Israel-Gaza updates: Hostage speaks 1st time since release

The Inspectors General at the Pentagon and the United States Agency for International Development announced Thursday that they will carry out separate reviews of the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza via the JLOTS temporary pier system.

The pier has been operational 21 out of the 42 days since it was first anchored to the beach in Gaza, according to statistics the United States Central Command provided to ABC News. The pier has been attached three separate times because of bad weather.

-ABC News’ Luis Martinez

As tension continues to simmer along the Israel-Lebanon border, the State Department is reminding U.S. citizens about the risks associated with traveling to Lebanon, urging them to "strongly reconsider."

"The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the protection of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict," the alert said.

The State Department also notes that while most of Lebanon is classified as a level 3 (reconsider travel) the southern portion of the country, the Lebanon-Syria border area, and refugee settlements are at a level 4 (do not travel).

Officials say this reminder is not a predictor of escalation to come and that the situation in Lebanon is under continuous review.

-ABC News’ Shannon Crawford

As the fight over aid into Gaza continues and as the United Nation cites the dangers to humanitarian workers, the Palestine Red Crescent Society now says 18 of its ambulances -- about one-third of its fleet -- have been taken out of service due to fuel shortages.

"The fuel quantities entering through the Karm Abu Salem crossing do not meet the medical and relief sector’s needs," the PRCS said in a statement.

"With the Israeli occupation continuing to keep the Rafah border crossing closed for about 52 days… the PRCS appeals to the international community for urgent intervention to reopen the Rafah border crossing and allow the flow of humanitarian aid, especially fuel," the agency said.

-ABC News’ Will Gretsky

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant shared an update with reporters Wednesday after meeting with U.S. officials on the latest in the Israel-Hamas conflict and rising tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Gallant met with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and several other U.S. officials in Washington, D.C. this week.

"During the meetings we made significant progress, obstacles were removed, and bottlenecks were addressed, in order to advance a variety of issues and more specifically the topic of force build-up and supply of munition,” Gallant said.

Gallant said he discussed "several issues," including "Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, the hostage issue, the transition to the next phase in Gaza, and how this will impact the region."

During Gallant's visit to the U.S., Hezbollah released a video message in which the group threatened to attack crucial Israeli buildings if a full-scale conflict were to break out in Lebanon.

“Hezbollah understands very well that we can inflict massive damage in Lebanon if a war is launched,” Gallant said

Over the past months, the Israeli Defense Forces have eliminated 400 Hezbollah terrorists, according to Gallant.

Regarding the conflict with Hamas, Gallant said, "Hamas as a military formation has been mostly dismantled. We have destroyed most of the Hamas battalions and formations and are now fighting pockets of resistance."

Gallant thanked the U.S. government and the American public "for their enduring support for the State of Israel.