Teacher's note: This story may weigh heavily on your students' minds; they likely have already come across violent and disturbing images associated with the attacks. Be sure to review all materials and check in with students as to how they are feeling. Let them know you, school counselors and administrators are there for them and are available to talk.
This is our second lesson on the conflict. See our first lesson here.
Summary
Fighting between Israelis and Palestinians continues as airstrikes and artillery pound Gaza after the Hamas attack on Israel. Among the dead are 14 Americans killed by Hamas and an unknown number are being held hostage by militants. Special Correspondent Leila Molana-Allen has the latest from Israel and Laura Barrón-López reports on how the war has upended President Joe Biden’s foreign policy efforts.
For a transcript of the video, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Warm up questions
- What events have transpired since Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday, Oct. 7?
- Who were the key groups and individuals featured in this story? Had you heard of these groups or individuals before?
- Where is Israel? Where is Gaza (see map)? Where has Israel launched their counterattacks?
- Why did Hamas militants attack Israeli civilians instead of Israeli military targets?
- How are different groups of people reacting to the attacks in Israel? (Think back to what groups and individuals were featured in the story — who else would you like to hear from?)
SOURCE: Reuters
Focus questions
- In response to the attacks by Hamas, Israel has sent rockets into Gaza killing hundreds of civilians (pop. 2 million, half are children) with many more expected to die. Many other conflicts in world history have also gone unresolved for decades. Why do you think this is? Why has the Israeli-Palestinian conflict not been resolved in all of these decades? What do you think needs to happen?
- Think about what it means to hold power for a minute. What does power look like? Jot down some ideas. Then discuss:
- Who holds power in Israel right now?
- How has Hamas, which runs Gaza and the U.S. labels a terrorist group, expressed its power?
- What about Palestinians who live in Gaza but do not support Hamas?
- How has Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government expressed power?
- What about Israelis who do not support Netanyahu's government?
- If you are not sure, how could you find out more?
Media literacy activity
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been going on for decades. After watching the NewsHour piece, what additional information do you need to more fully understand the current situation underway in Israel and the events that led up to the attacks?
For More
What students can do: It's imperative to view a number of sources to understand the background and current state of affairs in Israel as much as possible.
Take a look at the sources below and choose one or two to read/watch. Then complete the See, Think, Wonder questions: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you like to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
Additional sources
What to know as the war between Israel and Hamas continues (Associated Press via NewsHour)
What the escalating Palestinian-Israeli crisis means for Middle East relations (NewsHour with Prof. Shibley Telhami)
What is Hamas? What to know about its origins, leaders and funding (Council on Foreign Relations via NewsHour)
The Hamas Attacks and Israeli Response: An Explainer (Jewish Currents)
DEBUNKING INSANE Israel-Palestine Lies Spreading Online (Breaking Points)
Survivors of Hamas assault on music fest describe horrors and how they made it out alive (NewsHour)
Israeli Conscientious Objector Haggai Matar: Hamas Attack Reflects Israeli Violence in Palestine (Democracy Now!)
NSC spokesman says Iran ‘complicit’ in Hamas terror but no evidence it helped plan attack (NewsHour)
US Media's Pro-Israel Propaganda Interrupted By Palestinian Mustafa Barghouti's CNN Interview (Majority Report with Sam Seder)
Link to the video above https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/live-updates-whats-happening-on-day-4-of-the-israel-hamas-war
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