Israel-Gaza updates: Death toll in Rafah airstrike rises to 50: Action Aid UK

The Israeli Hostage Center released a video Wednesday showing five young women being taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, all of whom are considered to be alive and in Hamas custody.

Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa and Naama Levy were taken hostage from the Nahal Oz Base, according to the Hostage Center. Families of hostages criticized the Israeli government's failure to secure their release.

"A damning testament to the nation's failure to bring home the hostages, who have been forsaken for 229 days," the Hostage Center said in a release.

Ayelet Levy, Naama's mother, said in a statement that her heart was with the 19-year-old "in those horrifying moments in the horrifying day of October 7th."

"We only see in that video a fraction of the horrible things that are going on in their surrounding in the shelter. She is terrified and wounded, there is fear in her eyes, and she is saying what she can, she is begging for her life."

Shlomi Berger, Agam's father, told ABC News they decided to release the video to apply pressure on the Israeli government to reach a cease-fire deal that secured the release of the hostages.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the video is evidence of why the war must continue until Hamas is "eliminated."

"I am shocked by the video documenting the kidnapping of our precious female observers. We will continue to do everything to bring them home," Netanyahu said in a statement.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky and Britt Clennett

Israel has made "refinements" to its military operations in and around Rafah following U.S. concerns about harm to civilians, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said Wednesday.

"We had detailed discussions on Rafah during my visit to Israel. These have built on weeks now, as I've discussed with you from this podium, of discussions on a professional basis, about Rafah and about how Israel can achieve the defeat of Hamas, everywhere in Gaza, including in Rafah, while minimizing civilian harm," Sullivan said discussing his recent trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia.

"What we have seen so far in terms of Israel's military operations in that area has been more targeted and limited, has not involved major military operations into the heart of dense urban areas," he said.

Sullivan said the U.S. will "now have to see what unfolds from here" and whether what Israeli officials have laid out continues to happen.

-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez

Israel will not transfer funds to the Palestinian Authority after Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized Palestine as a state, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The decision by Israel's far-right finance minister could push the Palestinian government into an even worse financial situation.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has authorized settlers to enter parts of the northern West Bank that they had previously been barred.

The Israelis previously had settlements in this area that were evacuated and then demolished in 2005. Settlements in the area will still need government approval, but this authorization will make it easier for settlers to establish outposts.

"Just as I have acted in all my positions in the governments of Israel - I will continue to develop the settlements in Judea and Samaria, to strengthen the security elements and the security of the citizens - in roads and settlements," Gallant said in a statement.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky