A Palestinian man inspects the damage at the site of an Israeli air strike on a building in Gaza city. AFP
A Palestinian man inspects the damage at the site of an Israeli air strike on a building in Gaza city. AFP
A Palestinian man inspects the damage at the site of an Israeli air strike on a building in Gaza city. AFP
A Palestinian man inspects the damage at the site of an Israeli air strike on a building in Gaza city. AFP

Hopes raised for Gaza ceasefire as parties talk up 'serious' progress


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Hamas and US officials raised hopes that negotiations in Doha and Cairo over recent months may bring the 14-month conflict in Gaza to a ceasefire.

Hamas, which runs Gaza and has been at war with Israel since October 2023, said progress in the Doha talks, mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar, was "serious and positive", indicating that a ceasefire and deal for the return of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza may be possible.

"Hamas confirms that in light of the serious and positive discussions taking place in Doha today under the auspices of the Qatari and Egyptian mediators, reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange is possible if [Israel] stops setting new conditions," the group said in a statement.

The war, sparked by the attack on southern Israel by Hamas during which militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages back to Gaza, has resulted in the deaths of more than 45,000 people and reduced much of the enclave to rubble.

The last time a ceasefire deal was reached between the two warring parties was in November 2023, when 100 Israeli hostages were exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and there was a cessation in hostilities. But the deal fell apart within a week.

Sources briefed on the negotiations told The National that a mid-level team from Israel's spy agency Mossad and its domestic security counterpart Shin Bet are in Doha ironing out technical details of a possible deal. They said the discussions included the monitoring of the Egypt-Gaza border and security measures to weed out militants when displaced Palestinians in Gaza are allowed to return home to the north of the enclave.

That technical details were being discussed, they explained, suggested a ceasefire deal and prisoner and hostage swap could be within reach. However, they cautioned that past optimism an agreement might be imminent had proved premature.

They said Hamas has dropped two core demands - a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza - positions that had in the past derailed efforts to reach a deal. "Unless Israel makes impossible last-minute demands, a deal could realistically be struck soon," said one of the sources.

Freed hostages who survived captivity in Gaza have called for the remaining hostages to be brought home. Reuters
Freed hostages who survived captivity in Gaza have called for the remaining hostages to be brought home. Reuters

Hopes are high for a deal before the new year, after talks resumed in the Qatari capital last week following a three-month hiatus. Sources told The National at the time that Hamas had agreed in principle to a truce of up to 30 days and had drawn up a list of hostages it could release.

On Tuesday, White House spokesman John Kirby said progress was being made. "We believe - and the Israelis have said this - that we're getting closer, and no doubt about it, we believe that, but we also are cautious in our optimism," Mr Kirby told Fox News. "We've been in this position before where we weren't able to get it over the finish line."

The parties are considering a ceasefire plan put together by the Biden administration in the US and presented for negotiation in May. Thus far, talks have repeatedly fallen apart over the issue of an Israeli military presence on the ground in Gaza. Hamas has previously said it will not release hostages back to Israel until its troops are out of the enclave.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz did not appear to move from this position on Tuesday, saying Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action after defeating Hamas. "My position on Gaza is clear. After we defeat Hamas's military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action," Mr Katz wrote on X.

"We will not allow any terrorist organisation against Israeli communities and Israeli citizens from Gaza. We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7."

But he told the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee on Monday that Israel had not been this close to a deal since the November ceasefire.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

While you're here
Brief scores

Barcelona 2

Pique 36', Alena 87'

Villarreal 0

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

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
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
Price: From Dh801,800
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

Company%20Profile
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Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
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Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

The biog

Favourite colour: Brown

Favourite Movie: Resident Evil

Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices

Favourite food: Pizza

Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon

Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs

UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv

Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium

THE SPECS

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8​​​​​​​

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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.

Updated: December 18, 2024, 4:04 AM`