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

The area is densely populated with tents, the sources said.

Last Updated: May 26, 2024, 4:33 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war crosses the seven-month mark, negotiations are apparently stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 25, 2024, 7:29 PM EDT

Hamas claims to have captured and killed Israeli soldiers, IDF denies

A Hamas spokesperson alleged an unknown number of Israeli soldiers were captured and killed Saturday, however, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has denied the claim.

The spokesperson claimed Hamas fighters "lured" Israeli soldiers into a tunnel in Jabalia camp in the north of Gaza, subsequently "killing, capturing, and wounding" all of the soldiers involved.

In a short video, posted by Hamas' armed wing the Al Qassam brigades, an unmoving soldier is filmed being dragged along the floor. Images of weapons and gear are also shown.

The IDF denied the claim in an updated on X Saturday, saying, "The IDF clarifies that there is no incident in which a soldier was abducted."

ABC News has not been able to independently verify the video.

-ABC News' Nasser Atta, Anna Burd and Samy Zyara

May 25, 2024, 2:56 PM EDT

Rough seas force 4 US vessels to break free near JLOTS pier

Four U.S. Army vessels that were part of the JLOTS temporary pier mission bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza broke free Saturday from their moorings because of rough seas and ended up beached near the pier in Gaza and near Ashkelon, Israel, U.S. Central Command said.

PHOTO: This picture shows a US military vessel that ran aground at a beach in Israel's coastal city of Ashdod, on May 25, 2024.
This picture shows a US military vessel that ran aground at a beach in Israel's coastal city of Ashdod, on May 25, 2024. The US military said four of its vessels, supporting a temporary pier built to deliver aid to Gaza by sea, had run aground in heavy seas.
Oren Ziv/AFP via Getty Images

"Efforts to recover the vessels are under way with assistance from the Israeli Navy," Central Command said in a statement.

No injuries were reported and no U.S. personnel will enter Gaza during the recovery efforts, according to Central Command.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

May 24, 2024, 1:31 PM EDT

Biden says Egypt will reopen Kerem Shalom crossing to aid deliveries

President Joe Biden secured a commitment from Egypt in a discussion Friday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to resume deliveries of U.N. aid into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to a White House readout of their call.

Biden also expressed his support to reopen the Rafah crossing with "arrangements acceptable to both Egypt and Israel and agreed to send a senior team to Cairo next week for further discussions."

An Israeli army vehicle moves after Hamas fired a mortar attack on May 5, 2024 in Kerem Shalom, Israel.
Amir Levy/Getty Images

"The two leaders agreed to deliver quantities of humanitarian aid and fuel to the United Nations at the Kerem Shalom crossing. This is temporary until a legal mechanism is reached to reopen the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side," the Egyptian presidency said.

Aid delivery through the Rafah crossing stopped after Israel stepped up its military offensive in southern Gaza and took control of the crossing on the Palestinian side on May 7.

The leaders also discussed "new initiatives" to reach a deal to secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas and a cease-fire in Gaza. No specifics were provided.

"President Biden and President Al-Sisi affirmed their commitment to work together to set the conditions for a durable and sustainable peace in the Middle East region," the White House said. "They agreed to remain in regular contact both directly and through their senior national security teams."

-ABC News' Justin Ryan Gomez and Ayat Al-Tawy

May 24, 2024, 11:29 AM EDT

Israel severs diplomatic mission with Spain

The Spanish consulate in Jerusalem will not be allowed to provide service to Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Friday.

“Following Spain's recognition of a Palestinian state and the anti-Semitic call of the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain not to be satisfied with recognizing a Palestinian state 'and to liberate Palestine from the river to the sea' - I have decided to sever the connection between the Spanish diplomatic mission in Israel and the Palestinians and prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing service to the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria,” Katz said in a statement.

-ABC News’ Will Gretsky

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