Summary

Among the estimated 239 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza is 35-year-old Israeli American Sagui Dekel-Chen. He lives in kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border, which came under brutal attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7. His father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, is in Washington meeting with U.S. officials to help free his son and sat down with Amna Nawaz to speak about his efforts.

For a transcript, 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

• Who is interviewed in this segment, and what is his background?
• How many hostages do U.S. officials believe are being held hostage by Hamas?
• Where and When was Sagui Dekel-Chen believed to be kidnapped by Hamas?
• What are some of the ways U.S. officials are trying to seek the release of hostages?
• Why does Jonathan Dekel-Chen say "two things can be true at once" about supporting a ceasefire?

Focus questions

What approach do you think the U.S. should take to ensure the safety and release of hostages being held in Gaza, including U.S. citizens?

Media literacy: Why do you think NewsHour decided to interview a father of a hostage instead of government officials about the hostages that are being held by Hamas in Gaza?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?

For more

What students can do: To learn more about U.S. foreign policy and the the role the U.S. has in influencing crises such as the conflict between Israel and Palestine, watch the following video with Antony Blinken, the secretary of state. Discuss — what role does Blinken think the U.S. has through diplomacy with China or Israel?

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