With empty streets and drawn curtains, Gaza feels like a ghost town. Its residents, tested by repeated wars, feel like they are living the same scenes again and again.
Before Israel launched its “pre-emptive” strikes on militants in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory was enjoying a summer unlike any other in recent years.
Gaza's beaches, long deemed too polluted with waste water for swimming, had been declared mostly usable again, allowing swimmers and surfers to rediscover the joys of the sea.
All that came to an abrupt halt on Friday, when Israel again bombarded the territory, citing threats from Islamic Jihad militants.
“We were living in peace and suddenly the bombardment began,” said Mohammed Hamami, 40.
“Enough! Enough!” he said. “Each month or each year there is a war.”
There have been four conflicts since 2007 between Israel and armed groups from Gaza.
The beach promenade, one of the impoverished and densely populated territory's rare leisure spots, crowded less than 24 hours earlier, was desolate on Saturday.
Street sellers stayed at home and cafes were shut.
Fifteen months after the last conflict between Israel and armed groups in the territory brought devastation to countless Gazans, Mr Hamami said he was “surprised” that Israel had attacked again.
Twice in July, Israeli jets had struck Gaza after what the military said was rocket and rifle fire from the territory. But this time the military said it was preparing for a week-long operation.
Israel has placed Gaza under a blockade since 2007, the year Hamas took power in the territory.
Israel's army said its latest campaign was targeting militant sites and fighters, estimating that 15 combatants had been killed.
Palestinian militants retaliated with rocket fire.
The Hamas-run health ministry has reported 13 deaths from Israeli fire including a 5-year-old girl, Alaa Kaddum, who was killed on Friday. Her father carried her at her funeral, with a wound on her forehead and a pink bow in her hair.
More than 110 other people have been wounded, the ministry said.
For Gazans, the long night and second day of Israeli strikes stirred familiar and unwelcome emotions.
This latest escalation brings back images of fear, anxiety, and the feeling that we are all alone
Dounia Ismail,
Gaza City resident
“This latest escalation brings back images of fear, anxiety, and the feeling that we are all alone,” said Dounia Ismail, a Gaza city resident.
The incessant explosions and air strikes had kept her up all night, she said.
“It has become a habit for Palestinians in Gaza to prepare a survival bag, which contains a few important things, like photos, documents and some money and medicine,” in case they have to flee their homes, Ms Ismail said.
“I hope this escalation won't turn into a bigger conflict and I hope the Egyptian mediation will restore calm.”
In Jabalia, in Gaza's north, Fouad Farajallah inspected what remained of his home, hit by an Israeli strike on Friday.
The living room had turned into a mass of sheet metal and rubble, the fan dangling from the ceiling.
“I was sitting here on the sofa, with my wife and children, and suddenly it all fell on us,” he said.
“My wife broke her hand and my son was wounded by shrapnel.”
Even when silence returns between bombardments, something else fills the air: the buzzing of Israeli drones.
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
England squads for Test and T20 series against New Zealand
Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James Vince
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
AIDA%20RETURNS
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
THREE
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MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
