Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dominated world news since it began in February of 2022.

In the State of Ukraine podcast, we haven't let up our coverage.

NPR's journalists give you the latest, bringing you stories from the ground and discussing

what each new development means for the rest of the world.

Listen to the State of Ukraine podcast from NPR.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is at war after a surprise

attack across Israel by Hamas militants early this morning by land, air, and sea.

And he says it could be a long one.

Hundreds are dead, thousands are injured, and Israel says military members and civilians

were taken hostage by Hamas.

President Biden pledged support to Israel and is talking about what military aid the country

might need, but the White House says it's looking into whether the chaos in the U.S.

House of Representatives, which doesn't have a speaker right now, would impact any additional

funding.

And the Senate still needs to consider the nomination of Biden's pick for Ambassador

to Israel, Jack Lu.

U.S. personnel at the American Embassy in Israel are sheltering in place.

This is all an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that's not been seen in decades.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense,

CEO of Galant, to convey his condolences for the victims of the attack and pledge assistance

from the Pentagon.

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