Israel-Gaza updates: 8 killed in Israeli airstrike, Gaza Ministry of Health says

The U.S. says "no other country is doing more to help Israel defend itself."

ByEmily Shapiro and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: June 16, 2024, 5:55 AM 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.

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Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 16, 2024, 5:49 AM EDT

Netanyahu not briefed before 'tactical pause' announcement, Israeli official tells ABC News

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heard the reports on Sunday about a daily "tactical pause" along an aid route, he contacted his military secretary and made it clear that this was unacceptable to him, an Israeli official told ABC News.

After an inquiry, the prime minister was informed that there was no change in Isreal Defense Forces policy and that the fighting in Rafah would continue as planned, the official said.

A man pulls a cart loaded with salvaged wood alongside another pushing a bicycle loaded with bags along a street in the eastern part of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 14, 2024.
Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari released a statement in Hebrew shortly after announcement saying the pause will affect a single aid route.

"There is no cessation of fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, and the fighting in Rafah continues," Hagari said. "Also, there is no change in the introduction of goods into the Gaza Strip."

-ABC News Jordana Miller, Victoria Beaule and Kevin Shalvey

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