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 16, 2023, 4:34 PM 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."

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Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
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 16, 2023, 4:34 PM EDT

Schumer urges Senate to work on aid package

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, fresh off his return from Israel, harshly condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel and repeatedly insisted that the Senate act quickly to provide an aid package to Israel.

In the coming days, Schumer said he'd work with the administration to craft a package that includes military, humanitarian, intelligence and diplomatic aid. The administration has not yet presented a formal ask for Israeli relief, but Schumer said in a conversation with Israeli leaders, he's learned what the nation needs most.

An Israeli soldier adjusts his rifle as he stands on a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Oct. 16, 2023.
Lisi Niesner/Reuters

He also said it's incumbent on the Senate to begin work on the package to "give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself" and to move on it quickly, even as the House remains without a speaker. He said supporting Israel must be "at the front and center of our attention."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Oct 16, 2023, 3:46 PM EDT

Israel's security chief takes responsibility for intelligence failure

Ronen Bar, director of Israel's Shin Bet security service, said in a letter, "We were unable to generate a sufficient warning" for Hamas' attack.

"As the one who is at the head of the organization -- the responsibility for this is mine," he wrote.

Bar said there will be time for an investigation, but for now, Israelis are fighting.

Israeli soldiers patrol a road near the border between Israel and Lebanon, Oct. 16, 2023.
Francisco Seco/AP

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Oct 16, 2023, 3:19 PM EDT

DC protesters call for cease-fire in Gaza

A large group of protesters are rallying outside the White House calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Activists calling for a ceasefire in Gaza protest in front of the White House in Washington, Oct. 16, 2023.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
U.S. Secret Service arrest a protester during a rally in support of Palestinians outside the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16, 2023.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

More than 30 people have been arrested, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

The organizers of the rally said protesters came from all over the country to "protest for peace." Two demonstrators said they felt President Joe Biden's handling of the crisis has been "shameful" and "catastrophic."

The president has emphasized that Hamas does not represent all Palestinian people, who are also suffering, but some protesters told ABC News they didn't think Biden's language was strong enough.

-ABC News' Selina Wang

Oct 16, 2023, 2:36 PM EDT

Blinken and Netanyahu sheltered in a bunker for 5 minutes

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sheltered in a bunker for five minutes with the war cabinet and the rest of their meeting participants after rocket sirens went off in Tel Aviv on Monday, according to State Department spokesperson Matt Miller.

The meeting has since been moved and participants are going to an Israel Defense Forces command center to continue their discussions, Miller said.

Blinken returned to Israel on Monday to meet with Netanyahu. Miller said earlier that Blinken discussed in their meeting his "firm support" of Israel's right to defend itself and efforts to provide humanitarian aid and free hostages.

More than 2,600 people, including civilians and hundreds of children, have been killed and nearly 9,000 injured in Israel and Gaza since the war broke out on Saturday.
More than 2,600 people, including civilians and hundreds of children, have been killed and nearly 9,000 injured in Israel and Gaza since the war broke out on Saturday.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford

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