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.

April 15, 2024 7:58 PM

Twin Cities anti-war group demonstrators call on U.S. to avoid retaliation against Iran

Twin Cities anti-war groups say the U.S. should not take part in any retaliatory strikes on Iran following its drone and missile attack on Israel Saturday, which followed Israel’s airstrikes on Iran’s embassy in Damascus. More than 100 people took part in a demonstration in downtown Minneapolis Monday evening.

by Matt Sepic

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April 14, 2024 8:10 AM

Iran's attack on Israel raises fears of a wider war, but all sides have also scored gains

The unprecedented attack by Iran on Israel early Sunday ratcheted up regional tensions. It confirmed long-held fears about the Israel-Hamas war spiraling into a broader conflagration.

by The Associated Press

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April 13, 2024 4:10 PM

Biden will meet with his national security team as US pledges 'support' for Israel against Iran

President Joe Biden cut short a weekend stay in Delaware to monitor the situation in the Middle East as Iran launched an attack against Israel. Tensions are at their highest since the Israel-Hamas war began six months ago after a suspected Israeli strike this month on an Iranian consular building in Syria killed 12 people, including two senior Iranian generals.

by The Associated Press

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April 13, 2024 3:40 PM

Israel shoots down missiles and drones after Iran launches unprecedented attack

The Saturday launch, a major escalation in the conflict in the Middle East, comes after Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation for an earlier strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria.

by Becky Sullivan

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April 13, 2024 6:49 AM

How Iran and Israel became archenemies

Iran blames Israel for a strike on its Syria consulate, and has vowed to retaliate. Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution transformed previously cordial relations between Iran and Israel to fierce hostility.

by Peter Kenyon

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April 10, 2024 2:49 PM

6 months into war, Palestinians face high unemployment and a ‘disastrous’ economy

A Palestinian Authority official says there are around 700,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza who have gone six months without work since the war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7.

by Jaclyn Diaz

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April 10, 2024 1:42 PM

A first glimpse of Khan Younis, a Gaza city now lying in ruins

Israeli troops withdrew Sunday from the city after a four-month battle against Hamas. Displaced Palestinians returning there found immense destruction. Most went back to living in tents in Rafah.

by Anas Baba and Daniel Estrin

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April 9, 2024 12:05 PM

Israel’s Palestinian citizens grow louder in protesting the Gaza war

Palestinian citizens make up 20 percent of Israel’s population, and many grieve the suffering in Gaza. Hundreds were arrested or lost jobs for questioning the war there, and doing so can still be perilous.

by Jennifer Ludden

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April 6, 2024 12:16 PM

Israel finds the body of a hostage killed in Gaza, while talks will resume on a cease-fire

The discovery renewed pressure on Israel's government for a deal to get the remaining hostages freed. Families have long feared time is running out. At least 36 hostages in captivity have been confirmed dead. About half of the original number have been released.

by The Associated Press

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April 5, 2024 1:07 PM

129 days: How one Israeli hostage in Gaza told stories to endure captivity

Luis Har, 71, was taken hostage on Oct. 7 with his family. The accountant, actor and dancer drew on a lifetime of memories to help comfort them in captivity in Gaza. He was freed in an Israeli raid.

by Daniel Estrin

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