Middle East

The war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza directly impacts many Minnesotans. And while MPR News does not have journalists stationed in the region, we do have a responsibility to our audiences to report on how this ongoing conflict affects people here. Our goal is to provide MPR News audiences with a variety of perspectives, context and factual information. We are committed to using language that is as precise as possible.

As you will see here, the majority of the coverage on our air and our website is provided by our national and international news partners, NPR and the BBC. The language and terminology used to describe the conflict are changing. If you have questions or concerns about our coverage please reach out to us.

Pope calls for investigation into whether Israel's actions constitute genocide
Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel's military attacks on Gaza constitute genocide. It's the first time he's publicly suggested that Israel may be engaged in genocide.
2 Israeli airstrikes hit Syria's capital and a suburb, killing 15 people, Syrian state media says
Syria’s state news agency says Israel has carried out two airstrikes on a western neighborhood of Damascus and one of the capital’s suburbs. At least 15 people have been killed. One of the strikes on Thursday targeted an office of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.
Israel’s ousted defense minister says the military has done all it can in Gaza
On his last day in office, Israel’s outed defense minister offered a revealing glimpse into the war in Gaza – and the decision maker he holds responsible for holding up a ceasefire deal.
Assailants attack Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam. The violence was condemned as antisemitic
Dutch authorities say young people on scooters attacked Israeli fans in hit-and-run assaults overnight after a soccer game in Amsterdam apparently fueled by calls to target Jewish people spread on social media. Five people were treated in hospitals and dozens were arrested.
A mother and baby from Gaza are reunited 11 months after being separated at birth
After an Israeli airstrike left mom-to-be Raneem Hizaji badly injured, doctors performed an emergency C-section. It took nearly a year for mom and baby to be reunited.
First Gaza, now Lebanon: How support for Israel’s war is influencing Michigan voting
Many Muslim and Arab American voters are leaning toward third-party candidates or not voting, feeling neither main candidate values their families’ lives. Others are choosing between Harris and Trump.