BBC World Service announces Emergency Radio Service for Gaza

The emergency service – Gaza Daily – will broadcast vital news daily to the people of Gaza.

It will provide listeners in Gaza with the latest information and developments as well as safety advice on where to access shelter, food and water supplies. 

Produced in Cairo and London, and broadcast on medium wave, the service will initially run one programme a day at 1500 GMT from Friday 3 November. A second daily update will be broadcast at 0500 GMT from Friday 10 November. 

The BBC World Service has a history of responding to emergency situations globally. Most recently, in May 2023 during the conflict in Sudan, BBC News Arabic began an emergency radio service. 

In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service began extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country. The BBC also previously launched a service for Gaza in 2014 following a summer of conflict.

Liliane Landor, Director of BBC World Service, said: “BBC News Arabic are extremely well-placed to offer this vital service for the people of Gaza at a time of greatest need. Their expertise and specialist knowledge of the region alongside the BBC’s reputation as the most trusted news provider, means we can reach civilians in Gaza with the information they need.”

The Gaza service will be broadcast on MW 639kHz for morning and evening episodes.