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.

Rafah is running out of food, even as the U.S. pier starts operating in Gaza
The first trucks of aid entered Gaza via a pier built by the U.S. But it’s challenging to move aid around Gaza, and humanitarian groups operating in Rafah warn they don’t have food to distribute.
Why the U.N. revised the numbers of women and children killed in Gaza
Here’s a closer look at the United Nations’ breakdown of casualties. The overall total of more than 35,000 Palestinians killed since Oct. 7, based on Gaza Health Ministry figures, has not declined.
How Israel's military investigates itself in cases of possible wrongdoing
Since last October, complaints have included Israeli soldiers firing on unarmed Palestinian refugees and the killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers when Israeli drones fired on their convoy.
What could divestment from Israel look like at Minnesota universities?
What is known about Minnesota universities’ connections to Israel and how do they compare to connections at other U.S. colleges? How would cutting those ties work? We answer those questions and more.  
How these University of Texas-Austin students view Gaza war protests on their campus
As campus protests against Israel’s war spread to colleges across the U.S., NPR’s Leila Fadel speaks with University of Texas at Austin students, on both sides, about their concerns and demands.