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 kills elite Hezbollah commander as fears of another regional war grow
Wissam al-Tawil is the most senior militant in the secretive armed group Hezbollah killed since Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. The killing in southern Lebanon is the latest Gaza-linked escalation.
Minneapolis City Council to call for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war
On Friday, several council members announced their intent to introduce a resolution next week calling for a cease-fire and the end of military aid to Israel. Mayor Frey denounced the proposal. 
A Hamas leader is killed in an explosion in Beirut
A senior official of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has been killed in what it believes to be an Israeli strike in Lebanon's capital of Beirut. Israel has not taken responsibility.
Israel pulls thousands of troops from Gaza as combat focuses on 1 city: Khan Younis
It's the first significant drawdown of troops since the war began, and could signal that fighting is being scaled back in some areas. But the biggest city in southern Gaza still is fiercely contested.
2 bitter wars with a long history and no solution in sight
NPR's Greg Myre has been covering both the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas fighting. He looks at where both these wars stand and the prospect for a permanent solution.
Health workers struggle to prevent an infectious disease 'disaster in waiting' in Gaza
Public health experts say conditions in war-torn Gaza are ripe for the spread of infectious disease. Health workers are struggling to spot and contain outbreaks, even as the health system teeters.