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.

Israeli strike in Lebanon kills 3 journalists
It is the latest in a series of Israeli attacks against journalists covering the war in Gaza and Lebanon in the past year.
DOJ lawyers slam ’glaring gap’ in failure to investigate potential Israeli crimes
The four-page letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland calls on the department to investigate potential crimes committed by Israeli soldiers and civilians and is a rare instance of public disagreement inside the department.
Blinken urges Israel to seek enduring deal, as officials say a limited cease-fire has been discussed
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel needs to pursue an “enduring strategic success” in Gaza after its tactical victories against Hamas. He urged it Wednesday to seek a deal that would end the war and bring back dozens of hostages.
The U.S. is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents on Israel's attack plans
The United States is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents that assess Israel’s plans to attack Iran and note that Israel continues to move military assets in place to conduct a military strike in response to Iran’s blistering ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1.
Israel says Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is dead
The Israeli military says three militants were killed in an operation in Gaza and intelligence agents are examining whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was one of them.
Israel threatens to starve out northern Gaza, U.N. aid agencies say
Israel has allowed almost no food aid into north Gaza for two weeks. Humanitarian groups say it leaves 400,000 people with the choice of eventual starvation or fleeing their homes to the south.
4 Israeli soldiers killed in Hezbollah drone attack that leaves dozens injured
The Lebanese militant group targeted an Israeli army base near the central city of Binyamina, in one of the most serious mass casualty attacks the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group has caused in Israel.