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:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 21, 2023, 5:09 AM EDT

Rafah border crossing opens briefly, allowing 20 aid trucks into Gaza

The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the besieged Gaza Strip opened briefly on Saturday morning, allowing the first wave of humanitarian aid to be delivered.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid drive through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt toward the Gaza Strip on Oct. 21, 2023.
Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images

The border was closed again after 20 aid trucks crossed into Gaza from Egypt.
1:03

Rafah border crossing opens briefly, allowing some aid into Gaza

The border was closed again after 20 aid trucks crossed into Gaza from Egypt.
Mahmoud Khaled/Getty Images

The border closed again after 20 trucks carrying much-needed supplies -- mostly medicine -- crossed into Gaza from the Egyptian side, according to an aid worker there and Egyptian state media.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy and Morgan Winsor

Oct 21, 2023, 3:14 AM EDT

Rafah border crossing between Egypt, Gaza to open Saturday

The U.S. Embassy in Israel said it has received information that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the besieged Gaza Strip will open on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time.

"If the border is opened, we do not know how long it will remain open for foreign citizens to depart Gaza," the embassy said in a statement. "We anticipate that many people would attempt to cross should the border open, and U.S. citizens attempting to enter Egypt should expect a potentially chaotic and disorderly environment on both sides of the crossing."

"The situation remains dynamic and fluid and the security environment is unpredictable," the embassy added. "You should assess your personal safety and security before choosing to move toward the border or trying to cross."

This image provided by Maxar Technologies shows humanitarian aid trucks waiting on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing on Oct. 20, 2023.
Maxar Technologies via AP

A source involved in the discussions about opening the border told ABC News on Saturday morning that the opening of the border crossing was delayed due to "security concerns." More than 100 trucks carrying humanitarian aid have been parked in a long queue on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, waiting to enter Gaza. When it does open, the plan is to allow entry for an initial 20 trucks led by the Egyptian Red Crescent before scaling that number up over the coming days, according to the source.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy, Matt Rivers and Morgan Winsor

Oct 20, 2023, 9:35 PM EDT

Father of freed American hostage gives update: 'She looks very good'

Uri Raanan, the father of Natalie Raanan, 17, who was released by Hamas along with her mother, Judith Raanan, spoke to the media Friday evening, giving an update on their conditions.

"I spoke with my daughter earlier today, she sounds very good, she looks very good, she was very happy and she’s waiting to come home. Her mother has a little scratch on her hand but she told me it’s nothing, she’s okay," Uri Raanan said.

"Hopefully I’m going to see them next week, next week is Natalie’s birthday," Uri Raanan added.

Oct 20, 2023, 6:06 PM EDT

Former congressman says relatives were killed in explosion on Gaza church

Former Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan said Friday several of his relatives were killed in the blast at a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza.

Amash, the son of a Palestinian Christian immigrant, shared a photo on X, formerly known as Twitter, of two of the relatives who were killed in the blast at the Church of Saint Porphyrios in Gaza.

The church was being used as a shelter for Palestinians.

"The Palestinian Christian community has endured so much. Our family is hurting badly," Amash said in his post.

-ABC News Ben Siegel

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