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.


0

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."


75 launches detected from Lebanon into Israel Friday, IDF says

After Israel killed a senior Hezbollah commander on Thursday, 75 launches were detected crossing from southern Lebanon into Israel on Friday, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Dozens of the launches were intercepted and a launcher in the area of Yaroun was struck and dismantled, preventing more launches, according to the IDF.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky


US CENTCOM says first trucks carrying aid have moved ashore via temporary pier

The United States Central Command (U.S. CENTCOM) has confirmed that the first trucks carrying humanitarian assistance have now moved ashore via the JLOTS temporary pier on Friday.

"Today at approximately 9 a.m. (Gaza time), trucks carrying humanitarian assistance began moving ashore via a temporary pier in Gaza," according to a U.S. CENTCOM statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. "No U.S. troops went ashore in Gaza. This is an ongoing, multinational effort to deliver additional aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza via a maritime corridor that is entirely humanitarian in nature, and will involve aid commodities donated by a number of countries and humanitarian organizations."


Thai nationals taken hostage by Hamas declared dead

Two Thai nationals who were taken during the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel have now been declared dead, according to the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters.

Officials now say Sonthaya Oakkharasri and Sudthisak Rinthalak were killed on the day of the invasion by Hamas and their bodies were taken back to Gaza, where they remain. Both were agricultural workers in the orchards near Kibbutz Be'eri, the Hostage Families Forum said.

"The horrific cruelty of Hamas was directed against anyone in their path without distinction of origin or nationality," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said in a statement. "In front of our eyes stands the moral duty to bring them all back –- to bring all 132 hostages home as quickly as possible."

Thirty-nine Thai citizens were killed and 31 Thai citizens were kidnapped to Gaza in the attack on Oct. 7. Large numbers of Thai nationals have traditionally done agricultural work in Israel.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky


US aware of American doctors trapped in Gaza

The State Department on Monday said it was aware of reports that U.S. doctors were trapped in Gaza, and that it's been working with Israel to reopen the Rafah gate so U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals can leave.

"I can say that we're aware of these reports of U.S. citizen doctors and medical professionals currently unable to leave Gaza," principal deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said. "As I said before, we don't control this border crossing. And this is a incredibly complex situation that has very serious implications for the safety and security of U.S. citizens. But we're continuing to work around the clock with the government of Israel, with the government of Egypt, to work on this issue."

He added, "Rafah is a conduit for the safe departure of foreign nationals, which is why we continue to want to see it get opened as swiftly as possible."

The State Department said it does not have an estimate of Americans still trapped in Gaza, but that it's helped 1,800 U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to depart Gaza so far.

"Unfortunately, this is not a border crossing the United States controls but we are continuing to work around the clock with the government of Israel, with the government of Egypt on whatever we can do to make sure that Rafah gets open. … We need to see Rafah open as soon as possible," Patel said.

-ABC News' Anne Flaherty