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.
Latest headlines:
- At least 500 killed in explosion at Gaza hospital: Gaza Health Ministry
- IDF preparing to implement 'wide range of offensive plans'
- 3,000 tons of aid with nowhere to go as Gaza-Egypt border remains closed
- Biden to visit Israel
- Hostages suffering from amputated limbs, severe injuries from rape: Israeli forum
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
El Al to fly on Shabbat for 1st time in more than 40 years
Israeli airline El Al said it'll fly on Shabbat -- which is from Friday night to Saturday night -- this weekend for the first time since 1982.
The flights from New York and Bangkok will bring soldiers to Israel.
Hamas suspect detained on festival grounds
A suspected Hamas terrorist appeared with a knife Thursday at the grounds of the music festival in southern Israel where hundreds of concertgoers were killed by Hamas this weekend.
Israeli soldiers immediately took down the suspect and took him into custody.
American survivor shares her story with Blinken
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday visited an Israel donation center, where he was greeted by applause and cries of “God bless America.”
Blinken dropped off his own contribution to benefit survivors who have lost everything.
He then spoke to Lior Gelbaum, a 24-year-old American-Israeli dual citizen, who was attending the music festival that was attacked by Hamas.
Through tears, she told Blinken that many of her friends were killed or taken hostage.
"Thank you for being here. It’s really important," she said. "And if there is any way to help -- first priority, first priority is our friends and family that are still in Gaza."
"We're thinking of them and trying to do everything we can. We want to bring them home," Blinken responded. "I admire your strength."
Another volunteer told Blinken he had just come from the fourth funeral of a friend who lost a child. The volunteer said all of the mourners had expressed that after concluding their mourning period, they would rebuild the country.
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford
Empire State Building will light up for Israel
New York City's Empire State Building will shine blue and white lights in honor of Israel from 10 p.m. local time Friday until sunrise on Saturday.
The Empire State Building's lights usually extinguish at 2 a.m. local time, but they will be extended in this case so people in Israel can see in real-time.
1st US charter flight left Israel, headed to Europe
The first U.S. charter flight to evacuate Americans from Israel has departed the country and is now en route to Europe, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, told reporters on Friday. Kirby didn’t provide the exact destination in Europe.
He said more flights are expected to depart "in the coming days" and that "the State Department will continue to organize these charter flights for as long as there is a demand from US citizens for departure assistance."
He said the U.S. is still exploring "other options" to expand evacuation capacity, which also includes an option by sea.
Kirby also spoke to the heightened alert across the U.S.
"I want to be completely and crystal clear on one thing: At this time, none of our intelligence agencies have any specific intelligence indicating a threat to the United States stemming from the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel," Kirby stressed.
-ABC News' Justin Gomez