Israel-Gaza live updates: Dual citizens, injured begin to exit Gaza at Rafah crossing
Thousands of people have died and thousands more have been injured since 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.
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Latest Developments
Nov 1, 11:10 AM
5 American aid workers cross from Gaza into Egypt
Five American aid workers have crossed the Rafah border from Gaza into Egypt, according to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund. They work for the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, Catholic Relief Services and Doctors Without Borders.
Nov 1, 9:49 AM
Rafah border crossing opens, allowing foreign nationals to exit Gaza
The border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened on Wednesday, allowing some foreign nationals and injured Gaza residents to exit the enclave for the first time since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on Oct. 7.
Seventeen ambulances, each transporting one injured Gazan, have crossed the border into Egypt, ABC News has confirmed.
The Rafah border crossing, which is controlled by Egypt, was expected to allow about 500 foreign passport holders to exit, according to the Gaza Borders and Crossings Authority, which released a list of names of those who would be allowed across.
At least 110 dual nationals have crossed the Rafah border into Egypt, ABC News confirmed.
Five American aid workers are among those at Rafah waiting to cross into Egypt, according to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.
Nov 1, 9:02 AM
Ground fighting between IDF, Hamas near Jabalia
The Israel Defense Forces said Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants fought overnight near Jabalia in northern Gaza. This comes as the IDF said it's "significantly" deepening its ground operations.
The IDF said it's hit more than 11,000 targets in Gaza since Oct. 7.
Nov 1, 8:49 AM
11 Israeli soldiers killed in ground fighting Tuesday
The Israel Defense Forces said 11 of its soldiers were killed in ground fighting in Gaza on Tuesday.
The total number of Israeli soldiers killed now stands at 326, according to the IDF.
Nov 1, 12:31 AM
Phone, internet down in Gaza again, Palestinian communications companies say
Phone and internet service in Gaza is down once again, the Paltel communications company claimed early Wednesday morning.
"We regret to announce a complete interruption of all communications and Internet services with the Gaza Strip, due to international routes that were previously reconnected being cut off again," Paltel said.
Jawwal, a cellular communications company, also claimed a loss of service.
Internet and phone service in Gaza was inaccessible last Friday for more than 24-hours.
-ABC News' Will Gretsky and Jolie Lash
Oct 31, 9:57 PM
Biden and Abdullah committed to facilitating 'life-saving' humanitarian aid for Gaza
President Joe Biden spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah The White House said on Tuesday.
The leaders discussed the latest developments in Gaza and stated their commitment to "facilitating the increased, sustained delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and the resumption of essential services," according to a press release from the White House.
Today, I again spoke with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to deepen our cooperation with Arab partners and continue to address the humanitarian situation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/ccmYjMic1b
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 31, 2023
The President reiterated the importance of "protecting civilian lives and respecting international humanitarian law, as Israel defends its citizens and combats terrorism," according to the White House.
The President and King Abdullah also agreed it’s a critical need to ensure "Palestinians are not forcibly displaced outside of Gaza," while also discussing ways to reduce regional tensions.
-ABC News' Justin R. Gomez
Oct 31, 6:00 PM
52 Palestinians killed in refugee camp strike, Gaza Health Ministry says
The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, put out a statement claiming that 52 Palestinians were killed in the Israel Defense Forces strike on the Jabalia refugee camp earlier Tuesday.
-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman, Nasser Atta and Samy Zayara
Oct 31, 4:24 PM
Israeli forces 'fighting deep inside the Gaza Strip': IDF
The Israeli military is "fighting deep inside the Gaza Strip," killing "terrorists in close range combat" and "conducting coordinated strikes on terror targets from land, air and sea," the Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday.
The IDF said it has "eliminated many terrorists and destroyed terror infrastructure."
On Tuesday, Israeli soldiers killed terror leader Ibrahim Biari, the IDF said.
"Striking Biari caused the collapse of adjacent buildings because of the expansive infrastructure there whose purpose was to launch terror attacks against our forces," the IDF said. "During the battle, the entire infrastructure collapsed and many terrorists were killed."
"The Hamas terrorists continue to use civilian population as protective armor. This is intentional and devastatingly barbaric," the IDF continued. "Once again, today, we call on the citizens of Northern Gaza to move Southward. … We will act forcefully in the city of Gaza and in the Northern Gaza Strip. We will continue to act against any terrorist in every part of the Gaza Strip."
-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman
Oct 31, 4:16 PM
State Department says 'good progress' made toward securing exit for Americans in Gaza
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller signaled Tuesday that the U.S. might be close to securing safe passage for the approximately 400 Americans and 600 of their immediate family members trapped in Gaza, saying negotiators "have made good progress on this."
"We are making very good progress on this issue. You may have seen some reports that have moved from the region just in the last few hours about the possibility of Rafah gate opening tomorrow,” Miller said. "I'm not in the position to make any announcements as I stand here right now, but I would say that we would welcome any agreement that would permit the safe exit of American citizens, families, other foreign nationals."
The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza is expected to open Wednesday to receive injured Palestinians from Gaza, according to Egypt state-linked TV channels.
-ABC News' Shannon Crawford
Oct 31, 4:09 PM
Rafah border crossing to open Wednesday to 'receive injured Palestinians': Egypt state-linked TV
The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza will open Wednesday to receive injured Palestinians from Gaza, according to Egypt state-linked TV channels.
The Palestinian interior ministry’s border authority said it has been informed by Egyptian authorities that 81 critically injured Palestinians will be allowed entry from Gaza Wednesday to receive treatment at Egyptian hospitals.
More than 21,000 people have been injured in Gaza since Oct. 7, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman