Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Hamas said on Tuesday that it is open to sharing the administration of Gaza with the Palestinian Authority and other Palestinian parties, but rejected a full handover, at least for the time being.
Ayman Shannaa, a member of Hamas's political leadership in Lebanon, said the group had not sent any message indicating its willingness to completely cede control of the territory to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
However, he emphasised that Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, is open to a power-sharing agreement that could help “unify” Palestinians against US President Donald Trump’s proposal of “owning” Gaza and displacing its residents.
“We have no objection to the [Palestinian] Authority's participation and supervision, but the notion of a full handover is baseless and unrealistic,” Mr Shannaa said. “It is too early to talk about a full transfer of power in Gaza. Palestinian institutions should include all Palestinian factions,” he told The National.
Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 after a brief but violent conflict with the PA, which is led by the Fatah party. Since then, Hamas has governed the coastal enclave, while the PA retains partial control over the occupied West Bank.
Israel has made the removal of Hamas from power one of its primary objectives in the war, which has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza since it began on October 7, 2023. The war erupted after Palestinian militant factions led by Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israeli communities, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages.
The future governance of Gaza is also tied to its post-war reconstruction, which is expected to cost billions of dollars. Many international donors, particularly western governments, have signalled that they will not fund Gaza’s rebuilding efforts unless Hamas relinquishes control of the territory.
Mr Shannaa insisted that Hamas will not be sidelined in any future political arrangement. “Hamas cannot be excluded, nor will it exclude any party from governing Gaza. Palestinian unity is the key to confronting external projects, foremost among them the ‘Trump Plan’, which aims to displace Gaza’s residents,” he elaborated.
The discussion over Hamas’s role in Gaza’s governance comes as the fragile ceasefire agreement with Israel appears increasingly unstable, with both sides threatening to resume hostilities. A Hamas source confirmed that the group remains “committed to all clauses of the agreements reached, including the release of three prisoners”.
Arab countries are reportedly preparing a counterproposal to present to the Trump administration, aiming to shape the future of Gaza.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
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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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
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Jetour T1 specs
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
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Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
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Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
