Gazans celebrated in the streets on Thursday after news spread that the war is on the brink of a ceasefire, although many felt a mix of joy and caution as Israel struck the north of the enclave.
Israel and Hamas late on Wednesday agreed to the first phase of a peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump, with the agreement set to take effect within hours.
All remaining hostages held by Hamas are due to be released and Israel is to withdraw its troops in Gaza to a line within the enclave. It is an extraordinary breakthrough after more than two years of war that has devastated Gaza and shaken politics across the Middle East.
Many people within the enclave have been left feeling a mix of elation and anxiety, as doubt persists over whether the ceasefire will hold. The agreement still needs to be approved by Israel's cabinet on Thursday afternoon.
"I can’t believe the war has stopped – we’re waiting until this afternoon to be sure, but people are already very happy, celebrating and congratulating one another," said Samar Dawood, 25, a mother to a toddler girl.
"But after everything we’ve lived through, after all the pain, this happiness feels incomplete."
She said many Gazans were thinking about returning to their homes, even though most had no idea whether those buildings were still standing after Israeli bombardments. Much of Gaza has been flattened and its residents displaced.
Even with the first phase of the peace deal agreed to, Israel still launched attacks on Thursday morning. Palestinian media reported artillery shells were fired at Al Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza and an air strike destroyed a house at dawn. Military robots also carried out demolitions and detonated explosives in Al Sabra neighbourhood.
The southern city of Khan Younis was hit by strikes early on Thursday, while Al Bureij displacement camp faced artillery shelling.
Gaza's government media office called on people to "exercise utmost caution" and to limit travel until Palestinian authorities issue an "official, clear and confirmed announcement" on the ceasefire.
"We still don’t know if this is a ceasefire or a true end to the war," said Shahd Abu Za’nounah, 23, who has been displaced to Deir Al Balah. "It’s too early to be optimistic. Our experience with both sides has taught us that we must remain cautious."
She said any feelings of happiness were "incomplete because our house was destroyed, and I don’t know where I will stay when I return to my home in Gaza city".
Footage from the streets of Gaza showed Palestinians dancing, clapping and singing early on Thursday as news of the agreement circulated. A crowd of around a dozen young men shouted joyful chants of "Allahu akbar", meaning God is the greatest, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, as one man lifted another onto his shoulders.
Gaza resident Rowan Zaqout, 24, expressed feelings of joy and trepidation.
“I woke up in the middle of the night after hearing the news about a ceasefire. My feelings were mixed – I didn’t know whether to be happy or to wait," she said. "I decided to wait before allowing myself to feel optimistic. But in the morning, I found everyone was sharing the news of the war stopping.
"At that moment, I felt relieved and happy, though also anxious and tense. People, until the very last moment, are unsure whether to trust it because we’ve experienced this before – moments of hope followed by deep disappointment. We just pray that the agreement holds."
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
AIR
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBen%20Affleck%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMatt%20Damon%2C%20Jason%20Bateman%2C%20Ben%20Affleck%2C%20Viola%20Davis%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
Saturday results
Qatar beat Kuwait by 26 runs
Bahrain beat Maldives by six wickets
UAE beat Saudi Arabia by seven wickets
Monday fixtures
Maldives v Qatar
Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
Bahrain v UAE
* The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
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HOW TO WATCH
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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 candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
RESULT
Australia 3 (0) Honduras 1 (0)
Australia: Jedinak (53', 72' pen, 85' pen)
Honduras: Elis (90 4)
MANDOOB
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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Apple's%20Lockdown%20Mode%20at%20a%20glance
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