Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Israel's account of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in southern Gaza suggest his killing was the result of a chance encounter with troops rather than a carefully planned operation.
Drone footage released by the Israeli military of what it said were Mr Sinwar's final moments show the “mastermind” of the October 7 attacks on Israel slumped over in an armchair on the upper floor of a destroyed home. He is covered in dust with his head wrapped in a scarf and is not clearly recognisable.
He sits motionless for a few seconds, apparently watching as the drone hovers several metres away, before he throws a stick at it.
The soldiers who spotted Mr Sinwar and two other militants in Rafah on Thursday were regular infantry rather than an elite unit, and only realised his identity after he was killed. They used a small drone for reconnaissance and tank support – not an air strike as some initially believed – as they engaged the militants in a brief gun battle. Details from the Israeli forensic report leaked on Friday suggest that it was a shot to the head “from a distance” that killed him.
He was reportedly carrying grenades and, according to one unverified account, a pistol captured from an Israeli Druze lieutenant colonel, Mahmoud Khir Al Din, who was killed in a 2018 raid in Gaza.
According to some reports, the Hamas commander had emerged from one of the group's vast tunnel complexes in search of supplies or possibly to communicate with his commanders.
The raid stands in contrast to typical operations to kill what armed forces sometimes call “high-value targets”. Terror group commanders are often killed in raids which the attacking side spends months planning and where it takes few chances. High-risk US Special Forces raids against Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi are famous examples. The two commanders evaded years-long manhunts, even after their organisations were largely destroyed.
Reconnaissance assets, including drones, satellites and electronic warfare aircraft that intercept mobile phone signals, are often surged over the area where the suspect is hiding. People in that area are offered large rewards – $400,000 in the case of Mr Sinwar – for information.
People suspected to know the location of the target are interrogated to build up a picture of the network around them – the “network analysis” that was key to capturing Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 and killing Bin Laden in 2011.
It is not clear to what extent Israel had been using these tactics. Shin Bet, Israel’s internal intelligence service, said that military operations had restricted Mr Sinwar’s movements, suggesting an element of planning. But it was not the pinpoint intelligence that has been used to eliminate other wanted militants, including the numerous Hezbollah commanders who have been killed in Lebanon, even in moving vehicles.
Israel said it had “intelligence that indicated the suspected locations of senior members of Hamas”, without specifying Mr Sinwar.
The Israeli military said its 162nd Division had been deployed in the area where Mr Sinwar was thought to be hiding – a force of about 10,000 men rather than a small counterterrorism unit.
The patrol that found him was from the 450th battalion of the Bislamach Brigade – the military’s School for Infantry Corps Professions and Squad Commanders. In peacetime, it has a role training officers and is not considered an elite front line force.
Shifting away from Hamas
“They basically train squad commanders, units of about 10 men,” said Noam Ostfeld, a military analyst at the Sibylline risk consultancy.
Mr Ostfeld believes Israeli intelligence services are currently focused on Hezbollah, militarily a far greater threat to Israel than the diminished Hamas.
“Hezbollah and Iran are the main adversary, the main threat for Israel, and Israel is more focused on them. The [Israeli military] I think has closed down many of its capabilities in Gaza,” he said.
The 450th had fought in Gaza in December and March and would have been familiar with the dense urban terrain and risks of operating there, including ambushes from tunnels at point-blank range.
Mr Ostfeld said an early conclusion from Mr Sinwar's killing was that Hamas's operations were increasingly “boxed in” by Israeli units. It is also unclear to what extent Israeli operations to destroy Hamas tunnels had limited Mr Sinwar’s ability to move underground.
His death stands in contrast to those of Al Qaeda leader Bin Laden and Al Baghdadi, where the US used “tier one” Special Forces operating in potentially hostile territory. The raid on Bin Laden's home in Pakistan was carried out by the elite Seal Team Six, while Al Baghdadi's hideout in Syria was raided by Delta Force.
In Israel, units dedicated to such operations include Yamam, members of which are selected from other elite units to train for specialist raids, including raiding buildings where militant commanders are hiding, and rescuing hostages. Israel also has Shayetet 13, often compared to the US Navy Seals.
Both units work alongside Unit 669, an elite helicopter force for medical evacuation, rescue and “extraction” of forces in hostile situations.
An incidental demise
Mr Ostfeld said the fact that this was not a classic operation to kill a senior commander and capture his body – rather than destroy it in an air strike – was ominous. It suggests remaining Hamas leaders have tight operational security, communicating through couriers and avoiding the “signals intelligence” risk of the modern battlefield.
Modern armies can locate enemy positions using Communication Intelligence and Direction Finding equipment. On the ground or on drones, these can intercept and locate radio communications, even ones that jump between frequencies to evade detection. In the air, devices on aircraft called IMSI catchers can intercept and locate phone signals.
“Israel did all it can to in order to box in Hamas and Sinwar in particular,” Mr Ostfeld said. “Now they have killed, along with Sinwar, a lot of commanders. Hamas has elements of a military organisation, but the key point here about ‘decapitating’ the organisation is that the more militarily organised you are, you will always have someone that is likely to come back or step up to take their place.
“We’ve seen this with Hezbollah, who are more organised than Hamas. Losing a lot of commanders in a short time will reduce your capabilities considerably.”
In the long run however, Mr Ostfeld says the Israelis need to reorient their strategy to consider the impact of the war on Gazans. The enclave has been almost destroyed and more than 42,500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in just over a year of fighting.
“You will degrade Hamas, you will degrade the organisation. Maybe you even managed to dismantle it completely, and there will be no Hamas. The issue is that when Israel uses too much force, it creates opposition for the long term.”
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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
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
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Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
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Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
South Africa World Cup squad
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (w), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
