World What did Hamas aim to gain by its brazen attack on Israel? Here's what to know The surprise attack on Israel has brought the militant group back into the spotlight. A Hamas official tells NPR the attack was meant in part to lead to the release of Palestinians in Israeli jails. Scott Neuman Jawad Rizkallah
National Here's how Israel's 'Iron Dome' stops rockets — and why Ukraine doesn't have it The highly sophisticated, multi-billion-dollar defense system has been under constant redevelopment since its inception in the early 2000s. Here's how it works. Manuela López Restrepo
Politics Why Hamas and Israel reached this moment now — and what comes next The conflict is expected to escalate even further in the coming days. But for now, Hamas sees itself with the upper hand. Fatma Tanis
World What is the Gaza Strip? Here's what to know With high poverty and unemployment and severe restrictions on movement, life in the Gaza Strip was already difficult before Israel's retaliatory offensive began this week in response to Hamas attacks. Fatima Al-Kassab
World At a rest stop near Hamas attack sites, Israelis rush to help families and soldiers At a highway rest stop near where Hamas gunmen killed Israelis and took hostages, Israeli volunteers are helping rescue civilians and support soldiers who are being dispatched to the front lines. Tanya Habjouqa Daniel Estrin
Politics 'We will stand with Israel,' Biden says as U.S. condemns Hamas attack as 'evil' "Like every nation in the world, Israel has the right to respond – indeed has a duty to respond – to these vicious attacks," Biden said at the White House. Tamara Keith Deepa Shivaram
World What is Hamas? Here's what to know The group, founded in 1987, has vowed to annihilate Israel. Before this past weekend's attack, it was responsible for many suicide bombings and other deadly attacks on civilians and Israeli soldiers. The Associated Press
Politics Two U.S. lawmakers managed to get home from Israel. Other Americans have not Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Dan Goldman are back in the U.S. after sheltering in place as violence erupted in Israel on Saturday. Flight disruptions have left other U.S. citizens unable to get home. Rachel Treisman
World 9 U.S. citizens have died in the Israel-Gaza conflict, U.S. officials say There are still a number of unaccounted-for U.S. citizens, U.S. officials said, as the fighting entered its third day. Jaclyn Diaz Aya Batrawy
World U.S. allows Israelis visa-free entry as Israel opens travel to Palestinian Americans The decision is part of a deal that requires Israel to end bans and restrictions on Palestinian Americans and other Arab Americans traveling to Israel. Daniel Estrin
