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A ceasefire in Gaza after 15 months of devastating war between Israel and Hamas was imperative, Nabil Fahmy, a former Egyptian foreign minister, told The National on Tuesday.
The fragile truce between Israel and Hamas was brokered earlier this month, by which time Israel's military offensive against Hamas had killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, though the Gaza death toll has since exceeded 47,350. Israel launched its assault after the raids by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage.
“It was a necessary deal for both the Israelis and Palestinians,” said Mr Fahmy, who spoke to The National at the Raisina Middle East conference in Abu Dhabi. "I think the deal will hold but I don’t think it will be implemented fairly, efficiently and completely.”
The complex, multiphase ceasefire, facilitated by the US, Egypt and Qatar, has allowed for the exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza and the return home of Gazans displaced from the north. Despite the pause in violence, the situation remains precarious, with each side accusing the other of violations of the ceasefire terms.
“The power balance on the ground is unequal,” said Mr Fahmy. “Negotiations always lean towards the stronger and I do not see the current Israeli government recognising Palestinian rights, let alone supporting a two-state solution.”
The return of Donald Trump as US President is also seen as a factor favouring Israel. After his inauguration last week, Mr Trump rescinded sanctions imposed by the previous Biden administration on far-right Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. He also called for Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza.
“Jordan and Egypt have always supported a Palestinian state,” said Mr Fahmy. “This means they will not be implicitly involved in any process that seeks to ‘de-Palestinise’ Palestinian territories.”
Mr Trump's call reflected long-standing Israeli government positions, the former foreign minister added. “The notion that this displacement is temporary and that Palestinians will return is naive and unrealistic.”
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Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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India: Kohli (c), Khaleel, Bumrah, Chahal, Dhawan, Shreyas, Karthik, Kuldeep, Bhuvneshwar, Pandey, Krunal, Pant, Rahul, Sundar, Umesh
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