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 13, 2023, 12:09 PM EDT

Doctors Without Borders: Israeli order to evacuate northern Gaza 'outrageous'

Doctors Without Borders issued a statement Friday calling the Israeli government’s 24-hour notice to leave northern Gaza "outrageous."

"We are talking about more than a million human beings," Doctors Without Borders said in a statement. "'Unprecedented' doesn’t even cover the medical humanitarian impact of this. Gaza is being flattened, thousands of people are dying. This must stop now. We condemn Israel’s demand in the strongest possible terms."

The Israel Defense Force signals it's preparing for a ground invasion, but Hamas is telling people to stay where they are.
3:51

Israel urges more than a million Palestinians to evacuate Northern Gaza

The Israel Defense Force signals it's preparing for a ground invasion, but Hamas is telling people to stay where they are.
ABCNews.com

Over 423,000 people have been displaced in Gaza so far, according to the United Nations.

Oct 13, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT

London sees rise in antisemitism, police up patrols

Police in London are upping patrols amid a rise in antisemitism following the Hamas terror attack, the Metropolitan Police said.

"Officers have visited more than 200 schools as well as more than 300 synagogues, mosques and other places of worship," police said. "Some of our communities are telling us they feel very vulnerable and we are working with their leaders, faith groups and others to reassure them and ensure they feel safe."

Police said they're expecting thousands of people to participate in a pro-Palestine march in London on Saturday.

Oct 13, 2023, 10:45 AM EDT

Fighting ongoing near Lebanon border

Fighting is ongoing in northern Israel near the Lebanon border, where huge plumes of smoke are visible.

The Israel Defense Forces said there was an explosion Friday at the security fence adjacent to Hanita, Israel, which is along the border. The IDF said it's responding with artillery fire toward Lebanon.

"Additionally, an alert was activated concerning the infiltration of terrorists into the community," the IDF said, and Israeli "soldiers are currently searching the area."

Oct 13, 2023, 10:13 AM EDT

Hamas using roofs of residential buildings to launch drones: IDF

The Israel Defense Forces said Hamas is using roofs of residential buildings in Gaza to launch its hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.

Israeli planes have targeted dozens of these launch sites, the IDF said.

"This is further proof Hamas deliberately uses civilian building for military purposes," the IDF said. "The IDF will continue to operate in order to destroy Hamas' hostile UAV capabilities."

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