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."

Last Updated: June 20, 2024, 1:56 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.

Jun 20, 2024, 1:56 PM EDT

White House: Netanyahu video was 'perplexing,' 'disappointing'

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the video released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming the U.S. had paused weapons shipments was a surprise.

The video was "perplexing to say the least" and "certainly disappointing, especially given that no other country is doing more to help Israel defend itself," Kirby told reporters on Thursday.

PHOTO: Military vehicles maneuver near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, as seen from Israel, June 20, 2024.
Military vehicles maneuver near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, as seen from Israel, June 20, 2024.
Amir Cohen/Reuters

Netanyahu said in a video Tuesday, "It's inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel."

Asked if the administration had any sense of why Netanyahu felt it was necessary to release the video, Kirby reiterated their frustration.

"No idea. You'd have to talk to the prime minister about what prompted him to do that. Again, it was vexing and disappointing to us -- as much as it was incorrect. So difficult to know exactly what was on his mind," he said.

PHOTO: ISRAEL-POLITICS-CABINET
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a cabinet meeting at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem, June 5, 2024.
Gil Cohen-Magen/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Kirby was also asked about efforts behind the scenes to get an apology from Netanyahu over the video. Kirby said, "I think we've made it abundantly clear to our Israeli counterparts from various vehicles our deep disappointment in the statements expressed in that video and our concerns over the accuracy in the statements made."

Netanyahu said in response Thursday, "I am ready to suffer personal attacks provided that Israel receives from the U.S. the ammunition it needs in the war for its existence."

Kirby also confirmed that national security adviser Jake Sullivan was still holding a meeting on Thursday with high-level Israeli officials.

Kirby said the "wide-ranging meeting" will include "everything that's going on with the Gaza war, with our support to Israel, with our efforts to get a better sense of how they're continuing to prosecute operations against Hamas, as well as continuing to talk about the importance of closing on this deal."

PHOTO: Palestinians make their way past destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis, June 20, 2024.
Palestinians make their way past destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis, June 20, 2024.
Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News’ Molly Nagle and Michelle Stoddart

Jun 20, 2024, 12:02 PM EDT

Netanyahu meets with families of hostages declared dead in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Thursday with the families of hostages declared dead in Gaza.

Netanyahu met with rescued hostages right away but has received criticism for not meeting with the families of the dead until now.

"We are committed to returning all of them, all 120 abductees -- the living and the victims alike," Netanyahu said to the families. "We will not give up on anyone."

The Hostage Center is holding another large rally on Saturday calling for the government to reach a cease-fire deal and bring the rest of the hostages home.

PHOTO: Students holding images of kidnapped Israelis calling on the Israeli government to stop the war in Gaza and bring back the hostage outside the Knesset or Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, June 13, 2024.
Students holding images of kidnapped Israelis calling on the Israeli government to stop the war in Gaza and bring back the hostage outside the Knesset or Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, June 13, 2024.
Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News’ Will Gretsky

Jun 19, 2024, 7:39 PM EDT

Temporary pier to resume flow of aid

The temporary pier (JLOTS) off the coast of Gaza has been reattached to the beach, according to two defense officials. Aid should begin flowing soon says one of the officials.

Since the pier first became operational on May 7, more than 3,500 metric tons of humanitarian aid have been transported to that beach for distribution inside Gaza.

But the pier has had two lengthy breaks in service, the first time when rough seas broke off sections of the pier, and this latest preemptive move to the port of Ashdod so it could ride out rough seas to avoid a repetition of the first break in service.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jun 19, 2024, 4:32 PM EDT

Top Israeli officials meeting with US on Thursday

Top Israeli advisers Tzachi Hanegbi and Ron Dermer are traveling from Israel to meet with national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House on Thursday, senior administration officials told ABC News.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will also meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the coming days.

But another high-level meeting focused on Israel’s security, including Iran, has been canceled by the U.S., according to administration officials. The U.S. is looking to reschedule it.

While administration officials said the high-level meeting was never fully finalized on the schedule, other sources inside the White House said there was frustration over Netanyahu's video claiming the U.S. had paused weapons shipments, which did impact the decision not to hold the meeting.

-ABC News’ Selina Wang

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