Middle East

Aid agencies in Gaza would benefit if the truce between Israel and Hamas is extended

5:09am November 27, 2023

NPR's A Martinez speaks with UNRWA director of communications Juliette Touma about how the pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas is impacting the agency's work with Gaza residents.

This picture taken from a position in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip shows smoke billowing in the the Palestinian territory after an Israeli strike on November 21, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

World News

Civilian deaths are being dismissed as 'crisis actors' in Gaza and Israel

5:09am November 27, 2023

by Shannon Bond

As graphic images from Gaza flood social media platforms, many people are claiming those images are fake, in the latest iteration of a disturbing trope.

National

Morning news brief

5:09am November 27, 2023

Hamas says it wants to extend the truce with Israel. Annual climate negotiations begin this week in Dubai. There are memorial services this week for former first lady Rosalynn Carter.

Israel and Hamas complete third prisoner-hostage exchange

5:41pm November 26, 2023

by Daniel Estrin

For a third day, Hamas released hostages and Israel released Palestinian prisoners. Also, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli troops in Gaza.

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A Red Cross vehicle carrying Israeli hostages drives by at the Gaza Strip crossing into Egypt in Rafah on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

World News

Hamas says it wants to extend truce after latest exchange of captives with Israel

3:53pm November 26, 2023

The announcement from the Islamist militant group came after a third hostages-for-prisoners swap with Israel in which 17 captives and 39 Palestinian prisoners were released.

World News

The cousin of a 9-year-old Israeli hostage released by Hamas speaks on his return

12:29pm November 26, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

The first group of hostages were released by Israel and Hamas on Friday. NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with Itay Raviv, whose 9-year-old cousin was among those released by Hamas in the deal.

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Emily Hand, 9, shown with her father Tom Hand, was one of the Israeli hostage released Saturday by Hamas. Israeli authorities first thought she was killed in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, but the Israeli military later determined she was alive. She was reunited with her father in the early hours of Sunday.

World News

First thought to be dead, a 9-year-old Israeli girl is released by Hamas

10:58am November 26, 2023

by Greg Myre

Israeli officials first told Emily Hand's father that his daughter was killed by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack. The Israelis later found evidence she was alive and she's now reunited with her father.

Israa Jaabis, center, a Palestinian prisoner released by Israel, is hugged by relatives as she arrives home in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, early Sunday Nov. 26, 2023.

World News

In pictures: emotional scenes as Israel and Hamas trade prisoners for hostages

9:06am November 26, 2023

Hamas freed 17 hostages and Israel released 39 Palestinian detainees. We take a look at what has happened so far.

World News

Hamas to release a third group of hostages in exchange of Palestinian prisoners

8:24am November 26, 2023

We bring you the latest on the internationally-brokered deal between Hamas and Israel that includes exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza.

World News

Since October 7, Israel has escalated attacks in the West Bank, where Hamas is absent

8:24am November 26, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks to retired General Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie, former head of U.S. Central Command about Israel's military operations in the West Bank, where Hamas is not present.