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, 8:29 PM GMT

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, 10:35 PM GMT

IDF claims to have evidence showing they are not responsible for hospital attack

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces claimed during a news conference they have evidence they were not responsible for the strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

Daniel Magari told reporters that the IDF plans to release evidence showing Israeli forces were not responsible for the attack.

Palestinians injured in Israeli raids arrive Oct. 17, 2023, in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Gaza.
Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Magari claimed there were no IDF air strikes next to the hospital. He added there was an "air force event" but it used a different kind of ammunition.

"We don't have any indication that it hit the hospital, but it does not fit the footage that we have in the hospital," he said.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 17, 2023, 9:58 PM GMT

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, 9:28 PM GMT

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, 9:03 PM GMT

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

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