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.

Netanyahu hints at expanded war in Gaza but former Israeli military and spy chiefs object
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hinting at wider military action in devastated Gaza even as former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs call for an end to the war. The new pressure on Netanyahu came as Gaza’s Health Ministry on Tuesday said the war's Palestinian death toll has surpassed 61,000. 
As Gaza starves, the next generation may also endure the consequences
U.N. officials say many people in Gaza are experiencing “famine-like conditions.” Health experts who have studied past famines warn that the fallout can reverberate across generations.
His name is Mohammad Al-Motawaq. He is 18 months old. And he is starving in Gaza
Hidaya Al-Motawaq's son Mohammad is a year and a half old and weighs less than 10 pounds. Doctors and aid workers warn of permanent damage to the health of children in Gaza due to chronic malnutrition.
Israel strikes Syria’s capital Damascus
The Israel military said targets included a Syrian military compound in Damascus as well as a target near the Syrian presidential palace. Israel’s defense minister said “painful strikes have begun.”
Israeli settlers beat U.S. citizen to death in West Bank
A 21-year-old Florida man was beaten to death by Israeli settlers while visiting family in the West Bank.
Yemen's Houthi rebels say bulk carrier Magic Seas that they attacked Sunday has sunk
Yemen’s Houthi rebels say a ship they attacked on Sunday with bomb-carrying drone boats and missiles has sunk into the Red Sea. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, said the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned Magic Seas sank on Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet President Trump Monday
President Donald Trump says he is hopeful to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal this week. In his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump could outline a plan for Gaza after 21 months of war between Israel and Hamas.