Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas on Monday, saying that if all Israeli hostages were not freed from Gaza by noon on Saturday, then “all hell is going to break out”.
“As far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o'clock – I think it's an appropriate time – I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out,” he said. “And if they're not returned – all of them, not in dribs and drabs … after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out.”
He added that Israel could “override” such a decision. Asked whether the US would intervene in Gaza after the Saturday deadline, Mr Trump said: “We’ll see what happens.”
It was not clear what time zone the noon deadline would fall under.
Hamas earlier on Monday announced it would delay the release of hostages after saying Israel had committed breaches and failed to abide by the terms of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement struck three weeks ago.
The development comes during phase one of a fragile pause in the 16-month war in Gaza. Under the terms, brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt, Israeli hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.
The ceasefire began on January 19, the day before Mr Trump took office.
More than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes and most of Gaza's homes and infrastructure have been reduced to rubble. The war was ignited on October 7, 2023 when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel killing 1,200 and taking about 250 people hostage.
Mr Trump's comments also come after the US President has been pushing a proposal to permanently displace roughly two million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, while saying the US would “own” the coastal enclave and develop it. Palestinians would not have the right to return after the coastal enclave is rebuilt, he said.
He first made the proposal last week during the official visit of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington. He said he would turn the enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
The President's relocation plan has been met with almost unequivocal rejection from Arab and world leaders as well as the UN and Palestinians, who have said such a move would be a grave injustice and amount to ethnic cleansing.
Mr Trump said Palestinians would be sent to Jordan and Egypt, though both countries have rejected the proposal.
The President has so far insisted that the two countries, as well as others would take displaced Palestinians.
“I do think he'll take [Palestinians],” he said, referring to Jordan's King Abdullah II, who is visiting the White House on Tuesday. “And I think other countries will take also, they have good hearts.”
And when asked if he would withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if they do not comply with his plan, he said: “Yeah, maybe, sure why not? If they don’t, I would conceivably withhold aid, yes.”
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is expected to visit Washington next week, although his trip has not yet been officially announced.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Washington on Monday to discuss “post-conflict planning” for Gaza.
A readout from the State Department made no mention of Mr Trump’s displacement plan. He has said Egypt and Jordan would take the refugees, but both countries have repeatedly said they would not.
Mr Abdelatty told Mr Rubio that Arab states remain firm in their stance against the President's proposals, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Match will be shown on BeIN Sports
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
A%20MAN%20FROM%20MOTIHARI
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THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE BOX:
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence
Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($800,000)
Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC
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.
SPECS
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Company%C2%A0profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Scoreline
Chelsea 1
Azpilicueta (36')
West Ham United 1
Hernandez (73')
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
