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.

Netanyahu urges his cabinet to approve a cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging Israel's security Cabinet to approve a cease-fire with Hezbollah, paving the way for a possible pause in over a year of fighting with the Iran-backed group.
Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed
Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.”
Hezbollah fires about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in heaviest barrage in weeks
Hezbollah has fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding seven people in one of the militant group’s heaviest barrages in months. Sunday’s attacks in northern and central Israel came in response to deadly Israeli strikes in central Beirut on Saturday. Israel struck southern Beirut on Sunday.
Pope calls for investigation into whether Israel's actions constitute genocide
Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel's military attacks on Gaza constitute genocide. It's the first time he's publicly suggested that Israel may be engaged in genocide.
2 Israeli airstrikes hit Syria's capital and a suburb, killing 15 people, Syrian state media says
Syria’s state news agency says Israel has carried out two airstrikes on a western neighborhood of Damascus and one of the capital’s suburbs. At least 15 people have been killed. One of the strikes on Thursday targeted an office of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.
Israel’s ousted defense minister says the military has done all it can in Gaza
On his last day in office, Israel’s outed defense minister offered a revealing glimpse into the war in Gaza – and the decision maker he holds responsible for holding up a ceasefire deal.
Assailants attack Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam. The violence was condemned as antisemitic
Dutch authorities say young people on scooters attacked Israeli fans in hit-and-run assaults overnight after a soccer game in Amsterdam apparently fueled by calls to target Jewish people spread on social media. Five people were treated in hospitals and dozens were arrested.