Warning: Images in this story are disturbing. The lesson is suitable for older high school students.
SUMMARY
In northern Gaza, it was another day of mass death with Israeli airstrikes killing at least 88 people. Hundreds of thousands remain trapped and no substantial food or aid has been allowed into the besieged area for weeks. It comes as Israel's parliament passed measures that outlaw the UN agency charged with aiding Palestinians.
View the transcript of the story.
News 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 are the individuals and groups featured in the story?
- What is the situation on the ground in northern Gaza? What are some of the demographics in Gaza? See these BBC charts.
- Where is northern Gaza on this map?
- When did the war in Gaza start?
- Why would Israel made it illegal to provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza? What is UNWRA doing to vet its employees?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Do you think the Israeli government should have passed a law banning humanitarian aid from reaching northern Gaza? Explain your response.
What do you think should be the U.S. government's response to Israel's decision to ban humanitarian aid from reaching northern Gaza?
Media literacy: What questions or issues would you have most liked to hear discussed in this story?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
FOR MORE
What students can do:
A. Understand the issues that led up to Oct. 7 more by taking a look at this explainer by the BBC.
Murals promote a message of peace and healing in a battle-scarred Afghanistan, the U.S.'s longest running war in its history. The war concluded when Joe Biden withdrew the U.S. military in 2021. The decision led to the Taliban soon taking over the country. Photo courtesy of ArtLords
B. News stories about tens of thousands of refugees being killed in Gaza, and the attacks on Oct. 7 that took the lives of 1,200 people may be difficult to learn about. As you know from studying world history, war and violence have played a significant role in human beings' lives.
As a young person, you are often taught to believe in hope, humanity and peace.
Write a one-paragraph critically reflective response to express how the situation in Israel and Palestine makes you feel and how you would help solve it, if you could.
Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources.
