Middle East

People participate in a show of solidarity with hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, at "hostages square" in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday.

World News

More captives are released in second Israel-Hamas exchange amid cease-fire deal

9:02pm November 25, 2023

by Scott Neuman

The Islamist militia group had earlier put the hostages-for-prisoners swap on hold for several hours, alleging that Israel had violated the terms of a four-day truce.

The latest on the Israel-Hamas swap of captives

5:24pm November 25, 2023

by Greg Myre

After a delay of several hours, Hamas has now released a second group of Israeli women and children held hostage for seven weeks.

World News

Hamas to free more hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners

8:08am November 25, 2023

Hamas freed hostages yesterday, and is set to free more today. Israel will release more Palestinian prisoners in exchange as the pause in fighting continues.

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World News

An ICRC staffer on carrying out the hostage exchange on the ground and aid for Gaza

8:08am November 25, 2023

by Scott Simon

The International Committee of the Red Cross is assisting with the transfer of hostages from Gaza to Israel. NPR's Scott Simon talks with ICRC staffer Sarah Davis.

World News

How Qatar came to play an important role in mediating the four-day ceasefire

8:08am November 25, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with H.A. Hellyer, nonresident scholar in the Middle East program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about Qatar's role as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas war.

A mother and her children react to the news that Hanna Katzir, who the Palestine Islamic Jihad claimed died in captivity, is among the 13 Israelis released. They are watching the news on their phone outside the Museum of Tel Aviv on Friday.

World News

Scores of Palestinians and Israelis freed from captivity on first day of Gaza truce

9:46pm November 24, 2023

by Scott Neuman

As the pause in fighting appeared to hold, Hamas released 13 Israelis and 11 foreigners who were also seized in Hamas' attack on Israel last month. In exchange, Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners.

World News

Voices from Egypt weigh in on the Israel-Hamas war

5:43pm November 24, 2023

by Aya Batrawy

In Egypt, people who might look to the West for support or back the idea of peace in the region are in a tough position as death tolls in Gaza rise and the U.S. supports Israel.

World News

Hamas has released 24 hostages

4:10pm November 24, 2023

Hamas freed 24 hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which about1,200 people were killed. Thirteen were part of a prisoner-hostage swap deal. The others were a surprise development.

After nearly 7 weeks of war, the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas has begun

7:18am November 24, 2023

A four-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect early Friday. It sets the stage for the first exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The war began on Oct. 7.

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Morning news brief

7:18am November 24, 2023

by A Martínez

Temporary truce begins in Gaza, with first hostages set to be released. Why progressive prosecutors often face resistance from police. Rosalynn Carter tried to end mental health discrimination.

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