Middle East

World News

The latest on the Israel-Hamas war

8:30am December 20, 2023

The death toll in Gaza is nearing 20,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and Israel is coming under intense international pressure — even from its allies — to limit civilian casualties.

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Retired U.S. diplomat discusses calls for Israel to reduce civilian deaths in Gaza

5:49am December 20, 2023

by Michel Martin

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with retired American diplomat Ryan Crocker about repeated U.S. calls for Israel to reduce the civilian death toll in Gaza.

A picture taken from from the southern Lebanese village of Tayr Harfa, near the border with Israel, shows smoke billowing near an Israeli outpost from rockets fired by Hezbollah on Dec. 15.

World News

Why Hezbollah and Israel haven't plunged into all-out war

12:58pm December 19, 2023

by Jane Arraf

The Iran-backed Lebanese militia and Israeli forces have been fighting across their border since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, but analysts say they want to avoid a war.

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How the watermelon became a symbol of Palestinian resistance

5:06am December 19, 2023

The watermelon has long been a symbol of Palestinian resistance and solidarity. Now the symbol is having a resurgence on social media as the Israel-Hamas war continues.

World News

Number of journalists killed in Gaza since Oct. 7 attacks called unprecedented loss

5:06am December 19, 2023

by Michel Martin

At least 64 journalists have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7. NPR's Michel Martin talks with the president of the nonprofit Committee to Protect Journalists, about the unprecedented loss.

World News

What's behind the attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea?

5:06am December 19, 2023

by A Martínez

Houthi rebels based in Yemen are attacking vessels sailing to and from the Suez Canal. Now, the U.S. and several allies are sending a naval task force to the Red Sea to thwart the attacks.

World News

The fallout after Israeli soldiers killed three Israeli hostages

5:43pm December 18, 2023

by Carrie Kahn

Israelis are calling for accountability after soldiers shot dead three hostages being held in Gaza - with some saying it highlights tactics that are leading to unnecessary Palestinian deaths.

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People mourn as they collect the bodies of Palestinians killed in an airstrike on Monday in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The United Kingdom, France and Germany are the latest countries to call on Israel to reach a "sustainable truce" after more than two months of war in Gaza.

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U.S. defense secretary presses Israeli officials on protecting civilian lives in Gaza

1:30pm December 18, 2023

Lloyd Austin arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday and told officials that although U.S. support for Israel was "unshakeable," protecting civilians in Gaza was "both a moral duty and a strategic imperative."

World News

The latest on the war between Israel and Hamas

6:53am December 18, 2023

Hear the latest on the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

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World News

Shipping is under attack in the Red Sea

5:10am December 18, 2023

by A Martínez

Houthi rebels have been attacking ships sailing to and from the Suez Canal. NPR's A Martinez speaks to Martin Kröger of the German Shipowners' Association about threats to Red Sea shipping.