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 17, 2023, 4:16 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

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, 11:53 PM EDT

Top US military commander in Middle East arrives in Israel for ‘high-level’ meetings

Gen. Erik Kurilla, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, has arrived in Israel.

"I’m here to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and am particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Gen. Kurilla said in a statement provided by U.S. Central Command.

Kurilla is set to conduct "high-level" meetings with Israel’s military leadership "to gain a clear understanding of Israel’s defense requirements" and outline American support efforts "to avoid expansion of the conflict."

-ABC News’ Luis Martinez

Officials said 2,000 American troops are on alert for a possible deployment to the Middle East as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues.
2:14

US troops on alert for Middle East deployment

Officials said 2,000 American troops are on alert for a possible deployment to the Middle East as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues.
ABCNews.com

Oct 16, 2023, 11:23 PM EDT

State Department says 4,000 seats offered to Americans leaving Israel

A State Department official said Monday night that the department has offered 4,000 American citizens and their immediate family members help to depart Israel via government-organized transportation since Friday.

“Since Oct. 13, we have augmented the limited commercial flight availability by offering more than 4,000 seats on U.S. government-chartered transport by air and sea to U.S. citizens and their immediate family members,” one official said. “We have communicated the availability of departure assistance options for U.S. citizens via targeted, individualized messaging as well as via broad public messaging.”

Departing flights, though, were not nearly at capacity, the official said.

“The departure options we have offered have generally departed at half capacity or less. Nearly 1,000 U.S. citizens and their immediate family members have departed on U.S. government-chartered transport,” an official said.

The official added that 3,000 other American citizens have told the State Department that they were able to leave Israel and the West Bank on their own.

-ABC News’ Shannon Crawford

Oct 16, 2023, 8:19 PM EDT

Biden to visit Israel

President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on Monday night.

Blinken made the announcement following a lengthy meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on Monday night.
2:42

President Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday: Sec. Blinken

President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on Monday night.
ABCNews.com

Oct 16, 2023, 7:30 PM EDT

Hamas releases video of apparent 21-year-old hostage

A 21-year-old Israeli hostage appeared in a video released by Hamas on Monday.

Mia Schem's family confirmed to ABC News that she is the person who is speaking in the 78-second video.

It was not known when the video was filmed.

Schem's family was slated to hold a news conference Tuesday morning local time.

-ABC News' Christopher Looft and Ellie Kaufman

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