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.

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.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah, official says
The shipment was supposed to be 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, according to an official, with the U.S. concern being how the explosives could be used in a dense urban setting.
Expert: University of Minnesota agreement with protesters is ‘quite remarkable’
University of Minnesota administrators are expected to begin disclosing the school’s investments in publicly-traded companies based in or doing business with Israel on Tuesday. It’s part of an agreement they reached last week with pro-Palestinian student protesters.
Columbia University cancels main commencement after weeks of pro-Palestinian protests
Columbia University says it is canceling its university-wide commencement ceremony following weeks of pro-Palestinian protests but will hold smaller school-based ceremonies this week and next. 
Hamas says latest cease-fire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'
Hamas says the latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks has ended in Cairo. After recent signs of progress, the outlook appears to dim as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to resist international pressure to halt the war.