JERUSALEM/GAZA -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the country's war cabinet and political cabinet "unanimously decided to expand the ground operation" in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, regional countries warned Israel against further ground operations.

In a press conference joined by other senior officials in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said Israel is now "heading into the second stage of the war," during which his country will try to achieve its target of "destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, and returning the hostages home." (Israel-Hamas-Conflict)

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CAIRO -- At least 32 people were killed and 63 others injured Saturday in multiple vehicle collisions on a desert road near Egypt's Beheira governorate, according to the country's Ministry of Health.

Security investigations showed the accident was caused by an oil leak from a car traveling on the Cairo-Alexandria desert road near Beheira. The ministry said in follow-up statements that multiple cars caught on fire as they collided with a bus transporting passengers. (Egypt-Car Collisions-Casualties)

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AMMAN -- Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and visiting Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on Saturday stressed the importance of joint Arab action to halt the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a statement from the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

During a meeting in Amman, both parties emphasized the importance of safeguarding civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations in line with a recent UN General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza while warning against a potential spillover of the conflict. (Jordan-Bahrain-Gaza-Ceasefire)

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GAZA -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), said on Saturday it is ready to hold talks with Israel on solving the hostage issue.

"If Israel wants to resolve the issue in one go, we are ready for that. If it wants to divide the process into several rounds, we are also ready," Abu Obaida, spokesperson of the brigades, said in a televised speech. (Israel-Hamas-Hostages) Enditem

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