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.
Latest Developments
May 6, 1:20 PM
Hamas says it has accepted proposal regarding cease-fire agreement
Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, said in a statement the group has called the prime minister of Qatar and Egyptian minister of intelligence “and informed them of the Hamas movement’s approval of their proposal regarding the ceasefire agreement.”
While few specifics were provided, senior Hamas leader Taher Al-Nono said the proposal “includes a ceasefire, reconstruction, the return of the displaced, and the liberation of prisoners.”
A deal has not been confirmed or commented on by other parties, including Israel. ABC News has requested comment from Israel, Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. on the apparent agreement.
-ABC News’ Nasser Atta
May 6, 12:33 PM
Pentagon says it still hasn’t seen ‘credible’ plan to protect civilians in Rafah
The Pentagon said it still hasn’t seen a “credible” plan from Israel on how it will protect some 1 million civilians in Rafah in the case of an invasion.
“We’ve seen kind of a concept, but nothing detailed at this point,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Monday morning.
He noted that the subject was raised Sunday by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a phone call with Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, but he declined to say what policy changes the U.S. might consider if Israel begins a full-scale invasion of Rafah without that credible plan.
Austin is scheduled to testify Wednesday, the same day the administration is required by law to tell Congress whether it agrees with Israel that its government complies with humanitarian law.
“I think there are still concerns in terms of the, again, given the number of people there and how you’re going to take into account the safety and well-being of the million-plus people that are in Rafah as any operation commences,” Ryder said. “Again, we agree with our Israeli partners on the importance of defeating Hamas and preventing them from being able to conduct attacks like they’ve done in the past. But we want to see that operation done in a way that again, takes into account civilians, takes into account how you’re going to evacuate them off the battlefield. So those conversations will continue.”
-ABC News’ Anne Flaherty
May 6, 11:07 AM
Biden speaks with Netanyahu as Rafah invasion looms, source says
President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, a source confirmed to ABC News.
Biden was expected to again reiterate his position on Rafah, urging restraint when it comes to an invasion of the enclave holding more than 1 million Gaza refugees, as he did when they last spoke on April 28.
Click here to read more about the conversation.
-ABC News’ Mary Bruce and Justin Gomez
May 6, 7:29 AM
IDF jets strike Rafah overnight
Israeli military jets targeted areas of Rafah overnight, striking “terror targets” and military structures, including a sniper’s nest, the Israel Defense Forces said Monday.
The strike included areas of Rafah “from which projectiles were launched toward the area of Kerem Shalom yesterday,” IDF officials said on Telegram.
There were no immediate reports of injuries following Monday’s strikes. IDF strikes on Sunday had killed at least 12 people in Rafah.
-ABC News’ Kevin Shalvey and Joe Simonetti
May 6, 6:07 AM
IDF drops flyers in Rafah, warning of danger
Israeli aircraft on Monday began dropping flyers in eastern Rafah, warning thousands of people sheltering in the city that they may be in danger ahead of a possible Israeli operation.
“The IDF will be operating against the terrorist organizations in the area where you are located, as it has operated until now,” the flyers read in Arabic, according to a translation provided by the Israel Defense Forces. “Anyone found near terrorist organisations endangers themselves and their family members.”
The flyers included directions for an evacuation, including information about the humanitarian area near Al-Mawasi, Israel said.
-ABC News’ Joe Simonetti and Kevin Shalvey
May 6, 4:36 AM
UN agency says it won’t evacuate Rafah
The U.N. Agency for Palestine Refugees said Monday it wouldn’t begin to evacuate its staff from Rafah, adding that a possible Israeli invasion into the refugee city would be “devastating.”
“UNRWA is not evacuating: the Agency will maintain a presence in Rafah as long as possible & will continue providing lifesaving aid to people,” the group said in a statement.
An invasion into the city “would mean more civilian suffering & deaths,” the agency said.
-ABC News’ Kevin Shalvey
May 6, 3:53 AM
IDF warns Rafah civilians to move to humanitarian area
Israeli military officials on Monday issued a warning to civilians in eastern Rafah to begin a “gradual movement” to a humanitarian area.
“Calls to temporarily move to the humanitarian area will be conveyed through flyers, SMS messages, phone calls and media broadcasts in Arabic,” Israel Defense Forces officials said in a statement posted to social media.
Israel said a humanitarian area around Al-Mawasi, a coastal town, had been expanded “to accommodate the increased levels of aid flowing into Gaza.” That aid included new field hospitals and additional food and water, IDF officials said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said last week that Israel would call for an evacuation of civilians prior to beginning its planned invasion into the southern Gaza city. Israeli officials haven’t yet detailed a timeline for the expected operation.
“The IDF will continue pursuing Hamas everywhere in Gaza until all the hostages that they’re holding in captivity are back home,” IDF officials said Monday.
-ABC News’ Kevin Shalvey
May 5, 11:36 AM
Hamas says negotiations in Cairo have concluded
Hamas said Sunday that negotiations in Cairo have concluded and that its delegation will leave Cairo tonight.
