On 1 Oct 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah's military infrastructure in villages near the Israel-Lebanon border. The IDF stated that they have crossed the border to target locations that "pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel."

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Israel Begins Ground Invasion Of Lebanon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (Mar 20) reiterated that Israel will launch a ground offensive against Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, however, it will "take some time" for the forces to be prepared for such an action.&nbsp;

Netanyahu said that Israel is continuing to operate in Khan Younis, in the camps in the centre, in eliminating and capturing senior Hamas officials.&nbsp;

In a televised address, Netanyahu said that he will soon approve a plan for the evacuation of Palestinian civilians from fighting areas once the military's operational plans for Rafah are approved.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-canada-to-halt-arms-sales-to-israel-uk-deputy-pm-calls-for-humanitarian-ceasefire-in-gaza-702194">Canada to halt arms sales to Israel; UK deputy PM calls for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza</a>&nbsp;

The city of Rafah is on the southern edge of Gaza sheltering more than half the enclave's 2.3 million people currently.&nbsp;

Analysts have warned that a ground incursion will further worsen the situation in Rafah amid widespread shortages of food, medicines and clean water.&nbsp;Washington says a ground assault there would be a "mistake" and cause too much harm to civilians.

A UN-backed report has even projected famine and stated that about half the population across the whole of the Gaza Strip facing "catastrophic hunger".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-told-us-not-trying-to-push-him-out-amid-tensions-over-rafah-assault-plan-702081">Biden assures Netanyahu US not trying to push him out amid tensions over Rafah assault plan</a>&nbsp;

Netanyahu told lawmakers he had made it "supremely clear" to United States President Biden in a phone call "that we are determined to complete the elimination of these battalions in Rafah, and there's no way to do that except by going in on the ground".&nbsp;

According to Israel, Rafah is the last major holdout of armed fighters from Hamas.&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

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<h2>Senior Hamas officials killed&nbsp;</h2>

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that fighter jets eliminated five senior Hamas officials in Rafah on Monday. As reported by the local media, the jets operated in accordance with intelligence provided by the IDF and Shin Bet.&nbsp;

Sayid Katab Alkhashash, Osama Hamd Zaher, Muhamed, and Aud Almelalakhi are among the operatives who were killed. They were allegedly heads of Hamas' Emergency Bureau in northern and eastern Rafah. Hadi Abu Alrus Kasin, an operations officer, was also killed.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (Mar 20) reiterated that Israel will launch a ground offensive against Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, however, it will "take some time" for the forces to be prepared for such an action.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (Mar 20) reiterated that Israel will launch a ground offensive against Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, however, it will "take some time" for the forces to be prepared for such an action. Netanyahu said that Israel is continuing to operate in Khan Younis, in the camps in the centre, in eliminating and capturing senior Hamas officials. In a televised address, Netanyahu said that he will soon approve a plan for the evacuation of Palestinian civilians from fighting areas once the military's operational plans for Rafah are approved. Also read: Canada to halt arms sales to Israel; UK deputy PM calls for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza The city of Rafah is on the southern edge of Gaza sheltering more than half the enclave's 2.3 million people currently. Analysts have warned that a ground incursion will further worsen the situation in Rafah amid widespread shortages of food, medicines and clean water. Washington says a ground assault there would be a "mistake" and cause too much harm to civilians. A UN-backed report has even projected famine and stated that about half the population across the whole of the Gaza Strip facing "catastrophic hunger". Also read: Biden assures Netanyahu US not trying to push him out amid tensions over Rafah assault plan Netanyahu told lawmakers he had made it "supremely clear" to United States President Biden in a phone call "that we are determined to complete the elimination of these battalions in Rafah, and there's no way to do that except by going in on the ground". According to Israel, Rafah is the last major holdout of armed fighters from Hamas. Watch this report: × Senior Hamas officials killed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that fighter jets eliminated five senior Hamas officials in Rafah on Monday. As reported by the local media, the jets operated in accordance with intelligence provided by the IDF and Shin Bet. Sayid Katab Alkhashash, Osama Hamd Zaher, Muhamed, and Aud Almelalakhi are among the operatives who were killed. They were allegedly heads of Hamas' Emergency Bureau in northern and eastern Rafah. Hadi Abu Alrus Kasin, an operations officer, was also killed. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu says preparations for ground assault on Rafah will ‘take some time’

The United States was strongly warned by Saudi officials that the ground invasion by the Israeli army into the Gaza Strip could turn catastrophic for West Asia. 
 
Member of the Armed Services Committee and Democrat of Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal was among one of the 10 senators, who held talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last weekend in Riyadh. 
 
“The Saudi leadership was hopeful that a ground operation could be avoided for reasons of stability as well as the loss of life,” said Blumenthal, while speaking to The New York Times on Thursday (Oct 26). The government officials of Saudi Arabia that it would be “extremely harmful”, he said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israelis-descending-upon-gun-stores-in-large-numbers-after-oct-7-attack-652257">Israelis descending upon gun stores in large numbers after Oct 7 attack</a>

In various conversations with their American counterparts, senior Saudi officials have multiple times hinted at how a ground invasion can turn into a disaster for the whole region, as per one Saudi official, The New York Times reported. 
 
The exchanges took place as tensions continued to escalate in the Gaza Strip. An official of the Biden administration said that it has become evident that Saudi Arabia is against an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza.

<h2>US asserts Israel's right to self-defence</h2>

Repeatedly, the United States has asserted the right to self-defence of Israel since the Hamas attack in which more than 1,400 people were killed in Israel. 
 
“Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back,” United States President Joe Biden had stated recently. During the same time, Biden had appealed to Israel to delay the invasion of the Gaza Strip. 
 
The US officials had clarified that the request was made due to multiple reasons which included getting more humanitarian aid inside Gaza, taking more time to reach negotiations for release of hostages and doing better war planning.

Watch |&nbsp;20 days of Israel-Hamas war: Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza | WION Pulse

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In the call held between Prince Mohammed and, Biden the leaders “agreed on pursuing broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability across the region and prevent the conflict from expanding,” said the White House, in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 24). 
 
Prince Mohammed and President Biden, after sharing strained relations, have been able to find common ground earlier this year and have trying to finalise a deal, as per which Israel will be recognised by Saudi Arabi and diplomatic ties will be established between the two. 
 
Biden and his top aides have been eager to finalise an agreement, stating that it will reshape West Asia.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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The United States was strongly warned by Saudi officials that the ground invasion by the Israeli army into the Gaza Strip could turn catastrophic for West Asia. Member of the Armed Services Committee and Democrat of Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal was among one of the 10 senators, who held talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last weekend in Riyadh.

The United States was strongly warned by Saudi officials that the ground invasion by the Israeli army into the Gaza Strip could turn catastrophic for West Asia. Member of the Armed Services Committee and Democrat of Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal was among one of the 10 senators, who held talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last weekend in Riyadh. “The Saudi leadership was hopeful that a ground operation could be avoided for reasons of stability as well as the loss of life,” said Blumenthal, while speaking to The New York Times on Thursday (Oct 26). The government officials of Saudi Arabia that it would be “extremely harmful”, he said. ALSO READ | Israelis descending upon gun stores in large numbers after Oct 7 attack In various conversations with their American counterparts, senior Saudi officials have multiple times hinted at how a ground invasion can turn into a disaster for the whole region, as per one Saudi official, The New York Times reported. The exchanges took place as tensions continued to escalate in the Gaza Strip. An official of the Biden administration said that it has become evident that Saudi Arabia is against an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. US asserts Israel's right to self-defence Repeatedly, the United States has asserted the right to self-defence of Israel since the Hamas attack in which more than 1,400 people were killed in Israel. “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back,” United States President Joe Biden had stated recently. During the same time, Biden had appealed to Israel to delay the invasion of the Gaza Strip. The US officials had clarified that the request was made due to multiple reasons which included getting more humanitarian aid inside Gaza, taking more time to reach negotiations for release of hostages and doing better war planning. Watch | 20 days of Israel-Hamas war: Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza | WION Pulse In the call held between Prince Mohammed and, Biden the leaders “agreed on pursuing broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability across the region and prevent the conflict from expanding,” said the White House, in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 24). Prince Mohammed and President Biden, after sharing strained relations, have been able to find common ground earlier this year and have trying to finalise a deal, as per which Israel will be recognised by Saudi Arabi and diplomatic ties will be established between the two. Biden and his top aides have been eager to finalise an agreement, stating that it will reshape West Asia. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Israel's ground invasion of Gaza can turn catastrophic, Saudi Arabia warns US

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