Saudi officials have recently issued stern warnings to the United States about the potential catastrophic consequences of an Israeli ground incursion into Gaza. These cautionary messages were conveyed in multiple discussions with senior U.S. officials, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Tensions have been escalating from the Gaza Strip, where essentials like water and fuel have become increasingly scarce due to Israel's bombardment and blockade in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Palestinian group governing Gaza.
One Biden administration official confirmed the Saudi stance, emphasizing that the Saudis are keen to prevent an Israeli invasion of Gaza. Saudi authorities have also shared their concerns regarding the prospect of a ground war with American lawmakers. All parties involved in these discussions requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut and a member of the Armed Services Committee, was among a group of senators who met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh last weekend. Mr. Blumenthal revealed that the Saudi leadership expressed a strong preference for avoiding a ground operation in Gaza, citing concerns about stability and the loss of life, emphasizing that it would have extremely detrimental consequences.
