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
Israeli officials say images of dead babies taken in Kfar Aza
Israeli authorities released images Thursday of babies they said were killed and burned by Hamas. The images were shown to Secretary of State Antony Blinken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government during his visit to Israel.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry told ABC News the photos were taken by ZAKA, the organization that removed the bodies, in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz near the Gaza border where Israeli military officials said more than 100 people were killed by Hamas fighters.
Two Hamas officials, who did not provide their names, claimed in a video statement released Thursday that fighters were instructed to not target civilians and had tried to avoid harming them.
“Sadly the Hamas PR machine is now trying to claim that they did not target children and women specifically and that it was not their intention which is a blatant lie and a fake campaign to try and distance themselves from the massacre they carried out," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said. "That is why sadly we have to tweet pictures of babies they killed."
Blinken tells Muir US exploring all options to free American hostages
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that the U.S. is exploring all options in getting the American citizens who were taken by Hamas forces back safely during an interview Thursday with "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir.
He would not say if those plans included using U.S. Special Forces.
"I'm not going to get into the specifics of what we're looking at considering, unfortunately, [that] we have a lot of experience with this over the years," Blinken told Muir. "President Biden has always been determined in these situations to explore every possible option. That's what we’re doing."
Blinken added that the U.S. is working with other countries "who may have leverage with Hamas to use that leverage in favor of getting the hostages home."
-ABC News' Ivan Pereira
Blinken to David Muir: Hamas attack 'defies human comprehension'
In an interview Thursday with "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his disgust and anger with Hamas after he saw the gruesome details from last weekend's attack.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in Israel, Blinken said he was shown images and videos of the victims who were killed and wounded during last weekend's attack.
Blinken said that the images, many of which were not seen before, were "genuinely overwhelming."
"A young infant riddled with bullets, a family hugging each other, in a death embrace, having been burned to death, beheaded soldiers," Blinken said, describing what he saw. "It almost defies human comprehension precisely because it's not human."
-ABC News' Ivan Pereira
No credible threats in NYC ahead of 'Day of Rage' protests: Officials
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said there are "no credible or specific threats" against the city ahead of Friday, when Hamas is calling on their supporters to hold worldwide "Day of Rage" protests that could turn violent.
"We are deeply disturbed by the message of hate. It is not acceptable," Adams said during a briefing.
The mayor said he has directed the NYPD to surge additional resources to schools and houses of worship "to ensure that they are safe." Police are also stepping up patrols in certain neighborhoods, he said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also said at the briefing there is no intelligence "showing any active threats" in the state but "we will continue to exercise elevated vigilance."
She said state police have been "fully activated" and the National Guard has been directed to patrol key transportation hubs.
"There's no reason to feel afraid," Hochul said.
Blinken says US condemns Hamas' attack on Israel
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement condemning Hamas' attack on Israel, saying the U.S. will "remain in close contact with our Israel partners."
"The United States unequivocally condemns the appalling attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israel, including civilians and civilian communities. There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks," Blinken said in a statement.
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford