Israel-Gaza updates: Biden speaks with Netanyahu about hostages' release, Gaza humanitarian assistance

The hostages are two elderly women who are both Israeli nationals.

ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: October 23, 2023, 4:29 PM EDT

Thousands of people have died and thousands more were injured after the militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel retaliated with a bombing campaign and total siege of the neighboring Gaza Strip, leaving the region on the verge of all-out war.

At least 1,400 people have died and 4,629 others have been injured in Israel, according to Israeli authorities. In Gaza, 5,087 people have died and 15,273 have been wounded, according to the Palestinian Health Authority.

Aid workers and officials fear that Israel's call for an evacuation of the northern part of Gaza is precipitating a humanitarian disaster as electricity and other supplies have been cut off in preparation for what appears to be an imminent ground offensive.

Humanitarian groups have urged Israel to call off the evacuation and agree to a cease-fire, even as the country has asserted a right to defend itself -- a right the United States endorses.

Click here for previous updates.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 19, 2023, 3:23 PM EDT

Eligible Israelis can apply for visa-free travel for short-term visits to US, DHS announces

Starting Thursday, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can begin applying for visa-free travel for short-term visits to the U.S. through Customs and Border Protection's Electronic System for Travel Authorization, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

Israel's designation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program was announced last month and will allow eligible travelers to come to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa, DHS said.

Oct 19, 2023, 2:41 PM EDT

Rafah crossing will open Friday: Egyptian state-run media

The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza will open on Friday to allow aid to enter into Gaza, according to Egyptian state-run media.

Among the organizations waiting to bring aid into Gaza are the International Committee of the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Oct 19, 2023, 2:25 PM EDT

203 kidnapped, 100 unaccounted for: IDF

The Israel Defense Forces said its latest tally finds that 203 people have been kidnapped and 100 remain unaccounted for.

A damaged house is seen in Kibbutz Nir Oz in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, Oct. 19, 2023.
Amir Cohen/Reuters

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, the Israeli military arrested 70 suspected Hamas members on Thursday, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Oct 19, 2023, 1:51 PM EDT

32 Americans dead, 11 unaccounted for

Thirty-two Americans have been confirmed dead in Israel and another 11 U.S. citizens are unaccounted for, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said Thursday.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford

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