Israel-Gaza live updates: Sirens sound in Tel Aviv as Hamas fires rocket from Gaza

"Whoever harms us -- we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Last Updated: August 25, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, cease-fire discussions are occurring in the Middle East, with officials hoping to bring an end to the conflict.

The United States and its allies continue to plead for a cease-fire deal, with discussions set for this week.

Aug 20, 2024, 4:41 PM EDT

Netanyahu throws cold water on reaching a cease-fire deal, hostage forum says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told representatives of the hostage families that "Israel will not under any circumstances withdraw from the Philadelphie axis and the Netzer Corridor despite tremendous pressure to do so," according to a release from the Tikva Forum of hostage families.

"I'm not sure there will be a deal, but if there is a deal -- the deal will be one that preserves the interests that I repeat over and over again, which are the preservation of Israel's strategic assets. The demand that there be negotiations, even in the future -- a demand that is unacceptable, even if there is a deal -- after 42 days, we will return to fighting immediately, until the elimination of Hamas, even while negotiating the next steps," Netanyahu told hostage families.

"The military pressure will continue with full force, this is the only thing that makes Hamas drop its unreasonable demands," Netanyahu added.

Asked by ABC News, Netanyahu's office said they had nothing to add beyond a press release that did not include the comments.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dana Savir

Aug 20, 2024, 3:38 PM EDT

Bodies of hostages found in area where IDF had previously operated, IDF spokesman says

The bodies of six hostages recovered by Israeli Defense Forces were found in an area where Israeli forces had previously operated in Khan Younis, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in remarks to the press Tuesday.

The circumstances of the hostages' deaths are being investigated, Hagari added.

"The operation was led by the 98th Division, which returned to operate in the Khan Younis area for the third time a few weeks ago, this time with new intelligence and new targets," Hagari said.

-ABC News’ Jordana Miller

Aug 20, 2024, 3:26 PM EDT

US official criticizes Netanyahu's reported comments

As U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues his meetings with Middle Eastern mediators working toward a Gaza cease-fire deal, a senior U.S. official traveling with his delegation is criticizing comments about the process emanating from both Israel and Hamas, casting them as unproductive.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, addressed reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a hawkish stance in a meeting with hostage families, telling them he was "unsure" there would be an agreement to return those held captive in Gaza and that he would not withdraw troops from strategic areas of the enclave -- a key sticking point in negotiations.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give a joint press conference, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023 in Jerusalem.
Ronaldo Schemidt/Pool via AP, FILE

"Maximalist statements like this are not constructive to getting a cease-fire deal across the finish lines," the official said. "And they certainly risk the ability of implementing and working level and technical talks to be able to move forward when both parties agree to a bridging proposal."

The senior official also dismissed Hamas’ latest statement accusing the U.S. of "blind bias towards Israel."

"They say a lot of things and they do a lot of different things," the official said, suggesting the militant group’s ongoing engagement was an indication that Hamas was still involved in the negotiation process despite its insistences to the contrary.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

Aug 20, 2024, 2:14 PM EDT

Over 115 projectiles crossed from Lebanon into northern Israel, IDF says

Israeli forces have identified over 115 projectiles crossing from Lebanon into northern Israel on Tuesday, the IDF said.

Hezbollah has also released statements about eight different attacks on northern Israel Tuesday.

IAF strike a Hezbollah military structure in the area of Matmoura in southern Lebanon, alongside an additional Hezbollah military structure in the area, Aug. 20, 2024.
Israel Defense Forces

Two people were killed after Israeli strikes on the town of Al-Dhahira Tuesday, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Ghazi Balkiz