Israel-Gaza updates: Biden speaks with Netanyahu about hostages' release, Gaza humanitarian assistance
The hostages are two elderly women who are both Israeli nationals.
Thousands of people have died and thousands more were injured after the militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel retaliated with a bombing campaign and total siege of the neighboring Gaza Strip, leaving the region on the verge of all-out war.
At least 1,400 people have died and 4,629 others have been injured in Israel, according to Israeli authorities. In Gaza, 5,087 people have died and 15,273 have been wounded, according to the Palestinian Health Authority.
Aid workers and officials fear that Israel's call for an evacuation of the northern part of Gaza is precipitating a humanitarian disaster as electricity and other supplies have been cut off in preparation for what appears to be an imminent ground offensive.
Humanitarian groups have urged Israel to call off the evacuation and agree to a cease-fire, even as the country has asserted a right to defend itself -- a right the United States endorses.
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Latest headlines:
Hamas hostages total 222, Israel says
At least 222 hostages have been taken by Hamas since their attack on Israel on Oct. 7, the Israeli military said Monday.
The increase from the previously stated total of 212 includes foreign nationals, whose status took longer to verify, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said.
-ABC News’ Joe Simonetti and Jordana Miller
Biden speaks with Western leaders over Israel
President Joe Biden convened a call Sunday afternoon with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, according to the White House.
The Western leaders "reiterated their support" for Israel and its “right to defend itself” and "called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians,” according to a readout from the White House.
"The leaders committed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution and durable peace," the readout also said.
-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett
15 trucks carrying aid arrive in Gaza from Egypt
Fifteen trucks carrying humanitarian aid have arrived into Gaza from Egypt, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
The trucks include food, water and medical supplies, the Palestinian Red Crescent said in a statement Sunday evening.
Earlier on Sunday, 17 trucks crossed the Egyptian-Gaza border, according to a source in Egypt’s security forces.
Under the agreement between Egypt and Israel, Egypt can send humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel has demanded it inspect those shipments at a nearby Israeli checkpoint before they pass into Gaza.
-ABC News' Desiree Adib
Israel forces struck 2 Hezbollah terrorist cells near Lebanon border, IDF says
The Israel Defense Forces struck two Hezbollah terrorist cells near the Israel-Lebanon border in Lebanese territory, the IDF announced on Sunday.
One cell, which the IDF said planned to launch anti-tank missiles, was adjacent to the area of Mattat, a small community in northern Israel. The other cell was located in Har Dov, in southeastern Lebanon, and also planned to launch rockets, according to the IDF.
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a series of talks with Western leaders on Sunday, in which he discussed Israel’s determination to eliminate the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas, his office announced.
"Israel's victory over Hamas is the victory of the entire world," Netanyahu said in a statement.
Netanyahu spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, his office said.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
At least 500 killed in explosion at Gaza hospital: Gaza Health Ministry
At least 500 people have been killed in an explosion at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in the middle of Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The hospital served as a shelter for thousands of residents who fled their homes in northern Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces denied responsibility for the explosion, saying a failed launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad caused the blast.
"From the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed in the vicinity of the hospital, when it was hit," IDF said.
The World Health Organization condemned the blast and called for "the immediate active protection of civilians and health care" workers.
This hospital "was one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military," the WHO said in a statement. "The order for evacuation has been impossible to carry out given the current insecurity, critical condition of many patients, and lack of ambulances, staff, health system bed capacity, and alternative shelter for those displaced."
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning following the attack.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky