Israel-Gaza live updates: Israeli officials on reports of Russian airport protesters

Protesters with a Jewish peace activist group are calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza in a large, ongoing demonstration Friday at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

Metro-North said Grand Central is closed due to the protest.

According to organizer Jewish Voice for Peace-New York City, a far-left Jewish group, thousands of members and allies are taking part in the sit-in, which comes after Israel announced it is expanding its ground activity in Gaza.

The State Department was tracking the potential for a significant escalation in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza throughout the day but did not have confirmation that the Israel Defense Forces would expand its ground operations until around the time it was announced to the public earlier Friday, according to two U.S. officials.

Officials say the U.S. has been pressuring Israel to adopt a narrower scope for its offensive and take a more incremental approach. One source said that while Israeli forces seem likely to stay on the ground in Gaza for a longer duration this time, if this incursion doesn't spiral, it could be a positive sign that the administration is successfully making its case.

At this hour, there is still no clarity from the U.S. side on whether this is the big ground offensive that's been expected -- or just part of the buildup.

Officials are confident that they can keep up the short windows of calm that have allowed a limited amount of aid to flow into Gaza through the Rafah Gate, but these fall short of the sustained “humanitarian truce” the United Nations is demanding.

But several other delicate negotiations directly involving the U.S. -- including efforts to free the hostages, allow foreign nationals to exit Gaza and create safe spaces inside the enclave -- could be sidelined by a more comprehensive ground assault. Talks with all parties involved press on. Officials acknowledge that the U.S. would have liked to resolve these issues before any escalation, but that Hamas was likely to use its leverage to push off additional military action as long as possible.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford

Doctors Without Borders made an urgent plea for protection of medical centers in Gaza, after the organization said it has lost contact with its members in the region.

In a video post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Avril Benoit, the organization's executive director, said she was very concerned about the patients, staff and civilians who are taking shelter at al-Shifa Hospital.

1:57

Cellphone and internet service disrupted in Gaza

IDF says this attack is aimed at "terrorist infrastructure".

ABCNews.com

The Israel Defense Force said Hamas was using the hospital as a shield for its tunnels and ops centers.

"We call for the unequivocal protection of all medical facilities, staff and civilians across the Gaza Strip," she said. "We need an immediate cease-fire now."

UNICEF said it has also lost contact with its employees in Gaza and is "extremely concerned about their safety."

-ABC News' Cindy Smith

When asked whether troops had launched a ground invasion into the Gaza Strip on Friday night, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Peter Lerner told ABC News, "We are conducting our sweep and clear activities in order to create better conditions for optimal operational conditions on the ground."

"So we are seeking out anti-tank capabilities, we are destroying observation posts and we are engaging the terrorists where we find them on the front lines or in the peripheral of the Gaza Strip," he continued, noting that troops have been "conducting these activities" for "several days" but he can't detail specifics due to "operational concerns."

"We intend on dismantling their capabilities, destroying their government, and making sure they can never use the Gaza Strip as a staging ground against our people again," Lerner added.

10:41

IDF says it is 'expanding' ground activity in Gaza

This is Israel's biggest ground operation in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack.

ABCNews.com