Several metres deep. In the north of the territory, the un says a convoy of its staff carrying out polio vaccinations was held at gunpoint for eight hours by the israeli army on monday. The staff have now been released, but the un says it's not sure whether it can continue the vaccination campaign as planned. Meanwhile, syria says at least 18 people have been killed and dozens injured in a series of israeli air strikes. Syrian state media says multiple sites were targeted including scientific research centres. Monitoring organisations say that one of the sites, in the city of masyaf, was housing pro—iranian weapons experts. Iran rejected reports that iranian sites were hit. Israel says it will not comment on reports of the strikes. Israel has previously acknowledged carrying out hundreds of strikes in recent years on targets in syria that it says are linked to iran. Joining me is frank lowenstein, who served as united states special envoy for middle east peace under president barack obama. We are getting news of this attack on the camp at al mawasi and the idf saying it targeted and the idf saying it targeted a hamas control centre using precision weaponry, but given that people on the ground are reporting 20 tents were hit, thatis reporting 20 tents were hit, that is a massacre. Can that be described as a targeted strike, or what do you think the strategy is? i or what do you think the strategy is?— or what do you think the strategy is? i think it really underscores _ strategy is? i think it really underscores the _ strategy is? i think it really underscores the bottom. Strategy is? i think it reallyl underscores the bottom line strategy is? i think it really. Underscores the bottom line is that there are no safe areas in gaza. There is no place where civilians can go not be at risk of being killed by israeli air strikes. It's hard to know without knowing the details how targeted the strike was and it is clear that hamas had been using civilians in human shields when they have an opportunity. There is no end in sight to this and we are far away from a ceasefire. It seems neither side really wants one, so the us is in a very difficult position here. What is our difficult position here. What is your reading _ difficult position here. What is your reading of _ difficult position here. What is your reading of where difficult position here. What is your reading of where things should go next? to your point, we keep hearing from the biden administration that a deal is imminent which is not what we are hearing from minister netanyahu. I are hearing from minister netanyahu. — are hearing from minister netanyahu. Are hearing from minister netan ahu. . , �* ~. ,. , netanyahu. I don't think a deal is imminent — netanyahu. I don't think a deal is imminent right _ netanyahu. I don't think a deal is imminent right now netanyahu. I don't think a deal is imminent right now and netanyahu. I don't think a deal is imminent right now and i is imminent right now and i think if you listen carefully you will see the white house is walking that back a bit. Hamas came out with a new set of demands with respect to the prisoners they wanted to have released which will not be acceptable to the israelis and benjamin netanyahu came out with a hard line that hamas will not accept. So it seems to me that the issues are small enough to be resolved if both parties want to and it really feels like neither side wants a deal. And when the united states wants it more than either of the parties that had this experience as secretary kerry did in 2014, there is no way to get them there or leveraged hamas and we are not willing to put the pressure on israel to make the kind of succession is —— concessions necessary. We are in a bit of an impasse at the moment. When ou sa an impasse at the moment. When you say the _ an impasse at the moment. When you say the west _ an impasse at the moment. When you say the west is _ an impasse at the moment. When you say the west is not _ an impasse at the moment. When you say the west is not ready you say the west is not ready to do that kind of pressure, would it get to a point where you think it would be ready for that level of pressure? i really don't think so. Not during the presidential campaign. Even now the white house is reluctant to put any responsibility for the failure of the ceasefire on netanyahu and that's a reflection of the fact that this is a very delicate time politically in the us, so i wouldn't expect any pressure on the israelis, during the election. You would not anticipate _ during the election. You would not anticipate any _ during the election. You would not anticipate any change during the election. You would not anticipate any change to i not anticipate any change to the arms policy or restrictions being attached which some people in the us have called for. �* ,. ,. ,. , people in the us have called for. �*,. ,. ,. , , for. There's a lot of people callin: for. There's a lot of people calling for _ for. There's a lot of people calling for that _ for. There's a lot of people calling for that and for. There's a lot of people calling for that and i for. There's a lot of people calling for that and i just i calling for that and i just don't think the biden administration will seriously consider that val, not before the election and i'd be surprised if they want to do anything to put pressure on the israelis for the rest of the term of president biden. He cares an enormous amount as a matter of his legacy is being seen as a great supporter of israel and i do not think he will do anything to undermine that. ~. V. Will do anything to undermine that. ~. , �*,. ,. ,. , that. What's that mean for the eo le that. What's that mean for the peeple who — that. What's that mean for the peeple who are _ that. What's that mean for the people who are living that. What's that mean for the people who are living in that. What's that mean for the people who are living in gaza, | people who are living in gaza, the innocent civilians in a dire humanitarian situation? we saw the polio vaccine pauses which have been going so well come to a halt with the un team being held at gunpoint, they said and they don't know if they will be able to continue with the vaccine campaign, said the ceasefire talks are going anywhere and the us is not prepared to do more, what does it mean for those folks? the? it mean for those folks? they are in an _ it mean for those folks? they are in an impossible it mean for those folks? iie: are in an impossible situation and it is heartbreaking for the hostages on the civilians in gaza who are stuck in the middle of a very stubborn israeli leader and very stubborn hamas leader. Hamas doesn't care about civilian casualties in gaza and netanyahu doesn't care about the hostages so you have 2 million civilians caught in the middle of this terrible situation and there doesn't look like there is any easy way out. Is look like there is any easy way out. ,. , look like there is any easy way out. ,. , ,. ,. , out. Is there anything at all the international _ out. Is there anything at all| the international community out. Is there anything at all the international community can do, as you see it? the the international community can do, as you see it?— do, as you see it? the one wild card is an _ do, as you see it? the one wild card is iran. If— do, as you see it? the one wild card is iran. If iran _ do, as you see it? the one wild card is iran. If iran were do, as you see it? the one wild card is iran. If iran were to card is iran. If iran were to put a lot of pressure on hamas, that could have an impact on the calculus of sinwar but when the calculus of sinwar but when the israelis are attacking uranian sites in syria it suggest where heading in the opposite direction and towards a regional war and that is yet another reason why we are working so hard to achieve a ceasefire. Working so hard to achieve a ceasefire— ceasefire. And that is something _ ceasefire. And that is something that ceasefire. And that is something that president ceasefire. And that is _ something that president biden and his officials have been very eager to avoid since october the 7th, so is there anything else that can be done in that direction to try and take away the risk of that? i think the hope is that perhaps macro his brother don't want a big war here and iran have done the same. And so maybe there is a change in the dynamic that will bring in a new government that isn't quite so intense and intent on causing more wars. Netanyahu i think would like to fight a warforever netanyahu i think would like to fight a war forever because it's good for his politics or if there was a change in the israeli leadership you might find a different way, but if the government continues to pray in lebanon with elders trying to pray up there and light a match on the war, the situation could get a lot worse before it has a chance of getting better. — before it has a chance of getting better. Before it has a chance of caettin better. . ,. , getting better. Some green food for thought _ getting better. Some green food for thought there. _ getting better. Some green food for thought there. Sorry getting better. Some green food for thought there. Sorry about i for thought there. Sorry about that —— some grim food. It's a reality of light. Frank lowenstein, thank you for joining us on bbc news. Ukraine's foreign ministry has expressed deep concern regarding the possible transfer of iranian ballistic missiles to russia. The ministry stressed to diplomatic officials in kyiv that the transfer could have devastating and irreparable consequences for bilateral relations. Iran has denied reports that such transfers have taken place, with a senior military commander calling them �*psychological warfare'. I spoke about the reported missiles with retired brigadier general mark kimmitt, the former us assistant secretary of state for political—military affairs. I think the types of metals being sent can only be knocked down by american patriots and other advanced air defence system so the plea is for additional air defence assets because the russians have shown no scruples about using these ballistic missiles not only against military targets but against civilian targets as well and that's why zelensky wants to have these to protect his people and cities. Meanwhile, ukraine 5 surprise incursion into russia 5 kursk region last month may have boosted national morale, but in the past week, the kremlin has retaliated with a series of devastating missile attacks ? and the ukrainian army also finds itself on the back foot in key parts of the battlefield at home. In the east of the country, troops are digging in to hold onto the strategically important city of pokrovsk — but the frontline of fighting is nowjust 8km away ? prompting thousands of civilians to flee. If it falls, russian forces will cut off one of the main supply routs in the region. 0ur reporter abdujalil abdurasulov has been filming with soldiers in the area and sent this exclusive report. 0n the battlefield, speed is crucial. These ukrainian soldiers have just received the coordinates of a possible russian target. The same type of gun — american made m101 howitzer — was used in world war ii. Eight years on, ukrainian gunners near a small frontline town in eastern ukraine, rely on it to push back russian forces. And over the past few weeks, attacks on dmitry�*s unit have been relentless. The fighting is very intense. We fire up to 200 rounds a day. The enemy continues their attacks in small groups, sometimes up to 60 people. They're trying to break through our defence lines, so we provide cover to our infantry. This is the city that russian troops are trying to reach. Pokrovsk is a major transportation hub in eastern ukraine, essential to get supplies of food, weapons and soldiers to the front line. But the fighting now is just eight kilometres away. Pokrovsk is turning into another ghost town on the front line. Banks, shops and other businesses are closed and the sound of explosions is getting louder and louder each day. And this city is already within the range of russian artillery. About half of pokrovsk�*s population has left since the war began. Those who still remain are being told to get out while they still can. 69—year—old maria goncharenko heeds that advice and signs up for evacuation. She takes just one bag and her two kittens. Volunteers help her to get to an assembly point and aboard the bus. Trains no longer run here. We lived peacefully, worked until retirement. And look at what russians did to us. I curse putin. Do you know where you're going to?, i ask her. No, she replies, but the most important thing is to get out of this city. This tank unit has just returned from another mission to stop any attempts of a russian breakthrough. Today, this soldier says, it was very loud. They load ammunition to prepare for tomorrow's shift. Another day of trying to hold their positions on a front line where so much is at stake. Abduljalil abdurasulov, bbc news, pokrovsk. Around the world and across the uk. Let's look at some other stories making news mps will vote today on the government's plan to end winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners. More than nine million pensioners will no longer be eligible for up to £300 this winter after ms reeves announced the introduction of means—testing following labour's election win. The decision has been met with strong opposition by some labour mps and union leaders. Thousands of prisoners in england and wales are set to be released early from jail — including 1,750 on tuesday. The government insists it's a temporary measure that's needed to free up space. Ministers say serious violent criminals, terrorists if and perpetrators of domestic abuse will not be released as part of the scheme. Some of the healthcare workers, patients and bereaved families affected by covid—19 told an inquiry the nhs was creaking at the seams when the pandemic hit? and this undermined the care given to both coronavirus patients and those needing treatment for other conditions. You're live with bbc news. Republicans in the us house of representatives issued a sharply critical report on monday into the biden administration's handling of the us withdrawal from afghanistan, three years ago. Democrats called the report biased, noting that it was former president donald trump who negotiated the withdrawal. The report claims several failures including that administration chose to evacuate non—combatants far too late. It had too few personnel and supplies to carry out an effective evacuation. It created the conditions for terrorist groups such as the taliban to operate in. And the administration spread bad information as part of a coverup. And white house national security advisorjohn kirby says the report had falsehoods. This comes, of course, two years after their first report on this one says nothing new. We've already issued comment about the one—sided partisan nature of this report, so i won't belabour that right now but i believe a brief rundown of actual facts is but i believe a brief rundown of actualfacts is important. Mr kirby says there was an evacuation plan in place and they did not think the events that unfolded there would have happened so quickly, and taking further measures would have pulled in more us troops and required those evacuating to cross though unsafe taliban controlled territory. Life for afghanistan's 21 million women hasjust become even stricter. Last month, the taliban government passed a law stating if a woman must leave her home out of necessity she not only has to have her face and body completely covered, but her voice must also not be heard. The bbc�*s yogita limaye, camera journalist, sanjay ganguly, and producer, imogen anderson, have had rare access in the country for the last two weeks — speaking with women about their experiences. To protect their names, for fear of persecution, we have hidden their identities, blurred theirfaces and used actors�* voices. This is their report. This is a country where women are increasingly being pushed out of view. Their freedoms crushed bit by bit, by a relentless series of diktats. The latest a published law. This section says that if a woman must leave her home out of necessity, she's obliged to cover her face and body, and her voice must not be heard. We've had to be very careful and discreet when talking to women here, because they're already operating in an environment of brutal restrictions. It's only been a few weeks since the law was announced, so it's unclear how stringently it will be implemented, but already there's a ripple effect of fear that you feel when speaking to people here. We meet teenage girls who've already lost three crucial years of education. Their voices might need to be hidden, but they want their words to be heard. If we go out, we're scared. If we take a bus or remove our masks, we're scared. If we speak louder, we're scared. There's so much fear and stress. If we can't speak, then why go out at all? why even live? until last year, groups of women took to the streets demanding their rights. Risking violence and detention. The taliban cracked down on the marches until they stopped altogether. This woman broke down, telling us how she was detained last year while participating in protests. The taliban beat me and dragged me into a vehicle saying, why are you acting against us? this is an islamic system. They took me to a dark, frightening place and insulted me with terrible words. We were treated like animals. After being released from detention, we weren't the same people we were before. Now this is how afghan women are showing dissent, posting videos of themselves online, singing songs criticising the taliban's actions. We met hamdullah fitrat from the taliban government. He didn't want to be seen with a woman or sit directly opposite me, but he answered my questions. We asked how he could justify the law. Translation: the laws that have been introduced have been approved by the supreme leader in accordance with islamic sharia. Any religious scholar can check their references. Most of the girls and women we've spoken to in your country say they are prepared to wear whatever it is that your government prescribes, as long as you allow them to study. And because they're not being allowed to do that, they're being driven to the point of depression, even suicidal thoughts. Isn't it your responsibility as a government to listen to those voices and act on it? translation: absolutely. 0ur sisters' education is an important issue. We are trying to resolve this, which is the demand of a lot of our sisters. We have mentioned it several times in the past too, that our leadership is working on it. A solution will be found. It's been three years now since girls were locked out of schools, but it hasn't happened on the ground. Do you really expect people to believe that you are committed to actually doing it? we are awaiting the decision of our leadership. In a province not far from kabul, we found some evidence that at least a section of the taliban differs with the supreme leader. We were given rare access to a midwife training course run by the taliban government. All the students are in their 20s. Here, they are being taught how to nurse a woman in labour. It's a rare exception. But behind closed doors, some afghan women are taking matters into their own hands. We meet a teacher who runs a secret school for girls. When the new law came, i explained its rules to my students and told them things would become even more difficult. Every day i wake up asking god to make the day pass safely. Several times i've had to change the location of the school. It's a quiet act of defiance and hope. Yogita limaye, bbc news, kabul. Here in the us, kamala harris and donald trump are set to debate for the first time ever in philadelphia, pennsylvania on tuesday night. It's a highly anticipated showdown at a critical moment in the fight for the white house. A recent poll from our us news partner, cbs, shows that both candidates are essentially tied among voters in the key swing states of pennsylvania, wisconsin and michigan. Both harris and trump aim to win over undecided voters in these states as they go head to head at the national constituion center. Kamala harris was hunkered down in pittsburgh, preparing with extended mock debates — reportedly with one of hillary clinton's former aides. She said �*we should be prepared for the fact that donald trump is not burdened by telling the truth. �* for donald trump, debate preparations have been largely informal. Congressman matt gaetz is among those helping donald trump prepare for the big night. When speaking to fox news's sean hannity, the ex president said, you can go in with all the strategy you want but you have to sort of feel it out as the debate staking place. Here on bbc news you'll be able to watch rolling coverage of the abc news presidential debate simulcast. 0ur coverage starts at 8pm east coast time tuesday. To attend an open—air mass in timor—leste with around 700,000 people — more than half of the country's population. It is the latest leg of his tour of south—east asia here is a live look in dili where the 87—year—old pontiff arrived monday, with events continuing there in the capital. He was welcomed by the president and other dignitaries for the start of his three—day visit. During the first day of his visit in east timor the pope addressed the country's leaders, hailing a new era of peace since independence in 2002, but called on them to prevent abuse against young people following recent catholic church child abuse scandals. The disgraced hollywood film producer harvey weinstein has been taken to a hospital for emergency heart surgery. His lawyers say he has been suffering from chest pains and other health complications. Weinstein, who 5 now 72, had been expected to face new sexual assault charges. He was convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2020, and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Those convictions were overturned in april over concerns he hadn't received a fair trial, but he remains injail pending a possible retrial. The actorjames earljones has died at the age of 93. The actor was known for iconic roles — like darth vader in star wars — and for voicing the role of mufasa in the lion king. Here's a look back at his six—decade career — on screen and stage. From his first film role, he clearly had something special. The fire is out, but the power is on. Everything seems to check out. That voice. Will advise. Before dr strangelove, james earljones served in the military, but he really wanted to act. I've been waiting foryou, 0bi—wan. We meet again at last. Then came something that made his voice world famous. When i left you, i was but the learner. Now i am the master. You are part of the rebel alliance and a traitor. Take her away! his voice's gravity and depth made him a natural choice for the lion king. Look, simba, everything the light touches is our kingdom. And its remake a quarter of a century later. One day, simba, the sun will set on my time here and will rise with you as the new king. While he again he played a king opposite eddie murphy in coming to america. I want a woman to love me for who i am. He also had the chance to show his gift for comedy. I am a man who has never tied his own shoes before. Wrong, you are a prince who has never tied his shoes. Believe me, itied my own shoes once. It is an overrated experience. On tv, he played the author alex haley, whose search for his african ancestors led to the ground—breaking series, roots. The force is with you, young skywalker. But you are not a jedi yet. And is all the more admirable in that a young boy who barely spoke because of his stutter. . . Most impressive!. . Should become an actor whose stirring tones. . . That's very good. . . Earned him the accolade of having perhaps the world's most recognisable voice. Simba, remember. . . I am your father. The actorjames earl jones, who's died at the age of 93. Stay with us here on bbc news. Hello there. Well, it's been mild, relatively speaking, despite all of that rain in the south, and very warm, in fact, out towards the far north and west — but some changes for the next couple of days. Autumn is biting back. Temperature—wise at least, it's going to turn colder by day and by night, with the chance of a frost for some, especially on thursday night. It will be windy, a brisk north westerly wind, sunny spells, but also some blustery showers. And those changes have already started. A deep area of low pressure sweeping across the northern isles, it's sending this cold front sweeping southwards and eastwards across the uk. So you see that milder air being pushed away, marked in orange, blues, and yellows, the colder air takes over through the middle part of the week and it will feel bitingly cold, i think, in exposure to that northwesterly wind. And here's the cold front for the rest of tuesday. It sinks southwards and eastwards, a narrow band of rain for most. There will be some cloud ahead of the front, but sunshine developing behind, blustery showers, very heavy rain across the northern isles, could lead to some localised flooding and it's windy wherever you are across the uk, but particularly so for the northern isles. Gusts of wind here of up to 60—65 miles an hour. And here are the temperatures, ranging between 11—18 degrees. We keep that mild air towards the south, but the rain could pep up here, perhaps, as we head through tuesday evening before it clears overnight. It's going to feel cold on tuesday night. Some of our temperatures could drop back to mid—single figures. I think you'll really notice the chill on wednesday morning. Still some blustery showers out towards the north and the west, but we will see some more clearer skies, especially the further south and east you are. And then on wednesday, it's a typical day when we see a northwesterly wind this time of year. Sunny spells and showers, most of the showers towards the north and the west, some of them heavy and possibly thundery. It will feel cold and exposure, so that's still brisk northwesterly wind and temperatures are now below the seasonal average across the board. But it's still september, so in the spells of sunshine and sheltered from the wind, then it won't feel too bad. Again, more sunny spells and showers, perhaps, on thursday, and then high pressure starts to build in from the southwest. That's going to have the effect of lightning the wind, so there could be a bit of frost, particularly for northern england, parts of scotland into friday morning, and some mist and fog developing as well. But mostly dry on friday, temperatures recover on friday, and through the weekend. Bye— bye. You're watching bbc news. The latest news headlines follow at the top of the hour, after this programme. Hello, i'm katie razzall. And i'm ros atkins. This week on the media show, we'll speak to the journalist from the times who's accompanied ukrainian soldiers as they crossed the border into russia. And the korean tv industry — from squid game to the masked singer — some of the most popular tv formats and shows in recent years have come from south korea. We'll find out why. Let's start with ukraine's offensive into the russian region of kursk. This happened towards the beginning of august, and when it did, it was a surprise to many observers. And, of course, this has military objectives, but as well as that, it provides an opportunity for ukraine to change the narrative around the war. Catherine philp is world affairs editor at the times. She's reported from war zones for decades, and recently accompanied ukrainian forces across the border into kursk. So, i was coming into ukraine for. . . I've been coming on and off since before the invasion, and this was a long—scheduled visit. Itjust so happened that it came at a time when ukrainian forces had crossed the border into russia. So, obviously, my immediate question was, can we go?