Hamas fighters claimed to have killed and injured Israeli troops in a major attack on Wednesday in southern Gaza.
Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, said one fighter blew himself up in Khan Younis, causing several casualties. The Israeli army said three soldiers were injured in an attack, but did not acknowledge any deaths.
The Hamas fighters said they also raided a newly established Israeli site south-east of Khan Younis, and attacked several Merkava tanks with explosives.
The attack, which appeared to be unusually large in scope, comes as Israel prepares to expand its campaign in Gaza and retake control of the strip. Defence Minister Israel Katz has approved plans to call up 60,000 reservists to wage a new offensive against Gaza city.
In the south, the Israeli army said more than 15 militants firing guns and anti-tank missiles tried to “infiltrate a fortified position” of its 90th battalion near Khan Younis. It said Israeli troops “eliminated 10 armed terrorists in close-quarters combat”, supported by air force strikes.
It added that the incident was still continuing, and “the troops continue to operate to locate and eliminate the terrorists”.
“As a result of the shots fired, a soldier in the 90th Battalion, Kfir Brigade, was severely injured, and two additional soldiers were lightly injured,” the Israeli army said.
Hamas's armed wing said that its fighters attacked several houses where Israeli soldiers were holed up, using six anti-fortification and anti-personnel missiles and machinegun fire.
“A number of fighters stormed the houses and killed a number of Israeli soldiers inside with light weapons and hand grenades,” it said.
The group said that its fighters also managed to snipe a Merkava 4 tank soldier, fatally wounding him. “Our fighters pounded the positions surrounding the operation site with several mortar shells to cut off reinforcements,” it said.
It added that one of the fighters blew himself up among the Israeli soldiers, killing or wounding them, and that the operation continued for several hours.
Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators Egypt and Qatar. Israel has yet to formally respond to the plan.
The framework proposes an initial 60-day truce, a staggered hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners and provisions allowing for the entry of aid into Gaza.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led fighters stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages on October 7, 2023. Israel's offensive has since killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, plunged Gaza into a humanitarian crisis, and displaced most of its population.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Jetour T1 specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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”.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
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Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Specs
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5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
