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.

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ABC NEWS

October 16, 2023, 11:57 PM ET

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.

Pinned

Oct 16, 2:47 PM EDT

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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Oct 14, 3:53 PM EDT

Demonstrators gather outside White House

Demonstrators in support of the Palestinian people have gathered in the rain outside the White House Saturday.

The demonstrators are calling for action, including a ceasefire from Israel, the opening of a humanitarian coordinator and unwavering support for Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

Oct 14, 3:48 PM EDT

Flights bringing Floridians home from Israel to depart Saturday: DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters in Iowa Saturday that flights transporting Floridians home from Israel will leave Saturday and land throughout the day on Sunday.

"We have a lot of Floridians there," DeSantis said Friday. "The federal government really wasn't doing what they needed to do get people out, so we just did an executive order yesterday. We’re going to be sending flights from Israel, back to Florida."

-ABC News' Will McDuffie and Hannah Demissie

Oct 14, 1:31 PM EDT

Israel to strike Gaza City 'very soon'

Israel will "broadly attack Gaza City very soon," Israel Defense Forces Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a national broadcast address Saturday.

Oct 14, 1:17 PM EDT

35,000 sheltering at Gaza's main hospital

About 35,000 people are sheltering at Shifa Hospital, Gaza City's main hospital, ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive, according to a hospital official.

Oct 17, 9:17 AM EDT

John Kirby discusses safety concerns for Biden's trip to Israel and Jordan

President Joe Biden departs for the Middle East on Tuesday for in-person meetings with Israeli and Arab leaders amid concerns of an expanded conflict in the Israel-Hamas war.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told "Good Morning America" that Biden's focus is on the hostage situation, to make sure humanitarian aid can flow to civilians in Gaza, and to get an update from Israeli counterparts on their plans and ground operations.

Asked about safety concerns, Kirby said "there’s always a concern" wherever the president goes, and those concerns would be "appropriately addressed through the necessary force protection and personnel protection measures. "

Asked if Biden's visit also includes urging Israel to avoid a full-scale ground invasion of Gaza, Kirby reiterated that the U.S. is not telling the Israeli military how to operate but that civilians should be protected.

Kirby added that it's "vital" that the administration gets supplemental funding from Congress for Israel and Ukraine.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez