A statement of support from Hamas for a UN resolution backing a ceasefire in Gaza was a “hopeful” indication of progress, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.
His comments came soon after a senior Hamas official told Reuters that the group supports a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution that was passed yesterday and is ready to discuss details.
Mr Blinken, on his eighth trip to the region since the war in Gaza broke out in October, was speaking after meetings with Israeli officials aimed at pushing for the ceasefire plan.
He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “reaffirmed his commitment” to a ceasefire proposal at a meeting on Monday.
Both warring parties will still have to overcome key sticking points, in particular Mr Netanyahu’s insistence that fighting in Gaza will end only when Israel has achieved its war aims.
Mr Blinken also met Israeli opposition politicians on Tuesday.
The office of former war cabinet minister Benny Gantz issued a statement in reference to Lebanon, saying “the [US] together with the international community have an important role to play in removing the threat posed by Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border”.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has been steadily increasing in intensity and fears are mounting that a fully fledged war is nearing.
The statement added that Mr Gantz’s National Unity party “will support any responsible arrangement” to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Mr Gantz urged Mr Blinken to apply “maximum pressure” on negotiators to reach a hostage release deal.
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.
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
