Middle East

World News

Rebuilding after the reunion: what life can be like for hostages once they're free

4:55pm November 27, 2023

Dozens of hostages detained by Hamas have been freed. But what happens next? NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Liz Cathcart, executive director of the non-profit Hostage U.S., about life after captivity.

Hamas' leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar.

World News

Who is Yahya Sinwar?

4:55pm November 27, 2023

by Daniel Estrin

Hamas leader, Yahiya Sinwar, is believed to have masterminded the Oct. 7 attacks and led Hamas negotiations on hostages. NPR's Daniel Estrin questioned him at two press conferences in recent years.

Palestinian prisoner Khalil Zama, right, hugs his mother after being released from an Israeli jail in exchange for Israeli hostages released by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, at his home in Halhul village north Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Monday.

World News

More captives are freed as Israel and Hamas agree to extend their truce in Gaza

4:23pm November 27, 2023

by Scott Neuman

Eleven Israelis have been freed by Hamas after the two sides announced a two-day continuation of their temporary cease-fire to facilitate more hostages-for-prisoners swaps.

Hisham Awartani with his father, Marwan Awartani, and mother, Elizabeth Price. On Saturday, Awartani was one of three men of Palestinian descent shot in Burlington, Vermont.

Mother of Palestinian student shot in Vermont thought he would be safer in U.S.

2:21pm November 27, 2023

by Brian Mann

Elizabeth Price's son Hisham Awartani was one of three men of Palestinian descent shot on Saturday in Vermont. Speaking to NPR from Ramallah, Price fears her son "is confronting a life of disability."

Michal Worke, an Israeli artist with Ethiopian roots, shares her studio space and artwork. Much of her work is devoted to a kidnapped Ethiopian Israeli citizen who has been held in Gaza for over nine years by Hamas.

World News

Israel's forgotten hostage: Avera Mengistu remains in Hamas captivity after 9 years

11:56am November 27, 2023

by Jaclyn Diaz

Nine years ago, Mengistu was taken by Hamas. A deal on the release of some of the hostages taken on Oct. 7 doesn't appear to include him.

Israeli grandfather plans to spoil his grandkids, released by Hamas, with toys, candy

10:58am November 27, 2023

NPR's Michel Martin talks to Shmuel Brodutch, whose daughter-in-law and three grandchildren were released Sunday after Hamas fighters took them hostage Oct. 7.

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Hostage negotiations continue as the scheduled 4-day truce is set to end

8:29am November 27, 2023

NPR's A Martinez speaks with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby about the current state of negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

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National

In Chicago, a family from Gaza mourns relatives killed in Israel-Hamas fighting

7:44am November 27, 2023

by Mohamad ElBardicy

Mohammed AbuSafia came to the U.S. in July for a two-month medical program at the Cleveland Clinic, but he was stranded in the U.S. by the war in Gaza. At least 39 of his relatives have been killed.

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It's the last day of a scheduled 4-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas

7:29am November 27, 2023

Three rounds of hostage-prisoner exchanges have taken place since Friday --another exchange is expected later Monday. Both sides say they're open to more releases and a longer cease-fire.

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In an undated photo released by Zodiac Maritime, the tanker Central Park is seen.

World News

U.S. Navy seizes attackers who held Israel-linked tanker

6:49am November 27, 2023

by The Associated Press

Armed assailants seized and later let go of a tanker linked to Israel off the coast of Yemen on Sunday before being apprehended by the United States Navy.