacking and invading, for the most part, they are attacking arms, israeli soldiers, who are invading your towns and villages. I dont think that would qualify with Anyones Definition with the exception of israel, as terrorism. And then the other question is, are these kinds of Military Operations that kill people, that destroy infrastructure, that destroy infrastructure, that besiege hospitals, are they reducing the amount of Armed Resistance, or are they creating more Armed Resistance . Its been reported today that hamas has said several of its militants have been killed, so israel would argue that again, hamas is an organisation committed to its destruction, that they need to eradicate those people. Thats what the Word Gaza was all about. Thats clearly not Word Gaza was all about. Thats clearly not with Word Gaza was all about. Thats clearly not with the Word Gaza was all about. Thats clearly not with the war clearly not with the war In Gazais clearly not with the war In Gaza is all about because gaza has been destroyed as a society where 2. 3 million people live. They destroyed universities, they destroyed hospitals, destroyed most of the infrastructure, dave displaced almost the entire population, so clearly whats happening In Gaza goes well beyond hamas. And its clearly intended to punish the entire population that for example, the starvation, the famine, this is a man made famine. In gaza. The World Food Programme human rights watch, numerous other international humanitarian and human rights groups has said that israel is using starvation as a weapon. If those tactics are going to be imported into the West Bank, people need to be very, very alarmed and so theres a likelihood that what israel is doing is that you know, it is launching this operation, waiting to see what sort of international outrage there is, and if its muted, they know that they have a Green Light to continue to escalate. Green light to continue to escalate Green Light to continue to escalate. ~ ,. Escalate. Thank you very much forjoining escalate. Thank you very much forjoining us. Around the world and across the uk. This is bbc news. The details come a day after Donald Trump was hit with a new indictment over his efforts to overturn his loss to Joe Biden four years ago. Government lawyers were forced to amend their case because of a landmark supreme court ruling, that former president s have broad immunity from criminal prosecution. The new indictment re works the language of the accusations. They now refer to his status as a political candidate rather than sitting president. Donald trump has accused the Department Ofjustice of trying to resurrect a dead witch hunt. In just two weeks, he will take to the Debate Stage against Kamala Harris for the first time on september 10. Donald trump confirmed late tuesday that he will take part in the debate, after raising questions about the Host Network abcs political bias against him. Well, before the debate has even started the two campaigns are already debating behind the scenes about the terms, particularly whether microphones will be muted when the other person is speaking. The Harris Campaign is arguing that the microphones should be live throughout, while trumps campaign argued for the the exact same terms from Thejune Debate with cnn. Lets speak to jennifer laszlo, who is an elected delegate for Kamala Harris from the state of maryland. And matt terrill, a republican strategist who was Chief Of Staff for marco Rubios President ial campaign. Pretty heavy on the programme. If i can start with you, matt, how worried you think im drunk will become a does it raise this Issue Againjust will become a does it raise this issue again just ahead of the election well, look, i think that voters, they either like President Trump or not. Voters concerned with those issues voters concerned with those issues will probably not vote for him issues will probably not vote for him anyway. This Campaign Right for him anyway. This Campaign Right now for him anyway. This Campaign Right now is not about the political right now is not about the political basis. The Gop Base are going to turn out for donald are going to turn out for Donald Trump, the Democrat Base are fired Donald Trump, the Democrat Base are fired up for, harass, they wiii are fired up for, harass, they will try are fired up for, harass, they will try out are fired up for, harass, they will try out for her. This comes will try out for her. This comes down to 100,000 voters, as little comes down to 100,000 voters, as little as comes down to 100,000 voters, as little as 45,000 voters, affordability, housing, food, fuel. Affordability, housing, food, fuel, Border Security is a big issue fuel, Border Security is a big issue and fuel, Border Security is a big issue and then crime. Those of the Issues Issue and then crime. Those of the issues that will drive this race, the issues that will drive this race, those Swing Voters, that small race, those Swing Voters, that small amount of Swing Voters who small amount of Swing Voters who are small amount of Swing Voters who are undecided, The End of the day who are undecided, The End of the day they care about those issues the day they care about those issues and former President Trump issues and former President Trump stays focused on those Issues Trump stays focused on those issues there will be a better base issues there will be a better base for issues there will be a better base for his campaign going into base for his campaign going into november. Base for his campaign going into november. Jennifer, i want to ask you. Into november. Jennifer, i want to ask you, before into november. Jennifer, i want to ask you, before the into november. Jennifer, i want to ask you, before the Debate L to ask you, before the Debate Weve got the first interview with Kamala Harris tomorrow alongside her vp team mate, havent we . Thats the first interview that she will have given since she has stood at the democratic candidate. Theres been lots of criticism about why she hasnt given an interview and whether shes hiding her record, whether she will stand up to scrutiny. How is she going to fair, you think . ,. Think . What are her pitfalls . She is an think . What are her pitfalls . She is an incredibly think . What are her pitfalls . She is an incredibly strong i she is an incredibly strong person who is ready to lead as president on day one. Shes been a prosecutor, united states senator, Vice President of the united states, shes travelled extensively Around The World and met with world leaders, so i think shes going to do extremely well in her interview and also in this debate, but there is still this question about how the debate will happen. Because we see that debates really, really do matter. The last debate, Joe Biden, he did very poorly and he ended the exiting the campaign. The old candidate now is Donald Trump, and whether he can stick to the same issues that matt talked about and is really in question and will be interesting to see whether he goes off on a tangent or hes able to focus on those Swing Voters and their concerns. I was actually asking you jennifer, about a Tv Interview she will give tomorrow, but dont worry because ill also talk about the debate on september ten. Talk about the debate on septemberten. Matt, talk about the debate on september ten. Matt, what you think about the muted microphones . This is about being muted while the other person is talking so they can interject. I person is talking so they can interect. , � person is talking so they can interject person is talking so they can interject. I dont know where their land interject. I dont know where their land in interject. I dont know where their land in terms interject. I dont know where their land in terms of interject. I dont know where their land in terms of muted | interject. I dont know where i their land in terms of muted or on muted their land in terms of muted or on muted mics. Why they would want on muted mics. Why they would want those mics muted or not, a viral want those mics muted or not, a viral moment if you will Something Weve had in past debates Something Weve had in past debates where youve had interruptions on both sides of the political aisle from both political plant candidates, we saw that political plant candidates, we saw that in 2020, 2016, not just saw that in 2020, 2016, not just in saw that in 2020, 2016, not just in General Election debates with the primary debates, The End of the day where debates, The End of the day where i debates, The End of the day where i go back to the Swing Voters where i go back to the Swing Voters in where i go back to the Swing Voters. In this debate, for both voters. In this debate, for both these candidates and Vice President harrison former President Trump, those of the voters President Trump, those of the voters they have to win over, they voters they have to win over, they are voters they have to win over, they are in voters they have to win over, they are in places like wisconsin, michigan and pennsylvania, and theyre not going pennsylvania, and theyre not going to pennsylvania, and theyre not going to care about whether or not the going to care about whether or not the mics are muted or not, they not the mics are muted or not, they dont not the mics are muted or not, they dont care about the rules of the they dont care about the rules of the debate, they care about policy of the debate, they care about policy over personality and i Io Policy Over personality and i go back policy over personality and i go back to those issues of affordability, voter security, crime, affordability, voter security, crime, affordability, voter security, crime, Border Security, they will crime, Border Security, they will look crime, Border Security, they will lookal crime, Border Security, they will look at that and they will analyse will look at that and they will analyse the candidates in the Abatement And Figure out what their Abatement And Figure out what their records are on those issues their records are on those issues and more importantly what issues and more importantly what they will do On The Issues after what they will do On The Issues after the what they will do On The Issues after the next four years. Those after the next four years. Those voters will decide the election, focused on the candidates who talk about these issues candidates who talk about these issues but also lead on those issues, issues but also lead on those issues, the candidate who doesnt issues, the candidate who doesntjust win the issues, the candidate who doesnt just win the debate that doesnt just win the debate that wins the election. Doesntjust win the debate that wins the election. Denver, briefl , that wins the election. Denver, briefly. Do that wins the election. Denver, briefly. Do you that wins the election. Denver, briefly, do you think that wins the election. Denver, briefly, do you think this briefly, do you think this debate will really count with those Swing Voters . Absolutely, and remember those Swing Voters . Absolutely, and remember when those Swing Voters . Absolutely, and remember when this those Swing Voters . Absolutely, and remember when this debate is taking place. Its taking place the day before the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Its a time when americans are really thinking about national security, keep in mind that Donald Trumps top national security advisers, they are not supporting him. We will going to see a strong, harris. , a. ~ harris. Jennifer, matt, thank ou harris. Jennifer, matt, thank you very harris. Jennifer, matt, thank you very much harris. Jennifer, matt, thank you very much for harris. Jennifer, matt, thank you very much for your harris. Jennifer, matt, thank| you very much for your time. Harris. Jennifer, matt, thank. You very much for your time. To stay with us here on bbc news. Hello there. Weve certainly seen some contrasting Weather Conditions across the country today. Out to the west, its been cloudy and often wet once again. This was chorley in lancashire this morning, some of the rain really quite heavy, clearing away to some drizzly, murky conditions. The best of the sunshine, well, high cloud, yes, across East Anglia and south east england, but thats where we had the sunshine and the warmth. In fact, Temperatures Peaking in the high 20s by the middle part of the afternoon. Probably too hot for many of us, but as those Weather Fronts that brought the Rain Sink south and east, no rain on it, but theyre going to introduce fresher air as they move through overnight. So on thursday morning, then, well start off with a lot of sunshine and just a few scattered showers across northern england, northern ireland. Showers more frequent into scotland, moving from west to east through the day. Top temperatures between 14 19 degrees here, but we should see temperatures at 23 celsius, so a little bit more pleasant perhaps across south east england. Now, as we move through thursday evening, those showers will tend to fade away, perhaps just clinging to the far north of Scotland Clearing skies, thats going to allow those temperatures to fall away into single figures. Maybe a little bit misty and murky as well first thing into northern ireland, south west scotland. But on the whole, we keep that quieter theme of weather. Friday will start off dry, settled with some sunshine coming through. Cloud will build up through the day, but it should be largely dry for many throughout the day, and temperatures will once again range from 15 19 degrees in the north, perhaps 20 23 celsius across parts of england and wales. High pressure is going to stay with us as we move into the weekend. It will start to drift its way north and east, allowing the Wind Direction to come in for more of an easterly that could push in more cloud off the north sea. Certainly a fresher feel on those exposed east coast, and perhaps not as sunny as it has been, so sheltered western areas seeing the best of the sunshine and a dry day for scotland and northern ireland, and as a result, a little warmer as Well Highs here of 22 degrees. Second half of the weekend looks quite promising. Again, that High Pressure still likely to pull away, but we keep that drier theme, and thats going to hold those Weather Fronts out in the atlantic. So, dry settled and sunny story as we continue into sunday, and as a result a little warmer, too. Hello, im samantha simmonds. Youre watching the context on bbc news. The uk sets out plans for an � ambitious reset� with europe as the Prime Minister visits germany. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres sarah mulkerrin. Hello from the bbc sport centre. Thank you very much. The Paralympics Opening Ceremony is under way in paris, with 11 days of competition beginning on thursday. Proceedings at the Place De La Concorde began with a massive show of blue, white and red fireworks, before the Patrouille De France painted the skies above with the french flag and that was quickly followed by the parade of athletes, the 4500 participants making their way down the Champs Elysees before arriving at the Place De La Concorde. So that is ongoing. Well, after covid Saw No Fans in Tokyo And Rio was dogged by financial issues, the pressure is on the french capital to rival, or even better the paralympics In London in 2012. Beyond the sport however, those involved say theyre mindful of a secondary purpose for the games. It is always important, we are here hoping on winning at least medals but we are part of the incredible global movement, the Paralympic Movement Which On and off The Field want disabled people to be realised in society. Those performances on The Field can only help us in that cause
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