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.
Click here for the full timeline
Gaza, Egypt border not open yet for foreign evacuees
The Rafah border between Gaza and Egypt is not yet open to foreigners, including Americans, looking to evacuate. But if Americans who want to evacuate can move closer to the border crossing they should do so, because "there may be very little notice if the crossing opens and it may only open for a limited time," a U.S. Embassy spokesperson said.
We will continue to be in touch with private U.S. citizens to determine what assistance we may be able to provide," the spokesperson said.
A senior State Department official said the department is "in touch with a number of the roughly" 500 to 600 Palestinian-Americans "who have expressed interest in receiving information about leaving."
Hamas says 9 hostages killed in airstrikes
Hamas said nine hostages in Gaza have been killed by Israeli airstrikes over the last day.
Hamas commando forces leader killed, Israel says
The Israeli army and Israeli intelligence said they've targeted and killed Hamas commando forces leader Ali Qadi.
US did not ask Israel to hold off on a ground invasion: Official
The United States did not ask Israel to hold off or delay a ground invasion of Gaza, ABC News has learned.
“U.S. officials have not asked Israel to slow down. But discussions did include the importance of taking into account the safety of civilians during any operations,” according to a U.S. official.
The official said the Israelis took it under advisement.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
'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