Middle East

As Israel says it will send more troops into southern Gaza, millions run out of food

8:10am May 17, 2024

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the U.N.'s lead agency for aid to Palestinians, about the international response to a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Amid war, what does the future of education look like in Gaza?

5:14am May 17, 2024

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with UNICEF's Ricardo Pires about the destruction of Gaza's education system and its effect on children there.

The image provided by U.S, Central Command, shows U.S. Army soldiers, U.S. Navy sailors and Israel Defense Forces placing the Trident Pier on the coast of Gaza Strip on Thursday.

World News

U.S. military says aid is now being delivered into Gaza over a floating pier

3:45am May 17, 2024

by The Associated Press

The shipment is the first in an operation that U.S. military officials anticipate could scale up to 150 truckloads a day entering the Gaza Strip as Israel presses in on the southern city of Rafah.

Politics & Government

Military aid for Israel is putting President Biden in a tight political spot at home

7:17am May 16, 2024

The White House paused a shipment of bombs to Israel out of concern they would be used in Rafah. But this week, the Biden administration announced it is moving ahead on a new sale of arms to Israel.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stands at the opening to a tunnel near the border with Israel on Dec. 15, 2023, northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said this was the largest tunnel they'd found yet in Gaza.

World News

Israel has no plan for Gaza after Hamas rule, the Israeli defense chief says

6:02am May 16, 2024

by Daniel Estrin

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's harsh public critique of Israel's war strategy set off a political firestorm that could threaten Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hold on power.

After Israelis mark their independence, Palestinians recall their displacement

5:12am May 16, 2024

by Hadeel Al-Shalchi

After Israel marked its 76th Independence Day, Palestinians mourn what they call the 'Nakba," or Catastrophe, amid increasing death and displacement in Gaza.We hear voices from the West Bank.

Politics & Government

Morning news brief

5:12am May 16, 2024

by Steve Inskeep

President Biden and former President Trump agree to two debates. White House explains differences between arms shipments to Israel. Slovakia's prime minister recovers from an assassination attempt.

Israel's top leaders are divided over the handling of the war in Gaza

5:09pm May 15, 2024

by Jackie Northam

A war of words has erupted among Israel's top leadership over the government's handling of the war in Gaza. The country's military chief and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been trading barbs.

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World News

Gaza will be 'one big displacement camp' for the foreseeable future, journalist says

1:38pm May 15, 2024

by Terry Gross

The Economist Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom explains why some Arab leaders hate Hamas, fear Iran and have some sympathy for Israel — although not for how Israel is waging the war.

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A woman mourns as she carries the shrouded body of a child killed following overnight Israeli strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on May 6.

World News

Why the U.N. revised the numbers of women and children killed in Gaza

11:26am May 15, 2024

by Aya Batrawy

Here's a closer look at the United Nations' breakdown of casualties. The overall total of more than 35,000 Palestinians killed since Oct. 7, based on Gaza Health Ministry figures, has not declined.