The bodies of 13 deceased hostages are believed to still be in Gaza.
U.S. officials -- including Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner -- traveled to Israel this week for high-level meetings, discussing the next steps in the delicate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire deal by withholding the bodies of the remaining 13 deceased hostages thought to have died during or after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas has said the return of the remaining bodies "may take some time" due to the destruction.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Israeli parliament's vote on the annexation of the West Bank in his remarks as he talked to press at the airport in Tel Aviv before leaving on Thursday.
"I personally take some insult to it," Vance said, talking about the Knesset vote on the matter.
“Israel is not going to annex the West Bank,” he added.
-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian
There are 500 tons of lifesaving aid, including medical equipment and hygiene supplies, for Gaza stuck at the border "due to ongoing bureaucratic delays by the Israeli authorities," according to the International Rescue Committee.
"IRC staff working inside Gaza have shared firsthand accounts of the immense suffering, loss, and resilience of communities. These testimonies reflect the daily reality faced by families across Gaza and underscore the urgent need for the continued reduction of violence and sustained humanitarian action," the IRC said in a statement Wednesday.
This comes one day after the World Food Programme said more border crossings need to be opened to allow in aid at the level needed to keep the famine from spreading.
"IRC staff on the ground report that thousands of displaced people and many who have returned to areas like Gaza City after the ceasefire are still struggling amid massive destruction. With homes reduced to rubble and basic services decimated, families are living without adequate shelter, clean drinking water, food, or sanitation," IRC said.
"Health facilities remain overwhelmed, leaving those in need of medical care unable to access lifesaving services, putting already vulnerable lives at even greater risk," the aid group warned.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel this week, according to a senior State Department official.
Following the weekend violence in Gaza, several notable administration officials have made their way to Israel to shore up a fragile ceasefire agreement, including Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and the president's son-in-law and businessman Jared Kushner.
Israel and Hamas are currently observing a U.S.-backed ceasefire. Questions remain over the deployment of an international security force in Gaza and who will govern the territory. U.S. officials have said they are brainstorming next steps.
-ABC News' Mariam Khan
Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his visit to Israel, with the two saying they will continue to work together to insure the ceasefire agreement holds.
“I truly believe that the fact you're here is another brick in building the future for peace,” Herzog said before meeting with Vance.
“We all are grateful to President Donald Trump for his steadfast insistence on moving forward. We must move forward. We must offer hope for the region, for Israel, the Palestinians, our neighbors and for the future of our children. So we are grateful for your efforts,” Herzog added.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
