Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240927

The idf says strikes happened in beqaa, close to the syrian border and Southern Lebanon, and targeted weapons depots, rocket launchers, and military buildings. The lebanese Health Ministry said more than 70 People were killed by israeli airstrikes on wednesday. Allies, including the us, uk and eu, issued a joint statement for a pause in the fighting for what they said would provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement and a ceasefire in gaza. It follows a meeting at the Un General Assembly in New York. Yair lapid, leader of Israels Opposition Party says israel should accept the Biden Macron Ceasefire proposal, but only for seven days. But its a not shared by bezalel smotrich, the far right minister of finance in Benjamin Neta nyahus government. He says the campagn should only end in one scenario crushing hezbollah. Our State Department Correspondent Tom Bateman looks at the diplomatic efforts to de escalate tensions. Apologies we will bring you that report in a short moment, but first, let us go live to my colleague In Beirut, Hugo Bachega. Hugo, despite the fact there are calls from World Leaders at the un for an immediate ceasefire, activity and tensions continue to ratchet. Exactly, and despite all these growing calls for a ceasefire along the Lebanon Israel Border we havent seen indications from Israel And Hezbollah that they are interested in de escalation, the Israeli Military says its Air Strikes targeting hezbollah positions continue this morning, the lebanese authorities are saying at least four People have been confirmed dead as a result of the attacks happening today in the attacks happening today in the country, and we saw yesterday, that the Israeli Military has been told to be prepared for the possibility of a Ground Offensive in lebanon, there has been the speculation that the Israeli Military may invade the southern part of the country, to try to create a so called Buffer Zone along the border to push hezbollah fighters away from the border, and, i am sure that in israel, military officials are saying that this offensive against hezbollah must continue to weaken hezbollah, and change the situation along the border, and here in lebanon, hezbollah has remained defiant, the group says these attacks on israel are going to continue, that this is you know, in solidarity with the palestinian population of gaza and that the attacks are going to continue unless there is a ceasefire in gaza, so it is very difficult to see how they will agree with a deal without a ceasefire in gaza. They have been weakened but they remain defiant. And you have written a piece about that on the Bbc News website, just to point our readers to more analysis on that. We have heard from the lebanese government at the United Nations, they are saying a ceasefire is urgent, but from what you are saying, that is not likely to make an impact on hezbollah� s thinking or rational. It is still very difficult to see how they are going to agree with a ceasefire, after you know, stating that these attacks are going to continue, unless there is a deal in gaza, that has been the position for hezbollah for almost a year, now, and obviously, as we heard yesterday, from the lebanese Prime Minister, it is a very difficult situation for lebanon, you know, many of hezbollah� s critics say that this is a group that acts as a state within the state, People here who are against hezbollah say that the group has been dragging lebanon into a conflict, that is not in the countrys interest, and the lebanese prime Minister Yesterday gave a warning that hospitals are unable to treat patients because of the sheer number of casualtieses from these israeli Air Strikes and i think this gives you an idea of how of the impact on the country, by these israeli Air Strikes and Tens Of Thousands of People have been displaced because of these israeli attacks. I because of these Israeli Attacke because of these israeli attacks. , attacks. I wanted to Ust Ask Ou attacks. I wanted to ust ask you about i attacks. I wanted to ust ask you about that h attacks. I wanted to just ask you about that because attacks. I wanted to just ask you about that because we i attacks. I wanted to just ask you about that because we have seen some of those images of families, fleeing their homes. It is incline where they are going to hugo, and what Help And Assistance they might be getting. And assistance they might be iiettin. ,. , and assistance they might be icettin. ,. , and assistance they might be iiettin. ,. ,. , getting. Exactly, and schools here In Beirut getting. Exactly, and schools here In Beirut have getting. Exactly, and schools here In Beirut have been here In Beirut have been turning into shelters, the authorities are saying at least 90,000 People have been displaced because of these israeli Air Strikes, and we visited a shelter here In Beirut, we talked to some of the People who described the intensity of the attacks, some of them were carrying just bags with some belongings, they said they had no time to you know, bring some of their belongings with them, and i think the main concern for many of those People who have been displaced is that they may never be able to go back home because there is the fear as i said, that the Israeli Military may be planning to carry out a Ground Invasion of Southern Lebanon, to create a Buffer Zone in the south, so i think there is the real concern that some of those residents have been displaced, may never be able to go back. Is may never be able to go back. |. May never be able to go back. Is 0k. Thank you for taking us throuih is 0k. Thank you for taking us through the is 0k. Thank you for taking us through the developments is 0k. Thank you for taking us i through the developments where you are In Beirut. That is Hugo Bachega our correspondent there. As we were saying World Leaders have call for a 21 Day Ceasefire but as but heard from hugo on the ground tensions continue to ratchet up and as we heard from the Israeli Military it says it has Hit Round 75 targets in Southern Lebanon and the Beckia Region overnight. Beqaa, that after we heard calls for a ceasefire. I said we would get the latest from the un, from our State Correspondent Tom Bateman, here it is. The deadliest day for lebanon in a generation inflicted by israels warplanes this week, while Hezbollah Rocket Fire has set israeli streets ablaze. And in New York, the attempts to douse the flames. This was an Emergency Session of the un Security Council, after a scramble behind the scenes, led by france and the us, to draw up a Proposalfor A Temporary Truce between Israel And Hezbollah. Diplomacy is most effective when the international community unites with a shared goal and speaks with one voice. We are working with other countries on a proposal that we hope will lead to calm and enable discussions to a diplomatic solution. Countries heard how the proposal would involve a 21 Day Ceasefire, during Which Mediated Talks would take place. The uk described the region as on the precipice. The rockets must stop now. The Air Strikes must stop now. Talks must start now, with an immediate ceasefire on both sides now. It is time to pull back from the brink. Lebanons envoy warned of the risk of an all out regional war. Translation regrettably,| we are still witnessing israeli violations of our sovereignty around the clock by air, sea and land. These repeated violations undermine all the stability efforts and threaten the whole region with an explosion at any moment. The calls for restraint include those from the us, which is israels biggest military backer. Outside the chamber, i pressed the israeli ambassador on the calls for calm. President biden says he wants de escalation. Are you not listening to the americans . All of this can stop immediately. Once hezbollah will stop Firing Missiles and rockets into our civilian communities, there will be no cycle of violence in the region. As the Emergency Meeting ends, the diplomacy will go on. But the problem is, given the intensity of destruction on the ground and the fact that the Gaza Ceasefire Deal is still stalled, what is being called for here is going to be extremely hard to achieve. The immediate aim is to stop months of cross border fire, but with fears of an israeli Ground Assault into lebanon, diplomacy is not yet delivering. Instead, People are fleeing while the promise of homecomings remains an illusion. Tom bateman, Bbc News, at the United Nations in New York. Lets speak to our Middle East correspondent, Yolande Knell whos in jerusalem. When you listen to what tom has been saying there, it looks like diplomacy at the moment doesnt stand much of a chance, what is the Mood Music in the government in israel at the moment, about these calls for that 21 Day Ceasefire . Crucially we havent heard yet from the israeli Prime Minister, from binyamin netanyahu, he left in it will night, got onboard his plane for New York, where he is due to address the Un General Assembly tomorrow, without making any comment. At the un itself, the israeli envoy there did also say that israel preferred add diplomatic solution but if that failed it was ready to use all means at its disposal. Israel has made clear its goal here is to return 60,000 People to their homes, which are close to the Lebanon Border in the north of israel, they have been displaced by 11 months of Cross Borderfighting displaced by 11 months of Cross Border Fighting that has gone on with hezbollah, in parallel to the war in gaza. It is interesting that in the past few hours, we have seen a lower intensity of fighting, the Israeli Military saying that It Hit 75 hezbollah targets overnight, compare that to the 2,000 that it said It Hit any the entirety of yesterday. We havent had concrete reports of rockets being fired from hezbollah into israel, some Rocket Warning signs went up a short time ago. On the military side, i mean israel has said it is moving these two Reservist Brigades to the Northern Front and we had strong comments from the israeli Military Yesterday from the Chief Of Staff where he told ground troops they should expect to have their boots on the ground, in enemy territory. Boots on the ground, in enemy territo. , ~ boots on the ground, in enemy territo. ,. , territory. 0k, thank you very much. Lets speak to roy sayegh, who is the Programme Manager in lebanon for Project Hope, a global health and humanitarian organisation. Welcome to Bbc News roy, we heard from our correspondent In Beirut about how Tens Of Thousands of People are now fleeing their home, they are displaced and in fear about what comes next. What are your organisation doing on the ground to help those People . Thank you for having me. So Project Hope is responding in lebanon working with local partner, key actors on the ground to identify the greatest health Needs, we are co ordinating with the Ministry Of Health and other partners, we are now as in addition to assessing we are mobilising supplies and planning our future response in terms of search staff, to supplement the Team And Work with local partners to meet the immediate Needs of the People. I partners to meet the immediate Needs of the People. Partners to meet the immediate Needs of the People. I mean, we aiain Needs of the People. I mean, we again heard Needs of the People. I mean, we again heard from Needs of the People. I mean, we again heard from my Needs of the People. I mean, we again heard from my Colleague L again heard from my colleague there, about how some schools are being turned into makeshift shelters and things like that, what are you kind of seeing on the ground and where are People able to go to, if they are fleeing their homes, where are they heading to . You fleeing their homes, where are they heading to . They heading to . You know, as we are conducting they heading to . You know, as we are Conducting Assessment| we are Conducting Assessment and we are on the ground In Beirutand and we are on the ground In Beirut and other areas in lebanon, mount lebanon, the north of lebanon, People are forced out of their homes and running to where where ever they can find a Roof Roof over their head, a empresence of safety, a sip of water, some food, where ever they can find kind to ensure their dignity is kept, we are seeing a lot of Community Efforts as well, to bring together, to open up whatever available resources are there, schools, People are opening their homes, whatever they can do to support the People in Need. They can do to support the People in Need. What is your i reatest People in Need. What is your greatest fear . People in Need. What is your greatest fear . Er, People in Need. What is your greatest fear . Er, it People in Need. What is your greatest fear . Er, it is People in Need. What is your greatest fear . Er, it is when | greatest fear . Er, it is when we work greatest fear . Er, it is when we work in greatest fear . Er, it is when we work in such greatest fear . Er, it is when we work in such settings greatest fear . Er, it is when we work in such settings it l greatest fear . Er, it is when | we work in such settings it is all about the People, and so, we always worry about whether they can get the Needs they Need on the ground, and whether you know, they can go back home, at some point, which you know as we heard your Correspondent Mention is something People are genuinely worried about, but, we also, you know, called for international attention to keep their eyes on what is happening in lebanon, on the People to try to meet their immediate short term Needs as well. Try to meet their immediate shortterm Needs as well. Thank ou ve shortterm Needs as well. Thank you very much shortterm Needs as well. Thank you very much roy. Shortterm Needs as well. Thank you very much roy, from shortterm Needs as well. Thank you very much roy, from the you very much roy, from the organisation Project Hope on the ground, helping displaced People in lebanon. Thank you very much. You can follow all the latest developments on the Bbc News live page across the day. Around the world and across the uk. This is Bbc News. Stay with our coverage of the Middle East. Stay with our coverage of the Middle East. Britain is moving troops to cyprus as part of military plans to conduct an evacuation of british nationals from lebanon if necessary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for diplomacy and an immediate ceasefire to bring Israel And Hezbollah back from the brink. Lets speak to our correspondent bethany bell whos at Raf Akrotiri in cyprus. Apologies if i got the pro enunciation of the Raf Base Wrong but tell us what is happening on the ground where you are . Happening on the ground where ou are . ~ ~. , happening on the ground where ou are . ~ ~. ,. , you are . Well, we know that britain is you are . Well, we know that britain is sending you are . Well, we know that britain is sending an britain is sending an additional 700 Military Personnel to help in case there is the Need for an evacuation of british nationals from lebanon, this Raf Base is one of the major hubs in the region, we also know that the Royal Navy has two ships in the eastern mediterranean, one of which has landing can kaspis, and this capacities and we are hearing from the prime Minister Keir Starmer, he is urging british nationals to leave lebanon now, while there is still commercial flights available. He says dont wait, the time to leave is now. But Bbc News has also been hearing from british nationals in lebanon itself, who have been talking about the difficulties of getting on flights, some commercial, many commercial flights have been cancelled, others are full and it is a difficult prospect getting out. 0k. Bet difficult prospect getting out. Ok. Bet anybell in cyprus, thank you. Joining me now is lord dannatt, who served as the head of the British Army between 2006 and 2009. Welcome to Bbc News. It is estimated there are some 10,000 britons in lebanon. At the moment there isnt an Evacuation Order but People are being encouraged to leave on their own term, what are the big challenge though, that the militaries will face and is facing at the moment when it comes to the ongoing operations to be prepared for what might come next . Come next . Well, the biggest challenie come next . Well, the biggest challenge is come next . Well, the biggest challenge is to come next . Well, the biggest challenge is to be come next . Well, the biggest challenge is to be prepared i come next . Well, the biggest. Challenge is to be prepared and be ready as you are suggesting and i think the government has been sensible to order additional troops, and capability so we are poised to launch what is called a non Combatant Operation, should it be required. And yes, currently, british entitled nationals are being encouraged to leave by commercial means but i think this has to be set against a backdrop of where the conflict in lebanon, between Hezbollah And Israel is at the present moment, and i think the United Nations Security Council call Last Night for a 21 Day Ceasefire is significant, as indeed it is significant its the annual sitting on the general assembly, the annual sitting on the generalassembly, of the annual sitting on the general assembly, of the United Nations, and prime Minister Netanyahu is due to address the general assembly at 2. 30 i think our time today, and i think our time today, and i think there is is a growing optimism there will be a 21 Day Ceasefire, and of course, that means that the pressure comes off the Need to do this difficult but entirely possible non Combatant Operation which the british are prepared to launch should it be Needed. What kind of thing also be going into the preparations, so that they are poised and ready, if a Ceasefire Isnt agreed to imminently . Imminently . Well, it will deend imminently . Well, it will depend what imminently . Well, it will depend what the imminently . Well, It Willl Depend what the situation imminently . Well, it will depend what the situation on the ground is in lebanon. If it remains benign as it were, and neither hezbollah nor the lebanese nor the israelis choose to interfere with a possible british Evacuation Operation it may be possible to use Beirut Airport In which case we would see royal as for aircraft flying to the airport to pick up entitled british civilians, of course if it becomes such that beirut Airport Cant be used, then alternative Landing Site will have to be identified. Maybe in those circumstances we would choose to fly troops forward to secure that airhead, to bring out the entitled People, but of course it all begs the difficult issue of how do the consular staff In Beirut, in lebanon, get the message out to entitled british People that todayis entitled british People that today is the day, Go To Beirut Airport or go to another airhead somewhere, because you will then be transported to cyprus, so, preparations on the one hand by the military to make sure they can conduct an evacuation, of are being well developed and we have experience of this in the past, on the other hand the challenge for the Foreign Office to make contact with entitled People and for them to understand where they should go to and when, there is a lot of moving part, i what i said before, i think there is genuine optimism rising that diplomacy might prevail at the present moment and there might be this 21 Day Ceasefire, that wont end the conflict by any manner of means but it will give time for pause for Reflection And Debate the linkages between Israel And Lebanon and israel and hamas in gaza, bearing in mind the back of all this is iran which undoubtedly is pulling the strings On Hamilton and hezbollah. Strings On Hamilton and hezbollah. � ,. ,. , hezbollah. Briefly, what role do ou hezbollah. Briefly, what role do you think hezbollah. Briefly, what role do you think the hezbollah. Briefly, what role do you think the uk hezbollah. Briefly, what role do you think the uk has hezbollah. Briefly, what role do you think the uk has to i hezbollah. Briefly, what role i do you think the uk has to play in this . This is storm strms first Un General Assembly since he took office, its a big moment and big week for him. I think Keir Starmerand moment and big week for him. I think Keir Starmer and british government have got themselves ahead to game here somewhat by being the earliest major country to call for a ceasefire, that has been backed up ceasefire, that has been backed uu ijy ceasefire, that has been backed up by the un Security Council Last Night so we can take a certain amount of credit for being in lead as far as pushing for a ceasefire call, otherwise, sensible precautions are being taken by the military, that if the thing should collapse into chaos, and we do Need to launch an operation, to remove our entitled civilians we can do, Bearin Entitled Civilians we can do, bear in mind this happened in 2006 when we evacuated some 4,000 from lebanon, the time of the last israeli incursion to cyprus, so there subpoena Precedent Fore this, experience of this and should it be Needed we aried. ~ of this and should it be Needed we aried. , i. ,. , we aried. Thank you for sharing our we aried. Thank you for sharing your insight we aried. Thank you for sharing your insight and we aried. Thank you for sharing your Insight And Experience we aried. Thank you for sharing your Insight And Experience on | your Insight And Experience on those developments. The us has announced a further 375 Million Dollars Worth of Military Aid for ukraine, including Precision Rocket launchers. The secretary of state, antony blinken, said the new assistance would be deployed as quickly as possible. It comes ahead of a meeting on thursday between President Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has said russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if attacked by any state. Speaking at a meeting of his national Security Council, the russian president also said aggression by a non nuclear country that was backed by a nuclear power, would be considered a joint attack. It came after Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Un General Assembly in New York. In his speech, he warned countries against supporting a Peace Proposal that would allow the continuation of russian aggression in ukraine, and said his plan to end the war would be the only way to bring lasting peace. Our correspondent in Kyivjessica Parker sent us the latest from kyiv, ahead of president zelensky� s meeting with Joe Biden later today. Ina in a Development Moscows critics will regard as nuclear sabre rattling, President Putin has been saying russia would consider an assault that is backed by a nuclear power as a joint attack, now, ukraine of course, this comes as ukraine, which is not a nuclear power is asking for permission to use western made long range missiles on military targets deep inside russia and that you have to imagine is going to be a subject for discussion, when Ukraines President zelensky meets with the us democratic president Joe Biden later today in Washington Dc for what is being seen as key talks, but, president zelensky� s diplomatic tour of the us does appear to have hit a couple of bumps in the road. He has drawn criticism from within republican circles for some comments he has made about the republican candidate for the white house, president ial Candidate Donald Trump and his running Matejd Vance and a senior republican has also come out, claiming that a visit that president zelensky made to a Swing State was a partisan event, and this also comes as president zelensky was due, we understood to to Pen Chalet Meet Donald Trump while he is out in the us but from what we can make out that appears to be on ice. Let us take you back to live Pick Cur which show Southern Lebanon, you can see the smoke in the sky and all of this comes as we have heard the Israeli Military says it has Hit Round 75 hezbollah targets, in Southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Region overnight. All of this coming as World Leaders are calling for an immediate 21 Day Ceasefire between Israel And Hezbollah. Binyamin netanyahu is on his way to New York, to the Un General Assembly. This is Bbc News. Hello. Heavy rain is dominated Weather Headlines in recent days, and there is more wet weather to come. In fact, for some parts of Southern England we have already seen way above the average monthly Rainfall Totals and in these three towns we have had three times more rain than we should have in september. And with the next couple of days we are likely to see another 50 millimetres at least in some spots, a couple of inch, the Darker Blue is denoting where the heaviest will be, so slightly quieter drier story for scotland but low pressure dominates and the Weather Fronts will move steadily eastwards as we go through thursday. That front will grind to a halt almost, across Northern England and into northern ireland, with brisk eastleigh winds, so really feeling miserable on those exposed east coaststor, the north it will be dry with a few scattered showers, to the south of that, however, some of those showers really could turn torrential, hail, thunder mixed in and yes it will be quite significant, but there will be sunny spells to go with it as well and it could potentially feel humid here, 18 or 19 degrees not out of the question, cool in the rain, ten or 11, and that Cooler Air continues to dominate in scotland. And that is because a northerly wind which will gradually push the rain away but it will introduce this fresher People-foreall'>People Foreall of us on friday. Friday. Fresherfeel forall of friday. Friday. Fresherfeel for all of us. There be Rain In South East for a time, that eases away, sunny spells and scattered showersings continue for most, but because of the direction of the wind, those temperatures really subdued for this time of year, on the whole, generally between nine and 14 degrees. Clear skies continue through the night, thatis continue through the night, that is going to allow the potential for a frost to form, and so it will be a chilly is that right, low single figures perhaps below in more rural spots, worth bear in mind, but that means as with he head into it can weekend, High Pressure will build for a while. Not a bad weekend particularly on the saturday, however, another area of low pressure will gradually move in to the South West as we go through sunday, so, saturday a better day, more Heavy Rain to come as we move through sunday, and into monday. This is Bbc News. The headlines. Israels military says It Hit dozens of hezbollah targets overnight as it aims to dismantle and degrade its capabilities. The fighting continues as international leaders have called for an immediate 21 Day Ceasefire. All of this as israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to meet those leaders as he makes his delayed trip to New York to attend the Un General Assembly. Bbc news hears new harrowing testimony from a woman who says she was raped by the former Harrods Owner Mohamed Al Fayed when she was 16. And englands Chief Medical Officer will be questioned later on the impact the pandemic had on the nhs at his Second Covid Inquiry appearance. Hello. Israel has called up more reservists and has told the army to be ready for a possible Ground Offensive. The speculation has been that it may launch an invasion of Southern Lebanon to destroy the infrastructure used by hezbollah and push its fighters away. For hezbollah, this is the worst moment in the groups history. They have been weakened but remain defiant. So, what do we know about hezbollahs capabilities