Israel-Gaza updates: Gantz rejects Netanyahu's request, resigns

He said Netanyahu is "preventing us from progressing towards a true victory."

Last Updated: June 4, 2024, 12:02 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, negotiations are apparently 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 04, 2024, 12:02 PM EDT

Qatar says Israel and Hamas should have clear positions for Gaza cease-fire

Qatar’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday it was "too early" to reach a cease-fire deal and that there should be a clear position from both sides on the U.S. truce proposal.

"We are waiting for a clear Israeli position that represent the entire Israeli government," Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday. "Any talk of reaching a deal needs a clear position from both sides towards ideas put on the table."

The deal should offer a road map for a permanent cease-fire and an end to the war, he said.

"It is too early thus far. We do not have clear positions from both sides," he said, adding that mediators remain hopeful as they push ahead with efforts to reach a deal but are "not always optimistic."

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy

Jun 03, 2024, 6:15 PM EDT

Netanyahu to address joint session of Congress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver an address before the two houses of the U.S. Congress, his office confirmed Monday.

A date has not been set yet, his office said.

Plans for Netanyahu's address come after Congressional big four leaders invited Netanyahu in a joint letter sent Friday.

-ABC News' Jonathan Karl, Benjamin Siegel, Allison Pecorin and Bruno Nota

Jun 03, 2024, 4:10 PM EDT

4 hostages confirmed dead

Israeli forces confirmed the deaths of four more hostages: Haim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper and Nadav Popplewell.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said the four hostages were "killed together" a "few months ago" while "IDF forces were operating" in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Hagari said Israeli forces are "examining the circumstances" of their deaths.

Relatives and supporters of Israelis taken hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza in the October 7 attacks demonstrate to call for their release in the central city of Tel Aviv, May 25, 2024.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

Cooper, 85, was an economist and a poet, and a father of four and grandfather of 11, according to Kibbutz Nir Oz. His wife, Nurit Cooper, was also kidnapped and later released, the kibbutz said.

Amiram Cooper, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, is pictured in this undated handout photo.
Bring Them Home Now/Handout via Reuters

Metzger, 80, was a father of three and grandfather of seven. His wife, Tamar Metzger, was also abducted to Gaza and later released, the kibbutz said.

Yoram Metzger, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, is pictured in this undated handout photo.
Bring Them Home Now/Handout via Reuters

Popplewell, 51, was kidnapped with his mother, who has been released, the Hostages Families Forum said.

PHOTO: A poster portrait of hostage Nadav Popplewell is seen as relatives and supporters of Israeli captives held in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants call for their release, on Feb. 28, 2024.
A poster portrait of hostage Nadav Popplewell is seen as relatives and supporters of Israeli captives held in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants, gather before the start of a four-day march to Jerusalem calling for their release, on Feb. 28, 2024.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

Peri, 80, was abducted while protecting his wife, the Hostages Families Forum said. He leaves behind his wife, five children and 13 grandchildren.

Peri's family said he "heroically survived in the Hamas tunnels, under inhumane conditions, for around 4 months," and he "survived with the hope and faith that the state of Israel will fulfill its moral duty to bring him home."

"The government of Israel and its Prime Minister have no right to leave the hostages in captivity, dismantling Israel’s foundational principle of mutual responsibility," Peri's family said. "We call upon the government of Israel to strive for an immediate deal, save those still alive, and bring those who are not, to a proper burial."

Chaim Peri, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, is pictured in this undated handout photo.
Bring Them Home Now/Handout via Reuters

"The heartbreak that comes with this painful news should shake every citizen in the State of Israel and lead every leader to profound soul-searching," the Hostages Families Forum said in a statement Monday. "The Israeli government must send out a negotiating delegation this evening and return all 124 hostages, both living and murdered. ... We reiterate our demand to the Israeli government: approve the Netanyahu deal immediately!"

Jun 03, 2024, 4:05 PM EDT

Biden says Israel ready to 'move forward with the terms' of deal, Hamas is 'only obstacle'

President Joe Biden told the emir of Qatar on Monday that Israel is ready to "move forward with the terms" of the hostage and cease-fire deal, according to the White House readout of the call.

Biden said that "Hamas is now the only obstacle to a complete ceasefire," and the president "urged [Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani] to use all appropriate measures to secure Hamas’ acceptance of the deal," the White House said.

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