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.
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Dozens of Israeli fighter jets strike Gaza
Dozens of Israeli fighter jets have struck several targets in the Al Forqan area of the Gaza Strip, which serves as a hub for Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces said. Massive blasts were seen igniting over the area at the same time.
Many of the operations against Israel this weekend were launched from the Al Forqan area, the IDF said.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
Israel Defense Forces: 'Unprecedented attack ... will be followed by an unprecedented Israeli response'
Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, called Hamas' attack "unprecedented," and said the assault will be "followed by an unprecedented Israeli response."
"I could not imagine at that time [when the incursion began Saturday] that Hamas would have the audacity … to do what they have done," he told ABC News Monday. "To launch such an unprecedented, brutal, merciless attack on Israeli citizens. … And cause the amount of casualties that Israel has never experienced ever in its history."
In Israel, at least 700 people have died and more than 2,300 others have been injured since Saturday.
The Israel Defense Forces has since launched retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza. At least 560 people have died and another 2,900 have been injured in Gaza since Saturday, Palestinian authorities said.
The IDF said it's struck 130 targets in the last three hours.
US Embassy staff in Israel under curfew, banned from personal travel to West Bank
Personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Israel are now under a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and "are urged to stay as close to home as possible outside the curfew hours," the U.S. Embassy said in a new alert.
In addition to a ban on personal travel to Gaza and the surrounding areas, the new alert said all U.S. government personnel are also prohibited from personal travel to the West Bank.
"U.S. citizens in Israel who have family members missing in the Gaza periphery can go to the Israel National Police’s combined assistance center at 4 HaNegev Street in Airport City," the alert said.
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford
Israeli gunships attacking Lebanon
Israel Defense Forces' helicopter gunships are attacking Lebanese territory on Monday after the IDF said two rockets were fired from Lebanon.
The Lebanese army said, "The outskirts of the towns of Al-Dhaira and Aita Al-Shaab and other border areas are being subjected to air and artillery bombardment by the Israeli enemy. The Army Command calls on citizens to take the utmost precaution and caution and not to go to areas adjacent to the border in order to preserve their safety."
Of the two rockets fired from Lebanon toward Israel, one of the rockets fell in Lebanese territory and no injuries were reported.
Where diplomatic efforts to free hostages stand
Two U.S. officials familiar with the diplomatic efforts to free hostages told ABC News it appears that allies and partners in the Middle East in communication with Hamas are being helpful in advocating for their release.
The officials say Hamas has shown no real willingness to partake in diplomacy up to this point.
Hamas’ designation as a foreign terrorist organization also complicates any negotiations involving the U.S., because the official label makes it illegal for any American to knowingly provide "material support or resources," which includes personnel.
Deputy Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Steve Gillen is among the U.S. delegation en route to Israel with the Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In remarks earlier Wednesday, President Joe Biden said "there's a lot we're doing" to bring the hostages home.
"In the days ahead we're gonna continue to work closely with our partners in Israel and around the world,” he said.
-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford