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.


At least 25 Americans confirmed dead in Israel: Blinken

In remarks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at least 25 Americans had now been confirmed dead in Israel.

Netanyahu described some of the atrocities committed by Hamas.

"Hamas has shown itself to be an enemy of civilization: The massacring of young people in an outdoor music festival, the butchering of entire families, the murder of parents in front of their children and the murder of children in front of their parents. The burning of people alive, the beheadings," he said.

"Hamas should be treated exactly the way ISIS was treated," he said. "They shouldn't be spit out from the community of nations. No leader should meet them. No country should harbor them. And those that do should be sanctioned."

Blinken said he was speaking not only as an American diplomat, but as a Jew, a husband and a father of young children, saying it was impossible for him to look at photos of families killed "and not think of my own children."

"The same time that we've been shocked by the depravity of Hamas, we've also been inspired by the bravery of Israel citizens," he said. "The grandfather who drove over an hour to a kibbutz under siege, armed only with a pistol and rescued his kids and grandkids. The mother who died shielding her teenage son with her body, giving her life to save his -- giving him life for a second time."

Blinken remarked that some U.S. aid had already been delivered, and that more military aid was on his way. He said the administration would work with Congress to meet Israel’s additional needs and that bipartisan support for Israel was "overwhelming."

The secretary called on world leaders to condemn Hamas.

Blinken also reiterated that Israel "has the right -- indeed, the obligation -- to defend itself" but that it was "so important to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians."

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford