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.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: October 17, 2023, 4:16 PM EDT

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:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 16, 2023, 2:47 pm

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.

Friends and family mourn Dor Reder, who was killed following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, at his funeral in Beit Kama, southern Israel, Oct. 16, 2023.
Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

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

Oct 10, 2023, 10:13 PM EDT

IDF warplanes attack 'over 450 targets' in Gaza neighborhood

Israeli warplanes have struck more than "450 targets" in the Al-Furqan area in Gaza, marking the third attack in the last day, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement early Wednesday local time.

Hamas allegedly had operations in the Al-Furqan neighborhood, and it served as a terror nest where many activities against Israel were carried out, according to the IDF.

The IDF said it will "continue to act powerfully against the infrastructures of the terrorist organization Hamas," including "extensive waves of attacks in the Gaza Strip."

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 10, 2023, 9:36 PM EDT

4 UN workers killed in Gaza

Four employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) were killed as a result of air strikes on Gaza and at least 14 of its facilities were damaged "directly and indirectly," the UN said in a release Tuesday.

According to the release, the agency was forced to close its 14 food distribution centers and reduce its operations due to the UN not being able to bring any humanitarian supplies to the Strip since Oct. 7.

There are still shops open with some supplies but Juliette Touma, director of Media and Communications for the URNWA expressed concern that basic supplies, including fuel, would run out in the next few weeks, according to the UN News.

-ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman

Oct 10, 2023, 7:37 PM EDT

IDF fighter jets attack neighborhood in Gaza Strip

Dozens of fighter jets attacked more than 70 targets in a neighborhood in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Hamas allegedly had operations in the neighborhood and carried out activities against Israel, according to the IDF.

The IDF said it also attacked a military building that was allegedly used by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 10, 2023, 6:11 PM EDT

WHO calls for access to health and humanitarian assistance

The World Health Organization repeated its call to end hostilities in the Israel-Gaza region and offered assistance to health officials in both countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi agreed to a WHO request to facilitate the delivery of health and other humanitarian supplies from WHO to Gaza via the Rafah crossing, the organization said.

"In the Gaza Strip, hospitals are running on back-up generators with fuel likely to run out in the coming days. They have exhausted the supplies WHO pre-positioned before the escalation," the organization said in a statement. "The life-saving health response is now dependent on getting new supplies and fuel to health care facilities as fast as possible."

-ABC News' Youri Benadjaoud

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