Two U.S. officials familiar with the diplomatic efforts to free hostages told ABC News it appears that allies and partners in the Middle East in communication with Hamas are being helpful in advocating for their release.

The officials say Hamas has shown no real willingness to partake in diplomacy up to this point.

Hamas’ designation as a foreign terrorist organization also complicates any negotiations involving the U.S., because the official label makes it illegal for any American to knowingly provide "material support or resources," which includes personnel.

Deputy Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steve Gillen is among the U.S. delegation en route to Israel with the Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In remarks earlier Wednesday, President Joe Biden said "there's a lot we're doing" to bring the hostages home.

"In the days ahead we're gonna continue to work closely with our partners in Israel and around the world,” he said.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford

A Hamas official in Lebanon claimed in an interview with Russian state media that the terrorist group planned Saturday's attack on Israel for two years.

The official, Ali Baraka, told the Russian state-controlled network RT in an interview posted earlier this week that Hamas prepared for the attack while Israel believed it was busy governing Gaza.

The State Department has raised its travel advisory level for Israel and the West Bank to "level 3 -- reconsider travel" due to terrorism and civil unrest.

"Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza," an alert from the department states. "Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."

Both regions were previously at "level 2 -- exercise increased caution."

The advisory also adds increased restrictions for U.S. government employees, declaring they can only travel to Israel for "mission-critical travel."

Gaza remains at "level 4 -- do not travel."

-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford

President Joe Biden spoke with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Wednesday to discuss the attacks in Israel, stressing his condemnation of Hamas’ brutality, according a White House readout of the call.

The two leaders also discussed ensuring humanitarian assistance for those in need and Biden's warnings against countries and organizations who may exploit the situation, according to the readout.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez