Israel-Gaza updates: US ambassador to Israel demands return of hostages

The war is the deadliest conflict between the two sides in recent history.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: January 15, 2024, 4:59 AM EST

More than a month after a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas ended, the Israeli military continues its bombardment of the neighboring Gaza Strip.

The end of the cease-fire came after Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza, freed over 100 of the more than 200 people its militants took hostage during the Oct. 7 surprise attack on southern 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. All times Eastern.
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.

Jan 14, 2024, 4:22 PM EST

Biden marks 'devastating' 100 days since Hamas attack

President Joe Biden on Sunday marked 100 days since Hamas launched its deadly attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, vowing to get more of the American hostages freed.

"For 100 days, they have existed in fear for their lives, not knowing what tomorrow will bring," Biden said of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

PHOTO: People hold placards, as they take part in a protest in support of the release and protection of hostages held in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near Urim, southern Israel, Jan. 12, 2024.
People hold placards, as they take part in a protest in support of the release and protection of hostages held in Gaza, kidnapped by Hamas gunmen during the October 7 attack, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near Urim, southern Israel, Jan. 12, 2024.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters

"For 100 days, their families have lived in agony, praying for the safe return of their loved ones," Biden added, saying the families have been "at the forefront of my mind."

"No one should have to endure even one day of what they have gone through, much less 100," he said.

People gather in Tel Aviv to mark the 100th day after an unprecedented attack by Hams fighters on Israel that was followed by a war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, on Jan. 14, 2024.
Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP via Getty Images

"We will never stop working to bring Americans home," Biden pledged.

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Jan 14, 2024, 12:56 PM EST

100 days into war, IDF says its 'goals are complex to achieve and will take a long time'

As the Israel-Hamas war reached its 100th day Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces says it's goals "will take a long time" to achieve.

"To achieve real results, we must continue to operate in enemy territory, not to allow extortion attempts for a cease-fire," IDF Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said in a televised address Saturday.

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, January 12, 2024.
AFP via Getty Images

"We must continue applying pressure and that is exactly what we are doing," he said. "[Our] goals are complex to achieve and will take a long time. To dismantle Hamas, patience is both necessary and essential."

The IDF also said it's now moving to intensify its operations in southern Gaza, where it believes Hamas' leadership is hiding.

-ABC News' Patrick Reevell

Jan 14, 2024, 12:34 PM EST

US ambassador to Israel addresses rally demanding return of hostages

The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, addressed a rally in Tel Aviv on Sunday demanding the immediate return of the hostages still being held by Hamas.

PHOTO: Demonstrators attend a 24-hour protest, calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and marking 100 days since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 14, 2024.
Fashion designer Nitsan Zapler, 27, hold a banner, as demonstrators attend a 24-hour protest, calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and marking 100 days since the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 14, 2024.
Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters

"One day is too many -- 100 days is unfathomable," Lew told the crowd. "My heart aches for all who have been affected by Oct. 7 and I stand in solidarity, as does the United States, with the families of the hostages. I add my voice to theirs to say: Bring them home now."

PHOTO: Demonstrators attend a 24-hour protest, calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and marking 100 days since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Jerusalem, Jan. 14, 2024.
Demonstrators attend a 24-hour protest, calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and marking 100 days since the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Jerusalem, Jan. 14, 2024.
Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Tens of thousands of Israelis have rallied over the last 24 hours to demand the return of the hostages on the 100th day of their captivity.

PHOTO: An Israeli soldier hugs a woman amid national flags and portraits of Israeli people taken captive or killed by Hamas militants during the Oct. 7 attacks, during a visit where the Supernova music festival took place, on Jan. 14, 2024.
An Israeli soldier hugs a woman amid national flags and portraits of Israeli people taken captive or killed by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks, during a visit at the site where the Supernova music festival took place near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel, on Jan. 14, 2024, after 100 days of war between Israel and the militant Hamas group in Gaza.
Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News’ Patrick Reevell

Jan 13, 2024, 4:54 PM EST

Netanyahu says Israel will pursue war with Hamas until victory

Israel will pursue its war against Hamas until victory and will not be stopped by anyone, including the world court, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a defiant speech Saturday evening.

Netanyahu spoke after the International Court of Justice at The Hague held two days of hearings on South Africa's allegations that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, a charge Israel has rejected as libelous and hypocritical.

South Africa asked the court to order Israel to halt its blistering air and ground offensive in an interim step.

"No one will stop us, not The Hague, not the axis of evil and not anyone else," Netanyahu said in televised remarks, referring to Iran and its allied militias.

The case before the world court is expected to go on for years, but a ruling on interim steps could come within weeks. Court rulings are binding but difficult to enforce.

Netanyahu made clear that Israel would ignore orders to halt the fighting, potentially deepening its isolation. Netanyahu also said a decision had yet to be made about a potential military takeover of the "Philadelphi Corridor" along the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt.

-ABC News' Bruno Nota

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