Middle East

Israel's latest war plans: To occupy Gaza and rule Palestinians

5:14am March 24, 2025

by Michel Martin

Occupying Gaza and establishing military rule there would go beyond Israel's stated war goals to end Hamas rule and free hostages captured in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Queue Listen Now

Israeli military cites 'fundamental misunderstanding' of Hamas ahead of Oct. 7 attack

5:30am February 28, 2025

The report is the Israeli military's first official account of mistakes that preceded the 2023 attack, which launched Israel's subsequent war against Hamas in Gaza that killed more than 48,000 Palestinians.

Israelis hold a funeral procession for Shiri Bibas and her two sons killed in Gaza

6:21am February 26, 2025

Crowds gathered in Israel for the funeral procession of the Bibas family, a mother and two young sons killed while being held hostage in Gaza. The story of their killing has enraged Israelis, and Israeli government representatives were not invited to the funeral.

Queue Listen Now

Hamas to hand over 4 Israeli hostages' bodies Thursday and 6 living hostages Saturday

11:23am February 18, 2025

Hamas says it has agreed to Israel's request to speed up release of Israeli hostages, including two men held around a decade. The bodies of members of a young family are among those it will hand over.

Queue Listen Now

Israel's defense minister tells the army to prepare to relocate Palestinians from Gaza

6:05am February 06, 2025

He says the military should prepare exit options by land, sea and air so that anyone who wishes to can leave for "any country willing to accept them."

Trump says the U.S. will 'take over' Gaza and relocate its people. What does it mean?

6:11am February 05, 2025

It wasn't immediately clear what legal authority Trump would have to execute his proposals, and they would likely be met by fierce resistance from Palestinians and from regional Arab countries.

Queue Listen Now

TOPSHOT-SAUDI-SYRIA-RELIGION-DIPLOMACY-UMRAH

Queue Listen Now

Who are the rebels who have seized control of Aleppo, Syria?

5:00am December 02, 2024

Syrian rebels have swept through parts of the country at lightning pace, taking control of the the second-largest city, Aleppo. But who are they and what are their aims?

Queue Listen Now

Middle East

Israel's latest war plans: To occupy Gaza and rule Palestinians

Israeli military cites 'fundamental misunderstanding' of Hamas ahead of Oct. 7 attack

Israelis hold a funeral procession for Shiri Bibas and her two sons killed in Gaza

Hamas to hand over 4 Israeli hostages' bodies Thursday and 6 living hostages Saturday

Israel's defense minister tells the army to prepare to relocate Palestinians from Gaza

Trump says the U.S. will 'take over' Gaza and relocate its people. What does it mean?

Syria's new leader denounces Iran, calling its proxies a regional threat

NPR photos around the world that moved us in 2024

Syrian opposition forces enter the key city of Hama, in a new blow to Assad's regime

Who are the rebels who have seized control of Aleppo, Syria?