Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Palestinians in Gaza are living in a “death trap”, with no way to flee the violence and subject to suspected war crimes as Israel's 14-month war against Hamas continues, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Thursday.
Israel's offensive has so far killed more than 45,000 Palestinians and dismantled much of the enclave's infrastructure. The Israeli military launched its campaign after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, on October 7, last year.
“We are witnessing clear signs of ethnic cleansing as Palestinian life is being wiped off the area,” the strongly-worded report documenting atrocities in the Gaza Strip said. MSF claimed their observations of the violence inflicted on Gazans are consistent with descriptions provided by several organisations and legal experts concluding that “genocide” is taking place.
Since the Israeli troops entered Gaza, the Palestinian enclave has suffered constant Israeli air strikes, repeated displacement and the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, including health centres. The closure of border crossings has also denied Gazans from the delivery of vital aid and an escape route.
MSF staff came under 41 attacks, including strikes, shelling, arbitrary detention and direct fire on shelters or convoys, while eight staff members and their family members were killed, the report added. Medical personnel and patients have also had to flee health centres 17 times “often literally running for their lives”.
Since the start of the war, Israeli troops have blocked the entry of essential items such as food, fuel, water and medical supplies, MSF and several other rights groups have said. The shortages have led to the shutdown of hospitals and as of mid-October, only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were partially functioning, the report said. MSF teams also had to carry out surgeries without sufficient anaesthesia, it added.
In a separate report released on Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of committing "acts of genocide" by weaponising and damaging water supplies in Gaza in a "systematic nature."
“Between October 2023 and September 2024, Israeli authorities’ actions have deprived the majority of the more than two million Palestinians living in Gaza of access to even bare minimum [15 litres per person per day] of water, which has contributed to death and widespread disease,” the report said. The group called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel, including for the alleged war crime of extermination.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused the group of “spreading its blood labels” and that the report is “full of lies that are appalling even when compared to HRW’s already low standards." Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations of genocide.
The majority of Gaza's 2.1 million population has been displaced – many of them several times – throughout the war. Countless Israeli forced displacement orders have pushed Palestinians into crammed makeshift tents where living conditions make hygiene difficult and life unbearable, particularly during the winter. MSF said it observed skin diseases, respiratory infections and diarrhoea cases among civilians.
Northern Gaza has been under Israeli siege and intense bombardment since early October, with some areas being completely evicted. MSF said the military offensive there was a “clear illustration of the brutal war the Israeli forces are waging on Gaza”.
Ceasefire efforts are under way, with some parties to the negotiations claiming a truce is within reach. However, even if fighting were to end, MSF warns its “long-term impact would be unprecedented” given the scale of destruction in addition to the mental and physical toll the war has taken on Palestinians in Gaza.
The latest reports and accusations of Israel committing genocide in Gaza come just two weeks after Amnesty International said there was "unequivocal" evidence the Israeli army was committing genocidal acts in the enclave.
More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More on animal trafficking
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More coverage from the Future Forum
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Aryan%20Lakra%2C%20Ashwanth%20Valthapa%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20CP%20Rizwaan%2C%20Hazrat%20Billal%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%20and%20Zawar%20Farid.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
Read more about the coronavirus
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Cashew%0D%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202020%0D%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Ibtissam%20Ouassif%20and%20Ammar%20Afif%0D%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%0D%3Cbr%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%2410m%0D%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Mashreq%2C%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More on Quran memorisation:
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EXare%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%2018%2C%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPadmini%20Gupta%2C%20Milind%20Singh%2C%20Mandeep%20Singh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20Raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410%20million%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E28%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMS%26amp%3BAD%20Ventures%2C%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Astra%20Amco%2C%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%2C%20Fintech%20Fund%2C%20500%20Startups%2C%20Khwarizmi%20Ventures%2C%20and%20Phoenician%20Funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
