Israel-Gaza war updates: Devastation in Gaza has outpaced other recent conflicts, Post analysis finds

The Israel Defense Forces has expanded ground operations in the southern and northern parts of the Gaza Strip, spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Saturday. He added that the war was “a long and difficult operation that will continue for some more time.” The IDF also said on social media that it struck “a number of areas in Lebanon,” including a Hezbollah military command center.

In a Saturday phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden emphasized the need to protect civilians and aid workers, and the importance of freeing the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Biden later told reporters that he did not press for a cease-fire during the call. Netanyahu’s office said he thanked Biden for the United States’ abstention from voting on Friday’s U.N. resolution that called for an indefinite pause in fighting.

Aid groups have criticized the U.N. resolution, which also demanded more aid deliveries for civilians in Gaza. Doctors Without Borders said it “has been watered down to the point that its impact … will be nearly meaningless,” while Amnesty International said that the resolution “remains woefully insufficient.”

The destroyer USS Laboon, while patrolling the Red Sea, on Saturday shot down four aerial drones that were headed toward the vessel from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, U.S. Central Command said. There were no injuries or damage. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command also received reports from two more ships in the area that were attacked by Houthi drones on the same day.

At least 20,258 people have been killed in Gaza and 53,688 wounded since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. About 1,200 people were killed in Israel in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.