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.

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."

Click here for the latest updates.


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.

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


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Blinken tells Muir US exploring all options to free American hostages

Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that the U.S. is exploring all options in getting the American citizens who were taken by Hamas forces back safely during an interview Thursday with "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir.

He would not say if those plans included using U.S. Special Forces.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics of what we're looking at considering, unfortunately, [that] we have a lot of experience with this over the years," Blinken told Muir. "President Biden has always been determined in these situations to explore every possible option. That's what we’re doing."

Blinken added that the U.S. is working with other countries "who may have leverage with Hamas to use that leverage in favor of getting the hostages home."

-ABC News' Ivan Pereira


Blinken to David Muir: Hamas attack 'defies human comprehension'

In an interview Thursday with "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his disgust and anger with Hamas after he saw the gruesome details from last weekend's attack.

During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in Israel, Blinken said he was shown images and videos of the victims who were killed and wounded during last weekend's attack.

Blinken said that the images, many of which were not seen before, were "genuinely overwhelming."

"A young infant riddled with bullets, a family hugging each other, in a death embrace, having been burned to death, beheaded soldiers," Blinken said, describing what he saw. "It almost defies human comprehension precisely because it's not human."

-ABC News' Ivan Pereira


No credible threats in NYC ahead of 'Day of Rage' protests: Officials

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said there are "no credible or specific threats" against the city ahead of Friday, when Hamas is calling on their supporters to hold worldwide "Day of Rage" protests that could turn violent.

"We are deeply disturbed by the message of hate. It is not acceptable," Adams said during a briefing.

The mayor said he has directed the NYPD to surge additional resources to schools and houses of worship "to ensure that they are safe." Police are also stepping up patrols in certain neighborhoods, he said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also said at the briefing there is no intelligence "showing any active threats" in the state but "we will continue to exercise elevated vigilance."

She said state police have been "fully activated" and the National Guard has been directed to patrol key transportation hubs.

"There's no reason to feel afraid," Hochul said.


Just the 'beginning' of this war: Former Israeli ambassador

In an interview with ABC News Live, Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., warned that we are just at the "beginning of this war."

Oren said the possibility of another front is "almost certain now," saying he thinks Hezbollah will join the conflict. He also warned that this war will differ from past ones in the region like the Six Day War and Yom Kippur War because this will be fought in locations that are densely populated with civilians.

"This war, by very marked contrast, is fought in the Israeli heartland," Oren said. "It is the vast majority of our casualties are civilians. We're fighting against an enemy that wants to destroy us at any cost and will do so in the most brutal manner and massacre our civilians."

Oren said the support from the U.S. has been crucial during a time of great "agony."

"To have the leaders of the most powerful country in the world, to come out in support of us in that way, so categorically, so unequivocally condemning terror was very moving for all of us, a great source of relief," Oren said.


At least 155 Israeli soldiers killed

The families of 155 Israeli soldiers have received death notices so far, the Israel Defense Forces said.