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.


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


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Protests in Tel Aviv: 'Bibi is a murderer'

People have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv in protest of the Israeli government, blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu for not protecting Israel's citizens.

Some chanted, "Bibi is a murderer."

Posters of kidnapped men, women and children are plastered on the wall outside where Israeli leaders are meeting.

Many Israelis are concerned a ground incursion into Gaza would put hostages in harm's way and they said more focus should be on bringing hostages home.


'Time is running out,' UNRWA says

With 1 million people already displaced, Julia Touma, director of communications for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said she's concerned that the conditions for Gaza residents will soon worsen.

"No humanitarian agency, including UNWRA, has been able to bring in any supplies for one week," she told ABC News Live on Saturday. "[There's] no drinking water and 2 million people are at the risk of dehydration. So it is very, very critical that humanitarian passage is given, that the siege on Gaza is lifted, so that organizations like my own, UNWRA, are able to deliver assistance."

"Time is running out. It's becoming a matter of life and death," she warned.


Blinken meets with Saudi FM

As Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues his tour through the Middle East, there continues to be a disconnect between the U.S. stance and the stance of other nations more closely aligned with the Palestinians as they stop short of directly condemning Hamas.

“It’s a disturbing situation. It’s a very difficult situation," Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said in remarks with Blinken. "And the primary sufferer of this situation are civilians – civilian populations on both sides are being affected. And here it’s important, I think, that we all condemn the targeting of civilians in any form, at any time, by anyone."

Blinken repeated that "no country can or should be expected to tolerate what Israel has just been on the receiving end of."

“Hamas is not representative of the Palestinian people or their legitimate aspirations for the future," Blinken added. "Hamas is a terrorist group. Its only agenda is to destroy the state of Israel and to murder Jews. And it’s important that the entire world see it as such."

In readout of their private meeting, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken against emphasized "the United States’ unwavering focus on halting terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel" as well as "continued engagement with regional partners to prevent the spread of conflict in the region and their shared commitment to taking steps to help protect civilians."

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford


How to help victims of Israel-Hamas conflict

As the horrendous carnage from the Israel-Hamas conflict grows, the need for humanitarian support has become more urgent on both sides of the border.

Among the organizations people can donate to are: IsraAid, American Red Cross, UNICEF and The Jewish Federation.


'Acute security threats' preventing US from aiding Americans at Rafah crossing

As Americans inside Gaza wait for the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza to open, a senior State Department official said that Egypt has informed the U.S. that “there are acute security threats" preventing U.S. officials and others from aiding Americans inside Gaza.

The official added that the State Department has placed a team on the Egypt side of the border "as close to the border as conditions permit."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday that Israel has not allowed the opening of the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza side.

Shoukry said, since the crisis broke out, Egypt "has been seeking to keep the crossing operational and in a way that allows the entry of humanitarian aid."

"Until now, unfortunately, the Israeli government has not taken a position to allow the opening of the crossing from the Gaza side for the entry of aid or the exit of nationals of [other] countries," Shoukry said. "We are ready and Egyptian authorities on the border are ready to get aid in and get nationals of third countries out."

He added that Egypt aims to keep normal operation of the border "for the entry of Palestinians with medical needs or the normal movement between the Strip and Egypt."

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford