Latest Israel-Hamas war news and Gaza updates: Cease-fire talks continue amid concerns over Rafah invasion

As talks in Cairo on a cease-fire and hostage release deal continue, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the United States believes negotiations “should be able to close the remaining gaps” between Israel and Hamas. Israeli troops earlier seized the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, disrupting the flow of aid into the Strip. The Biden administration has paused the shipment of thousands of bombs to Israel as U.S. concerns grow about the long-planned ground operation in Rafah — the first known delay in U.S. arms to Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.