Israel continues to strike Beirut as tensions rise

Newshour

More explosions tore through the Lebanese capital today as Israeli military says it hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Israel has also continued to warn people in southern Lebanon to leave their homes - including in the region of Nabatieh. It comes as the Israeli army says Hezbollah has fired 200 rockets into Israel today.

One of the most senior leaders of Hamas - which is designated a terrorist organisation by the UK and other governments - has told the BBC that the current crisis they provoked in the Middle East, which has led to the deaths of thousands of people in the past year, is justified. The Deputy leader of Hamas, Khalil al Haya, said the October 7th attacks, which killed 1200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, were necessary to place the issue of Palestinian statehood back on the global agenda. He insisted without it, the cycle of violence in the Middle East would not end.

Also in programme: we discuss the UK government's decision to give up sovereignty of the remote but strategic Chagos islands after 200 years of rule; and whether the hit US sitcom 'Cheers' is set for British remake 30 years on. (Photo: Beirut Bachoura neighbourhood Credit: Louisa Gouliamaki for Reuters)