Saudi officials warned the United States in recent days that a ground invasion of Gaza could have catastrophic consequences for the Middle East, according to the American newspaper The New York Times.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal was one of the ten members who met last weekend with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

Blumenthal told the newspaper yesterday, Thursday, that the Saudi leadership was hoping to avoid the ground operation for reasons of stability, as well as human losses, adding that Saudi officials warned that this would be “extremely harmful.”

Senior Saudi officials issued stronger warnings to their American counterparts in several talks, and expressed fears that the ground invasion could turn into a disaster in the region, according to a Saudi official and an informed source.

These exchanges came at a time when tension extends outside the Gaza Strip. Basics such as water and fuel have become scarce due to the Israeli bombing and siege on the Gaza Strip.

An official in the administration of US President Joe Biden said that the Saudis reject the invasion of Gaza.

Despite American support for Israel, Biden requested that the ground operation be postponed, to allow more time for negotiations regarding the hostages and the entry of more humanitarian aid into the Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be hesitant about the invasion.

The White House declined the newspaper's request to comment on the issue.