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.

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

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.

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

Despite acting under the guise of peace activism, campus protestors are not helping Gazans. There is no place for their violence and antisemitism, says Palestinian peace activist Howidy.

Salehi's case has received worldwide attention as the Islamic regime in Iran continues to threaten activists with severe sentences.