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 13, 2023, 12:39 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 13, 2023, 12:39 AM EDT

IDF tells 'all residents of Gaza City to evacuate'

Israel Defense Forces called for "all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes" and "move south for their protection" early Friday morning local time in a series of posts on X.

The IDF told residents to 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."

The IDF said in its posts that it believes Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City, including in buildings with "innocent civilians” inside.

"[D]istance yourself from the Hamas terrorists who use you as a human shield," the post read.

The message was released a short time after the UN made a similar announcement, also citing Israel's military.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 13, 2023, 12:10 AM EDT

'Approximately 1.1 million' people in Gaza told to evacuate within 24 hours

United Nations team leaders in Gaza were informed by their liaison officers in the Israeli military that "the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours," a U.N. spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News.

"This amounts to approximately 1.1 million people," the spokesperson added.

"The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences," the spokesperson said.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara and Ellie Kaufman

Oct 12, 2023, 9:12 PM EDT

Israelis hold candlelight vigil in Tel Aviv

Israelis in Tel Aviv held a candlelight vigil on Thursday for the victims of the Oct. 7 surprise terrorist attack by Hamas.

A sign saying in hebrew 'No more words' near candles that were lit by people in memory for the civilians and soldier that were killed, and for the hostages that were taken to Gaza Strip on Oct. 12, 2023 in Tel-Aviv Israel.
Amir Levy/Getty Images

Ran Oren, who donated candles for the vigil, which was held around a fountain in central Tel Aviv, told Reuters that each candle donated represented each victim of the attack. He said the vigil was held in order to "light this dark moment."

Dozens of onlookers could be seen gathered around the makeshift vigil, some of them lighting candles along the fountain.

The vigil was first reported by Reuters.

Oct 12, 2023, 11:29 PM EDT

Hospitals, health system are at 'breaking point' in Gaza: WHO

Hospitals and the health system in the Gaza Strip are at a "breaking point," the UN World Health Organization said in a release Thursday.

"Hospitals have only a few hours of electricity each day as they are forced to ration depleting fuel reserves and rely on generators to sustain the most critical functions," the WHO said in the release. "Even these functions will have to cease in a few days, when fuel stocks are due to run out."

ABC News’ Stephanie Ramos spoke with Oxfam policy lead Bushra Khalidi about the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as her organization has been working to end poverty in Gaza for decades.
ABC News’ Stephanie Ramos spoke with Oxfam policy lead Bushra Khalidi about the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as her organization has been working to end poverty in Gaza for decades.

WHO said it documented 34 attacks on health care in Gaza since Saturday, Oct. 7. These attacks have resulted in "the death of 11 health workers on duty, 16 injuries and damages to 19 health facilities and 20 ambulances," the release said.

-ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman

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