Israel-Gaza live updates: Israeli troops, tanks enter Rafah in 'precise' operation
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 Developments
May 7, 12:41 PM
Biden administration delaying ammunition deliveries to Israel: Sources
The Biden administration is delaying shipments of ammunition that were expected to be sent to Israel, according to three U.S. officials.
The Biden administration has been trying to pressure Israel to hold off on a full-scale invasion of Rafah until it has a plan to protect the million civilians now living there.
The Air Force has been told by the White House’s National Security Council to pause shipments of ammunition deliveries specifically from Dover Air Force Base, according to a U.S. official. The NSC was behind the decision to pause the munitions, a second U.S. official confirmed.
The National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
-ABC News’ Martha Raddatz, Anne Flaherty, Matt Seyler and Ben Siegel
May 7, 12:41 PM
Republican leaders blast Biden over reports US is withholding aid to Israel
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise have publicly accused the Biden administration of withholding aid to Israel following reports that some aid shipments have been halted. Johnson said that the Biden administration as recently as Friday had assured his staff that there would be “no delay” in assistance to Israel.
Johnson said he received a report this morning from on the ground in Israel that said “a shipload of munitions and precision weapons, which are to be used to help protect civilians and Rafah, is being withheld.”
In a letter to President Joe Biden, Senate Republicans Jodi Ernst and Ted Budd said they are “shocked” and “deeply concerned” that the Biden administration failed to notify Congress before withholding ammunition to Israel.
“If these reports are true, then you have once again broken your promise to an American ally,” they said.
-ABC News’ Lauren Peller and Shannon Crawford
May 7, 12:07 PM
Netanyahu says Hamas’ proposal intended to ‘torpedo’ Rafah operation
In his first comments since Israel’s offensive into Rafah began, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas’ cease-fire proposal on Monday was “intended to torpedo the entry of our forces into Rafah.”
“It did not happen. As the War Cabinet unanimously determined, the Hamas proposal is very far from Israel’s necessary requirements,” Netanyahu said.
“I instructed the working-level delegation that went to Cairo: continue to stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our abductees, continue to stand firm on the essential requirements for guaranteeing Israel’s security,” Netanyahu said.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
May 7, 5:26 AM
Israeli tanks control Rafah border crossing, IDF says
Israeli tanks controlled Gaza’s Rafah border crossing early Tuesday, as military officials accused Hamas of using the crossing for “terrorist purposes.”
This image grab taken from footage released by the Israeli army on May 7, 2024 shows the 401st Brigade’s combat team tanks entering the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024.
“Following intelligence that indicated that the Rafah Crossing in eastern Rafah was being used for terrorist purposes, IDF troops managed to establish operational control of the Gazan side of the crossing,” Israel Defense Forces officials said in a statement.
Mortars had on Sunday been fired “from the area,” killing four IDF soldiers, the Israeli military said.
This handout picture released by the Israeli army shows the 401st Brigade’s combat team tanks entering the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024.
A video and photos taken by the Israeli military and released Tuesday appeared to show several Israeli tanks operating on the Gazan side of the border.
-ABC News’ Kevin Shalvey
May 7, 2:59 AM
Israeli troops enter Rafah in ‘precise’ operation, taking control of border crossing
The Israeli military moved into eastern Rafah late Monday to begin a “precise counterterrorism operation” targeting Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday.
This handout picture released by the Israeli army shows Israeli forces operating on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7, 2024.
IDF troops also took “operational control” of the Gazan side of the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, officials said in a statement.
The operation in Rafah overnight included air strikes and on-the-ground troops, the military said. About 20 “terrorists” were killed and three tunnels were located, IDF officials said.
Palestinians inspect houses damaged in an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip May 7, 2024.
“IDF ground troops are continuing to operate against Hamas terrorist operatives and infrastructure in the area of the Rafah Crossing in eastern Rafah,” the statement said.
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller, Jessica Gorman and Kevin Shalvey
May 6, 6:36 PM
Qatar to send mediators to Cairo
Qatar will send a delegation of mediators to Cairo on Tuesday to work on negotiations for a cease-fire deal, according to a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry.
In a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said they hope “talks will culminate in reaching an agreement for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of prisoners and detainees, and the sustainable flow of humanitarian aid into all areas of the Strip.”
May 6, 5:47 PM
IDF spokesperson warns people in eastern Rafah to evacuate
As cease-fire talks continue, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari again warned Palestinians in the eastern part of the city to evacuate.
“Tonight, we also call upon those staying in specific areas which we have communicated and defined through every means — radio, media, internet, and flyers — in eastern Rafah, to move towards the expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi and Khan Yunis, where they will receive full humanitarian aid and where water, food, medical equipment, and shelter will be provided,” Hagari said.
May 6, 4:31 PM
Israeli Minister Gantz says current Hamas proposal has ‘significant gaps’
Israeli Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement Monday the current proposal put forth by Hamas “has significant gaps.”
“Despite this, we continue to turn over every stone and a delegation will go to Cairo,” he added.
Gantz said “every decision will be brought to the war cabinet,” which is made up of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and himself.
-ABC News’ Dana Savir
May 6, 4:17 PM
‘We are at a critical stage right now’ in negotiations, NSC spokesperson says
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that the U.S. is reviewing the Hamas response to a cease-fire proposal.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby speaks during a news conference at the White House on May 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C. During the briefing, Kirby spoke about ongoing Gaza cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.
Kirby did not reveal many specifics about where negotiations stand, but said they’ve reached a “critical stage.”
“I don’t know that it gets any more sensitive than right now,” Kirby said. “And the worst thing that we can do start speculating about what’s in it.”
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
May 6, 3:41 PM
Israeli army continues attacks in Rafah even as delegation sent to negotiate cease-fire
With negotiations underway for a cease-fire agreement, Israel’s war cabinet said they would continue military operations in Rafah.
Smoke billows after Israeli bombardment in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 6, 2024.
Israel will also send a delegation of mediators to work on a possible deal.
There have been at least 50 IDF strikes Monday on Rafah, officials said.
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