Sammy Westfall

Washington, D.C.

Assistant Editor on the Foreign desk

Education: Yale University, BA in history and political science

Sammy Westfall is an assistant editor on The Washington Post's Foreign desk. She started at The Post as a Bradlee reporting fellow on the Foreign desk and has previously reported for Vice, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Toledo Blade. She also served as the editor in chief of the Yale Daily News, her college newspaper.
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Latest from Sammy Westfall

The Philadelphi Corridor, an Israel-Gaza cease-fire obstacle, explained

Israel’s demand to control the Philadelphi Corridor — a narrow strip of no man’s land — is a key issue in Gaza cease-fire talks.

September 5, 2024
The border fence between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, seen from Rafah in southern Gaza in May.

How many hostages are still in Gaza since Hamas attack on Israel? What to know.

Israel estimates some 117 hostages held by Hamas have been released or freed; 64 are believed still to be alive in Gaza. Here’s what we know.

September 1, 2024
Thai nationals who were released after being taken hostage by Hamas leave the Shamir Medical Center in Ramla, Israel, on their way to be flown back to Thailand.

Israeli military says recovered hostages’ bodies had gunshot wounds

Six bodies of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza were recovered on Tuesday from a tunnel below Khan Younis.

August 22, 2024
Mourners carry the coffin of Yoram Metzger, one of the six hostages whose bodies were retrieved from captivity in Gaza and brought to Israel in a military operation, at his funeral in Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, on Aug. 22.

    How many women presidents and prime ministers have served in your lifetime?

    The U.S. has never had a woman president, but it’s far from alone. Enter your birthday to find out the number of women who have led around the world.

    August 22, 2024

    Who are Hamas’s top leaders? What to know about Yehiya Sinwar.

    Sinwar, Hamas’s leader in Gaza and the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, will succeed Ismail Haniyeh as the new head of its political bureau.

    August 7, 2024

    A list of people freed in prisoner swap deal with Russia

    Journalists, including Evan Gershkovich, and political activists were released by Russia for spies and a convicted assassin. 

    August 1, 2024

      Who was Mohammed Deif, Hamas military commander targeted by Israel?

      The Israel Defense Forces said that Deif had been “eliminated.” Deif previously survived multiple attempts on his life, and was nicknamed “the cat with nine lives.”

      August 1, 2024
      Palestinians walk among the damage at a site hit by an Israeli bombardment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on July 13. Israel said it targeted Hamas’s military commander Mohammed Deif.

      Netanyahu’s history of clashing with U.S. presidents spans decades

      As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Biden in Washington on Thursday, here is a look back at some of his most notable clashes with U.S. presidents.

      July 24, 2024

      What to know about France’s leftist alliance after shock election win

      The New Popular Front wants to lower France’s retirement age and vastly expand government spending on social welfare, environmental protection and health care.

      July 8, 2024
      Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of France Unbowed, speaks after the announcement of the results of the second round of the legislative elections in Paris on Sunday.

        How big elections are changing the world in 2024

        Some elections are cementing the status quo. Others are shaking up the establishment.

        July 8, 2024