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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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 13, 2023, 1:33 PM EDT

Convoy of fleeing civilians struck in Gaza, 70 killed

Seventy people were killed and 200 were injured in an Israeli strike on a convoy of civilians heading from northern Gaza to central Gaza, according to the Palestinian government press office.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Oct 13, 2023, 1:18 PM EDT

1st US charter flight left Israel, headed to Europe

The first U.S. charter flight to evacuate Americans from Israel has departed the country and is now en route to Europe, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, told reporters on Friday. Kirby didn’t provide the exact destination in Europe.

Israelis mourn next to the grave of Maya Puder, 25, during her funeral in Zikhron Ya'akov northern Israel, Oct. 12, 2023.
Ariel Schalit/AP

He said more flights are expected to depart "in the coming days" and that "the State Department will continue to organize these charter flights for as long as there is a demand from US citizens for departure assistance."

He said the U.S. is still exploring "other options" to expand evacuation capacity, which also includes an option by sea.

Kirby also spoke to the heightened alert across the U.S.

"I want to be completely and crystal clear on one thing: At this time, none of our intelligence agencies have any specific intelligence indicating a threat to the United States stemming from the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel," Kirby stressed.

ABC News contributor and former FBI agent Brad Garrett joins ABC News Live anchor Diane Macedo to break down how law enforcement is ramping up security.
3:19

US police departments brace for potential violence during 'Day of Rage'

ABC News contributor and former FBI agent Brad Garrett joins ABC News Live anchor Diane Macedo to break down how law enforcement is ramping up security.
ABCNews.com

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

Oct 13, 2023, 12:24 PM EDT

IDF inside Gaza looking for hostages

Israeli special forces have been inside Gaza over the last few days trying to locate hostages, according to an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson.

Israeli tanks head towards the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP

"Infantry and armored forces searched and gathered in the area for findings that may help in the effort to locate the missing and thwarted terrorist infrastructure and terrorist cells found in the area, among which a cell of the terrorist organization Hamas fired anti-tank fire at Israeli territory," the IDF said. Israel's air force is continuing its attacks on Hamas in Gaza, the IDF said.

Israel said its alerted 120 families that their loved ones are held in Gaza.

Oct 13, 2023, 12:35 PM EDT

Reuters videographer killed

Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah was killed while providing a live signal in southern Lebanon, Reuters said.

Reuters' journalist Issam Abdallah holds a kitten while posing for a picture in Saaideh, Lebanon, July 4, 2023.
Emilie Madi/Reuters

"We are urgently seeking more information, working with authorities in the region, and supporting Issam’s family and colleagues," Reuters said. "Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time."

Two other Reuters journalists were injured.

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