Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wound up a week-long tour of the Middle East in Cairo on Thursday, offering a rough vision to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, centring on security guarantees for Israel and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
During his tour, the fourth since the Gaza war broke out more than three months ago, Mr Blinken met Israeli and Palestinian officials and leaders of neighbouring Arab states with a stake in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or whose support is needed for postwar plans in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Egyptian presidency after Mr Blinken’s talks with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi revealed little about the substance of their discussions, saying only that the Egyptian leader emphasised to Mr Blinken the need to end the war and resolve the Palestinian question based on a two-state solution.
“The two sides were in agreement to continue contacts with all parties to push forward efforts for a ceasefire and to prevent a wider conflict as well as the total rejection of the principle of or attempt to evict the Palestinians,” said the statement.
'Two paths' for region
Speaking to reporters later, Mr Blinken said the region faced two paths.
One path could see “Israel integrated, with security assurances and commitments from regional countries and as well from the United States, and a Palestinian state – at least a pathway to get to that state,” according to Mr Blinken.
“The other path is to continue to see the terrorism, the nihilism, the destruction by Hamas, by the Houthis, by Hezbollah, all backed by Iran,” he said.
“If you pursue the first path … that's the single best way to isolate, to marginalise Iran and the proxies that are making so much trouble – for us and for pretty much everyone else in the region.”
Tour with wide-ranging goals
Mr Blinken's public statements have been light on details, but diplomats and sources who spoke to The National said he appeared to have different goals from each country he visited.
The sources said that one of Mr Blinken's goals was to rally support for a US-led naval coalition to deal with threats to Red Sea shipping lanes posed by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis.
He also sought to secure financial support from Gulf Arab states for the reconstruction of Gaza and discussed the possible participation of Turkey in a multinational force to be deployed in Gaza after the war.
Mr Blinken also had to address the concerns of Arab nations such as Jordan and Egypt over the fallout from the Gaza war, argue against criticism of Washington’s widely perceived bias in favour of Israel, and work to de-escalate the threat of a wider regional war involving Iranian-backed armed groups from Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Yemen.
Throughout his visit, Mr Blinken did not voice support for Arab demands for a ceasefire in Gaza, the sources said.
Instead, he focused on potential humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages held by Hamas, advocating Israel’s right to self-defence while pointing out that Washington has called on Israel to do more to protect civilians and allow more aid into Gaza.
Risks of instability
Jordan and Egypt cautioned Mr Blinken that a prolonged war in Gaza as envisaged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu carries the risk of instability in the region, according to the diplomats and sources.
“At the end of the day Hamas is a radical religious movement, and the war is increasing support for Islamists regardless of whether Israel wins or not in Gaza,” said a senior European diplomat who recently discussed the war with Egyptian officials in Cairo.
He said Egyptian officials have repeatedly warned US envoys, including Mr Blinken, that even if Israel succeeds in realising its goal of destroying Hamas, which has committed to destroy Israel, the militants will recover and attack Israel again.
President El Sisi has said that any expulsion of Palestinians into Egypt would endanger his nation’s national security, explaining that Israel would feel compelled to target Palestinians on Egyptian soil if attacked by militants based there.
Like Jordan, Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel. Egypt and Israel have over the past decade worked in close co-operation on security, counterterrorism, and combating cross-border drug smuggling and human trafficking, but relations have deteriorated since the Gaza war began.
Mr Blinken’s visit to the region came three months into the fifth and most devastating Israel-Hamas war since 2008. Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 23,300 Palestinians, displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and laid waste to large areas of the densely populated coastal strip.
The war was triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, when the group and other militants killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back to Gaza.
Negotiations stalled
Mr Blinken’s talks in Cairo came as a mediation bid by US allies Egypt and Qatar to end the war appeared to stall. Hamas has reportedly cooled on the deal after one of its top leaders was killed last week in Lebanon in a targeted attack blamed on Israel.
Israel has also made a range of demands that have been rejected by Egypt and Hamas over the governance of Gaza after the war.
Israel rejects the inclusion of Hamas in any postwar governance and security arrangements. Israel has also voiced strong reservations on the involvement of the Palestinian Authority, which oversees limited self-rule in the West Bank.
Mr Binken has said Washington wants the Palestinian Authority to undertake reforms and regain credibility in order to take charge of Gaza if and when Israel achieves its goal of eliminating Hamas, which has run the strip since 2007.
Another hurdle to the Qatari-Egyptian mediation is Israel’s declared intention to create buffer zones on the eastern and northern flanks of Gaza to deny militants direct access to Israel.
The suggestion has been rejected by both Egypt and Hamas, together with plans for a multinational force to be deployed in the strip until a suitable governance formula is found.
Some far-right members of Mr Netanyahu's coalition government have openly called for Palestinians to leave Gaza and Israelis to settle there permanently. In a post on X, Mr Netanyahu insisted this was not Israel's aim.
“I want to make a few points absolutely clear: Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population,” he wrote.
But Egypt, according to the sources, is already alarmed by the movement of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians close to the Gaza side of the border, fearing that a spike in Israeli strikes in the area could force them to cross into Egypt in search of safety.
“They are literally less than 50 metres away from the fence,” said one of the sources of the Palestinians gathered near the Egyptian border in the Sinai Peninsula.
Egypt is also angered by Israeli demands to install electronic surveillance devices on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, ostensibly to halt the smuggling of weapons or dual-use material that could be used by Hamas.
A Mossad delegation was in Egypt earlier this week to discuss what Egypt could do to accelerate a prisoner and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, according to the sources, who have direct knowledge of the contacts.
“The Mossad is focused on freeing the hostages held by Hamas, but the group is unlikely to do that unless it’s part of a deal that includes a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza,” said another source.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Results
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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
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
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
