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.
Israel shuts Kerem Shalom crossing to humanitarian aid after rockets fired from Rafah, IDF says
Several people were injured Sunday and sent to the hospital after approximately 10 "projectile launches" crossed from an area adjacent to the Rafah crossing toward Kerem Shalom on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces said.
The Kerem Shalom crossing is now closed to humanitarian aid trucks, the IDF said.
According to the IDF, Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
May 05, 2024, 8:43 AM EDT
Netanyahu says Israel won't agree to Hamas' demands
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Sunday regarding the talks for the release of hostages, claiming Hamas is "preventing the release of our abductees."
"Israel was and still is ready to make a truce in the fighting to free our abductees. This is what we did when we released 124 hostages, and returned to fight -- and this is what we are ready to do today," he said Sunday in comments translated from Hebrew.
Throughout negotiations, Israel has "demonstrated a willingness to go a long way," Netanyahu said, adding that Hamas "remained entrenched in its extreme positions, chief among them the demand to withdraw all our forces from the Strip, end the war and leave Hamas intact."
Netanyahu said Israel "cannot accept this," and that "surrendering to the demands of Hamas would be a terrible defeat."
"Therefore, Israel will not agree to Hamas's demands, which mean surrender, and will continue the fighting until all its goals are achieved," he added.
Netanyahu's comments come a day after an Israeli official told ABC News that Israel will not agree to end the war as part of any potential deal.
Meanwhile, Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, said Sunday that Hamas is keen on reaching a comprehensive cease-fire that "ends the aggression, guarantees withdrawal, and achieves a serious prisoner exchange deal."
-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Nasser Atta
May 04, 2024, 5:01 PM EDT
Israeli official responds to US opposition on potential IDF operation in Rafah
An Israeli official responded to the Biden administration's opposition to a military ground operation in Rafah saying, "we don't see eye to eye on everything, but we have been able to overcome differences".
The official added that, "Israel is a sovereign country that acts in accordance with its critical national interest."
-ABC News' Tom Soufi Burridge
May 04, 2024, 7:04 AM EDT
Israel will not agree to end the war with Hamas as part of any deal
An Israeli official has told ABC News that Israel will not agree to end the war as part of any potential deal.
“Israel will under no circumstances agree to the end of the war as part of an agreement to release our abductees," an Israeli official told ABC News on Saturday morning.
"As the political echelon decided, the IDF will enter Rafah and destroy the remaining Hamas battalions there - whether or not there will be a temporary ceasefire for the release of our hostages."