it is, he said, depravity beyond what you could imagine. the united states says it will stand with israel in the fight against hamas. and is warning others not to get involved. but it is a fine balance, supporting the israeli blockade of gaza without escalating this conflict further. we'll get the thoughts on that tonight from our panel — thejournalist and broadcaster, jenny kleeman — and the former communications director for the trump campaign, brian lanza. there will be no resolution on israeli in congress unless the republicans can find a speaker. we will keep you updated on the vote tonight, which is soon to begin. and we will focus too on the hostages. 17 british people missing, 14 americans. we'll hear from the former commander of an israeli special ops team on how difficult this is going to be. the israeli prime minister's office published three photos today purporting to show "babies murdered and burned" by hamas. the photos were posted with a graphic content warning on the social media platform x, and were also shown to us secretary of state antony blinken during his visit to israel. the children are among the 1300 israelis that were killed in a slaughter that mr blinken said was beyond imagination. the charity doctors without borders said the resulting blockade of gaza is catastrophic, food and clean water is running out, the mains electricity is cut, raw sewage is building up in the streets. before we even talk about the situation at the hospitals. these are pictures from the al shifa hospital in gaza that were taken by our reporter rushdi abu alouf. the health ministry says so far 1,400 people have been killed 1,537 people have been killed — a third of them children. so let's hear then from the us secretary of state antony blinken. he met the war cabinet earlier today. here's what he said after that meeting. i came to israel bearing a simple message. the united states stands with israel and with its people. today, tomorrow, every day. in my meetings with the prime minister, with president herzog, with the ministers in israel's newly formed national emergency government, we discussed in detail what israel needs to defend itself, its people and how the united states can help to meet those needs. we're delivering on those needs as we speak, and we will work closely and swiftly with congress to meet them as they evolve. ididn't ididn�*t hearany i didn't hear any calls for restraint today, he did say that they have to stay within the rules of war. �* , ., ., ., they have to stay within the rules of war. �* , . ., ., ., of war. but he is adamant that the block it will _ of war. but he is adamant that the block it will stay _ of war. but he is adamant that the block it will stay and _ of war. but he is adamant that the block it will stay and play - of war. but he is adamant that the block it will stay and play totally . block it will stay and play totally and it will not be lifted until hamas give up the hostages. so what are we going to see in the days ahead? i are we going to see in the days ahead? ~' ~ ., , are we going to see in the days ahead? ~' �* ., , �* ~' are we going to see in the days ahead? ~' ~ ., , �* ~ .,, ahead? i think antony blinken was uuite ahead? i think antony blinken was quite clever _ ahead? i think antony blinken was quite clever in _ ahead? i think antony blinken was quite clever in how _ ahead? i think antony blinken was quite clever in how he _ ahead? i think antony blinken was quite clever in how he chose - ahead? i think antony blinken was quite clever in how he chose his i quite clever in how he chose his words today. obviously, he had to show that the us stands shoulder to shoulder with israel, that has been the foreign policy for the wrong time. and he was speaking as secretary of state but also, as he said, as a jewish man, secretary of state but also, as he said, as ajewish man, somebody secretary of state but also, as he said, as a jewish man, somebody who is descended from thejewish people who have encountered unimaginable horrors because of anti—jewish violence. but he also said that democracies distinguish themselves by behaving better than terrorists and are striving for a better standard. i think those words were carefully chosen. i don't know whether or not they will have fallen on deaf ears, but you had someone on just a few minutes ago saying that israel can't be seen to be soft, can't allow people to attack them with impunity. there is a lot of anger and desire for vengeance. that has to be weighed into all of this. the pressure is already building on the arab governments, who are seeing the arab governments, who are seeing the pictures, and it will see more pictures in the days ahead. i want to play your part antony blinken said about the threat to the fore the region. there is a warning for iran and forthe the region. there is a warning for iran and for the proxy, has botha. with regard to the second front, as i mentioned earlier, it is our determination and that of israel that there not be a second or third front, _ that there not be a second or third front, and — that there not be a second or third front, and we are working as hard as we can, _ front, and we are working as hard as we can, working with other partners in the _ we can, working with other partners in the region— we can, working with other partners in the region to try to ensure that thlet's— in the region to try to ensure that that's the — in the region to try to ensure that that's the case. the president has also been — that's the case. the president has also been very clear, president bideh — also been very clear, president bideh he _ also been very clear, president biden. he has been very clear that no one. _ biden. he has been very clear that no one, state or non—state actor, should — no one, state or non—state actor, should try— no one, state or non—state actor, should try to — no one, state or non—state actor, should try to take advantage of this moment _ should try to take advantage of this moment it— should try to take advantage of this moment. , ., should try to take advantage of this moment. , . .., should try to take advantage of this moment. , . .. ., . moment. it is a delicate balance here between — moment. it is a delicate balance here between supporting - moment. it is a delicate balance here between supporting fully . moment. it is a delicate balance i here between supporting fully the israelis in what they want to achieve, but not escalating such that you pull and has bruv, which is going to put enormous strain on the us military as well.— us military as well. absolutely. it is a decision _ us military as well. absolutely. it is a decision for— us military as well. absolutely. it is a decision for all— us military as well. absolutely. it is a decision for all choices - us military as well. absolutely. it is a decision for all choices are . is a decision for all choices are bad or— is a decision for all choices are bad or worse, the us's position is, we respect — bad or worse, the us's position is, we respect the right for israel to offer— we respect the right for israel to offer its — we respect the right for israel to offer its own security, and that is a broad _ offer its own security, and that is a broad definition, as long as it stays— a broad definition, as long as it stays within those parameters will continue _ stays within those parameters will continue to have your support and us influence _ continue to have your support and us influence talk to the other partners influence talk to the other partners in the _ influence talk to the other partners in the regions, through the allies, to prevent — in the regions, through the allies, to prevent a second or third front. but i _ to prevent a second or third front. but i think— to prevent a second or third front. but i think nobody should be confused. the united states is 100% supportive _ confused. the united states is 100% supportive of virtual defending itself _ supportive of virtual defending itself on — supportive of virtual defending itself on securing a spot has whatever— itself on securing a spot has whatever the price might be. we went through— whatever the price might be. we went through that but september the 11th, and we _ through that but september the 11th, and we had only 3000 people killed, nobody— and we had only 3000 people killed, nobody stood in a bid to secure our country— nobody stood in a bid to secure our country and — nobody stood in a bid to secure our country and prosperity. it didn't happen— country and prosperity. it didn't happen so— country and prosperity. it didn't happen so use later that we saw the 'ar happen so use later that we saw the jar where _ happen so use later that we saw the jar where they war fatigue took place — jar where they war fatigue took place. but that was years later. it wasn't _ place. but that was years later. it wasn't immediate. i don't know if isurel— wasn't immediate. i don't know if israel has — wasn't immediate. i don't know if israel has years that there is, but it certainly— israel has years that there is, but it certainly has a window, and the more _ it certainly has a window, and the more it— it certainly has a window, and the more it operates within the confines of the _ more it operates within the confines of the rules— more it operates within the confines of the rules of war, the stronger its position— of the rules of war, the stronger its position becomes to extend its fate _ its position becomes to extend its fate this — its position becomes to extend its fate. this is not a short—term fight — fate. this is not a short—term fight has _ fate. this is not a short—term fight. has brother mark has been targeting — fight. has brother mark has been targeting them from the beginning. hamas— targeting them from the beginning. hamas has been targeting israel from the very— hamas has been targeting israel from the very beginning. it is not going to stop _ the very beginning. it is not going to stop with this. there will be stuck— to stop with this. there will be stuck in — to stop with this. there will be stuck in this position for a very long _ stuck in this position for a very longtime _ stuck in this position for a very long time. joe stuck in this position for a very long time-— stuck in this position for a very lona time. , ., �* , ., , long time. joe biden is good it does because she — long time. joe biden is good it does because she was _ long time. joe biden is good it does because she was in _ long time. joe biden is good it does because she was in the _ long time. joe biden is good it does because she was in the foreign - because she was in the foreign relations to for a long term, he has good experience of the middle east, and what is happening. you good experience of the middle east, and what is happening.— and what is happening. you might disauree, and what is happening. you might disagree. you _ and what is happening. you might disagree, you can _ and what is happening. you might disagree, you can tell— and what is happening. you might disagree, you can tell me. - and what is happening. you might disagree, you can tell me. i- and what is happening. you might disagree, you can tell me. i will. disagree, you can tell me. i will agree with president obama's defence secretary, there is only one person so wrong foreign policy it has been joe biden. brute so wrong foreign policy it has been joe biden. ~ , ., , , ., , joe biden. we should be very nervous that biden joe biden. we should be very nervous that iaiden as — joe biden. we should be very nervous that biden as president _ joe biden. we should be very nervous that biden as president with - joe biden. we should be very nervous that biden as president with to - that biden as president with to foreign — that biden as president with to foreign policy. that biden as president with to foreign policy-— that biden as president with to foreign policy. there is a clamour on the right _ foreign policy. there is a clamour on the right to — foreign policy. there is a clamour on the right to link _ foreign policy. there is a clamour on the right to link iran _ foreign policy. there is a clamour on the right to link iran to - foreign policy. there is a clamour on the right to link iran to this, . on the right to link iran to this, which would demand a response from the edge and from the us as well. and he is steering away from that because he sees the threat of dragging the iranians into this. the threat is real, and i think we should — threat is real, and i think we should not be confused. iran at some point _ should not be confused. iran at some point wants— should not be confused. iran at some point wants to hit the united states. — point wants to hit the united states, they have made that position clear for— states, they have made that position clear for over two decades now. we should _ clear for over two decades now. we should not— clear for over two decades now. we should not be surprised that if this is a context— should not be surprised that if this is a context for iran to escalate, they— is a context for iran to escalate, they are — is a context for iran to escalate, they are going to find another reason, — they are going to find another reason, but as our country tries to secure _ reason, but as our country tries to secure itself, we should never be blind _ secure itself, we should never be blind to— secure itself, we should never be blind to the fact of iran's ultimate -oal blind to the fact of iran's ultimate goal is _ blind to the fact of iran's ultimate goal is to— blind to the fact of iran's ultimate goal is to obliterate the united states— goal is to obliterate the united states and israel. a goal is to obliterate the united states and israel.— goal is to obliterate the united states and israel. a good friend of mine who used _ states and israel. a good friend of mine who used to _ states and israel. a good friend of mine who used to work— states and israel. a good friend of mine who used to work in - states and israel. a good friend of mine who used to work in beirut, l states and israel. a good friend of. mine who used to work in beirut, who grew up in the conflict, said the other day that in the financial times, that there is risk here for israel, that in demanding vents and four happen, which everybody understands, to make a strategic error to stop you don't do what your enemies want you to do. what did and need to stop short of? is enemies want you to do. what did and need to stop short of?— need to stop short of? is this a tra - ? need to stop short of? is this a trap? has— need to stop short of? is this a trap? has hamas _ need to stop short of? is this a trap? has hamas done - need to stop short of? is this a trap? has hamas done this - need to stop short of? is this a trap? has hamas done this in l need to stop short of? is this a - trap? has hamas done this in order to provoke a full stay war or to provoke such a fierce response from israel that will prevent any further normalisation of relations with israel from saudi arabia on other countries in the release. the idea of a ground offensive... a ground offensive is looming, and there is a lot of rhetoric about the possibility of routine change, and we know from attempts going back to vietnam, but including ukraine, that when that our invasions and attempts to change area gym, returned to not go very well for the country such as behind them. there will be guerrilla fighting, this will go on, and as you have said, you already have these attacks from his brother, and echoes of the 1973 yom kippur war punisher was first fighting on both sides. i think israel has to be wary of falling into a trap, and this has to be the reason for this attack, because of i can't think of any other reason why this terrorist attack took place. it is such a complete census brutality and violence. to complete census brutality and violence. ., ., ~ complete census brutality and violence. ., ., » ~ ,, violence. to that end, mr blunkett will head to _ violence. to that end, mr blunkett will head to georgia _ violence. to that end, mr blunkett will head to georgia next - violence. to that end, mr blunkett will head to georgia next week, i violence. to that end, mr blunkettl will head to georgia next week, but he will meet with king abdullah and the president of the palestinian authority. —— secretary blinken. i should point out that in the west bank to do more commercially settlers killed two palestinians. from george mr blinken will then go to saudi arabia, always crucial to matters in the middle is, and then to the united arab emirates, egypt and qatar. he will keep in mind it stories that he has had to do from american survivors and appearance of those still missing southern israel. our inernational editorjeremy bowen is in ashkelon on the border with gaza where he's watching the build up of troops. well, where we are is that the israeli military buildup is continuing apace on the border with gaza. and also they've moved a lot of troops and heavy weapons up to the northern border with lebanon because there are concerns that hezbollah, which is the powerful iran backed militia in lebanon, avowed enemies of israel, might get involved. there have already been some increased tension there in some exchanges of fire. as of this morning when i spoke to the israeli army about this, they said that they are preparing for a ground operation, but the order has not been given. i do think, bearing in mind the strength of what prime minister netanyahu has been saying and he was speaking again in the knesset this afternoon, i think a ground offensive is going to happen. i think a ground offensive i mean, i would be amazed if it did not, because i think the kind of maximalist objectives that the israelis have set themselves, which is to, as mr netanyahu put it, wipe hamas off the face of the earth, you can't do that from the air. it means sending in troops with boots on the ground and in tanks to try and do it that way. it's going to be quite a military challenge when they do it. why do you think... we benjamin netanyahu's spokesman on, and i put to him that there was a lot of anger directed to them... why do you think you brought a unity government together, people from the opposition? what is the thinking about that? i opposition? what is the thinking about that?— opposition? what is the thinking about that? ~ _, , ., , about that? i think the country has to be unified _ about that? i think the country has to be unified as _ about that? i think the country has to be unified as it _ about that? i think the country has to be unified as it goes _ about that? i think the country has to be unified as it goes forward - about that? i think the country has to be unified as it goes forward to| to be unified as it goes forward to this responses. bruce had a uniform, broad _ this responses. bruce had a uniform, broad coalition of americans who are supportive _ broad coalition of americans who are supportive of his war against afghanistan, and i think from a political— afghanistan, and i think from a political standpoint, the more people — political standpoint, the more people you have in the serps the more _ people you have in the serps the more people get blamed if it gets bad. more people get blamed if it gets bad will— more people get blamed if it gets bad. will it go bad? we don't know. they have _ bad. will it go bad? we don't know. they have a — bad. will it go bad? we don't know. they have a serious security issue, ground _ they have a serious security issue, ground troops are going to have to id ground troops are going to have to go door—to—door. building to building _ go door—to—door. building to building. we have seen what that looks _ building. we have seen what that looks like — building. we have seen what that looks like in iraq. it is not a pretty— looks like in iraq. it is not a pretty picture. thousands of innocent _ pretty picture. thousands of innocent iraqis were killed in this process, — innocent iraqis were killed in this process, and when we left, iraq was a broken _ process, and when we left, iraq was a broken state. if you break it, you own it. _ a broken state. if you break it, you own it. but — a broken state. if you break it, you own it, but what does that ultimately mean? if you're looking to spread — ultimately mean? if you're looking to spread political risk and we want to spread political risk and we want to bring _ to spread political risk and we want to bring in— to spread political risk and we want to bring in the opposition at this point, _ to bring in the opposition at this point, because... three is politically— point, because... three is politically weakened? i always thought — politically weakened? i always thought he was since the last election. _ thought he was since the last election, that is what you saw the reforms _ election, that is what you saw the reforms on — election, that is what you saw the reforms on the pitch. i don't know that the _ reforms on the pitch. i don't know that the weakness led to this assault— that the weakness led to this assault of invasion, because that is assault of invasion, because that is a apparatus — assault of invasion, because that is a apparatus of the intelligence community that feel, and multiple country's — community that feel, and multiple country's intelligence community is filled _ country's intelligence community is filled but— country's intelligence community is filled. but he has been severely weakened for a number of months now, and there _ weakened for a number of months now, and there hasn't been anything and they have _ and there hasn't been anything and they have eyes could strengthen his hand _ they have eyes could strengthen his hand it _ they have eyes could strengthen his hand. it became an opportunity pretty— hand. it became an opportunity pretty can — hand. it became an opportunity pretty can spread the risk as he goes _ pretty can spread the risk as he goes forward. it is a very difficult and challenging assault. we talked about the region. _ and challenging assault. we talked about the region. for _ and challenging assault. we talked about the region. for those - and challenging assault. we talked about the region. for those who i and challenging assault. we talkedl about the region. for those who are not familiar with it, let me put up a map of the middle east and show you just so surrounded israel as. they have had a war nearly every ten years, and they will see threats in every direction. in fact, the taliban in afghanistan said it wanted to send photos to the region. asjenny says, an entirely different prospect to hamas. just on the iran issue, since we are talking about benjamin netanyahu in previous politically, he needs to get these hostages back, and if they get them back, that will, i suppose be a morale booster for the back, that will, i suppose be a morale boosterfor the israeli nation. so, that'll theirfocus. there is no direct link that we know of yet between iran and what happened on saturday, but it is certainly true that they have hamas's here andr for a certainly true that they have hamas's here andrfor a role in this hostage crisis. hamas's here andr for a role in this hostage crisis-— hostage crisis. yes, and were talkin: hostage crisis. yes, and were talking about _ hostage crisis. yes, and were talking about 150 _ hostage crisis. yes, and were talking about 150 hostages, l hostage crisis. yes, and were l talking about 150 hostages, not hostage crisis. yes, and were i talking about 150 hostages, notjust hostages all see at once from one place and held in one place, this is an enormous operation. hostages from many different locations held in many different locations held in many different locations held in many different locations, and there are two ways that israel is trying to get them back. one is by continuing this blockade, the siege, and saying that there will be no more medicines, fuel, water, food, going into gaza until these hostages are released, but there are of course diplomatic efforts going on behind—the—scenes. whether or not the involve talking to iran are certainly another question. there is also turkey, other actors that could possibly get involved in all of this. this is a really critical thing at the moment, what is going to happen to these hostages. some of them are really young children. this truly is a war with no limits. let me show _ truly is a war with no limits. let me show you — truly is a war with no limits. let me show you some live pictures of gaza this evening. you will see it is mostly in darkness. the light you see are those of private generators and gaza city. we have heard in the last that the death toll is now over 1500 people. ithink last that the death toll is now over 1500 people. i think that music is on the feed from the urgency that are sending this these pictures. apologies for that. but a serious situation you're in gaza. 1500 the death rates, and that is rising. let's look at some other stories making news. the waiting list for planned nhs england treatment has risen again to a new record high. more than 7.7 million people were waiting to start routine treatment at the end of august — it's the highest number since records began. routine treatment ranges from hip replacements to surgery to remove cancerous tumours. former formula 1 boss bernie ecclestone has been given a suspended prison sentence forfraud. the 92—year—old billionaire pleaded guilty at southwark crown court. he admitted failing to declare more than £400 million held in a trust in singapore to the uk government injuly 2015. he received a sentence of 17 months suspended for two years. it's two weeks since this sycamore in northumberland was felled in what police have called a deliberate act of vandalism. today, a crane was brought in to remove it from hadrian's wall. it's being taken to a safe place until a decision has been made about what to do with it. you're live with bbc news. i said last night on this programme, that from an american perspective, this is probably the most serious hostage crisis since the us embassy siege in tehran in 1979. the white house updated the figures tonight — 27 american were killed, 1a are still missing. it's a fair bet many of those are in gaza. there's 18 french citizens unnacounted for, including several children, 17 british nationals killed or abducted. among them, the elderly parents of sharone lifschitz. and i think you willjudge for yourself by the clip i am about to play you, she is already showing the strain of this. her parets were taken from nir oz, a kibbutz about 400 meters from the border with gaza. she spoke out earlier and called for their release. this is horrific. and called for their release. i cannot speak for i because i is all of us. there are people that are there, you know, counting the bodies, you know, people that are there supporting the survivors. we together have experienced something that is so horrific we cannot contemplate. but we have a job to do now. and i am concentrating all of us are concentrating on the job at hand. and thejob is in the face of all of these. bring these people back home. there's mothers waiting for the children. these are my friends' children. these mothers are me. i'm asking on their behalf, not on my behalf. there is no i here. there is we. so how do you get them out? the man we are about to speak knows this kind of work inside out. aaron cohen was an israeli officer in a special ops team he trains law enforcement how to deal with situations like this. he is moving betweenjobs at the moment, so he isjoining us on the phone from new york. thank you very much for coming on the programme. israel have some incredible special ops experience, some of the top operators in the role, who are presuming are already in gaza. what will they be looking at? ., �* in gaza. what will they be looking at? , in gaza. what will they be looking at? . at? you're absolutely correct. our israeli at? you're absolutely correct. our israeli tier — at? you're absolutely correct. our israeli tier1 _ at? you're absolutely correct. our israeli tier1 unit _ at? you're absolutely correct. our israeli tier1 unit was _ at? you're absolutely correct. our israeli tier1 unit was modelled i israeli tier1 unit was modelled after new british sas unit. we have the same motto, who dares wins, and the same motto, who dares wins, and the unit written now but they're focusing on is collecting intelligence, it is the unit that has been dealing with hostage rescue since the raid in the 61976, terrorists kidnapped 203 is ready hostages and held them captive for a week at the old terminal. benjamin netanyahu, that is a unity surgeon, and the successfully got the hostages. the only casualty was the commander of the operation, benjamin netanyahu's older brother, who is considered a national treasure. and we took down the first aircraft as well, the first linear assault, or tubular assault. we have got a lot of experience with this type of entry, whether it is forced entry, high selective shooting, but really it is interception, creative planning, what you're going to see and what israel is working very hard on is to be able to develop as much intelligence as quickly as possible to look at the exact positions of those hostages. what buildings are they being held in? the sooner they get that information the sooner they can initiate an assault. the problem is that because it is an gaza, this is that because it is an gaza, this is a non—sterile area. we have got 300,000 reserve troops being called up 300,000 reserve troops being called up on the border. we have got air force assets strategically striking targets to act as a force multiplier and dismantle hamas's logistical capability, i mean furlong destroyed. does —— full on distraught. we have a brigade on the southern border producer equivalent to the marine corps. they have a lot of history, and then we have got more baguettes having light skirmishes with hezbollah. just on that softening _ skirmishes with hezbollah. just on that softening up _ skirmishes with hezbollah. just on that softening up that _ skirmishes with hezbollah. just on that softening up that you're i that softening up that you're talking about, the softening up of hamas wagner, part of the actually trying to do, and there is an idea of the units that will go on and rescue these hostages? are they directing the bombing campaign at the moment? we directing the bombing campaign at the moment?— directing the bombing campaign at the moment? ~ ., ., ~ ., ., the moment? we are working around the moment? we are working around the clock with — the moment? we are working around the clock with the _ the moment? we are working around the clock with the intelligence - the clock with the intelligence data, thousands of operators on four customer trying to hone in on every single location, and they are in the process of planning incessantly. but israel it's really good at this. they have got a lot of experience with it, and i think the world will be surprised once israel does what they need to do. right now, they are just slowing down,, buying them time, tired terrorists don't shoot as welcome as though that is what will ignorant now. there that is what we are looking at right now. you get a real sense, clearly, they do know what they are talking about, although they are probably licking their wounds of what happened on saturday, but i guess they have now got two of the game.— got two of the game. there is professionals, _ got two of the game. there is professionals, reuse - got two of the game. there is professionals, reuse seal i got two of the game. there is l professionals, reuse seal team got two of the game. there is i professionals, reuse seal team six for kidnappings and staff, somali piratesm — for kidnappings and staff, somali pirates... do for kidnappings and staff, somali irates... ,, ~ pirates... do you think the americans _ pirates. .. do you think the americans will— pirates... do you think the americans will be - pirates... do you think the americans will be part i pirates... do you think the americans will be part of l pirates... do you think the i americans will be part of this? absolutely. but the men will come their intelligence will be. but i don't — their intelligence will be. but i don't know for a fight, but i have some _ don't know for a fight, but i have some friends in the military who are eager— some friends in the military who are eager to _ some friends in the military who are eager to get into gaza and help rescue — eager to get into gaza and help rescue americans, so they are bracing — rescue americans, so they are bracing themselves to be activated to go— bracing themselves to be activated to go on _ bracing themselves to be activated to go on it— bracing themselves to be activated to no on. , , to go on. it is interesting listening _ to go on. it is interesting listening to _ to go on. it is interesting listening to aaron - to go on. it is interesting listening to aaron about | to go on. it is interesting i listening to aaron about the to go on. it is interesting _ listening to aaron about the history involving benjamin netanyahu, who is connected to these units. and she will know from a political perspective, we already talked about its tonight, just how important this next operation is to recover the sausages. next operation is to recover the sausages-— sausages. yes, it is absolutely vital for the _ sausages. yes, it is absolutely vital for the well-being - sausages. yes, it is absolutely vital for the well-being of i sausages. yes, it is absolutely vital for the well-being of the | vital for the well—being of the hostages, vitalfor morale vital for the well—being of the hostages, vital for morale and also vital forces political career. many assume as being asleep at the wheel, preoccupied with the reform of the judiciary, completely blindsided by this, didn't see it coming. this is perhaps the only chance he has to redeem himself as to secure the safe release of these hostages, but it is a massive operation. [30 release of these hostages, but it is a massive operation.— a massive operation. do you think that the gesso _ a massive operation. do you think that the gesso reforms _ a massive operation. do you think that the gesso reforms and i a massive operation. do you think that the gesso reforms and the i that the gesso reforms and the resulting violence in the west bank, do you think that was at the root of this? i do you think that was at the root of this? ~ ., do you think that was at the root of this? ~ . ., , . ., , this? i think that it was clearly the case. _ this? i think that it was clearly the case. as — this? i think that it was clearly the case, as members - this? i think that it was clearly the case, as members of- this? i think that it was clearly - the case, as members of netanyahu's en government have said this evening, that they were preoccupied with foolish things that didn't really matter, and didn't have their eye on what date, and here we are. i think the court was, we forgot was part of the world we're living in come under threat that we face. and there will all the for that is of course notes and thinking how they can the situation. we will go to a short break. we will come back and talk about that speaker is�* address in washington, if it ever gets under way. and also the british economy, which is showing some green shoots, for the moment. hello. the outlook for the next few days as we look towards the weekend will bring quite a lot of sunshine, but, with that, a decidedly chilly feel — some chilly days and some cold nights. some places will see their first frosts of the season. there will be a few showers around. some of those could be wintry over high ground in the north. during today, southern parts have seen cloud and some outbreaks of rain. that was how it looked in hastings. and some really heavy rain is on the way for friday in association with this area of low pressure, this frontal system, pushing up from the south. turning really wet overnight across parts of england and wales. there could be enough rain in places for some flooding. but some mild air will be pushing up with this weather system, so overnight lows across the southern half of the uk in double digits. further north, a little bit chillier, but not as cold as it was last night because it will be quite breezy, and there will be this little weather front bringing some cloud and some splashes of rain. so, for tomorrow, outbreaks of rain particularly across parts of england and wales, although there will be some sunny gaps. turning really quite windy across central and southern parts and also very windy up to the north. sunny spells and showers for scotland and for northern ireland. here, getting into some chilly air, 10—13 celsius. some mild or even warm conditions further south — it could get to 20 celsius in london, but that will not last into the weekend. now, we will see gales during friday night across northern parts of scotland, but it's the wind direction that brings the real change in the feel of things. these north—westerly winds bringing colder weather southwards across all parts of the country. now, that said, there will be quite a lot of sunshine around on saturday, but showers in areas exposed to that north—westerly wind and those showers turning wintry over high ground in scotland. temperatures of 7 celsius in stornoway, 14 celsius in london and in plymouth. on saturday night, there will still be a few showers. we could see snow down to say 200 or 300 meters above sea level across parts of scotland. under largely clear skies, with the winds easing, it's going to be a cold night. many places getting close to freezing, some places getting below freezing. a touch of frost for quite a few locations, i think, on sunday morning. but a mostly fine and sunny day, not as many showers. the winds will be lighter, but it will still feel rather chilly. temperatures for most between 8—13 celsius. hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. the uk economy expands slightly — but economists warn the country could yet tip into recession. successful leaders react quickly and with purpose. when challenges arise, they are thrilled for the opportunity to act. i don't know who wrote that. but it seems relevant to where we are at today. unfortunately no one on the republican side of the house, seems to have read it. the house of representatives has been without a speaker for a week. and today when they came into vote for their first choice, steve scalise, they turned around and adjourned again. mr scalise can only afford to lose four votes, presuming everyone votes present. he needs 217 votes, that is a big hill at the moment. but the florida republican matt gaetz who forced the removal vote of the last speaker kevin mccarthy is a supporter of mr scalise