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Middle East conflict Conflict in the Middle East has been escalating. These stories provide context for current developments and the history that led up to them.
Members of the Israeli security forces check the apparent remains of an Iranian ballistic missile lying on the ground on the outskirts of Qatzrin, Golan Heights, Israel.
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Middle East conflict

Hamas militants stand guard in Gaza City on Wednesday. Hamas police and other armed Hamas members have returned to the streets of Gaza since a ceasefire was announced last week. The plan calls for newly trained police to take over in Gaza, but it's not clear when that might happen.

Hamas militants stand guard in Gaza on Wednesday. Hamas police and other armed Hamas members have returned to the streets of Gaza since a ceasefire was announced last week. The plan calls for Hamas to disarm and for newly trained police to take over in Gaza, but it's not clear when that might happen. Abood Abusalama/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Abood Abusalama/AFP via Getty Images

Some of the things Gaza needs: A government, security and tools to rebuild

A shaky ceasefire is holding. Now the Palestinian territory is in urgent need of a functioning government, order on the streets, and resources to start rebuilding the shattered territory.

What's next for Gaza

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Israel Exchanges Palestinian Prisoners, Detainees for Hostages in Gaza

Left: Released hostage Guy Gilboa Dalal is escorted into Beilinson Hospital in Israel on Monday. Right: Palestinians released from Israeli prisons under a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal with Palestinian factions, arrive at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday. Ori Aviram and Ahmed Younis/Middle East Images via AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Ori Aviram and Ahmed Younis/Middle East Images via AFP/Getty Images

State of the World from NPR

Israel Exchanges Palestinian Prisoners, Detainees for Hostages in Gaza

Nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli prisons were released into Gaza and the occupied West Bank as part of phase one of the ceasefire deal. All 20 surviving Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas after spending more than two years in captivity in Gaza. We hear reaction from Gaza and Tel Aviv.

Hostage Exchange Between Israel and Gaza

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Bulldozers deployed by the Gaza Municipality drive past displaced people, on their way to clear building rubble from main roads in Gaza City, on Tuesday, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Bulldozers deployed by the Gaza Municipality drive past displaced people, on their way to clear building rubble from main roads in Gaza City on Tuesday, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian fighters in Gaza. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

A fragile Gaza ceasefire is tested after Israel and Hamas swap detainees and hostages

Israel and Hamas took steps toward ending the two-year war that has devastated the Gaza Strip, but hard work lies ahead.

People walk amid the destruction in Gaza City on Oct. 11, 2025, a day after a ceasefire took effect. Israel declared a ceasefire in Gaza and began to pull back its forces on Oct. 10, and tens of thousands of Palestinians made their way back to their devastated homes.

People walk amid the destruction in Gaza City on Oct. 11, 2025, a day after a ceasefire took effect. Israel pulled back its forces on Oct. 10, and tens of thousands of Palestinians made their way back to their devastated homes. AFP/via Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/via Getty Images

As the ceasefire begins, a look at the Gaza war by the numbers

With start of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and release of hostages and prisoners, here are some key figures related to the Gaza war and the Hamas-led attack on Israel that sparked it.

Israelis react as they wait for the release of Israelis still held in Gaza at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv early on Oct. 13, 2025.

President Donald Trump and Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi hold signed documents during a summit to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

Israeli hostages freed, hundreds of Palestinians released, as Trump hails 'historic dawn'

World leaders from more than 20 nations gathered in Egypt to formally sign the agreement, which Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called "the birth of a glimmer of hope" for the region.

Egyptian Red Crecent members monitor trucks carrying humanitarian aid as they enter the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, following an agreement between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.

Egyptian Red Crecent members monitor trucks carrying humanitarian aid as they enter the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, following an agreement between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. Mohammed Arafat/AP hide caption

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Mohammed Arafat/AP

Preparations begin to ramp up aid in Gaza as ceasefire brings hope for end to 2-year war

Preparations were also underway Sunday for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Palestinians look toward Gaza City from Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Oct. 10, 2025. Gaza's civil defense agency said on October 10 that Israeli forces have begun pulling back from parts of the territory, particularly in Gaza City and Khan Yunis.

Palestinians look toward Gaza City from Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Friday. Gaza's civil defense agency said Friday that Israeli forces have begun pulling back from parts of the territory, particularly in Gaza City and Khan Younis. Eyad Baba/Getty Images hide caption

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Eyad Baba/Getty Images

Israel says it has completed a pullback of troops in Gaza

Israeli forces have completed a pullback of troops from Gaza on Friday after Israel's Cabinet approved a plan for a ceasefire aimed at ending the devastating two-year war.

Displaced Palestinians gather on the coastal road near Wadi Gaza after the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting, as Israeli tanks block the road leading to Gaza City, in the central Gaza Strip, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Displaced Palestinians gather on the coastal road near Wadi Gaza after the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting, as Israeli tanks block the road leading to Gaza City, in the central Gaza Strip, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP hide caption

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Once the Gaza ceasefire goes into effect, what happens next? Here's what to know

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for the "first phase" of a plan promoted by President Trump to end the war in Gaza. A ceasefire is expected to go into effect after an Israeli Cabinet vote.

A Deal Emerges for Peace in Gaza and the Release of Hostages

People react as they celebrate following the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting, at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Emilio Morenatti/AP hide caption

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Emilio Morenatti/AP

State of the World from NPR

A Deal Emerges for Peace in Gaza and the Release of Hostages

Israel and Hamas have agreed on the "first phase" of a Gaza ceasefire deal, raising the possibility that the war may now be over. We hear from two of our correspondents in the region who have covered the entire war about the details in the plan and reactions to the announcement in Israel and in Gaza. And an interview with a Israeli man whose cousin’s remains are still in Gaza, about how families of hostages are feeling in this moment.

A Deal Emerges for Peace in Gaza and the Release of Hostages

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State of the World from NPR

Destruction Continues in Southern Lebanon

We continue our look at the ramifications of the two years of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. We go to southern Lebanon where demolitions and attacks on towns near the boarder with Israel continue even after a cease-fire between the two countries was put in place.  

Destruction Continues in Southern Lebanon

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People embrace next to memorials of victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks at the Nova Festival grounds in Reim, in southern Israel, on the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Tuesday.

People embrace next to memorials of victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks at the Nova Festival grounds in Reim, in southern Israel, on the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Tuesday. John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images

The costs of Israel's longest war, for Israelis

Israelis are paying heavy costs for the longest war in their history: a mental health crisis, trauma, unprecedented division during wartime, animosity abroad and apathy for Palestinian suffering.

The costs of Israel’s longest war, for Israelis

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Two Years After an Attack that Shook the Mideast, What are the Consequences?

Nidal Dalul and his wife Mervat Hassaenein carry the body of their four-year-old daughter, Nour, killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sept. 22, 2025. Anas Baba/NPR hide caption

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Anas Baba/NPR

State of the World from NPR

Two Years After an Attack that Shook the Mideast, What are the Consequences?

On October 7, 2023, a surprise attack from Hamas-led militants in Gaza became the deadliest day in Israeli history. Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza has been the deadliest and most destructive Palestinians have ever endured. We look at the heavy human costs born by Israelis and Palestinians over the last two years. 

Two Years After an Attack that Shook the Mideast, What are the Consequences?

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Faten Mreish holds her son's body at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Aug. 28, 2024, after he and others were killed in an Israeli bombardment.

Faten Mreish holds her son's body at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Aug. 28, 2024, after he and others were killed in an Israeli bombardment. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP hide caption

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

These numbers show how 2 years of war have devastated Palestinian lives in Gaza

It's been two years since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israeli leaders promised a punishing offensive. Here are some numbers showing the war's toll.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip take part in a protest demanding their release from Hamas captivity and calling for an end to the war, in Jerusalem on Saturday.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip take part in a protest demanding their release from Hamas captivity and calling for an end to the war, in Jerusalem on Saturday. Mahmoud Illean/AP hide caption

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Mahmoud Illean/AP

What to know as Gaza ceasefire talks begin in Egypt

Israel and Hamas appear closer than ever to a deal to end their two-year war — but questions remain. Delegations from Israel, Hamas, the U.S., Egypt and Qatar are meeting on Monday.

Displaced Palestinians flee northern Gaza carrying their belongings along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.

Displaced Palestinians flee northern Gaza carrying their belongings along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Abdel Kareem Hana/AP hide caption

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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Hamas says it accepts some elements of Gaza peace plan after Trump issues ultimatum

Hamas said it has accepted some elements of President Trump's plan, including giving up power and releasing all remaining hostages, but that others require further consultations among Palestinians.

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