Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden met in the White House on Thursday. EPA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden met in the White House on Thursday. EPA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden met in the White House on Thursday. EPA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden met in the White House on Thursday. EPA

Hamas accuses US and Israel of 'lying' about Gaza ceasefire negotiations


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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.

Demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian rally at Lafayette Square Park in Washington. Reuters
Demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian rally at Lafayette Square Park in Washington. Reuters

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.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
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What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

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In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
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Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

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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.

The burning issue

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

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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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.

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)
  • Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
  • Al Towayya in Al Ain
  • NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
  • Bareen International Hospital
  • NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
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  • NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
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Ashes 2019 schedule

August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston

August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's

August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley

September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford

September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Updated: July 26, 2024, 10:35 AM`