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 17, 2023, 5:58 PM EDT

President departs for trip to Israel

President Joe Biden departed via Air Force One at 5:55 p.m. ET for his trip to Israel.

President Joe Biden arrives to board Air Force One for a trip to Israel, Oct. 17, 2023, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Evan Vucci/AP

The president is expected to arrive early Wednesday morning and meet with Israeli leaders about the ongoing conflict.

A planned meeting in Jordan with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been canceled, according to a U.S. official, who added it was a "mutual decision."

"The president sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. He looks forward to consulting in person with these leaders soon, and agreed to remain regularly and directly engaged with each of them over the coming days," a White House official said.

-ABC News' Mary Bruce

Oct 17, 2023, 5:28 PM EDT

Biden departs White House to Joint Base Andrews for Israel trip

President Joe Biden has departed the White House and is en route to Joint Base Andrews where he will depart for Israel.

He is expected to meet with Israeli officials on Wednesday.

-ABC News' Mary Bruce

Oct 17, 2023, 5:03 PM EDT

Hamas mulling release of some hostages: Senior US official

Hamas is considering releasing women and children hostages who aren't Israeli through negotiations with Qatar, a senior U.S. official told ABC News.

Roughly 50 of the hostages are non-Israeli, including some Americans, according to the official.

Huda Imam, founder and former general director of the Center for Jerusalem Studies at al Quds University, joins correspondent James Longman to break down how the war escalated to this level.
6:25
New video released by Hamas appears to show hostage being held in Gaza Huda Imam, founder and former general director of the Center for Jerusalem Studies at al Quds University, joins correspondent James Longman to break down how the war escalated to this level.
ABCNews.com

The official added that the majority of the hostages are being held in tunnels underneath Gaza.

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

Oct 17, 2023, 5:03 PM EDT

Israel-Hamas conflict: Timeline and key developments

More than a week after Hamas terrorists rained thousands of rockets down on Israel and infiltrated the country by air, sea and land in an unprecedented surprise attack, the region stands on the brink of war -- with fears of a wider conflict and thousands dead on both sides of the Israel-Gaza border.

The conflict was touched off by the Oct. 7 sneak attack, which included thousands of armed Hamas fighters breaching a border security fence and indiscriminately gunning down Israeli civilians and soldiers taken off guard.

Israel has responded with a barrage of airstrikes that have decimated the Gaza Strip.

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