The 20-point Gaza peace plan being celebrated on Monday by US President Donald Trump and world leaders gathered in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh comes in three stages.
The implementation of the plan's first stage began when a ceasefire took hold in Gaza on Friday. On Monday, the process continued with the release of 20 living hostages held by Hamas and nearly 2,000 Palestinians who had been incarcerated in Israeli prisons.
Humanitarian aid also began to flow into Gaza, where acute hunger has been widespread. Many have died of starvation and famine has taken hold in parts of the Palestinian enclave.
Some remains of 28 hostages who died while in captivity were to be handed over by Hamas later on Monday. The handover of the rest of the bodies would signal the end of the first phase which, by all accounts, appears to be the easiest of the three.
Here's a breakdown of the plan's three phases:
Phase one
The immediate cessation of hostilities, with all military operations suspended and front lines frozen, and the release of all Israeli hostages, alive and deceased, within 72 hours.
Furthermore, the plan stipulates the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, including 250 who were serving life sentences and 1,700 who had been detained since the war began two years ago.
Humanitarian aid also begins to flow into Gaza, with some 500 to 600 lorryloads of supplies entering the territory every day.
Phase two
Negotiations to begin on the disarmament of Hamas, steps to ensure Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza and the de-radicalisation of the enclave, which has been under Hamas rule since 2007. This phase also offers Hamas leaders amnesty and safe passage out of Gaza and into exile.
It also provides for the creation of an international stabilisation force made up of US, Arab and European personnel to maintain security in Gaza. Also provided in this phase is the training by Egypt and Jordan of a Palestinian police force and the creation of a council of independent Palestinian technocrats to run the day-to-day affairs of Gaza under international supervision.
Phase three
The reconstruction of Gaza should begin in this phase with Arab and international funds. Also in this phase is the creation of the Board of Peace to oversee the governing and reconstruction of Gaza. This body will be chaired by President Trump himself and include former UK prime minister Tony Blair.
What's next for Gaza after Israel-Hamas deal?
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.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
The five pillars of Islam
COMPANY PROFILE
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Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
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Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
