Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Hamas has accused the US and Israel of “lying” about getting closer to reaching a ceasefire agreement, claiming that they are deliberately placing obstacles to prolong the war in Gaza – now in its 10th month.
“They are all lying and playing for time, pretending that we are close to an agreement to stop the war, but making sure that the war continues,” Hamas official Mahmoud Taha said on Friday.
“We no longer trust or believe American officials, especially the CIA director currently in the region,” the official in charge of media relations told The National.
His accusations came hours after US Vice President Kamala Harris told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that it was time he agreed to a ceasefire deal and provided relief to the Palestinian people.
Ms Harris said she expressed to Mr Netanyahu her “serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians”.
“I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there,” she said in a televised address after she and President Joe Biden met the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House.
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected Ms Harris's calls for a ceasefire.
“There will be no truce, Madam Candidate,” Ben-Gvir wrote on X.
Ms Harris is the presumed Democratic nominee to run against Republican candidate Donald Trump in the November presidential election after Mr Biden stepped aside last Sunday.

The meeting with Mr Netanyahu was held after crucial talks in Doha were postponed until next week. They were scheduled for Thursday in the Qatari capital between warring parties and officials from Egypt, Qatar, and the US.
Sources told The National that difficulties in “co-ordinating” with the Israeli Prime Minister have led to the postponement.
But Mr Taha accused the PM of postponing the talks.
“After the Israeli negotiating delegation was scheduled to arrive in Doha, Netanyahu changed his mind and postponed the round without consulting anyone,” he said.
“Netanyahu is still adopting the method of disrupting the negotiations, placing obstacles and leading them to a dead end. This is his policy. Although he made statements saying that the deal was close, all of that was a complete lie.”
Mr Netanyahu had been criticised by the families of hostages captured by Hamas-led militants on October 7 for initially delaying his delegation's departure to Doha from Wednesday until Thursday.
On Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu addressed a special joint session of Congress, as thousands of protesters gathered outside the Capitol to call for a ceasefire and the end of US aid to Israel.
More than 39,100 people have been killed in the besieged enclave in Israeli strikes and ground attacks since the war began, according to Gaza health authorities.
The war started on October 7 when about 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, were killed and 240 abducted in attacks by Hamas and its allies in southern Israel.
About 130 hostages are still held in Gaza, although many of them are believed to have died. More than 100 have been released since October 7.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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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.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
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