Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
As nations around the world announce whether they will honour an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, citizens of Gaza say they have little hope the ruling will change the course of the year-long war.
Just hours after the court's decision, fresh Israeli strikes across the enclave killed 21 people, including a fisherman setting out to sea, and a family of eight at home in Shejaa. Almost 44,000 people have been killed by Israeli fire on Gaza since the war broke out in October 2023, sending millions fleeing from their homes under Israeli eviction orders and scrabbling for food and other basic necessities as the inflow of aid was all but halted.
The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as weapons of war, as part of a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza”.
Now the warrants have been issued, signatory nations to the ICC, including all EU nations, Canada and Japan, should in theory arrest the pair if they visit. But Gazans told The National that although the arrest warrants are satisfying, they are doubtful they will be implemented.
“The decision is fair in its content but unjust in its timing; delayed justice is an outright injustice,” said lawyer Yousef Salem, who works on humanitarian issues in Gaza, calling the decision “symbolic”.
“[Netanyahu's] policies remain unchanged even under significant pressure from the US administration, and they are unlikely to shift due to a symbolic decision that cannot be implemented under current global standards,” Mr Salem, now living in Istanbul after fleeing Gaza, told The National.
He said the arrest warrants could realistically only be acted on with the backing of the US, which is not a signatory to the court. Outgoing President Joe Biden called the warrants “outrageous”, saying the US “will always stand with Israel against threats to its security”.
Israel launched its war on Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel in an October 7, 2023 attack which killed 1,200 people and led to more than 250 being taken hostage. It says Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields and is to blame for casualties in Gaza. Mr Netanyahu called the warrants issued on Thursday “anti-Semitic” and vowed to continue Israel's actions.
The Israeli government has repeatedly denied the allegations of the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, who sought the warrants from the court’s judges in May. The warrants also included top Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, whom Israel claims to have killed. Hamas has not confirmed his death.
Displaced from her home in Gaza city to Khan Younis in the enclave's south, Madleen Abu Saif said the decision from the ICC came late “but at least it came”.
“I think this decision will not make a difference because Israel doesn’t recognise the ICC,” the 28-year-old told The National. “It will not influence the continuing war or a ceasefire.”
Moves towards a ceasefire have stalled multiple times, with talks shepherded by the US, Egypt and Qatar paused for months. Meanwhile, a new front in the fighting has opened in Lebanon as Israel fights on the ground and bombards from above, targeting the Hezbollah group.
Ms Abu Saif retains some faith in nations around the world to impact the war by acting on the arrest warrants.
“I hope that the world does their part and enforces the decision, as a number of countries said that they will arrest [Mr Netanyahu]. I hope their power to enforce the decision not only shows that they are supporting humanity but does something to make people believe that there is justice in the world.”
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
