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
Biden has emotional meeting with families, first responders
In Israel on Wednesday, President Joe Biden met with first responders and families of victims and hostages.
Biden spoke with a pediatric physician who moved from New York to Israel eight years ago. She said she "never could have prepared" for the mass casualty event she experienced following the attacks and described for the president the wounded children and soldiers she treated.
One first responder was overcome with emotion as he recounted the atrocities the Hamas militants inflicted on women and children.
Biden also met with a woman who lost two of her family members in the attacks. The woman said one of her killed relatives was an American citizen.
-ABC News' Justin Gomez