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.

An Israeli strike on a school kills at least 22 people, Gaza Health Ministry says
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli army has struck a number of schools, packed with tens of thousands of Palestinians driven from their homes by Israeli offensives and evacuation orders. The conflict has left 90% of Palestinians in Gaza displaced, according to figures from the United Nations.
Israel says it took out a Hezbollah commander in a Beirut strike that killed 12
The attack came hours after Hezbollah fired 140 rockets at northern Israel and follows this week’s deadly explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members.
What to know about the two waves of deadly explosions that hit Lebanon and Syria
Just one day after pagers used by hundreds of members of militant group Hezbollah exploded, more electronic devices detonated in Lebanon Wednesday in what appeared to be a second wave of sophisticated, deadly attacks that targeted an extraordinary number of people.
Tracking the exploding pagers used in apparent Israeli attack on Hezbollah
Gold Apollo denied all involvement with the explosive pagers, telling NPR outside its offices in Taiwan that it was a Budapest-based company called BAC Consulting which manufactured the devices.
An Israeli strike on a Gaza humanitarian zone kills at least 19
The Israeli military said it was targeting a Hamas command and control center in al-Muwasi, west of Khan Younis, and killed three Hamas commanders in the strike. Hamas did not confirm the deaths.
5 things to know about the U.K.’s suspension of some arms exports to Israel
The U.K. exports explosive devices, guns and fighter jet components to Israel. But it's suspending some arms shipments, fearing Israel could used them in violation of international law.
Minnesota goes back to school: Here are 5 stories we‘re watching this year
This school year is expected to bring new school cell phone policies, school closure talks in Minneapolis, more campus protests, absenteeism solutions and — for one district — a new four-day schedule.