December 27, 2023 - PBS NewsHour full episode

As the Israel-Hamas war approaches the three-month mark, there are many questions about Israel's strategy and tactics and what the future of Gaza may look like. Amna Nawaz discussed that with Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog, who is also a retired IDF brigadier general.

In our news wrap Wednesday, Donald Trump will stay on the primary ballot in Michigan after the state's Supreme Court rejected an appeal from voters seeking to disqualify him because of his role on Jan. 6, wintry weather blanketed parts of Colorado and South Dakota in more than a foot of snow and Russia fired nearly 50 drones at Ukraine and shelled a train station as people were trying to evacuate.

While the United States was able to negotiate the release of detained Americans in Venezuela, there are at least four Americans in Russia and approximately seven held in Gaza. The U.S. government's point person working to get them all home is Roger Carstens, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. Amna Nawaz spoke with Carstens about those still held captive.

The Biden administration is closing out 2023 in much the same way it began, with headlines about a migrant crisis. Border patrol agents are encountering a record number of people entering the country and cities are struggling to keep up with asylum seekers. The president has dispatched three top advisers to Mexico in search of solutions. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Elliot Spagat.

The Department of Agriculture recently approved the production of what’s known as cultivated meat, which is chicken grown in a lab. That approval clears the way for companies to begin selling poultry produced from animal cells rather than animals bred in factory farms and killed. But the industry still faces hurdles before Americans see it in their grocery stores. William Brangham reports.

One of the dominant Christian denominations in the U.S., the United Methodist Church, is experiencing a major split. Since 2019, more than 7,000 congregations have received approval to leave the church. The factions have disagreements in theology, namely how the church considers LGBTQ+ ministers and congregants. Amna Nawaz discussed more with communities correspondent Adam Kemp in Oklahoma.

In recent years, immersive art exhibitions that place viewers amid the art have been a hot ticket. Popular ones featuring works from artists like van Gogh and Monet travel from city to city. But there are a growing number of permanent immersive art spaces, including a new one special correspondent Cat Wise recently visited in Portland, Oregon. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Israel's ground offensive in Gaza continues to expand. As the death toll rises, Gazans still desperately need basics to survive. Aid trucks roll in, but many Palestinians are starving or without water and Israel announced it will now consider United Nations employee visas on a case by case basis, instead of automatic admission. Amna Nawaz reports.