even if benjamin netanyahu brings home the hostages l or dismantles hamas, i there are new posters — "you're in charge," _ "you're responsible," they say. but they wanted him out for the war. now, they're back and they want him gone even more. _ iran's state media says at least five people were killed after a suspected israeli air strike on an iranian consultate building in the syrian capital. we'll have the latest on that developing story. staying in the middle east — israeli forces pull out of gaza's largest hospital after an operation which they say killed hundreds of hamas fighters — palestinian medics say they are retrieving dozens of bodies

from the al—shifa, which is now in ruins. we'll take a look at the latest allegations around havana syndrome. a mysterious illness which has affected us diplomats in recent years. and a centuries old tradition — the white house easter egg race is back for another year. behind those scary bunnies, what does it tell us about the other big race this year — the one for the white house? iranian state media says a senior commander in the powerful revolutionary guard was among at least five people killed in a suspected israeli air strike on an iranian consulate building in the syrian capital, damascus. iran's foreign minister has called the strike a breach of all international conventions. these are the latest pictures we have. iran says mohamed reza zahedi was killed in what it described as an israeli air strike that targeted the country's consulate in damascus. the attack is a significant escalation, as this senior commander

is one of the most high—profile iranian figures believed to have been killed by israel in the country's long campaign of targeted assassinations. there hasn't been reaction from israel. iran has vowed to give a decisive response. our correspondent, hugo bachega, is injerusalem with the latest. iran has said mohammad reza zahedi was killed in what the country has described as an israeli air strike targeting the country's consulate in damascus, syria. now, we have not had any kind of reaction from the israeli authorities. an israeli military spokesman said he would not comment on those reports, but it does seem to be the latest in a series of assassinations, targeted assassinations, that have been carried out by the israeli military. and we have seen that the israeli army has intensified its attacks targeting iranian figures,

but also iranian positions in syria. and we have seen that there has been some strong reaction from the iranian authorities saying that this was a breach of all international conventions, and that they would give a decisive response. we have seen that these alleged israeli attacks have intensified since the beginning of the war with hamas, which is a group which is supported by iran, it is part of the so—called axis of resistance, which also includes hezbollah in lebanon, and also the houthis in yemen, groups in syria and iraq. so it is a very significant development. we have seen today that the iranians are vowing a very strong, decisive response, and that could come from different places, different countries and in different forms. hugo bachega on that developing

story. well, after two weeks of heavy bombardment, israel says it has completed its military operation in and around the biggest hospital there and all troops have left the area. during the operation at al shifa hospital here in northern gaza, the idf says it killed several hamas commanders and insisted it was "preventing harm" to civilians. hamas officials say dozens of bodies have been found at the complex which was now "completely out of service". let's speak to oliver mcternan. he's a former hostage negotiator who's in touch with people close to the talks on all sides. today, he was sent footage from a colleague inside gaza which shows the area near al—shifa hospital. the footage has been checked by our verification team. welcome to bbc news, oliver. let's talk about that footage first. perhaps we can put some on the screen. tell us more about it as well. ~ ~ , ., ., ,

well. well, i think it is horrendous and it speaks _ well. well, i think it is horrendous and it speaks for _ well. well, i think it is horrendous and it speaks for itself. _ well. well, i think it is horrendous and it speaks for itself. al-shifa i and it speaks for itself. al—shifa would have been an important hospital in the rehabilitation of the area, and as we can see from this footage, it is now impossible. one cannot imagine it being usable in the foreseeable future. so i think it is a very tragic development in an extraordinary, horrendous and catastrophic situation. what we have got to realise is that 2.3 million people in gaza are facing everyday life changing conditions, so if there is a ceasefire tomorrow their life will be different from. why? because of what is happening today. the be different from. why? because of what is happening today.— be different from. why? because of what is happening today. the idf, as we were saying _ what is happening today. the idf, as we were saying earlier, _ what is happening today. the idf, as we were saying earlier, says - what is happening today. the idf, as we were saying earlier, says that - what is happening today. the idf, as we were saying earlier, says that it l we were saying earlier, says that it has killed some 200 hamas operatives, and that was the purpose

of their operation there. of course we have heard from the hamas run health ministry there saying that that hospital was effectively in ruins now and cannot function. well, i think the problem, _ ruins now and cannot function. well, i think the problem, the _ ruins now and cannot function. well, i think the problem, the root - ruins now and cannot function. -ii i think the problem, the root of the problem, is the american policy of no red line between israel and the us. because that, in a way, allows israel to act with a sense of not being accountable. there should be no red line policy. israel is an occupying force in gaza, and under the geneva convention it has a duty and responsibility to protect the occupied people and the institutions, such as hospitals. so i think there has got to be serious reflection on current american policy. otherwise we are going to see this conflict grow, and we have

seen the developments in damascus tonight, we are going to see it develop in a way that i fear it will engage the whole region in war, and could well lead to a global conflict. so i think we have got to take to heart to the seriousness of the present situation. can take to heart to the seriousness of the present situation.— the present situation. can i ask ou, the present situation. can i ask you. since _ the present situation. can i ask you. since you _ the present situation. can i ask you, since you mentioned - the present situation. can i ask you, since you mentioned are l the present situation. can i ask i you, since you mentioned are the developments that we are getting from damascus, as we say, we have heard from syrian state media that the iranian consulate building in damascus has been destroyed. they say it was a suspected israeli strike, you mentioned it to bear, so i would love to get your thoughts on what we have heard so far. weill. i would love to get your thoughts on what we have heard so far.- what we have heard so far. well, as i what we have heard so far. well, as i mentioned. _ what we have heard so far. well, as i mentioned, it _ what we have heard so far. well, as i mentioned, it could _ what we have heard so far. well, as i mentioned, it could easily - what we have heard so far. well, as i mentioned, it could easily develop into a regional conflict. about three weeks ago i spent a day and a half at the knesset, and what worried me deeply was that there was cross—party consensus, even

opposition parties, to pry minister netanyahu, they were convinced that israel first of all had to go into rafa, the consequences of that i think will be disastrous, but they were also equally convinced that they had to move north, and that they had to move north, and that they had to tackle hezbollah and even some saying they should tackle iran. i think this is very, very dangerous thinking. israel is still in a very traumatised situation, and understandably so after october the 7th, but it desperately needs a friend in the united states and in the president biden who says to them, enough, you have to stop this because this will have consequences beyond anyone's capability of containing them. and ifear we are reaching that stage rapidly, because of the lack of little courage and moral courage on outside leadership, notjust biden but europeans as well. �* u, ,

notjust biden but europeans as well. ~ , ., notjust biden but europeans as well. �* , notjust biden but europeans as well. ~ , ., ., well. and can i 'ust ask you on that, we h well. and can i 'ust ask you on that. we _ well. and can ijust ask you on that, we are hearing _ well. and can ijust ask you on that, we are hearing from - well. and can ijust ask you on - that, we are hearing from iranians state media that a senior revolutionary guard commander, general mohammad reza zahedi, is among the dead, of course the israeli military says it does not comment on foreign media reports, but i want to ask you about the significance of this particular commander, if these reports are correct. �* , ., ., commander, if these reports are correct. , ., ., ., correct. any death of a senior iranians will _ correct. any death of a senior iranians will have _ correct. any death of a senior i iranians will have consequences, correct. any death of a senior - iranians will have consequences, and iranians will have consequences, and iran is in a typical position at the moment, it is in a sort of tug—of—war between the reformers and those who would want to continue the current situation and the interest of the different parties in iran. it is very dangerous at present to provoke a country like iran. it is unnecessary. the solution to this present conflict is one simple thing, serious negotiations in step

to end the occupation of palestinian territories. if that happens there will be no need for hamas and there will be no need for hamas and there will be no need for iranians support of the struggle within palestine. oliver mcternan, thank you very much for sharing your insights on that story. meanwhile, hundreds of israeli protesters have spent the night in tents outside parliament injerusalem to press their demand for prime minister benjamin netanyahu to step down — and seeking a deal to have the hostages held in gaza released. thousands of people rallied in jerusalem for what they're calling the largest anti—government protest since the war in the gaza strip began, nearly six months ago. the protests took place on sunday as mr netanyahu had surgery for a hernia. his office later reporting that the procedure had been successful. let's now go to arieh kovler. he is a writer and political analyst. welcome to bbc news. first of all, i

wanted to get your reaction to these protests. we have seen families of some of the hostages gather at regular intervals, expressing their dissatisfaction with pry minister netanyahu, but what we saw in the last couple of days was something quite different.— last couple of days was something quite different. yes, absolutely. we have seen a — quite different. yes, absolutely. we have seen a sort _ quite different. yes, absolutely. we have seen a sort of— quite different. yes, absolutely. we have seen a sort of return _ quite different. yes, absolutely. we have seen a sort of return of - quite different. yes, absolutely. we have seen a sort of return of the - have seen a sort of return of the mass protests against benjamin netanyahu which really began in 2021, the year that israeli elections run in close succession, and then returned with a vengeance in 2023 over the traditional reform act of the new government. they took act of the new government. they took a step back over the course of the war and now there is a sense amongst many of those protesters that their core demand before the war, that benjamin netanyahu should step down and the government should go back to the country for elections, has become even more urgent after the

events of october to seven. in become even more urgent after the events of october to seven.- events of october to seven. in your anal sis, events of october to seven. in your analysis, speaking _ events of october to seven. in your analysis, speaking to _ events of october to seven. in your analysis, speaking to us _ events of october to seven. in your analysis, speaking to us from - analysis, speaking to us from jerusalem yourself, where do you see the tipping point? where is the point where benjamin netanyahu will feel that pressure, which as you say has been around for some time, taking him to the point where he might say, ok, i will, taking him to the point where he might say, ok, iwill, elections? i do not think there will be any thing to lead benjamin netanyahu to call an election voluntarily of his own back. i think the realistic path to elections involves members of his own coalition saying time is up, whether that is the other parties are some people with his own party. polls suggest that the likud party would do better without the leadership of benjamin netanyahu. until now that has not been the case even when netanyahu was unpopular. it has always been that another lady would maybe do worse. it only takes

form knesset to call it a time for the government to be over. i think thatis the government to be over. i think that is the most likely path. honestly, there has not been a lot of bravery amongst the likud party, especially when individuals have stood up to challenge in the past. i would be keen to ask you, since you are speaking to us from jerusalem as well, what is the mood in the media? how is mr netanyahu seen across the spectrum in tv and print right now? is the pressure also being felt for some of the editorials? it absolutely is. there has been absolutely is. there has been absolute denial on the part of mr netanyahu to take any responsibility for the events of october seven, and the seas that maybe got israel to point, whether it was the chief of the military staff, the defence minister and many other senior politicians, as i said, we have some

responsibility for what happened and after the war there will be a good case for us to step down and resign, but it is clear... there has been a lot of criticism of the failure of leadership and the failure to accept responsibility. add to the other side of those who are loyal to him there has really been a sense for him to go. that is not new, netanyahu is on trial right now for corruption. in between running the war and going corruption. in between running the warand going to corruption. in between running the war and going to hospital he has to go to court every now and again and listen to evidence against him. there will be calls for him to resign then as well, and that did not happen, either.— resign then as well, and that did not happen, either. arieh kovler, “oininu us not happen, either. arieh kovler, joining us from — not happen, either. arieh kovler, joining us from jerusalem, - not happen, either. arieh kovler, joining us from jerusalem, thank| not happen, either. arieh kovler, - joining us from jerusalem, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on that story. we have plenty more on that story. we have plenty more on developments in the middle east on developments in the middle east on the bbc news website so you can take a look at the various coverage that we have there. around the world and across

the uk, this is bbc news.

this is the context on bbc news. to turkey now, where president erdogan's governing party has suffered its biggest defeat in local elections. the main opposition party, the chp, won in the six largest urban centres, including istanbul. mr erdogan has promised to respect the decision of the nation. before the election, he had said that this would be the last time he led his party into municipal elections. his term as president is due to end in 2028. for more on this, let's speak to galip dalay, a senior consulting fellow of the turkey initiative at international think—tank chatham house. welcome to bbc news. what is your take on what is happening at the moment? this defeat might not be national elections, mr everyone is

in power for a national elections, mr everyone is in powerfor a couple of national elections, mr everyone is in power for a couple of years yet but it still shows a shift in support for his party. well, certainly- _ support for his party. well, certainly. this _ support for his party. well, certainly. this is _ support for his party. well, certainly. this is quite - support for his party. well, certainly. this is quite a . support for his party. well, i certainly. this is quite a major development... he is in control of all major cities in turkey, the population size amounts to more than 65% of the turkish population so this is a major, let's say, yellow card for the government. this is a warning to the government in coalition. a big question right now is whether the opposition will... depending on how the opposition... that will very much shape the next stage of the process but right now, basically turkey has quite a strong competition within the opposition

and the government is controlling around 50% of the turkish population because the government coalition still amounts to around 48% of the vote. and going to the next general election which is in 2028, this will be a highly competitive one because both the opposition and governing sides of majorfeatures. both the opposition and governing sides of major features. what both the opposition and governing sides of major features. sides of ma'or features. what issues were at sides of major features. what issues were at play — sides of major features. what issues were at play in _ sides of major features. what issues were at play in these _ sides of major features. what issues were at play in these particular - were at play in these particular elections? what is it the economy where there are other things in the frame? ~ _, ., , .,, where there are other things in the frame? ~ ., , .,, ., where there are other things in the frame? ., , ., , frame? well, the economy was a big sto , frame? well, the economy was a big story. turkey — frame? well, the economy was a big story. turkey is _ frame? well, the economy was a big story, turkey is experiencing - frame? well, the economy was a big story, turkey is experiencing a - frame? well, the economy was a big story, turkey is experiencing a fast l story, turkey is experiencing a fast depreciation of currency and a very big... that will be a big story. it is not only the economy, the economy is not only the economy, the economy is the main story but it is not the only story. there are different levels of dissatisfaction with the

government because of different reasons like, for instance, there is part of the conservative social base that was unhappy with the government's handling of the gaza issue, there are differences. a big story is the economy and then the other factor that actually... the turnout rate in this election was around 8—10% lower than previous elections. there are estimates that most of these people that did not show up at the ballot box were the conservative social base of the government. they did not want to vote for the opposition but at the same time they were unhappy with the government so they did not want to vote for the government. that is why right now we cannot talk about the crushing defeat of the governing

coalition because still, in terms of the voter base, it is a major victory for the opposition. a major setback for the governing coalition, but how it will play out in the coming period will very much depend on how both the opposition and governing coalition will manage this period onward. i governing coalition will manage this period onward-— period onward. i was 'ust reading here eetueuy h period onward. i was 'ust reading here actually that — period onward. i wasjust reading here actually that president - period onward. i wasjust reading here actually that president ada l here actually that president ada wang acknowledged that the election had not gone as he had hoped that he had not gone as he had hoped that he had told his supporters that it would mark, i quote, not an end for us but rather a turning point. the president is seen as a very strong leader internationally, someone in many ways who is kind of a broker between the west and other countries like russia, for example, and indeed he has been a significant player when it comes to some of the issues around the middle east as well. {iii around the middle east as well. of course. turkey around the middle east as well. oi course. turkey is a major around the middle east as well. iii course. turkey is a major player in many different areas, be it russia,

ukraine, the middle east, eastern mediterranean. if you look at the map of the european neighbourhood, middle east, africa, eurasia, turkey is one of the major geopolitical players there and therefore the state of relations with turkey and the west are quite important. in recent years there is an aspect which is defining the turkish relationship, it is improving, it is improving the climate. turkey and the west still have dish differences on many issues but compared to a few years ago now there is much more positive climate. the fact that in turkey you can... the political parties are real and the results are real, it is an important sign of the

turkish democracy and another strong... turkish democracy and another stronu... ., ~ turkish democracy and another stronu... . ~ i. turkish democracy and another stronu... . , . turkish democracy and another stronu... ., ~ , . ., strong... thank you very much for shafinu strong... thank you very much for sharing your _ strong... thank you very much for sharing your thoughts _ strong... thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on - sharing your thoughts on developments in turkey. the kremlin has dismissed a media report that links a russian intelligence unit to so—called havana syndrome, a mystery illness which has affected us diplomats. an investigation by the insider, der spiegel and cbs alleges that the americans were targeted with "directed energy" weapons. one victim of the syndrome, an fbi agent, told 60 minutes about her experience of being hit by a powerful force at her home in florida in 2021. let's speak to christo grozev, one of the authors behind the insider's year—long investigation. the syndrome sounds mysterious and murky and for a lot of people watching this, nobody is really clear on what exactly it is either. can we start with that, what exactly

is havana syndrome? it is can we start with that, what exactly is havana syndrome?— can we start with that, what exactly is havana syndrome? it is a misnomer because the — is havana syndrome? it is a misnomer because the name _ is havana syndrome? it is a misnomer because the name comes _ is havana syndrome? it is a misnomer because the name comes from - is havana syndrome? it is a misnomer because the name comes from what i is havana syndrome? it is a misnomer. because the name comes from what was for many years considered to be the initial incidence of this syndrome, which happened in havana in 2017. this was a number of people simultaneously reporting very similar health conditions, which included creating noises, loss of balance, vertigo and nausea, which actually worsened as the days went by. most of these people were american, some were canadian diplomats who were working at the compound in havana. this did not happen only in havana, over the next few years media published reports about the same syndrome occurring on american diplomats in many places around the world including china, geneva, vienna, london, warsaw and many other places. and until we

published our investigation there was a lot of confusion whether this thing even exists or whether it was some sort of psychosomatic self—delusion by many of the sufferers. self-delusion by many of the sufferers— self-delusion by many of the sufferers. ., , ., ., sufferers. from your investigation ou sufferers. from your investigation you believe _ sufferers. from your investigation you believe that _ sufferers. from your investigation you believe that it _ sufferers. from your investigation you believe that it does _ sufferers. from your investigation you believe that it does exist - sufferers. from your investigation you believe that it does exist and | you believe that it does exist and you believe that it does exist and you are penning a connection to russia? it you are penning a connection to russia? , ., ., ., russia? it is important to say what we know and _ russia? it is important to say what we know and what _ russia? it is important to say what we know and what we _ russia? it is important to say what we know and what we don't - russia? it is important to say what we know and what we don't know. | russia? it is important to say what - we know and what we don't know. what we know and what we don't know. what we do know is that there is a unit within russia's military intelligence, the same unit that actually went after people in salisbury, who has developed the technology, we have written proof that they have been awarded monetary remuneration for developing a technology which they call a wave weapon, an acoustic weapon, a non—lethal acoustic weapon to be used in urban warfare scenarios. we also know that the same unit, members of this unit, have travelled around the world, partly overlapping with incidents that have been reported of this havana syndrome. in particular in germany, in frankfurt

in 2014, two times in china in 2016 and 2017 and in the republic of georgia in bliss year in 2019. these are four incidents where we find overlap between undercover spies and incidents happening. we are looking for more but we can safely say that capability and of the russian intelligence at places where there were such incidents has been proven. you can find details of christo's work on the bbc —— on insider's website, as of course the bbc news website, as of course the bbc news website also has a write—up. you are watching the context and i will be backin watching the context and i will be back in a short while. hello there. after a very wet march for some, we've got more rain to come this week for the early part of april, dominated by low pressure. that's been bringing the showers today. that weather front has been moving very slowly northwards and is really coming to rest overnight across scotland,

particularly across the north—east. it should turn drier in northern ireland. the showers in the south, across england and wales, becoming confined more to southern counties of england where there'll be a stronger wind through the english channel. but with the cloud breaking up eventually in the north—east of england after a chilly, wet day today, temperatures could be down to 2 celsius overnight tonight. still some patchy rain affecting scotland, especially the north—east. those heavy showers will move away from south—east england and then we'll see some sunshine for a while on tuesday. but the cloud will build up. we'll get a few april showers developing and some wetter weather comes into the channel islands and the south—west of england during the afternoon. but ahead of that, temperatures widely 14—15 celsius in the midlands and eastern england, but still quite a bit chillier than that in northern and eastern scotland, where we've got that north—easterly wind. we've got rain, though, coming into the south—west — that's coming on those weather fronts. that rain will move northwards on tuesday night, and we're left with another area of low pressure over us on wednesday. not terribly windy around that low, but we will find showers or longer spells of rain running northwards

across england and wales into scotland and northern ireland. southern parts of england and wales maybe cheering up a bit in the afternoon, some sunshine which will help those temperatures rise a bit higher. but it's going to be particularly cold in scotland with cloud and rain and a north—easterly wind. now, these are the upper level winds and this is the jet stream pattern over the next few days. and with that sort of pattern, we pick up areas of low pressure from the atlantic, drive them up from the south—west and take rain northwards across much of the country, so that's the sort of pattern that we're seeing. bit of rain left from overnight across northern scotland and some rain moving northwards across england and wales, and then a brief respite before it turns wetter and windier more widely later in the day across southern parts of england and south wales. those temperatures aren't really changing too much. still quite cold air that we've got across many parts of scotland. and the pattern over the next few days keeps those north—easterly winds then across scotland, but the rest of the uk will be milder, south—westerly winds — but this is where all the wet

weather is going to come over the next few days to the end of the week.

hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. germany partially legalises cannabis to tackle the black market trade — we have a special report coming up.

it's that time in the programme for the sport. let's get a full round—up from the bbc sport centre with jane. hi, rajini. we start in italy, where inter milan are in action against empoli in serie a. a short time ago, it was 1—0. we arejust coming up to we are just coming up to half—time, 43 minutes gone. federico dimarco with inter�*s goal after just five minutes. a win will take inter 14 points clear at the top of the table. elsewhere, bologna were 3—0 winners over bottom—of—the—table salernitana, beating them for the second time this season. they're currently fourth in the table, pushing for a place in the champions league. in england, burnley look like they will be heading back to the championship. their manager, vincent kompany, says the standard of refereeing in the premier league hasn't been good enough this season. he was shown a red card over the weekend during their draw

at chelsea, after he protested against a penalty decision that saw