Israel-Gaza updates: Israeli forces preparing for 'wide range of offensive plans'
Fighting is ongoing after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
At least 1,400 people have died and 3,400 others have been injured in Israel after the militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented incursion from air, land and sea on Oct. 7, Israeli authorities said.
In Gaza, 3,000 people have been killed and another 12,500 were injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Tensions are high with the prospect of ground war and evacuation orders for Gaza after the Israel Defense Forces called for "all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes" and "move south for their protection" early Friday, saying residents should move "and settle in the area south of the Gaza River." The announcement was made, according to the IDF, because it plans to "operate significantly in Gaza City in the coming days" and wanted "to avoid harming civilians."
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Latest headlines:
- At least 500 killed in explosion at Gaza hospital: Gaza Health Ministry
- IDF preparing to implement 'wide range of offensive plans'
- 3,000 tons of aid with nowhere to go as Gaza-Egypt border remains closed
- Biden to visit Israel
- Hostages suffering from amputated limbs, severe injuries from rape: Israeli forum
Timeline: The Hamas attack and response
On the morning of Oct. 7, sirens echoed across Israel as Hamas terrorists began a full-fledged surprise attack from the air, sea and ground. Hundreds of armed Hamas fighters stormed into Israel from Gaza, charging into cities and gunning down citizens.
Israeli forces responded by sending wave after wave of bombs into Gaza, killing thousands, trapping civilians and raising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Click here for the full timeline
20,000 Palestinians sheltering in schools: UN agency
The U.N. agency for Palestinian Refugees said more than 20,000 people are sheltering in schools around Gaza.
-ABC News' Joe Simonetti
IDF evacuating Israelis from towns near Gaza border
The IDF said it's evacuating Israeli civilians from at least two dozen towns along the Gaza border within the next 24 hours.
-ABC News' Joe Simonetti
Pentagon: US will 'rapidly' send munitions to Israel
The U.S. is sending a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean to bolster deterrence in the region and "will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions," according to a statement from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday.
"Today, in response to this Hamas attack on Israel, and following detailed discussions with President Biden, I have directed several steps to strengthen Department of Defense posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts," he said.
The U.S. materiel support will begin shipping today and will arrive in the coming days, according to Austin.
The strike group will include the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy and four guided-missile destroyers -- the USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt, Austin said.
The U.S. will also boost its F-35, F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter squadrons in the region, according to the defense secretary.
"The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required," he said.
-ABC News' Matt Seyler
More than 700 dead in Israel: Health officials
More than 700 people are dead in Israel and over 2,100 others injured, Israeli health officials said.
The Palestinian Health Authority said there are 370 people dead in Gaza and 2,200 others injured.
22 Americans dead
At least 22 Americans have died, according to the State Department.
President Joe Biden said he had another call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, the fourth time the two leaders spoke in recent days.
"There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse. And the type of terrorism that was exhibited here was just beyond the pale," Biden said. "My commitment to Israel's security and the safety of Jewish people is unshakable. The United States has Israel's back and we're going to be working on this all through the day and beyond.”
The president said that he would speak more about the situation Wednesday afternoon when he attends a roundtable with Jewish leaders.
