Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The White House on Tuesday said that Israel and Hamas should be able to settle their differences in talks aimed at securing a ceasefire.
It was a rare expression of optimism amid the months-long Israel-Gaza war.
“They should be able to close the remaining gaps and we're going to do everything we can to support that process and achieve that,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
“Everybody is coming to the table.”
Mr Kirby said CIA director William Burns would attend the ceasefire talks in Cairo.
US officials have not set out the details of the proposal, but Washington, along with mediators from Qatar and Egypt, have for weeks been pushing for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza, during which hostages held by Hamas would be released in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.
During the ceasefire, much-needed humanitarian aid would be funnelled into Gaza, Israeli forces would withdraw gradually and displaced Palestinians would be able to return home.
But on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the army would proceed with a long-threatened ground operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
Displaced Gazans react to Hamas ceasefire agreement – video
About 100,000 Palestinians were ordered to evacuate the area and on Tuesday, Israel sent tanks into Rafah, seizing control of the border crossing with Egypt.
The move has caused concern that an imminent famine could worsen, as the Rafah crossing – the main passage for aid into Gaza – has been closed.
The second major entry, the Karam Abu Salem crossing, has been closed for days.
US President Joe Biden's administration has warned against a major operation in Rafah, as it would endanger the about 1.5 million Palestinians who have been sheltering there after fleeing from fighting elsewhere.
Mr Kirby said that Israel had told the US that its military operation in Rafah would be limited in time, scale and scope, and would be aimed at stopping weapons and funds being smuggled to Hamas.
“We're going to be monitoring this situation very, very closely to see how it unfolds,” he said.
“Our views on Rafah remain the same.”
Israel launched an unprecedented military offensive in Gaza on October 7, after Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 and taking scores hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
About 34,800 Palestinians have been killed in the seven months since, according to local health authorities, and much of the coastal enclave has been reduced to rubble.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
