several multi—storey buildings in the centre of gaza city. the barrage of rocket fire from gaza into israeli territory began just after dawn, with explosions heard on the streets of ashkelon. sderot is one of the towns thought to have been infiltrated by militants. with the latest on this fast—escalating conflict, here's our middle east correspondent yolande knell, and a warning that you may find some of her report upsetting. israeli partygoers from an overnight rave running for their lives. israel's nightmare scenario — armed palestinian militants at large in southern israel. it is thought that dozens entered, some cutting through the perimeter fence from the gaza strip. in the town of sderot, residents hid as fighters drove in. there was shooting and the israeli casualties began to mount. in a dramatic turn, videos were also shared of israelis being taken into gaza as hostages. the day had begun with intense barrages of palestinian rockets, some reaching as far asjerusalem. but the worst damage was in the towns closest to gaza. this was ashkelon. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu met top security officials. translation: since this morning, | the state of israel has been at war. our first objective is to clear out enemy forces that infiltrated, and restore the security and quiet to communities that have been attacked. the second objective, at the same time, is to exact an immense price from the enemy within the gaza strip, too. leaders of hamas, the islamist militant group which controls gaza, now living overseas, were shown watching the unfolding news and praying. in gaza, there were celebrations after an israeli tank was captured, and stolen israeli military vehicles were driven in. but soon the deadly pounding by israeli warplanes began. the israeli military saying it was targeting hamas sites. and in gaza, too, the hospitals have now been overwhelmed. many palestinian families have fled from their homes and are seeking are safety in un—run schools. after this unprecedented surprise attack, israel is calling up military reservists. it said hamas will pay the price for its actions. and the fighting goes on. the question now, can it be stopped from spreading to other palestinian areas and the wider region? earlier we spoke tojotam confino who's thejewish news' foreign editor based in tel aviv. where i am, i have not seen it, but i have heard massive explosions over me. that happens every time the missile defence system shoots down the rockets. it sounds like an earthquake. the sound travels through all the buildings around you. it is very loud. it is a very scary situation to be in a bomb shelter waiting. i would say that normally, to have hundreds of hamas terrorists roaming the streets in southern israel for 12 hours is unprecedented. this is really what causes panic among israelis. they are afraid this is going to happen all across israel. obviously, the idf is trying to get the situation under control, but it is not resolved yet. it is still ongoing. i was just in a military meeting with the idf�*s spokesperson who said a that as we are talking the idf is engaged in two separate hostage situations and they are fighting hamas members in other locations. so, people are still holding their breath to see what the night brings in the coming days. what else did they say in a briefing? basically, they said that they are mobilising forces in the north also, trying to make sure... making sure that they are ready for any attack that may come from the north as a precaution. and, in general, they are hitting hamas, but they also suspect, i'm not sure if you could hear that loud boom, there may mean there's a siren coming. but the idf spokesperson said that they are hitting hamas, holding them responsible for this. we do know thatjihadists are also taking part in this, they change taking part in this, they claim that they have taken hostages. right now you can hear sirens far away. you hear booms. i do not know if you can hear it. it's quite loud for me. and now there is a siren, i am going to have to run now. stay safe. we can stay live, if you want. i am just going into the bomb shelter. we are happy to stay live as long as you are happy to. i am happy to. call off when you need to. what happens when you hear that noise? what happens is basically, people come running, they come down from their apartments. they come to these front stairs. it is the same people i have been seeing all day. and the people don't have any shelters in the houses, so that's why... and this is likely to happen for the rest of the evening and maybe tomorrow, hopefully... it's just chaos, as you can see. there are about 12 people here. i want you to notice one thing though,... inaudible. when we hear air strikes, they arejust hiding under the beds, their situation is much, much worse. we just have to mention, people sometimes forget. there are many people who do not have the luxury of a bomb shelter like we do. not to underestimate our situation, but we are lucky that we are relatively safe and that there is a military missile defence system which shoots down most rockets. a good point that you make, most israeli buildings do have a shelter or a designated room within the home, don't they? a safe room specially reinforced. and gaza is so densely packed. they are coming under a barrage tonight. we are hoping to speak to our reporter in gaza later tonight. it is difficult to re—establish communications. keep describing what is happening now. are you in a basement, in a special room? where you go to, when you hear a siren? this is not even a bomb shelter it isjust... it is not a bomb shelter, but it serves as a bomb shelter in emergency situations. i would say that in tel aviv, many places do not have bomb shelters, it's a huge issue. in the south they have really invested a lot in this. it happens more. other areas have no bomb shelters... inaudible. the death toll, sadly, we have heard, over the past half hour or so, 200 israelis killed in these attacks. this is unprecedented in your country, isn't it? absolutely. first of all... inaudible. that is just madness. we will know in the morning that it's a high death toll. we saw reports of hamas terrorists shooting indiscriminately against civilians on our streets, and also... sorry... we saw people, we heard of people in villages, talking about hamas, the terrorists, going door—to—door shooting and killing civilians. so, obviously, we knew the death toll was going to be more than ten or 20, but 200 is a lot, and more than 1000 injured. again, a very unprecedented situation. i assume that that death toll will rise because the situation is not yet under control. as you can imagine, a lot of videos have been posted on social media during the day. the bbc verify team have been working to check them out. our correspondentjon donnison is in the bbc verify hub with more. we've spent today here in the bbc verify hub, just looking at all the images that are starting to emerge on this story. and we're building up a picture of what's happening with some of the material that is beginning to emerge on social media and messaging apps, and what is being sent into bbc verify. now let's just start here, and we've had a lot of footage today, especially this morning, showing those barrages of rockets being fired out of gaza into israel. we can move on to this map now, and here we're getting a picture now of all the events and mapping out where those palestinian attacks within israel have been taking place. and every location marked with a red square there is where we've been able to verify one piece of footage of attacks from militants. some of these are missile strikes. some of them are active shootings by militants who've infiltrated into israel. and some show the aftermath of battles with images which we think are too graphic to show. we've got correspondents reporting from the scene, but using some of the technology here, we've been able to verify some extraordinary footage. our investigative journalists have been able to see the pattern that the hamas fighters have used in today's attack, taking as many hostages as possible, which is unusual. now, the most disturbing content is of hostages being taken and paraded on the streets. some of that content we've seen is distressing and we've chosen not to show it. but we do think it's important to build up a picture of what's happening on the ground using the verification tools that we've got. so let's just have a look now at this. now you can see this blackjeep. now, within the back of this jeep, there is an israeli hostage. this was filmed on the outskirts of gaza in the sheikh jarrah neighbourhood. we've edited this video, but we want to show you what we think is happening. there's a woman who looks like she's been badly beaten. her hands are tied behind her back. she's barefooted and she's dragged out of thatjeep by her hair and bundled into the back by armed men and then driven off. now, a spokesperson for the israeli defense forces has confirmed that soldiers and civilians have been abducted by militants. let's move on to something different now. this is footage from the aftermath of an all—night nature party near kibbutz rahim in israel. now, these are people running across the desert in panic. presumably they've heard sirens, that sort of thing. and our team injerusalem have spoken to some of those who were at the event. there's other footage coming to us into the building. our team of experts have been able to verify. let's just have a look at this now. now, this is the border itself being destroyed now. this is a bulldozer being used by palestinian militants. it's appeared on snapchat and it's got a caption, our heroes bulldozers remove the wire from the border. now, this is at the northern end of the gaza strip. it's right next to the erez checkpoint, which is one of the main ways in and out of gaza. i've crossed through it many times myself. and we're also starting to build up a picture of the response by the israeli security forces. this is in the city of ashkelon, just north of the gaza strip. and here you can see what we think are israeli military or police patrolling the streets. you can see otherwise the streets are pretty quiet. now, let's just move on to something a little bit different. this here. is fairly extraordinary footage of two israeli fighterjets being towed away from the border area near gaza. we've been able to locate the towns of arad and arara by the negev. we saw the road signs with those names on and they're located due east of gaza. the road layout, the signage and traffic lights match those seen on street view. so we were able to work out where it was, and it's thought they were planes that were being moved after israeli air bases near gaza were evacuated. and finally, let's just have a look at this. this is drone footage from the military wing of hamas, the al-qassam brigades. it's pretty sophisticated, as you can see. and it shows a drone strike on an unmanned israeli machine gun post. it's right on the border between israel and gaza. and you can see that that was a pretty sophisticated attack and some pretty sophisticated media operation, too, from hamas. we will continue here to work with our team of experts building up a picture as this conflict continues. prime minister benjamin netanyahu is due to speak. we will go to that as soon as we hear from him. live now to mustafa barghouti, general secretary of the palestinian national initiative. thanks for being with us. what is your response to the attacks today by the hamas militants in israel killing more than 200 israelis? it’s killing more than 200 israelis? it's an killing more than 200 israelis? it�*s an unprecedented israeli failure, for sure. taken by surprise. it is really amazing how unprepared israel was. given that it is the most monitored area in the world, probably. but the attacks from gaza came as a response to many things. first of all, we are under israeli military occupation for 56 years now. and the world is doing nothing to end that occupation. that occupation has transformed into the worst system of apartheid ever, much worse than what they are in south africa. more than that, during the last eight months, we have been subjected... we last eight months, we have been subjected- - -_ last eight months, we have been sub'ected... ~ ., ., ., _, subjected... we are going to come back to you — subjected... we are going to come back to you shortly, _ subjected... we are going to come back to you shortly, we _ subjected... we are going to come back to you shortly, we are - subjected... we are going to come| back to you shortly, we are hearing from prime minister benjamin netanyahu, stay with us, thank you. prime minister benjamin netanyahu giving his first state address in response to those attacks. we don't have an english translation at the moment, we will return to it as soon as we do. thank you for staying with us, do carry on. as we do. thank you for staying with us. do carry om— us, do carry on. yeah, as i said, this has been _ us, do carry on. yeah, as i said, this has been the _ us, do carry on. yeah, as i said, this has been the longest - this has been the longest occupation, and at the same time, during the last eight months, we have been subjected as palestinians to attacks from israeli settlers, terror, which took the lives of 248 palestinians, including 40 children. and more than that, netanyahu stood up and more than that, netanyahu stood up in the united nations, raised a map of israel that included all of the west bank, all of the gaza strip. as well as the golan heights. and his government has been declaring that they have no intention whatsoever to talk to palestinians, to have peace with palestinians. their main goal is to occupy the palestinian territories including the west bank and gaza. and in addition to that, one last point, the attacks on muslim and christian holy site s by israel. that is a reaction to this horrible situation for palestinians.- situation for palestinians. israel would say that _ situation for palestinians. israel would say that its _ situation for palestinians. israel would say that its actions - situation for palestinians. israel would say that its actions in - situation for palestinians. israel| would say that its actions in gaza are against militants trying to destroy its country. what are hamas in your view trying to achieve by these actions today? first in your view trying to achieve by these actions today?— in your view trying to achieve by these actions today? first of all, i don't think _ these actions today? first of all, i don't think it _ these actions today? first of all, i don't think it is _ these actions today? first of all, i don't think it is right _ these actions today? first of all, i don't think it is right to _ these actions today? first of all, i don't think it is right to accept - don't think it is right to accept what israel claims. at the end of the day, we are not the ones occupying gaza. israel is occupying us. we are not oppressing, israelis are repressing us, for a very long time. , ., ., . time. israel would say you elected hamas, time. israel would say you elected hamas. which _ time. israel would say you elected hamas, which is _ time. israel would say you elected hamas, which is an _ time. israel would say you elected hamas, which is an organisation i hamas, which is an organisation committed to the destruction of israel, and therefore they have to implement security. that is what they would say. but i want to ask you specifically about hamas' actions today. do you support them? what do you think they will achieve? i don't think the way israel describes hamas is correct. hamas wants to change the balance of power so that we can have peace. so that we can have an end of the israel occupation. and what they have done todayis occupation. and what they have done today is actually an act to try and change, and they have achieved that, they have exposed israel. they have destroyed the israeli intention of liquidating the palestinian cause and palestinian rights, by normalising with the arab countries at the expense of the palestinian people. and they are actually uniting all palestinians behind the resistance. at the end of the day... inaudible. if israel wanted peace, why it doesn't end the occupation? do palestinians have the right to defend themselves like israel has the right to defend themselves? at the right to defend themselves? at the end of the day, the question is simple. are we equal to israel or not? i don't want anybody to be killed or lose their lives, but it is the reality that we are the ones who are occupied. let is the reality that we are the ones who are occupied.— is the reality that we are the ones who are occupied. let me ask you aaain. .. who are occupied. let me ask you again- -- the _ who are occupied. let me ask you again... the peace _ who are occupied. let me ask you again... the peace cannot - who are occupied. let me ask you again... the peace cannot be - again... the peace cannot be achieved _ again... the peace cannot be achieved without _ again... the peace cannot be achieved without ending - again... the peace cannot be achieved without ending the l achieved without ending the occupation. achieved without ending the occuoation-_ achieved without ending the occupation. achieved without ending the occuation. ., ., ., occupation. you live in gaza, do you su ort occupation. you live in gaza, do you suoport hamas? _ occupation. you live in gaza, do you suoport hamas? i — occupation. you live in gaza, do you support hamas? i live _ occupation. you live in gaza, do you support hamas? i live in _ occupation. you live in gaza, do you support hamas? i live in the - occupation. you live in gaza, do you support hamas? i live in the mall i support hamas? i live in the mall and i support hamas? i live in the mall and i suoport _ support hamas? i live in the mall and i support the _ support hamas? i live in the mall and i support the light _ support hamas? i live in the mall and i support the light of - support hamas? i live in the mall and i support the light of the - and i support the light of the palestinians to resist occupation. —— | palestinians to resist occupation. —— i live in ramallah. people under occupation have the right to resist in every day. that is applied in ukraine. the question to western governments... inaudible. claiming they are fighting occupation. while they are silent about the israeli occupation for 56 years. this is the main question. yeah, but at least 200 israeli people killed in these attacks. more than 230 people killed in gaza... what do you think hamas, i would really like to know what you think hamas are trying to achieve by launching these attacks? you have explained yourjustification why you think they are doing it, but what they want as end result? it think they are doing it, but what they want as end result? it doesn't need analysis- _ they want as end result? it doesn't need analysis. the _ they want as end result? it doesn't need analysis. the deputy - they want as end result? it doesn't need analysis. the deputy head - they want as end result? it doesn'tl need analysis. the deputy head just declared... inaudible. their goal, they are not ready to accept a two state solution... you said 200 israelis _ accept a two state solution... 7m. said 200 israelis were killed, nobody should be killed but you have to mention that up to this moment, 470 palestinians are killed.- 470 palestinians are killed. yeah, exactly- -- so _ 470 palestinians are killed. yeah, exactly... so let _ 470 palestinians are killed. yeah, exactly... so let me _ 470 palestinians are killed. yeah, exactly... so let me ask - 470 palestinians are killed. yeah, exactly... so let me ask you - 470 palestinians are killed. yeah, exactly... so let me ask you this, | exactly... so let me ask you this, it was very clear that as soon as hamas launch these attacks that they would of course be retaliatory action by israel, and that many palestinians would be killed. what is your reaction to that? are those deaths justifiable in this conflict? no death, but let me tell you, 248 palestinians were killed by israeli settlers in the west bank, not in gaza. �* , , ., settlers in the west bank, not in gaza. �* , ., gaza. but in response to those attacks in _ gaza. but in response to those attacks in gaza, _ gaza. but in response to those attacks in gaza, palestinians . gaza. but in response to those i attacks in gaza, palestinians have been killed. attacks in gaza, palestinians have been killed-— attacks in gaza, palestinians have been killed. ., , ., , ., been killed. nobody did anything to stop israel- -- _ been killed. nobody did anything to stop israel... but _ been killed. nobody did anything to stop israel... but the _ been killed. nobody did anything to stop israel... but the israeli - been killed. nobody did anything to stop israel... but the israeli game i stop israel... but the israeli game is to claim palestinians are killed because of hamas. palestinians are killed because... inaudible. we are going to leave it there... please, just one word. i do believe the responsibility for killing palestinians and israelis and the continuing of this conflict is the occupation, which should end as soon as possible. occupation, which should end as soon as ossible. . ., occupation, which should end as soon as ossible. . ~' , ., occupation, which should end as soon as possible-— occupation, which should end as soon as possible. thank you very much and a olouies as possible. thank you very much and apologies about _ as possible. thank you very much and apologies about the _ as possible. thank you very much and apologies about the break-up - as possible. thank you very much and apologies about the break-up on - as possible. thank you very much and apologies about the break-up on the l apologies about the break—up on the line from ramallah. benjamin netanyahu has been speaking in the last few minutes, we didn't have an english translation but we have some lines coming in via the news agencies. benjamin netanyahu says hamas has killed women, children and elderly people. he said that what happened today has never been seen in israel. he said, we will take mighty vengeance for this black day. he said, israel will reach every place hamas is hiding. he said, i tell gaza's people to leave those places now. he also said, i tell hamas, you are personally responsible to the well—being of captives. israel will settle the score with anyone who harms them. we understand more than 50 people are being held hostage, and we think other people have been taken into gaza as well, being held captive, but it's hard to get exact information on the exact numbers and the whereabouts at the moment. earlier, we heard from us president joe biden who gave this statement to the media. israel is under attack, orchestrated by a terrorist organisation, hamas. in this moment of tragedy i want to say to them and to the world, and to terrorists everywhere, the united states stands with israel. we will not ever fail to have their back. we will make sure that they have the help that citizens need and that they can continue to defend themselves. now, the world has seen appalling images. thousands of rockets in the space of hours, raining down on israeli cities. i got up this morning at 73.0, eight o'clock, my calls, hamas terrorists crossing into israel, killing not only israeli soldiers but israeli civilians. in their streets and in their homes. but israeli civilians. innocent people, murdered and wounded, entire families taken hostage by hamas. just days after israel marked the holiest of days in the jewish calendar. it's unconscionable. you know, when i spoke with prime minister netanyahu this morning, i told him united states stands with the people of israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop. there is neverjustification for terrorist attacks and my administration's will support israel's security is rock—solid and unwavering. let me say this as clearly as i can. this is not a moment for any party hostile to israel to exploit these attacks, to seek advantage. the world is watching. i have also been in contact with the king ofjordan, spoke with members of congress, directed my national security team to engage with their israeli counterparts, military to military, intelligence and intelligence, diplomat to diplomat, to make sure that israel has what it needs. i have also directed my team to remain in constant contact with leaders throughout the region, including egypt, turkey, qatar, saudi arabia, jordan, oman, the uae, as well as our european partners and the palestinian authority. it is also a terrible tragedy on a human level. hurting innocent people. seeing the lives that have been broken by this, the families torn apart, it's heartbreaking. jill and i are praying for those families that have been impacted by this violence. we grieve with those who have lost loved ones, lost a piece of their soul. we have hope for a swift recovery for many of the wounded. we will remain in close touch with the prime minister, and i will personally maintain close contact with prime minister netanyahu as this situation continues to develop. and let there be no mistake. the united states stands with the state of israel, just as we have from the moment when the united states became the first nation to recognise israel, 11 minutes after its founding 75 years ago. thank you very much. we know president biden has held calls with the king ofjordan after he spoke to prime minister benjamin netanyahu. in the past few hours we heard from the uk foreign secretary james cleverly who condemned the attack. we have seen an unprecedented attack on israel. reports of thousands of rockets being fired at civilian targets. and reports of arbitrary killings, murders, and kidnaps. we completely condemn, the uk completely condemns, these terrorist acts against israel. we support israel's right to self—defence. of course, we will be working closely with the israeli government. we already have had contact with them and we will continue to do so, to protect british nationals in israel and to try and bring peace as quickly as possible. what form does that support take? what support is britain ready to give to israel as they respond to these attacks by hamas? of course, we will respond to requests from the israeli government. we will be in close contact with them and will remain in close contact with them as this progresses. of course, our priority in the short—term is to help protect british nationals in israel. there is travel advice on the fcdo website. people should follow that if they are planning to travel to israel. they should follow the advice of the israeli defence force if they are already in israel. cani can i condemn these appalling attacks— can i condemn these appalling attacks and the loss of life on israet— attacks and the loss of life on israel today? this is a heinous terrorist — israel today? this is a heinous terrorist activity. men, women and children— terrorist activity. men, women and children have lost their lives. and there _ children have lost their lives. and there are — children have lost their lives. and there are hostages that now wait to see what _ there are hostages that now wait to see what will happen to them. we unequivocally support israel's right to self_ unequivocally support israel's right to self defence at this very, very challenging time.— to self defence at this very, very challenging time. what support do ou believe challenging time. what support do you believe the _ challenging time. what support do you believe the uk _ challenging time. what support do you believe the uk government i challenging time. what support do i you believe the uk government should be offering israel at this time? flit be offering israel at this time? of course, look, i have been speaking to colleagues in israel, many of them _ to colleagues in israel, many of them hiding in their homes, and i'm quite— them hiding in their homes, and i'm quite sure— them hiding in their homes, and i'm quite sure the foreign secretary has spoken— quite sure the foreign secretary has spoken to _ quite sure the foreign secretary has spoken to the israeli ambassador here in_ spoken to the israeli ambassador here in london, as indeed i have. britain _ here in london, as indeed i have. britain stands in support of our allies— britain stands in support of our allies facing terrorist threats. of course, — allies facing terrorist threats. of course, one would hope the response is proportionate and within international law, but this is an excellent — international law, but this is an excellent escalating live situation with hostages taken, and my heart .oes with hostages taken, and my heart goes out _ with hostages taken, and my heart goes out to— with hostages taken, and my heart goes out to families on both sides are suffering today. —— this is an escalating — are suffering today. —— this is an escalating live situation with hostages taken. we escalating live situation with hostages taken. escalating live situation with hostaaes taken. ~ , ., ., hostages taken. we understand at least 200 people _ hostages taken. we understand at least 200 people have _ hostages taken. we understand at least 200 people have been i hostages taken. we understand at least 200 people have been killed| hostages taken. we understand at l least 200 people have been killed in retaliatory israeli strikes. what is your reaction to that when you look at what you call a proportionate response by israel? i’m at what you call a proportionate response by israel?— at what you call a proportionate response by israel? i'm quite sure that response _ response by israel? i'm quite sure that response is _ response by israel? i'm quite sure that response is targeted - response by israel? i'm quite sure that response is targeted at i response by israel? i'm quite sure l that response is targeted at hamas, and of— that response is targeted at hamas, and of course let's remember they are a _ and of course let's remember they are a terrorist organisation. there has been — are a terrorist organisation. there has been tremendous loss of palestinian life in this last year. and of— palestinian life in this last year. and of course, further loss as a result— and of course, further loss as a result of— and of course, further loss as a result of these rocket attacks. it's important — result of these rocket attacks. it's important that those hostages are handed _ important that those hostages are handed back. it's important that territory— handed back. it's important that territory seized is handed back. that— territory seized is handed back. that is— territory seized is handed back. that is what will bring a cessation to the _ that is what will bring a cessation to the violence we have seen overnight. do to the violence we have seen overnight-— to the violence we have seen overniaht. ,, , ., overnight. do you believe that actually that — overnight. do you believe that actually that really _ overnight. do you believe that actually that really could i overnight. do you believe that actually that really could lead | overnight. do you believe that i actually that really could lead to a cessation? how concerned are you of an escalation, the likes of which we may not have seen, given this conflict and how long it has gone on for, for many decades?— for, for many decades? well, it's very important — for, for many decades? well, it's very important that _ for, for many decades? well, it's very important that the _ very important that the international community have come together— international community have come together to condemn this attack, and i say together to condemn this attack, and i say of— together to condemn this attack, and i say of course that there is now going _ i say of course that there is now going to — i say of course that there is now going to be _ i say of course that there is now going to be a very important un meeting. — going to be a very important un meeting, closed meeting on gaza, tomorrow — meeting, closed meeting on gaza, tomorrow. but as i say, this is a life situation. it's ongoing. with hostages — life situation. it's ongoing. with hostages taken and rockets flying. i don't _ hostages taken and rockets flying. i don't want — hostages taken and rockets flying. i don't want to speculate. what would you hope _ don't want to speculate. what would you hope would come out of that meeting — you hope would come out of that meeting tomorrow at the un? look, we need calm _ meeting tomorrow at the un? look, we need calm and cool heads. all of us recognise _ need calm and cool heads. all of us recognise the tremendous challenges in gaza _ recognise the tremendous challenges in gaza and in the west bank, and of course _ in gaza and in the west bank, and of course in _ in gaza and in the west bank, and of course in broader israel. we all recognise — course in broader israel. we all recognise those challenges. but let us remember that this has taken place _ us remember that this has taken place during a festival. 50 years from _ place during a festival. 50 years from the — place during a festival. 50 years from the yom kippur war. we don't want _ from the yom kippur war. we don't want to— from the yom kippur war. we don't want to see — from the yom kippur war. we don't want to see a continuing loss of life and — want to see a continuing loss of life and it — want to see a continuing loss of life and it cannot be right to terrorise _ life and it cannot be right to terrorise people in their own land, and to— terrorise people in their own land, and to take — terrorise people in their own land, and to take women and children in this way — and to take women and children in this way. switch car i asked the former israeli prime minister naftali bennett for his reaction to the scenes in israel and gaza this is the worst terrorist attack in the history of israel, an unprovoked attack by hamas, which attacked our communities. killed more than 150 _ attacked our communities. killed more than 150 women, _ attacked our communities. killed more than 150 women, children i attacked our communities. is; iiezc more than 150 women, children and men, kidnapped an imprecise number and as i read you are speaking right now, there are still over a dozen live terror attacks going on in the southern parts of israel. what live terror attacks going on in the southern parts of israel. what more can ou southern parts of israel. what more can you tell— southern parts of israel. what more can you tell us _ southern parts of israel. what more can you tell us about _ southern parts of israel. what more can you tell us about those - southern parts of israel. what more can you tell us about those ongoing | can you tell us about those ongoing operations? we can you tell us about those ongoing operations?— operations? we are talking about civilian, several— operations? we are talking about civilian, several hostage - civilian, several hostage situations, behind the doors, and they can hear the terrorists, only two or three metres away behind their doors. some of them have had to keep their own babies from crying. and we will see other days, very dark days. this is an unprovoked and deliberate attack on the state of israel, and the state of israel as at more, with a terrorist state of hamas in glasgow and it will continue as long as it needs to. ~ , ., and it will continue as long as it needs to. ~ i. _ and it will continue as long as it needs to-_ and it will continue as long as it needs to. ~ ., needs to. when you say that you were s-ueakin to needs to. when you say that you were speaking to people — needs to. when you say that you were speaking to people in _ needs to. when you say that you were speaking to people in live _ speaking to people in live situations can you expand on that, what they were saying and what they were experiencing? abs, what they were saying and what they were experiencing?— what they were saying and what they were experiencing? a few minutes ago i was talkin: were experiencing? a few minutes ago i was talking to — were experiencing? a few minutes ago i was talking to a _ were experiencing? a few minutes ago i was talking to a woman _ were experiencing? a few minutes ago i was talking to a woman in _ were experiencing? a few minutes ago i was talking to a woman in a - i was talking to a woman in a kibbutz in the southern part of israel, and right now there are terrorists wandering around her kibbutz, trying to enter but all the homes are locked, they are burning out some of the house, her own parents were murdered, her mum and dad, her brother is in a different apartment and she is very worried about him right now. so that is one example, she has been stuck with him since 6am, so that would be about 14, 15 hours, since 6am, so that would be about 14,15 hours, and she is running out of food and the baby is crying and she is afraid that the noise that the baby will make will gain the attention of terrorists. so, we are trying to help our commanding forces, specialforces, to get trying to help our commanding forces, special forces, to get there and to kill the terrorists. you forces, special forces, to get there and to kill the terrorists.— and to kill the terrorists. you are personally _ and to kill the terrorists. you are personally trying _ and to kill the terrorists. you are personally trying to _ and to kill the terrorists. you are personally trying to intervene i and to kill the terrorists. you are personally trying to intervene to | personally trying to intervene to pass on and related information to security to get help for these people? security to get help for these eo - le? , security to get help for these --eole? , , , ., security to get help for these neale? , , , 4' ., people? yes, yes. i think over the ast people? yes, yes. i think over the past couple _ people? yes, yes. i think over the past couple of _ people? yes, yes. i think over the past couple of hours, _ people? yes, yes. i think over the past couple of hours, we - people? yes, yes. i think over the past couple of hours, we have i people? yes, yes. i think over the l past couple of hours, we have seen people? yes, yes. i think over the i past couple of hours, we have seen a big number of idf soldiers come to the southern part of israel, i met the southern part of israel, i met the soldiers in the field a few hours ago, and they are prepared but right now the main thing is to clean up right now the main thing is to clean up southern israel and to send off a terrorist, and then we can think about the next steps. i terrorist, and then we can think about the next steps.— terrorist, and then we can think about the next steps. i don't know if ou can about the next steps. i don't know if you can clarify — about the next steps. i don't know if you can clarify how _ about the next steps. i don't know if you can clarify how many i about the next steps. i don't know if you can clarify how many peoplej if you can clarify how many people are being held hostage, our correspondent suggested 50 in one kibbutz, and anotherfamily correspondent suggested 50 in one kibbutz, and another family being held hostage in their home. that is the information _ held hostage in their home. that is the information i— held hostage in their home. that is the information i am _ held hostage in their home. that is the information i am aware i held hostage in their home. that is the information i am aware of- held hostage in their home. that is the information i am aware of as i the information i am aware of as well. the hostage situations are very complex. in these sort of situations you do not want to come and just shoot everyone, you want to be selective and to kill the terrorists, and protect the hostages, so, we are trying to control these two situations, and there are dozens of other situations where it is not a hostage situation, but in several communities in southern israel.— but in several communities in southern israel. how would you characterise _ southern israel. how would you characterise the _ southern israel. how would you characterise the response i southern israel. how would you characterise the response by i southern israel. how would you | characterise the response by the government as security forces, we have heard the israeli opposition leader calling for a national unity government, is a former prime minister, do you think that would help? t minister, do you think that would hel ? , , , ., minister, do you think that would hel? , , ., , minister, do you think that would help? i support any emergency government- — help? i support any emergency government. our _ help? i support any emergency government. our enemies i help? i support any emergency | government. our enemies think help? i support any emergency i government. our enemies think that israel might be vulnerable, because of our domestic issues, but israel is united in left and right, religious and secular, everyone together, we stand behind our soldiers, our civilians, we are going to fight back. this is a heartbreakfor israel, going to fight back. this is a heartbreak for israel, but —— hard day, but ultimately we will win. it day, but ultimately we will win. it is a huge and devastating intelligence failure, israeli officials had been predicting an attack from either hamas or his brother. right now, the immediate thing —— or his brother. brother. right now, the immediate thing -- or his brother.— thing -- or his brother. ultimately we want to — thing -- or his brother. ultimately we want to release _ thing -- or his brother. ultimately we want to release hostages i thing -- or his brother. ultimately we want to release hostages and l thing -- or his brother. ultimately i we want to release hostages and the israelis that are in gazza and at the same time, hamas, so this could never occur again. the the same time, hamas, so this could never occur again.— never occur again. the palestinian resident never occur again. the palestinian president mahmoud _ never occur again. the palestinian president mahmoud bass, i never occur again. the palestinian president mahmoud bass, who i never occur again. the palestinian president mahmoud bass, who is| never occur again. the palestinian i president mahmoud bass, who is not affiliated with hamas, he says that they have a right to defend themselves against israeli crimes, what is your response to that? that is nonsense- _ what is your response to that? that is nonsense. these _ what is your response to that? trust is nonsense. these are the guys who gave the keys to 15 or more years ago, we pulled out every single soldier, every single is really from there, and we were told we were going to get the singapore of the middle east, and instead this is the responsibility of mark wood are bass as well as hamas, so, we handed gazza over to mark wood are bass. —— two mahmoud abbas. my own family heard sirens and we were down in the shelter, and it is all since we handed it over to the palestinian so this thing of lying all day about israel is utter nonsense. , and hamas, we are going to hit back. what is hitting back look like? we have already seen a number of at least 200 people killed in gaza are, it is not clear how many of those might be militants or not, we don't have clarification, we are seeing israeli rockets targeting the leader of the hamas organisation's home. where does this land in terms of retaliation on gazza? it where does this land in terms of retaliation on gazza?— retaliation on gazza? it does not need to end _ retaliation on gazza? it does not need to end there, _ retaliation on gazza? it does not need to end there, all— retaliation on gazza? it does not need to end there, all israelis i need to end there, all israelis stand behind the government and we are giving as much time is necessary to the idea to do the job, are giving as much time is necessary to the idea to do thejob, and i want to be very clear, a home, a school, a hospital that hosts terrorist is not a home, school or hospital it is a terror base and as such if they are shooting rockets at us from there, we will retaliate back. hf us from there, we will retaliate back. , ., , , ., back. if you were still israeli prime minister _ back. if you were still israeli prime minister would i back. if you were still israeli prime minister would you i back. if you were still israeli - prime minister would you recommend that israel goes back in and takes control of gaza? i that israel goes back in and takes control of gaza?— control of gaza? i am not making recommendations _ control of gaza? i am not making recommendations right _ control of gaza? i am not making recommendations right now- control of gaza? i am not making recommendations right now to i control of gaza? i am not making. recommendations right now to the government, i know what it is like to run a country, they don't need more advice, they need backing and all israelis stand behind the idf and the israeli government right now, we need to do thejob, we need to secure israeli lives. the now, we need to do the 'ob, we need to secure israeli lives._ to secure israeli lives. the former israeli to secure israeli lives. the former israeli prime _ to secure israeli lives. the former israeli prime minister, _ to secure israeli lives. the former israeli prime minister, naftali i israeli prime minister, naftali bennett. we heard from benjamin netanyahu said that the israeli army is to use all force to destroy hamas. with me is our chief international correspondent lyse doucet. and lina khatib, director of the soas military institute. let's start with you, lina and talk about the timing of this attack, what you make of it, why now? there are a few reasons, _ what you make of it, why now? there are a few reasons, it _ what you make of it, why now? there are a few reasons, it is _ what you make of it, why now? there are a few reasons, it is symbolic, i are a few reasons, it is symbolic, almost 50 years after the yom kippur war of 1973, almost 50 years after the yom kippur war of1973, it almost 50 years after the yom kippur war of 1973, it is symbolic for hamas to be seen as heroic on these days, and that you have domestic drivers to do with the behaviour of the israeli government under benjamin netanyahu towards benjamin neta nyahu towards palestinians benjamin netanyahu towards palestinians which have seen tensions escalate under this right—wing government and a lot of people in gazza and palestinians in general are quite fed up and that is why people are so expressing support in this campaign. and there is a wider geopolitical reason, which is to do with the talks between israel, saudi arabia and the united states about potentially brokering a deal. and that deal of course means that saudi arabia would have to talk to the palestinian authority about some sort of solution for the palestine israeli conflict and hamas is not part of that discussion. we have seen israel _ part of that discussion. we have seen israel normalising - part of that discussion. we have | seen israel normalising relations with an increasing number of middle eastern countries, and egypt says it is in talks with saudi arabia and jordan to defuse the tensions between the israelis and palestinians, so give us some perspective on that.— palestinians, so give us some perspective on that. egypt always tries to be mediator _ perspective on that. egypt always tries to be mediator in _ perspective on that. egypt always tries to be mediator in this i tries to be mediator in this conflict, _ tries to be mediator in this conflict, it was seized from egypt in the _ conflict, it was seized from egypt in the six—day war of 1967 and in 2005 israel— in the six—day war of 1967 and in 2005 israel withdrew its troops from the gaza _ 2005 israel withdrew its troops from the gaza strip although it still maintains control of the airspace and the — maintains control of the airspace and the sea around gaza. it controls at six _ and the sea around gaza. it controls at six or— and the sea around gaza. it controls at six or seven crossings that gaza has, _ at six or seven crossings that gaza has, which — at six or seven crossings that gaza has, which is — at six or seven crossings that gaza has, which is why, when israel says, we no _ has, which is why, when israel says, we no longer— has, which is why, when israel says, we no longer occupy it, it says that you still— we no longer occupy it, it says that you still have indirect and in some ways— you still have indirect and in some ways direct — you still have indirect and in some ways direct control over our lives and it _ ways direct control over our lives and it has— ways direct control over our lives and it has been described for many years— and it has been described for many years as _ and it has been described for many years as the world's biggest prison but there _ years as the world's biggest prison but there is a crossing into egypt. they— but there is a crossing into egypt. they have — but there is a crossing into egypt. they have tried to mediate but as lina they have tried to mediate but as lina says. — they have tried to mediate but as lina says, this mediation comes at a very sensitive but very unprecedented time in terms of the diplomacy— unprecedented time in terms of the diplomacy of the region. it is hard, given— diplomacy of the region. it is hard, given the _ diplomacy of the region. it is hard, given the extraordinary events of the last— given the extraordinary events of the last hours, that only last week you're _ the last hours, that only last week you're having discussions between the de _ you're having discussions between the de facto ruler of saudi arabia, mohamed — the de facto ruler of saudi arabia, mohamed bin salman and the americans as well— mohamed bin salman and the americans as well as _ mohamed bin salman and the americans as well as the palestinian leader mahmoud abbas, with some kind of a deal involving saudi recognition of israel. _ deal involving saudi recognition of israel, bringing saudi into the wider— israel, bringing saudi into the wider fold of the row space including the uae which is why the statements we have heard today are not the _ statements we have heard today are not the statements we have heard in the past _ not the statements we have heard in the past and have been all too many conflicts— the past and have been all too many conflicts between israel and gaza, much _ conflicts between israel and gaza, much more muted saying that they are following _ much more muted saying that they are following it _ much more muted saying that they are following it closely, and they are wanting — following it closely, and they are wanting to be seen as the ones who can resolve — wanting to be seen as the ones who can resolve this but the united states— can resolve this but the united states is— can resolve this but the united states is behind the older dark play a role _ states is behind the older dark play a role as— states is behind the older dark play a role as well.— a role as well. lina, give us some background _ a role as well. lina, give us some background to _ a role as well. lina, give us some background to this _ a role as well. lina, give us some background to this normalisation | background to this normalisation between israel and saudi arabia which would be, to say historic would be an understatement, it would be huge, and there are some people suggesting that iran might be behind these attacks today, because they want to stop that happening, they want to stop that happening, they want to stop that happening, they want to make sure that they cause so much trouble in the region that that can't happen. what is your take on that? ~ ., , that? well, i have been in conversation _ that? well, i have been in conversation with - that? well, i have been in conversation with saudi i that? well, i have been in i conversation with saudi officials about this deal. saudi arabia is very serious about not being seen to have given up on his own arab peace initiative that it had presented years back, as a way out of the conflict. so the saudis are saying, we are notjust going to give israel a freebie by signing a deal that has just ink on paper. they actually know that, for their own credibility, they need to involve the palestinians in the deal. and thatis the palestinians in the deal. and that is why they have been talking to the palestinian authority and mahmoud abbas. of course, hamas is backed by iran, and iran will not want to see such a deal. it wants to have its own agenda on the table. and in a way this attack today is also a message to mahmoud abbas by hamas to say, we are the ones who are the voice of the palestinians and not the palestinian authority, so this is all about the tensions domestically.— domestically. the last reported meetinu domestically. the last reported meeting is _ domestically. the last reported meeting is that _ domestically. the last reported meeting is that we _ domestically. the last reported meeting is that we heard i domestically. the last reported i meeting is that we heard between president — meeting is that we heard between president biden and prime minister netanyahu, the report was that they made _ netanyahu, the report was that they made it— netanyahu, the report was that they made it absolutely clear that there had to _ made it absolutely clear that there had to be — made it absolutely clear that there had to be substantial progress on the israeli — had to be substantial progress on the israeli palestinian issue, they had to— the israeli palestinian issue, they had to show a horizons of what the palestinians want which is an eventual— palestinians want which is an eventual palestinian state but there could be _ eventual palestinian state but there could be no rapprochement with saudi arabia _ could be no rapprochement with saudi arabia and _ could be no rapprochement with saudi arabia and no formal recognition until— arabia and no formal recognition until israel did more and the palestinian front and what has happened today has underlined it, as we have _ happened today has underlined it, as we have been saying all day, in and unprecedented way, how far the two site are _ unprecedented way, how far the two site are and — unprecedented way, how far the two site are and how much more must be done _ site are and how much more must be done and _ site are and how much more must be done and also the depth of anger, we have been— done and also the depth of anger, we have been speaking about how the israelis _ have been speaking about how the israelis are rallying around prime minister— israelis are rallying around prime minister netanyahu backed the palestinians will also rally around hamas— palestinians will also rally around hamas politically because they are under— hamas politically because they are under attack. hamas politically because they are under attack-— under attack. explained the relationship _ under attack. explained the relationship between i under attack. explained the | relationship between hamas under attack. explained the i relationship between hamas and under attack. explained the - relationship between hamas and the palestinian authority, hamas controls gaza, and the palestinian authority the west bank, and with a declining amount of authority, you might say, mahmoud abbas. eome might say, mahmoud abbas. some redict that might say, mahmoud abbas. some predict that after _ might say, mahmoud abbas. some predict that after this _ might say, mahmoud abbas. some predict that after this attack i predict that after this attack mahmoud abbas will have failed to have represented the voices of the palestinians altogether. so it is likely to see a change in leadership in the palestinian authority in the aftermath of what has happened now. what would that change of leadership look like? around the world we see ageing leaders, in israel as well somebody has been on the political scene for a long time. is there any succession planning, anybody who wants to move towards peace? u nfortu nately wants to move towards peace? unfortunately not. this has been a very contentious issue within the palestinian authority and more generally within palestine. there is no clear successor. again this is something that hamas will take advantage of politically. a lot of what is happening today can actually be to the political advantage of hamas. , ., ., ., ., hamas. there is a lot of not simmering _ hamas. there is a lot of not simmering anger— hamas. there is a lot of not simmering anger about - hamas. there is a lot of not - simmering anger about outbursts of anger, _ simmering anger about outbursts of anger, we _ simmering anger about outbursts of anger, we have seen it in the growing _ anger, we have seen it in the growing confrontation between very radical _ growing confrontation between very radicaljewish settlers in the northern— radicaljewish settlers in the northern west bank but also there was anger— northern west bank but also there was anger against the palestinian authority— was anger against the palestinian authority and the leadership of mahmoud abbas, he is in his 80s, his health— mahmoud abbas, he is in his 80s, his health is_ mahmoud abbas, he is in his 80s, his health is hot— mahmoud abbas, he is in his 80s, his health is not good, he and his family— health is not good, he and his family are _ health is not good, he and his family are widely regarded as corrupt _ family are widely regarded as corrupt. there are names which come up corrupt. there are names which come up at _ corrupt. there are names which come up at say— corrupt. there are names which come up at say this — corrupt. there are names which come up at say this person could possibly be so _ up at say this person could possibly be so who— up at say this person could possibly be so who could replace him, they name _ be so who could replace him, they name which — be so who could replace him, they name which comes up the most someone who will— name which comes up the most someone who will probably spend the rest of his life _ who will probably spend the rest of his life in _ who will probably spend the rest of his life in an israeli prison,, he has _ his life in an israeli prison,, he has failed _ his life in an israeli prison,, he has failed to stand up to israel and to govern — has failed to stand up to israel and to govern effectively and to give a pathway _ to govern effectively and to give a pathway to the kind of leadership which _ pathway to the kind of leadership which can— pathway to the kind of leadership which can genuinely represent in particular— which can genuinely represent in particular a new generation of palestinians who are growing up without — palestinians who are growing up without any hope that in their lives are going — without any hope that in their lives are going to get any better or that the situation is going to change. that there — the situation is going to change. that there will be one day a palestinian state which is why they feel that _ palestinian state which is why they feel that this is the only way to do it. feel that this is the only way to do it and _ feel that this is the only way to do it. and hamas, is very name means a resistance _ it. and hamas, is very name means a resistance movement. i rented into some _ resistance movement. i rented into some people just come back from some back channel— some people just come back from some back channel talks with very senior hamas— back channel talks with very senior hamas leader is trying to convince them _ hamas leader is trying to convince them to— hamas leader is trying to convince them to move away from the rule of them to move away from the rule of the garden — them to move away from the rule of the garden and these mediators were very optimistic and i said, it is going — very optimistic and i said, it is going to — very optimistic and i said, it is going to take some time, isn't it, but i _ going to take some time, isn't it, but i was — going to take some time, isn't it, but i was very struck by how they felt that — but i was very struck by how they felt that they had made some progress talking to israelis and palestinians and talking to hamas and then— palestinians and talking to hamas and then all of a sudden this happens _ and then all of a sudden this happens and what a moment this is. and when _ happens and what a moment this is. and when hamas decides to go ahead with a attack on the scale knowing the number of people that will be killed and the condemnation from worldwide that will follow and the retaliatory attacks that will flow onto gaza, and no doubt there will be innocent people killed, how does that come into the occasion, when they think about that and the support that they might win or lose as a result?— as a result? when it comes to the eo - le, as a result? when it comes to the peeple. they _ as a result? when it comes to the peeple. they have _ as a result? when it comes to the people, they have been _ as a result? when it comes to the people, they have been so - as a result? when it comes to the people, they have been so fed - as a result? when it comes to the | people, they have been so fed up. gaza, one of if not the most densely populated areas in the world, where people live in practically an open—air prison, and then when you see attacks happening even outside of gaza, including injerusalem, on arabs and palestinians, tensions are so high that a lot of people are very aware of the high cost and high price that they might personally have to pay, but they are still cheering for hamas, because they think, we are dead, either way. what think, we are dead, either way. what we were hearing _ think, we are dead, either way. what we were hearing from _ think, we are dead, either way. what we were hearing from many in gaza, even _ we were hearing from many in gaza, even though— we were hearing from many in gaza, even though israel seemed to have been taken by surprise there was a feeling _ been taken by surprise there was a feeling in _ been taken by surprise there was a feeling in gaza that something was being _ feeling in gaza that something was being prepared, notjust that something would happen but would have to _ something would happen but would have to happen, because they have -ot have to happen, because they have got nothing to lose, and within that culture _ got nothing to lose, and within that culture of— got nothing to lose, and within that culture of resistance, to die in this— culture of resistance, to die in this kind — culture of resistance, to die in this kind of law is a noble thing. it is martyrdom stop better to die a fast heroic— it is martyrdom stop better to die a fast heroic death than to live a very— fast heroic death than to live a very slow— fast heroic death than to live a very slow death, in gaza. reading from reuters _ very slow death, in gaza. reading from reuters news _ very slow death, in gaza. reading from reuters news agency - very slow death, in gaza. reading from reuters news agency a - very slow death, in gaza. reading from reuters news agency a line | very slow death, in gaza. reading - from reuters news agency a line from the us state department, the us secretary of state antony blinken has asked the palestinian authority to enhance steps to restore calm and stability in the west bank. what is your reading of that? that stability in the west bank. what is your reading of that?— your reading of that? that is the new fear. _ your reading of that? that is the new fear. of _ your reading of that? that is the new fear, of escalation. - your reading of that? that is the new fear, of escalation. when i your reading of that? that is the - new fear, of escalation. when there have been_ new fear, of escalation. when there have been his open hostilities that have been his open hostilities that have gone — have been his open hostilities that have gone on for weeks in some cases, _ have gone on for weeks in some cases, there have been clashes, there _ cases, there have been clashes, there have — cases, there have been clashes, there have been incidents and attacks— there have been incidents and attacks in_ there have been incidents and attacks in the west bank, but today, giving _ attacks in the west bank, but today, giving the _ attacks in the west bank, but today, giving the scale and opacity of this attack, _ giving the scale and opacity of this attack, giving the israeli threats to retaliate, there are fears that this will— to retaliate, there are fears that this will escalate a cross, this will light— this will escalate a cross, this will light a fire across the west bank— will light a fire across the west bank and — will light a fire across the west bank and there has been concern also about— bank and there has been concern also about what— bank and there has been concern also about what will be done in lebanon try about what will be done in lebanon by his— about what will be done in lebanon by his brother, so they are appealing to mahmoud abbas to do what he _ appealing to mahmoud abbas to do what he can so he lacks such little authority— what he can so he lacks such little authority and legitimacy that they will be _ authority and legitimacy that they will be thinking, what have we got. can you _ will be thinking, what have we got. can you put — will be thinking, what have we got. can you put into context where lebanon and hezbola are involved in this, they are still heavily involved in syria.- this, they are still heavily involved in syria. this, they are still heavily involved in s ria. , ., ., involved in syria. they have local tensions in _ involved in syria. they have local tensions in lebanon _ involved in syria. they have local tensions in lebanon to _ involved in syria. they have local tensions in lebanon to worry - involved in syria. they have local i tensions in lebanon to worry about. let's not forget that there are other militants in lebanon, in the south, some palestinian militants that coordinate closely with hezbolla and on occasion they launch rockets at israel whilst hezbolla pretends it knows nothing about such attacks, and it is plausible that we could see the responses happening from southern lebanon rather than directly involving hezbolla. that from southern lebanon rather than directly involving hezbolla.- directly involving hezbolla. at this moment too. _ directly involving hezbolla. at this moment too, there _ directly involving hezbolla. at this moment too, there was _ directly involving hezbolla. at this moment too, there was that - moment too, there was that extraordinary rapprochement between saudi arabia and israel were, after years— saudi arabia and israel were, after years of— saudi arabia and israel were, after years of being archrivals, between iran and _ years of being archrivals, between iran and saudi arabia, what are racing — iran and saudi arabia, what are racing behind the scenes, are they talking, _ racing behind the scenes, are they talking, because iran is linked to hezbolla — talking, because iran is linked to hezbolla and to islamicjihad, the other— hezbolla and to islamicjihad, the other main party in gaza, hamas holds _ other main party in gaza, hamas holds greater sway but islamicjihad is also _ holds greater sway but islamicjihad is also a _ holds greater sway but islamicjihad is also a key player, and advised by many— is also a key player, and advised by many of— is also a key player, and advised by many of the — is also a key player, and advised by many of the same resistance policies as hamas. _ many of the same resistance policies as hamas, sometimes even more radical— as hamas, sometimes even more radical and _ as hamas, sometimes even more radical and it will be interesting to see — radical and it will be interesting to see behind the scenes whether saudi _ to see behind the scenes whether saudi arabia is also talking to iran about— saudi arabia is also talking to iran about trying to find a way forward. if i might — about trying to find a way forward. if i might add, decisions to engage in war are not taken by hezbolla or islamicjihad or by hamas single—handedly, there is always consultation with iran first. band single-handedly, there is always consultation with iran first. and at the bottom. _ consultation with iran first. and at the bottom, people _ consultation with iran first. and at the bottom, people are _ consultation with iran first. and at the bottom, people are suffering, | consultation with iran first. and at i the bottom, people are suffering, so many— the bottom, people are suffering, so many civilians, so many peoples lives _ many civilians, so many peoples lives have — many civilians, so many peoples lives have been shattered today, both palestinian and israeli. thank ou both both palestinian and israeli. thank you both are _ both palestinian and israeli. thank you both are your _ both palestinian and israeli. thank you both are your thoughts - both palestinian and israeli. thank you both are your thoughts and . you both are your thoughts and analysis. live now to ron hassner, chair in israel studies at the university of california, berkeley. thank you forjoining us, what is your reaction to today's events? the events in your reaction to today's events? tue: events in israel are your reaction to today's events? tt2 events in israel are horrifying, stunning, surprising, the images that you see of elderly people being dragged away by terrorists into the gaza strip, hostages being taken, rockets coming down by the thousand, and the ferns are not stopping ringing and we are glued to the television and to the news celsius to try to get an update on what is going on from our point of view in california, it is on the other side of the world. ire california, it is on the other side of the world.— of the world. re shop by the intelligence _ of the world. re shop by the intelligence failure - of the world. re shop by the intelligence failure by - of the world. re shop by the intelligence failure by the i of the world. re shop by the | intelligence failure by the us of the world. re shop by the - intelligence failure by the us and israeli security services? t am intelligence failure by the us and israeli security services?- israeli security services? i am all that i israeli security services? i am all that i thought — israeli security services? i am all that l thought the _ israeli security services? i am all that i thought the preceding - that i thought the preceding announcement was very good from president biden. i do think that this was hard to predict, because it was not, to my mind as best as i can tell, particularly sophisticated attack. it involves breaking through attack. it involves breaking through a fence with a bulldozer so, so what the professor incorrectly called the world's largest open—air prison is just surrounded by a fence. people swarmed into israel, some with the intention of losing, some with the intention of losing, some with the intention of losing, some with the intention of dragging back hostages, some with the intention of murdering people, those things are hard to predict, i suspect that it was not coordinated with hezbolla or the israeli intelligence services would have learned about it. it would have been a last decision but it brings to mind events from the day 50 years ago during a jewish holiday, catching israelis off—guard, egyptian and syrian coordinated attack during the yom kippur war, and that brings back very bad memories and led to the toppling of an israeli government. lie memories and led to the toppling of an israeli government.— an israeli government. us president joe biden an israeli government. us president joe itiden gave _ an israeli government. us president joe itiden gave a _ an israeli government. us president joe biden gave a statement - an israeli government. us president joe biden gave a statement not - an israeli government. us president joe biden gave a statement not thatj joe biden gave a statement not that long ago, reiterating strong support for israel, he said that he will not everfail to for israel, he said that he will not ever fail to have for israel, he said that he will not everfail to have her back and for israel, he said that he will not ever fail to have her back and that israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop. what you think of the fact that president biden felt compelled to make such a statement? we president biden felt compelled to make such a statement? we have heard similar statements _ make such a statement? we have heard similar statements from _ make such a statement? we have heard similar statements from around - make such a statement? we have heard similar statements from around the - similar statements from around the world, from europe, the austrian government is flying the israeli flag, we have heard it from england, except for rather we hear about celebrations on the streets of tehran, the arab world is shocked by the scenes. we are used to seeing the scenes. we are used to seeing the occasional bomb going off or hundreds of rockets fired by palestinian terrorists against israeli population centres but thousands of rockets, not these scenes are just massacres of civilians in the streets of small towns, so, ithink civilians in the streets of small towns, so, i think that is sort of a collective feeling around the globe right now. the professor a couple of minutes ago suggested that is a palestinian rally behind hamas and greatjoy. i suspect that palestinian rally behind hamas and great joy. i suspect that that jaw is not going to last my giving experiences in years past as the israelis now begin to retaliate, they must go into gaza, to get out these civilian hostages, which number in the many dozens, and i think that the csire will soon pass. the other thing i wanted to mention —— de cheer. and the extent to which the saudi and us deal plays a role and one reason why president biden is speaking up, in the discussion just now in the studio your speaker suggested that hamas is acting because they want to have a voice in these negotiations. my interpretation is slightly different. i think they understand that they will not have a voice in these negotiations. i think there is an understanding that the train up pastries passing them by, that countries are normalising relations with israel, one by one because even arab states understand that the palestinians are not willing to negotiate or to concede, not willing to recognise israel, hamas still has as part of its charter drawn anti—semitic statements about clearing the land ofjews, let alone refusing to recognise israel as in any way legitimate. i think if that saudi is really us deal should come about, it would be pretty much the end of palestinian hopes for statehood, and i think this is a moment of desperation for palestinians both in gaza and in the west bank. . ~ palestinians both in gaza and in the west bank. ., ,, , ., palestinians both in gaza and in the west bank. . ~' , ., ., palestinians both in gaza and in the west bank. ., ,, , ., ., ., , , west bank. thank you, roin hassner from the university _ west bank. thank you, roin hassner from the university of _ west bank. thank you, roin hassner from the university of california. - from the university of california. this is the scene live in gaza. the israeli army have been given authorisation to use all force to destroy hamas from the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu. stay with us for more developments on this fast moving story. live from london. this is bbc news. an unprecedented escalation of violence — israeli air strikes continue to pound gaza after palestinian militants launch a surprise attack. fighting is still ongoing at 22 separate locations on israeli territory after hamas' barrage of rockets. israel confirms a number of its soldiers and civilians have been taken hostage. netanyahu will take vengeance for this black day. local reports say at least 200 israelis and more than 230 palestinians have been killed in this latest wave of strikes. president biden says his support for israel was rock solid. rhe — for israel was rock solid. the for israel was rock solid. united states stands with israel. the united states stands with israel. we will not ever fail to have — israel. we will not ever fail to have their— israel. we will not ever fail to have their back. we will make sure they have — have their back. we will make sure they have the health of their citizens _ they have the health of their citizens need, to defend themselves. -- the _ citizens need, to defend themselves. -- the help— citizens need, to defend themselves. —— the help that their citizens need. — —— the help that their citizens need. to— —— the help that their citizens need, to defend themselves. dozens of israeli soldiers and civilians are being held hostage, as part of an unprecedented attack by palestinian militants on israeli territory. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu says his country is at war. his government claims the palestinian militant group hamas launched more than 2,000 rockets into the country, killing at least 200 people, and wounding nearlyi,000. officials in the gaza strip say at least 232 people have been killed and almost 2,000 wounded there, in retaliatory israeli strikes — recently its warplanes have hit several multi—storey buildings

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