Tug of War

Hamas has long used an intricate series of tunnels in Gaza to transport weapons and do battle with Israeli forces. A number of Israeli hostages are also believed to be held underground after being kidnapped on October 7th. In this episode, CNN’s Nic Robertson tells us what he saw in one of the tunnels while embedded with the Israel Defense Forces in Khan Younis and how they factor into the next phase of the ground campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa has filed an unprecedented genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over its war in Gaza. As court proceedings get underway this week, Israel is slamming the case and defending its methods as it fights Hamas. In this episode, we hear from CNN's Abbas Al Lawati on why while a ruling on genocide could take years and how the case could have immediate ramifications in Gaza and on the world stage. Subscribe to CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East for meetings with key players as tensions remain high across the region. As Israel continues to strike inside Gaza, a number of attacks in Lebanon have raised the prospect of a wider war. In this episode, we examine Blinken’s message and political divisions inside Israel’s war cabinet for postwar plans in Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doron Katz Asher describes October 7th as a “war movie.” On that day, she was thrown into the back of a tractor with her 5-year-old and 2-year-old daughters and taken hostage into Gaza. The family spent nearly 50 days in Hamas captivity, which she describes as “psychological warfare.” She spoke exclusively with CNN’s Bianna Golodryga about the harrowing experience and how she and her daughters are coping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Israel Defense Forces say military operations in Gaza will continue “throughout” this year, even as it withdraws a number of reservists from the territory. The move comes as senior US officials anticipate a transition to a lower-intensity strategy that narrowly targets Hamas militants and leaders. However, Palestinians in Gaza continue to experience widespread hunger and displacement as the civilian death toll rises. In this episode, CNN’s Elliott Gotkine examines what the next few months of war could bring and how an unprecedented decision from Israel’s Supreme Court to strike a controversial government plan to limit the powers of the judiciary could impact public sentiment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank say they are being forced from their homes due to violence from extremist Israeli settlers and Israeli military actions, which the Israel Defense Forces often says is in response to suspected terror activity. However, some say it’s becoming increasingly hard to tell the two groups apart. In this episode, CNN Chief International Investigative Correspondent Nima Elbagir takes us inside the territory, where she witnessed how settlers and the Israeli military are working together to create a culture of fear amongst Palestinian families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Israel continues its military operation in Gaza, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are stepping up their strikes on ships in theRed Sea in retaliation. A senior US military official says the breadth of attacks has not been seen in at least “two generations.” In this episode, CNN’s Katie Bo Lillis explains why the Houthis are targeting ships and how the attacks could continue to snarl worldwide shipping and commerce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday, three Israeli hostages in Gaza tried to make contact with their country’s military, waving a white flag and yelling in Hebrew. In response, troops mistakenly shot and killed them. Now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is dealing with the fallout – and the continued anger from released hostages and the families of those still held in the strip. In this episode, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond breaks down how Israelis are reacting, and where hostage talks might go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Israel continues its military campaign across the Gaza strip, humanitarian groups say children are being disproportionally killed and injured. Field hospitals have been struggling to keep up as more evacuees make their way to southern Gaza. In this episode, CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward tells us about her rare access inside a Gaza field hospital, where doctors are working with limited supplies to treat injured civilians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The presidents of three Ivy League universities have been criticized for their congressional testimony, in which they failed to condemn calls for the genocide of Jews as explicitly against campus harassment and bullying codes. In fact, University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill recently resigned over the issue. In this episode, CNN’s Gabe Cohen explains how the debates over free speech on campus that have erupted since October 7th are forcing some Jewish students and parents reconsidering college choices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices