Middle East

Yakir Renbaum learned Arabic to understand Palestinians.

The number of people experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity more than doubled last year compared to 2019.

Aziz Abu Sarah grew up in East Jerusalem. When he was 9 years old, his older brother was arrested on suspicion of throwing rocks and died shortly after his release from internal injuries sustained during his time in prison. “For eight years, my life was focused on revenge,” Aziz told Blue Marble. But when he was 18, he decided to study Hebrew. 

Activist Vivian Silver dedicated her life to building a path to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. On Oct. 7, she was killed in the Hamas attacks. Yonatan Zeigen talked with Blue Marble about his mother's life and the impact of her death.

The ICJ is considering whether to approve provisional measures that would immediately order Israel to stop all military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The International Criminal Court, which prosecutes individuals for international crimes, has been investigating potential crimes committed in the Palestinian territories since 2021, including those committed by Hamas militants and Israeli military members during the Israel-Hamas war.

The court could rule in a few weeks on whether to implement provisional measures that include ordering Israel to stop military actions in the Gaza Strip while the case is being determined.  

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on Dec. 12 that called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war by an overwhelming majority of the 193-member body, receiving 153 votes, compared with 120 votes for the Oct. 27 resolution calling for a "humanitarian truce." 

Since Oct. 7, people on college campuses across the United States have been struggling with what's happening in Israel and Gaza. Battles surrounding free speech are playing out at universities in Europe, as well. 

When Rabbi Hody Nemes heard about the murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, he was horrified.