Israeli troops operating on the ground in the Gaza Strip AFP)
Israeli troops operating on the ground in the Gaza Strip AFP)
Israeli troops operating on the ground in the Gaza Strip AFP)
Israeli troops operating on the ground in the Gaza Strip AFP)

Gaza ceasefire talks in 'dark tunnel' after killing of Hamas chief Haniyeh


Hamza Hendawi
  • English
  • Arabic

Negotiations to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have entered a “dark tunnel” and their fate is uncertain after the assassination of Hamas leader and senior negotiator Ismail Haniyeh, sources told The National on Friday.

Mr Haniyeh, the group's political chief, and his bodyguard were killed in a guesthouse in Tehran on Wednesday. Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas have blamed Israel. But Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

Mr Haniyeh played a key role in talks for a potential ceasefire in Gaza, liaising with mediators Qatar, which has led months of negotiations alongside Egypt and the US.

The assassination threatens to derail the efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, where about 39,400 people have been killed and more than 90,000 injured since October. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel and killed about 1,200 people.

"The negotiations are now not just in a dark tunnel, but they have actually died a clinical death," one source said.

Another source said: "No one can now tell you what comes next."

A Hamas official said earlier that the group will start discussing the fate of the talks after “a week or two”.

“The Gaza and hostage negotiations, after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, cannot now be put up for discussion or resumption before a week or two,” the member of Hamas's political leadership told The National.

Israel "does not want to complete the deal", he added.

An Israeli woman walks past posters on a bomb shelter in the southern Reim kibbutz. Reuters
An Israeli woman walks past posters on a bomb shelter in the southern Reim kibbutz. Reuters

Qatar and Egypt suggested on Wednesday that the killing of Mr Haniyeh could further jeopardise efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza, while talks continue, lead us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?” Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote on X.

US President Joe Biden stressed late on Thursday that he was "very concerned" about rising tensions in the region and added that the killing of Mr Haniyeh had "not helped" the situation.

The White House said Mr Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by telephone and promised to defend Israel's security "against all threats from Iran".

"We have the basis for a ceasefire. They should move on it and they should move on it now," Mr Biden told reporters after the call.

In Gaza, the Israeli army continued its bombing campaign amid calls by family members of Israeli hostages held in the enclave to agree to a ceasefire deal.

At least four people were killed in an Israeli strike on an apartment building in Gaza city on Friday morning, the Wafa news agency reported. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said the victims were members of the Abu Hashem family.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

EPL's youngest
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MATCH INFO

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures

Monday, Sept 30

Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)

Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
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  • 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
Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

The%20Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELamborghini%20LM002%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205.2-litre%20V12%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20450hp%20at%206%2C800rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E500Nm%20at%204%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFive-speed%20manual%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100kph%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%209%20seconds%20(approx)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20(approx)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYears%20built%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201986-93%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20vehicles%20built%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20328%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EValue%20today%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24300%2C000%2B%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: SimpliFi

Started: August 2021

Founder: Ali Sattar

Based: UAE

Industry: Finance, technology

Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals

Important questions to consider

1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?

There are different types of travel available for pets:

  • Manifest cargo
  • Excess luggage in the hold
  • Excess luggage in the cabin

Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.

 

2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?

If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.

If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.

 

3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?

As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.

If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty. 

If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport. 

 

4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?

This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.

In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.

 

5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?

Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.

Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.

Source: Pawsome Pets UAE

The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester

Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder

Transmission: Continuously variable transmission

Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)

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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

Updated: August 02, 2024, 9:03 AM`