"Rafah Crisis: Saudi Arabia Warns Israel as Israeli Strikes Kill 44 Palestinians"

Saudi Arabia has warned Israel of "very serious repercussions" if a ground invasion of the city of Rafah proceeds, citing the potential for an imminent humanitarian disaster as more than half of Gaza's population is packed into the city. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to develop a plan to evacuate the population ahead of the invasion, but Saudi Arabia has condemned the forcible deportation and called for an immediate ceasefire. The warning comes as 31 Palestinians, including 10 children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, and the conflict has resulted in a ballooning population in the city. Saudi Arabia has also reiterated its stance on diplomatic relations with Israel, insisting on the recognition of an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.