Israel Coverage

NC Democratic Party approves new Jewish caucus

The state Democratic Party on Sunday voted to approve the creation of a new Jewish caucus, concluding an effort that began long before Hamas attacked Israel but that gained national attention because of it.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

The Israel conflict has divided Democrats. Will it affect North Carolina's 2024 elections?

The conflict in Gaza has aggravated sore spots for North Carolina Republicans and Democrats in different ways. And in a swing state known for tight races, neither side of the aisle can afford to lose many voters or donors.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

Israeli offensive shifts to crowded southern Gaza, driving up death toll despite evacuation orders

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel pounded targets in crowded southern Gaza on Saturday and ordered more neighborhoods designated for attack to evacuate, driving up the death toll as the United States and others urged it to do more to protect civilians a day after a truce collapsed.

By NAJIB JOBAIN, BASSEM MROUE and CARA ANNA, Associated Press

Some of Duke professor's family members released during Israel-Hamas ceasefire

The release of Stanley and Marion Meyer-Robboy's relatives is part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Fact check: Are half of American high schoolers unfamiliar with the Holocaust?

Dean Phillips, the Minnesota U.S. representative who's taking on President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries, decried a lack of knowledge about the Holocaust among American youth.

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

Tens of thousands march in London calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza

LONDON (AP) — Tens of thousands of people turned out on central London's streets Saturday for a pro-Palestinian march calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

By SYLVIA HUI, Associated Press

Israel and Hamas complete 2nd day of swaps after tense delay, as Gaza cease-fire holds

AL BIREH, West Bank (AP) — Hamas militants on Saturday released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, from captivity in the Gaza Strip, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners in the latest stage of a four-day cease-fire.

By JALAL BWAITEL, NAJIB JOBAIN, JOSEF FEDERMAN, SAMY MAGDY and BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press

Hamas frees 24 hostages in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners as part of cease-fire swap

On Friday, Hamas released 24 hostages it held captive in Gaza for weeks, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a four-day cease-fire.

President Biden speaks about about release of hostages by Hamas

President Biden is expected to speak about Hamas releasing 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks. Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a four-day cease-fire deal.

Friend hopes couple with Chapel Hill ties are safe after getting taken hostage in Israel

Keith and Aviva Seigel were taken hostage on Oct. 7, according to friends of the couple. Alon Tal, a childhood friend of Keith Seigel, hopes the couple is ok.

Partial hostage release: Friend hopes couple with Chapel Hill ties are safe after getting taken hostage in Israel

Keith and Aviva Seigel were taken hostage on Oct. 7, according to friends of the couple. Alon Tal, a childhood friend of Keith Seigel, hopes the couple is ok.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Protesters demand end to Israel-Hamas violence at Harrison Avenue bridge over I-40 in Raleigh

They are demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas conflict, rejecting a mere temporary pause in hostilities.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Israel and Hamas agree to temporary ceasefire deal

A cease-fire agreement between the Hamas militant group and Israel has been confirmed by both parties, along with Washington and Qatar.

Palestinian supporters in Raleigh demand city's support for ceasefire in Gaza

Dozens of people called on Raleigh leaders to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

People in Raleigh demand city leaders pass resolution to call for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war

Dozens of people called on Raleigh leaders to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Former IDF member returns to Israel to help with war effort

Gadi Adelman is heading to Tel Aviv to support his home country, Israel. Adelman will be working with a group that delivers equipment to forces at the northern and southern borders.

'It's war. Anything could happen': Former IDF member to make one-way trip from RDU to Israel after Hamas attacks

Gadi Adelman is heading to Tel Aviv to support his home country, Israel. Adelman will be working with a group that delivers equipment to forces at the northern and southern borders.

Carly Haynes, WRAL reporter

Israel claims weapons found in Gaza hospital where newborns, patients stuck without power

Israel said its forces were operating still in and around Gaza's biggest hospital Thursday, a chief objective in its campaign to destroy Hamas militants that the army says stored weapons and ran a command center in tunnels beneath the buildings.

Israeli military raids Gaza Strip's main hospital

The Israeli military raided Al-Shifa, the Gaza Strip's main hospital, in what it said was a "targeted operation against Hamas."

Triangle Jewish community heads to March for Israel in DC

Tens of thousands of people will gather in Washington D.C. Tuesday in support of the March for Israel. Dozens of people from the Triangle left on a bus early Tuesday morning to head to D.C.

Israel allows pauses in fighting to allow civilians to flee, aid into Gaza

Fighting in Gaza has continued for more than a month, and Israel is allowing pauses in the fighting to allow aid to come into the strip, which has been under siege since Ocotber. One local group is aiding Israel from home.

Pro-Palestinian protest closes Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh

Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian protesters on Thursday shut down Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.

'We will continue to escalate': Pro-Palestinian group blocks Fayetteville Street in Raleigh

Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian protesters on Thursday shut down Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Officials: Gaza death toll tops 10,000

Nearly one month into Israel's war with Hamas, officials in Gaza are reporting more than 10,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have died since Israel began its siege.

US Jewish leader slams 'equivocation' in response to Oct 7 attack

The leader of the nation's foremost Jewish advocacy group blasted what he called the "silence and slander" of many Americans in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief