Israel-Gaza updates: Kerem Shalom crossing closed to aid after rockets fired from Rafah, IDF says
The IDF said several people were injured Sunday.
As the Israel-Hamas war approaches 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 Gaza town of Rafah.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in a phone call over the weekend, discussing increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and plans for a possible military operation in Rafah, according to the White House.
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Jordan claims Israeli settlers attacked aid convoys en route to Gaza
Jordan's foreign ministry alleged Israeli settlers attacked two of its humanitarian aid convoys that were en route to Gaza Wednesday.
Hussein Al-Shebli, the secretary general for the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, said in a statement that his organization sent a convoy of 97 trucks to two locations: the Beit Hanoun border crossing and Karam Abu Salem.
Al-Shebli claimed there were attempts "by many of the settlers and from the Israeli side, from Israeli citizens," to prevent the arrival of the convoy at the crossings.
"The aid trucks were attacked, by trying to break them and the cutting of their air pipes," he said in a statement.
Ultimately, the trucks were able to arrive at the crossings, according to Al-Shebli.
Israeli officials have not immediately commented on the allegations.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
Hamas expected to respond to Israel cease-fire deal proposal 'within hours': Source
Hamas is expected to submit a response to Israel's current hostage and cease-fire deal proposal "within hours," a senior Egyptian official told ABC News Wednesday.
The official said efforts to broker a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas are proceeding in a “positive atmosphere."
“Negotiations are continuing with all sides to resolve a number of sticking points," the official added.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept the terms of the cease-fire deal.
"Israel has made very important compromises in the proposal that is on the table, demonstrating its desire and willingness to get this agreement and get it done," he said while at the Port of Ashdod.
"There is no time for delay. There's no time for further haggling. The deal is there. They should take it," he added.
-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy and Shannon Crawford
Israel opens Erez Crossing for first time since Oct. 7
The Israel Defense Forces opened the Erez Crossing Wednesday for the first time since the war between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7.
The Israeli government announced it would reopen the crossing last month after President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in an Israeli airstrike.
The IDF said that 30 trucks of humanitarian aid "including food and medical supplies for the northern part of the Gaza Strip, arrived from Jordan and entered Gaza."
-ABC News' Bruno Nota
Blinken visits Gaza border crossing
Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a previously unannounced visit Wednesday to the Kerem Shalom border crossing, becoming the first cabinet-level U.S. official to visit the border of Gaza since the Oct. 7 attacks.
Blinken attended a closed briefing on humanitarian assistance and deconfliction while he was at the site, which was shuttered for more than two months after the attacks.
Blinken was able to look into Gaza from the top of the massive concrete wall, according to pool reporters.
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford