Israel-Gaza updates: IDF releases Hamas 'psychological terror' video of young hostages
Hagari said the footage was recovered by IDF troops.
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.
Latest headlines:
More than 630,000 fled Rafah since May 6, UN says
More than 630,000 people have fled Rafah since May 6 amid widening operations by Israel’s military, with many seeking refuge in Al-Mawasi and Deir al-Balah -- areas overcrowded with "dire conditions" -- according to the United Nations.
-ABC News' Emma Ogao
Gaza assistance through US maritime corridor not replacement for aid through land: USAID
Humanitarian assistance shipments delivered to Gaza through the U.S.’ maritime corridor should not replace aid coming into the enclave through land crossings where "barely 100 trucks of aid a day" entered over the last two weeks -- about a sixth of the level needed to stave off famine -- USAID Administrator Samantha Power said in a statement Friday.
"Every moment that a crossing is not open, that trucks are not moving, or where aid cannot safely be distributed, increases the terrible human costs of this conflict," Power said.
Supplies coming into Gaza through the temporary pier Friday include contributions from the U.S., United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
But, the statement doesn’t say how much aid is now being moved through the corridor at this point or how much of it is sitting in Cyprus waiting to be shipped -- so it’s still unclear if and when these deliveries might have a substantial impact.
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford and Anne Flaherty
1,400 buildings have been damaged, destroyed in Rafah this month
Almost 1,400 buildings have likely been damaged or destroyed in Rafah, Gaza, since May 4, according to an analysis of satellite imagery by two university researchers.
Data from the radar-enabled Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite operated by the European Space Agency was used to analyze the effects of fighting on the terrain and buildings of Gaza, according to Corey Scher, of the CUNY Graduate Center, and Jamon Van Den Hoek, of Oregon State University.
Between May 4 and May 8, the researchers found evidence that 895 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed in Rafah. From May 8 to May 16 they counted 487.
Since Oct. 5, the researchers have found evidence of likely damage or destruction to 18,176 of the 48,678 buildings in Rafah.
-ABC News' Chris Looft
IDF recovers bodies of 3 hostages in overnight operation
The bodies of three hostages have been recovered, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The bodies of Shani Louk, 23, Yitzhak Gelanter, 57, and Amit Buskila, 28, were recovered in an operation by the Shin Bet, Israel's security agency.
The hostages had escaped from the Nova Music Festival and were killed in the area of Kibbutz Mefalsim and their bodies were taken to Gaza, according to the IDF. Louk's capture generated international headlines after video emerged of her lifeless body in the back of a truck with Hamas terrorists.
"Our hearts go out to them, to the families, at this difficult time and we will leave no stone unturned, we will do everything in our power to find our hostages and bring them home," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF, said. "We will not rest until we do."
Gallant calls on Netanyahu to publicly reject Israeli civil or military governance of Gaza after Hamas
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant publicly called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make the "tough" decision to declare what a non-Hamas government over the Gaza Strip will look like.
"I must reiterate, I will not agree to the establishment of Israeli military rule in Gaza. Israel must not establish civilian rule in Gaza," Gallant said.
Failure to do that would undermine the IDF achievements in the war, Gallant warned.
"Since October, I have been raising this issue consistently in the Cabinet, and have received no response. The end of the military campaign must come together with political action," Gallant said.
"The 'day after Hamas,' will only be achieved with Palestinian entities taking control of Gaza, accompanied by international actors, establishing a governing alternative to Hamas’ rule," Gallant said.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky