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.

First Gaza, now Lebanon: How support for Israel’s war is influencing Michigan voting
Many Muslim and Arab American voters are leaning toward third-party candidates or not voting, feeling neither main candidate values their families’ lives. Others are choosing between Harris and Trump.
Israeli strike in northern Gaza kills at least 60, officials say, as Hezbollah announces new leader
Gaza's Health Ministry says an Israeli strike on a five-story building where displaced Palestinians were sheltering in the northern Gaza Strip killed at least 60 people, more than half of them women and children.
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 33, while truck ramming near Tel Aviv kills one
Israeli strikes on northern Gaza have killed at least 33 people, mostly women and children. In a separate development, a truck rammed into a bus stop near Tel Aviv, killing one person and wounding more than 30.
DOJ lawyers slam ’glaring gap’ in failure to investigate potential Israeli crimes
The four-page letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland calls on the department to investigate potential crimes committed by Israeli soldiers and civilians and is a rare instance of public disagreement inside the department.
Blinken urges Israel to seek enduring deal, as officials say a limited cease-fire has been discussed
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel needs to pursue an “enduring strategic success” in Gaza after its tactical victories against Hamas. He urged it Wednesday to seek a deal that would end the war and bring back dozens of hostages.
Israel launches airstrikes on Beirut, saying it's targeting Hezbollah's financial arm
Israel's military said it was targeting a Hezbollah financial unit that's used to pay operatives and buy arms. The nonprofit provides financial services and is also used by ordinary Lebanese.
The U.S. is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents on Israel's attack plans
The United States is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents that assess Israel’s plans to attack Iran and note that Israel continues to move military assets in place to conduct a military strike in response to Iran’s blistering ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1.