Analysis: With Saudi-Israel normalisation frozen for now, Riyadh has stepped up its public diplomacy over the Gaza war but is still treading cautiously.

Hamas denounced the United States for its decision on Friday to veto a resolution in the United Nations Security Council that would have called for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. "We strongly condemn Washington's use of veto against a draft resolution in the Security Council demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

The armed wing of Hamas said on Friday it had repelled an attempted hostage rescue by Israeli special forces in the Gaza Strip, inflicting several military casualties, and that a captive also died in the incident.