Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC World News America 20241004

Violence has surged in the West Bank since the start of the war In Gaza. Well bring you more information on both of these developing stories as it comes in. Turning back to lebanon, earlier in the day, israel carried out Air Raids against what it called hezbollah� s Intelligence Headquarters in Southern Beirut. Our middle East Correspondent Hugo bachega sent us this report. Another night in beirut and more israeli Air Strikes. War returns to this city. And this attack came with no warning. We went to inspect the damage. A residential building near the lebanese parliament. Beirut appears increasingly under threat. This is where an Emergency Response Group linked to hezbollah operated now gone. There were just Emergency Service workers. This is the truth. We only saw them helping people out, says mustafa, who lives on the tenth floor of the building hit. The damage in this building gives you a sense of the power of this attack, and theyve been cleaning up the rubble here, but i can still see some surgical masks and gloves and bandages as well. And you can probably hear the sound of drones flying overhead. This is a densely populated district here in central beirut. Hossein, a teacher, has lived in this neighbourhood for 2h years. There was no Hezbollah Present here, military or civilian, he tells me. Hezbollah was not present here. These are some of the victims of the attack. They include one Rescue Officer and two paramedics. The recent israeli Air Strikes have killed 97 medical workers across lebanon, according to the health minister. The israeli military hasnt commented about this attack. But this Hezbollah Mp remains defiant. Translation things are clear and our position remains unchanged. Weve not deviated an inch from it and we should continue down this path. The cemetery across the Street Wasnt spared the damage. These days in beirut, theres no peace for the living or the dead. Hugo bachega, bbc news, beirut. That was the view from beirut. Our correspondent Lucy Williamson sent this report from the israel lebanon border. The communities along israels northern border are now a closed military zone. The road in takes you through line of sight from hezbollah positions. Israeli forces outnumber residents along this border many times over, fresh out of lebanon, or waiting to go in. We walked the last few metres to a Vantage Point in a near empty kibbutz. We start to see the buildings weve taken out. Buildings used by Hezbollah Lie broken. Nearby, the town of bintjbeil, where Israels Army said today it had killed hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah has said it targeted soldiers just over that hill. Were now very close to the lebanese border. Locals here tell us the first Hezbollah Village is about a mile or so away from here. For the past year, people here have looked across this border and watched Hezbollah Fire rockets towards them. Now, for the first time in almost two decades, theyre looking across that border and watching israeli Forces Battle hezbollah fighters on lebanese soil. You can see into lebanon from the terrace of dean sweetlands house. When residents evacuated this area a year ago, this former british soldier stayed. Eight years after moving here from london, his son is serving in the israeli army and this is home now. Its been very noisy. The house is shaking three or four times a day. Running into the shelter, taking The Dogs, The Dogs are going crazy. You never know if its anti tank. You only hear the whooshing noise. We cant continue. We cant continue this for another year, another two years of having hezbollah sitting on our Borderjust Waiting to do an October The 7th on us, but, you know, my son is in the army and do we want our kids being in there slaughtered where hezbollah have been waiting for this for nearly 20 years . Theyve been waiting for us to go in. Both israels previous ground wars here began as limited incursions. The risks of getting mired in lebanon familiar terrain for those who trod this path before. Lucy williamson, bbc news, the israel lebanon border. Monday marks one year since hamas and other palestinian armed groups attacked israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 200 people taken hostage. The attack sparked israels ongoing Military Campaign In Gaza, which has killed more than 40,000 palestinians. One of the most senior leaders of hamas which is classified a Terrorist Organisation by the uk, us and other governments sat down with the bbc in a rare interview. He said the October 7 attack was justified, on the grounds that it brought the Palestinian Struggle back on to the international agenda. Khalil Al Hayya, the Deputy Chairman of the hamas political bureau, also blamed israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the failure to reach a Peace Deal In Gaza. Khalil Al Hayya spoke with the bbc� s international editor, jeremy bowen. Let us go back to the 7th Of October Last year. Why did Hamas Attack Israel . Translation we had to sound i the alarm to the world to tell them that we are a people with a cause and demands. It was a blow to israel, the zionist enemy, and a Wake Up Call to the international community. We had to do something that would tell the world that there is a people who have been under occupation for decades. Why did your men kill so many civilians children as well . Translation we ordered our Resistance Fighters on the 7th L of october not to target civilians, women and children. The objective was the Occupation Soldiers who were always killing, bombing and destroying In Gaza. We dont endorse harming civilians. 0n the ground, there were certainly personal mistakes and actions. The fighters may have felt that their lives were in danger. Your men, who werent in danger, they were standing with terrified civilians who were sitting on the ground, and they were standing over them with weapons. That is not a battle. Translation weve all seen how the fighters went into the houses. | they spoke to the families. They ate and drank. Sorry, they were shooting them. There are videos. Translation when they went into some of the houses, none of the women and children they dealt with were terrified. Those videos were published by the Israeli Occupation. They werent published by us. Almost a year later, gaza is in ruins. There are more than 40,000 dead many, many of them are civilians. Your capacity to fight israel has been massively diminished. Was it worth all of that . Translation whos responsible for this . | it was the occupation and its army. Who destroyed gaza, who killed its people . Who is now killing civilians in shelters, schools and hospitals . Ask the world and those who created International Law. We are defending ourselves. If 1,200 people from the occupation are killed, how does Thatjustify Israel killing 50,000 people and destroying all of gaza . Isnt that enough for them . But they are motivated by the lust to kill, to occupy, and the lust to destroy. The israelis say very clearly that they respect the laws of war, and they also say that the reason why so many civilians have died is because you and hamas fight from within the civilian population and you use them as human shields. Translation that is not true. They destroyed mosques on top of The Heads of their owners when there were no fighters. They destroyed houses and high rise buildings when no one was in them. They bombed houses when there was not a single fighter in them. It is all israeli propaganda. Why was it necessary to take more than 200 People Hostage In Gaza and the very many of them civilians, including women and children . Translation including women and children . Translation . ,. , translation one of the goals of the 7th of October Translation one of the goals of the 7th Of October was translation one of the goals of the 7th Of October was to translation one of the goals of the 7th Of October was to kidnap translation one of the goals of the 7th Of October was to kidnap a translation one of the goals of the 7th Of October was to kidnap a small I 7th of october was to kidnap a small group of israeli soldiers to extended for palestinian prisoners. We took a lot of prisoners. It was not our plan to capture women and children. ,. , not our plan to capture women and children. ,. ,. , children. Some of those women who came out and children. Some of those women who came out and said children. Some of those women who came out and said they children. Some of those women who came out and said they were children. Some of those women who came out and said they were safelyl came out and said they were safely assaulted. Transition macro the ethics of all palestinians and Resistance Fighters were humanitarian. According to the islamic religion and culture. We rotect islamic religion and culture. Protect them as we protect ourselves. Sexual or non sexual assault has never been proved to. There are numbers of testimonies from women who say they were sexually assaulted, some of the young woman who were taken out of the nova music festival, women saying they were sexually assaulted on the seventh and later on. The evidence is piling up. Translation i evidence is piling up. Translation evidence is piling up. Translation . , translation i told you, the Instructions Translation i told you, the instructions were translation i told you, the instructions were clear. Translation i told you, the instructions were clear. There J Translation | told you, the instructions were clear. There may have been abnormal asked by irresponsible people, but these are just allegations. Israel says that under the right circumstances, they would have a ceasefire. What about a ceasefire, for example, where you simply give back the hostages and the war ends . Would you accept something like that . Thats been talked about, i know. Translation the question is, when will netanyahu decide to stop the war . When will the world compel him to stop the war . It is the decision of netanyahu and the Israeli Occupation to continue the war. You could do it. You could surrender. Translation how can we surrender . People who resist the occupation do not give up. If we surrender, which is impossible, our children, our people wont give up. If the world gave us our legitimate rights, this cycle of violence would stop, but israel does not want that. The world needs to understand that israel wants to the return of refugees and self determination, would not calm down, no matter how much Death Or Killing takes place. The world needs to understand that israel wants to burn the whole region. Because it is in ruins, Tens Of Thousands of people are dead, israel is getting to lebanon and they are feeling strong. Youre not winning this, are you . Translation g. ,. , translation my family much of them, m Relatives Translation my family much of them, my relatives and translation my family much of them, my relatives and my translation my family much of them, my relatives and my Neighbours Translation my family much of them, my relatives and my neighbours are my relatives and my neighbours are In Gaza. See with their eyes. We feel their pain and we cry for their wounds. What hurts them hurts us. If the world gave us our rights, this would stop, but israel does not want that. The return of refugees and self determination, the region will not calm down, no matter how much death and killing take place. For you, is the israeli State Part of the future . The Hamas Charter said that the zionist state had to be destroyed. Translation we say that israel wants to eliminate hamas and the palestinian people. Israel is crying and claiming that hamas and the palestinian people want to destroy it. Lets ask what israel thinks of the palestinian people. Give us our rights. Give us a fully sovereign palestinian state. The israelis say that the reason why they dont accept a two State Solution is because they fear that people like you want to destroy their state and kill their people. Translation so far, i israel does not recognise a one State Solution or a two State Solution. Israel rejects it all international resolutions, International Law and our rights. Do you think of yourself as a terrorist . Thats what israel calls you. Translation im seeking freedom and defending my people. To the occupation, we are all terrorists the leaders, the women and the children. You heard what israeli leaders called us. They said we were animals. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is threatening to have major economic impacts, particularly when it comes to oil. The price of Crude Oil shot up 5 today after us president Joe Biden told reporters the us was discussing the possibility of israel striking irans oil industry, in response to tehran Firing Missiles at israel on tuesday. Do you support israel striking Iran Oil facilities, sir . Israel striking Iran Oil facilities, sir . ,. , joining me live is michael singh, former senior director for Middle East affairs at the national security council, now Managing Director at the Washington Institute for Middle East policy. Michael, always good to have you on bbc news. Just first of all, what you make of that statement from President Biden, that israel is considering these Oil Sites to strike . � ,. , considering these Oil Sites to strike . 3. , , considering these Oil Sites to strike . � ,. ,. , strike . Its a bit puzzling that we would even strike . Its a bit puzzling that we would even be strike . Its a bit puzzling that we would even be talking strike . Its a bit puzzling that we would even be talking about strike . Its a bit puzzling that we would even be talking about the | would even be talking about the timing or the selection of targets for an israeli retaliation. I think, look, those conversations probably should remain private and we should keep iran guessing, but my guess is, israel is considering a wide array of targets, nuclear, strategic infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, and that its a discussion between israel and the united states about which targets are appropriate, which are the riskiest and so forth. Riskiest and so forth. Certainly nuclear sites riskiest and so forth. Certainly nuclear sites will riskiest and so forth. Certainly nuclear sites will be riskiest and so forth. Certainlyj nuclear sites will be incredible risky and we have heard from President Biden the us does not support that, correct . He President Biden the us does not support that, correct . President biden the us does not support that, correct . He did say that yesterday. Support that, correct . He did say that yesterday. A support that, correct . He did say that yesterday. A curious support that, correct . He did say that yesterday. A curious choice | support that, correct . He did say. That yesterday. A curious choice to be publicly rolling out sites, again. Its not clear, frankly, that nuclear sites would necessarily be riskier than a mistake, targeting Oil Infrastructure given the global ramifications of targeting energy infrastructure, and i think a lot of israelis would look at this and say, this may be the one chance they have two Exley Conduct strikes in iran and it would be a missed opportunity not to go after the most concerning the sites, which are the nuclear sites. ,. , the sites, which are the nuclear sites. ,. , ,. , sites. The us has been clear, president sites. The us has been clear, President Biden sites. The us has been clear, President Biden wants sites. The us has been clear, President Biden wants israel| sites. The us has been clear, i President Biden wants israel to strike in a way that would not then trigger another counter reaction. What do you think of that . I think thats very what do you think of that . I think thats very hard what do you think of that . I think thats very hard to what do you think of that . I think thats very hard to gauge. Israel | thats very hard to gauge. Israel obviously responded to irans first barrage in mid april with a very pinprick straight, and i think that now, israelis feel as though that sort of Thing Wont be sufficient, that iran really needs to pay a price for dismissal barrage, for this repeated missile barrage, and i think there was concerned about whether iran will retaliate, i think theyre more focused on ensuring iran is deterred. fist theyre more focused on ensuring iran is deterred. Theyre more focused on ensuring iran is deterred. At the same time, we are seeing iran is deterred. At the same time, we are seeing Israel Iran is deterred. At the same time, we are seeing israel continue we are seeing israel continue operations against hezbollah sites in lebanon. If you look at israels literally operations there and In Gaza, but to actually know at this point about Hezbollah And Hamass right now . Is point about Hezbollah And Hamass riaht now . ,. ,. , point about Hezbollah And Hamass riahtnow . ,. ,. ,. , right now . Is hard to say with any precision right now . Is hard to say with any precision right now . Is hard to say with any precision. What right now . Is hard to say with any precision. What can right now . Is hard to say with any precision. What can we right now . Is hard to say with any| precision. What can we actually know about precision. What can we actually know about their precision. What can we actually know about their capabilities . Know about their capabilities . Potentially tells of what amount to guerrilla fighters In Gaza. They are not able to mount an organised offence at this point. It is less clear that is the case with hezbollah. We have seen israel going to southern lebanon, meeting seems to southern lebanon, meeting seems to be or nice resistance, and thats not surprising because hezbollah has thousands of fighters, they have been repairing background for a couple of decades avoiding for an israeli incursion, and israeli think will have to fight through that territory. We think will have to fight through that territory. Think will have to fight through that territo. ~. ,. , that territory. We are at the same time hearing that territory. We are at the same time hearing from that territory. We are at the same time hearing from the that territory. We are at the same time hearing from the us and that territory. We are at the same i time hearing from the us and allies, these continuous calls for De Escalation, to make her the situation does not spiral out of control. Do you think that at this point there is any avenue for any type of negotiations . Point there is any avenue for any type of negotiations . Look, i think we are in A Type of negotiations . Look, i think we are in a Regional Type of negotiations . Look, i think we are in a regional War Type of negotiations . Look, i think we are in a regionalwar now, type of negotiations . Look, i think we are in a regional war now, and | we are in a regional war now, and so the calls to avoid all of that war or avoid regional war, the calls to avoid all of that war oravoid regionalwar, he the calls to avoid all of that war or avoid regional war, he looked around the region and it sort of looks like thats where we are. And so i think the calls for De Escalation, while, look, are understandable, any since nobody wants to see war, we need to be thinking more about, how do we actually impose disincentives and how do we extend incentives to bring these conflicts to a conclusion . And i thinkjust calling for De Escalation is not going to make it happen, any past year demonstrate stat. �. ,. ,. , stat. And what about the ceasefire in hostaue stat. And what about the ceasefire in Hostage Release stat. And what about the ceasefire in Hostage Release negotiations stat. And what about the ceasefire| in Hostage Release negotiations that have been taking place for the war In Gaza, because hezbollah has indicated that that could then lower the temperature in lebanon as well . 0bviously the temperature in lebanon as well . Obviously the us has been trying to negotiate a Cease Fire for Hostage Deal In Gaza for months and months and it has not happened, and i think many in washington have included that hamas does not want that deal, that hamas does not want that deal, that hamas does not want that deal, that hamas actually would like to see, essentially, a permanent state of conflict between itself, the region and israel, because that ultimately is hamas causing reason for existing as an organisation. Thats a tough reality, but i think with israel and the united states, they are trying to decouple these conflicts, get hezbollah to stand out without a Cease Fire In Gaza. Ok, aiko, out without a Cease Fire In Gaza. 0k, aiko, we have run out of time, but thank you forjoining us on bbc news. PresidentJoe Biden is visiting states in the southeastern us, where Hurricane Helene killed at least 200 people and caused historic damage. During his first stop in florida on thursday morning, the president received briefings from local and state officials on the response efforts. Since the category four Storm Hit florida one week ago, nearly 8,000 Military Personnel have been deployed to the region to help find those still missing and relocate displaced people. It says its given more than 20 Million in immediate assistance directly to civilians. Officials are expecting a long road to recovery. In some areas, first responders are still waiting for floodwaters to drain before they can proceed with Recovery Efforts. Mr biden gave an update from Georgia On what the government is doing to help affected communities. Yesterday, i approved governor Kens Request for a federal government to cover 100 , 100 of the cost for debris removal, Emergency Protective Measures for three months. Three months. I must tell you, your senator had something to do with that and he called me beforehand. But all kidding aside, we are doing that for florida as well as for north carolina. Lets talk more about Recovery Efforts and the impact of Hurricane Helene. Joining me live is Major General win burkett, director of operations for the national guard bureau. So could you happy with us on bbc news, thank you for us. Can you tell us, national guard numbers, they have been deployed. Tell us what they have witnessed, the impact and they have witnessed, the impact and the devastation. The devastation. Yes, maam, and first of all. The devastation. Yes, maam, and first of all, thank the devastation. Yes, maam, and first of all, thank you the devastation. Yes, maam, and first of all, thank you very the devastation. Yes, maam, and first of all, thank you very much. First of all, thank you very much for having me. Its really a privilege for me to represent the guardsmen, Oursoldiers Privilege for me to represent the guardsmen, our soldiers and airmen that are really heroic and herculean efforts in response to this storm. But maybe a little background, the preparation for this storm happened much earlier in the year. The Hurricane Season for our Atlantic Estates and Gulf States generally runs from june to november, and so well ahead of that, State Guard planners will meet to discuss the capabilities that they have going into this storm period, and more important what they think they wont have based on other deployments or exercises around the world and so they meet early on and they will agree that if they are short, for example, Aviation Resources or high water vehicles and those things that are generally used in a storm like this, they will make those arrangements early with other states, and so going into this, i think what youre seeing now is that florida, georgia, south carolina, north carolina, tennessee, virginia, their national guard were in a really good position to answer that call. What they are seeing, as the Storm Hit, like you pointed out, a week ago today, in florida, initially its getting out and being involved early in search and rescue, looking at wide area reconnaissance. Cannotjustjump in there . On that reconnaissance, i understand there are also missions to help locate missing people. That must such a difficult and delicate effort. Maam, those initial efforts are to find anyone thats in distress, anyone that needs assistance, we can report that to the local first responders as well, and with our boat cruise, with our aviation assets, with those high water vehicles, we can step in and make those rescues, and theres been several thousand rescues across those states that have taken Place Today as a result of that. Thats remarkable today as a result of that. Thats remarkable. Tell today as a result of that. Thats remarkable. Tell us today as a result of that. Thats remarkable. Tell us more today as a result of that. Thats| remarkable. Tell us more about today as a result of that. Thats remarkable. Tell us more about what you think, how long recovery will look like. Were talking about areas that have incredible devastated. Yes, maam, this is being characterised as A Thousand years storm. Rather unique in its destruct miss Andy Paffett Cut across, several states. There is every in indication in its destructive path. However, water, it will take weeks, if not months or years to fully recover. The national guard will be part of this effort as long as the governor feels the national guard in their state is continuing to provide assistance to the State Emergency Management teams. find to provide assistance to the State Emergency Management teams. And ust Ve Ruickl , Emergency Management teams. And ust very quickly. We Emergency Management teams. And ust very quickly. We have fl Emergency Management teams. And ust very quickly, we have about i Emergency Management teams. And ust very quickly, we have about 20 fl very quickly, we have about 20 seconds left, what do you dig is important to know about how your guardsmen and women are helping people . I guardsmen and women are helping eole . ,. , guardsmen and women are helping eole . 4. ,. , guardsmen and women are helping eole . ~. ,. ,. , people . I think what is important to know is this people . I think what is important to know is this is people . I think what is important to know is this is why people . I think what is important to know is this is why there people . I think what is important to L Know is this is why there guardsmen. Unique to the other compos, components within the Army And Air force, National Guard Men And Women joined because they know that they have a role in helping their committees, because of how we are equipped, how we are trained, how we do mission command, but that our role of the reason we exist is to prepare to fight and win our nations wars. Prepare to fight and win our nations wars. A,. ,. ,. , nations wars. Maor general, thank ou so nations wars. Maor general, thank you so much nations wars. Maor general, thank you so much for nations wars. Major general, thank you so much forjoining nations wars. Major general, thank you so much forjoining us nations wars. Major general, thank you so much forjoining us on nations wars. Major general, thank you so much forjoining us on Bbc L you so much forjoining us on bbc news, and all the best for the Guards Men And Women that are helping out there. Guards men and women that are helping out there. Maam, thank you for havin helping out there. Maam, thank you for having me stay with us on bbc news. Still to come this hour, the Uk Hands sovereignty of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to mauritius, ending a bitter Dispute Dating back more than half a century. And a very unique experiment in the uk involving genetics. England will screen Tens Of Thousands of newborns to detect rare conditions and help treat illnesses faster. We will have more on those stories and an update on the very leaves from the Middle East. We are back in just a few minutes. Thank you for watching World News America right here on bbc news. Hello there. Its a dry, chilly, bright start to the day on friday for much of the country. However, we have been seeing some changes taking place overnight, with a Weather Front pushing into Northern Ireland and western scotland. Thats brought more cloud, breeze with outbreaks of rain, but elsewhere, it stays dry all day thanks to this area of High Pressure. This is the Weather Front thats been working its way in off The Atlantic. The first of a series of fronts tied in with low pressure there. So a cloudy start, breezy, outbreaks of rain for Northern Ireland, western and northern scotland. But southern and Eastern Scotland, england and wales, its a chilly start, bright, some early Mist And Fog, and it stays dry with sunshine into the afternoon. Light winds, as you can see, but breezier further north and west. Temperature wise, well, after that chilly start, we could be up to 17 or 18 degrees in the warmest spots in the south, closer to the mid teens further north. And where we have the breeze, The Cloud and The Rain, it will actually feel quite cool. As we head through friday night, it stays cloudy breezy across northern and western areas, but large parts of england and wales will see lighter winds, clear skies, so, again, it will turn quite cool. Perhaps a bit of Mist And Fog here and there. Temperatures in low single digits out of town, but a recovery in temperatures for scotland, Northern Ireland, were into double digits there throughout the night. Into saturday, our area of High Pressure holds on for at least one more day for central and eastern areas, but these Weather Fronts are really ganging up on us Out West. So it looks like england, wales, parts of Eastern Scotland should see another fine day with some sunshine around after that cool start. The breeze picking up, The Rain Out West turns heavier later on, certainly for Northern Ireland. Again, those temperatures mid teens in the north, 17 or 18 in the south. But it is all change for part two of the weekend, that area of High Pressure eventually breaks down, low pressure takes over and sends Weather Fronts across the country, more isobars on the chart. So its a cloudy day on sunday, more of a breeze coming up from the south, outbreaks of rain. Most of The Rain towards southern and western hills. The odd heavier downpour there and brightness will be limited. Could see a little bit for North East Scotland at times. Temperatures could be up to 18 or 19 degrees in any brightness, the mid teens further north. But nights will start to get milder as we import this milder air off The Atlantic on a south westerly wind. The upcoming week stays unsettled with low pressure always nearby. Theres a chance around the middle part of the week, we could see the remnants of Hurricane Kirk bring some rain and gales, so stay tuned. Im Sumi Somaskanda in washington Im Sumi Somaskanda in washington and this is bbc World News America. And this is bbc World News America. Of the lebanese capital continue. The uk cedes the Chagos Islands the uk cedes the Chagos Islands to mauritius, but an important to mauritius, but an important strategic Military Base will stay. Strategic Military Base will stay. As israel continues its campaign as israel continues its campaign against hezbollah in lebanon, a look at the humanitarian impact against hezbollah in lebanon, on people there. And predicting their health from a young age, the large Scale Genome Project taking place using the uks youngest residents. Welcome to World News America. Lets return to the Middle East. Israel issued fresh evacuation orders this evening for people living near two buildings in Southern Beirut as attacks on parts