the iranian retaliatory action comes after israel's strike on its consulate in syria two weeks ago president biden reaffirms the us's ironclad commitment to israel's security, as more britishjets are sent to the region. jordanjoins israel, us, uk and france, saying it intercepted some "flying objects" while they were passing over its airspace. and this is the scene live in tel aviv — it was the first time iran had ever launched a direct military assault on israel. hello, welcome to bbc news. israel has come under attack from more than 300 missiles and drones in the first direct strikes on its territory by iran. the israeli military says 99% of them were intercepted. iran said the attack

was in relatiation for an air strike two weeks ago on one of its consulates in damascus, widely thought to have been carried out by israel. speaking on iranian state tv, the armed forces chief of staff warned israel of a larger attack on its territory should it retaliate against the overnight drone and missile attack. let's bring you up—to—date with the latest. let's take a look at how events unfolded. sirens. what you can hear is the air raid sirens injerusalem. what you can see is israel's air defence system, the iron dome, in operation — flashes in thejerusalem sky as drones and missiles are shot down. a coalition of israel's allies, including the us and uk has helped shoot down some iranian drones and missiles before they reached israeli territory. this is footage of that happening overjordan.

similarly, this video is from the skies over damascus in syria. you can see objects being hit in the sky. and again, in the skies over iraq. more drones and missiles being intercepted as they travelled towards israel. the situation is on a knife edge with people struggling to predict what israel's next move is going to be. let's go straight to our middle east correspondent hugo bachega in jerusalem. it must have been a very difficult night for not only the idf but also for israel as a country because it's come under attack directly from iran for the first time ever.— for the first time ever. yes, say, it is nowjust _ for the first time ever. yes, say, it is nowjust after— for the first time ever. yes, say, it is nowjust after 11 _ for the first time ever. yes, say, it is nowjust after 11 o'clock - for the first time ever. yes, say, it is nowjust after 11 o'clock in i it is nowjust after 11 o'clock in the morning. it was a very long night for this country but it wasn't really a surprise. today's american officials and israeli officials have been warning that the iranians were

planning an attack, a significant attack in the words of president biden. last night, just hours before the attack happened, we have indications that this attack was imminent. we had statements from israeli authorities that the airspace was closed, the airport was closed in israel. so, at around two o'clock in the morning injerusalem we heard the air raid alert and then we heard the air raid alert and then we could actually hear the explosions of objects over the city being intercepted. the israeli military said this morning that more than 300 drones and missiles were fired by ron, but 99% of those objects were intercepted. so, it was a very successful night for the israeli military. also, the americans helped intercept some of those objects. so, that's why we are

seeing very limited damage here this morning, one military base was hit in the south but it seems there was only limited damage. still, it was an unprecedented attack by iran, the first time ever iran has carried out a direct attack on israel. what a direct attack on israel. what ha--ens a direct attack on israel. what happens next? _ a direct attack on israel. what happens next? what - a direct attack on israel. what happens next? what are - a direct attack on israel. what happens next? what are we . a direct attack on israel. what happens next? what are we expecting? has there been anything out of the israeli government to give us an indication of what they are thinking?— indication of what they are thinkin: ? , , , thinking? so, this is the big auestion thinking? so, this is the big question here _ thinking? so, this is the big question here today - thinking? so, this is the big | question here today because thinking? so, this is the big - question here today because before this attack israeli authorities said any kind of direct attack from iran would lead to an israeli response. so, the war cabinet met overnight to discuss the situation. this morning the israeli defence minister said confrontation with iran wasn't yet over. there is a lot of work behind the scenes to try and de—escalate.

president biden had a phone call with prime minister netanyahu and reaffirmed american support for israel but at the same time it's very interesting that reports suggest president biden told prime minister netanyahu that america will not give any kind of support for an israeli retaliation. so obviously the fear is that this could lead to a major confrontation perhaps between israel and iran and a wider conflict in the region.— conflict in the region. thank you very much. _ conflict in the region. thank you very much. hugo. _ conflict in the region. thank you very much, hugo, our— conflict in the region. thank you - very much, hugo, our correspondent injerusalem. a couple of new lines we are getting here. etihad airways, the official carrier of the uae, has cancelled its services to tel aviv, israel and amani jordan. cancelled its services to tel aviv, israel and amanijordan. that's in response to the closure of airspace in the region. some other airlines also cancelled services, etihad say

they are cancelling all services to those three locations. here's what we know so far. iran has attacked israel with around 300 drones and missiles. there were significant explosions in the sky over israel, caused by interceptions from the iron dome. israel says it shot down 99% of the drones and missiles fired from iran. us presidentjoe biden has spoken with prime minister benjamin netanyahu, and condemned the attacks by iran. he says the us shot down some iranian drones that were headed towards israel. uk coalition forces were also involved in defensive operations. mr biden says he will host a meeting of g7 leaders later to co—ordinate a "united diplomatic response" to the attack. israel's defence forces say one girl has been injured so far and that light damage was caused to a military base, we do not have details of which base. the idf�*s spokesman says the ten—year—old girl

who was injured by shrapnel from falling debris. iran has warned israel and the us that any idf response would be met with further retaliation. hezbollah in lebanon, and houthi fighters in yemen — both iranian proxy groups — have also fired rockets at israel. let's take a look now at some of the major international reaction. president biden rushed to the situation room in washington to keep across the developments. the white house published a photo from the situation room on x. you can see the president surrounded by some of his top security officials. surrounded by some of his top defense secretary lloyd austin, secretary of state antony blinken, among others. and president biden has spoken over the phone with israeli pm benjamin netanyahu — to say he condemns the attacks in the strongest possible terms.

the uk prime minister rishi sunak was also quick to release a statement overnight. the united nations secretary—general antonio gutterres

released a statement. the un security council will be holding an emergency meeting later on sunday at the request of israel. with me isjeremy bowen, our international editor. good to have been in the studio, talk me through this. we are hearing from antonio guterres, other world leaders, what nobody really wants is an escalation. how likely is that? fix, an escalation. how likely is that? lot of it depends on what israel does and they are getting a lot of

signals from their allies who helped out a lot in the course of the night, the americans giving a very strong signal, ironclad security, essentially saying we've got your back, the british were involved, the jordanians were involved. the israelis themselves have got a formidable air defence capabilities. so, for iran i think it will be a bit crushing to see that they got almost nothing through the net. so, the question now is will israel decide to hit back perhaps on iranians soil? that would be a further escalation. the messages i've been getting, i've been speaking to a senior western diplomat who said to me it's been a long night, ourjob now is to draw a line under this. in other words, starting on it for the first this particular episode with the israelis, i mean, they haven't said they've done it but they made it clear they've done it, they attacked

the diplomatic compound that iran has in damascus. they killed a senior general and a number of others in doing that. i think the iranians interpreted that as an attack on their own soil which they had to answer. they telegraphed quite clearly that they were going to do something. so, israel was ready, they mobilised reserves in the air defence units, the americans were ready, the brits and others. so, israel's allies are now hoping that's the end of this particular episode but it's not certain. you said it would _ episode but it's not certain. you said it would be _ episode but it's not certain. you said it would be crushing for the iranians that what has happened hasn't had more of an impact but some are saying that maybe what they actually wanted, a calibrated response calibrated to not really do damage but to send a message. yes. and perhaps — damage but to send a message. yes. and perhaps the _ damage but to send a message. jazz and perhaps the message would damage but to send a message. 123 and perhaps the message would be a bit... for iran, it's very important

to try and restore a sense of deterrence. that's what their network of allies, hezbollah, houthis, that's what it's all about. clearly, the fact the israelis were able to hit a very senior officer and destroy a building in the diplomatic compound and think that they could get away with it effectively is something which shows the deterrence wasn't strong. so, they are trying to restore that. tell me a bit more about the us israel dynamic because you mentioned what the us is saying publicly but there is always the difference between public and private. do you think there's more pressure privately and that's going to be key? privately and that's going to be ke ? , ., , , ., , privately and that's going to be ke? , key? usually very reliable israeli “ournalist key? usually very reliable israeli journalist tweeted _ key? usually very reliable israeli journalist tweeted that - key? usually very reliable israeli journalist tweeted that biden - key? usually very reliable israeli| journalist tweeted that biden has said to netanyahu effectively, you've got a victory here, you look stronger, take this, blanket, that's

it. note in his response when biden in his statement said we will convene the g7 for a diplomatic response, or not we will get our allies see what else we can do to so, i think what has not changed is that the americans do not want an escalation in the middle east. they don't want israel hitting mainland iran or even necessarily upping what they are doing to iran's most powerful ally which is hezbollah in lebanon. but a red line has been crossed, for the first time since the islamic republic started back in 79 after the revolution, the iranians have directly hit israeli soil. so, i've seen two noises coming from israeli right—wingers saying we can't let this stand, we have to respond, this is a tough

neighbourhood, you can't show weakness. so, it is by no means certain that this is the end of it. but the line is going to be drawn under it. but i think if the line is not drawn under it then it really is a very dangerous moment. hope not drawn under it then it really is a very dangerous moment. how long before we find _ a very dangerous moment. how long before we find out _ a very dangerous moment. how long before we find out where _ a very dangerous moment. how long before we find out where the - a very dangerous moment. how long before we find out where the line - before we find out where the line will be drawn? irate before we find out where the line will be drawn?— before we find out where the line will be drawn? ~ ., , ,, . ., will be drawn? we can only speculate about that. whether _ will be drawn? we can only speculate about that. whether it _ will be drawn? we can only speculate about that. whether it would - will be drawn? we can only speculate about that. whether it would be - about that. whether it would be immediate or whether they might wait or maybe they wouldn't do it at all, i think there's an enormous amount of diplomatic activity going on now to try and stop that from happening. in the meantime, what's happening in gaza has become a secondary consideration. in gaza has become a secondary consideration.— gaza has become a secondary consideration. ., , , , consideration. in a sense this has chanced consideration. in a sense this has changed the _ consideration. in a sense this has changed the subject _ consideration. in a sense this has changed the subject and - consideration. in a sense this has changed the subject and it's - consideration. in a sense this hasj changed the subject and it's quite good as well for israel, it's another reason for netanyahu to be happier this morning because there's been a great deal of tension between the americans and the israelis about the americans and the israelis about the way the israelis have conducted the way the israelis have conducted the war in gaza, the fun in their siege has created, the numbers of civilians they've killed and they

are talking about unity, america has got your back now. so, that's the kind of vibe the israelis and netanyahu would rather hear. jeremy bowen, netanyahu would rather hear. jeremy bowen. thank— netanyahu would rather hear. jeremy bowen, thank you _ netanyahu would rather hear. jeremy bowen, thank you so _ netanyahu would rather hear. jeremy bowen, thank you so much _ netanyahu would rather hear. jeremy bowen, thank you so much for - netanyahu would rather hear. jeremyj bowen, thank you so much forjoining me. let's cross to our chief international correspondent lyse doucet who's injerusalem. what is the mood music coming from the israeli government today? well, it is the morning after what was an unprecedented event in the region. the first direct iranians attack directly on israeli soil and this morning iran, israel, their respective allies are now assessing the enormity of this moment and more urgently asking the question of what comes next. as we heard from jeremy

bowen, there is hope that this would draw a line under what has been really a decades long confrontation, a series of shadow wars and covert operations between israel and iran. but the mood in israel is very belligerent. it's celebratory in a way with israeli military officials saying that they shot down 99% of the missiles and drones fired by ron into israeli territory. they say the confrontation isn't over, that israel remains on full alert. there assessing their options now, even as their closest and most important ally, the united states and joe biden himself is urging israel not to respond. joining me now is sara bazoobandi, managing director at middle east risk consulting.

thank you forjoining us on bbc news. thank you for “oining us on bbc news. . ~ thank you for “oining us on bbc news. ., ,, , ., thank you for “oining us on bbc news. ., ,, i. ., ., �*, news. thank you for having me, it's aood to news. thank you for having me, it's good to be — news. thank you for having me, it's good to be back _ news. thank you for having me, it's good to be back again. _ news. thank you for having me, it's good to be back again. i _ news. thank you for having me, it's good to be back again. i know- news. thank you for having me, it's good to be back again. i know you l good to be back again. i know you study very — good to be back again. i know you study very closely _ good to be back again. i know you study very closely the _ good to be back again. i know you study very closely the risk - good to be back again. i know you study very closely the risk factors | study very closely the risk factors across the region. 2a hours ago the greatest risk would be what kind of response, what kind of retaliatory strike iran would carry out. how do you see the thinking in tehran about the launch they finally agreed upon? i think the most important damage in consequence, the most obvious and immediate damage in consequence we've seen from the attack was on iran and iranians economy mostly. currency devalued overnight quite significantly, people have been rushing to petrol stations, to supermarkets to stock up on food and

petrol because of the experience of the war they've had with a rock in the war they've had with a rock in the 80s and also there is some video footage circulated online of the failed and collapsed drones that fell on various areas of iranians cities, specifically i've watched one video from outside the city of shiraz. the impact on iran has been quite significant, more than it was on israel. the next issue i think it's interesting to observe is that, as was mentioned byjeremy before, the reaction many people would say was quite measured, iran has alerted various countries and policy makers across the world, communicated their plans to some degree and that is correct and interestingly enough when i was watching iranians national tv channels as the drones were on their way towards israel, it

seemed that the foreign media were more willing to share information about the number of drones, where they have been shopped from, what is happening to shoot them down, whereas the iranians media was maybe focused on this is a victory, the brave soldiers of the iranian army are launching an unprecedented attack to take revenge on israel and will share more details. so, the degree of information they were willing to communicate with local constituents was quite limited. the next interesting issue was the head of the irgc tweeted overnight with verses of the koran talking about the story of moses and the fact this believer is going to be eradicated and so on and so forth. to some extent a similar approach to cover

the strategic planning of the government in ideology in order to make it more presentable to local constituents. iran's permanent mission to the un, as the drones were on their way to israeli airspace, tweeted and said we exercised our right within article 51 of the un charter and the matter is closed. so, it looked like they were more concerned to present an image and to send a signal and a message rather than actually start something. the unfortunate consequences that the israeli policymakers are unlikely to just let this go. i'm just going to stop he has, sorry that the other interesting point is that usually the iranian government tends to use their supreme national security council as a government body that is there to make consensus, it is not

one single institution making decisions in iran, more complex and more nuanced, the stakeholders get together and make decisions. in reality i believe it's strongly controlled by the office of the supreme leader because no decision would be implemented unless it has the stamp of approval of the supreme leader. but that aside, last night the irgc statement mentioned clearly that this decision and this attack was a decision made by the national security council. so, it means there is an internal consensus within the iranian government over the situation. now, what is going to come out of this very much depends on the world powers, the regional powers, what the us would do in response, china and russia, as jeremy mentioned, the situation in gaza has sought to take an over

overnight by this attack. let's not forget ukraine and the way ukrainians rely on un support in that war. and what is in this for russia after this attack. aha, that war. and what is in this for russia after this attack.- russia after this attack. a truly rlobal russia after this attack. a truly global and _ russia after this attack. a truly global and indeed _ russia after this attack. a truly global and indeed the - russia after this attack. a truly global and indeed the un - russia after this attack. a truly i global and indeed the un security council will meet later today. you mentioned the mood on the streets of tehran and other cities this morning. as you know, the iranian clerical regime has come under unprecedented pressure in recent years. do you think there would be a temporary rallying around the regime because it is now involved in this confrontation with israel? it is hard to say — confrontation with israel? it is hard to say because _ confrontation with israel? it 3 hard to say because the opposing side, those who are not approving iran's strategies towards israel and do not want to support the war with israel are not allowed to come to the streets to express their opinions. so, we don't know what percentage of iranian citizens are

in favour of the war. i personally believe there is very little stamina, considering the lack of trust, the widening gap between state and citizens, rounds and rounds of uprisings, corruption cases, scandals by the government. and all the mismanagement, all the wrong policy—making, the nepotism, the loss of assets in iran's strategic vision for turning iran into a global power has really created an environment in which the average iranian citizen don't really want to believe that this is their cause, this is their war. i don't believe that it is going to have an immediate rally round the flag but i may well be wrong because we don't have accurate information about what's going on. have accurate information about what's going on-_

what's going on. uncharted territory. — what's going on. uncharted territory. as _ what's going on. uncharted territory, as we've - what's going on. uncharted territory, as we've been - what's going on. uncharted - territory, as we've been saying. thank you forjoining us. and updating us on what's been happening and also the perspectives from iran. 0ur reporterfrom a bbc 0ur reporter from a bbc persian servicejoins us now. we had that statement last night from iran, from their statement saying they wanted to draw a line under this crisis. update us on what is the messaging from iran this morning. in update us on what is the messaging from iran this morning.— from iran this morning. in the past coule of from iran this morning. in the past coople of hours — from iran this morning. in the past couple of hours a _ from iran this morning. in the past couple of hours a couple _ from iran this morning. in the past couple of hours a couple of - from iran this morning. in the past couple of hours a couple of very i couple of hours a couple of very high ranking military commanders in iran have spoken with state tv. the major general who is the chief of the armed forces has repeated

basically what the message in iran's mission to the un saying that iran thinks it's achieved its goal during this attack and it considers the matter closed, warning israel that if there was a retaliatory attack to iran or any of its interest, it will respond and a few minutes later we had another interview, this time with the head of the iranian revolutionary guards, saying that, claiming that the missiles and other military equipment iran used in the attack overnight, they have reached

israel and kind of again threatened israel and kind of again threatened israel that from now on, if israel attacks any iranian interests or assets or personnel, iran will respond from its own land, instead of the previous way of using proxies. so, the two generals are trying to firstly say that this show what may come next but trying to say that they have achieved their goals and it seems like iranian officials are trying to kind of put a lid on this, hoping that it's not going to result in an escalation, at least a military escalation in the coming days. $5 military escalation in the coming da s. �* , military escalation in the coming da 5. m 4' ., military escalation in the coming days. as you know in wars, perceptions _ days. as you know in wars, perceptions are _ days. as you know in wars, perceptions are often - days. as you know in wars, perceptions are often what| days. as you know in wars, - perceptions are often what fuel is a growing crisis. we've heard from

rishi sunak describing the attack by iran is reckless, israel has been warning of a response. explain to us how this would have been viewed from tehran, which seems to see it as having been a limited and carefully calibrated strike.— having been a limited and carefully calibrated strike. yes, you know, if ou're calibrated strike. yes, you know, if you're talking _ calibrated strike. yes, you know, if you're talking about _ calibrated strike. yes, you know, if you're talking about the _ calibrated strike. yes, you know, if you're talking about the iranian - you're talking about the iranian people, there's always a small minority, some of whom we have seen the pictures overnight, who wholeheartedly support the regime and the attacks. there is an even smaller minority who would want this to escalate. but the vast majority of the people don't want to see any more escalation than this war and it seems like for iranian officials, they thought that they had to

respond to the attack on the iranian consulate in damascus two weeks ago and this was their way of doing that without, you know, trying to be calculated and trying to reduce the chances of a further escalation. but the vast majority of the people are seriously worried about the political and economic consequences of this attack. 0ver political and economic consequences of this attack. over the past two weeks the value of iranian currency has decreased by something like 10% and this morning it has fallen a bit further. the iranian stock exchange, tehran stock exchange index is down. more importantly, the inflation rate in iran, the official inflation rate stands at just over a0%. in iran, the official inflation rate stands atjust over a0%. that's 4—0. many are struggling with the cost of

living and any sort of political and military tensions could result in the prices of everyday goods going up the prices of everyday goods going up even further, which puts more and more people into economic hardship. so, the vast majority of iranian people are hoping that this is not the beginning of a major tension and escalation for their country. thank ou ve escalation for their country. thank you very much _ escalation for their country. thank you very much for _ escalation for their country. thank you very much forjoining - escalation for their country. thank you very much forjoining us - escalation for their country. thank you very much forjoining us from | you very much forjoining us from london and i would bbc persian service expressing the view of what seems to be the majority of iranians hoping that this crisis doesn't escalate further. we were hearing earlier about the impact of the retaliatory strike by iran may have been more on iran itself, the economic consequences, than it was on israel. israel has been assessing

the damage this morning and making it absolutely clear that as far as israel's is concerned this confrontation isn't over. do set we had a few hours ago from daniel hagari, so let's listen to the press conference he gave in jerusalem. translation: good morning. last night iran opened up an attack against israel and sent over 300 various threats. they met our supremacy, our technological and military capabilities, and together we were able to intercept 99% of those threats that were incoming, thwarting the attack outside our airspace.

we are talking about nil literally penetrated israel because we managed to intercept it with our air defence system and of course with the help of our allies and partners. out of all of those ballistic and cruise missiles, none of them managed to, 25 of them were actually outside our airspace, were intercepted. out of the 120 ballistic missiles only a few managed to penetrate our airspace and all the others were intercepted. those fell in our nevatim military camp but only caused slight damage. we are continuing with our activities. the airstrip in nevatim airbase was not more than slightly damaged. they failed with all their other attacks. 0ur airplanes are continuing to take

off and land in nevatim and the f—35s have continued landing there in that base. in addition, there were additional ones from a iraq and yemen. none of them penetrated israel's airspace. over the last few hours there have been hundreds of rockets sent from lebanon to the north, none of them hit but we have hit out throughout lebanon the targets and others in retaliation and we will continue with our defence efforts. over the last six months we have been coordinating closely with our partners. we are talking about great britain, the united states and france and additional countries that acted during the night. this partnership has always been ironclad.

tonight, this was manifest in an exemplary manner. we had very, very complex fights in the air tonight with the manoeuvring, with not only our air force but with all the intelligence and other capabilities. we are talking about our air force capabilities, proved their military and technological supremacy in an exemplary fashion and will continue working together. a seven—year—old girl was wounded by shrapnel. as far as we know there are no other people who have been wounded, no other casualties. we are ready and prepared for any other developments and the directives of the home front remain steadfast.

we have said that there should be no educational activities, but if there should be any changes we will of course update you with transparency and responsibility immediately, just as we did during the night, we will continue. the outstanding behaviour of everyone during the night was truly something that should be mentioned and we will continue demanding and requesting of all of you that you continue conducting yourselves and we will make sure the public will receive information the moment we can do so. we continued with the updates during the night and the chief of general staff, he approved the various plans and has updated the government. iran carried out a severe mistake tonight and we will do everything possible and everything that is necessary in order to defend the citizens of the state of israel. alongside the development tonight,

we will not forget for a moment the 133 hostages still being held in the gaza strip. we will continue doing our utmost, everything possible, to bring them home as quickly as possible. are there any questions, please? good morning. iran succeeded in putting israel into a state of anxiety and put them in the shelters. will israel react? i believe that we are a strong state, and throughout the night we were in full control and full transparency with the public. the moment we gave the directives to the home front and all the reports afterwards, throughout the entire night we endeavoured to make sure that the citizens of israel understand what is going to happen, receive the right directives and the result is self—evident. iran launched over 300 threats, 99% of those were intercepted.

that is a success. that is operational supremacy, technological supremacy. it is unprecedented. we are still in an event that is ongoing. we are strongly protecting everything we have, we have aeroplanes in the air protecting and safeguarding us the whole time. we will continue doing everything possible in order to protect citizens of the state of israel. we will continue looking at the nevatim base, which is continuing to function despite the attack and they have gone back to continue to safeguard everything that needs to be done. idf is at its full competence, last night, today and for what it will be expected in the future.

that was israeli military spokesman, daniel hagari, updating the media on israel �*s analysis of what happened through the night as iran carried out its first direct strike from its own territory against israel, and also indicating some indications of what could happen next. but of course, that is the big question. all eyes are focused now on what israel will decide to do after iran retaliated for the strike on its consulate in the syrian capital, damascus, on april the 1st, which killed senior members of its islamic revolutionary guard corps. behind us, of course, is another major crisis, the crisis which contributed to the tensions which led to the confrontation now unfolding across the region, and that is the six month long israel gaza war. there had been a fear ever since the war

erupted on october the 7th, after hamas �*s a murderous rampage across southern israel that this is a war that would have wide—ranging repercussions, and could light fires across this region, and that is indeed what happened. but the gaza war goes on with a staggering number of civilian casualties and many across the world, including the united states, urge israel to allow more aid into gaza, territory said to be on the brink of famine. in fact, famine is said to already exist in the northern part of the coastal strip. exist in the northern part of the coastalstrip. let's exist in the northern part of the coastal strip. let's take a closer look at the situation in gaza now. joining me now is dr graeme groom, who hasjust returned to london after volunteering at the european gaza hospital in khan younis in southern gaza. thank you very much forjoining us. you are welcome. $5 thank you very much for “oining us. you are welcomeh thank you very much for “oining us. you are welcome. as you know, the

focus has shifted _ you are welcome. as you know, the focus has shifted away _ you are welcome. as you know, the focus has shifted away from - you are welcome. as you know, the focus has shifted away from the - you are welcome. as you know, the focus has shifted away from the warj focus has shifted away from the war in gaza, from the humanitarian situation on the ground, with this new crisis erupting. what is the latest you are hearing politically about the health situation across gaza as this war grinds on? well, we have been based, _ gaza as this war grinds on? well, we have been based, our— gaza as this war grinds on? well, we have been based, our small- gaza as this war grinds on? well, we have been based, our small charity l have been based, our small charity has been based as you say in the european hospital in khan younis, and as a group of surgeons and anaesthetists we have a very narrow focus. what we can say is that from our direct experience the number of casualties in our area has increased substantially, and particularly the number of deaths. we don't have independent corroboration of the figures that we hear from the palestinian ministry of health, but when we have in the past verified

them, we found them to be fairly accurate, and that means that we are now passing 110,000 killed and wounded with an unknown number buried and of course 70% certainly of our patients are women and children. we have colleagues in the north in sister charities with whom we have worked very much in the past at various hospitals, and they have sent us photographs of starving small children and no one who has visited gaza recently has any doubt that starvation exists in the north, and that people are dying of it. especially children.

there is concern. not a day goes by without the un saying more aid is needed. israel says more food is getting in. we can show a picture now of you operating in the hospital in gaza. how serious is the shortage of medical supplies, the supplies that are needed to carry out the operations that you yourself were involved in? irate operations that you yourself were involved in?— operations that you yourself were involved in? ~ , . involved in? we carry as much as we can with us. — involved in? we carry as much as we can with us. and _ involved in? we carry as much as we can with us, and in _ involved in? we carry as much as we can with us, and in the _ involved in? we carry as much as we can with us, and in the past - involved in? we carry as much as we can with us, and in the past years i can with us, and in the past years because we have been going to gaza since 2009 and intensively since 2014, we have equipped the hospitals we visit with the specific instruments and equipment that we need for what we do, which is the care of wounded people. having said that, it is used at a great rate

because there are so many wounded people, so everything is in short supply and unusually, it takes us as long to check the equipment for an operation is to do it because it is no use starting something you can't finish because something critical is missing. and that is the situation at the moment. everything is in short supply, even though over the past years we have largely equipped these hospitals. did past years we have largely equipped these hospitals.— these hospitals. did you yourself feel at risk. _ these hospitals. did you yourself feel at risk, you _ these hospitals. did you yourself feel at risk, you and _ these hospitals. did you yourself feel at risk, you and the - these hospitals. did you yourself feel at risk, you and the doctors| feel at risk, you and the doctors working with you?— feel at risk, you and the doctors working with you? absolutely not. we have been twice _ working with you? absolutely not. we have been twice since _ working with you? absolutely not. we have been twice since october. - working with you? absolutely not. we have been twice since october. our. have been twice since october. 0ur charity has been four times. i personally have been twice. at christmas and over new year, and more recently for two weeks around the easter holiday. the change

between december and march april in the south is that the fighting is closer, the noise is louder, but for some strange reason it is not personally threatening. it does, however, make us all quite angry because shortly after the bombs dropped and the tanks via and the automatic weapons are heard, the casualties arrive in the emergency department and what i have never seen before, but have seen this time, is pick—up trucks arriving at the emergency department door, filled with entwined bodies of the newly killed, and followed by a line of cars with more bodies in the

boot. they are, of course, accompanied by distraught people. we have not seen that before. the other thing that we have not seen before, because the european hospital is to the east of khan younis, it has some open ground between the hospital and the fans. that is no longer open. it is covered with improvised shelters, it is covered with a new, expanding and huge cemetery, to the extent that as the cemetery expands, the graves of the newly dead are displacing the shelters of the barely living, and that for us is deeply shocking. as you have no doubt heard, israel pulled out its ground troops from

khan younis a week ago. it has also been saying it is allowing more aid to get into gaza. what are you hearing about the situation on the ground now, if you are in contact with doctors or others there? well. with doctors or others there? well, we were back _ with doctors or others there? well, we were back on _ with doctors or others there? well, we were back on tuesday _ with doctors or others there? well, we were back on tuesday and - with doctors or others there? -ii we were back on tuesday and we heard the ground troops had withdrawn, but we still heard automatic weapons firing and we certainly heard bombs and missiles and so on. as far as the aid getting in is concerned, there is a sharp contrast between what is available within gaza and what is available within gaza and what is available within gaza and what is on the far side of the fence in egypt. access to gaza at the moment is across the sinai and rafah. the other side of the fence is a column of lorries and i took a video clip of them. they are nose to

tail, four abreast, and at 70 k ph, the video clip is 3.5 minutes, and that gives you some idea of the number of eight lorries that are sitting waiting to deliver food and so on to gaza, and physically to the north. . ., , . ., , north. -- particularly. we are very crateful north. -- particularly. we are very grateful that _ north. -- particularly. we are very grateful that she _ north. -- particularly. we are very grateful that she made _ north. -- particularly. we are very grateful that she made time - north. -- particularly. we are very grateful that she made time to - north. -- particularly. we are veryl grateful that she made time to give us your observations from your time spent on the ground at the european hospital in the southern city of khan younis. that highlights again the grave humanitarian crisis in gaza before this iran israel confrontation erupted. that was one of the main concerns, if not the main concern across this region, as well as calls for a ceasefire so that far more aid, including food

and medical supplies, could get into gaza. we heard from an israeli spy chief early this morning that the talks regarding a ceasefire are still stalled. let's return now to our top story this our. in the wake of israel �*s possible response to iran �*s first direct strike on israeli territory, a swarm of more than 300 missiles and drones were fired into israel in the early hours of the morning. a short time ago i spoke to our security correspondent frank gardner. so, according to the israeli military the idf iran launched 170 drones which were all intercepted, and around 120 missiles, mostly ballistic missiles. iran has invested heavily,

despite years of sanctions on it, it's managed to build up a significant force of ballistic missiles. israeli intelligence will know exactly where these were launched from so i would expect that israel's response when it comes will almost certainly be starting at hitting those bases from which missiles were launched. israel didn't intercept all of these on its own. some were intercepted over jordanian air space, some i think over syria and iraq because some of the projectiles took circuitous routes. its 1500 kilometres between iran and israel. the way i would depict this is i think we are on the middle rung of an escalatory ladder. so, there has been a simmering conflict between iran and israel ever since the islamic revolution

in 1979 but the big events that have heated this up and pushed things to the state they are in now is the october 7th attack by iran backed hamas on israel, then the gaza war of course, but specifically israel's attack on april 1st, although israel didn't claim responsbility for it, everyone knows it was israel that hit the iranian consulate in damascus killing senior commanders. that was considered by iran to be a major escalation because it was diplomatic territory. they've been mulling over the calibrated response. the problem is we are in a tit—for—tat situation and the israeli response i fear will escalate things further.

0ur security correspondent frank gardner on a morning where israel is underlining that this confrontation is not over, that its forces are still on full alert, and that israel is assessing its response. it is also a morning where there have been warnings from tehran that if israel does retaliate, that iran will strike back with even greater force. a very, very tense, a very dangerous moment in the region. a moment which has drawn in many capitals across this region and across the world. we will keep an eye on all the developments from here, and also from our correspondence across the region and in london. i had you back now to london. now leaving the situation in the middle east for a moment. police in australia say the man who killed six people in a stabbing attack at a shopping centre in sydney on saturday was known to the authorities, and had mental health issues.

the 40—year—old, who was shot dead by police, has been identified asjoel cauchi. his family contacted police after seeing footage of the attack on television. 0ur sydney correspondent katy watson has more. well, the information is coming out over the past 24 hours and police say there are still far more questions than answers. i am at the shopping centre and it is still closed off. it is an active crime scene. police teams are still there and they are expected to be there until the early hours of monday morning. it is still unclear the motive. they said that ideology was not identified as one of the motives. as you said, mental health issues certainly might be playing a part, and they are also looking at whether women were the target. five

women and one man were killed. so certainly, one of many lines of inquiry at the moment. as you can see behind me, there have been people coming throughout the day leaving flowers and paying their respects to the victims of the attack on saturday afternoon. taste respects to the victims of the attack on saturday afternoon. we are heafina attack on saturday afternoon. we are hearin: a attack on saturday afternoon. we are hearing a little _ attack on saturday afternoon. we are hearing a little bit _ attack on saturday afternoon. we are hearing a little bit more _ hearing a little bit more information about some of the victims of this attack. tell us more. ~ , , ., y victims of this attack. tell us more. ~ , , ., , , victims of this attack. tell us more. ~ , , ., ., more. absolutely. the first woman who was identified _ more. absolutely. the first woman who was identified was _ more. absolutely. the first woman who was identified was ashlee - more. absolutely. the first woman l who was identified was ashlee good, a mother of one and she died protecting her baby who is just nine months old. the lady was transferred to hospital and underwent surgery overnight. the family have said that she is doing well. now one man who was killed was a security guard. 30 years old. he fled persecution in pakistan just a year ago, years old. he fled persecution in pakistanjust a year ago, and he years old. he fled persecution in pakistan just a year ago, and he was working as a security guard in the shopping centre at the time. and

still there are more names to come out and that is something that the police are working on, speaking to families. two individuals don't have relatives here in australia, so some names will take longer to reach the public. names will take longer to reach the ublic. , ., , ., , ., public. they have been a number of --eole public. they have been a number of people injured. _ public. they have been a number of people injured, including _ public. they have been a number of people injured, including a - people injured, including a nine—month—old baby girl. do we have an update on how she is doing? so it she was an update on how she is doing? sr it she was transferred to hospital and she was transferred to hospital and she underwent surgery on saturday night. the family of the baby and her mother, ashlee good, i put out a statement saying that she is doing well, and of course paying tribute to her mother. they said she was an amazing partner, daughter, sister and mother, and an outstanding human being. but they have confirmed that the baby is doing well since having surgery. the baby is doing well since having

surue . ~ . the baby is doing well since having sune ,~ ., .,, the baby is doing well since having surue .~ ., ., , surgery. what has the reaction been in australia to _ surgery. what has the reaction been in australia to this _ surgery. what has the reaction been in australia to this attack _ surgery. what has the reaction been in australia to this attack because i in australia to this attack because it happened in a huge, very popular shopping centre in sydney, obviously, a very busy time. what have people been saying to you about the reaction to this? i have people been saying to you about the reaction to this?— the reaction to this? i think everybody _ the reaction to this? i think everybody here _ the reaction to this? i think everybody here is - the reaction to this? i think everybody here is in - the reaction to this? i think everybody here is in shock. j everybody here is in shock. everybody is questioning how this could happen in a country that is not used to violent crime like this. the feeling that people felt safe, but now something like this, you could have happened to anyone. "it could have happened to anyone. "it could have happened to anyone. "it could have been one of us", is something i've heard so may times, just speaking to people who have come to pay tribute. i spoke to one mother who said that her teenage daughter has onlyjust been allowed a bit more freedom to go to the shopping centre with herfriends on the weekend, but now of course she is questioning everything. her daughter was crying, saying she doesn't feel safe, not knowing who is around you. it is really a time of a many people here in bondi

junction, but also more widely across australia.— junction, but also more widely across australia. katie watson, thank you _ lemmejust bring lemme just bring you up—to—date with our top story. if you to our website, we have a really comprehensive life page with all the very latest lines and analysis from our correspondence not only on the ground, but also in the region as well. you can read all about the very latest reaction from israel and indeed from hezbollah rowe, who has issued another warning after that attack from iran. i am issued another warning after that attack from iran. iam back issued another warning after that attack from iran. i am back at the top of the hour. you are watching bbc news. hello there. it's going to be a lovely day for many of us. we have had lovely sunshine this morning for most parts of the uk and we will keep dry

weather and sunny spells, especially toward southern and eastern areas. this is the scene at the moment in gloucestershire. but it will feel colder today, compared to yesterday. the warmer weather we had in the south—east with 21.8 degrees in essex, that will disappear because we have got a cold air mass right across the uk, soap temperature is really down on yesterday in the south—east. but some good sunshine into the afternoon. the possibility of one or two showers in north wales and northern england, more substantial rain across northern ireland and into scotland and that could be heavy and thundery throughout the afternoon with blustery winds. temperatures in scotland and northern ireland 10-12 c, scotland and northern ireland 10—12 c, notably cooler compared to yesterday across england and wales, 13-15 c. yesterday across england and wales, 13—15 c. tonight, the rain across the north and west will gradually sink to the south—east. again through the night it will be heavy and thundery for one or two of us and thundery for one or two of us and there will be a lot of showers through the night with chapters down to 4-7 c.

through the night with chapters down to 4—7 c. monday morning starting on a relatively chilly note, but for many we will see a bit of sunshine before this weather front will bring rain south and east. low pressure to the north and a brisk north—westerly wind. there will be some sunshine to start off with, but this area of rain will get heavy moving south and east and it will be replaced by sunny spells and scattered showers. most frequent towards the north—east where it will be windy. showers could be wintry as well with some snow over higher ground. maximum temperatures on monday 10—12 c. into the rest of the week, high pressure is building out into the atlantic, and that keeps those rain bearing weather systems largely at bay. we do have one weather system coming over the top of that, bringing some cloud and a bit of rain on tuesday towards scotland and northern ireland, and it could be wintry over higher ground. cloud and rain in eastern areas, but for most of us on tuesday, looking like a largely dry

day. again some sunny spells throughout the afternoon but once again at those temperatures are below average for the time of year. 10-12 c. below average for the time of year. 10—12 c. goodbye.

this is bbc news. live from jerusalem. sirens. iran strikes at israel

with an unprecedented attack, but the hundreds of drones and missiles are taken out of the sky. this is the scene live in tel aviv — it was the first time iran had ever launched a direct military assault on israel. and live from london, i'm maryam moshiri. supporters of the iranian government take to the streets of tehran to celebrate the attack. the iranian retaliatory action comes after israel's strike on its consulate in syria two weeks ago. prime minister netanyahu convenes his war cabinet, as the us reaffirms its ironclad commitment to israel's security. jordanjoins israel, us, uk and france, saying it intercepted some "flying objects" while they were passing over its airspace. a man who killed six people in a sydney shopping centre before being shot dead is identified by australian police.