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
Latest on travel to and from Israel
All major U.S. airlines and a number of foreign carriers have suspended service to and from Israel.
Delta said it has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until the end of October. American Airlines has canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv through Oct. 13. United Airlines said its flights to and from Tel Aviv "will remain suspended until conditions allow them to resume."
Many other airlines, including Israeli flag carrier El Al, continue to operate flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration urged U.S. airlines and pilots to use caution when flying in Israeli airspace.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin for the airspace of Israel on Sunday, recommending air operators "ensure that a robust risk assessment is in place together with a high level of contingency planning for their operations and to be ready for short notice instructions from the Israeli authorities."
-ABC News' Amanda Maile
Netanyahu: Israel will set up emergency government
In the wake of Hamas' attack on Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said, "I call on the opposition leaders to immediately establish a national emergency government without preconditions."
"The people are united, and now the leadership needs to unite," he said, translated from Hebrew.
Netanyahu said Israeli's strikes on Hamas "have only begun."
"We have eliminated many hundreds of terrorists and we will not stop there," he said.
The prime minister said he's in constant contact with President Joe Biden and thanked the U.S. leader for his words and action.
He said "an American aircraft carrier, one of the largest in the world, is on its way to our region."
-ABC News' Will Gretsky
Father of missing 19-year-old American pleads for action
Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American citizen and Israel Defense Forces soldier, was at his IDF base at the Gaza border before he went missing over the weekend, according to his father, Ruby Chen.
"We got a message from him Saturday morning, 6:30 a.m., saying that there is bombing," Ruby Chen told ABC News. "That was the last time that we had any communication with him. Since then, he has been defined officially by the IDF as missing in action."
"My son, a U.S. citizen, is most likely in Gaza as we speak," he said.
The terrified father is pleading for action.
"There are multiple U.S.-Israeli citizens that are in the same situation as we are," he said. "What we are asking from President Biden, in addition to condemning, is being more vicious in his request from the Hamas to abide to international law when it comes to [prisoners of war]. That means that they need to identify each POW that they have. It means that they need to provide and take care of their health and they need to allow the U.N. … to come and visit those prisoners of war."
"Please help me," he said.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
Hamas warns it will start killing Israeli hostages
Hamas said the group will start killing Israeli hostages one by one and film the executions unless Israel immediately stops shelling homes in Gaza, or provides warning ahead of attacks.
Israeli officials said at least 100 civilians and soldiers have been taken hostage by Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces said it's obtained information on every Israeli kidnapped and that it has notified 30 families so far.
Rafah crossing on Egypt's border to open at 9 a.m. Monday
The U.S. State Department has said it believes the Rafah crossing, which is located on the border of Gaza and Egypt, will be open on Monday morning.
Quoting media reports, the State Department said the crossing will open at 9 a.m. local time.
"We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable and it is unclear whether, or for how long, travelers will be permitted to transit the crossing," the State Department wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "If you assess it to be safe, you may wish to move closer to the Rafah border crossing – there may be very little notice if the crossing opens and it may only open for a limited time."
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford