The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on March 21. Reuters
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on March 21. Reuters
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on M
Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
In the months leading up to the UN Security Council's vote on the Gaza ceasefire resolution, key Arab countries consistently advocated for an end to the fighting in the Palestinian enclave.
This co-ordination reflects a multifaceted approach by Arab states, each using their unique diplomatic channels and relationships to bring about a truce in the Gaza Strip, where more than 32,400 Palestinians have been killed since the war broke out on October 7.
The Security Council's vote on took place on Monday, just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Cairo for talks with officials from the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Officials from Egypt and Jordan have told senior members of the Biden administration, including National Security Council Co-ordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “had to be restrained”, sources told The National.
The White House was warned that Mr Netanyahu had become too unpredictable since the war began, and his actions could jeopardise stability in Jordan and Egypt.
“The Americans got the message that once Rafah is invaded there is no longer a way to control the course of the war,” one source said.
Israel has repeatedly voiced its intention to launch an incursion into Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, where more than a million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge. Egypt is particularly concerned that such an operation could result in people attempting to cross the border into the Sinai peninsula, which would exacerbate an already tense and complex situation.
More than one million displaced Palestinians are living in makeshift camps in Rafah, only metres from the border fence with Egypt. Reuters
The border looms large in the everyday lives of Palestinians in Rafah. AFP
Conditions on the border are dire as Palestinians living in tents not only face starvation, but also lack fuel and electricity. Reuters
Egyptian authorities fear that an Israeli assault on the border city could force increasingly desperate Palestinians to seek safety by entering Egypt. AFP
More than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people is already pushed up against the border. AFP
Rafah is the main entry point for aid into Gaza, as the enclave's only border crossing that does not involve travel to or from Israel. Reuters
Large convoys of lorries carrying aid are frequently stuck at Rafah as a result of Israeli restrictions on how much aid can enter Gaza since the outbreak of the war in October. EPA
Egyptian authorities have ordered the construction of a logistics zone they say is to receive aid in Rafah. Reuters
Satellite images show construction on the Egyptian side of the border. Maxar Technologies via Reuters
Sources say authorities are constructing a walled area on the Egyptian side of the border to prepare for a potential influx of Palestinians. Reuters
A satellite image shows the construction of a new wall along the Egypt-Gaza border. Maxar Technologies via Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has repeatedly said that Egypt will not readily accept the displacement of Palestinians into Egypt. Reuters
In Jordan, the threat of a direct refugee crisis is perceived as less severe, as long as the neighbouring occupied West Bank remains stable. However, with much of Jordan's population being of Palestinian origin, there is widespread anger towards Israel.
“Biden had to try to trim the claws of Israel, for his own considerations and for the sake of America's allies,” one source said.
During a visit to Amman on Monday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said any ground operation in Rafah “would be a catastrophic humanitarian disaster”.
The Security Council's ceasefire resolution passed with 14 votes in favour and one abstention from the US. It was the first time the council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.
Last month, the council adopted a resolution aiming to increase the delivery of aid to Gaza and setting the conditions for a reduction in violence. After four postponements, the resolution, which was drawn up by the UAE, received 13 votes in favour and two abstentions from the US and Russia.
“It is certain that Qatar, the Gulf states and the countries participating in the negotiations to stop the war in Gaza made diplomatic efforts and pressed for this decision,” a Qatari source said, referring to the ceasefire resolution.
“The UN Security Council praised the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar, along with the United States of America and the Arab Republic of Egypt, to achieve a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, release detainees, and expand the scope of relief aid.”
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.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards, often by claiming their phone has been lost or stolen
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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.
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
