Gaza War 2024, Gaza Hospital Shutdown, Biden's Complicated Legacy

Summary

Up First from NPR – December 31, 2024

Episode: Gaza War 2024, Gaza Hospital Shutdown, Biden's Complicated Legacy

NPR’s “Up First” episode released on December 31, 2024, delves into three monumental topics shaping the global and domestic landscape: the ongoing Gaza War, the critical shutdown of the last major hospital in North Gaza, and the complex legacy of President Joe Biden as his political career concludes.

---

1. Gaza War 2024 and the Collapse of Ceasefire Negotiations

As the year draws to a close, the prospect of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has dissipated, leaving the region mired in continued conflict.

Ceasefire Stalemate

Steve Inskeep and Leila Fadel outline the failed attempts at securing a ceasefire. Emily Fang, NPR’s correspondent in Tel Aviv, provides an in-depth analysis of the negotiations' breakdown:

Emily Fang [04:19]: "The biggest roadblock is disagreement over how long this ceasefire could be. Hamas wants a permanent one. Israel has been insisting on a temporary truce first... This lack of trust on both sides is further hampering the negotiations."

Fang highlights that Israel seeks a temporary truce, while Hamas demands a permanent cessation of hostilities. This fundamental disagreement, coupled with mutual distrust, has stalled progress. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the release of hostages and the potential withdrawal of Israeli troops exacerbates tensions.

Political Maneuvering and External Influences

The political landscape within Israel plays a crucial role in the cessation talks. According to Fang:

Emily Fang [05:14]: "Netanyahu believes he can get more concessions if he waits for Trump to become president again because he sees Trump as a closer political ally than Biden."

Tamara Keith adds context by suggesting that former President Trump’s potential influence could impact Netanyahu's stance, further complicating the ceasefire prospects.

Future of Gaza Post-War

The episode explores the uncertain future of Gaza should a ceasefire eventually be achieved. Fang notes the absence of a clear plan from Israel regarding governance post-conflict:

Emily Fang [05:41]: "Israel's stated goal in Gaza was to topple Hamas... The big question is who takes Hamas's place. Israel has never stated a plan for the day after war."

Potential scenarios include the Palestinian Authority attempting to govern Gaza, or extreme proposals from right-wing activists advocating for the expulsion of Palestinians, actions deemed illegal under international law.

---

2. Gaza’s Last Major Hospital Shutdown

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza reached a critical point with the shutdown of the region’s final operating hospital in the north.

Hospital Under Siege

Aya Betraawi, NPR’s international correspondent, reports from the heart of Gaza, detailing the dire circumstances leading to the hospital's closure:

Aya Betraawi [08:53]: "This hospital became people's only lifeline... with no ambulance able to work, no rescue services able to operate and pull people from the rubble."

The hospital, located in Bitlahia, endured relentless attacks that compromised its infrastructure and staff. Dr. Hossam Abu Sofia, the hospital director, staunchly refused evacuation orders, emphasizing the hospital's role in saving lives despite the dangers.

Israeli Justification and International Response

Israel claims the hospital was being used by Hamas, prompting a controversial raid that resulted in the detention of 240 individuals, including medical staff:

Aya Betraawi [10:21]: "Israel says this hospital was being used by Hamas... They arrested 240 people they're accusing of being militants."

However, international organizations like the World Health Organization and Amnesty International dispute these claims, advocating for the immediate release of the detained medics and stressing that the hospital served purely humanitarian purposes.

---

3. President Biden's Complicated Legacy

As President Joe Biden prepares to leave office, NPR’s Tamara Keith assesses his four-year tenure and the factors influencing his legacy.

Achievements and Legislative Milestones

Tamara Keith outlines Biden’s significant legislative accomplishments amid various challenges:

Tamara Keith [12:05]: "In his first two years, Democrats also controlled Congress and they passed significant legislation... the American Rescue plan, the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Chips and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act."

These initiatives have aimed to stabilize the economy, invest in infrastructure, advance clean energy, and reduce inflation, though many of their impacts will unfold over years.

Challenges and Public Perception

Despite these achievements, Biden faced numerous obstacles, including the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, inflation, and public dissatisfaction:

Tamara Keith [12:05]: "Biden now argues that he's leaving the country in better shape than it was when he started. The unemployment rate is much lower than it was when Biden took office. Crime is down, wages are up, but so are prices."

His administration's handling of international crises and domestic economic issues has left his approval ratings mixed, culminating in his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race after a challenging debate performance.

Historical Context and Future Legacy

Keith reflects on how Biden’s legacy will be intertwined with that of Donald Trump:

Tamara Keith [14:27]: "Biden's legacy is now very much tied up with Trump's, which Biden policies Trump is able to reverse and whether Trump's second term is seen as a success."

This dynamic, along with Biden’s limited time post-presidency to shape his reputation, contrasts with former presidents like Jimmy Carter, who have had decades to influence their legacy.

---

Conclusion

This episode of “Up First” from NPR provides a comprehensive overview of the tumultuous events shaping the end of 2024. From the unresolved Gaza conflict and its profound humanitarian impacts to the nuanced evaluation of President Biden’s administration, the program delivers nuanced reporting and insightful analysis for listeners seeking to understand these critical issues.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

So, Layla. Yeah. Not sure if you noticed, but the end of the year is here.

[Leila Fadel]

What?

[Steve Inskeep]

It's the last day of 2024.

[Leila Fadel]

No, it's not.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yes, it is. Yes, it is.

[Leila Fadel]

Okay, I kind of knew that. All right. And since it's the last day, we'll just ask one more time for support.

[Steve Inskeep]

But maybe not the last time because there is a new year coming.

[Leila Fadel]

One time this year.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yeah. But anyway, this is what I meant. Yeah, exactly. But this is a nonprofit news organization. Is it ever dedicated to more informed public debate through independent, honest, accurate, transparent and fair journalism with lots of adjectives, apparently. You can read all about our code of [e-mail] those are the standards we hold ourselves to when we bring you each episode of up first and everything else that you hear on npr.

[Leila Fadel]

Yeah. We are not bought and paid for. We are beholden to you, the public. And so if you listen and if you care about staying informed and having information you can trust, please support us. And, and you can help keep this free public service available to everyone and unlock sponsor free listening to up first by signing up for npr.

[Steve Inskeep]

I love that concept. Unlock the benefits by subscribing. But this is actually pretty cool. It's a new way to support NPR. Get perks, including more than 25 podcasts like Planet Money and Fresh Air and Wait, wait, don't tell me. And more. Join NPR today at plus.NPR.org that's plus.NPR.org.

[Leila Fadel]

Or if you just want to make a gift today and help us out before the end of the year, you can do [e-mail] and thank you. If you're already an NPR supporter or if you support your local station, we're grateful to have your backing. As we move into the new year.

[Steve Inskeep]

A year of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas ends without a ceasefire.

[Tamara Keith]

I think Netanyahu is waiting for Trump.

[Leila Fadel]

What will stop the war in Gaza and from the hostages held by Hamas?

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steve Inskeep with Leila Fadel, and this is up first from NPR News. The last major hospital in north Gaza is no longer operating. Israeli forces raided and detained doctors and nurses, saying the hospital was being used by Hamas. Aid workers contend a lifeline is severed.

[Leila Fadel]

Plus, as President Biden's political career ends, how will history judge his four years in the White House?

[Emily Fang]

Biden went from dragon slayer to the.

[Leila Fadel]

One who brought the dragon back. Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[Steve Inskeep]

Hi, I'm Catherine Marr, CEO of npr, where we're guided by a bold mission to create a more informed public. Join us TODAY by [e-mail] foreign hi.

[Leila Fadel]

I'm Ramtin Arablouei from Throughline. Electricity, Internet, cell service, all the things.

[Steve Inskeep]

We rely on every day can be.

[Leila Fadel]

Unreliable or inaccessible in an emergency, but through any storm or crisis, radio is a lifeline.

[Emily Fang]

Support the resource that's here for you no matter what.

[Leila Fadel]

Give today @donate NPR all this year.

[Aya Betraawi]

NPR traveled the country hearing from voters not just about the issues, but about.

[Emily Fang]

Their hopes for the country's future.

[Leila Fadel]

We should be able to disagree with.

[Emily Fang]

Each other without bullying each other into.

[Leila Fadel]

Submission and what it means to be a part of a democracy.

[Aya Betraawi]

Invest in coverage that moves us forward.

[Leila Fadel]

Together by giving [e-mail] People in the Middle east have spent this whole year waiting on a ceasefire, from combatants to civilians under fire in tents, to hostages at locations unknown.

[Steve Inskeep]

And so as the year ends, we have a review of efforts to stop the war in Gaza. Talks were on again, off again. Moments of optimism were followed by weeks of no talks at all.

[Leila Fadel]

NPR's Emily Fang is joining us from Tel Aviv to take us through this year of rocky negotiations as the war continues. Hi, Emily.

[Emily Fang]

Hi, Layla.

[Leila Fadel]

Okay, so earlier this month, we were hearing a lot of optimism that a deal was close before the end of the year. And like so many times before, a deal didn't come. What are the major roadblocks?

[Emily Fang]

The biggest roadblock is disagreement over how long this ceasefire could be. Hamas wants a permanent one. Israel has been insisting on a temporary truce first, and a Hamas official familiar with the negotiations told NPR late last week they just didn't see this as a real ceasefire proposal. There's also disagreement over even how many Israeli hostages dead or alive Hamas would release, and then again which Palestinian prisoners and detainees Israel would release, and also exactly where Israeli troops would withdraw off from after that. The concern among Hamas is once they hand over Israeli hostages, Israel would just go back to war. And so this lack of trust on both sides is further hamstring the negotiations. I spoke with Jamal Zahaka. He's a former member of Israel's parliament, and he used to work really closely with Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. And Zahaka told me he thinks the prime minister is now in no rush for a ceasefire, especially before a new US Administration takes over.

[Tamara Keith]

I think Netanyahu is waiting for Trump, and if Trump make pressure on him or ask him to end the deal, he will end the deal or put.

[Emily Fang]

Pressure on him to make a deal And Zahaka says Netanyahu believes he can get more concessions if he waits for Trump to become president again because he sees Trump as a closer political ally than Biden.

[Leila Fadel]

Okay, so let's say a ceasefire happens. If it were to happen, is there any plan for what happens to Gaza then?

[Emily Fang]

Right. Israel's stated goal in Gaza was to topple Hamas. And Hamas has been greatly crippled but not totally destroyed. And now the big question is who takes Hamas's place? Israel has never stated a plan for the day after war. The United nations just said last month that 95% of schools in Gaza have been destroyed. The economy is gone. It's going to be a huge job to rebuild Gaza. So there's another Palestinian group, the Palestinian Authority or pa, It's a rival to Hamas. They want to govern Gaza. They already govern parts of the Israeli occupied West bank and they actually used to govern Gaza until they lost out to Hamas. So there's that. And then within Israel, there's another debate going on on whether maybe Israel should physically occupy and rule Gaza again.

[Leila Fadel]

Is that something Israel is considering?

[Emily Fang]

This is not yet the official position of Israel. And polls show there are lots more Israelis who also tell us they want a ceasefire of any sort right now, just to free the Israeli hostages held in Gaza. But there is another extreme proposal that's coming from what's called the settler move. These right wing Jewish activists who want to take land from Gaza and settle Jewish communities there. One of the founding members of this movement is Daniela Weiss and I spoke to her earlier this month right outside the Gaza Strip.

[Leila Fadel]

When we take from the Gaza people, from the Gazans land, soil, part of the Gaza Strip, this will be the tag price, the real punishment, as in.

[Emily Fang]

Punishment for the October 7 Hamas attack, she told me. And Vice's idea is to kick out 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and end the war that way, though this is illegal by international law. So when I look back at the year, it's been a roller coaster. There's been tons of political maneuvering and in the end, as we end the year, the death toll in Gaza keeps ticking higher.

[Leila Fadel]

That's NPR's Emily Fang in Tel Aviv. Thank you, Emily.

[Emily Fang]

Thanks, Leila.

[Leila Fadel]

With no ceasefire in sight, the last major hospital in northern Gaza is now shut down. Israeli forces raided it and detained many of its doctors and nurses.

[Steve Inskeep]

This hospital has treated patients during all the past several months as Israeli forces conducted an offensive around Gaza's northern edge. Israel explains the raid by insisting the hospital was used as a Hamas stronghold.

[Leila Fadel]

NPR international correspondent, aya Betraawi has been following the story closely. She's joining us now, and we want to let you know her reporting includes the sounds of explosions. Hi, Aya.

[Aya Betraawi]

Hi, Layla.

[Leila Fadel]

So before we get to the raid, just describe the situation in this part of Gaza where this hospital was operating.

[Aya Betraawi]

Yeah. So this war has been dragging on for almost 15 months now. But about three months ago, Israel launched a very focused offensive on the north of Gaza. And they brought in a lot of firepower to do this. And they said this was aimed at Hamas fighters who were trying to regroup in this area. So they essentially laid siege to around 200,000 people. They had no access to water, food, any aid. Many saw this as a starve or leave policy aimed at permanently expelling them from the territory. And a lot of them had to leave. The airstrikes were so severe, and they were starving. But, you know, with no ambulance is able to work, no rescue services able to operate and pull people from the rubble, this hospital K became people's only lifeline.

[Leila Fadel]

And so how did this hospital then become the focus of Israel's offensive on Hamas?

[Aya Betraawi]

Well, this hospital, like others, has been raided previously in the war. But as Israel began issuing these blanket evacuation orders for all of north Gaza, this hospital and its director, Dr. Hossam Abu Sofia, refused to abide. And he started posting videos online of why. So in this one, for example, you can hear severely wounded children connected to life support. He says he couldn't leave them behind and they couldn't be transported. He also told NPR earlier this month that the collapse of this hospital would mean the end of life itself in Gaza. And here you can hear him say that. But there was fighting around the hospital, which is located in the heart of Bitlahia in northern Gaza and Kumel Al, the front lines of this war, its water tanks, generators, ICU, and other departments directly hit by Israeli fire. Even a young patient inside was wounded in the operating room. Staff and patients were among those killed and wounded at and around the hospital. You can hear the hospital here under fire. And Dr. Abu Safiyah was also among those wounded in these strikes, and his son was killed at the hospital's gates.

[Leila Fadel]

And why does Israel say it needed to shut down this hospital?

[Aya Betraawi]

Israel says this hospital was being used by Hamas, and that in this operation and raid that shut down the hospital, they arrested 240 people they're accusing of being militants in the area, some of whom they say they believe were involved in the October 7 attack last year on Israel that sparked this war. Now, Israel describes this raid as swift and covert. But among those detained is the director of the hospital, Dr. Abel Safaya. They say they're holding him for potential involvement with Hamas, but groups like the UN's World Health Organization, Amnesty International and others are calling for his immediate release and the release of hundreds of medics detained in this war, saying they're really concerned about their safety and treatment in detention. Now it's also important to note that NPR has reached out to staff at the hospital in past weeks and months of this offensive, and they told us Hamas was not using the hospital for cover or operations. In fact, Dr. Abel Safayya and others had been sheltering with their families in the hospital for safety. But the hospital also says that they treated whoever came, and Israel says that it detained some patients they suspect of being militants.

[Leila Fadel]

That's NPR's international correspondent, A. Batrawi. Thank you, Aya.

[Aya Betraawi]

Thank you, Leila.

[Leila Fadel]

President Biden will soon finish his term in a way that almost no other president ever has.

[Steve Inskeep]

Biden will be replaced by the president that he wants replaced, and that is a big factor for any assessment of Biden's legacy.

[Leila Fadel]

NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith covered Biden's whole term and joins me now. Hi, Tam.

[Tamara Keith]

Good morning.

[Leila Fadel]

So at this moment, the focus is on how Biden's political career is ending. So remind us what Biden promised when he launched his bid in 2019.

[Tamara Keith]

He was explicit in the video announcing his campaign. He wanted to make Donald Trump a one term president.

[Steve Inskeep]

I believe history will look back on four years of this president and all he embraces as an aberrant moment in time. But if we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation.

[Tamara Keith]

Biden won the election in 2020 in the midst of the COVID pandemic, promising stability and competence at home and abroad. And in his first two years, Democrats also controlled Congress and they passed significant legislation. White House communications director Ben lebolt points to the American Rescue plan, the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Chips and Science act and the inflation Reduction Act. But many of these things will take years to come to fruition. The semiconductor factories opening, the transition to clean energy and all the jobs that come with that. And so there will be a lasting impact here long past the moment that the president leaves office in January. And that delay may mean that Biden's single term in office will be perceived more positively in the future than it is now. But it certainly didn't help his bid for reelection. In his own self assessment Biden now argues that he's leaving the country in better shape than it was when he started. The unemployment rate is much lower than it was when Biden took office. Crime is down, wages are up, but so are prices. And globally, alliances may be stronger, but war is raging in the Middle east and Ukraine.

[Leila Fadel]

Yeah. And to that point, Biden was had a poor approval rating, but he still insisted on running for a second term until a terrible debate performance and pressure from his party forced him to drop out of the race.

[Tamara Keith]

Right. And I don't think you can overstate just how pivotal that debate against Trump was. Over the summer, Biden showed his age and froze in a way that shocked even his close allies. And by the time he dropped out and endorsed Vice President Harris, there were only about 100 days left to go. Presidential historian Tevy Troy told me that on Election Day, Biden's legacy flipped from the guy who defeated Trump to the one who enabled his return.

[Emily Fang]

Biden went from the dragon slayer to.

[Leila Fadel]

The one who brought the dragon back.

[Tamara Keith]

Another historian told me Biden's legacy is now very much tied up with Trump's, which Biden policies Trump is able to reverse and whether Trump's second term is seen as a success.

[Leila Fadel]

You know, we've been talking this week, of course, about the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, the late Jimmy Carter. Now he passed away recently. He also was a one term president but had decades post presidency to shape his impact on the country and the world. I mean, Biden just doesn't have that. How will that affect how he's going to be remembered?

[Tamara Keith]

Well, Biden's allies are looking to a different president, hoping that he will be more in the mold of lbj, who history books look back on more fondly than when he left office.

[Leila Fadel]

NPR's Tamara Keith. Thank you.

[Tamara Keith]

You're welcome.

[Leila Fadel]

And that's a first for Tuesday, December 31st. I'm Layla Falden.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Your next listen is Consider this from NPR News. Up first gives you three big stories of the day. And then our Consider this colleagues take a different approach, diving into a single news story and finding out what it means to you. And like this podcast, it's, you know, around 15 minutes or less. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Leila Fadel]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Deedee Schanke, Carrie Khan, Dana Farrington, Jan Johnson and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Katie Klein, Ben Abrams and Julie Deppenbrock. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent and Our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us again tomorrow.

[Emily Fang]

Foreign to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks. Amazon prime members can listen to up first sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get up first [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org oh ho ho. Santa here coming to you from the North Pole, where the elves in our podcast division have just completed work on this season. Best gift for public radio lovers, NPR give the gift of sponsored free listening and even bonus episodes from your favorite NPR podcasts, all while supporting public media. Learn more at plus.NPR.org.

[Aya Betraawi]

On NPR's Book of the Day podcast, we hear from all sorts of writers making bold arguments, like the late President Jimmy Carter on Citizens United.

[Emily Fang]

So I think it's completely distorted the democratic purity of or legitimacy of our elections in the United States.

[Aya Betraawi]

We hear about his life as a writer and from his biographer about President Carter's complex legacy. Listen to Book of the Day from NPR wherever you get your podcasts.