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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Israeli forces preparing for air, ground, sea operations
Israeli forces are "preparing thoroughly for the next step -- a multilateral operation in the air, ground and sea," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday.
To the soldiers, Gallant said in Hebrew, "Keep preparing for our operation, it will come soon."
"Do your work, get ready," he said. "We will need you.”
Gaza death toll tops 5,000
In the last 24 hours, at least 436 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Authority, which is run by Hamas.
The Gaza death toll has now climbed to 5,087 since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, according to the Palestinian Health Authority.
Cousins of freed American hostages speak out
Ayelet and Or Sella recalled to ABC News the moment they were finally able to embrace their cousins Judith and Natalie Raanan at home in Israel one day after the mother and teenage daughter were released by Hamas kidnappers.
"I realized I hadn't breathed for two weeks," Ayelet said.
"I've never felt a hug this intense in my life," Or added.
But eight of their family members are still being held hostage.
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Hundreds of Gaza targets struck overnight, Israel says
The Israeli military struck more than 320 targets in Gaza overnight, the Israel Defense Forces said Monday.
At least 40 people were killed and dozens more were injured in two Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza, the Palestinian Interior Ministry said.
The Jabalia refugee camp, where most of those killed were women and children, was among the targets, Palestinian officials said.
-ABC News' Joe Simonetti
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