As war continues in Gaza, Israelis and Palestinians are also fighting. A recent Israeli military raid on a Palestinian refugee camp killed at least 10 people. Israel said it was a counterterrorism operation against Hamas. The raid led to a general strike staged by Palestinians across the West Bank where, since Oct. 7, 2023, tensions and violence have increased.
Hamas’ deadly attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, left about 1,200 people dead, and about 250 taken as hostages. Some of those hostages were released after negotiations with Hamas last November. Most of the world first saw the terrifying videos and images from a music festival where hundreds had gathered for the weekend. Host Marco Werman traveled to the Nova music festival site and two other areas where Hamas struck.
US officials say they hope Israel’s tensions with Iran don’t widen and deepen. At the same time, Israel’s military chief now says that his armed forces will respond to Iran’s weekend missile attack. Retired Adm. John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, talks with host Marco Werman about the role the US will play as its ally Israel decides how to retaliate.
The country has begun rationing artillery on the front lines as Congress prepares to vote on a stalled military aid package for Ukraine. It’s also increasingly exposed to Russian aerial attacks as it awaits further support from its partners. The World’s Daniel Ofman reports from Riga, Latvia, on how this affects Ukraine’s war efforts and morale.
The biggest issue in Israel today is the fate of the 133 hostages still held captive in Gaza. Israel says, according to military intelligence, 33 of them are dead. Demonstrators have held sit-ins, marches and protests almost every day over the past six months demanding their return. The World’s Marco Werman spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, the parents of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7. They have just returned from a trip to the US where they met with top officials.
As Israel’s war in Gaza continues, its impact on the lives of Palestinians in the occupied territories of the West Bank can be felt acutely in terms of water access. The World’s host Marco Werman visited one Palestinian farming area just outside the city of Ramallah to learn more.