The Take

Thousands of Palestinians have been freed under a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel – but many more remain in Israeli prisons. As arrests continue and families wait for answers, what does “freedom” really mean under occupation? And how does detention shape daily life, resistance, and hope in Palestine?

In this episode:

• Maram Humaid (@MaramGaza), Reporter, Al Jazeera
• Shawan Jabarin (@SJabaren), General Director, Al-Haq

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Melanie Marich, with Catherine Nouhan, Haleema Shah, Fatima Shafiq, Tamara Khandaker and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

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A fragile ceasefire is in effect and the living Israeli captives are back home, but Israel is continuing to restrict humanitarian aid into Gaza. With decimated medical infrastructure across the strip and famine conditions in the north, what will it take for Gaza to get the aid it needs?

In this episode:

• Hisham Mhanna (@MhannaHesham), Spokesperson, International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Noor Wazwaz, and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq, Amy Walters, Melanie Marich, Tamara Khandaker, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. 

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Haleema Shah, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid and Fatima Shafiq. Our host is Malika Bilal. 

Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week: nine days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 38 Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians and Israelis celebrated the return of family and friends as captives and prisoners were exchanged. Israel continued to violate its ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

In this episode:

• Hind Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Ibrahim Al Khalili, (@_ibrahimalkhalili) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Zeina Khodr, (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 12, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

Was the violence surrounding a football match in Amsterdam anti-Semtic or more evidence of impunity from Israelis? 

In this episode: 

• Tony Karon (@TonyKaron), Managing Editor, AJ+

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tracie Hunte. The original production team was David Enders, Chloe K. Li , Tamara Khandaker, Hagir Saleh, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Madagascar’s Gen Z protesters are declaring victory this week after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country and Colonel Michael Randrianirina declared himself president. This comes after young people led weeks of anti-government protests. But with military leaders taking control and government institutions suspended, is this really the change Madagascar's Gen Z wants for their country?

In this episode:

• Rose Mumanya, political risk analyst

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, Noor Wazwaz, Amy Walters, Tracie Hunte with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Farhan Rafid and Fatima Shafiq and our host, Malike Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is furious after the Nobel Peace Prize went to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. She dedicated her award to US President Donald Trump, who is reportedly pushing for regime change in Venezuela. What does the award mean for Maduro’s hold on power and Venezuela’s struggle for democracy?

In this episode:

• Teresa Bo (@TeresaBo), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, Noor Wazwaz, Tamara Khandaker, and Marcos Bartolomé, with Amy Walters, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. 

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Jared Kushner, billionaire real estate scion, is shaping Gaza’s future. Why is the US President’s son-in-law at the heart of the Gaza ceasefire deal – and the future of the Middle East?

In this episode: 

• Ali Harb (@harbpeace), Journalist, Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sonia Bhagat and Melanie Marich, with Noor Wazwaz, Amy Walters, Tamara Khandaker, Farhan Rafid, Fatima Shafiq and our guest host, Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan.  Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

It’s a deal that was long awaited, but will it bring peace? The exchange of Palestinians and Israelis marked the strongest sign yet that a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is holding. With world leaders at a summit in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, the stakes are high – and the path ahead is still uncertain.

The Take is nominated for the Signal Awards in the Best Daily Podcast category. While we wait for the judges' decisions, you can help us win the listeners' vote. Vote for The Take for Best Daily Podcast.

In this episode:

• Haggai Matar (@Ha_Matar), +972 Executive Director

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Haleema Shah, with Amy Walters, Tamara Khandaker, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is the Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

After two years of genocide and only days into a new ceasefire, Palestinians are returning to Gaza City to find devastation: no homes, power, or family. Now, days after US President Donald Trump announced a plan to end the war, he is set to arrive in the region. There is optimism, but questions remain. Namely, will this deal hold?

The Take is nominated for the Signal Awards in the Best Daily Podcast category. While we wait for the judges' decisions, you can help us win the listeners' vote. Vote for The Take for Best Daily Podcast.

In this episode:

• Hamdah Salhut (@hamdahsalhut), Correspondent, Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Dave Enders with Duha Mosaad, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Ney Alvarez.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Diana Ferrero, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K. Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Amy Walters, and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid, and Fatima Shafiq. Our host is Malika Bilal. 

Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This week: After a ceasefire that began on Friday, many Palestinians in Gaza are going home as both sides wait for an expected release of prisoners and captives. It is day 737 of the war on Gaza, where more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed.

In this episode:

• Hani Mahmoud, Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Hind Khoudary, (@Hind_Gaza) Al Jazeera Correspondent
• Tareq Abu Azzoum, (@abuoazzum) Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube