Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of creating a “last-minute crisis” that threatens the Gaza ceasefire deal his country and the Palestinian group reached on Wednesday.
Mr Netanyahu's office said this would delay putting the agreement to Israel's cabinet for approval.
“Hamas is backing out of the explicit understandings agreed upon with the mediators and Israel in a last-minute blackmail attempt,” the statement said.
“Israel will not set a date for a cabinet and government meeting until the mediators announce that Hamas has approved all the details of the agreement.”
Hamas rejected these accusations, with senior official Ezzat Al Rashq saying on Thursday the group is committed to the ceasefire agreement announced by mediators.
Israeli media had reported that the security cabinet would meet at 11am local time to approve the deal. Despite some high-profile opposition to the deal on the far right of Mr Netanyahu’s coalition, the Prime Minister was widely expected to have enough political support to pass it.
Mediators in Qatar are trying to work out final details, Israeli reports say, while Mr Netanyahu waits to see whether members of his coalition government will resign in opposition to the deal.
The Religious Zionism Party was reportedly meeting on Thursday morning to decide whether it should stay in government, according to Israeli media. Public broadcaster Kan reported that Mr Netanyahu would not hold the meeting to implement the ceasefire deal until the Religious Zionism Party's leader, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, informed him of his party's decision.
Before the agreement was announced, Mr Smotrich’s political ally, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, had called on the Finance Minister to join him and stand against the government, if a deal was reached.
Mediators announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas approved an agreement to pause the war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of people in the last 15 months and caused turmoil across the Middle East.
The three-stage deal is expected to take effect on January 19, after which Israeli hostages would be exchanged for detained Palestinians in phases. The Israeli military would also withdraw from the strip. Minor details were reportedly being ironed out overnight.
This agreement caps months of negotiations to end the deadliest war in Gaza's history. More than more than 46,700 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's strikes and ground offensive, with much of the enclave destroyed. This began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250.
The scheduled pause in hostilities comes one day before the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, whose Middle East envoy was involved in the talks.
Protests broke out in Israel on Wednesday night when the agreement was announced. Demonstrators chanted that a ceasefire would prevent the building of Israeli settlements in Gaza – a longtime goal of far-right groups that has gained impetus during the war.
Far-right legislators doubled down on their opposition to the deal after it was announced. Religious Zionist Party MP Zvi Sukkot told public broadcaster Kan radio that his party “in all likelihood … will resign from the government” as a result. While the Religious Zionist Party forms a crucial bloc within Mr Netanyahu’s coalition, he would still retain a one-seat majority if it leaves.
Religious Zionist Party leader Mr Smotrich criticised the ceasefire agreement shortly after it was announced on Wednesday night, saying it was a “bad and dangerous deal for the national security of the state of Israel”, and that he opposed the deal with “force”.
“Along with the great joy and excitement of the return of each and every hostage, the deal takes back many achievements of the war, in which the heroes of this nation gave their lives, and will cost us, God forbid, a lot of blood,” said Mr Smotrich.
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
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
