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

Twenty-nine Americans have been confirmed dead in Israel, according to a State Department spokesperson, up from 27.

Additionally, 15 U.S. citizens and one lawful permanent resident of the U.S. are still unaccounted for, the spokesperson said.

"State Department personnel have been in contact with their families," the spokesperson said in a statement. "The U.S. government is working around the clock to determine their whereabouts and is working with the Israeli government on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to advise the Israeli government on hostage recovery efforts."

-ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday and “discussed the importance of adhering to the law of war, including civilian protection obligations, and addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza while Israel continues its operations to restore security," according to the Pentagon.

President Joe Biden spoke on Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

On Biden's call with Abbas, the president "reiterated that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination” and “offered President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority his full support for these important and ongoing efforts,” according to the White House.

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Experts breakdown Israel-Hamas conflictSusannah Heschel, Chair of the Jewish Studies Program at Dartmouth University, and Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security adviser in Israel, explain the conflict.

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The Israel Defense Forces said over the last few days its soldiers have fought Hamas terrorists in Israeli areas around the Gaza Strip and have since regained control of communities, evacuated the injured and taken Hamas fighters' weapons.

Now Israeli soldiers are "preparing to implement a wide range of operational offensive plans, which can include combined and coordinated strikes from the air, sea and land ... with an emphasis on significant ground operations," the IDF said.

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Israel announces its ready for 'coordinated attack' on GazaThe Israel Defense Forces said it's preparing to implement an "integrated and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land."

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Demonstrators in support of the Palestinian people have gathered in the rain outside the White House Saturday.

The demonstrators are calling for action, including a ceasefire from Israel, the opening of a humanitarian coordinator and unwavering support for Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

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Demonstrators gather outside White HouseABC News’ Em Nguyen reports on the demonstration in support of the Palestinian people.

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