Israel
As Israel moves into Rafah, are ceasefire talks over?
The Israel Defense Forces now controls Gaza’s main border crossing with Egypt in the city of Rafah. Israel’s military carried out airstrikes overnight in Rafah. The IDF operation commenced on Monday as Hamas offered a counterproposal for a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange. The negotiations aimed at getting a ceasefire in place appear to be ongoing.
US National Security Council spokesman on heightened tensions between Iran and Israel: ‘We don’t want to see this conflict widen and deepen’
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.
Parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin speak up about latest deal to get him home
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.
‘We have to cut back on everything’: Palestinian farmers in West Bank say water is in short supply
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.
‘Sacred refuge:’ This cultural center provides a safe space for Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem
FeelBeit is an event space and bar in Jerusalem that brings together Palestinian and Israeli artists to share the stage. Before Oct. 7, 2023, this was already a difficult thing to do. But after, it’s been almost impossible. FeelBeit closed for a while but realized that it was important to reopen their doors. The World’s Marco Werman went there to see what it’s all about.
‘There’s always a day after’: Former chief of staff in Israeli air force talks about an endgame in Gaza
Since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7 last year, many Israelis have been unhappy and even angry that Prime Minister Netanyahu hasn’t brought home the hostages. There’s also a feeling among many in the military that there’s no strategy for the war in Gaza. That is a problem for former Chief of Staff in Israel’s air force Nimrod Sheffer. The World’s Marco Werman sat down with Sheffer in his home on the outskirts of Jerusalem to get his thoughts on the war in Gaza.