Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Israeli leadership on Wednesday the US is determined to reach a ceasefire in Gaza “now”.
“Even in these very difficult times we are determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home – and to get it now,” Mr Blinken said, as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv. “And the only reason that that wouldn't be achieved is because of Hamas.”
Mr Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Tuesday after stops in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, capping off his seventh round of shuttle diplomacy in the region since Israel launched its war in Gaza in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack.
He also held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly told Mr Blinken that Israel would not accept a deal that would include ending the war, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid said.
Mr Netanyahu pledged on Tuesday to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians now live after almost seven months of war, just as ceasefire negotiations appeared to be gaining steam.
Mr Blinken reaffirmed Washington's opposition to the Rafah invasion, according to a readout of his meeting with Mr Netanyahu issued by the State Department.
Mr Blinken is in Israel to advance the continuing truce talks, which appear to be one of the most serious rounds of mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the war began.
Speaking in Jordan before flying to Israel, Mr Blinken said the “focus” right now is on improving the humanitarian situation and reaching a ceasefire deal that brings Israeli hostages home.
He said Israel had offered a “strong proposal” and called on Hamas to respond.
“No more delays. No more excuses. The time to act is now,” he said. “We want to see in the coming days this agreement coming together.”
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri dismissed Mr Blinken's comments, saying they were an attempt to exert pressure on the group. Hamas is still studying the latest ceasefire proposal, he told Reuters.
The deal is meant to free hostages seized by Hamas on October 7, bring some relief to Gaza's population and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians there.
In a meeting with the families of American-Israeli hostages, Mr Blinken “conveyed cautious optimism” about the prospect of a deal.
“We express our sincere gratitude to Secretary Blinken and the Biden administration for their unwavering support and assistance throughout this agonising ordeal,” a forum that represents the families said in a statement after the meeting.
The current deal being discussed, brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar, would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting as part of an initial phase, according to several diplomatic sources. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would also be released, including some serving long sentences.
“Everyone is waiting for Hamas' response today to the Egyptian proposal. Unlike previous times, it seems that people in Gaza, although they are looking forward to a ceasefire and feel exhausted, are afraid of disappointment, so they stopped expecting an end to the war,” a Palestinian political source told The National.
“Everyone longs for a truce that will bring people closer to the end of the war and a return to completing their lives by rebuilding their homes, but they are also longing for a solution that puts them on the path to achieving their rights to freedom and independence,” the source said. “Until that distant goal is achieved, the fight in the ring remains ongoing to score points without the ability to strike a fatal blow.”
Mr Netanyahu said Israel would enter Rafah, which Israel says is Hamas' last stronghold, regardless of whether a truce-for-hostages deal is struck. His comments appeared to be meant to appease his nationalist governing partners but it was not clear whether they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas.
Far-right members of Mr Netanyahu's coalition doubled down on their insistence that Israel prioritises the continuation of the Gaza war and an operation in Rafah over a hostage deal.
Netanyahu under pressure
Settlements minister Orit Strock said the current deal being discussed in Egypt is “terrible”.
“Soldiers … left everything behind and went out to fight for goals that the government defined, and we throw it in the bin to save 22 people or 33 or I don’t know how many,” she told an Israeli radio station.
Her comments mirror similar ones made by other far-right politicians in recent days, who have said that Mr Netanyahu's government has no right to exist if war aims are betrayed.
However, Mr Netanyahu is under pressure from the more centrist elements of his coalition to prioritise the return of the hostages.
Mr Blinken discussed the latest efforts to achieve a deal with the prime minister's former rival, cabinet minister Benny Gantz, during his trip.
Mr Netanyahu is also battling the looming possibility of the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants against Israeli officials for war crimes.
As media reports mounted that the warrants were imminent, Mr Netanyahu released a video on X on Wednesday in which he said such a move would be “an outrage of historic proportions”.
“[The ICC] is trying to put us in the dock as we defend ourselves against genocidal terrorists and regimes – Iran, of course – that openly works to destroy the one and only Jewish state,” he said.
“Israel expects the leaders of the free world to stand firmly against the ICC's outrageous assault on Israel’s inherent right of self-defence.”
Reports suggest the warrants would be issued for the Prime Minister himself, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi.
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Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
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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.
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5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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