A Hamas delegation led by chief negotiator Khalil Al Hayah was in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss a “comprehensive” deal to end the Gaza war and ensure the release of hostages held by the militant group, sources told The National.
Israel's declared plan to reoccupy Gaza, however, is casting a dark shadow on the discussions in Egypt, with the sources entertaining little hope that their outcome could persuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to change course.
Egypt said on Tuesday it was also trying to revive earlier proposals for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, after the US and Israel withdrew negotiators last month. "We are working very hard now in full co-operation with the Qataris and Americans," Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said.
But US President Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on the prospect of any deal to end the war, saying he did not believe Hamas would release Israeli hostages unless the situation in Gaza changed, according to American news website Axios.
The Israeli plan to reoccupy Gaza has drawn international condemnation and many have cast doubts on its effectiveness in stopping Hamas and freeing the hostages. But Israeli officials have said the offensive could take several weeks to get under way, which could leave a window for a renewed push in ceasefire talks.
Mr Trump stopped short of directly endorsing Israel’s plans to expand its offensive, but said he agreed with Mr Netanyahu's argument that more military pressure on Hamas was required. He told Axios it was going to be “very rough to get them” because Hamas “are not going to let the hostages out in the current situation”.
A Hamas official told The National that a delegation from the group led by Mr Al Hayah was in Cairo for talks with Egyptian mediators.
“We in Hamas deal positively, with full flexibility and responsibility, with the mediators, but what is obstructing the agreement is Netanyahu and his fascist government, as well as the American administration,” said Mahmoud Taha, who is based in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
On Tuesday, sources told The National the proposed comprehensive deal provides for the release of all 50 hostages still held by Hamas – only 20 of whom are believed to be still alive – and Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.
Also covered are the laying down and storage of Hamas's weapons under international supervision, the governance of postwar Gaza and reconstruction, the sources said. The flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza is also provided for in the proposed deal, they added.
They said the departure of Hamas leaders from Gaza to live in exile abroad with their families is also on the table.
The proposed deal also envisages the training by Jordan and Egypt of up to 150 Palestinian security and intelligence operatives, as well as providing basic training for a new Palestinian police force, they said.
An Arab force made up of personnel from Egypt, Jordan and possibly Gulf Arab nations would be sent to Gaza to ensure that the terms of a deal are observed, said the sources. That force, which would operate under the UN umbrella, would remain there until legislative and presidential elections are held.
Mr Taha, the Hamas official, rejected the proposals for an Arab force. “Talk about bringing in Arab military forces … is not official. We have seen it in the media but it is not official,” he said.
“The Palestinian factions and the Palestinian people alone decide who is in Gaza … we do not accept external interference and this is Hamas’s position.”
Hamas-Egypt dispute
Tuesday's talks between the Egyptian mediators and Hamas negotiators were the first public face-to-face contact between the two sides since a row erupted between them late last month over what Cairo viewed as criticism by the militant group that it was not doing enough to reduce the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The sources said a Turkish mediation led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who visited Cairo last week, has ended the row. They gave no details.
The first salvo in the row came from Hamas's aid arm – the Central Emergency Committee – which said Egypt's account of its aid efforts for Gaza was “essentially an excuse to cover its negligence in assuming a humanitarian, moral and Arab duty towards Gaza”.
The statement, parts of which were mocking, added: “It's time that Egypt, with all its weight and prestige, shift away from the logic of 'neutral mediation' to a decisive moral position on the side of Gaza.”
The accusations were repeated by Mr Al Hayah. Writing on the group's Telegram account, he said: “People of Egypt, its leaders, army, clans, tribes, scientists, Al Azhar, churches and elite: Will you let your brothers in Gaza die of hunger when they are near you across the border?”
The accusation that Egypt is not doing enough for the Palestinians in Gaza has been publicly countered by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and a slate of pro-government pundits and talk show hosts, who angrily accused Hamas of being a tool of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group outlawed in Egypt since 2013.
The essence of the Egyptian argument is that Egypt's Rafah land crossing with Gaza is controlled from the Palestinian side by Israel. Nothing can go through the crossing without Israel's advance approval.
Egypt has, over the past two weeks, taken part in air missions to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza, joining several other countries, including Jordan, the UAE, Italy and the UK.
The Gaza war was sparked by an October, 2023 attack led by Hamas against southern Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and taken another 250 others hostage. Israel responded with a devastating military campaign that has to date killed more than 61,000 Palestinians and wounded more than twice that number, according to authorities in the coastal enclave.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
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
West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The%20specs
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Avatar%20(2009)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
RESULTS
Lightweight (female)
Sara El Bakkali bt Anisha Kadka
Bantamweight
Mohammed Adil Al Debi bt Moaz Abdelgawad
Welterweight
Amir Boureslan bt Mahmoud Zanouny
Featherweight
Mohammed Al Katheeri bt Abrorbek Madaminbekov
Super featherweight
Ibrahem Bilal bt Emad Arafa
Middleweight
Ahmed Abdolaziz bt Imad Essassi
Bantamweight (female)
Ilham Bourakkadi bt Milena Martinou
Welterweight
Mohamed Mardi bt Noureddine El Agouti
Middleweight
Nabil Ouach bt Ymad Atrous
Welterweight
Nouredine Samir bt Marlon Ribeiro
Super welterweight
Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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TALE OF THE TAPE
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm
Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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