Raja Abdulrahim, Middle East correspondent for The New York Times, discusses the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Topics include the rising death toll in Gaza, fear and uncertainty in Gaza during a war zone, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's objectives, perspectives on the Israel-Gaza conflict, and inadequate aid provided by aid groups.
The Israeli ground invasion of Gaza marks a significant escalation in the war, as tanks roll into the enclave and Israeli soldiers engage with Hamas fighters.
The ongoing war in Gaza reveals the uncertainty of its outcome, with a potential for intensified regional conflicts and a significant humanitarian crisis as Israeli forces enter Gaza City.
Deep dives
Escalating Death Toll and Fear in Gaza
The podcast episode highlights the escalating death toll in Gaza, with over 8,000 deaths, including many children, and entire families being killed in strikes. The podcast features interviews with a woman who lost 70 members of her family and a poet who describes the fear of rockets approaching. The presence of numerous bodies under the rubble and the lack of communication capabilities add to the sense of death and fear in the area.
The Israeli Ground Invasion and Secrecy
The podcast discusses the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza, which started following a period of communication blackout. The invasion involves tanks and Israeli soldiers engaging with Hamas fighters. The Israeli military maintained secrecy and avoided announcing their actions to maintain an element of surprise and prevent outcry and reactions from other regions. The invasion marks a significant escalation in the war, but it was not as swift as expected, with Israeli forces surrounding Gaza City instead of immediately entering it.
Uncertainty and Devastation in Gaza
The podcast reveals the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing war in Gaza. Following the restoration of communication, the extent of civilian devastation became evident, including significant loss of civilian life in Gaza. The ground phase of the war is expected to be the bloodiest, as Israeli forces enter Gaza City and encounter Hamas fighters. The ultimate outcome and impact on Gaza remain unclear, with the potential for intensified regional conflicts and a significant humanitarian crisis.
Over the weekend, the Israeli military appears to have begun an invasion of the Gaza Strip, with tanks rolling into the enclave and Israeli soldiers fighting Hamas inside. But the operation remains shrouded in secrecy, and Israel is revealing little about its actions.
Raja Abdulrahim, a Middle East correspondent for The Times, and Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief, discuss the latest escalation in the war.
Guests: Raja Abdulrahim, a Middle East correspondent for The New York Times, based in Jerusalem, and Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode