Israel-Gaza updates: Israeli forces preparing for 'wide range of offensive plans'

The State Department has raised its travel advisory level for Israel and the West Bank to "level 3 -- reconsider travel" due to terrorism and civil unrest.

"Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza," an alert from the department states. "Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."

Both regions were previously at "level 2 -- exercise increased caution."

The advisory also adds increased restrictions for U.S. government employees, declaring they can only travel to Israel for "mission-critical travel."

Gaza remains at "level 4 -- do not travel."

-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford

President Joe Biden spoke with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Wednesday to discuss the attacks in Israel, stressing his condemnation of Hamas’ brutality, according a White House readout of the call.

The two leaders also discussed ensuring humanitarian assistance for those in need and Biden's warnings against countries and organizations who may exploit the situation, according to the readout.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

President Joe Biden said at a roundtable with Jewish leaders on Wednesday that the U.S. is "doing a lot" to rescue the Americans held hostage by Hamas.

"We're working on every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel, including deploying experts to advise and assist with recovery efforts," he said. "I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home."

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also delivered remarks at the roundtable. Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president, said, "Like all Jews, I feel a deep visceral connection to Israel and its people."

"We witnessed a mass murder of innocent civilians," he said. "The images that we saw will be seared in our brains forever. Rockets falling on cities, people dragged from their homes and shot dead, children sheltering from bullets, bodies lining the streets. And all the while, we see videos of these terrorists cheering on these atrocities. "

"I know you're all hurting. The entire Jewish community is hurting, I'm hurting," he said.

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Biden delivers remarks after roundtable with Jewish community leadersPresident Joe Biden delivers remarks after joining a roundtable with Jewish community leaders at the White House.

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The State Department said it's "exploring contract options" to help Americans looking to leave Israel travel to nearby countries.

Though there are still commercial flights available from Israel, they are limited, the State Department noted.

An official familiar with the discussions said the State Department may bring in charter flights to get Americans from Israel to nearby countries where they can then take commercial flights to the U.S.

A separate State Department spokesperson said the administration was "acutely aware of the currently limited capacity on commercial flights and the high demand from U.S. citizens wanting to depart," and said that for now, Americans should "take advantage of commercial flights that involve transiting a third country if they are unable to book a direct flight to the United States."

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford