Israel-Gaza updates: 300,000 have fled Rafah, UN agency says

Israel called again on Saturday for civilians to leave parts of the city.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: May 12, 2024, 2:28 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war crosses 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 Gazan town of Rafah.

May 10, 2024, 5:23 PM EDT

Biden admin says it's 'reasonable to assess' Israel violated International law with US arms

A new report from the United States Departments of State and Defense said that given "Israel's significant reliance on U.S.-made defense articles" it is "reasonable to assess" that some have been used in instances "inconsistent" with Israel's obligation under international law.

The assessment, which came as part of a report ordered by President Joe Biden, examined the use of U.S.-supplied arms in active conflict zones, and also said that the U.S. could not compile enough evidence to prove that the country used American defense articles in violation of international humanitarian law.

"We do not have complete information to verify whether US defense articles covered under NSM-20 were specifically used in actions that have been alleged as violations of IHL (international humanitarian law) or international human rights law during the period of the report," the document says. "The nature of the conflict in Gaza makes it difficult to address or reach conclusive findings on individual incidents."

Israeli soldiers take a position as part of the activity of the 99th Division in the Zaytoun Area of Gaza City, May 10, 2024.
Israel Defense Forces/AFP via Getty Image

While the report said the Israeli government has "the knowledge, experience, and tools" to implement "best practices for mitigating civilian harm," the high number of civilian casualties "raise substantial questions about whether the IDF is using them effectively in all cases."

Additionally, the report noted that Israel did not cooperate with U.S. efforts to ramp up humanitarian aid and distribution in Gaza during the initial months of the conflict, but that officials have observed improvements.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford and Anne Flaherty

May 10, 2024, 2:13 PM EDT

Biden admin report does not conclude Israel violated international, US law in Gaza, sources say

An upcoming report from the Biden administration examining Israel’s use of American-supplied arms does not conclude that the country violated international or U.S. law in Gaza, according to two sources familiar with the assessment, which has not yet been released.

Despite these findings, the report is still highly critical of some of the actions Israel has taken through the course of its military campaign against Hamas, a U.S. official added.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford and Ben Siegel

May 10, 2024, 12:59 PM EDT

Hamas says cease-fire talks are 'back to square one'

Hamas says negotiations with Israel for a permanent cease-fire have fallen through after Israel rejected its proposals, including demands for a permanent cease-fire, complete withdrawal of Israel's forces from Gaza, the return of displaced people and a prisoner exchange.

"Israel's rejection of the mediators' proposal, through the amendments it made to it, has brought things back to square one," Hamas said in a statement Friday.

Hamas said Israel bears "the full responsibility" for the failure to reach an agreement.

"The enemy's army's attack on Rafah and the direct occupation of the crossing immediately after Hamas announced its agreement to the mediators' proposal confirms that the occupation is evading reaching an agreement. Netanyahu and his extremist government are using negotiations as a cover for the attack on Rafah and the occupation of the crossing, and continuing the genocide against our people," Hamas said.

May 10, 2024, 12:30 PM EDT

UNGA passes resolution calling on Security Council to reconsider Palestinian membership

The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the Security Council to reconsider Palestinian membership in the U.N.

The motion passed overwhelmingly with 143 countries in favor, nine against and 25 abstaining.

"Granting Palestinian membership requires a recommendation from the Security Council. At the same time, the Assembly determines that the State of Palestine is qualified for such status and recommends that the Security Council 'reconsider the matter favourably,'" the U.N. said in a statement.

Despite broad support, the U.S. voted "no."

"President Biden has been clear that sustainable peace in the region can be achieved only through a two-state solution, with Israel’s security guaranteed, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side with equal measures of freedom and dignity. It remains the U.S. view that unilateral measures at the UN and on the ground will not advance this goal," Ambassador Robert Wood said in a statement Friday.

If approved, the new status would not take effect until the General Assembly opens in September.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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