Middle East

Emmalene Blake poses for a portrait in front of her mural showing Samia al-Atrash holding her niece Masa Khader, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in October.

A grieving Palestinian, an Irish artist and the mural that brought them together

5:00am February 21, 2024

Artist Emmalene Blake's mural on the wall of a Dublin pub became an iconic image of Gaza's grief. Then one day, she got an Instagram message from the Palestinian woman in the image.

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World News

Israeli protesters blame their government for not doing more to free hostages in Gaza

6:00pm February 20, 2024

by Eleanor Beardsley

The families of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza say time is running out and fear their loved ones will be forgotten. Protests in Israel continue as many call for the prime minister to do more.

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U.S. vetoes call for ceasefire in Gaza for a third time

5:09pm February 20, 2024

by Michele Kelemen

The Biden administration has again used its veto power on the UN security council to block a call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. A U.S. ambassador suggested a different draft resolution.

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The Security Council meets before voting on a resolution concerning a cease-fire in Gaza at United Nations headquarters on Tuesday. The resolution was vetoed by the U.S.

World News

The U.S. has again vetoed a U.N. resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza

12:55pm February 20, 2024

by Michele Kelemen

Tuesday's vote marked the third U.S. veto of a Security Council resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza. The Arab nations behind the plan hoped to show broad support for ending the Israel-Hamas war.

Egypt builds a buffer zone in anticipation of a Palestinian refugee spillover

5:09am February 20, 2024

More than half of Gaza's population has sought shelter in the southern region of Rafah across from Egypt's border. Israel warns of an impending ground invasion there if hostages aren't freed by Hamas.

National

Morning news brief

5:09am February 20, 2024

WikiLeaks founder Assange's latest battle to avoid extradition to U.S. Egypt builds buffer in anticipation of a Palestinian refugee spillover. Louisiana's legislature begins special session on crime.

A member of the Israeli security forces stands guard. An attack against troops was reported near the West Bank city of Hebron on Feb. 1. Many settlers have joined the military's regional defense units since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas-backed militants.

World News

Israeli settlers are guarding the West Bank. Palestinians say it's worsening violence

5:41pm February 19, 2024

by Geoff Brumfiel

In Hebron, many settlers have joined the ranks of the Israeli military. Palestinians and Israeli human rights activists say the result has been abuse and harassment.

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Israeli police investigate the site of a shooting attack at the Masmiya-Re'em junction in southern Israel on Friday, Feb. 16.

World News

Photos: Border tensions rise as Israel confirms Rafah as its next military target

12:23pm February 19, 2024

by NPR Staff

This past week, despite growing tensions at the borders, Israel announced a plan to move forward into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Also, Israeli airstrikes killed many in Lebanon.

Israel still plans to mount an offensive against Hamas at the Rafah border

7:24am February 19, 2024

Despite international pressure against the move, Israel's military is planning a ground invasion of Rafah. The southern Gaza city is currently sheltering over a million displaced Palestinians.

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National

Morning news brief

5:10am February 19, 2024

Russian forces now occupy a strategically important town in Ukraine's east. Israel still plans an offensive in Rafah. A controversial state military base camp is being built in Texas near the border.