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."

Click here for the latest updates.

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 09, 2023, 2:49 PM EDT

Father of missing 19-year-old American pleads for action

Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American citizen and Israel Defense Forces soldier, was at his IDF base at the Gaza border before he went missing over the weekend, according to his father, Ruby Chen.

"We got a message from him Saturday morning, 6:30 a.m., saying that there is bombing," Ruby Chen told ABC News. "That was the last time that we had any communication with him. Since then, he has been defined officially by the IDF as missing in action."

"My son, a U.S. citizen, is most likely in Gaza as we speak," he said.

Ruby Chen, the father of a U.S. citizen who is an IDF soldier, pleads for his son’s return after being classified missing in action.
7:08

Father of missing Israeli soldier pleads for his return

Ruby Chen, the father of a U.S. citizen who is an IDF soldier, pleads for his son’s return after being classified missing in action.
ABCNews.com

The terrified father is pleading for action.

"There are multiple U.S.-Israeli citizens that are in the same situation as we are," he said. "What we are asking from President Biden, in addition to condemning, is being more vicious in his request from the Hamas to abide to international law when it comes to [prisoners of war]. That means that they need to identify each POW that they have. It means that they need to provide and take care of their health and they need to allow the U.N. … to come and visit those prisoners of war."

"Please help me," he said.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Oct 09, 2023, 2:32 PM EDT

Hamas warns it will start killing Israeli hostages

Hamas said the group will start killing Israeli hostages one by one and film the executions unless Israel immediately stops shelling homes in Gaza, or provides warning ahead of attacks.

Israeli officials said at least 100 civilians and soldiers have been taken hostage by Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces said it's obtained information on every Israeli kidnapped and that it has notified 30 families so far.

Oct 09, 2023, 1:17 PM EDT

Israel death toll climbs over 900

The Israel death toll has climbed over 900 since Saturday, with more than 2,500 others injured, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

Israeli police officers evacuate a family from a site hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel, Oct. 7, 2023.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP

Israelis take cover in a shelter as a siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets fired from the Gaza strip, in Ashkelon, Israel, Oct. 8, 2023.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP

Oct 09, 2023, 1:12 PM EDT

Israeli Defense Forces mobilizes record 300,000 reserves

The Israel Defense Forces has mobilized 300,000 reserves -- the largest and quickest call-up in Israel’s history, according to an IDF spokesman.

An Israeli soldier rides on an armored vehicle as the army takes positions near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on Oct. 9, 2023.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

Related Topics