Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The release of three Israeli hostages, seemingly in relatively good health, was welcomed joyously in Israel on Saturday morning after a tense week during which the ceasefire deal that secured their freedom appeared on the brink of collapse.
Alexander Troufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Iair Horn were handed over to the Red Cross after a joint Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad ceremony, which was laden with anti-Israel symbolism. They spent 498 days in captivity.
The three were released in exchange for 369 Palestinian detainees and prisoners. The vast majority are Gazans captured by Israeli forces after October 7. Thirty-six were serving life sentences for murder and terror-related crimes.
Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, the main activist centre for the hostage cause throughout the Gaza War, erupted in joy when the three emerged from Hamas vehicles, in live footage captured on a big screen. Hundreds of demonstrators waved Israeli flags and held posters with the names and faces of the released and remaining captives.
“Now we can breathe,” said computer scientist, Hadas, 59, as a loudspeaker announced that the captives were in the hands of the Israeli military, a few minutes after the International Committee of the Red Cross transfer.
Hadas, from Kibbutz Nahal Oz which was devastated by the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, is still waiting for two hostages from her community to be released. Her friend, communications professional Sarah, 51, was standing nearby in a T-shirt emblazoned with a photo of hostages Tsahi Idan, her best friend, and Omri Miran.
Sarah was at last week’s exchange, an experience she described as “horrific” because of the gaunt and malnourished. appearance of the three men who were released. “We couldn’t breathe during the last one. None of the released hostages have been OK but last week was horrific. They were so starved,” Sarah said.
Access to basic necessities, including food, has been scarce in Gaza during the war as a result of an Israeli blockade. Although the latest captives appeared in far better shape, it has been a draining week for their supporters, with both sides of the deal issuing ultimatums that put the ceasefire agreement on the brink.
Sarah and Hadas blamed Hamas, but also said the Israel government was jeopardising the deal.
“The hostages are our government’s responsibility. They were within reach. It seems that they are being handled by people who are stupid egomaniacs not thinking wisely,” Hadas said. “They are playing poker with people’s lives. It's like watching a drunk driving his family home.”
There were chants of “shame” as the Hamas ceremony took place. The militant group’s triumphalism has been a source of deep anger in Israel and a humiliating reminder for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the “total victory” he has promised Israelis for more than a year is far from achieved.
All three hostages gave brief addresses in Hebrew while on a stage – the background of which was a photo of Jerusalem centred on the Al Aqsa Mosque – calling for the deal to continue and giving the captives release certificates.
Mr Horn was given a hourglass, under which was written “time is running out” with a picture of a captive and his mother who has become a high-profile figure in the pro-hostage deal protests. Some Hamas militants appeared to be holding firearms and wearing large camouflage hats used by the Israeli military.
The shouts of “shame” were also in part directed at the ICRC, who have been criticised in Israel for not doing enough to access the captives to give them medical care. The organisation says it is working “tirelessly” to advocate for them, but that they are yet to be granted access.
“It is expected that the Red Cross would take care of hostages, visit them, make sure they’re OK, like we saw in past wars,” Hadas said.
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
The%20specs
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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'Dark Waters'
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, William Jackson Harper
Rating: ****
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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