Hundreds of people were wounded at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday as Israeli police stormed the third holiest site in Islam.
And 20 Palestinians, including nine children, were killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza, after Hamas militants fired rockets into Jerusalem in response to the police action at Al Aqsa.
A rally by ultra-nationalist Jews in the city was temporarily halted by a siren, signalling the incoming rocket fire from Gaza.
There have been weeks of unrest in occupied East Jerusalem, with nightly clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters.
Thousands of Muslims stayed overnight at Al Aqsa and on Monday morning Israeli police said they responded to hundreds of people throwing objects at officers from behind makeshift barricades.
At least 520 people were injured at the compound and around the city on Monday, including paramedics, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said. Police said 32 officers were hurt.
Ahmad Abu Isnaynah, 22, was limping through the Old City and said he was the victim of heavy-handed police.
"They were firing at us as if they were on a rampage," Mr Isnaynah told The National.
"Stun grenades, bullets, everything. We were really scared. I was shot in the leg with rubber bullets. I can't walk properly now."{
The clashes came as Israelis celebrated Jerusalem Day, which commemorates their military’s capture of the eastern part of the city in 1967.
The occasion is usually marked by a march of flag-bearing Israelis through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City to the Western Wall.
"We're here just because it's Jerusalem Day, which [means that] 54 years ago we got back our capital city," said David Bernstein, 20, sitting with fellow Jewish Israelis beside the Old City walls in East Jerusalem.
"It's our area, not the eastern area. We're here every time we want."
There were widespread fears that the procession could spark a surge in violence around Damascus Gate, where last month more than 100 people were wounded when Jewish extremists, Israeli police and Palestinians clashed.
The Israeli police said thousands of officers had been posted in Jerusalem on Monday, while shopkeepers in the Muslim Quarter were told to close.
Wassim Hijazi, who runs a juice bar along the planned march route, said he would defy the order.
“I decided to open because we are a peaceful people here, we do not do anything," Mr Hijazi said.
"And settlers, they want to come into the Old City here, to Al Aqsa Mosque as well, so they are violent people.
"They want to destroy everything. So they should stop them, not close us, to stop that violence.”
In a last-minute change, Israeli authorities rerouted the march to avoid Damascus Gate and lorries were parked at the edge of West Jerusalem to block the participants’ access to the city’s eastern side.
As Israelis were waving their flags, a siren blared across the city warning of incoming rocket fire and two deep booms were heard in the distance.
The noise marked the start of an intense campaign by militants in Gaza, whose rulers Hamas gave Israel an ultimatum to withdraw its security forces from Al Aqsa Mosque compound and the city’s Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.
More than 150 rockets were fired from Gaza, said the Israeli military, adding it responded by striking many Hamas targets.
As well as the 20 Palestinians killed in the strikes, 95 people were wounded, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
The rocket fire follows threats from Gaza militants to respond to Israel’s actions at Al Aqsa.
The latest violence at the site came two days after similar scenes left more than 200 civilians injured, Palestinian medics said, and 17 police officers.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh condemned the security forces’ actions at Al Asqa and called for Israel to face consequences.
“I hold the Israeli government fully responsible for what happened to the worshippers in Al Aqsa Mosque," he told the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threw his support behind the police.
“We insist on ensuring the rights of everyone," Mr Netanyahu said.
"This occasionally requires taking a strong stand, as the officers of the Israel police and our security forces are doing at the moment. We back them in this just struggle."
The UN Security Council met on Monday to discuss Jerusalem but failed to agree on a joint statement, with diplomats saying the US saw public comments as counter-productive.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on all sides to “de-escalate, reduce tension and take practical steps to calm things down".
Beyond Jerusalem’s Old City, there have been nightly clashes between Palestinians and police in Sheikh Jarrah.
The neighbourhood has had weeks of rallies in support of Palestinian residents, whose homes are set to be taken over by Israeli settlers.
Israel’s Supreme Court had been due to issue a ruling on the case on Monday, but delayed the hearing to avoid further inflaming the crisis.
All six Arab nations that have diplomatic ties with Israel – Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan – have condemned Israel’s response to the situation in Jerusalem.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
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.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
More on Palestine-Israeli relations
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
