is what that area of southern israel looked like today. just look at all that smoke coming from burning buildings. if we zoom in you can see the heat spots that we've enhanced so you can see them. now, all these cross—border infiltrations by palestinian militants taken together with the thousands of rockets fired at israel represent a massive intelligence failure from israel. it should have seen this coming because they had regular military patrols going along that border. this is footage taken some years earlier. but they had cameras, sensors, informants inside the militant groups. and yet hamas was able to charge through that border, crossing it with things like this bulldozer, paragliders, by land, sea and air, and all the while, hamas has been sending more missiles into places like this, tel aviv, this office and residential block here, hitting buildings while the israeli airforce hits gaza. however this ends, it will go down as one of the worst failures of israeli intelligence in 50 years. live now to itamar rabinovich, the former israeli ambassador to the us. welcome to you. thanks for being with us here on bbc news. i want to begin by asking you whether you ever anticipated seeing something like this on the level we are seeing today? this on the level we are seeing toda ? , , ., �* , this on the level we are seeing toda? ,~/ �*, today? definitely not. it's ironic that we mark— today? definitely not. it's ironic that we mark the _ today? definitely not. it's ironic that we mark the 50th - today? definitely not. it's ironic. that we mark the 50th anniversary today? definitely not. it's ironic- that we mark the 50th anniversary of the young couple, 0ctober war of 1973 which began with a major intelligence failure and a failure of the system to respond to surprise attack in the first instance. it's not the same scale, these are not regular armies but it's reminiscent and of course i was surprised like so many other israelis. if and of course i was surprised like so many other israelis.— so many other israelis. if this is an intelligence _ so many other israelis. if this is an intelligence failure, - so many other israelis. if this is an intelligence failure, which i so many other israelis. if this is an intelligence failure, which it | an intelligence failure, which it appears to be, what do you think caused it? hot appears to be, what do you think caused it? ., g; appears to be, what do you think caused it?— appears to be, what do you think caused it? ., g; ., , ., caused it? not in the 73, it was a mindset, caused it? not in the 73, it was a mindset. we _ caused it? not in the 73, it was a mindset, we assume _ caused it? not in the 73, it was a mindset, we assume the - caused it? not in the 73, it was a l mindset, we assume the egyptians caused it? not in the 73, it was a - mindset, we assume the egyptians and syrians with an attack. here, i think hamas managed quite an effective way to communicate its own people that was not punishable to our intelligence service. but it was notjust intelligence in the sense of early warning, the whole system that was built along the border with gaza, the physical system of reproach and so forth, proved to be utterly ineffective. this is where most of our military casualties happened. most of our military casualties happened-— most of our military casualties hauened. ., , . happened. based on your experience, ambassador. — happened. based on your experience, ambassador, serving _ happened. based on your experience, ambassador, serving as _ happened. based on your experience, ambassador, serving as ambassador. happened. based on your experience, | ambassador, serving as ambassador to the united states, how do you think the united states, how do you think the diplomatic channels now will be working, will be gearing up between the united states and israel? until this very event. — the united states and israel? until this very event, the _ the united states and israel? lint l this very event, the whole focus of the american— israeli relationship wasn't working. i think this will now have to wait. the biden administration have been very good in coming out in support of israel. expressing cordial support. of course israel has been affected. this will have to be worked out in the coming weeks. fin this will have to be worked out in the coming weeks.— this will have to be worked out in the coming weeks. on the point of the coming weeks. on the point of the saudi - — the coming weeks. on the point of the saudi - iranian _ the coming weeks. on the point of the saudi - iranian peace - the coming weeks. on the point of the saudi - iranian peace deal, - the saudi — iranian peace deal, prospective peace deal, do you think that could have potentially played a role in the timing of hamas deciding to launch this attack now? i role in the timing of hamas deciding to launch this attack now?— to launch this attack now? i think so. to launch this attack now? i think s0- hamas _ to launch this attack now? i think s0- hamas is _ to launch this attack now? i think so. hamas is an _ to launch this attack now? i think so. hamas is an organisation - to launch this attack now? i think. so. hamas is an organisation allied, supported by iran. the iranians in hamas were quite unhappy about this burgeoning deal between israel and saudi arabia. 0r between the united states and saudi arabia, which had a clear anti—rainey edge. the iranians found a way of trying to fall it by using a proxy in gaza.— using a proxy in gaza. definitely so. ifi using a proxy in gaza. definitely s0- if i can _ using a proxy in gaza. definitely so. ifi can ask— using a proxy in gaza. definitely so. if i can ask you, _ using a proxy in gaza. definitely so. if i can ask you, how- using a proxy in gaza. definitely so. if i can ask you, how do - using a proxy in gaza. definitely so. if i can ask you, how do you| so. if i can ask you, how do you think this will now play out in the weeks to come? how much worse to think it could get? first weeks to come? how much worse to think it could get?— think it could get? first of all, the crisis _ think it could get? first of all, the crisis is _ think it could get? first of all, the crisis is not _ think it could get? first of all, the crisis is not over. - think it could get? first of all, the crisis is not over. hamas l the crisis is not over. hamas continues to fire rockets, continues to try to send squads into southern israel. we have a large number of hostages taken by hamas in gaza. this all will have to be worked out. to put an end to the fighting, find a way of making some kind of a deal, probably brokered by egypt, in which our hostages would be freed and they probably would insist on a large number of hamas prisoners in israeli jails. it will take time, these conversations are never easy and of course there will be a lot of soul—searching and reckoning inside israel. soul-searching and reckoning inside israel. �* ., ., israel. and on that point with retards israel. and on that point with regards to — israel. and on that point with regards to the _ israel. and on that point with regards to the hostages, - israel. and on that point with regards to the hostages, an i regards to the hostages, an incredibly distressing situation for the families. we can only imagine. when you talk about negotiations, how could they play out? how long could be potentially be seeing a hostage situation for? you could be potentially be seeing a hostage situation for?— could be potentially be seeing a hostage situation for? you can only ho -e that hostage situation for? you can only hope that hamas _ hostage situation for? you can only hope that hamas in _ hostage situation for? you can only hope that hamas in gaza _ hostage situation for? you can only hope that hamas in gaza is - hostage situation for? you can onlyj hope that hamas in gaza is treating the hostages in a humane way. it's not decisively an humanitarian organisation. and i hope they treat them well. the very fact of keeping them well. the very fact of keeping them there in some safe place is not a problem. the problem is the attitude that hamas will adopt. i just want to ask you, do you foresee a situation in which israel may try to take back control of gaza? take control, i don't _ to take back control of gaza? take control, i don't think _ to take back control of gaza? take control, i don't think so. _ to take back control of gaza? tag age: control, i don't think so. israel may be tempted to try and occupy gaza through a land operation which it has avoided for quite some time. israel is not interested in controlling gaza for 2 million palestinians. there will be no recipients. the palestinian authority on the west bank is quite weak now and i'm not sure they can come back to gaza where they used to be patrols. egypt is not interested. so the price of occupying gaza may be among other things may be stuck with gaza. bill be among other things may be stuck with gaza. �* ., , , _, ., with gaza. all of this is coming at a time when _ with gaza. all of this is coming at a time when politically _ with gaza. all of this is coming at a time when politically it - with gaza. all of this is coming at a time when politically it has - with gaza. all of this is coming at| a time when politically it has been difficult for prime minister benjamin netanyahu. what kind of pressure do you think he is now under internally, faced with a crisis of unprecedented scale? there is auoin to crisis of unprecedented scale? there is going to be _ crisis of unprecedented scale? there is going to be a _ crisis of unprecedented scale? there is going to be a huge _ crisis of unprecedented scale? there is going to be a huge wave _ crisis of unprecedented scale? there is going to be a huge wave of- is going to be a huge wave of criticism. people invoking gold air. he has supporters, he has very strong opposition, the protest movement. there is already discussion of building an emergency national unity government. the opposition is demanding that netanyahu gets rid of the most radical components, the very far right wingers. he spoke about it abroad, and emergency government which would mean he would like to keep them in government. there is going to be a lot of give and take on this as well. [30 going to be a lot of give and take on this as well.— on this as well. do you think the uni will on this as well. do you think the unity will hold _ on this as well. do you think the unity will hold in _ on this as well. do you think the unity will hold in this _ on this as well. do you think the unity will hold in this newly - on this as well. do you think the i unity will hold in this newly formed unity will hold in this newly formed unity government? he. unity will hold in this newly formed unity government?— unity government? no. i think the o- osition unity government? no. i think the opposition will _ unity government? no. i think the opposition will demand _ unity government? no. i think the opposition will demand there - unity government? no. i think the opposition will demand there willl unity government? no. i think the l opposition will demand there will be an emergency government with a date set for elections, probably a few months down the road. netanyahu is likely to oppose that because he knows he may very well lose that election. it's an open question. the former israeli _ election. it's an open question. the former israeli ambassador to the united states, thank you so much for being with us here on bbc news. thank you for having me. we will brin: ou thank you for having me. we will bring you some _ thank you for having me. we will bring you some more _ thank you for having me. we will bring you some more news - thank you for having me. we will bring you some more news on i thank you for having me. we will. bring you some more news on that hostage situation as we get it. we are hearing that a number of those hostages appear to have been released. we will bring you more detail on that very shortly but for now, live now to barbara starr, a longtime pentagon correspondent who's now senior fellow at the usc annenberg center on communication leadership and policy. barbara, great to have you back with us. so many people have expressed shock at these attacks. questions invetiably turning to whether this was a failure of intelligence? your thoughts? clearly a failure of intelligence _ your thoughts? clearly a failure of intelligence of _ your thoughts? clearly a failure of intelligence of sorts _ your thoughts? clearly a failure of intelligence of sorts but _ your thoughts? clearly a failure of intelligence of sorts but i - your thoughts? clearly a failure of intelligence of sorts but i think . intelligence of sorts but i think one of the things that might be so interesting to think about is how hamas essentially won this round to date, and they did it apparently low—tech. they apparently state of electronic communications, staying away from anything they felt the israelis could use to track their movements in the build—up towards this. it didn'tjust happen over the last 2a hours or so, a lot of planning, preparation went into this. they had multiple teams of attackers, they knew what they were going after, that's a lot of intelligence for these hamas affiliated fighters to have in hand. and israel, well known for having a vast, high—tech essentially, human and electronic intelligence network, which apparently picked up on none of this, so you begin to ask yourself a key question, these groups are having success by not, by staying off the net so to speak, by not exposing them to the high—tech, very expensive systems that so many countries are using. i think it's fair to say we saw this happen at various times in afghanistan, in iraq in search of networks in both of those countries were able to communicate, operate and move around and more often than not, potentially be very surprising in terms of their movements on the ground. this is a lesson hamas may have been learning, so the question now of course is how does this will move ahead? how do they gather the intelligence they need about where these people are and how to target them now? if they want to stay away from the additional civilian casualties, they have to engage in precise targeting and that for the israelis involves a whole new rout of intelligence. than whole new rout of intelligence. an interesting point. i do want to update our views on some news which we were just talking about a short while ago before we brought in barbara. news that is coming to us on our bbc live page saying hostages released in qubits according to an israeli media outlet. if you will remember, the number of hostages around 50 according to israeli media, both civilians and soldiers, one family reportedly taken hostage and according to our bbc news page which you can follow along with, israel's public broadcaster has reported that after a situation lasting 18 hours, hostages have been held in a dining room and those hostages have been released. that is around 18 but do keep in mind we are seeing a situation where at least 50 people in israel were being held hostage by those hamas militants. just to come back to you, barbara, on that point. you were talking about whether this was a failure of intelligence, but looking at these images this morning, i think it's fair to say what was striking is how coordinated these attacks appear to have been. that will have taken a great deal of organisation, backing. backing coming from where? weill. great deal of organisation, backing. backing coming from where? well, i think their work _ backing coming from where? well, i think their work in _ backing coming from where? well, i think their work in theory _ backing coming from where? well, i think their work in theory is - backing coming from where? well, i think their work in theory is that - think their work in theory is that iran likely has some involvement in all of this in terms of supplying weapons over the years, training, money, funding, the kind of organisation hamas needed to carry this out. we see in this area iran exerting its influence both in the south and in israel's more border with lebanon. this is no surprise. i think that is why you saw president biden earlier when he spoke from the white house, issuing that very stern warning that nobody, no country out there should try and take advantage of this situation. a bit of a not too subtle warning to iran, don't get involved, don't try and take advantage of this. one of the theories is the timing of all of this may have been to try iran, to put the brakes on what was an effort by the united states administration to normalise relations between israel and saudi arabia. there is a lot of indicators, if not solid proofjust lot of indicators, if not solid proof just yet, lot of indicators, if not solid proofjust yet, that iran may have played a significant role in assisting hamas in making some of this happen. clearly we saw hamas exhibit unprecedented capability today in terms of its organisation, its capabilities, its ability to move, communicate and deploy large numbers of its personnel in multiple locations essentially all at the same time. not an easy thing to do. you are mentioning the comments there from president biden, the warning to other countries not to exploit this situation. with the stakes so high, why would, and i know it's difficult to speculate, but why would hamas want to do this with the risks being so high for them and for the palestinians? this with the risks being so high for them and for the palestinians? as we said, there them and for the palestinians? as we said. there are _ them and for the palestinians? as we said, there are several— them and for the palestinians? as we said, there are several reasons - said, there are several reasons right— said, there are several reasons right now _ said, there are several reasons right now. barbara knows this better than anyone else, it's definitely about— than anyone else, it's definitely about the — than anyone else, it's definitely about the saudi deal and we can talk more _ about the saudi deal and we can talk more later_ about the saudi deal and we can talk more later about what happens to that deal — more later about what happens to that deal. it's also to get their soldiers — that deal. it's also to get their soldiers but look, it is true, why would _ soldiers but look, it is true, why would they— soldiers but look, it is true, why would they go after israel when israel— would they go after israel when israel is — would they go after israel when israel is 100 times more powerful. a nuclear— israel is 100 times more powerful. a nuclear country. it shows that conventional warfare is one thing but when — conventional warfare is one thing but when you have these tactical, guerrilla — but when you have these tactical, guerrilla style attacks, it's much different — guerrilla style attacks, it's much different that israel is fighting against — different that israel is fighting against an that's because the palestinians have nothing to lose. over_ palestinians have nothing to lose. over the — palestinians have nothing to lose. over the last 50 years they have been _ over the last 50 years they have been under this occupation and when you see _ been under this occupation and when you see what is going on with the arab _ you see what is going on with the arab normalisation, it's a more hopeless— arab normalisation, it's a more hopeless time than ever for palestinians. it's also hopeless for hamas— palestinians. it's also hopeless for hamas but— palestinians. it's also hopeless for hamas but they are taking advantage of this, _ hamas but they are taking advantage of this, they are using the palestinian cause to then say, we are the _ palestinian cause to then say, we are the arbiter, the powerful leader of the _ are the arbiter, the powerful leader of the palestinian people, but the palestinians themselves, there is this hopelessness that they have never_ this hopelessness that they have never had — this hopelessness that they have never had before. they see the arab normalisation happening and it's falling. — normalisation happening and it's falling, it's falling further and further— falling, it's falling further and further out of their grasp. and this is to remind — further out of their grasp. and this is to remind everybody that hamas is still there _ is to remind everybody that hamas is still there i— is to remind everybody that hamas is still there. ., is to remind everybody that hamas is still there. . ., ., . ., still there. i want to touch on where we _ still there. i want to touch on where we could _ still there. i want to touch on where we could see - still there. i want to touch on where we could see this - still there. i want to touch on | where we could see this going still there. i want to touch on - where we could see this going and, barbara, president biden described the scenes we saw today, he described them as appalling and he said america's support for israel was rock—solid, it was unwavering. what do you think that support will look like? ~ ., what do you think that support will look like? ~ ,. ., , ., look like? well, we saw a statement very quickly — look like? well, we saw a statement very quickly released _ look like? well, we saw a statement very quickly released by _ look like? well, we saw a statement very quickly released by the - look like? well, we saw a statement very quickly released by the us - very quickly released by the us defence secretary lloyd austin, where in part he said that the us would provide israel with whatever it needed essentially. so we are talking about weapons support. there are a us weapons stockpiled inside israel, whether that's the kind of capability the israelis are going to need right away remains to be seen. if they are engaging in air strikes in gaza, precision air strikes, they need a steady supply of precision bombs. we see that that can run up very, very quickly. not saying that it would right now but that may be something they come to the us for. if they were to engage in a ground action inside gaza, highly risky, a very heavily polluted area, a very difficult to engage in any kind of precision targeting with artillery, the us could provide some artillery but that will be a very dangerous proposition that puts israeli forces in a great deal of danger if they go into gaza on the ground. we are looking possibly at precision bombs israel welcome news from the air and potentially continuing to assist israel with its iron dome system, that system that uses as an air defence missile system, firing missiles into the air to bring down incoming rockets and even potentially artillery from hamas. lots of possibilities out there but there is also a big bite. if it will involve more funding approval, we have a situation in congress right now where the house of courses in disarray with no speak of the house and so there is may be a lot of political pressure just under the surface for congress to get its house in order so this can move ahead if need be.— ahead if need be. some of your reaction to _ ahead if need be. some of your reaction to what _ ahead if need be. some of your reaction to what joe _ ahead if need be. some of your reaction to what joe biden - ahead if need be. some of your reaction to what joe biden had | ahead if need be. some of your i reaction to what joe biden had to reaction to whatjoe biden had to say earlier. he expressed solidarity with israel. �* , ., ~ say earlier. he expressed solidarity with israel. �* , . ,, ., say earlier. he expressed solidarity with israel. �*, .~ ., , with israel. let's take a listen. the united _ with israel. let's take a listen. the united states _ with israel. let's take a listen. the united states stands - with israel. let's take a listen. the united states stands with | the united states stands with israel — the united states stands with israel we _ the united states stands with israel. we will— the united states stands with israel. we will not _ the united states stands with israel. we will not ever - the united states stands with israel. we will not ever fail. the united states stands with israel. we will not ever fail toj 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. _ israel. we will not ever fail to have their back. we - israel. we will not ever fail to have their back. we will - israel. we will not ever fail to| have their back. we will make israel. we will not ever fail to - have their back. we will make sure they will— have their back. we will make sure they will have _ have their back. we will make sure they will have the _ have their back. we will make sure they will have the help _ have their back. we will make sure they will have the help their - they will have the help their citizens _ they will have the help their citizens need _ they will have the help their citizens need and _ they will have the help their citizens need and they - they will have the help their citizens need and they can l they will have the help their - citizens need and they can continue to defend _ citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves. _ citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves. the - citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves. the world . citizens need and they can continue i to defend themselves. the world has seen appalling — to defend themselves. the world has seen appalling images. _ to defend themselves. the world has seen appalling images. thousands i to defend themselves. the world has seen appalling images. thousands ofj seen appalling images. thousands of rockets— seen appalling images. thousands of rockets in_ seen appalling images. thousands of rockets in the — seen appalling images. thousands of rockets in the space _ seen appalling images. thousands of rockets in the space of— seen appalling images. thousands of rockets in the space of hours - rockets in the space of hours raining — rockets in the space of hours raining down— rockets in the space of hours raining down on— rockets in the space of hours raining down on israeli - rockets in the space of hours| raining down on israeli cities. rockets in the space of hours i raining down on israeli cities. i -ot raining down on israeli cities. i got up — raining down on israeli cities. i got up this— raining down on israeli cities. i got up this morning _ raining down on israeli cities. i got up this morning and - raining down on israeli cities. ll got up this morning and started raining down on israeli cities. i- got up this morning and started 730, ei-ht got up this morning and started 730, eight o'clock— got up this morning and started 730, eight o'clock my _ got up this morning and started 730, eight o'clock my calls. _ got up this morning and started 730, eight o'clock my calls. hamas - eight o'clock my calls. hamas killing — eight o'clock my calls. hamas killing not _ eight o'clock my calls. hamas killing not only— eight o'clock my calls. hamas killing not only israeli - eight o'clock my calls. hamas| killing not only israeli soldiers but israeli _ killing not only israeli soldiers but israeli civilians. _ killing not only israeli soldiers but israeli civilians. innocent. but israeli civilians. innocent people — but israeli civilians. innocent people murdered, _ but israeli civilians. innocent people murdered, wounded, but israeli civilians. innocent- people murdered, wounded, entire families— people murdered, wounded, entire families taken— people murdered, wounded, entire families taken hostage. _ people murdered, wounded, entire families taken hostage. just - people murdered, wounded, entire families taken hostage. just days l families taken hostage. just days after the — families taken hostage. just days after the holiest— families taken hostage. just days after the holiest of— families taken hostage. just days after the holiest of days - families taken hostage. just days after the holiest of days in - families taken hostage. just days after the holiest of days in the i after the holiest of days in the jewish— after the holiest of days in the jewish calendar. _ after the holiest of days in the jewish calendar. it _ after the holiest of days in the jewish calendar. it is- jewish calendar. it is unconscionable. i jewish calendar. it is. unconscionable. when i jewish calendar. it is- unconscionable. when i spoke jewish calendar. it is— unconscionable. when i spoke to prime _ unconscionable. when i spoke to prime minister— unconscionable. when i spoke to prime minister netanyahu, i- unconscionable. when i spoke to prime minister netanyahu, i told unconscionable. when i spoke to i prime minister netanyahu, i told the united _ prime minister netanyahu, i told the united states— prime minister netanyahu, i told the united states stands _ prime minister netanyahu, i told the united states stands with _ prime minister netanyahu, i told the united states stands with the - prime minister netanyahu, i told the united states stands with the people of israel— united states stands with the people of israel in _ united states stands with the people of israel in the — united states stands with the people of israel in the face _ united states stands with the people of israel in the face of _ united states stands with the people of israel in the face of these - of israel in the face of these terrorist _ of israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. _ of israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. israel- of israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. israel has of israel in the face of these i terrorist assaults. israel has the right— terrorist assaults. israel has the right to — terrorist assaults. israel has the right to defend _ terrorist assaults. israel has the right to defend itself _ terrorist assaults. israel has the right to defend itself and - terrorist assaults. israel has the right to defend itself and its i right to defend itself and its people _ right to defend itself and its people. my _ right to defend itself and its people. my administration's right to defend itself and its - people. my administration's support for israeli _ people. my administration's support for israeli security _ people. my administration's support for israeli security is _ people. my administration's support for israeli security is rock—solid i for israeli security is rock—solid and unwavering _ for israeli security is rock—solid and unwavering. joe _ for israeli security is rock-solid and unwavering.— for israeli security is rock-solid and unwavering. joe biden there, sa in: and unwavering. joe biden there, saying that _ and unwavering. joe biden there, saying that the — and unwavering. joe biden there, saying that the us _ and unwavering. joe biden there, saying that the us has _ and unwavering. joe biden there, saying that the us has israel's i saying that the us has israel's back. powerful comments. what does that look like, do you think? $5 that look like, do you think? as barbara said it's a lot of weapons support, — barbara said it's a lot of weapons support, aid and the us has given tens of— support, aid and the us has given tens of billions of dollars to israeli — tens of billions of dollars to israeli security over the years. that _ israeli security over the years. that is— israeli security over the years. that is guaranteed as part of the us dna but— that is guaranteed as part of the us dna but it _ that is guaranteed as part of the us dna but it will grow even more. it's also political support in terms of giving _ also political support in terms of giving israel this very wide berth to defend — giving israel this very wide berth to defend itself. president biden is in a bind _ to defend itself. president biden is in a bind right now. so not only was he trying, _ in a bind right now. so not only was he trying, this was going to be his foreign _ he trying, this was going to be his foreign policy legacy, this deal between israel and saudi, but part of that— between israel and saudi, but part of that deal was to give concessions to the _ of that deal was to give concessions to the palestinians. no administration can ask the israeli government to make concessions for the palestinians now. that foreign policy— the palestinians now. that foreign policy legacy for the election that president biden was going to campaign on, that is gone and now he is dealing _ campaign on, that is gone and now he is dealing with the war in ukraine. he has— is dealing with the war in ukraine. he has the — is dealing with the war in ukraine. he has the threat of a regional war breaking _ he has the threat of a regional war breaking out. i don't envy him right now because not only does he had to contain _ now because not only does he had to contain this— now because not only does he had to contain this from going any further, but as— contain this from going any further, but as he _ contain this from going any further, but as he gives the support to israel. — but as he gives the support to israel. we _ but as he gives the support to israel, we will see the arabs start to criticise — israel, we will see the arabs start to criticise the administration's sitting — to criticise the administration's sitting on— to criticise the administration's sitting on the fence and you have seen _ sitting on the fence and you have seen even — sitting on the fence and you have seen even the saudis today came out, the saudis, _ seen even the saudis today came out, the saudis, the egyptians saying this is— the saudis, the egyptians saying this is the — the saudis, the egyptians saying this is the fault of the occupation. the us— this is the fault of the occupation. the us is— this is the fault of the occupation. the us is going to have to go back to that _ the us is going to have to go back to that israeli — palestinian conflict _ to that israeli — palestinian conflict once again. to that israeli - palestinian conflict once again. incredibly complicated _ conflict once again. incredibly complicated situation. i i conflict once again. incredibly complicated situation. i want| conflict once again. incredibly l complicated situation. i want to bring in our correspondence now. bring us up to date with some of the other reaction we have been getting from us officials. brute other reaction we have been getting from us officials.— other reaction we have been getting from us officials. we had there from president biden _ from us officials. we had there from president biden by _ from us officials. we had there from president biden by several— from us officials. we had there from president biden by several other i from us officials. we had there from president biden by several other us| president biden by several other us officials and lawmakers have been issuing statements today. we can start with chuck schumer, the senate majority leader and he says the us stands with israel in its unwavering right to defend itself. i stand ready to ensure israel has the support to do so. then the top democrat in the us's house of representatives also issuing a statement. he said congress must stand with israel until the invasion by hamas has been crushed and security in southern israel and throughout the country has been permanently restored. as we have the houseis permanently restored. as we have the house is currently paralysed, there is no speaker of the house right now, it would be difficult to bring any legislation to the floor. you have heard from the top to republicans vying to be house speaker. they have our full support and our press. in a separate post, he mentioned the biden administration must be held accountable for its appeasement of these hamas terrorists, something the biden administration has been fighting back saying most of that money is not handed out yet so a variety of statements, many of them in support of israel. ., ~ statements, many of them in support of israel. . ,, , ., ., ., of israel. thank you. you are watching _ of israel. thank you. you are watching rolling _ of israel. thank you. you are watching rolling coverage i of israel. thank you. you are watching rolling coverage of| watching rolling coverage of unprecedented attacks by hamas and israel. 0ur coverage continues shortly so do stay with us if you can. you can always go to our live page for more. i will see you soon. hello. rarely do we see a day of weather contrasts quite stark as those we experienced during saturday. across many parts of scotland we had huge amounts of rain, flooding and disruption. we had this met office amber warning in force. this expiring through the first part of sunday morning but this new warning stretching from aberdeenshire up towards inverness, this warning is in force until 2pm on sunday with further flooding and disruption likely. this is the rain we had on saturday. it was relentless. well over 100 millimetres of rain in places and some spots in the north of scotland only got to 7 or 8 degrees. compare that with 25 in south—east england, those huge contrasts, that, in fact, was the warmest 0ctober day we have seen in five years. into sunday this frontal system still plaguing parts of scotland with some outbreaks of rain. the focus for the heaviest rain does shift a little further northwards and eastwards. still though some rain through the central belt, could cause further problems, southern scotland looking drier with a little bit of sunshine. patchy cloud and sunny spells for northern ireland. quite murky for some western coasts of england and wales and a bit more cloud for eastern coasts too, but we should, broadly speaking, see some spells of sunshine on what will be another very warm day for the time of year, 25, 26 degrees, not as cold across the north of scotland. heading through sunday night, we will still see some bits and pieces of rain across scotland, maybe fringing into northern ireland, but generally it will turn a bit drier, quite windy in the far north, very mild as we start monday morning with some areas of low cloud, mist and fog, particularly for western coasts and some of that could linger as we go through the day. scotland certainly drier than it has been, although this little line of rain could just plague the south—west of scotland from time to time. temperatures 13 in stornoway, still 2a in london. moving deeper into the week, we will see someting of a change, that warmth is set to be swept away. a frontal system pushing its way south and east through the middle of the week, heavy rain with that, and behind it something cooler, something a bit more like we would expect at this time of year. so a mainly dry, warm start to the week but things will change from midweek onwards. live from washington. this is bbc news. israel and hamas trade strikes across the gaza strip, killing hundreds, after palestinian militants launch a surprise attack on israel. more than a dozen israeli hostages have reportedly been released, as us president joe biden pledges his nation's support. the united states stands with israel. we will not ever fail to have their back. we will make sure they have the help their citizens need, to continue to defend themselves. hello, i'm helena humprhey. hello, i'm helena humphrey. we want to get right to the fallout from the waves of strikes, and counter—attacks, involving hamas and israel. in the latest developments, israel's public broadcaster has reported that, after 18 hours, hostages being held in a dining room in a kibbutz have been released. israel has also confirmed that the commander of the nahal brigade, coloneljonathan steinberg, was killed in fighting on saturday. meanwhile, majorairlines have cancelled dozens of flights to tel aviv. they include american airlines, air france, lufthansa, emirates and ryanair, among others. let's show you live pictures from gaza now. we're hearing that the israeli army has asked residents of seven different areas across the gaza strip