Israel's military pushed deeper into Gaza city on Tuesday in its operation to seize the area, forcing more Palestinians to flee the violence on gridlocked roads in lorries at exorbitant prices.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said “Gaza is burning” after heavy air strikes hit the city, while military spokesman Lt Col Avichay Adraee again ordered residents to leave, saying 40 per cent had already done so.
The push to control the city came hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared America's “unwavering support” for Israel's pursuit of Hamas during a visit to Jerusalem.
For Gazans, there was panic as many attempted to escape, only to find routes blocked and lorry drivers demanding hundreds of dollars for the journey out.
“A hell beyond description,” resident Aya Rajab, 31, said of her experience as helicopters circled her home west of Gaza city overnight. She told The National they flew so low that the sound rattled her bones and bullet casings rained down on her roof.
She and her three children stayed awake all night, uncertain if they would live to see the sunrise, she added.
The Israeli military said its troops were moving deeper as part of a “transition into the main phase of the plan for Gaza city”.
Israel says the area is a major Hamas stronghold housing between 2,000 and 3,000 fighters, with the military operation aiming to neutralise the group's central command.
The army said “thousands” more Israeli troops will join the effort to conquer the city.
Many Gazans told The National they had no way to flee or secure transport to safety, with some lorry drivers charging up to US$1,000 for a ride out.
The only available route, by Al Rashid Road in the west of Gaza, was clogged with families moving south, some stuck for 12 hours or more, Ms Rajab told The National. “Death feels easier than this kind of suffering,” she said.
Mohammed Al Amsi, 27, said he, his sisters and their families tried to escape on a lorry piled high with their belongings. But after 10 hours on a congested road, an Israeli air strike forced the driver to turn back. With the journey aborted, Mr Al Amsi returned to Gaza city, only to find himself trapped. Every lorry was booked and any places left were selling for a thousand dollars, he said.
If they cannot find a vehicle, he and 24 relatives, including children and the elderly, had resolved to walk, he said. “The situation is unbearable, and the longer it lasts, the worse it gets.”
Israel's push into the city came a day after Arab and Islamic nations condemned its actions at an emergency summit in Doha. They criticised what they called a flurry of Israeli aggression, from the Gaza war to Israel's strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar last week and bombardments of Lebanon, Syria and Iran, as well as its policies of settlement and expansion in the West Bank.
However, many Gazans lamented the lack of action from the Doha meeting, saying it would do nothing to alleviate their suffering.
“We thought the Arab summit might help,” Mr Al Amsi told The National. “But the statements disappointed us - no threat to Israel, no pressure.”
Another Gaza city resident, Tayseer Faraj, 36, said Gaza’s destruction would continue regardless of diplomacy. “The occupation tramples over agreements and condemnations,” he said.
Mr Rubio said the window of opportunity to reach a ceasefire was closing.
“Well, as you saw the Israelis have begun to take operations there. So, we think we have a very short window of time in which a deal can happen,” he said. “We don’t have months any more, and we probably have days and maybe a few weeks, so it's a key moment – an important moment.”
Israel's leaders have remained defiant in the face of international criticism. Defence Minister Katz said “Gaza is burning” in a post to X on Tuesday morning. “The [military] is striking with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure and soldiers are fighting heroically,” he added. “We will not relent and we will not go back – until the completion of the mission.”
Shortly after his post, UN investigators released a damning report accusing Israel of committing genocide in an effort to “destroy the Palestinians”. They also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials of incitement to the cause.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which does not speak on behalf of the world body and has faced Israeli criticism, found that “genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur”.
The commission is not a legal body, but its reports can influence diplomatic pressure and serve as evidence for later use by courts.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said it “categorically rejects this distorted and false report and calls for the immediate abolition of this commission of inquiry”.
The military also denied the accusations, highlighting its efforts to minimise civilian harm. It said it had recently fixed a new water line in Gaza providing 14 billion litres daily.
Mr Netanyahu and Mr Rubio said on Monday that the only way to end the conflict is the elimination of Hamas and the release of the 48 hostages held by the group. About 20 of them are believed to be alive.
Hamas has said it will only free the hostages in return for Palestinian detainees held in Israel, as well as a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
While the wrangling continues, Gazans continue to pay the price. “The children cry with every sound of shelling and gunfire. You feel like you wish you had never been born, never had children,” Mr Faraj told The National.
He and his six children chose to flee Gaza city for the south of the enclave, leaving behind what he said would be certain death.
“Gaza is a place where survival itself is a daily negotiation,” he said.
Arctic Monkeys
Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino)
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
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
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Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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.
New schools in Dubai
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Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
World Sevens Series standing after Dubai
1. South Africa
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. Australia
6. Samoa
7. Kenya
8. Scotland
9. France
10. Spain
11. Argentina
12. Canada
13. Wales
14. Uganda
15. United States
16. Russia
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
More coverage from the Future Forum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
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Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:
- 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
- 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
- 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
- 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
- 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
- 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
- 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
- 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
- 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
- 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
