Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Israeli air strikes and ground operations continued to cause destruction in Gaza's north on Wednesday, even as a ceasefire with Hamas appeared to be imminent.
At least 38 people were killed by Israeli fire across the Palestinian enclave on Tuesday and Wednesday, the civil defence said. A strike on a home near Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia killed 10 people sheltering there. As the hospital was treating the injured, Israeli bombs sparked a fire in the intensive care unit.
“We could hear gunfire and shelling without being able to intervene,” Dr Hossam Abu Safiya, director of the hospital, told The National. “It became evident that there was movement towards the hospital, and we anticipated an incursion.”
He said tanks and gunfire deliberately targeted the ICU, but patients, including many on ventilators, were evacuated.
“The ICU at Kamal Adwan hospital is the only remaining unit of its kind in northern Gaza. Losing it would plunge us into an even more dangerous and catastrophic situation than before,” Dr Abu Safiya added.
Staff attempted to extinguish the fire with basic tools but, as the water supply to the hospital had been cut off for eight days by Israeli strikes on tanks and pipelines, the battle to contain the blaze took hours.
The hospital complex has come under repeated attack since the Gaza war began in October 2023. The war was sparked by a Hamas-led incursion that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took more than 200 hostage into Gaza. The hospital has been raided by Israeli troops on multiple occasions and medical teams forced to leave. Much of its infrastructure, including oxygen lines, no longer works as staff battle to keep patients alive in dire conditions.
The World Health Organisation said it had been unable to send staff and supplies to Kamal Adwan and called for attacks on Gaza to stop.
"An international medical team urgently needed for Kamal Adwan hospital has not been permitted to deploy," WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy said on X. "The fear endured by the hospital’s staff and patients in recent days is indescribable - and unacceptable."
After the bombs came bulldozers, in what Qais Al Balawi, 29, called a "grim pattern" of Israeli action in the north, which it has been isolating for months.
Mr Al Balawi has been sheltering in a house near Kamal Adwan hospital, moving only when needed to avoid bombardment.
"During the day, there are intense air strikes, shelling, and heavy gunfire, including drone attacks," he told The National. "At night, Israeli machinery advances deep into towns and Jabalia camp, planting explosive barrels and booby-trapped robots before retreating. Hours later, these explosives are detonated, transforming the area into lifeless rubble within moments.
“On some days, the machinery returns to the areas it destroyed and conducts extensive excavation and levelling operations. Many houses have not only been destroyed but also bulldozed into oblivion. Even if their owners manage to return someday, they wouldn’t recognise where their homes once stood.”
He added that the area has turned into a ghost town. “Of the few thousand who remain, everyone understands their likely fate: death or arrest. It is clear that the army is intent on erasing all traces of life in northern Gaza.”
Israel's dedication to its operation in northern Gaza, despite all parties to the conflict saying a ceasefire could be close in recent days, has sparked fears that Israel could be looking to settle its citizens there, to maintain control over the area after a ceasefire deal is struck.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israel will have security control over Gaza with "full freedom of action" after the defeat of Hamas, comparing a possible Gaza security arrangement to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, where the country’s forces severely limit the movement and economic activity of Palestinian residents and regularly launch deadly raids.
Although the details of what a long-term Israeli military plan for Gaza might look like are unclear, forces have been building the 18-square-mile Netzarim Corridor, which cuts Gaza practically in half, since the early days of the conflict. The corridor has military bases, checkpoints and other infrastructure to support a long-term presence and a synagogue.
A potential blueprint came in the form of a proposal known as “the general’s plan” that was presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in September.
The plan proposes intensifying the siege on northern Gaza and sealing it off from the already limited aid distribution operation as a means to force out the remaining Palestinian population and pave the way for a closed military area run by the Israeli army. The Israeli military consistently denies weaponising aid and using starvation as a weapon of war.
Long-term occupation of Gaza remains controversial within Israel, with critics saying it would be a major drain on the country’s resources and deepen anger against Israel on the international stage.
For those forced out of their homes in the north, actions speak louder than words. Adeeb Al Masri, a 35-year-old displaced resident from Tel Al Zaatar, originally from Beit Hanoun, said: "The systematic destruction in northern Gaza, whether in Jabalia or Beit Lahia, can only be interpreted in one way: the Israeli army does not want life to exist in this area.
“In previous incursions, the army would enter the targeted area, carry out a military operation, and while many homes and infrastructure were destroyed, some houses, schools and facilities would remain intact," the father of five said.
"But in this incursion, nothing is left standing, and the reality is beyond description.
“Houses are piled on top of each other in the streets, which are completely blocked by rubble. For those of us who lived in these areas, seeing them reduced to this state is unbearable.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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bundesliga results
Mainz 0 Augsburg 1 (Niederlechner 1')
Schalke 1 (Caligiuri pen 51') Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Miranda og 81')
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
A4 35 TFSI
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic
Power: 150bhp
Torque: 270Nm
Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
A4 S4 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 350bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
THE DEALS
Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m
Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m
Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m
Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m
Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m
TOTAL $485m
Key facilities
- 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
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
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
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
