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.”
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
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
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
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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
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Read more about the coronavirus
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
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Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
The five pillars of Islam
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
