Middle East

What the war in Gaza means politically for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

5:05pm December 21, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Mairav Zonszein, the Senior Israel Analyst for the International Crisis Group, about what the war in Gaza means politically for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinians line up for a meal in Rafah on Wednesday.

World News

An inside account of delivering aid to Gaza: 'Each time it's getting more desperate'

12:20pm December 21, 2023

Philippe Lazzarini has visited Gaza three times since the war began. He says each time he can't imagine the situation could get more desperate — and then it does.

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Hanan Barghouti, a Hamas supporter, was released from Israeli detention last month as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange. She believes support for Hamas is rising fast.

World News

As Israel fights to destroy Hamas, the group's popularity surges among Palestinians

10:19am December 21, 2023

by Brian Mann

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a recent poll found 68% of Palestinians say the Oct. 7 Hamas attack was a legitimate act of defiance and support for the group has more than tripled to 44%.

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World News

The latest on the war between Israel and Hamas

5:09am December 21, 2023

The war in Gaza continues, but negotiations appear to be taking place between Israel and Hamas for another ceasefire.

Israeli President Herzog comments on West Bank violence against Palestinians

5:13pm December 20, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and asks him about the case of one Palestinian olive farmer who was detained by Israeli troops during an NPR interview.

Christmas will be quiet in Bethlehem as destruction continues in Gaza

4:47pm December 20, 2023

by Kat Lonsdorf

Bethlehem, a town nearly synonymous with Christmas, is located in what is now the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Many Palestinians are too distressed by the war in Gaza to hold Christmas celebrations.

World News

Top UN relief agency rep describes increasingly desperate conditions in Gaza

4:38pm December 20, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN relief agency that aids Palestinians, about the situation in Gaza.

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World News

The death toll from Israel's offensive in Gaza nears 20,000 people

4:38pm December 20, 2023

by Frank Langfitt

The death toll in Gaza dwarfs any previous war there and the rate appears to have far outstripped that in Ukraine. What is different about the war in Gaza that is driving this change?

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Palestinians line up for a free meal in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

World News

Hamas leader visits Cairo, a sign of movement on possible Gaza truce and hostage swap

11:21am December 20, 2023

by The Associated Press

Ismail Haniyeh's visit to the Egyptian capital was part of a flurry of diplomacy aimed at securing another cease-fire and hostage swap between Israel and his Palestinian militant group.

World News

The latest on the Israel-Hamas war

8:30am December 20, 2023

The death toll in Gaza is nearing 20,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and Israel is coming under intense international pressure — even from its allies — to limit civilian casualties.

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