Israel-Gaza updates: Israeli forces preparing for 'wide range of offensive plans'

Fighting is ongoing after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

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.


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.

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


State Department raises travel advisory level for Israel, West Bank

The State Department has raised its travel advisory level for Israel and the West Bank to "level 3 -- reconsider travel" due to terrorism and civil unrest.

"Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza," an alert from the department states. "Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."

Both regions were previously at "level 2 -- exercise increased caution."

The advisory also adds increased restrictions for U.S. government employees, declaring they can only travel to Israel for "mission-critical travel."

Gaza remains at "level 4 -- do not travel."

-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford


Biden speaks with UAE President bin Zayed

President Joe Biden spoke with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Wednesday to discuss the attacks in Israel, stressing his condemnation of Hamas’ brutality, according a White House readout of the call.

The two leaders also discussed ensuring humanitarian assistance for those in need and Biden's warnings against countries and organizations who may exploit the situation, according to the readout.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez


Biden on hostages: 'Have not given up hope'

President Joe Biden said at a roundtable with Jewish leaders on Wednesday that the U.S. is "doing a lot" to rescue the Americans held hostage by Hamas.

"We're working on every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel, including deploying experts to advise and assist with recovery efforts," he said. "I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home."

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also delivered remarks at the roundtable. Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, said, "Like all Jews, I feel a deep visceral connection to Israel and its people."

"We witnessed a mass murder of innocent civilians," he said. "The images that we saw will be seared in our brains forever. Rockets falling on cities, people dragged from their homes and shot dead, children sheltering from bullets, bodies lining the streets. And all the while, we see videos of these terrorists cheering on these atrocities. "

"I know you're all hurting. The entire Jewish community is hurting, I'm hurting," he said.



US 'exploring contract options' for citizens who want to leave Israel

The State Department said it's "exploring contract options" to help Americans looking to leave Israel travel to nearby countries.

Though there are still commercial flights available from Israel, they are limited, the State Department noted.

An official familiar with the discussions said the State Department may bring in charter flights to get Americans from Israel to nearby countries where they can then take commercial flights to the U.S.

A separate State Department spokesperson said the administration was "acutely aware of the currently limited capacity on commercial flights and the high demand from U.S. citizens wanting to depart," and said that for now, Americans should "take advantage of commercial flights that involve transiting a third country if they are unable to book a direct flight to the United States."

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford


Sen. Cory Booker was in Jerusalem during Hamas attack, sheltered for safety

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker arrived in Israel on Friday for several days of planned meetings and was in Jerusalem when the attacks began, Maya Krishna-Rogers, a spokesperson, said in a statement Sunday.

He sheltered in place with his staff and safely departed the country earlier Sunday, according to the statement.

Booker was in Israel for "planned meetings and site visits ahead of the start of an Abraham Accords-focused N7 summit on regional economic integration in Tel Aviv, at which he was scheduled to speak on Tuesday," the statement read.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan