Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Israel's military said on Saturday it has expanded operations, with infantry and armoured corps after entering northern Gaza overnight.
The army is “advancing in the stages of war” after “forces entered the northern area of the Gaza Strip and expanded the scope of ground operations” on Friday, military spokeswoman Ella Waweya told The National.
The military released grainy images of tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers overnight.
“Infantry, armoured vehicles, engineering, and artillery forces are taking part in this operation, and it is accompanied by massive gunfire,” Capt Waweya said.
The Israeli military "in co-operation with the General Security Service [Shin Bet], last night eliminated other brigades commanders, including a commander in the Hamas air force and the commander of the naval force in the Gaza Brigade, who had planned and led an attempt to infiltrate Israeli territory via a beach of Zikim”, she said.
Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said ground forces were still "in the field" on Saturday, without elaborating.
Troops were being supported by fire from the air and sea, Rear Adm Hagari said.
He said Israel was "broadening the humanitarian effort" and would allow lorries carrying food, water and medicine to enter southern Gaza, addressing concerns about the plight of civilians in the Palestinian territory after three weeks of a total blockade and heavy bombardment that has claimed more than 7,000 lives.
On Friday, Israeli bombardment knocked out communications in Gaza, cutting off the 2.3 million people there from the outside world.
The blackout and the military's warning of intensified attacks increased speculation that Israel's long-expected invasion of Gaza was imminent.
Before internet and phone lines went down, foreign diplomats in Israel said they warned friends by messaging apps to stay indoors for the night, while messages from civilians and UN officials who work with Gazans flooded social media.
US officials painted a similar picture to ABC News on Friday evening.
The US and other allies have rallied around Israel since October 7, when Hamas militants stormed the fence separating Gaza from southern Israel and attacked communities nearby. More than 1,400 people were killed in the attacks and more than 200 taken hostage in the deadliest single-day assault the country has faced since it was founded in 1948.
Israel launched attacks on Gaza within hours, promising to destroy Hamas once and for all.
Israeli military experts who spoke to The National said that while securing the release of hostages was important, it was not the main priority – a major departure from earlier policy.
The experts said the focus had to be on totally destroying Hamas, or the militant group and its allies on Israel’s borders would adopt the same strategy again.
However, reports this week said the release of hostages was being pursued through Qatar, which has good connections with Hamas.
The US promised to do all it can to keep hostage talks going in the event of a ground invasion of Gaza.
There were also reports that Washington believes Israel is not prepared for a ground offensive, which would send its troops into one of the toughest environments for urban warfare.
Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian infrastructure in the densely populated territory to launch attacks, and its residents as human shields. The military claimed on Friday that Hamas’s main control centre was located under Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures: Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
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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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
