Israel-Gaza updates: Protest erupts in Tel Aviv over cease-fire, hostage deal

The bodies of six hostages were found in Gaza on Saturday.

Last Updated: September 1, 2024, 4:59 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the latest round of cease-fire discussions continues in the Middle East, even with Hamas rejecting the latest iteration over the weekend.

The United States and its allies continue to plead for a cease-fire deal.

Sep 01, 2024, 3:23 PM EDT

6 killed in IDF strike on Gaza school, says Gaza Civil Defense

At least six people were killed on Sunday when Israel Defense Forces conducted an airstrike on a school in Gaza City, according to Gaza Civil Defense.

The IDF said in a statement that the strike was aimed at Hamas terrorists they allege were operating a command-and-control center inside the Safad school to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against the IDF and Israel.

"Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence," the IDF said in a statement.

The Gaza Civil Defense confirmed the Safad school was hit in the IDF strike, but said the school houses displaced people from the Al-Zeitoun area east of Gaza City.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaulé

Sep 01, 2024, 2:36 PM EDT

Blinken speaks with parents of Goldberg-Polin

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Sunday with the parents of U.S.-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who Isreal Defense Forces found fatally shot Saturday along with five other hostages who were being held in Gaza tunnels by Hamas terrorists, according to a State Department spokesperson.

In his phone conversation Sunday with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, Blinken offered "deep condolences for the death of their son," said State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said.

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

Sep 01, 2024, 12:33 PM EDT

Biden spoke to Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents: White House

President Biden spoke with Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, this morning to "offer his condolences for the death of their son at the hands of Hamas," according to a White House official.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Sep 01, 2024, 12:12 PM EDT

Israeli hostages killed by 'short-range shots': Israeli Ministry of Health

Forensic examinations on the bodies of six Israeli hostages recovered on Saturday determined they were all killed "in a number of short-range shots," the Israeli Health Ministry said on Sunday.

It was estimated that the hostages were killed sometime between Thursday and Friday, or 48 to 72 hours before the forensic exams were performed, according to the Ministry of Health.

"Early in the morning, the bodies of the abductees arrived at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the cause of death," the Ministry of Health said in a statement. "In an examination conducted at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, it was found that the six abductees were murdered by Hamas terrorists in a number of short-range shots."

-ABC News' Anna Burd

Related Topics