Samya Kullab

Samya Kullab is an author at Religion News Service.

All Stories by Samya Kullab

Israel says two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released

By Samya Kullab, Joseph Krauss, and Najib Jobain — October 21, 2023

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The release comes amid growing expectations of a ground offensive that Israel says is aimed at rooting out Hamas militants who rule Gaza

With humanitarian aid blocked at Egyptian border, Gaza draws closer to total collapse

By Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab, and Joseph Krauss — October 16, 2023

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Over 1 million people — about half of Gaza's population — have left their homes in a little over a week.

Israel orders the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern part of Gaza, the UN says

By Joseph Krauss and Wafaa Shurafa — October 12, 2023

JERUSALEM (AP) — International aid groups warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis after Israel halted deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity to Gaza.

Egyptian cleric revered by Muslim Brotherhood dies at 96

By Lujain Jo and Joseph Krauss — September 26, 2022

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — His critics accused him — and the Brotherhood — of hiding extremism behind moderate rhetoric.

Israeli police enter tense holy site as Jewish visits resume

By Joseph Krauss — May 5, 2022

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police entered the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem to clear away Palestinian protesters after controversial visits by Jews that had been paused for the Muslim holidays resumed.

Palestinians and Israeli police clash at major holy site

By Joseph Krauss — April 15, 2022

JERUSALEM (AP) — Clashes at the site last year helped spark an 11-day war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Police kill Palestinian attacker after Jerusalem stabbing

By Joseph Krauss — December 6, 2021

JERUSALEM (AP) — Large numbers of security forces were deployed to the area, where they briefly clashed with a crowd of young Palestinians before dispersing them with tear gas and stun grenades.

Palestinian PM: Only two-state solution can end ‘apartheid’

By Joseph Krauss — November 10, 2021

Israel says it made generous offers to the Palestinians in past rounds of peace talks, while the Palestinians say those proposals fell short of their rights under international law.

Afghanistan’s last Jew leaves after Taliban takeover

By Joseph Krauss and Muhammad Farooq — September 9, 2021

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Zebulon Simentov joined an exodus of tens of thousands of Afghans who have fled since the Taliban swept across the country last month

EXPLAINER: What will change under Israel’s new government?

By Joseph Krauss — June 14, 2021

JERUSALEM (AP) — The next government, which will be led by the ultranationalist Naftali Bennett, has vowed to chart a new course aimed at healing the country's divisions and restoring a sense of normalcy.

EXPLAINER: Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel’s new leader?