This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Charlotte Gallagher, and in the early hours of Wednesday, the 18th of October,

these are our main stories.

An explosion at a hospital in Gaza has killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians.

Many were in the building, sheltering from the violence.

Hamas says it was hit by an Israeli air strike, but Israel denies it was responsible.

Let me be clear, the IDF does not target hospitals.

That's a sensitive side. It's a humanitarian side.

President Biden is travelling to the region for talks, but what chance has diplomacy at this point

will get the latest from Jerusalem.

Also in this podcast, one of Donald Trump's biggest supporters in the Republican Party

fails in his first bid to become Speaker of the House,

and the Oscar-winning bond girl who has a new sporting challenge.

I never dreamt of being an actress, but as a child, I always dreamt of being an Olympian,

because sports was very much part of my life going up.

But first, the US President Joe Biden is flying to Israel as the conflict in Gaza escalates

to an unprecedented level, with a devastating missile attack on the Al Ali Arab Baptist

Hospital in Gaza City. Palestinian health officials say at least 500 people have been killed.

Video show chaotic scenes, bloodied and wounded people being rushed away on stretchers and

ambulances. Dr. Gasson Abu Sitter is a British surgeon who was in the hospital when the explosion

happened and spoke to the BBC shortly afterwards.

House officials say the hospital was hit by an Israeli air strike,

...