Israel-Gaza updates: Biden speaks with Netanyahu about hostages, Gaza aid

U.S. intelligence agencies believe the death toll from the al-Ahli Hospital explosion is between 100 and 300 people, and likely on the lower end of that range, although the estimates are preliminary, a U.S. official told ABC News.

The estimate was included in an unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment on Wednesday evening, the official said.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health initially said at least 500 people had died in the explosion at the hospital, but later updated their estimate to 471.

The Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas, also said 314 others were injured, including 28 who remain in critical condition.

The New York Times first reported the existence of Wednesday evening’s intelligence estimate.

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson and Cindy Smith

The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer in the Red Sea, shot down multiple missiles launched by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, officials said.

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3 missiles, 8 drones shot down by US Navy Destroyer in Yemen

The land attack cruise missiles and drones were sent by Houthis forces in Yemen.

ABCNews.com

"We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea potentially to targets in Israel," a Pentagon spokesman said.

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There are some signs of progress toward moving aid into Gaza, but negotiations to open the Rafah border crossing remain ongoing, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said Thursday.

Miller also did not guarantee that moving aid to Gaza would necessarily mean Americans who want to leave could leave.

"If Rafah gate is open to allow humanitarian aid to go in, we will be trying to get out to the American citizens who are in Gaza who want to leave," he said.

Miller also noted there's a concern that Hamas would seize the humanitarian aid.

"There is not an Israeli military force in Gaza, there's not a U.N. peacekeeping force in Gaza. The people with guns inside Gaza are Hamas, and so Hamas may try to divert this assistance and keep it from getting to the civilians who it is intended for," Miller said. "We think that's a legitimate concern."

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Humanitarian Jason Lee on the importance of aid to the people of Gaza

The non-profit organization "Save the Children" is calling for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

ABCNews.com

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford

Starting Thursday, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can begin applying for visa-free travel for short-term visits to the U.S. through Customs and Border Protection's Electronic System for Travel Authorization, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

Israel's designation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program was announced last month and will allow eligible travelers to come to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa, DHS said.