Israel-Gaza updates: Biden speaks with Netanyahu about hostages, Gaza aid

The hostages are two elderly women who are both Israeli nationals.

ByABC NEWS

Last Updated: October 23, 2023, 4:29 PM EDT

Thousands of people have died and thousands more were injured after the militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel retaliated with a bombing campaign and total siege of the neighboring Gaza Strip, leaving the region on the verge of all-out war.

At least 1,400 people have died and 4,629 others have been injured in Israel, according to Israeli authorities. In Gaza, 5,087 people have died and 15,273 have been wounded, according to the Palestinian Health Authority.

Aid workers and officials fear that Israel's call for an evacuation of the northern part of Gaza is precipitating a humanitarian disaster as electricity and other supplies have been cut off in preparation for what appears to be an imminent ground offensive.

Humanitarian groups have urged Israel to call off the evacuation and agree to a cease-fire, even as the country has asserted a right to defend itself -- a right the United States endorses.

Click here for previous updates.

Latest headlines:

Oct 23, 2023, 4:56 PM EDT
2 Israeli hostages released by Hamas, Israeli Hostage Center says
Oct 23, 2023, 2:30 PM EDT
20 aid trucks cross into Gaza: UN
Oct 23, 2023, 1:25 PM EDT
Israeli forces preparing for air, ground, sea operations
Oct 23, 2023, 9:21 AM EDT
Gaza death toll tops 5,000
Oct 23, 2023, 7:00 AM EDT
Hundreds of Gaza targets struck overnight, Israel says

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.

Oct 18, 2023, 11:27 AM EDT

Biden says Israel agreed humanitarian assistance can move from Egypt to Gaza

President Joe Biden said Israel agreed to allow humanitarian assistance to move from Egypt to Gaza. He said it will be subject to inspections and will go to civilians, not Hamas.

Palestinians injured in Israeli raids arrive on October 17, 2023, in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Gaza.
Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

"If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people, and it will end as a practical matter," Biden said. "It will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid."

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the war between Israel and Hamas after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Oct. 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv.
Evan Vucci/AP

"Separately, I ask Israel that the global community demand that the International Red Cross be able to visit hostages," he continued. "I'm also announcing $100 million in new U.S. funding for humanitarian assistance in both Gaza and the West Bank. This money will support more than 1 million displaced in conflict affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza."

The $100 million will come from funding previously authorized by Congress, according to the White House. The humanitarian aid will be distributed through the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations, according to the White House.

Palestinians injured in an Israeli air strike await treatment at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern of Gaza Strip, Oct. 17, 2023.
Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images

The Israeli government said, "In light of President Biden's demand, Israel will not thwart humanitarian supplies from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population located in the southern Gaza Strip or moving there, and as long as these supplies do not reach Hamas. Any supplies that reach Hamas will be thwarted."

Israel also said it demands Red Cross visits to its abductees and "will not allow any humanitarian aid from its territory to the Gaza Strip as long as our abductees are not returned."

Israel has been preventing supplies from international aid organizations from coming through the Rafah border crossing in retaliation for the Hamas attack on Israel.

Oct 18, 2023, 10:16 AM EDT

Biden: 'Pursuing every avenue' to bring home hostages

President Joe Biden said Wednesday he comes to Israel with a single message: "You're not alone."

"To those who are living in limbo, waiting desperately to learn the fate of a loved one, especially to families of the hostages, you're not alone," Biden said in remarks from Israel. "We're working with partners throughout the region, pursuing every avenue to bring home those who are being held captive by Hamas."

"I can't speak publicly about all the details, but let me assure you, for me, as the American president, there is no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages," he said.

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon, in southern Israel, Oct. 17, 2023.
Amir Cohen/Reuters

Oct 18, 2023, 9:12 AM EDT

Pentagon independently concluded Islamic Jihad responsible for hospital blast

President Joe Biden was asked by a reporter in Israel on Wednesday what made him confident that the Israelis weren't behind the explosion that killed hundreds at a Gaza hospital on Tuesday.

Biden responded that it was "the data I was shown by my Defense Department."

Two U.S. officials told ABC News the Pentagon independently concluded the Gaza hospital blast was likely caused by an errant Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket that fell short of its target.

Israeli authorities are blaming the hospital blast on a misfired rocket launched by militants in Gaza, while Palestinian officials are claiming it was an Israeli airstrike.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 471 were killed and 314 others were injured.

At least 500 civilians are dead after an explosion at a hospital in Gaza that was sheltering thousands of Palestinians.

4:57

Hospital strike kills hundreds in Gaza

At least 500 civilians are dead after an explosion at a hospital in Gaza that was sheltering thousands of Palestinians.

ABCNews.com

-ABC News' Matthew Seyler

Oct 18, 2023, 9:44 AM EDT

Biden has emotional meeting with families, first responders

In Israel on Wednesday, President Joe Biden met with first responders and families of victims and hostages.

Biden spoke with a pediatric physician who moved from New York to Israel eight years ago. She said she "never could have prepared" for the mass casualty event she experienced following the attacks and described for the president the wounded children and soldiers she treated.