Daniel Estrin

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defense minister on U.S. election day, sparking protests in Israel.

A worker from Thailand rests after he was evacuated from Metula following a rocket strike from Lebanon that killed four laborers from Thailand and one Israeli citizen on Oct. 31 in Kfar Yuval, Israel.

Israeli officials say they're closer to declaring "mission accomplished" in southern Lebanon. They aimed to push Hezbollah militia away from the border so thousands of Israelis can return to the area.

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Israeli officials say they're getting closer to declaring mission accomplished in Southern Lebanon.

We bring you views from both sides of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Israel says they're closer to accomplishing their mission of pushing Hezbollah militants away from the border so that tens of thousands of Israelis can safely return to the area. Our correspondent visits the tense borderland and finds a dramatically changed landscape. And in Lebanon, intense Israeli airstrikes since September have taken their toll. And recently, strikes have occurred deeper in the country, far away from the fighting, endangering and killing displaced Lebanese civilians. We go to the site of a recent attack. For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

An Israeli airstrike hit a car in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing five people, including at least three workers with the charity World Central Kitchen, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Gaza has been hit by a wave of intense and deadly airstrikes as the region struggles to get enough food. This comes as a former defense minister claims Israel is pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is taking the witness stand in his own corruption trial. Netanyahu repeatedly had asked to delay the trial due to the Gaza war and his leadership duties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended himself in court against corruption charges for allegedly trading favors with media moguls. His trial has lasted for more than four years.

It's been a year for Israel's Netanyahu. He's prosecuted the deadliest war since Israel's creation and become the first sitting prime minister to face trial in a long running corruption investigation.