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.

Israel and Hamas agree to 'first phase' of plan to end fighting and release hostages, Trump says
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan for Gaza. That paves the way for a pause in the fighting and the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
These numbers show how 2 years of war have devastated Palestinian lives in Gaza
It’s been two years since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israeli leaders promised a punishing offensive. Here are some numbers showing the war’s toll.
Pivotal talks between Israel and Hamas begin in Egypt on eve of Gaza war anniversary
Israeli and Hamas officials have launched indirect talks in Egypt on a potential ceasefire in Gaza. They are discussing the U.S.-drafted peace plan to end the war on the eve of its second anniversary.
Days after using a U.N. address to reject international demands for an end to the war in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will sit down with President Donald Trump. 
Hundreds of Israeli soldiers were badly wounded in Gaza. Here’s what saved them
More than 500 Israeli soldiers have survived serious injuries fighting in Gaza, according to the military, thanks largely to lessons learned and advances in medicine.
At UN, amid jeers and cheers, Netanyahu says Israel ‘must finish the job’ against Hamas in Gaza
Encircled by critics and protesters at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow world leaders on Friday that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza.
Hollywood now has dueling open letters over the Israel film boycott
Over 1,200 Hollywood figures, among them Liev Schreiber, Mayim Bialik and Sharon Osbourne, signed a letter on Thursday rejecting a previous call to boycott Israeli film groups.
The United Nations has added nearly 70 more companies to a blacklist of companies from 11 countries that it says are complicit in violating Palestinian human rights through their business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.