It’s afternoon in Israel and Gaza. Here’s what you need to know

(CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is readying a ground incursioninto Gaza, as Israel's military conducted an overnight "targeted raid" using tanks. An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson told CNN that the raid was a "intended to create better terms for ground operations."

A ground offensive is widely anticipated following the surprise Hamas attacks, but when it happens and what form it will take remain open questions.

Below are the latest developments...

• Overnight raid: Israel conducted a “targeted raid” using tanks in northern Gaza before withdrawing, its military said Thursday. Video published by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday showed tanks and armored vehicles, including a bulldozer, moving on a road near a fence in northern Gaza. The tanks fired artillery, and some destruction could be seen nearby. Speaking to CNN, IDF spokesperson Peter Lerner said the raid, which he described as large but limited in scope, was “intended to create better terms for ground operations if and when that comes in.”
• "Only the beginning": In a televised address on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu said Israel is "raining down hellfire on Hamas." He also claimed Israel has “already eliminated thousands of terrorists – and this is only the beginning.” He added: “At the same time, we are preparing for a ground incursion,” but said the decision on when such action would be taken would be decided by Israel’s War Cabinet.
• A humanitarian crisis: Israel has been launching waves of retaliatory strikes following the Hamas attacks. Satellite images have revealed the destruction in Gaza. The UN says it will soon run out of fuel needed for aid operations, and will have to decide what help they could and could not provide to civilians.
• EU leaders meet: The leaders of the 27 European Union member states will meet in Brussels to discuss the unfolding crisis. Ahead of the summit, Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, indicated that the bloc would push for a pause in fighting to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. While all member states are broadly in agreement that aid needs to be allowed into Gaza as soon as possible, there is hesitation from some to endorse a pause in fighting for fears it limits Israel’s ability to defend itself against terror attacks.
• Hostages: The Israeli army now says 224 people are believed to be held hostage in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attacks, giving an updated figure on Thursday. It comes as talks to secure the release of a large number of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza are ongoing, sources told CNN, but the negotiations - which involve the United States, Israel, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas - are complex.