Israel-Gaza updates: Crossing closed to aid after rockets fired from Rafah: IDF

The IDF said several people were injured Sunday.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: May 5, 2024, 11:36 AM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war approaches the seven-month mark, renewed negotiations are underway to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, as Israeli forces continue to prepare for an apparent invasion of the southern Gaza town of Rafah.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in a phone call over the weekend, discussing increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and plans for a possible military operation in Rafah, according to the White House.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 03, 2024, 4:43 PM EDT

USAID announces $200 million aid to Gaza, other conflict zones

The U.S. will put $200 million toward addressing acute hunger in conflict zones around the world, including Gaza, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced Friday.

The money will go toward maximizing the procurement, production and distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a nutrient-filled, peanut-based paste that is particularly useful for addressing malnutrition in children under 5 years old, in places like Gaza, Sudan and Haiti, a USAID official told ABC News.

In Gaza, USAID partners are already distributing RUTF, and the agency plans to ship additional RUTF supplies into the enclave from Kenya via the maritime corridor soon, the official added.

Humanitarian groups and the United Nations have warned for weeks about the threat of a full-fledged famine in Gaza as the conflict continues.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford

May 03, 2024, 2:15 PM EDT

CIA director arrives in Cairo for cease-fire negotiations: Officials

CIA Director Bill Burns landed in Cairo to continue negotiations on the current proposal for a cease-fire and hostage deal, one Egyptian official and one U.S. official told ABC News.

A Hamas delegation will go back to Cairo on Saturday to resume negotiations, a senior Egyptian official told state-owned Al-Qahera News TV on Friday.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy in Cairo and Cindy Smith

May 03, 2024, 2:07 PM EDT

US briefed on initial plan for evacuations before Rafah invasion: Official

The U.S. has been briefed on some of the Israeli plans for humanitarian evacuations from Gaza ahead of a Rafah operation, an official with knowledge told ABC News.

The official stressed this is not a final plan.

-ABC News' Selina Wang

May 03, 2024, 11:27 AM EDT

Houthis threaten ships in Red Sea if Israel carries out Rafah operation

The Houthis threatened to "prevent all ships of these companies from passing through" the Red Sea if the Israeli operation in Rafah goes forward in a social media post Friday.

The Iranian-backed paramilitary group said in a Telegram post that if Israel goes through with its plans it would "impose comprehensive sanctions on all ships of companies that are related to supplying and entering the occupied Palestinian ports of any nationality."

The Houthis, who have attacked U.S.- and U.K-flagged commercial ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, said they would "not hesitate to prepare for broader and stronger stages of escalation."

-ABC News' Cindy Smith and Ellie Kaufman

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