Israel-Gaza updates: IDF preparing for 'wide range of offensive plans'

Fighting is ongoing after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: October 12, 2023, 8:19 AM EDT

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."

Click here for the latest updates.

Oct 16, 2023, 2:47 PM EDT

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.

Friends and family mourn Dor Reder, who was killed following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, at his funeral in Beit Kama, southern Israel, Oct. 16, 2023.
Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

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

Oct 12, 2023, 7:00 AM EDT

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Kirya in Tel Aviv.

At the start of the expanded meeting, Netanyahu thanked Blinken for his statement: "We are here; we are not going anywhere."

PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday Oct. 12, 2023.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday Oct. 12, 2023. President Joe Biden is dispatching his top diplomat to Israel on an urgent mission to show U.S. support after the unprecedented attack by Hamas militants. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Pool/via Reuters

Also participating in the meeting were Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the prime minister's chief of staff, the director of the National Security Council, the prime minister's military secretary, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. and the prime minister's foreign policy adviser. Among those attending for the American side were the acting U.S. ambassador to Israel, the assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs and the diplomatic adviser.

Afterward, Netanyahu and Blinken will meet privately and then issue statements to the media.

Following the statements, there will be an additional expanded meeting with the participation of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Unity Chairman MK Benny Gantz and MK Gadi Eisenkot.

-ABC News' Clark Bentson

Oct 12, 2023, 5:59 AM EDT

How many Americans live in Israel and Gaza?

The State Department does not meticulously track the number of U.S. citizens in any given location, and in Gaza, the circumstances don’t necessarily provide for perfect recordkeeping, but as part of its efforts to join the U.S. visa waiver program this summer, the Israeli government estimated the number of Americans living in Gaza at between 100 and 130, and the Biden administration accepted that range.

Meanwhile, the State Department estimates that roughly 500,000 American citizens reside in Israel, a larger number than many other available calculations likely because Israel’s parameters for who qualifies as a full-time resident of the country are more stringent.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford

Oct 12, 2023, 5:26 AM EDT

Hamas is no longer in control of certain parts of the Gaza Strip: IDF

According to Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Daniel Hagari, Hamas is no longer in control of certain parts of the Gaza Strip and the IDF is currently focused on killing Hamas leaders and their terrorist fighters

Meanwhile, fighting is ongoing going on in the south of Israel and there were four different incidents with 15 militants killed overnight, Hagari said.

The IDF has now notified another 200 families of lost IDF soldiers while engineers are working as quickly as possible to fix the Gaza border fence, according to Hagari.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Oct 12, 2023, 3:03 AM EDT

Secretary Austin and NATO counterparts to be briefed by Israeli Defense Minister

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warmly greeted each other before the second day of NATO sessions at its Brussels headquarters.

Austin invoked the conflict in Israel ahead of the meetings, saying "I know you share our outrage at the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas and also our determination to support Israel's right to defend itself."

Austin and his counterparts are expected to discuss support for Ukraine, NATO's missions and operations in Kosovo and Iraq and will also be briefed on the ongoing situation in Israel by Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, Stoltenberg said.

"On all of these issues, the Middle East, Ukraine, Iraq -- the United States, and you personally, Secretary Austin, provides security and leadership for all the NATO allies, and that is something we really, really appreciate." Stoltenberg said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Austin said that "NATO is as strong and as united as I've ever seen it."

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