Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the Israeli military's operation in the West Bank, the largest in decades, saying on Monday that the raid in the northern city of Jenin hit “the most legitimate target on the planet”.
He went on to praise Israeli forces, who “[battled] the terrorists with unyielding resolve and fortitude”.
In a show of military strength, around 1,000 troops were deployed and more than 20 air strikes were launched, making it by far the most significant operation of its kind since the Second Intifada.
The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 11 people have been killed in the raid and more than 100 have been injured.
By Tuesday afternoon, Israeli forces said they had detained 120 terror suspects in Jenin, which has long been a centre of Palestinian militancy and in recent years, an area that has fallen under the increasing influence of Israel’s archenemy Iran and the proxies that it sponsors.
The Israeli military said troops had seized hundreds of explosive devices, scores of weapons and destroyed command and control centres.
Mr Netanyahu’s bullishness comes in contrast to warnings by security experts in Israel, who say the operation's apparent tactical success does nothing to address a strategic vacuum in the government’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Former head of Israel’s National Security Council Maj Gen Giora Eiland said on Monday that “everybody knew that such an operation would take place some day”, but that “there were some surprises, especially at the type of unmanned aerial vehicles used at the beginning of the operation with very precise weapons”.
He added, however, that “the time has come for Israelis to ask ourselves the really important question: what are our interests vis-a-vis the Palestinian Authority”.
“Usually what happens in Israel is that the government of the day tries to avoid important political strategic decisions, instead preferring to tell the military what to do. The Israeli military does not need the advice of ministers on the tactical level; they know very well what to do,” he said.
Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, is more stark in his call for a longer-term political approach to managing violence in the West Bank, in order to end what he describes as Israel’s “strategic limbo”.
“Although we achieved significant tactical and operational achievements […] we still didn’t succeed in creating a strategic impact,” Mr Michael told The National.
“The gap between the tactical and strategic level has become much deeper. There has been a linear increase in the number of terror attacks and casualties on both sides, not just between the military and Palestinian terrorists, but between Palestinians and settlers, too,” he said.
Mr Michael stressed that the situation in the West Bank remained dangerous and without a political horizon to drag the conflict out of its current stalemate, more severe Israeli operations in the West Bank are inevitable.
He pointed to four factors that make the region as eruptive as it is today.
The first is a weak Palestinian Authority, long a concern of Israel and the international community. After decades of corruption in its ranks, there is a cumulative lack of faith on the part of Palestinians in the organisation’s ability to improve their lives.
On the Palestinian side, Mr Michael also cites a stronger Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, which continues to strengthen ties with Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, both of whom advocate the destruction of Israel.
Domestically, political division within Israel, in the wake of the election of the most right-wing government in its history, is creating an increasingly “fragile public consensus” on how to guarantee security.
Finally, Israel is conducting West Bank operations with increasingly limited international legitimacy, particularly in the eyes of its most important ally, the US, which is growing frustrated at the far-right agenda of Mr Netanyahu’s government.
The unresolved situation leaves Israel with dangerously few avenues as tensions escalate in the West Bank.
“We might well be able to contain [this week’s Jenin operation] with no spillover in the rest of the West Bank. But what then? If we want to keep the area clean of terrorism, we have to remain there, which means almost going back to military governance,” Mr Michael said.
“That is why the achievements of this operation will be pretty limited and effective only for a short time. We will be forced to enter there again not very long from now.
“This is why we are in a strategic stalemate. We are captured by Palestinian terrorism on the one hand, and politicians who are not able to make a decision on the other.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
Leeson gambled more than $1 billion in speculative trades,
wiping out the venerable merchant bank’s cash reserves.
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
