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Daniel Estrin Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.
Daniel Estrin
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Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin
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Daniel Estrin
Daniel Estrin
Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin

International Correspondent, Jerusalem

Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.

Since joining NPR in 2017, he has reported from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. He has chronicled the Trump administration's policies that have shaped the region, and told stories of everyday life for Israelis and Palestinians. He has also uncovered tales of ancient manuscripts, secret agents and forbidden travel.

He and his team were awarded an Edward R. Murrow award for a 2019 report challenging the U.S. military's account about its raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Estrin has reported from the Middle East for over a decade, including seven years with the Associated Press. His reporting has taken him to Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Russia and Ukraine. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Republic, PRI's The World and other media.

Story Archive

Friday

A workmen measures a door in a building damaged by an explosion in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 19. One person was killed and eight people injured following a loud explosion near a branch of the US embassy in Tel Aviv early on Friday.

Israeli police investigate the scene of a drone attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on Friday. Yemen's Houthi militia claimed responsibility for the blast that left one dead and several injured. Maya Levin for NPR hide caption

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Maya Levin for NPR

Middle East crisis — explained

Drone strikes Tel Aviv, killing one. Houthis claim responsibility

The deadly drone slammed into an apartment building on the Tel Aviv oceanfront just after 3 a.m. The Houthi militia in Yemen said it carried out the attack as part of its support for Palestinians.

Middle East

A drone explodes near the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv killing 1 person

The Houthis in Yemen, who've been firing at Israel throughout the war in Gaza, claimed responsibility. This is the first Houthi attack to penetrate the heart of Israel.

A drone explodes near the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv killing 1 person

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Tuesday

State of the World from NPR

A Gaza Detainee Speaks

Ever since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th, Israel had detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza. We hear the story of one radiologist who says he endured beatings and mistreatment during seven months in Israeli detention.

A Gaza Detainee Speaks

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Middle East

A radiologist in Gaza says he endured beatings while detained in Israel

A radiologist in Gaza tells NPR he endured beatings and mistreatment during seven months in Israeli detention. Israel has incarcerated thousands of Gazans since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

A radiologist in Gaza says he endured beatings while detained in Israel

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Wednesday

The Fate of the Israeli Hostages and the Future of Gaza

Protesters march to call for the release of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza since the October attacks, in Jerusalem on July 7, amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas group. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images

State of the World from NPR

The Fate of the Israeli Hostages and the Future of Gaza

The Israeli hostages taken during the October 7th attacks and held in Gaza are a major sticking point in cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. A spokesperson for Hamas tells NPR not all those hostages are being held by his organization, some are being held by families in Gaza.

The Fate of the Israeli Hostages and the Future of Gaza

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Tuesday

World

Israel is divided over next steps in Gaza

Israel’s military and politicians are divided on whether to strike a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Israeli experts have presented the government with proposals for a postwar Gaza.

Israel is divided over next steps in Gaza

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Sunday

Palestinians look at the aftermath of the Israeli airstrike on a U.N.-run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on July 6.

Palestinians look at the aftermath of the Israeli airstrike on a U.N.-run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on July 6. Saher Alghorra/AP hide caption

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Saher Alghorra/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Talks for a cease-fire in Gaza appear set to resume as the war reaches 9 months

Hamas now appears closer to accepting a more gradual approach to its core demands, including a permanent end to the fighting and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to multiple officials close to the talks.

Monday

Middle East

The looming war between Israel and Hezbollah

Fears of an all-out war on the Israel-Lebanon border are growing. The two sides have been trading fire since the conflict in Gaza started nine months ago.

The looming war between Israel and Hezbollah

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Saturday

Senator John Fetterman sits in a room in Jerusalem with a menorah in the background. Fetterman is wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and looking off camera.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who continues to break with progressives within his party by backing Israel in the war with Hamas, visited the country this week and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Maya Levin for NPR hide caption

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Maya Levin for NPR

Middle East crisis — explained

Fetterman traveled to Israel and met with Netanyahu despite blowback on the left

Why Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., visited Israel this week, and how the visit underscores tensions among Democrats over the war in Gaza.

John Fetterman meets Netanyahu in Israel to show support for the war

Listen · 3:57
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Wednesday

Year of Global Elections

How U.S. allies and partners see the November election

As a part of NPR's year-long series on global elections, we look at how U.S. allies and partners view the two presidential candidates ahead of next week's debate.

How US allies/partners see November election

Listen · 8:13
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Monday

Middle East

Israel to pause fighting from morning to evening along an aid corridor into Gaza

Israel has announced a daily pause in combat along an aid corridor in Gaza, to increase the amount of aid getting to civilians at a critical point in the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel to pause fighting from morning to evening along an aid corridor into Gaza

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State of the World from NPR

Is Humanitarian Aid Getting Into Gaza?; Searching for the Origins of James Bond

Israel has announced a daily pause in fighting in an effort to allow more food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza. But some are criticizing the move. We go to the border crossing.

Is Humanitarian Aid Getting Into Gaza?; Searching for the Origins of James Bond

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Saturday

Friday

Middle East

A Gaza zoo owner had to flee amid war... leaving some animals behind

A Gaza zoo owner is calling for help rescuing three lions left behind in Rafah, amid an Israeli offensive on Hamas in the city.

A Gaza zoo owner had to flee amid war... leaving some animals behind

Listen · 5:01
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Wednesday

Middle East

8 months into the Israel-Hamas war, the U.S. still aims to end the fighting

The U.S. is pushing what it calls an Israeli "roadmap" to wind down the war in Gaza, but the plan is still far from being endorsed -- even by Israel.

8 months into the Israel-Hamas war, the U.S. still aims to end the fighting

Listen · 3:39
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Monday

Sunday

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, is seen talking to the media after a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on March 4 in Washington, D.C. He resigned from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday.

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, is seen talking to the media after a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on March 4 in Washington, D.C. He resigned from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America

Middle East crisis — explained

Benny Gantz resigns as Israeli war cabinet member

Gantz followed through on his plan to resign from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday citing its failure to advance a plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza.

Middle East

Israel rescues 4 hostages in operation that kills over 270 Gazans

An Israeli rescue operation freed four Israeli hostages and, according to sources at a hospital in Gaza, resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people.

Israel rescues 4 hostages in operation that kills over 270 Gazans

Listen · 5:30
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Friday

Middle East

Gaza baker flees Rafah with nearly 1 million other Palestinians

A professional baker in Gaza has been making cakes to celebrate life amid war. He fled an Israeli offensive in Rafah, along with nearly 1 million other Palestinians, and set up a makeshift bakery near a displaced persons camp.

Gaza baker flees Rafah with nearly 1 million other Palestinians

Listen · 6:25
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Thursday

The aftermath of an Israeli strike on a UN school in Nuseirat in central Gaza that killed more than 30 people including children, according to a Gaza hospital director. Israel said it was targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives hiding in two school classrooms.

The aftermath of an Israeli strike on a U.N. school compound in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, that killed more than 30 people, including children, according to a Gaza hospital director. Israel said it was targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives hiding in two school classrooms. Anas Baba for NPR hide caption

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Anas Baba for NPR

Middle East crisis — explained

Israel used a U.S.-made bomb in a deadly U.N. school strike in Gaza

Israel dropped a bomb on a U.N.-run school it said was being used by Hamas. The blast killed dozens, including women and children, medics and witnesses say. The bomb was U.S.-made, NPR has discovered.

US Israel Gaza bombs

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Monday

Middle East

The state of Hamas as it reasserts itself in the north in a weakened form

Hamas has not been hit badly enough for a defeat in Gaza, according to US and Israeli officials. What are the group's capabilities and strategy nearly eight months into the war?

The state of Hamas as it reasserts itself in the north in a weakened form

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Middle East

U.S. pressures Hamas and Israel to permanently end the war in Gaza

President Biden surprised Israeli leaders on Friday when he went public with a ceasefire proposal that Israel had offered behind closed doors.

U.S. pressures Hamas and Israel to permanently end the war in Gaza

Listen · 3:27
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Thursday

State of the World from NPR

What Is Hamas' Capability and Strategy Now?

Nearly eight months ago, Israel reacted to the attacks of October 7th by invading Gaza with the goal of destroying Hamas. Our correspondent in Tel Aviv examines how close they are to achieving that goal but looking at Hamas' capability on three fronts: on the battlefield, in continuing to govern and controlling the narrative.

What Is Hamas' Capability and Strategy Now?

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