this is bbc news, the headlines: air raid 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. some supporters of the iranian government in tehran 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. welcome to the programme. we have plenty of international reaction coming up to a overnight. first of all, take a look at what happened. air raid sirens. these are the sirens overjerusalem and the explosions in the sky there over israel. sum up 300 drones and missiles are fired towards israel. and the idf is saying that around 99% of them were taken out of the sky. are notjust above israel, these pictures next are from jordan, allies helping here, the us, uk and

france among those shooting ten objects over outside israel. also syria and damascus, two similar scenes there. we have a look now at the iron dome, heading back to israel, the defence mechanism covering much of israel. intercepted missiles were fired from the ground there leaving trails of towards those drones and missiles. the assessment of the damage from israel is very limited, no deaths, some infrastructure and military bases hit and a young girl has been hit and treated. these pictures are from iran, some government supporters celebrating there. we don't have any wider context for those pictures. around saying that this is a retaliatory strike for what is widely believed to be an attack by israel on the consulate in damascus

two weeks ago. this is a map of the region so you get an idea of the scale of what has happened and what is at stake. this is the very first time a direct attack on israel from iranian soil has happened. with me arejeremy bowen, our international editor, and our security correspondent, frank gardner. we will pick through exactly what this means. jeremy, tell us where we are? ., , ., ., “ this means. jeremy, tell us where we are? ., , ., are? the region is looking at the israeli war _ are? the region is looking at the israeli war cabinet _ are? the region is looking at the israeli war cabinet and _ are? the region is looking at the israeli war cabinet and what - are? the region is looking at the israeli war cabinet and what it i israeli war cabinet and what it would decide to do next. the message coming from israel's western allies, the americans and the british, rishi sunak hasjust said the americans and the british, rishi sunak has just said that britain was also involved in shooting down drones and that this is now time for cool heads. in other words, message to israel, you've got a victory here, hang on to it, do not escalate

any further because the risks of escalating, maybe a strike back onto iranian territory, a very great. israel has sustained serious attack but with a great deal of help from its allies, it has been able to withstand it. it was not a full on assault in perhaps the way it would have been hired to hezbollah and lebanon are joined have been hired to hezbollah and lebanon arejoined in have been hired to hezbollah and lebanon are joined in with their massive store of missiles over the years that the iranians of helped them build up.— years that the iranians of helped them build u. ., , ., , them build up. your broad thoughts on where exactly _ them build up. your broad thoughts on where exactly the _ them build up. your broad thoughts on where exactly the region - them build up. your broad thoughts on where exactly the region stands| on where exactly the region stands now, frank? iii on where exactly the region stands now. frank?— on where exactly the region stands now, frank? if you imagine a ladder with a lot of — now, frank? if you imagine a ladder with a lot of different _ now, frank? if you imagine a ladder with a lot of different wrongs, - with a lot of different wrongs, where — with a lot of different wrongs, where halfway up that ladder of escalation. israel could choose to id escalation. israel could choose to go up _ escalation. israel could choose to go up it_ escalation. israel could choose to go up it or— escalation. israel could choose to go up it or down it because right now, _ go up it or down it because right now. we've _ go up it or down it because right now, we've seen a number of escalations, red lines crossed, and this is_ escalations, red lines crossed, and this is certainly a red line and

it's the — this is certainly a red line and it's the first time that iran and israel— it's the first time that iran and israel have fired at each other, in this case — israel have fired at each other, in this case iran shooting directly at israet _ this case iran shooting directly at israel. despite the fact that its restraint — israel. despite the fact that its restraint being urged on all sides, israei's _ restraint being urged on all sides, israei's war— restraint being urged on all sides, israel's war cabinet is going to look_ israel's war cabinet is going to look for— israel's war cabinet is going to look for a _ israel's war cabinet is going to look for a significant response. it could _ look for a significant response. it could hide — look for a significant response. it could bide its time, strategic patients, _ could bide its time, strategic patients, could hit back at iran's proxies— patients, could hit back at iran's proxies such as hezbollah and others around _ proxies such as hezbollah and others around the _ proxies such as hezbollah and others around the region. could target the exact— around the region. could target the exact missile bases from which these drones— exact missile bases from which these drones and _ exact missile bases from which these drones and missiles were launched in iran. drones and missiles were launched in iran~ that— drones and missiles were launched in iran. that would be an escalation. 0r iran. that would be an escalation. or it— iran. that would be an escalation. or if you _ iran. that would be an escalation. or if you go — iran. that would be an escalation. or if you go further and do an all-out— or if you go further and do an all—out attack on revolutionary guard — all—out attack on revolutionary guard basis throughout iran that would _ guard basis throughout iran that would he — guard basis throughout iran that would be a major escalation and one that would _ would be a major escalation and one that would prompt a massive iranian response _ that would prompt a massive iranian response. that is not what anyone in the region— response. that is not what anyone in the region wants, everyone is calling — the region wants, everyone is calling for— the region wants, everyone is calling for the situation to calm down _ calling for the situation to calm down but — calling for the situation to calm down but i don't think israel is

going — down but i don't think israel is going to — down but i don't think israel is going to let this one go, as it were — going to let this one go, as it were. , , going to let this one go, as it were. , y y ., going to let this one go, as it were. , , , ., ., , going to let this one go, as it were. , , i. ., , ., were. jeremy, your thoughts on the lines coming _ were. jeremy, your thoughts on the lines coming from _ were. jeremy, your thoughts on the lines coming from iran _ were. jeremy, your thoughts on the lines coming from iran saying - were. jeremy, your thoughts on the lines coming from iran saying that l lines coming from iran saying that this current action is finished, to describe it as a defensive action but if there any more attacks, will respond. but if there any more attacks, will resond. �* . but if there any more attacks, will resond. �* , ., but if there any more attacks, will resond. h ., ', ., respond. let's rewind to the 1st of a - ril, respond. let's rewind to the 1st of april. that's _ respond. let's rewind to the 1st of april, that's when _ respond. let's rewind to the 1st of april, that's when the _ respond. let's rewind to the 1st of april, that's when the attack - respond. let's rewind to the 1st of april, that's when the attack took| april, that's when the attack took place on the iranian diplomatic compound in damascus, killing senior officers and generals but more importantly for the iranians, hitting the ground they consider to be iranian soil. the israelis have made an unconvincing argument that the presence of those officers in the presence of those officers in the building rendered it not a diplomatic premise but a military position that it was ok to hit. that is not a convincing argument. iran made it very clear they would respond. question, how were they

going to do it? the suggestion was they would do something oblique and indirect to cash in if i have opted for this full on attack. the attack did not do a great deal of damage, is that because they assumed having signalled so clearly that they were going to do it though, israel, the americans, the brits and others could get ready, or was it because there are simply not up to hurting israel with its formidable air defences and analyse? where we are is a time of great uncertainty and the rules of the game have changed in the middle east have changed since the hamas attack of october seven. so we have attack, response, what will israel do next? we are in unknown territory here but i think it's absolutely clear that if a way is not mates get out to stop this steady escalation into a wider

all—out war in the middle east, it will keep going in that direction which would be catastrophic for all concerned. irate which would be catastrophic for all concerned. ~ . ., which would be catastrophic for all concerned. ~ _, . ,, ., concerned. we will come back to the what happens _ concerned. we will come back to the what happens next _ concerned. we will come back to the what happens next question - concerned. we will come back to the what happens next question in - concerned. we will come back to the what happens next question in a - what happens next question in a moment. frank, on what did you did —— on what did happen, what you make of a combination of the missiles and the drones stopping at how have israel and the allies responded in a technical way to shoot down so many, 300+, from the skies?— 300+, from the skies? israel had a massive advantage _ 300+, from the skies? israel had a massive advantage in _ 300+, from the skies? israel had a massive advantage in that - 300+, from the skies? israel had a massive advantage in that it - 300+, from the skies? israel had a massive advantage in that it knew. 300+, from the skies? israel had a | massive advantage in that it knew it was coming. the us had signalled this as _ was coming. the us had signalled this as of— was coming. the us had signalled this as of wednesday night that it is of intercepted communication using _ is of intercepted communication using its— is of intercepted communication using its powerful signals intelligence network. the attack came _ intelligence network. the attack came in— intelligence network. the attack came in two faces, 170 drones were launched _ came in two faces, 170 drones were launched but they are quite slow, to take several hours to reach israel across _ take several hours to reach israel across the — take several hours to reach israel

across the 1500km distance between iran across the 1500km distance between iran and _ across the 1500km distance between iran and israel. but iran also launched _ iran and israel. but iran also launched ballistic missiles, one of which _ launched ballistic missiles, one of which was — launched ballistic missiles, one of which was intercepted outside the earth's _ which was intercepted outside the earth's atmosphere. there are intercepted in a number of different ways _ intercepted in a number of different ways you _ intercepted in a number of different ways. you mention to the iron dome there. _ ways. you mention to the iron dome there. the _ ways. you mention to the iron dome there. the air— ways. you mention to the iron dome there, the air defence system that has been — there, the air defence system that has been shooting down a lot of rockets — has been shooting down a lot of rockets fired from gaza, for example. _ rockets fired from gaza, for example, by buy one. it also has things— example, by buy one. it also has things called the arrow and the david _ things called the arrow and the david slingshot and the patriot. but was helped by the united states and the uk _ was helped by the united states and the uk and jordan. jordan said it intercepted a number of flying objects— intercepted a number of flying objects that entered is territory, iranian— objects that entered is territory, iranian missiles and drones. the raf. _ iranian missiles and drones. the raf. which _ iranian missiles and drones. the raf, which was already operating along _ raf, which was already operating along the — raf, which was already operating along the borders of syria and iraq to counter— along the borders of syria and iraq to counter any kinds of advance or

resurgence — to counter any kinds of advance or resurgence of so—called islamic states. — resurgence of so—called islamic states, isis, they also shot down a number— states, isis, they also shot down a number of— states, isis, they also shot down a number of drones, so they would have .one number of drones, so they would have gone guite _ number of drones, so they would have gone quite a _ number of drones, so they would have gone quite a circuitous route. and the us— gone quite a circuitous route. and the us navy, which is in powerful warships — the us navy, which is in powerful warships in — the us navy, which is in powerful warships in the red sea, the shut down _ warships in the red sea, the shut down some — warships in the red sea, the shut down some and some of theirjets to call. down some and some of theirjets to call~ and _ down some and some of theirjets to call. and also israeli air force fighters — call. and also israeli air force fighters took off from an airbase in the south — fighters took off from an airbase in the south to shoot them down. so it was a _ the south to shoot them down. so it was a coordinated thing. highly expensive, one estimate saying that this may— expensive, one estimate saying that this may have cost israel up to $1 billion _ this may have cost israel up to $1 billion but— this may have cost israel up to $1 billion. but israel is now patting itsetf— billion. but israel is now patting itself on — billion. but israel is now patting itself on its back, saying, we defeated _ itself on its back, saying, we defeated this. make no mistake, iran has a _ defeated this. make no mistake, iran has a massive arsenal of missiles, it has— has a massive arsenal of missiles, it has a _ has a massive arsenal of missiles, it has a whole lot more where these came _ it has a whole lot more where these came from — it has a whole lot more where these came from-— it has a whole lot more where these came from. g , ., came from. jeremy, where will do we no from came from. jeremy, where will do we go from here? _ came from. jeremy, where will do we go from here? with _ came from. jeremy, where will do we go from here? with the _ came from. jeremy, where will do we go from here? with the meeting - came from. jeremy, where will do we go from here? with the meeting of. go from here? with the meeting of the war cabinet in israel, the g7 convening, what does happen next? interesting that when joe

convening, what does happen next? interesting that whenjoe biden talked about convening the g7, they will all be in front of computer screens, he talked about a diplomatic response. that is clearly what he wants. but israel's war cabinet has many times in the last six months to the will ofjoe biden. will they regard this issue as one in which they are able to do that or will they feel because of the enormous amounts of help that they got last night, they owe their allies won and they need to pull in their spikes in terms are confronting them to i did notice very early on that right—wing voices in israel those similar voices in the government that are sustained by those votes, were calling for a response, not responding would be weak, if israel does not respond it will be seen as weak and attacked again. that is a debate there will be having in israel. do what the

brits and americans and others want or push back hard.— or push back hard. thank you very much, or push back hard. thank you very much. both- _ or push back hard. thank you very much, both. so, _ or push back hard. thank you very much, both. so, hugely— or push back hard. thank you very much, both. so, hugely delicate. much, both. so, hugely delicate moment across the region. we have our live feeds across various different parts. this isjerusalem, we have live pictures too from tel aviv and also from the israel/lebanon border. a hugely sensitive moment for this conflict and we are awaiting further international and diplomatic response and as and when we get that, will bring it to you. speaking in saint peter's square, pope francis expressed concern about the worsening of the situation in the middle east. he called for dialogue and peace. translation: i follow in prayer and with concern, even pain, - the news that has come in the last hours about the worsening

situation in israel due to the intervention by iran. i make a heartfelt appeal for every action that could fuel a spiral of violence to be stopped, with the risk of dragging the middle east into an even larger war. no—one should threaten the existence of others, all nations should stand for peace and help the israelis and palestinians to live in two states, side by side in safety. it is their legitimate desire and it is their right. earlier, i spoke to the economist s defence editor, shashankjosh. i asked him if he was surprised by what happeend overnight. no, i think it was in line with expectations of an iranian attack that was both sufficiently dramatic in scale and novelty, of course, the first direct iranian strike on israel, to satisfy the need to restore deterrence for iran but also calibrated enough, limited enough to avoid inflicting such serious harm that it may have provoked a larger conflict. notably, the most significant thing here is the length of time that iran waited before responding,

allowing israel and its allies to muster a response, evacuate air bases, prepare their radar facilities. all of these other things. i think iran would have known that most of these missiles would probably have been intercepted. this is unfair on you because this is happening right now, ijust want to get your response. we are just hearing from iran, the foreign minister posting on social media, saying two things — one, tehran has no intention to prolong its defensive operations, two, tehran will not hesitate to defend its legitimate interests against any new aggression if necessary. so, tehran will not hesitate to defend its legitimate interests against any new aggression if necessary. what should we make of that? there's a very consistent line that's been coming out of iranian officials since the immediate aftermath

of the strike which is, "we consider this matter closed. you struck us, we have struck you, let's draw a line under this." they are sending that message because they know there is real pressure on netanyahu to respond in some fashion in response to this attack, which would spark a new cycle of escalation. what they're trying to shape is that iranian strike. from the iranian perspective, the most the de—escalatory israeli response would be business as usual — another israeli strike, for example, on hezbollah or iranian proxies in the region. the most escalatory strike would be an israeli attack on iranian soil, particularly against iranian nuclear facilities. they are afraid of that, they are really concerned and trying to signal that, from their perspective, they will conduct no further action if israel leaves it here, but there is no guarantee that will happen. interesting.

can i ask about the specific tactics used here? the drones fired, plus the missiles, the number, the location — what's your assessment? i think there were about 331 projectiles fired. of those, about a third were ballistic missiles. ballistic missiles fly in very different ways, they fly in parabolic arcs, unlike cruise missile or drones, which fly flat trajectories within atmosphere, much more slowly. ballistic missiles are much more likely to penetrate air defences and get through and they leave much less warning time. but i think it's notable that only a third of these weapons were ballistic missiles. they were probably targeted at israeli military bases, including the base israel used to launch the f—35 planes that conducted the original attack on the iranian consulate in lebanon. there was a symmetry to this but had iran really wanted to cause more damage,

to overwhelm israeli defences, i think they would have used a much higher proportion of ballistic missiles and they didn't and i think that tells us something of note. israel defence forces spokesperson lieutenant colonel peter lerner has been speaking to our chief internatioal correspondent, lyse doucet. he gave an update on the damage caused by the attack launched on israel overnight. i would say first of all, what was shown in the early hours of this morning was a unity of decent nations that came together against the diabolical intentions of iran. that resulted in a very good outcome because we were able to fend off 99% of the rockets, missiles and explosive drones that were headed our way. together, were able to save

many lives in the early hours of this morning. i'm sure you experience this injerusalem, the explosions of a head from those ballistic missiles, i'm happy to say that none of the explosive drones headed to israel were able to even penetrate israel's airspace. the same goes with the cruise missiles that were fired towards israel, they also did not make it into the airspace will stopping to ballistic missiles did, they were able to hit one of our air bases in the south of israel, which caused minimal damage. of the airbase remained operational of the airbase remained operational throughout the event. of course, there is a very sad story of a seven—year—old young girl, baby girl, basically, that was injured and is now fighting for her life in hospital. i hope she will come out of that. our posture remains defensive in essence, preparing for

what else iran can deal out to us. we have had rockets fired at us this morning from lebanon, by hezbollah. so iran hasn't stopped throughout the last six months, they've been attacking us from every side and last night they launched from their own territory. this last night they launched from their own territory-— last night they launched from their own territory. as you know, this was a retaliatory — own territory. as you know, this was a retaliatory strike _ own territory. as you know, this was a retaliatory strike from _ own territory. as you know, this was a retaliatory strike from israel- own territory. as you know, this was a retaliatory strike from israel - - own territory. as you know, this was a retaliatory strike from israel - i . a retaliatory strike from israel — i know you didn't say it but it is widely understood to be your attack — on april the 1st on the consumer annex on diplomatic property in the syrian capital of damascus which destroyed the annex and also killed some senior ronnie revolutionary guards. iran that it had to hit back after that. guards. iran that it had to hit back afterthat. but guards. iran that it had to hit back after that. but a run and your allies are saying let's draw a line under this now is. i know a decision has yet to be taken but can you let us know what the thinking is now in

israel? .. . , us know what the thinking is now in israel? ~' , , . ., israel? the thinking is very clear, iran has been _ israel? the thinking is very clear, iran has been behind _ israel? the thinking is very clear, iran has been behind the - israel? the thinking is very clear, iran has been behind the scenes. israel? the thinking is very clear, | iran has been behind the scenes of the course of the last six months. hamas not had the capability to build a terrorist army which infiltrated israel on the 7th of october if it was not for the 0ctober if it was not for the immense financial, in—kind and instruction of iran with over $100 million a year. hezbollah has been at war with us since the 8th of october, firing over 3000 rockets 0ctober, firing over 3000 rockets towards israel but also not being able to do so without the huge financial support and training they go through by iran and the instructions they receive. and the hutus from yemen at the same, they are all using iranian weaponry, knowledge and know—how and all extensively funded by iran. iran just came to the forefront of this war in their attack last night but they've been there throughout the

course of this war were and beforehand, they've been preparing harassment to do the invasion on the 7th of october. so i would say while their fingers 7th of october. so i would say while theirfingers being pointed, i think we need to be minded and open eyed with regard to the level of iran's involvement up until now is. it did not begin on april one, it has been ongoing for many years, building these forces and putting a ring of fire around israel, a ring of fire that we can't accept. this is what they have started and therefore we are about to defend ourselves with a decent nations, with high level of successful rate of interception. we are poised and prepared to continue to defend israel against iranian hostility. 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. they've released a statement saying... five women and one man killed in the attack. 12 others were injured. among the fatalities was 38—year—old ashlee good, who handed her nine—month—old baby harriet to strangers in an attempt to save her after they were both stabbed. police say baby harriet

has undergone surgery and her family say she's doing well. 0ur sydney correspondent katy watson has more. people have been coming here throughout the day to leave flowers and pay their tributes to the victims. it's still very much an ongoing investigation, the shopping mall is still closed, it's an active crime scene, and police teams are still working there. they are expected to be working there until at least the early hours of monday morning. more details have come out over the day — the name of the assailant, joel cauchi, ao—year—old man from queensland. in terms of motives, they are still very open—minded about exactly how and why this attack took place. authorities say that ideology wasn't identified as one of the reasons. mental health issues certainly might be playing a part in this. he was known to police. they are also exploring the line of inquiry of whether or not women were a target, given that five out of the six

people who were killed were women. there have been more details, of course, about the victims. ashlee good was the mother of a nine—month—old little girl, she was killed in the attack and her daughter was also stabbed. she went to hospital, underwent surgery and the family say she is doing well. the one man who was killed in saturday's attack, he has been named as faraz tahir, a 30—year—old from pakistan. he fled persecution in pakistanjust a year ago, he was working as a security guard in the shopping centre. this is an investigation that is very much still continuing and will continue for the next weeks and months. we go back to israel. we have these live pictures in from jerusalem, the afternoon now after an extraordinary and unprecedented night last night,

the attack of 300+ missiles and drones from iran. we have had a response here in the uk from prime minister to rishi sunak confirming that raf planes shot down a number of iranian attack drones, saying the uk participated in the international, coordinated effort, amongst other countries like the us, france, allies of israel. raf had sent additional planes to the region as part of existing operations to counter diet firm in iraq and syria. he also confirmed he will be speaking to g7 leaders this afternoon. this is bbc news. hello. at the warm spell of weather has come to their end, it is much fresher today and the outlook is

pointing to frequent showers with hail and thunder and very windy weatherfor hail and thunder and very windy weather for tomorrow. here's the up as we transition in 2a hours from the calm conditions we have had recently to this big low sitting on top of us, dragging in colder air from the northern climes and making it feel colder than it recently has been. 0nto the forecast, temperatures in the middle of the afternoon hovering around the mid—teens in the southeast of the country, barely making double figures across the north where we already have a shower sweeping across. the winds freshening and the showers through night generally confined to more northern and western areas and towards the end of the night, perhaps reaching central england but the southeast will stay dry. in the north temperatures up to eight celsius and in most major towns and cities. tomorrow, a band of showers with across the country, gusty winds, showers could be

torrential with sunshine in—between and the gusts on coastal areas. a turbulent day with dramatic cloud scapes and changeable weather from hour to hour. the lowest temperatures around ten at celsius. that they will be barrelling across the uk into the north sea through the uk into the north sea through the course of monday evening. tuesday, it will still have a sting in its tail, strong winds and showers across the north sea coast everywhere from yorkshire up to east anglia. gusty winds of up to 50mph here but towards the west, the weather will be drier and brighter and the wind is not quite as strong, not quite as chilly. but still around eight celsius in stornoway and typically up to 13 elsewhere across the uk. towards the end of the week, another weak front moving across uk bringing cloud more than rain and also this high nosing in, an indication the weather should try

out. the main message for now is a very blustery day on the way tomorrow with big shower cloud but also sunny spells. bye—bye.

live from london. this is bbc news. air raid sirens iran strikes at israel with an unprecedented attack,

involving more than 300 drones and missiles. the israelis say 99% were intercepted. the us, britain and jordan, were among the countries involved in israel's defence. some of the missiles were intercepted outside earth's atmosphere. some supporters of the iranian government in tehran celebrate the attack — iran warns israel not to retaliate. iam in i am in jerusalem i am injerusalem where all eyes are on what israel does next. the war cabinet is meeting shortly in tel aviv. president biden says he'll agree a diplomatic response to the attack with other g7 leaders. the united nations security council will hold an emergency meeting later. this is the scene live injerusalem. as benjamin netanyahu convenes his war cabinet — the region waits for israel's response.