Far-right Israeli minister orders demolition of Palestinian homes during Ramadan

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has ordered security forces to carry out the demolition of Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem during Ramadan, according to Israeli media reports.

Mr Ben-Gvir's call would go against a decision taken several years ago to prevent violence during the holy month.

It comes as many in the government are trying to ease tensions, following fighting between Palestinians and Israelis.

Israel settlement approval brings tension to new high as security situation deteriorates

The order coincides with Mr Ben Gvir's attempt to pressure on the rest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to launch an anti-terror campaign that he has called Defensive Shield Two.

The term is a reference to the 2002 Operation Defensive Shield, which was launched to end terror attacks during the Second Intifada.

Palestinians argue with Israeli settlers a day after a shooting attack and violence in the West Bank town of Hawara. EPA

Smoke is seen during a confrontation between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank town of Hawara. Reuters

An aerial view shows a building and cars torched in Hawara. Reuters

A Palestinian man walks past burnt cars in a scrapyard in Hawara. AP

An Israeli soldiers speak to a Palestinianians near in the West Bank town of Hawara. Reuters

Israeli soldier holds back a settler during confrontations at the scene of a shooting attack in the West Bank town of Hawara. EPA

A Palestinian man uses a stick to remove burnt tyres left in in front of his house as Israeli soldiers stand guard. EPA

Israeli troops patrol as tensions escalate in the West Bank town of Hawara. EPA

Israeli security forces examine a vehicle riddled with bullet holes following a reported shooting attack near Jericho, in the occupied West Bank. AFP

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Mr Ben-Gvir's Ramadan demolitions would further inflame already high tensions.

Last week, settlers burnt businesses and homes the Palestinian town of Hawara in response to the killing of two Israeli settlers. One Palestinian was killed and dozens were injured.

Israel army chief fears personnel walkouts over government's legal overhaul

Mr Ben-Gvir has frequently pushed for a harsher Israeli response to Palestinian crime and terrorism, often against the recommendations of Israeli security officials.

He recently ordered the closure of prisoner-run bakeries for Palestinians in Israeli jails, saying: “How can they get fresh bread every day? What is this absurdity?”

He later released a video of him eating bread in his office, saying: “Terrorists should receive freshly baked goods. I hope that what we have done is only the beginning of the beginning to stop the [summer] camps in prisons.”

He also ordered the length of time Palestinian prisoners spend showering to be reduced to four minutes.

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Biography

Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related

Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.

Family: Wife and three children.

Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.

While you're here

Kareem Shaheen: Even a pandemic could not unite today's America

Michele Wucker: The difference between a black swan and a grey rhino

Robert Matthews: Has flawed science and rushed research failed us?

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Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

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Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

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On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

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Results

Men's finals

45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.

51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.

57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.

63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.

71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).

81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.

91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.

Women's finals

45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.

51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.

57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.

63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).

RESULT

Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')

Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)

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