IDF enters Gaza strip, fails to rescue captives from Hamas

The IDF Spokesman said that over the last day, the army has carried out local raids within Gaza along the border to complete the removal of terrorists from the area. An effort was also made to locate missing persons.

Infantry and armored forces searched the area for evidence that might help in the effort to locate those missing. They also destroyed terrorist infrastructure and terrorist cells found in the area, including a Hamas cell that fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli territory.

The Israeli Air Force also continued its airstrikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and rocket launchers.

Saudi Arabia is putting U.S.-backed plans to normalize ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh’s thinking said, signaling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war escalates between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.

The conflict has also pushed the kingdom to engage with Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took his first phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as Riyadh tries to prevent a broader surge in violence across the region.

The two sources told Reuters there would be a delay in the U.S.-backed talks on normalization with Israel that was a key step for the kingdom to secure what Riyadh considers the real prize of a U.S. defense pact in exchange.

Until Iran-backed Hamas sparked a war on Oct. 7 by launching a devastating attack on Israel, both Israeli and Saudi leaders had been saying they were moving steadily towards a deal that could have reshaped the Middle East.