Israel-Gaza updates: Israel says ground operation underway in southern Gaza

A 14-year-old survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack described how she hid in a safe room in her kibbutz for hours in an interview with ABC News' Kayna Whitworth on Thursday.

"The fear of what might happen -- that was the most terrifying part," Eli Shani Kozin said on ABC News Live.

While she hid, hearing gunfire and knocks at their door, Eli said she would see messages on WhatsApp from other children sharing what happened to them, such as seeing their houses set on fire.

"I kind of accepted death. I felt like, there's no way I'm going to get out of here safely," said Eli, whose father was killed and cousin kidnapped on Oct. 7.

At a news conference in Israel on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated that "Israel has the right to do everything it can to ensure that the slaughter Hamas carried out on Oct. 7 can never be repeated."

9:14

Blinken delivers remarks following meeting with Netanyahu

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel will resume military operations if hostage releases cease, but it's imperative Israel act in accordance with humanitarian law.

ABCNews.com

"Hamas cannot remain in control of Gaza," Blinken said, but he reiterated Israel’s obligation to minimize civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.

He said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Netanyahu's war cabinet that it's imperative that "the massive loss of civilian life and displacement of the scale that we saw in northern Gaza not be repeated in [southern Gaza]."

"We made clear the imperative that before any operations go forward in southern Gaza, that there'd be a clear plan in place that puts a premium on protecting civilians, as well as sustaining and building on the humanitarian assistance that's getting into Gaza," Blinken said. "And the Israeli government agrees with that approach.”

-ABC News' Nate Luna

Six more Israeli hostages were released Thursday evening and are back in Israel, according to the Israeli prime minister's office.

They were identified as: 29-year-old Shani Goren, 41-year-old Nili Margalit, 30-year-old Ilana Griczewski Kimchi, 29-year-old Sapir Cohen, 18-year-old Bilal Elziadna and 17-year-old Aisha Alziadna.

This comes hours after two other Israeli hostages were released: 21-year-old Mia Schem and 40-year-old Amit Sosna.

In exchange for the eight hostages released Thursday and two Russian citizens who were released Wednesday, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners -- 23 minors and seven women -- on Thursday, according to the Qatari foreign minister.

9:30

6 more Israeli hostages have been freed

The release of these hostages follows the release of 2 other Israelis earlier Thursday. Thirty Palestinian prisoners are set to be released as part of this exchange.

ABCNews.com

Amid the cease-fire, the Israeli military is prepared to continue the war and forces are prepared to strike at any hour, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

Israel insisted on continuing the cease-fire -- which was extended by one day early Thursday morning -- "to bring back the hostage women and children, and this is what we will do [Thursday night] for tomorrow, as well," Hagari said in Hebrew.

"The mediators, Qatar and Egypt, are also obligated to carry out the set agreement in order for the pause to continue," he said.