Beefed up security in Huwara in the occupied West Bank after the fatal shooting of two Israelis in the Palestinian town on August 19. AFP
Beefed up security in Huwara in the occupied West Bank after the fatal shooting of two Israelis in the Palestinian town on August 19. AFP
Beefed up security in Huwara in the occupied West Bank after the fatal shooting of two Israelis in the Palestinian town on August 19. AFP
Beefed up security in Huwara in the occupied West Bank after the fatal shooting of two Israelis in the Palestinian town on August 19. AFP

UN: Palestinian and Israeli deaths amid occupied West Bank violence highest since 2005


Nada AlTaher
  • English
  • Arabic

Palestinian and Israeli deaths this year have surpassed last year's figures and are at their highest level since 2005, UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland said on Monday.

More than 200 Palestinians and almost 30 Israelis have been killed in the occupied West Bank and Israel this year, Mr Wennesland told the UN Security Council in a briefing.

"Palestinians and Israelis are killed in near daily violence – including just hours before this briefing when another fatal shooting attack killed an Israeli in the West Bank," he said.

The UN official said the violence was "fuelled and exacerbated by a growing sense of despair about the future".

On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed a 17-year-old boy while searching for suspects in a fatal shooting of an Israeli father and son on Saturday in the Palestinian town of Huwara.

On Monday, an Israeli settler was shot dead and another was wounded in Hebron.

Mr Wennesland cited the current political climate as cause for these escalations.

"The lack of progress towards a political horizon that addresses the core issues driving the conflict has left a dangerous and volatile vacuum, filled by extremists on both sides," he said.

Mr Wennesland said the parties of the conflict had taken "some actions" towards improving the situation on the ground but "unilateral steps, including settlement growth and demolitions" have continued as has settler violence and Palestinian militant activity.

Construction of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank has reached record levels, Israeli advocacy group Peace Now said this month. Almost 13,000 new housing units were approved this year alone, it said.

Israeli security forces at a checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, near the illegal settlement of Beit Haggi where a settler was killed in a shooting attack. AFP
Israeli security forces at a checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, near the illegal settlement of Beit Haggi where a settler was killed in a shooting attack. AFP

Israel also continues to practise a form of collective punishment, illegal under international law, by destroying the family homes of people suspected of carrying out attacks, even after they have been killed.

The UN official also highlighted the Palestinian Authority's "dire" financial situation which has resulted in the cutting back of civil servant salaries and social assistance.

"Some $14 million continues to be held each month in line with an Israeli law mandating the withholding of what Israel says the Palestinian Authority pays to perpetrators of attacks against Israelis, or to their families," Mr Wennesland said.

The Palestinian Authority's projected deficit for this year is more than $370 million and UN-led efforts to provide assistance are only 30 per cent funded, Mr Wennesland said.

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MATCH INFO

Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')

Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')

Scoreline

Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3

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How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

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Born May 17, 1991

Height 1.80 metres

Birthplace Sydney, Australia

Residence Eastbourne, England

Plays Right-handed

WTA titles 3

Prize money US$5,761,870 (Dh21,162,343.75)

Wins / losses 312 / 181

The cost of Covid testing around the world

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Jordan

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Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.

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Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.

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THE SCORES

Ireland 125 all out

(20 overs; Stirling 72, Mustafa 4-18)

UAE 125 for 5

(17 overs, Mustafa 39, D’Silva 29, Usman 29)

UAE won by five wickets

PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP

Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)

Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
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Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Updated: August 23, 2023, 5:52 AM`