Israel-Gaza updates: Blinken tells Israel onus is on Hamas to accept cease-fire

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ByNadine El-Bawab and Kevin Shalvey
Last Updated: June 1, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war crosses the seven-month mark, negotiations are apparently stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 28, 2024, 5:15 PM EDT

Newly released video shows Israeli hostage in captivity

A video showing Israeli hostage Alexsander Trufanov, who was captured by Hamas on Oct. 7, was publicly released by the Hostage Families Forum on Tuesday.

"The proof of life from Alexsander (Sasha) Trufanov is additional evidence that the Israeli government must give a significant mandate to the negotiating team, which will be able to lead to a deal for the return of all the hostages - the living to rehabilitation and the murdered to burial," the Hostage Families Forum said in the release with the video.

PHOTO: In this still from a video originally released by Hamas, Alexsander Trufanov is shown. Hostage Families Forum subsequently released the video and the family wanted the image released.
In this still from a video originally released by Hamas, Alexsander Trufanov is shown. Hostage Families Forum subsequently released the video and the family wanted the image released.
Hostage Families Forum

Israel submitted a new cease-fire proposal to negotiators in Egypt on Monday. They are now awaiting a response from Hamas, according to an Egyptian security source who spoke with ABC News.

-ABC News' Dorit Long and Marwa Mouaki

May 28, 2024, 5:07 PM EDT

21 killed as explosions continue in Rafah following Sunday's deadly strike

At least 21 people were killed in an attack near the International Medical Corps American hospital as explosions continue in Rafah on Monday night and Tuesday, according to Palestinians on the ground and local authorities.

Of the 21 people killed, 14 of them were female, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health said Tuesday. Their ages have not yet been released.

These bombings were not in the exact same location as the strike on May 26 that killed 50 people and injured at least 249 others.

-ABC News' Diaa Ostaz

May 28, 2024, 4:42 PM EDT

Nikki Haley signs artillery shells in Israel: 'Finish them! America loves Israel!'

Former U.S. presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley visited the northern Israeli border on Tuesday, meeting with Israeli soldiers and Israelis.

During her visit, Haley visited an Israel Defense Forces post with soldiers serving on the northern border.

Former U.S. presidential candidate Nikki Haley signs artillery shells near the northern border of Israel on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Courtesy Nikki Haley

Haley stopped and signed artillery shells, writing, "Finish them! America loves Israel!" on some of them.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

May 28, 2024, 3:51 PM EDT

1 million Palestinians have now fled Rafah: UNRWA

One million Palestinians have been forced to flee Rafah over the last three weeks in search of safety, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Heavy bombardment continued in Gaza overnight, including in Tal Al Sultan, where the U.N. main offices in Gaza are located, according to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

Palestinians flee the area of Tal al-Sultan in Rafah with their belongings following renewed Israeli strikes in the city in the southern Gaza Strip, May 28, 2024.
Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images

Most of the UNRWA staff could not make it to work as they are packing up and moving. The UNRWA is also running out of medical supplies and basic human medicines, according to Lazzarini.

Just over 200 trucks with humanitarian supplies were picked up in southern Gaza in the last three weeks as needs continue to increase exponentially, Lazzarini said.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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