Tug of War

Latest Episodes:

The Strike in Syria That Could Ignite a Wider War Apr 03, 2024

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Iran is vowing revenge on Israel after an airstrike on its embassy complex in Syria killed several high-ranking Iranian officials. While Israel is not confirming or denying responsibility, a military spokesperson said Israel believes the building struck is associated with the Iranian military. In this episode, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand examines what the retaliation could look like and tells us why the Biden administration is close to greenlighting a sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel, according to three people familiar with the matter, despite concerns over how it is conducting its military operation inside Gaza.

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The Conscription Plan That Could Shake Up Israel’s Government Mar 29, 2024

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The rift between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to grow again this week after Netanyahu decided to cancel a planned delegation to Washington, before reversing course a few days later. Meanwhile, tensions between Israeli war cabinet ministers seem to be deepening as well while the brutal war in Gaza continues. In this episode, CNN’s Mick Krever examines plans for a key piece of legislation concerning ultra-Orthodox conscription that is dividing lawmakers in Israel.

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The True Cost of Hunger in Gaza Mar 27, 2024

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A recent UN-backed report found that all 2.2 million people in Gaza do not have enough food to eat, with famine expected to arrive in the north any time between now and May 2024. The European Union’s foreign policy chief has accused Israel of using starvation of a weapon of war as it continues to throttle aid deliveries into the enclave. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country’s policy is to let as much humanitarian aid into Gaza as is necessary, aid groups say the evidence on the ground points to the contrary. In this episode, CNN’s Jomana Karadsheh explains how the hunger crisis could impact Gaza long after this latest round of fighting ends.

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Israeli Officials Are Coming to DC. Will They Bring an Open Mind? Mar 22, 2024

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A team of top Israeli officials is expected to visit Washington next week to discuss Israel’s plan for a military operation into Rafah. Biden administration officials say they will lay out options for how to dismantle Hamas in Gaza without launching a full ground incursion into the southern city, which could endanger over a million Palestinian civilians already suffering from lack of shelter and hunger. In this episode, CNN’s Kylie Atwood examines what options are on the table and whether Israel is actually interested in considering them.

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The Babies Being Sent Back to Gaza Mar 20, 2024

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As the humanitarian aid crisis in Gaza deepens, negotiators have returned to the table in hopes of hashing out a hostage release and temporary ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for new elections in Israel, angering Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In this episode, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond tells us how those comments are being received in Israel and explains why a group of Gazans being treated at hospitals in Jerusalem are being deported back into Gaza.

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Inside the Far-Right Israeli Push to Resettle Gaza Mar 15, 2024

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As extremist Israeli settlers continue to commit violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, there is another controversial settlement movement getting more attention inside Israel. Some far-right Israelis have plans to reestablish Jewish settlements inside Gaza and displacing Palestinians in the process, prompting accusations of ethnic cleansing. In this episode, CNN’s Clarissa Ward examines the major players behind the idea and looks at how Israeli views have been hardened by the October 7th terror attacks.

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Ramadan, Rafah, & Red Lines Mar 13, 2024

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As Ramadan begins, hunger in Gaza is setting in and there is fear about a possible Israeli ground incursion into the overcrowded city of Rafah. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have gone back and forth in recent interviews over how Israel should handle the operation as the Palestinian death toll mounts. In this episode, CNN’s Clarissa Ward examines the rift between the two men and tells us about her interviews with Israeli protestors trying to block aid into Gaza.

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UN Report on Sexual Violence Allegations in Israel and Gaza Mar 08, 2024

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Earlier this week, the United Nations special envoy on sexual violence in conflict shared her team’s findings about allegations of sexual assault in the aftermath of the deadly Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7th. The response follows months of outcry from witnesses and women's advocates to take the reports more seriously. In this episode, CNN’s Bianna Golodryga examines the findings and explains why the UN team believes sexual abuse of hostages could be ongoing inside Gaza.

Note: this episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence and war.

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Has the US Run Out of Patience with Israel? Mar 06, 2024

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As mediators struggle to broker a deal for a hostage release and temporary ceasefire, the US has taken to airdropping food into Gaza to help stem the massive humanitarian crisis unfolding in the enclave. Meanwhile, Israeli war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz has traveled to Washington, DC to meet with high-ranking officials – much to the chagrin of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Gantz’s political rival. In this episode, CNN’s Alex Marquardt explains why Biden administration officials are speaking out more forcefully against Israel in recent days.

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How a Chance Discovery Revealed a Hidden Atrocity in Gaza Mar 01, 2024

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As the Palestinian death toll passes 30,000, scenes of desperation and heartbreak are everywhere in Gaza. Nearly every civilian has experienced death and violence at the hands of Israeli forces or knows someone who has. However, because of frequent communications blackouts and a ban on independent access for journalists, many of these stories go unheard. In this episode, a group of CNN reporters tell us about their investigation into how Israeli forces used indiscriminate fire, killing half a family sheltering in central Gaza.

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