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 13, 2023, 3:23 AM EDT

Secretary of Defense Travels to Tel Aviv to Show Support for the People of Israel

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Tel Aviv early Friday morning and will meet with Israeli leaders face-to-face to "underscore the unwavering support of the U.S. for the people of Israel and commitment to ensuring Israel has what it needs to defend itself," according to a Department of Defense statement.

PHOTO: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin gives a press conference during the NATO Council Defence Ministers Session at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on October 12, 2023.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin gives a press conference during the NATO Council Defence Ministers Session at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on October 12, 2023. NATO countries told Israel's defence minister they stood by his country after the attack by Hamas, but urged his forces to respond with "proportionality", the alliance said.
Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images

"While in Israel, Secretary Austin will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, and the Israeli War Cabinet. He will also see firsthand some of the U.S. security assistance delivered to Israel. This is Secretary Austin’s second visit to the country this year, and his third as Secretary of Defense," the statement read.

Oct 13, 2023, 1:56 AM EDT

UN Agency for Palestine Refugees relocates central operation to southern Gaza

The U.N. Agency for Palestine Refugees relocated its central operation center and international staff to southern Gaza, the UNRWA said in a post on X early Friday morning local time.

“UNRWA relocated its central operations centre + international staff to the south to continue its humanitarian operations and support to its staff and Palestine Refugees in #Gaza. We urge the Israeli Authorities to protect all civilians in @UNRWA shelters including schools,” the statement read.

The announcement comes as Israel Defense Forces called for "all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes" and "move south for their protection" early Friday morning.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 13, 2023, 12:28 AM EDT

IDF tells 'all residents of Gaza City to evacuate'

Israel Defense Forces called for "all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes" and "move south for their protection" early Friday morning local time in a series of posts on X.

The IDF told residents to 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."

The IDF said in its posts that it believes Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City, including in buildings with "innocent civilians” inside.

"[D]istance yourself from the Hamas terrorists who use you as a human shield," the post read.

The message was released a short time after the UN made a similar announcement, also citing Israel's military.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 12, 2023, 11:43 PM EDT

'Approximately 1.1 million' people in Gaza told to evacuate within 24 hours

United Nations team leaders in Gaza were informed by their liaison officers in the Israeli military that "the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours," a U.N. spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News.

"This amounts to approximately 1.1 million people," the spokesperson added.

"The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences," the spokesperson said.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara and Ellie Kaufman

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