The future of Israel’s war effort was overshadowed at the weekend by US President Joe Biden's proposed ceasefire plan, piling pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the fighting.
As part of a proposed deal, remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas are to be released.
Mr Biden said the plan he set out was an Israeli proposal, although the extent to which the Netanyahu government endorses it is uncertain, with leading far-right figures in the Israeli coalition government strongly objecting to the measures.
Mr Netanyahu appeared to resist parts of Mr Biden’s proposal on Monday, saying that his government “maintained the aims of the war, primarily the elimination of Hamas”.
He claimed that despite political divisions, Israel's plan was simple, to eliminate Hamas and free hostages, "agreed on in the war cabinet unanimously."
The cabinet increasingly appears to be cracking and on Monday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called Mr Biden's suggestions "an offer of surrender" and repeated threats to leave government if it was accepted.
There have been reports quoting Israeli sources as saying Mr Biden’s plan does not entirely match the original proposal.
The confusing picture about the future of the Gaza War increases domestic pressure on Mr Netanyahu, who faces rebellions from both poles of his government as the conflict drags into its ninth month.
Centrist politicians Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot have spent recent weeks amplifying calls for elections and threats to abandon the administration, accusing Mr Netanyahu of not setting clear objectives for the war and abandoning Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have threatened to bring down the government if Mr Netanyahu pursues anything other than a full-throttle war effort in Gaza, despite mounting international concern over the humanitarian toll. There is also growing uncertainty among the Israel public that total victory over Hamas is possible.
Mr Smotrich reportedly held meetings with rabbis associated with his party to discuss conditions that would prompt his movement to leave the government, and Mr Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, was reportedly scheduled to meet Mr Netanyahu to discuss the framework.
Israeli security concerns about the deal centre on the extent to which it would allow Hamas to remain intact and possibly to rebuild to threaten Israel again.
Kobi Michael, a researcher at Israeli think tanks INSS and the Misgav Institute, said that “unfortunately, once again, Biden gave Hamas reason to be optimistic”.
“[The proposals] will make Hamas think that the president and the international community are about to heavily pressure Israel [into accepting a deal], so they believe time is on their side and that they have no incentive to make any significant movements,” he said.
“Hamas leadership feels as if it’s in a strategic comfort zone.”
Chuck Freilich, a senior researcher at INSS, believes Mr Biden, knowing the pressure that ultra-religious politicians would put on Mr Netanyahu to reject the plan, chose to make his speech as Israel wound down for Shabbat, on Friday evening.
“Religious parties wouldn’t have been able to respond over Shabbat, so Biden gave Netanyahu some time to prepare before they chimed in,” Mr Freilich said.
“Smotrich, Ben-Gvir and some in Likud want to keep the war going perpetually. The real question is what Netanyahu’s interest is, because until now, the determining factor for the prime minister's actions has been his political survival.
“I don’t think he wants to be in a coalition with just the right-wingers. The imminent departure of Gantz and Eisenkot is very problematic for him because it would lead to exactly that.”
The political tumult came amid some of the heaviest bombardments from Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding yet more pressure on the government to take decisive action to restore calm in northern Israel and return the roughly 60,000 residents who were evacuated after October 7 to the homes.
Hezbollah launched attacks on the cities of Acre and Nahariya at the weekend, causing residents to run for shelters and fires across the territory as the summer heat increases.
“May has seen the largest number of attacks in the north since the war began,” said Sarit Zehavi, founder of Alma Research Centre that focuses on security in northern Israel.
“Anti-tank missile and UAV [drone] attacks are up, and while rocket attack numbers are stable, the problem now is the barrages in which they are fired, which makes them harder to intercept,” Ms Zehavi said.
“I don’t think we have ever had control of the situation and every option should be on the table.”
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
The%20specs
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sucker%20Punch%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%202%20to%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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
