The US Army ships have been joined by several other larger US Navy ships, and the group of vessels is expected to grow. The UK said it is sending a vessel to help with the effort.

Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich threatened to withdraw from the government if the PM agrees to a deal rather than a Rafah op. Minister Gantz suggested he could withdraw if the government chose Rafah.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protestors have been arrested across US campuses on Saturday for refusing to disperse and trespassing.

“If there is an option to make a deal, we will do it,” Katz said, although he stressed that this would not impact the overall goal of the war, which was to destroy Hamas.

Saudi Arabia may not publicly want Israel in Rafah, but Riyadh has been watching the war closely since October 7.

The congresswoman noted that she had met a number of Jewish students who were participating in the encampment.

Children participate in a Sydney University protest, chanting anti-Israel slogans and painting Palestinian flags, organized by Families for Palestine with Women’s Collective.

The IDF said it struck terrorist infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Srebbine, as well as in Markaba on Saturday night.