On the Ted Radio Hour, linguist Anne Curzan says she gets a lot of complaints about people using the pronoun they to refer to one person.

I sometimes get into arguments with people where they will say to me but it can't be

singular and I will say but it is.

The history behind words causing a lot of debate that's on the Ted Radio Hour from NPR.

Live from NPR News in Washington. I'm Janine Herbst.

Israel's military says it didn't anticipate civilian casualties in an airstrike targeting Hamas operatives in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls it a tragic mishap.

NPR's Daniel Estrin has more, but first a warning.

The following report contains graphic descriptions of violence.

Israel says the strike killed senior Hamas operatives.

But it took place in the Rafah area just days after Israel said it would comply with the

international court of justice order against military activity in Raffa that

risked the physical destruction of Palestinians.

NPR Gaza producer Anas Baba met an eyewitness

Abu Muhammad.

He said, there was a fire.

I saw children, one with his intestines out, others without heads.

Israel's army published a swifter than usual inquiry.

It says that it had conducted surveillance and used precise munitions and did not expect civilian

harm.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a tragedy but

that pressure on Israel hardens Hamas's positions. Netanyahu said I am not

...