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.
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
Schumer vows commitment to 'deliver everything Israel requires in this time'
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday spoke with top officials from the Central Intelligence Agency and the State Department during a briefing on the situation in Israel.
Schumer's office released a statement, stating, "The enormous loss of life is gut-wrenching, and I am appalled at the viciousness of the attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians. I expressed my commitment to top Biden Administration officials – and directly to Ambassador Herzog – to do all I can to deliver everything Israel requires in this time of urgent need. I will continue to receive regular briefings."
Schumer is currently overseas in China on a Congressional trip.
The statement continued, "This is one of the worst attacks Israel has ever experienced, and friends of Israel in the US and around the world must stand strongly by her. My heart goes out to those that lost loved ones."
FAA urges US airlines to 'use caution' in Israeli airspace
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement Saturday night urging U.S. airlines and pilots to "use caution" when flying in Israeli airspace.
In a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), the FAA said to exercise extreme caution at all altitudes due to the "ongoing conflict situation between Israel and Gaza."
NOTAM's statement told flight crews to remain in contact with "air traffic control at all times" and to monitor for "possible airspace closures."
'Panic' at Israeli music festival
A music festival near Re'im, Israel, came under fire amid the Hamas attacks, a festivalgoer recounted to ABC News.
Eliav Klein said that around 5:30 a.m. local time Saturday, missiles and gunfire began to target the festival. He and others ran "in a panic," losing track of many of their friends. Some of Klein's friends are still missing, he said.
Footage captured rockets flying across the horizon, interrupting the festival.
-ABC News' Christopher Looft
'Too early’ to know if Iran involved: Senior WH official
A senior White House official told reporters Saturday evening that it is "too early" to know what involvement, if any, Iran had in the attacks in Israel.
"It's too early to say whether the state of Iran was directly involved or planning, supporting," the senior administration official said. "We are going to be looking at that very closely."
"That said, there's no doubt Hamas is funded, equipped, armed by Iran and others," the official added.
Several Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog, have claimed that Iran helped coordinate the attacks.
The White House official said President Joe Biden and the administration have been in contact with Palestinian and Israeli officials throughout the day.
"We are in deep talks with the Israelis about some of their particular needs," the official said.
-ABC News' Fritz Farrow
State Department says 4,000 seats offered to Americans leaving Israel
A State Department official said Monday night that the department has offered 4,000 American citizens and their immediate family members help to depart Israel via government-organized transportation since Friday.
“Since Oct. 13, we have augmented the limited commercial flight availability by offering more than 4,000 seats on U.S. government-chartered transport by air and sea to U.S. citizens and their immediate family members,” one official said. “We have communicated the availability of departure assistance options for U.S. citizens via targeted, individualized messaging as well as via broad public messaging.”
Departing flights, though, were not nearly at capacity, the official said.
“The departure options we have offered have generally departed at half capacity or less. Nearly 1,000 U.S. citizens and their immediate family members have departed on U.S. government-chartered transport,” an official said.
The official added that 3,000 other American citizens have told the State Department that they were able to leave Israel and the West Bank on their own.
-ABC News’ Shannon Crawford