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.

November 22, 2023 2:45 PM

Israel-Hamas deal will go into effect when the first Israeli hostages are released

Hamas and Israel agreed to a four-day pause in fighting and to release at least 50 Israeli hostages held in Gaza and 150 Palestinians held by Israel, beginning as early as Thursday.

by Scott Neuman, Daniel Estrin, Ruth Sherlock and Rachel Treisman

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November 22, 2023 5:21 AM

Israel and Hamas agree on truce to free hostages in swap, raising hopes of halting war in Gaza

Officials say that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day cease-fire in the devastating war in Gaza. The breakthrough will facilitate the release of dozens of hostages held by militants as well as Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

by The Associated Press

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November 21, 2023 2:24 PM

Palestinians in Israel cite threats, firings and discrimination after Oct. 7

At least 20 percent of Israelis identify as Arab or Palestinian. Many say they have long felt like second-class citizens. The current war has worsened their position in the country, they say.

by Jaclyn Diaz and Lauren Frayer

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November 21, 2023 5:44 AM

Israeli airstrike on south Lebanon kills 2 journalists of a pan-Arab TV station, official says

A Beirut-based pan-Arab TV station says an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon has killed two of its journalists who were covering the violence along the Lebanon-Israel border.

by The Associated Press

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November 21, 2023 4:39 AM

Hamas leader says deal to release some hostages could come soon

As fighting around a hospital in northern Gaza continues, the head of Hamas' political wing says mediators in Qatar are "close to reaching" a deal with Israel for a pause in the fighting.

by Scott Neuman

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November 20, 2023 2:10 PM

A deal for the release of Israeli hostages appears close, officials say

Talk of a possible deal comes as Palestinian health officials say Israeli fire hit another hospital in Gaza, and dozens of premature infants from Al-Shifa hospital are evacuated to Egypt.

by Scott Neuman, Brian Mann, Greg Myre and Jane Arraf

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November 20, 2023 12:30 PM

Anti-war protesters block access to Lockheed Martin subsidiary in St. Paul

The group blocked vehicles from accessing the complex along Energy Park Drive that houses ForwardEdge ASIC, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin that works with microelectronics design.

by Peter Cox

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November 19, 2023 5:17 AM

31 premature babies are evacuated from Al-Shifa Hospital to southern Gaza

A humanitarian assessment team, led by the WHO, gained the first outside access to the hospital Saturday. Al-Shifa has just 25 health workers for the 291 remaining patients.

by Jaclyn Diaz

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November 17, 2023 5:02 PM

Minnesota artists create online petition for Gaza cease-fire

Minneapolis musician Jeremy Messersmith leads a petition effort among Minnesota artists, calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

by Max Sparber

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November 17, 2023 5:00 PM

Israel told Palestinians to evacuate to southern Gaza — and stepped up attacks there

Satellite imagery shows a steady increase in the number of buildings destroyed in middle and southern Gaza. Most damage appeared after Oct. 13, when Israel's military urged evacuation from the north.

by Ruth Sherlock, Daniel Wood and Abu Bakr Bashir

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