Deadline expired for Palestinians to flee Gaza as Israeli troops amass at border

Blinken reaffirms support for Israel in meeting with Netanyahu, discusses humanitarian aid

The State Department offered details of Secretary of State Tony Blinken's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

Blinken traveled to Israel for the second time in as many weeks on Monday to meet with Netanyahu regarding Israel's war against Hamas. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller says Blinken riterated U.S. support for Israel's right to defend itself and also discussed humanitarian issues.

"The Secretary underlined his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas’ terrorism and reaffirmed U.S. determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens.The Secretary discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu the United States’ close coordination with the U.N. and regional partners to facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid to civilians. The Secretary also discussed our commitment to the safe and speedy release of those held hostage by Hamas," Miller said.

Netanyahu will hold a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin later Monday. The State Department did not clarify whether Blinken discussed that call with Netanyahu.

More than 4,000 people have died in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas after the terror group carried out a brutal attack on Oct. 7, which included the slaughter of more than 1,400 Israelis in communities surrounding Gaza.

More than 4,000 people have died in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas after the terror group carried out a brutal attack on Oct. 7, which included the slaughter of more than 1,400 Israelis in communities surrounding Gaza. The deaths also include 260 attendees of a music festival that Hamas terrorists killed that same day.

While the identities of all those who have been killed in the violence or taken hostage by the terror group are unknown to the public, the Israeli government has identified several victims as: a daughter who initially decided not to go to the Tribe of Nova music festival but changed her mind at the last minute, an Israeli jewelry designer described as "the softest soul," an elderly couple married more than 50 years, a third-generation Israeli soldier, and many others.

As officials have identified those who died, remain missing or those taken hostage by Hamas, surviving family members have begun to shed light on who they were, their personalities and their lives.

Karin Journo, 24, recently fractured her leg and talked herself out of going with her friends to the Tribe of Nova music festival on Saturday, Oct 7. Content with her decision, she even sold her ticket. However, a week before the event, she changed her mind — a decision that changed her life forever.

Before going silent, she texted her loved ones: "To the whole family, I want to say that I love you a lot, because I am not coming home."

Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.

The Israeli government is distributing roughly 10,000 rifles to Israeli citizens living in towns near its northern and southern borders, officials announced Monday.

The Israeli government is distributing roughly 10,000 rifles to Israeli citizens living in towns near its northern and southern borders, officials announced Monday.

Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir purchased the rifles early last week and has expedited the process for "hundreds of thousands" of Israelis to be approved to carry firearms.

"I call on everyone who is eligible [to get] a life-saving weapon," he said in a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The 10,000 rifles are being distributed to civilian security teams, some of which were able to fight off Hamas terrorists last week using only pistols. Members of at least one team told the Times of Israel that the Israeli Defense Forces had taken their rifles sometime prior to the Hamas assault.

The Lebanese military has destroyed 20 different rocket launching sites that Hezbollah was using to attack Israel from Southern Lebanon, accoridng to Lebanese media.

The Lebanese military has destroyed 20 different rocket launching sites that Hezbollah was using to attack Israel from Southern Lebanon, accoridng to Lebanese media.

Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed terrorist group, has threatened to join Hamas in the war against Israel. The group has launched anti-tank guided missiles over the Lebanon-Israel border in recent days, leading to Israeli reprisals.

The reported attacks on Hezbollah rocket positions indicate that there is disagreement in Lebanon regarding whether to challenge Israel.

The news comes as Hezbollah began destroying surveillance cameras on several Israeli army posts along the border on Monday.

Hezbollah’s military media arm released a video showing snipers destroying surveillance cameras placed on five points along the Lebanon-Israel border, including one outside the Israeli town of Metula. Hezbollah’s aim appears to be to prevent the Israeli army from monitoring movements on the Lebanese side of the border.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, offered to exchange himself for Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza on Monday.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, offered to exchange himself for Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza on Monday.

Pizzaballa, who represents Pope Francis in the Holy Land, made the offer in a video conference with Italian journalists on Monday.

"I am ready for an exchange, anything, if this can lead to freedom, to bring the children home....The first thing to do is to try to win the release of the hostages, otherwise there will be no way of stopping [an escalation]."

FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that the FBI is receiving a spike in reported domestic terror threats following Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that the FBI is receiving a spike in reported domestic terror threats following Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

Wray made the comments Saturday, warning Americans to be vigilant as "lone actors" in the U.S. may take inspiration from the Hamas assault.

"In this heightened environment, there’s no question we’re seeing an increase in reported threats, and we have to be on the lookout, especially for lone actors who may take inspiration from recent events to commit violence of their own," he said. "And I’d encourage you to stay vigilant, because as the first line of defense in protecting our communities, you’re often the first to see the signs that someone may be mobilizing to violence. And I’d also ask you to continue sharing any intelligence or observations you may have."

"On our end, we’re committed to doing the same, so that together, we can safeguard our communities," Wray said.

The warning came a day after major U.S. cities, including New York, were on heightened security and increased police presence Friday amid concern over demonstrations related to the conflict. A former Hamas leader had also called for Muslims around the world to take to the streets in support of Palestinians and consider Oct. 13 a "Day of Jihad." 

Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

President Biden has postponed his planned visit to Colorado on Monday and will instead remain at the White House as Israeli forces appear poised to invade Northern Gaza.

President Biden has postponed his planned visit to Colorado on Monday and will instead remain at the White House as Israeli forces appear poised to invade Northern Gaza.

White House officials say Biden will participate in national security meetings throughout the day. His planned trip to Colorado would have been focused on his Bidenomics agenda.

"The President’s trip to Colorado is postponed and it will be rescheduled. The President will remain at the White House to participate in national security meetings," a White House official told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Fox News' Sarah Tobianski contributed to this report.

CNN's Jake Tapper pressed President Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, about whether hostages taken by Hamas were a "priority" for the Biden administration on Sunday.

"Is rescuing the hostages a priority at all? Israeli news media like Haaretz, they say it doesn’t seem like it at all," Tapper asked. "And frankly, Jake, if my kids were being held hostage in Gaza, and as you know, there are Americans being held hostage in Gaza right now, I'd want you to send in the Navy SEALs. What’s the conversation like in the White House about the U.S. conducting any sort of operations in order to save Americans being held hostage in Gaza?"

Sullivan responded and said Biden has been clear about wanting to get Americans back to the U.S. safely.

"The Israelis are bombing the crap out of Gaza, I mean, it doesn’t seem like saving the hostages are a priority at all right now," Tapper asserted.

"Well, for President Biden, they are a priority. They’re the highest possible priority. And he has sent hostage experts to coordinate and consult with the Israeli government on hostage recovery efforts. He’s also made sure that our diplomats are in touch with third countries in the region to explore avenues for their safe release. I have to be cautious about how much I can say about certain efforts he’s undertaking, because we want to protect those efforts to give us the best possible chance of getting our people home," Sullivan responded.

He added that the U.S. does not currently know the locations of the American hostages.

Fox News' Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

President Biden spoke with family members of American citizens being held hostage in Gaza, telling them in a video call that the U.S. is "workin' like hell" to rescue them.

President Biden spoke with family members of American citizens being held hostage in Gaza, telling them in a video call that the U.S. is "workin' like hell" to rescue them.

News of Biden's Zoom call with the family members came in a "60 Minutes" interview released Monday. The call, which included 14 families, lasted roughly an hour.

"I'm saying we're gonna do everything in our power to find those who are still alive and set them free. Everything in our power. And-- I'm not gonna go into the detail of that, but there's-- we're workin' like hell on it," Biden said.

When Biden took the call, the situation in Israel had at least 29 dead Americans and 14 missing. One of those missing was identified as deceased over the weekend, however, and the count now sits at at least 30 killed and 13 missing.

"Why do you feel so strongly about speaking to these families personally on Zoom?" CBS News host Scott Pelley asked in the interview.

Because I think they have to know that the president of the United States of America cares deeply about what's happening. Deeply. We have to communicate to the world this is critical. this is not even hum-- human behavior. it's pure barbarism. And we're gonna do everything in our power to get them home if we can find them," Biden responded.

Iran is planning to "break out" in the Middle East if Israel is weakened by a two-front war with Hamas and Hezbollah, predicted Heritage Foundation National Security vice president James Carafano.

Carafano made statement during a Monday appearance on Fox Business, telling host Maria Bartiromo that Iran is the most likely candidate for masterminding the October 7 attack on Israel.

Iran has a long history of funding both Hamas and Hezbollah, the two terrorist groups now assailing Israeli Defense Forces.

"If [Iran] wanted to set the conditions for [a breakout], what would be the optimum conditions?" Carafano posited. "They would have two-front war against Israel that would diminish and weaken the Israelis, and hopefully humiliate the United States. And they would do that at a politically sensitive time for the U.S., right up on the eve of a U.S. election. That's when they break out, and that's what I think is behind this strategy."

Zack Weiss, a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and a member of the 2021 Team Israel Olympic team, spoke with Fox News Digital and expressed sadness over those attempting to justify Hamas' unprecedented terrorist attack last week.

Zack Weiss, a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and a member of the 2021 Team Israel Olympic team, spoke with Fox News Digital and expressed sadness over those attempting to justify Hamas' unprecedented terrorist attack last week.

"I would say, No. 1, is just disappointed, sad," Weiss told Fox News Digital on Monday.

"It’s a bummer that there is some sort of justification for what took place," Weiss continued, expressing carefulness in his word choice. "I think anybody who has seen the videos of what’s happened is familiar with any of the stories that you’ve heard from people, that’s just one-on-one disgusting terrorism at its core. It’s personal, it’s inhumane, it’s just so direct. And that action, in my opinion, is just rooted so deeply in hatred that I don’t really see how we’re seeing political organizations justify it in a political sense."

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) expressed "solidarity with Palestine" in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying that Oct. 7 "events" were a "direct result of Israel’s apartheid regime — a regime that receives billions in funding from the United States."

Dozens of other organizations, from college campuses to political parties, echoed the sentiment in blaming Israel.

Fox News' Joe Morgan contributed to this report.

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The Senate is back in session Tuesday, and funding the government with aid to Israel and Ukraine will be at the heart of negotiations.

A source familiar with the talks told Fox News Digital the upper chamber will be awaiting the official supplemental request from the Biden administration before an official package is drafted, which could take more than a week.

The upper chamber was briefed on a call last week by the administration on a "mega package" request that would combine aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and border security, according to a source familiar.

Expected floor action for the week is on three separate appropriations bills combined into one legislative package for the 2024 fiscal year, which includes funding for the Food and Drug Administration, and the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. The temporary spending patch that the upper chamber agreed on before the Sept. 30 deadline will expire on Nov. 17.

On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee will convene for a closed-door briefing. Senate leaders will resume their weekly luncheons with a corresponding press conference, where aid to Israel and Ukraine is likely to be a topic of discussion.

Fox News' Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.

Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, in 2018, warned the United Nations Security Council about the terror threat the Iran-backed Hamas posed to Israel, while also seeking to label it a terror group both in the chamber and the General Assembly -- but the efforts were snubbed or shut down by other members.

Haley, serving as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. in 2018, told the body that Hamas "has been inciting violence for years," long before the U.S. moved to shift its embassy to Jerusalem as it did in 2018.

She sounded the alarm about media reports of plans Hamas made to invade Israel if rioters could break through.

"They have reported that Hamas maps and social media show the fastest routes to reach Israeli communities in case demonstrators make it through the security fence. They have reported on Hamas messages over loudspeakers that urge demonstrators to burst through the fence, falsely claiming Israeli soldiers were fleeing, when in fact, they were not," she told the Council.

She noted incidents where Molotov cocktails were put on kites and flown into Israel, and how key crossing points had been attacked. She also rebuffed calls for additional restraint by Israel by some on the Council -- calls that have been echoed in recent days since the terror attack by Hamas.

"I ask my colleagues here in the Security Council, who among us would accept this type of activity on your border? No one would. No country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has. In fact, the records of several countries here today suggest they would be much less restrained."

Hamas is not labeled or sanctioned as a terror group by the United Nations Security Council, unlike ISIS and Al Qaeda.

Fox News' Adam Shaw contributed to this report.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived back in Israel on Monday, where he is expected to meet with Israeli officials as the country's war with Hamas in Gaza continues to intensify.

The Secretary will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid in Tel Aviv, a U.S. official told Fox News. His visit is to show continued U.S. support for Israel, America's closest Middle Eastern ally.

The meeting comes ahead of a potential Israeli ground invasion of Gaza as Netanyahu has vowed to eliminate Hamas terrorists, saying he will "exterminate the bloody monsters."

On Sunday, Blinken was interviewed by Randa Abul Azm of Al-Arabiya, who asked the secretary about efforts to get civilians out of harm’s way in Gaza, as Israel stages a ground offensive.

"Israel is not blocking the departure of foreign nationals," he said. "The problem has been Hamas has disrupted that, and of course, we have to make the necessary arrangements."

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Tel Aviv, Israel on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (Fox News)

"At the same time, Egypt is fully prepared – and we’re working with them – to get assistance in," Blinken said. "And we’re putting in place a system – working with the United Nations, working with Egypt, working with other countries – to make sure that the assistance can get into Gaza, get to the people who need it."

He added: "And the fact of the matter is this: What does Hamas do? Hamas makes sure that all of its critical leaders, that its command centers, that its weapons, its ammunitions are all located in residential areas, in residential buildings or buried underneath hospitals, schools, and supermarkets. They know – they are using Palestinians of Gaza as human shields, and that, too, is disgraceful."

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Israel's Ministry of Defense and the Israeli Defense Force released a joint statement Monday announcing a plan to evacuate residents located near the Lebanese border to state-funded guesthouses.

"The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) of the Ministry of Defense and the IDF are announcing the implementation of a plan to evacuate residents of northern Israel who live in the area up to 2 kilometers from the Lebanese border to state-funded guesthouses," the statement read.

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant approved the plan's implementation. The Northern Command notified the heads of the local authorities of the plan, which will be implemented by the heads of the local municipalities, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency Management Authority of the Ministry of Defense.

The 28 communities impacted by the plan are Ghajar, Dishon, Kfar Yuval, Margaliot, Metula, Avivim, Dovev, Ma’ayan Baruch, Bara’m, Manara, Yiftach, Malkia, Misgav Am, Yir’on, Dafna, Arab al-Aramshe, Shlomi, Netu’a, Ya’ara, Shtula, Matat, Zari’t, Shomera, Betzet, Adamit, Rosh HaNikram, Hanita and Kfar Giladi.

More than 3,600 people have been killed since Hamas launched its attack against Israel on October 7, leading to retaliatory action from Israeli forces. Thousands more have been wounded, and many others have been taken hostage by Hamas and raped, tortured and murdered.

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa took a moment in his postgame press conference to talk about the victims of the Hamas terror attack in Israel last weekend.

Tagovailoa had just led the Dolphins to a 42-21 win over the Carolina Panthers – in a game in which he had three touchdown passes and 262 passing yards. He started to talk about the touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill and then veered off to the other topic.

"I kind of want to also just bring to the attention – I didn’t really realize how bad things were in Israel – and just wanted to bring to attention for those who don’t necessarily understand things that are going on, that it really is bad, and if you don’t understand, if you go on Google, you look, you search and you read about what’s going on in this world. This world needs prayer," he said.

"I don’t know what we’ve come to, but just my thoughts, my prayers are out with those people in Israel. I know the Ukraine and Russia war is still going on as well, and just wanted to bring notice that although we have the freedom to do this here, play football and be able to have the freedom to do these things, that to come back into reality and think that’s where we all are here in this world. Just want to bring that to the attention."

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the American government is supporting Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Hamas terrorists, and that American officials are working to help Gaza civilians with evacuation efforts and humanitarian assistance.

"We stand with Israel as it defends itself. The United States is also actively working to ensure the people of Gaza can get out of harm’s way and the assistance they need — food, water, medicine — can get in. Hamas does not care if Palestinians suffer," Blinken wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Civilians in Gaza were urged by Israeli forces last week to evacuate the area in preparation of Israel's potential ground attack, although Hamas has reportedly prevented residents from leaving.

The Rafah Crossing connecting Egypt and Gaza will reopen shortly, providing the last remaining exit for Palestinians wanting to evacuate the violence ahead of the potential ground attack from Israel. The crossing's reopening also allows humanitarian aid to pass through to Gaza.

More than 3,600 people have been killed since Hamas launched its largest attack against Israel in decades, leading to retaliatory action from Israeli forces. Thousands more have been wounded, and many others have been taken hostage by Hamas and raped, tortured and murdered.

Fox News/Yaniv Turgeman

Israel Defense Forces confiscated a large cache of weapons and supplies from Hamas terrorists amid the attack against Israel, the group announced Sunday.

The seized weapons account for just 20% of the ones used by Hamas to kill Israelis, the IDF wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

All the confiscated weapons were used in the Oct. 7 attack against Israel, according to the IDF.

Hundreds of documents and certificates, and hundreds of cell phones, other forms of communication and cameras used by Hamas have also been confiscated.

‘Squad’ member Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., drew criticism for retweeting a photo of dead children with the caption "CHILD GENOCIDE IN PALESTINE."

The photo showed seven dead children wrapped in white and claimed they were part of the "614 Palestinian children murdered by the Israeli [IDF] forces."

A community note from X, formerly known as Twitter, stated that the picture was from a 2013 sarin gas attack in Ghouta, Syria, and not from the Israel-Hamas war. 

Fellow ‘Squad’ member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., warned about the "incredibly high" amount of misinformation on social media about the ongoing war and urged her followers to "pause" and "check" for verification.

"If you see a claim, photo, or video that triggers a strong emotional reaction, take a moment to pause and check for veracity/confirmation from multiple sources," she wrote on X.

Omar has since un-retweeted the photo after criticism.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the 2023 First in the Nation Leadership Summit on October 13, 2023 in Nashua, New Hampshire. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Sunday that he helped successfully transport "hundreds" of Americans from Israel amid the war against Hamas.

"I am proud of how quickly we have been able to activate resources and do what the federal government could not – get Floridians and other Americans back home, reunited with their families, free of charge," DeSantis said in a press release.

The governor announced the news in a video posted to X.

Speaking from an airport in Tampa on Sunday night, DeSantis said that he was getting ready to welcome the Americans back on U.S. soil.

"We are having our first flight of people being rescued from Israel, it has landed. Over 260 people that wanted to get back to the United States and couldn't do it," DeSantis said. "There was a devoid [sic] of leadership, so we stepped up and led."

"We're happy to be able to deliver that. So we're getting ready to welcome them back to the United States of America," he added.

Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report.

Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan speaks at a meeting with families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas at the United Nations on October 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan called out a United Nations official who reportedly failed to condemn Hamas in a statement amid its war against Israel.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths had made a social media post calling attention to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

"The specter of death is hanging over #Gaza," his post on X read. "With no water, no power, no food and no medicine, thousands will die. Plain and simple."

Erdan responded by criticizing the "double standards" that he accused Griffiths of having.

"Thousands of Israelis were murdered and maimed in the Hamas Nazis' barbaric terror attack. And tens of thousands more will be massacred in the future if this savage terror group is not obliterated," Erdan wrote. "Have you been living under a rock? Your double standards truly know no bounds…"

"Where was your outcry when Hamas funneled all UN funds to dig terror tunnels and manufacture rockets targeting Israeli civilians? When Hamas diverted every resource – water, energy, civilian infrastructure – from the Gazan population to their terror capabilities?" Erdan added.

US President Joe Biden speaks at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

President Biden is reportedly considering visiting Israel as the country continues battling Hamas, according to a White House official.

The senior administration official told the Associated Press that the plans haven't been finalized yet. Biden and his administration have been supportive of Israel since the country was attacked by terrorists on October 7.

Despite the support, Biden has said it would be a mistake for Israel to reoccupy Gaza.

“I think it’d be a big mistake,” the president said in a "60 Minutes" interview that aired on Sunday. “Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas, and the extreme elements of Hamas don’t represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza again.”

“Taking out the extremists ... is a necessary requirement," he added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Smoke rises from buildings, viewed from the Israeli side of the border, as the Israeli military conducts a bombardment on October 15, 2023 in northern Gaza. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

A U.S. Department of State spokesperson announced that at least 30 Americans have died as a result of the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7.

"At this time, we can confirm the deaths of 30 U.S. citizens," the statement read. "We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected."

The spokesperson also said that 13 American citizens are still unaccounted for, and officials are actively searching for them.

"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," the statement added.

Fox News' Nicholas Kalman contributed to this report.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media before boarding his plane in Cairo en route to Jordan on October 15, 2023. (Photo by JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken argued that Hamas was to blame for the confinement of foreign nationals in the Gaza Strip during an interview on Sunday.

The secretary of state was being questioned by Al-Arabiya's Randa Abul Azm, who asked him about how the United States is helping foreigners get out of Gaza.

"The efforts to evacuate foreign nationals from Gaza Strip has been blocked by Israelis," Azm said to Blinken.

"Israel is not blocking the departure of foreign nationals," the Biden official asserted. "The problem has been Hamas has disrupted that, and of course, we have to make the necessary arrangements."

Blinken added that Egypt, which borders Gaza along with Israel, is prepared to help foreigners get out of the war-torn territory.

"At the same time, Egypt is fully prepared – and we’re working with them – to get assistance in," Blinken added. "And we’re putting in place a system – working with the United Nations, working with Egypt, working with other countries – to make sure that the assistance can get into Gaza, get to the people who need it."

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at United Nations headquarters on September 21, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas asserted that Hamas terrorist attacks do not represent his people, Palestinian outlet WAFA reported on Sunday.

Abbas, who is also chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), reportedly told Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on a phone call that the PLO is "the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people."

"The president affirmed his rejection of the killing of civilians on both sides and called for the release of civilians, prisoners and detainees on both sides," WAFA added.

Abbas previously told the King of Jordan on Thursday that he "reject[s] the practices of killing civilians or abusing them on both sides because they contravene morals, religion and international law."

"We renounce violence and adhere to international legitimacy, peaceful popular resistance, and political action as a path to achieving our national goals," Abbas was previously quoted as saying.

Reuters contributed to this report.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press briefing at United Nations Headquarters on February 4, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made "two strong humanitarian appeals" to Israel and Hamas on Sunday, as the war between the two continues.

"In this dramatic moment, as we are on the verge of the abyss in the Middle East, it is my duty as Secretary-General of the United Nations to make two strong humanitarian appeals," Guterres said in a statement.

"To Hamas, the hostages must be immediately released without conditions," he wrote. "To Israel, rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid must be granted for humanitarian supplies and workers for the sake of the civilians in Gaza."

Gaza has been running out of electricity, water and food since Israel blocked entry into the Gaza Strip last week. Guterres explained that the UN has stocks of food, water, medical supplies and more across the Levant.

"These goods can be dispatched within hours," the statement added. "To ensure delivery, our selfless staff on the ground, along with NGO partners, need to be able to bring these supplies into and throughout Gaza safely, and without impediment to deliver to those in need."

"Each one of these two objectives are valid in themselves," Guterres affirmed. "They should not become bargaining chips and they must be implemented because it is the right thing to do."

Pedestrians walk through St Peter's Square in the Vatican on October 13, 2023. (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel’s foreign minister Eli Cohen reportedly called out the Vatican for not issuing a "clear and unequivocal" condemnation of Hamas after their terrorists began attacking Israel last week.

According to the Times of Israel, Cohen told Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations, that Israelis expect the Vatican to "come out with a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the murderous terrorist actions."

"It is unacceptable that you put out a statement expressing worry primarily for Gazan civilians while Israel is burying 1,300 who were murdered," Cohen said, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Pope Francis had recently affirmed Israel's right to defend itself and offered prayers to victims.

"I continue to follow what is happening in Israel and Palestine with tears and apprehension: many people killed, others injured," the pope said on Wednesday. "I pray for those families who have seen a feast day transformed into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be released immediately."

At least 1,400 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched a surprise attack last Saturday, on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

Palestinian authorities say that more than 2,300 Palestinians have been killed, with over 9,000 wounded.

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

NBC News' Kristen Welker pressed President Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan about how he was "so far off the mark" in describing the conflict in the Middle East as "quieter" today than it has been in two decades.

"Jake, as you know, there’s been a lot of discussion about how this attack could have been missed. I want to play you some remarks that you made eight days before the attack and get your reaction on the other side," Welker asked before playing the clip. 

Sullivan said the Middle East was quieter than it has been in a long time about a week before Hamas attacked Israel.

"The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades. Now challenges remain. Iran’s nuclear weapons program, and the tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, but the amount of time I have to spend on crisis and conflict in the Middle East today compared to any of my predecessors going back to 9/11 is significantly reduced," he said.

"Jake, why was your assessment there so far off the mark?" Welker asked. "Well, first, Kristen, I made those comments in the context of developments in the wider Middle East region over the last few years after two decades that involved a civil war in Yemen and a massive humanitarian catastrophe, a civil war in Syria and a massive refugee crisis, an invasion and insurgency in Iraq, a NATO military operation in Libya. Iranian-backed attacks on both Saudi and the UAE as well as many other steps including the rise of a terrorist Caliphate that actually occupied a huge amount of territory," he said.

He said that he also clarified that it was "for now" and said it could all change.

Fox News' Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces are ready to "exterminate the bloody monsters" of Hamas in a ground invasion of Gaza that now appears imminent.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces are ready to "exterminate the bloody monsters" of Hamas in a ground invasion of Gaza that now appears imminent.

Netanyahu made the comments during a meeting of his war cabinet on Sunday, saying the military stands ready to act at "any moment." Israel spent the weekend warning civilians in Gaza to move south as quickly as possible, as Israeli forces plan to invade northern Gaza by land, sea and air in the coming days.

"[We] are ready to act at any moment, to exterminate the bloody monsters that rose up against us," Netanyahu said. "Hamas thought we would be demolished. It is we who will demolish Hamas."

Among Israel's top targets is Hamas commander Yahya Sinwar, who is being held responsible for carrying out the unprecedented October 7 attack that left at least 1,400 people dead in Israel, including at least 29 Americans.

"He is the mastermind behind this, like bin Laden was. He built his career on murdering Palestinians when he understood they were collaborators. That's how he became known as the butcher of Khan Younis [in southern Gaza]," IDF spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht said Sunday. "That man and his whole team are in our sights. We will get to that man,"

Republicans in the House of Representatives will soon introduce legislation that would block the U.S. from accepting refugees from Gaza displaced by Israel's war against Hamas.

Republicans in the House of Representatives will soon introduce legislation that would block the U.S. from accepting refugees from Gaza displaced by Israel's war against Hamas.

Reps. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., and Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., will introduce the Guaranteeing Aggressors Zero Admission Act, or the GAZA Act, which aims to prevent the Biden administration from granting visas to holders of Palestinian passports, according to a report from the New York Post Saturday.

"We can’t let President Biden abuse our parole and visa rules to bring unvetted Palestinians into American communities the way he did with thousands of unvetted Afghans," Tiffany said of the legislation in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The bill would also prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from allowing Palestinians into the country through its parole program.According to the report, experts believe that there could be more than a million Palestinian refugees from Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

The move comes a day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated that the U.S. should not accept any Palestinian refugees. He argued that while not all Gazans are members of Hamas, they are "all anti-Semtic."

"None of them believe in Israel’s right to exist," he added.

Fox News' Michael Lee contributed to this report.

A Gaza resident described Hamas terrorst confiscating car keys and IDs in order to prevent Gazans from heeding Israeli warnings to evacuate toward the South, according to a phone call recording released by Israeli forces.

A Gaza resident described Hamas terrorst confiscating car keys and IDs in order to prevent Gazans from heeding Israeli warnings to evacuate toward the South, according to a phone call recording released by Israeli forces.

The Israeli Defence Force revealed the recording Sunday, saying it was a conversation between a Gaza resident and an Israeli intelligence officer.

"In the conversation, the resident tells the officer that Hamas confiscated people's personal  belongings including their car keys and IDs to prevent them from heading south for safety as they were instructed by the IDF," Israel wrote in a statement.

"This is further evidence that the Hamas terrorist organization is actively preventing Palestinians from evacuating south in order to protect themselves," it added.

Israeli forces had urged civilians in Gaza to flee the northern region as the IDF prepares for a ground invasion against Hamas. Israel had previously shown Hamas roadblocks, which it said prevented civilians from leaving.

Hamas has long used innocents as human shields, and frequently places its weapon caches and command centers in or around places like hospitals, schools and mosques.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on his demand that the U.S. not accept any refugees from Gaza amid Israel's war against Hamas on Sunday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on his demand that the U.S. not accept any refugees from Gaza amid Israel's war against Hamas on Sunday.

DeSantis said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that every 2024 presidential candidate should weigh in on whether Gazan refugees should be welcomed in the U.S. He went on to say that Israel has every right to use whatever pressure it can to secure the release of hostages in Gaza and retaliate against Hamas terrorists, including shutting off water and electricity.

The popular Florida governor first laid out his stance against accepting Gazans on Saturday, highlighting that none of the Arab states in the Middle East were willing to accept refugees either.

"If you look at how they behave, not all of them are Hamas, but they’re all anti-Semitic, none of them believe in Israel’s right to exist, none of the Arab states are willing to take any of them," DeSantis said. "The Arab states should be taking them if you have refugees, you don’t fly people and import them into the United States of America."

"My view is very simple: If you don't like this country, if you hate America, you should not come to this country, we’ve got to start being smart about this," he added.

Florida University President Ben Sasse vowed to protect Jewish students and protect free speech as pro-Palestinian sentiment continues to show its face at U.S. universties.

Florida University President Ben Sasse vowed to protect Jewish students and protect free speech as pro-Palestinian sentiment continues to show its face at U.S. universties.

Sasse, a former U.S. Senator for Nebraska, says his university has the largest population of Jewish students of any university in the country. Student groups held a vigil commemorating the at least 1,300 people killed in Israel during Hamas' unprecedented October 7 attack.

At other college campuses, however, pro-Palestinian student groups have shouted slogans praising Hamas and the slaughter of Jews. Sasse challenged wuniversities to "do some educating" and read the Hamas charter, which explicitly calls for the extermination of the Jewish people.

Sasse went on to say that many U.S. students expressing support for Palestinians are likely unaware of tyhe violence called for in the Hamas charter and are merely "confused" by their own ignorance.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says the U.S. is "actively trying" to locate American hostages who may being held in Gaza on Sunday.

Kirby made the statement during an appearance on Fox News Sunday, telling host Shannon Bream that President Biden's administration had not ruled out any means of rescuing American hostages.

Bream pressed Kirby on whether the U.S. would consider deploying American elite troops to conduct rescue operations in Gaza. Kirby asserted that there are no plans to deploy U.S. boots on the ground, and he declined to elaborate on efforts to rescue Americans.

"This is obviously high on the president's priority list. Nothing is more important to him than the safety and security of Americans that are held hostage overseas," Kirby said.

Anything that occurrs in Gaza now and during the expected Israeli invasion is the fault of Hamas, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., says.

Cotton made the statement during an appearence on Fox News Sunday, telling host Shannon Bream that Israel cannot be blamed for retaliating against Hamas' October 7 attack. He highlighted that Hamas has refused to allow Gazans to evacuate toward the south, as the Israeli Defense Forces have urged.

"Hamas is dedicated to the destruction of Israel as a nation and the extermination of the Jewish people. That's in their charter," Cotton said. "If you don't want your hostpitals, your schools and your mosques bombed, then you shouldn't be using them as human shields."

Cotton went on to say that the U.S. should not rule out deploying "elite warriors" to rescue American hostages potentially being held in Gaza. So far, 29 Americans were confirmed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, and 14 remain missing.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan group of other Senators took shelter from Hamas rocket fire in Gaza on Sunday during a visit to Israel.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan group of other Senators took shelter from Hamas rocket fire in Gaza on Sunday during a visit to Israel.

Schumer was in Tel Aviv along with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah; Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La; Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. He said the group was rushed to a shelter as Israeli rocket warnings blared Sunday morning.

"While in Tel Aviv today, our delegation was rushed to a shelter to wait out rockets sent by Hamas. It shows you what Israelis have to go through. We must provide Israel with the support required to defend itself," he wrote.

Schumer's group announced their trip to Israel on Friday. They are there to show solidarity with Israel in the wake over Hamas' unprecedented October 7 attack, which left at least 1,300 people in Israel dead, including at least 29 Americans.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley blasted President Biden's decision to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds as part of a prisoner exchange deal Sunday.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley blasted President Biden's decision to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds as part of a prisoner exchange deal Sunday.

Haley argued the funds have granted Iran far too much power, and the country is now threatening to intervene in Israel's war against Hamas. Haley made the comments during a Sunday morning appearance on CNN's State of the Union with host Jake Tapper.

Haley, a Republican 2024 presidential hopeful, has criticized Biden's foreign policy decisions throughout his time in office.

President Biden highlighted the distinction between Palestinian citizens and their Hamas leaders on Sunday, saying most Palestinians had "nothing to do" with the October 7 attack on Israel.

President Biden highlighted the distinction between Palestinian citizens and their Hamas leaders on Sunday, saying most Palestinians had "nothing to do" with the October 7 attack on Israel.

"We must not lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians had nothing to do with Hamas’s appalling attacks, and are suffering as a result of them," he wrote.

The statement comes as an Israeli ground invasion of Northern Gaza appears imminent. The U.S. has supplies support to Israel via delivering weapons and ammunition, but no U.S. troops will participate in the operation.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken will reportedly arrive in Israel for a second trip in as many weeks on Monday.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken will return to Israel on Monday, just days after leaving the country last week.

He will meet with Israeli officials to coordinate U.S. support for the country as it carries out its invasion of Northern Gaza, Reuters reported. The U.S. has not deployed troops and is not directly assisting the Israeli operation, instead only delivering supplies.

The U.S. has deployed two air craft carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean as tensions in the region rise. The U.S. has warned Iran and other regional powers not to get involved in the conflict.

Blinken met with Qatari officials late last week and defended Israel's operation. Qatar is also playing host to the leaders of Hamas.

The Global Imam Council, which represents 1,470 Muslim Imams around the world condemned Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and endorsed a "fatwa" against the terror organization.

The GIC, based in Najaf, Iraq, condemned Hamas' October 7 attack last week, declaring that it stands "with the Jewish people in their struggle against ISIS-like Islamist terrorism carried out by Hamas."

"The Global Imams Council (GIC), our members, and the 800+ communities led by our Imams worldwide, abide by the Fatwa issued against Hamas by The Islamic Fatwa Council on 9 March, 2023, charging Hamas with corruption and crimes against humanity; forbidding Muslims from supporting, donating to, joining or praying for the terrorist organization. The GIC is proud to have proposed the Fatwa against Hamas to The Islamic Fatwa Council, and contributed to its Resolution Document that outlines the Islamic legal charges against Hamas," the group wrote in a statement.

The GIC went on to condemn the "extremist and violent rhetoric" used by pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas protesters in the U.S. and Europe.

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets in the U.K. and Australia this weekend, with many shouting slogans in favor of killing Jewish people.

Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., says his office has successfuly evacuated 96 Americans out of Israel since the war on Hamas broke out last week.

Mills says his team has chartered a plane that can carry 218 people out of the country, and that it remains standing by to carry more Americans out of Israel.

"Our office and team ha now gotten out 96 Americans from Israel. 77 of which I was on myself," Mills wrote. "We’ve also secured a charter aircraft that can hold 218 passengers. It will not cost anything the Americans needing to get out of Israel."

Mills added that his team had also successfully evacuated the son of Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Fla.

President Biden's administration has faced criticism for a lack of effort to assist Americans seeking to leave Israel, which is now a nation at war.

The Israeli military urged Gazan civilians to flee southward along a specified evacuation route on Sunday, clearing out a 3-hour window in which the IDF would not fire on the route.

The IDF alerted Gazans of the window via social media and air-dropped flyers this weekend. Israeli forces are currently preparing for an all-out assault on Northern Gaza, planning to infiltrate from land, air and sea.

"Residents of Gaza City and northern Gaza, in the past days, we've urged you to relocate to the southern area for your safety. We want to inform you that the IDF will not carry out any operations along this route from 10 AM to 1 PM. During this window, please take the opportunity to move southward from northern Gaza," the IDF wrote.

"Your safety and that of your families matters. Please follow our instructions and head southward. Be assured, Hamas leaders have already ensured their safety and that of their families," it added.