Middle East

World News

Doctor urges U.S. to use its influence with Israel and Egypt to reopen Rafah crossing

1:10pm June 19, 2024

by Michele Kelemen

A Palestinian American doctor says it's now much harder to enter Gaza with medical supplies. He places blame on Israel, Egypt and the U.S. for failing to improve the humanitarian situation .

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Palestinians are walking along Salah al-Din Road in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on Feb. 11, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

How is Israel Using Facial Recognition in Gaza?

3:00am June 19, 2024

Today we bring you an episode from NPR's science podcast Short Wave about how Israel is using facial recognition software to track Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. And what the proliferation of this technology means for privacy around the world.

You can find more Short Wave episodes here.

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World News

For Israelis near the Lebanon border, war with Hezbollah feels inevitable

1:01pm June 18, 2024

by Kat Lonsdorf

The exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified in recent weeks along the border with Lebanon. Some Israelis in the north say they feel resigned to the possibility of war.

World News

Israel to pause fighting from morning to evening along an aid corridor into Gaza

10:15pm June 17, 2024

by Daniel Estrin

Israel has announced a daily pause in combat along an aid corridor in Gaza, to increase the amount of aid getting to civilians at a critical point in the Israel-Hamas war.

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World News

Is Humanitarian Aid Getting Into Gaza?; Searching for the Origins of James Bond

4:41pm June 17, 2024

Israel has announced a daily pause in fighting in an effort to allow more food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza. But some are criticizing the move. We go to the border crossing.

And in London, our correspondent descends beneath the streets in search of the inspiration behind the world's most famous secret agent.

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14 pilgrims die from sunstroke as Eid al-Adha celebrations begin for Muslims

1:48am June 17, 2024

by The Associated Press

The Saudi Health Ministry said more than 2,760 pilgrims suffered from sunstroke and heat stress on Sunday alone and the number is likely to increase as Hajj ends.

World News

Muslims in Gaza pass a somber Eid al-Adha on the brink of famine

4:15pm June 16, 2024

by Hadeel Al-Shalchi

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice. But in Gaza, which aid groups say is on the brink of famine, food is hard to come by this year let alone meat.

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World News

Israeli military announces daily ‘tactical pause’ in southern Gaza to allow in aid

1:08pm June 16, 2024

by Associated Press

Israel's military announced on Sunday that it would pause fighting throughout daytime hours along a route in southern Gaza to free up a backlog of humanitarian aid deliveries.

World News

8 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza in deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months

6:56pm June 15, 2024

by The Associated Press

The attack, coming more than eight months into a grinding war that shows few signs of ending soon, was likely to fuel new calls by Israeli protesters for a cease-fire.

World News

Sudan's local kitchens are stepping in to make up for the lack of international aid

3:35pm June 15, 2024

by Danielle Kurtzleben

International aid groups are struggling to provide relief across Sudan. Mohanad El Belal, co-founder of Khartoum Aid Kitchen, shares how some local kitchens are stepping in to feed hungry civilians.

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