Israeli and Hamas Forces Agree to Cease-Fire

Note: Prior knowledge of the subject is expected on the part of the teacher. If you’re not sure, you may want to start with this BBC explainer. You may also want to view NewsHour EXTRA’s lesson from last Friday or this one from earlier in the week. This broadcast segment was recorded prior to Israeli and Hamas forces officially agreeing to a cease-fire. For more on those statements, read the summary below.

Summary: Israel and Hamas forces in Gaza agreed to a cease-fire after 11 days of open war. Pressure to end the conflict intensified this week from the U.S., Egypt and Europe, though Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that bombings of Gaza would continue until Israel met its military objectives. Eleven days of bombing and rockets from Gaza left 227 Gazans and 12 Israelis killed. Read the summary, watch the video and answer the discussion questions below. To read the transcript of the video above, click here. You may also want to read the AP story here.

• In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said the Security Cabinet unanimously approved the proposal after recommendations from the military chief of staff and other top defense officials.
• Taher Nounou, a Hamas official, confirmed the deal. “The Palestinian resistance will commit itself to this deal as long as the occupation is committed,” he said.
• The agreement would close the heaviest round of fighting between the bitter enemies since a 50-day war in 2014.

Writing Opportunity:  If you are a middle/high school students and would like to share your thoughts (600-800 words) for PBS NewsHour EXTRA’s Student Voice blog on the war between Israel & Palestine over the last 11 days or the conflict’s history, write to education@newshour.org

Discussion Questions

• Who has agreed to a cease-fire, and who helped negotiate the cease-fire?
• Why did Israeli officials initially say they were not ready for a cease-fire?
• What are the goals of those involved in fighting?
• How does this conflict change conditions for Israelis and Palestinians?
• Where did the most intense violence take place in this conflict?

Focus Question:What are some ways you think a more lasting peace between Israel and Gaza could be established?

Media Literacy: In this piece, the journalists interview Palestinian and Israeli civilians but no officials. Why do you think the producers made that choice?

Additional Resources: It can be difficult to understand the current conflict in Israel and Palestine from just a single news story.

• You may want to watch this video and lesson from 2018, How to discuss what’s happening in Gaza and Israel with your students,when violent attacks increased at the Gaza border following the U.S. moving its embassy to Jerusalem. You may want to use some past NewsHour broadcasts to provide more context (Note: Some of these broadcast pieces contain graphic or disturbing imagery and teachers may want to view ahead before showing students).
• Independence or Catastrophe?: Teaching Palestine through multiple perspectives by Samia Shoman via Rethinking Schools

Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Extra