Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Residents of northern Gaza are increasingly frustrated with the lack of aid flowing to the area and the slow pace of reconstruction, two weeks after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect.
Last week, more than 500,000 Gazans walked, drove or rode donkeys back to the north of the enclave. They found destruction in areas including Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, with some telling The National they had struggled to find a place to pitch a tent.
“Hamas should be setting up tents for people who have no place to live and are sleeping in the streets,” said Adham Abu Zaida, 39, who travelled from southern Gaza to Jabalia camp. His family of seven spent three nights on the streets.
“Women, children, the elderly and young people are all sleeping in the streets without the bare necessities of life,” he added.
The ceasefire pauses 15 months of war sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and led to 240 being taken hostage. More than 47,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war on the enclave.
The UN estimates that five to 10 per cent of all ammunition dropped on Gaza has failed to detonate, putting more lives in danger as aid workers and civilians attempt to rebuild.
The UN Mine Action Service, which handles unexploded ordnance, said that since the ceasefire took hold, humanitarian convoys and civilians have reported finding large bombs, mortars and rifle grenades.
The danger and destruction was too much for some. Yahya Muhareb, 32, returned to Beit Lahia to find a place for his family of four to stay. “Unfortunately, I decided to return to the south and continue living in a tent there because there is no place in the north to pitch a tent after all our homes were destroyed and turned into rubble,” he told The National.
“There have been no efforts to provide relief or shelter for people and no progress in removing debris or opening roads, especially in the devastated northern Gaza Strip.”
Ismael Thawabta, general director of Gaza's Government Media Office, said the enclave's residents had the right to voice their frustrations. He blamed the implementation of the terms of the ceasefire for the slow delivery of aid.
“The humanitarian protocol stipulated the entry of aid, tents, caravans and materials supporting reconstruction efforts,” Mr Thawabta told The National. “Unfortunately, these essential supplies have been obstructed by the occupation and we face severe difficulties in getting them into Gaza.”
Israel prevents types of aid described as “dual use" from entering the enclave because of concerns the supplies could be used by militants in attacks. Desalination and water-collection devices, storage units, tools, tent kits, ovens, water-resistant clothing and equipment for shelter construction all require “pre-approval” before entering Gaza, according to a list sent to humanitarian groups by Cogat, the Israeli agency responsible for co-ordinating Palestinian civilian affairs, and shared with the AP. Large tents, sleeping bags, portable toilets, heating pads and vaccines can enter without Israeli approval.
Gaza's Government Media Office reported that the direct losses from the war have exceeded $50 billion across various sectors. In the housing sector, 450,000 units have been damaged, with 170,000 completely destroyed and 80,000 severely damaged. Damages in the housing sector have reached an estimated $25 billion.
Mr Thawabta said more than 6,000 aid lorries have entered Gaza since the ceasefire began, including 121 carrying diesel, 80 carrying gas and about 900 bearing food items including snacks and drinks. But he expressed concern over a decline in the number of lorries entering the enclave, with 339 crossing into Gaza on one day last week.
“The humanitarian protocol allows for over 600 trucks to enter daily, yet the reality is that the trucks entering Gaza include both aid and commercial goods trucks," he explained.
He also highlighted a significant struggle to bring in construction materials, particularly cement, which Gazans need to begin rebuilding their homes. “The occupation is preventing the entry of construction materials because it knows citizens will use them to rebuild their homes again,” Mr Thawabta said.
Mohammed Al Jarro, 56, a merchant from Gaza city, said food items comprised the majority of aid entering the enclave. “From the first day of the truce, we were told that only food goods would be co-ordinated for entry, and there were no arrangements for fuel, solar systems, or construction materials," he added. "Only items related to food and drink have been allowed."
He is among the Gazan merchants trying to ensure solar energy systems, construction materials and tents reach displaced people. “These items were supposed to be part of the first phase of the agreement,” he said. “We hope these efforts succeed and that merchants can bring in the necessary supplies for real and effective relief to begin.”
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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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To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
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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.
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The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes.
Where to stay
The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.
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Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
