The Israeli military said on Monday it was fighting a “war of attrition” in Gaza and that a ground invasion remains possible.
Over the past week, 200 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli air strikes and eight people in Israel killed by rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave, according to medical officials.
Although there have been international calls for an end to the daily bombardment, neither side has talked publicly about a ceasefire.
“This is a war of attrition, the IDF [Israeli military] can go on with this forever and they [Hamas] can go on with their rockets, sadly, also for a very long time,” an Israeli military official told journalists.
"The price they are paying is rising higher and higher," the military official said, referring to the Hamas militant movement which controls Gaza.
“[We] are providing the political level with the conditions to talk about, with whoever will broker such a deal with Hamas, for a diplomatic end for this fighting,” he added.
Hundreds of Israeli strikes on Gaza have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, with roads leading to hospitals hit and sewage spilling out onto the streets in some areas, after pipes were destroyed.
The UN said Gaza residents are currently receiving only around six to eight hours of electricity daily.
More than 3,150 rockets have been fired from Gaza over the past week, according to Israel, some of which have hit buildings and roads.
Israel said it is targeting Hamas military targets, including an extensive network of tunnels that is used to transport fighters, weapons, fuel and food.
“We’re not trying to destroy hundreds of kilometres, we’re trying to create these choke points in order for the rest … being irrelevant,” the Israeli military official said.
In a Sunday strike which Israel said was targeting tunnels, 42 people – including 10 children – were killed when their homes collapsed.
"The foundations of these buildings was hit in a way that made these buildings collapse," the military official said.
“This is very unfortunate and we are very sorry for any loss of life that happened.”
There have been fears the conflict could further escalate into a ground war, last seen in 2014, when a 50-day conflict left a devastating toll.
In 2014, at least 2,104 Palestinians – including 1,462 civilians, according to the UN, and 66 Israeli military personnel and seven civilians were killed.
Israeli troops have massed on the border for days and used tanks to strike Palestinian territory, accompanying intense shelling.
"I would not rule anything [out], including a ground forces attack, at this point," said the military official.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is clinging to power after failing to form a coalition government this month, has not openly called for a ceasefire.
"We are continuing to take action, even at this hour, as long as necessary to restore quiet and security to you, citizens of Israel. It will yet take time," he said on Sunday evening.
Mr Netanyahu said Israel had received "very serious backing" from the US, whose envoy Hady Amr arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday.
Washington has so far avoided using the term "ceasefire" in public statements, although diplomatic sources told The National that US officials are pushing for an end to the hostilities.
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
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 General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
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.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
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
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
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
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.
Emirates Airline Foundation
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.
Emirates Red Crescent
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
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.
Noor Dubai Foundation
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).
Company%C2%A0profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20Color%20Purple
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBlitz%20Bazawule%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFantasia%20Barrino%2C%20Taraji%20P%20Henson%2C%20Danielle%20Brooks%2C%20Colman%20Domingo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Kandahar%20
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TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
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