Gaza

France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific Islands territory of New Caledonia. At least three Indigenous Kanak people and two police officers have been killed in violence that began Monday night over a proposed amendment to the French constitution that expands French citizens’ eligibility to vote in the archipelago’s local elections. And, the […]

Pope Francis delivers the official declaration for the Catholic Church’s upcoming 2025 Jubilee, a once-in-25-year event for Catholics that goes back to the 14th century. Also, as part of reestablishing ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia wants the US to help it build a civilian nuclear program. And, a look at the dire humanitarian situation in […]

The Turkish government announced it would suspend trade with Israel, until a permanent ceasefire is achieved and humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza without interruption. Imports and exports between Turkey and Israel totaled $6.8 billion last year. And, for the first time, researchers observed a wild animal treating a wound with a plant known by […]

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel is offering an “extraordinarily generous” deal and that, “the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and cease-fire is Hamas.” But on Tuesday, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said whether there’s a ceasefire or not, the Israeli military will launch a ground offensive into Rafah. And, […]

More trucks carrying aid are crossing the border into Gaza, and the relief group World Central Kitchen is resuming operations there, four weeks after Israeli soldiers killed seven of the group’s aid workers. Still, the situation in Gaza remains dire. And, Maori poet Tayi Tibble released a new collection of poems, “Rangikura” earlier this month […]

Qatar has been holding negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing the release of Israeli hostages and bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza. But those efforts have so far failed and Qatar is taking heat for its role from politicians in Washington. And, British surgeon Dr. Khaled Dawas completed his second trip to Gaza […]

April 2, 2018: On Friday, thousands of Palestinians took part in demonstrations along the Israel-Gaza border. The protest was just the beginning of what is expected to be a six-week long demonstration. But on that first day, interactions between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers quickly turned violent. At least 15 Palestinians were killed and, according to the Gaza health ministry, more than 700 were wounded. The Takeaway explores the geopolitical context for the ongoing demonstrations in Gaza. Plus, we examine the soaring rates of childhood lead poisoning in California’s Bay Area; a statewide teachers strike in Oklahoma that is grinding the school system to a halt; the first undocumented immigrant in California appointed to a statewide post; the story of a young undocumented immigrant who became an informant for the FBI, before they turned on him; and a dialogue between Martin Luther King Jr.’s barber and a current civil rights advocate.

Click on the audio player above to hear this interview.

The international fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has spread to Libya, Tunisia, and Afghanistan. But what about Gaza?

The war-weary isolated strip is controlled by Hamas and is home to nearly two million people. The area presents a fertile recruiting ground for ISIS, though Hamas has started to crack down on Islamic State sympathizers. Failure to control the spread of ISIS could spell trouble for Israel.

Sarah Helm is a journalist covering the Middle East. She recently returned from Gaza, and says another conflict with Israel could present an opening for ISIS to grow in strength.