Middle East

U.S. officials warn Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, but Biden says little

5:06pm December 04, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, about whether Biden's open support for Israeli military action in Gaza may be nearing its limit.

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How the keffiyeh became a symbol for Palestinian liberation

5:06pm December 04, 2023

The Palestinian keffiyeh has been at the center of violent attacks in the U.S. NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with dress historian Wafa Ghnaim about the keffiyeh's legacy and significance for Palestinians.

Rimah Shahada poses in her daughter Aseel's bedroom in Qalandiya refugee camp in Ramallah, West Bank Nov. 22.

World News

What the resumption of Israel-Hamas fighting means for Palestinians in Israeli jails

4:51pm December 04, 2023

Human rights groups say Israel stepped up arrests in the occupied West Bank during the war. Only a fraction of those arrested have been released as part of hostage and prisoner exchanges.

Palestinians look for survivors of the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Rafah, on Sunday.

World News

Israeli forces push into southern Gaza, as humanitarian crisis worsens

8:01am December 04, 2023

As Israel's military begins to concentrate its siege in southern Gaza, a United Nations agency warns that the people there could soon begin dying from diseases as well as Israel's bombardment.

Gazans who fled Northern Gaza say they're running out of places to flee to

5:53am December 04, 2023

Israel's military says it's expanded its Gaza ground offensive and is now targeting Hamas strongholds across the Gaza strip. It's also telling more Gazans to flee some areas in order to avoid strikes.

What would it take for Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace?

5:04am December 04, 2023

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks wi Yohanan Plesner of the Israel Democracy Institute about White House efforts to revive talks toward a two-state solution in the Middle East.

Morning news brief

5:04am December 04, 2023

Israel's military expands Gaza ground offensive — targets all Hamas strongholds. The Purdue Pharma OxyContin settlement lands at the Supreme Court. Former Rep. Liz Cheney's new book is out Tuesday.

Houthi missiles strike commercial ships in Red Sea, while U.S. warship downs drones

8:54pm December 03, 2023

by The Associated Press

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles targeting Israel as it wages war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel-Hamas fighting resumes

1:32pm December 03, 2023

by Eleanor Beardsley

In her most extensive comments yet on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Vice President Kamala Harris says Israel must do more to protect civilians in Gaza.

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World News

WHO expert warns of disease risk in Gaza amidst a collapsing healthcare system

8:30am December 03, 2023

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Dr. Margaret Harris from the World Health Organization about the growing risk of untreated diseases in Gaza.