Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Wednesday denounced the use of “hunger as a weapon” in the Gaza war, describing the Israeli tactic as “very, very grave”.
Egypt, which borders both Gaza and Israel, has, together with the United States and Qatar, been trying for months to broker a ceasefire and the release of Israeli and other hostages held by Hamas.
Its relations with Israel have been fraught with tension since the war broke out 11 months ago. They were further strained in May when Israel captured the Palestinian side of the land crossing between Egypt and Gaza along with a narrow strip running the length of the Arab nation's border with the coastal enclave, called Salah Al Din.
In protest, Egypt closed the land crossing at Rafah through which much of the humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza passed.
“Hunger is being used as a weapon against the Palestinians and that's a very, very grave matter that has massive impact on the credibility and values of human rights,” Mr El Sisi told a joint news conference with visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose country is among Israel's staunchest supporters in Europe.
“It's a blatant violation of human rights that's happening within our earshot and in full sight of all of us and we cannot do anything about it,” he lamented.
Most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are facing hunger, with the north of the enclave worst-hit, as the war rages on unabated with more than 41,000 Palestinians killed and more than twice that number wounded.
Germany is one of Egypt's largest European trade partners, with joint transport and energy projects worth billions of dollars. Egypt has also been buying weapons from Germany, including submarines.
Mr El Sisi called on Europe to play a more assertive role in the search for an end to the Gaza war. “It's very, very important that Europe exerts a large effort at this point to pressure the relevant parties.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
