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

Noa Argamani is one of the four hostages rescued in a deadly IDF raid on June 8.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: June 27, 2024, 3:03 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, negotiations have 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.
Jun 27, 2024, 3:03 PM EDT

Pentagon, USAID to review aid delivery via JLOTS pier

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.

PHOTO: Trucks carry humanitarian aid at Trident Pier, a temporary pier to deliver aid, off the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, near the Gaza coast, June 25, 2024.
Trucks carry humanitarian aid at Trident Pier, a temporary pier to deliver aid, off the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, near the Gaza coast, June 25, 2024.
Amir Cohen/Reuters

-ABC News’ Luis Martinez

Jun 27, 2024, 11:41 AM EDT

State Department reissues travel alert for Lebanon

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.

PHOTO: Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Khiam near the border with Israel, June 25, 2024.
Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Khiam near the border with Israel, June 25, 2024.
Rabih Daher/AFP via Getty Images

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

Jun 27, 2024, 11:17 AM EDT

Some ambulance service stopped in Gaza due to fuel shortages

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.

PHOTO: Women gather by the retrieved bodies of victims killed in the aftermath of overnight Israeli bombardment at the Asma school in the Shati camp for Palestinian refugees west of Gaza City, June 25, 2024.
Women gather by the retrieved bodies of victims killed in the aftermath of overnight Israeli bombardment at the Asma school in the Shati camp for Palestinian refugees west of Gaza City, June 25, 2024.
Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images

"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

Jun 26, 2024, 8:22 PM EDT

Israel's Gallant addresses military aid after US visit: 'Obstacles were removed'

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.

Related Topics