Why Israel's election is one of the most important in its history

Israeli voters are preparing to head to the polls in an election some have described as the most consequential in the country's history.

It's the first general election since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. Tuesday's vote could see Benjamin Netanyahu's almost two-decade-long period of right-wing rule replaced by a more left-leaning government.

Emerging as Netanyahu's main challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, who says the election is about Israel's identity as a liberal and tolerant democracy.

Netanyahu has made security central to his campaign, warning that electing his rivals would risk making Israel less safe.

Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson reports.

Watch: CCTV footage shows gunmen near church in Jordan

Dozens of people had been inside the church for a funeral when the shooting began, local media report.

BBC's Orla Guerin travels with Yemen's southern national security forces through desert battlefield

Orla Guerin travelled through Yemen, with forces loyal to its internationally recognised government, to a remote desert battlefield where Houthi rebels were dislodged just days ago.

Security correspondent Frank Gardner explains how the Iran-backed Houthis' precision strikes and guerrilla tactics have made it difficult for Saudi forces to gain the upper hand.

Watch: CCTV shows people take cover as missile hits Riyadh airport

Footage from inside the airport shows the moment the strike hit on Saturday.

Gazans face near-daily Israeli strikes a year into ceasefire

The ceasefire saw thousands of Palestinians held by Israel released in return for the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

'We are terrified but we want to get an education', say Yemeni schoolgirls

The BBC reports from a school in Taiz, Yemen, where children are determined to keep learning despite the vicious civil war.

Girl has multiple surgeries to control infections after strike in Gaza

Witnesses say Raseel's tent was hit by an Israeli helicopter strike. Israel’s military says it has no record of the attack.

Watch: BBC reports from the front-line of an escalating war in Yemen

In rare access to Yemen's conflict zone the BBC travels to the front line with pro-government soldiers.

Finding the location of the Saudi fighter jet shot down over Yemen

BBC Verify explains how we found the wreckage location of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet which the Iran-backed Houthi group says it shot down over Yemen.

How global trade and oil prices could be hit by Houthi advance

Yemen's Houthis have seized territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait - a key trade gateway for oil and global shipping.

Did the FBI bury evidence of alleged Saudi agent’s role in 9/11?

Omar al-Bayoumi has always denied being an extremist and a Saudi spy.

Watch: What are the US sanctions on Iran and who else will be affected?

Washington announced what it described as an "economic D-Day" against Iran, widening current sanctions and targetting countries with business ties with the regime.

Image of supreme leader shared by Iranian media is AI-generated

Mojtaba Khamenei hasn’t been seen in public since March - but AI-generated images of him continue to spread online.

What's next for Iran after the funeral of their late supreme leader?

The BBC's chief international correspondent looks at how Iran's new leadership will respond to several issues affecting the country.

US strikes target Iranian military boats

The US has launched the strikes on Iran in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

'The spectacle Iran wants the world to see': Lyse Doucet in Tehran

Huge crowds have lined the streets of Tehran for the funeral procession of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Emotion and politics merge in Tehran at funeral of former supreme leader

The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet is in Tehran, where funeral events are taking place in honour of Iran's former leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Funeral of Iran's former supreme leader 'intensely political moment'

Authorities expect up to 20 million people to attend ceremonies across Iran and Iraq over the coming days.

BBC in Tehran as mourners gather for former supreme leader's funeral

Iranian authorities say they expect millions of people to take part in funeral commemorations for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

BBC reports from the Strait of Hormuz during fragile ceasefire

Dozens of boats are still anchored in the Strait, while ordinary Iranians try to continue to their lives.