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."
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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.
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Gaza without power
Gaza is now without power. The main hospital remains at full capacity.
Gaza relies on Israel for most of its power, which was cut off following the attack. Its sole power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday.
'Key munitions' have arrived in Israel: Defense secretary
"Key munitions" have arrived in Israel, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday, adding that the U.S. will be providing more Iron Dome interceptors.
He confirmed that the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean and that the deployment of U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft in the Middle East have been extended.
"The more you learn about the sickening atrocities, the worse it gets," Austin said. "Hamas deliberately targeted civilians and massacred them just because they are Jews. … The United States continues to stand firm with Israel and the Israeli people.”
Austin also emphasized that the supply of weapons to Israel won’t impact the flow of military aid to Ukraine.
22 Americans dead
At least 22 Americans have died, according to the State Department.
President Joe Biden said he had another call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, the fourth time the two leaders spoke in recent days.
"There is no justification for terrorism, no excuse. And the type of terrorism that was exhibited here was just beyond the pale," Biden said. "My commitment to Israel's security and the safety of Jewish people is unshakable. The United States has Israel's back and we're going to be working on this all through the day and beyond.”
The president said that he would speak more about the situation Wednesday afternoon when he attends a roundtable with Jewish leaders.
Hezbollah calling for march on Friday in Beirut
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which has been exchanging fire with Israeli soldiers at Israel's northern border, is calling for a large march on Oct. 13 in Beirut.
Abbas pulls out of Biden meeting
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the State of Palestine, is pulling out of his Wednesday meeting with President Joe Biden.
"President Mahmoud Abbas decided to return to the homeland tonight, and he called for an emergency leadership meeting tonight," a senior adviser said Tuesday.
Biden is expected to leave the U.S. Tuesday night to head to Israel and Jordan.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky