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."
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.
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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
IDF spokesman: Hamas is an 'idea,' can’t be eliminated
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said in an interview with Channel 13 in Israel that "Hamas is an idea," adding, "Whoever thinks that it can be eliminated is wrong."
"The notion that it is possible to destroy Hamas, to make Hamas disappear, is simply to mislead the public," Hagari said.
This contradicts statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has said destroying Hamas is the war's key objective.
Following Hagari's interview, the IDF said in a statement that it's "committed to achieving the goals of the war as defined by the cabinet, has been working in this way throughout the war day and night and will continue to do so."
"The commanders of the IDF and those who serve fight with determination and persistence to destroy the military capabilities and the governmental and organizational infrastructure of Hamas in Gaza, a distinct military goal," the IDF said. "In his words, the IDF spokesman referred to the destruction of Hamas as an ideology and an idea, and the words were said by him in a clear and explicit manner. Any other claim is taking things out of context."
In response to Hagari’s comments, the prime minister’s office said, "The political and security cabinet headed by Prime Minister Netanyahu defined as one of the goals of the war the destruction of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities. The IDF is of course committed to this."
Hezbollah leader says they’re not ruling out sending forces into Israel
As tensions between Israel and Lebanon escalate, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah once again threatened to enter Israel with Hezbollah forces.
Speaking at a memorial service for a Hezbollah commander who was killed by the Israeli military, he said entering Galilee in northern Israel "remains on the table if the confrontation develops."
Nasrallah also claimed Hezbollah has obtained new weapons.
Biden's team enraged, frustrated by Netanyahu's video: US official
President Joe Biden’s team is enraged and frustrated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's video that criticized the U.S. for withholding certain weapons, a U.S. official told ABC News.
U.S. officials have made clear to the Israelis that Netanyahu’s video is inaccurate and out of line, the official said.
Flow of aid resumes at temporary Gaza pier: Pentagon
The flow of aid through a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza has resumed after it was preemptively detached from the beach to ride out rough seas, the Pentagon confirmed.
"I can confirm that U.S. Central Command personnel re-anchored and re-established the temporary pier to the Gaza beach yesterday," Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Thursday. "As has been the case in the past, Israeli Defense Force engineers provided all the necessary support to ensure the safe and placement of the pier on the beach. And there were no U.S. boots on the ground during the reestablishment of the pier."
Since resuming overnight, more than 1.4. million pounds of humanitarian assistance has flowed from Cyprus to Gaza, he said.
Overall, more than 9.1 million pounds have been delivered through the corridor since May 17, he said.
Ryder stressed that no end-date has been established for the pier mission.
"We'll continue to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid via the maritime corridor and as always take necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the personnel operating the pier to include adjusting to sea states in the eastern Mediterranean Sea," he said.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez