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

The IDF said it's carried out 10,000 airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

Last Updated: December 3, 2023, 2:46 PM EST

The temporary cease-fire between Hamas and Israel ended early Friday, and Israel has resumed its bombardment of Gaza.

The end of the cease-fire came after Hamas freed over 100 of the more than 200 people its militants took hostage during the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel. In exchange, Israel released more than 200 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.

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Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Mar 1, 6:03 am

What we know about the conflict

The latest outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, has passed the four-month mark.

In the Gaza Strip, at least 30,228 people have been killed and 71,377 others have been wounded by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.

In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed and 6,900 others have been injured by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

There has also been a surge in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli forces have killed at least 395 people in the territory since Oct. 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The ongoing war began after Hamas-led militants launched an unprecedented incursion into southern Israel from neighboring Gaza via land, sea and air. Scores of people were killed while more than 200 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. The Israeli military subsequently launched retaliatory airstrikes followed by a ground invasion of Gaza, a 140-square-mile territory where more than 2 million Palestinians have lived under a blockade imposed by Israel and supported by Egypt since Hamas came to power in 2007. Gaza, unlike Israel, has no air raid sirens or bomb shelters.

Nov 29, 2023, 11:39 AM EST

Hamas claims 3 hostages, including 10-month-old, were killed by previous Israeli strikes on Gaza

Hamas' military wing al-Qassam Brigades alleged Wednesday that three hostages have died as a result of the Israeli military's previous bombings in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement posted on a Telegram channel associated with the al-Qassam Brigades, the slain hostages were identified as Shiri Silverman Bibas, Kfir Bibas and Ariel Bibas. It was unclear when the trio had allegedly died and ABC News was unable to verify the claim.

Ofri Bibas Levy, whose brother Yarden was taken hostage with his wife Shiri and 2 children Kfir and Ariel holds with her friend Tal Ulus pictures of them during an interview with Reuters in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 13, 2023.
Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Several members of the Bibas family, including 32-year-old Shiri, her 4-year-old son Ariel and her 10-month-old son Kfir, were kidnapped from their kibbutz in southern Israel during Hamas' attack on Oct. 7 and taken hostage to Gaza, according to relatives and Israeli authorities.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed in a statement Wednesday that it is investigating the reports of their deaths.

"IDF representatives spoke with the Bibas family following the recent reports and are with them at this difficult time. The IDF is assessing the accuracy of the information," the IDF said. "Hamas is wholly responsible for the security of all hostages in the Gaza Strip. Hamas must be held accountable."

In a statement obtained by ABC News, the Bibas family said Wednesday that they are "updated on the latest Hamas publication."

"We are waiting for the news to be confirmed or hopefully refuted soon by military officials," the family added. "We thank the people of Israel for the warm embrace but ask to maintain our privacy at this complex time."

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy, Anna Brund, Jordana Miller, Dana Savir and Morgan Winsor

Nov 29, 2023, 11:31 AM EST

Returned hostages not in immediate danger: Israel hospital director

Itai Pessach, director of Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital at Sheba Medical Center, praised the newly released hostages who arrived at the hospital Tuesday, calling them "extraordinary women" who "endured the hardships of their captivity in a remarkable fashion."

Hostages who were abducted by Hamas gunmen during the October 7 attack on Israel, are handed over by Hamas militants to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip, Nov. 28, 2023.
Al-qassam Brigades via Reuters

"Some of them had complex underlying illnesses and some suffered injuries when they were abducted or during their time in captivity," Pessach said. "They will need further medical treatment and attention, but there's no immediate danger to any of them."

Twelve hostages were released on Tuesday in the most recent prisoner swap: 10 Israelis and two foreign nationals from Thailand. Nine of the Israelis were women. One was a 17-year-old girl, Maya, and her dog, Bella.

A hostage who was abducted by Hamas gunmen during the October 7 attack on Israel holds a dog while she and others are handed over by Hamas militants to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip, Nov. 28, 2023.
Al-qassam Brigades via Reuters

Pessach called Maya "a very brave young woman. "

"Bella also was examined last night by the veterinarian service of the Sheba Medical Center, and she's also fine, and she would stay with Maya for as long as she needs while they are still here," Pessach said.

Nov 29, 2023, 9:17 AM EST

Israel receives list of hostages to be released Wednesday, notifies families

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that it has received the list of hostages due to be released by militants in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

The families of the hostages on Wednesday's list have all been notified, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said.

The truce between Gaza's militant rulers, Hamas, and Israel is set to expire on Thursday morning, but the possibility of extending it further is reportedly under negotiation.

-ABC News' Dana Savir and Morgan Winsor

Nov 29, 2023, 9:04 AM EST

Israeli forces allegedly kill 2 Palestinian children in West Bank

Two Palestinian children were allegedly gunned down by Israeli soldiers operating in the militant stronghold of Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Wednesday, according to Palestinian health officials.

The Palestinian Authority, the Fatah-led governing body that oversees parts of the West Bank, identified the two victims as an 8-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy who it said "were killed by occupation bullets in Jenin."

Palestinians check damage following a raid in Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Nov. 29, 2023.
Raneen Sawafta/Reuters

The Palestine Red Crescent Society confirmed that its crews had transported the younger child from Jenin's al-Basateen neighborhood before he was pronounced dead.

Surveillance footage reviewed by ABC News purportedly shows the moment both boys were shot, but the perpetrators were out of sight.

ABC News has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment.

An Israeli military vehicle maneuvers on a road during a raid in Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Nov. 29, 2023.
Raneen Sawafta/Reuters

The alleged incidents occurred as the Israeli military carried out hourslong raids on the Jenin refugee camp.

Deadly violence has surged in the West Bank since Hamas, the rival Palestinian faction that governs the Gaza Strip, carried out an unprecedented attack on neighboring Israel on Oct. 7, prompting Israeli forces to retaliate.

-ABC News' Nasser Atta and Morgan Winsor

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