A wounded Palestinianis is taken to Nasser Hospital after Israeli troops opened fire on civilians gathered for aid in Rafah. Getty images
A wounded Palestinianis is taken to Nasser Hospital after Israeli troops opened fire on civilians gathered for aid in Rafah. Getty images
A wounded Palestinianis is taken to Nasser Hospital after Israeli troops opened fire on civilians gathered for aid in Rafah. Getty images
A wounded Palestinianis is taken to Nasser Hospital after Israeli troops opened fire on civilians gathered for aid in Rafah. Getty images

Death toll in Gaza exceeds 65,000 as Israeli troops push on


Amr Mostafa
  • English
  • Arabic

Israel's war in Gaza has now killed more than 65,000 people, the strip's health authorities said on Wednesday, as a human rights group said the Israeli army was employing tactics “like ISIS” to clear the enclave of its civilian population.

Dozens were killed on Wednesday as Israeli troops pushed on with a campaign to seize Gaza city. The Israeli army said it has attacked more than 150 sites in the city since a ground offensive began on Tuesday.

In one incident, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported a "massacre" of civilians near Gaza city's Al Shifa hospital, in which 13 people were reportedly killed amid "shock and panic".

Troops are pushing to capture the city after weeks of heavy Israeli bombardment. Facing growing isolation abroad, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for Israel to pursue arms manufacturing that can “withstand international constraints”.

A human rights group said Israel blew up 10 booby-trapped armoured vehicles in Gaza city early on Wednesday, in an apparent tactic to destroy neighbourhoods. Israeli troops have ordered Palestinians to leave their homes and head south.

“This represents a more extreme and brutal adaptation of tactics once used by ISIS in Syria and Iraq,” the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said.

Israeli tanks at the border fence with Gaza. AFP
Israeli tanks at the border fence with Gaza. AFP

Among the casualties in Gaza city on Wednesday were six people killed in attacks on Al Shati camp, and two who died in a strike near Al Ahli Arab Hospital, according to Wafa.

A man, his pregnant wife and their daughter were killed in a bombing on Nuseirat camp in central Gaza.

Gaza's Health Ministry increased the overall death toll to 65,062 and 156,697 injured during Israel's war in the strip. It said four more people had died from starvation, with more than 150 dead from famine since the UN declared the crisis had reached that stage.

Israel said it had opened a “temporary transportation route” for Gaza city residents to leave by Salah Al Din Street, a north-to-south route through the middle of Gaza. It said the route would be open for 48 hours.

Residents have until now been leaving Gaza city by a coastal road beset by long queues and rip-off charges for people to transport their belongings. Many were reluctant to leave the city even as it faces daily bombardment.

In the space of two days, the Israeli air force and artillery corps “struck over 150 terror targets throughout Gaza city in support of the manoeuvring troops in the area”, the Israeli army said.

"If Hamas does not release the hostages and disarm, Gaza city will be destroyed and turned into a monument to the rapists and murderers of Hamas," Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on X. A group of dissenting Israeli soldiers meanwhile accused the army of a "policy of ethnic cleansing".

Soldiers for the Hostages, a group of Israeli troops who say they can no longer fight out of conscience, condemned comments by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich describing the destruction of Gaza city as a "demolition phase" and part of an "urban renewal plan".

Israel is pushing on with an offensive in Gaza city despite warnings of the catastrophic humanitarian situation there. AFP
Israel is pushing on with an offensive in Gaza city despite warnings of the catastrophic humanitarian situation there. AFP

Pope Leo XIV offered solidarity to the population of Gaza, saying civilians had been “once again” forced from their land and were living in “unacceptable conditions”.

“I express my deep solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza who continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, being forcibly displaced once again from their lands,” said the pontiff after his general audience.

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, hit out at Israel over its wars on several fronts in the region and the human suffering caused.

He said the last “two bloody years” have led to a “geopolitical earthquake” that continues to unfold, adding that a unified Arab project “remains absent”.

“The Israeli wars, militia adventures, and regional crises have redrawn the political map over two bloody years,” Dr Gargash wrote on social media. “Human suffering and the repercussions of the geopolitical earthquake continue to unfold."

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Boulder shooting victims

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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

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Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

History's medical milestones

1799 - First small pox vaccine administered

1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery

1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases

1895 - Discovery of x-rays

1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time

1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin

1953 - Structure of DNA discovered

1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place 

1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill

1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.

1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out

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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.

Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.

The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.

Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
  1. Steve Baker
  2. Peter Bone
  3. Ben Bradley
  4. Andrew Bridgen
  5. Maria Caulfield​​​​​​​
  6. Simon Clarke 
  7. Philip Davies
  8. Nadine Dorries​​​​​​​
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THE BIO

Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place

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First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group

Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business

Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne

Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia

Family: Six sisters

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand

October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia

UAE gold medallists:

Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.

Test

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Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year

2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
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Investment raised: $4 million 
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

TOURNAMENT INFO

Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier

Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November

UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Sri Lanka v England

First Test, at Galle
England won by 211

Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs

Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27

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'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: September 18, 2025, 6:25 AM`