Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The US said on Friday that it had proposed a "bridge" plan to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, but accused Hamas of publicly claiming flexibility while privately making "entirely impractical" demands.
A statement released by the office of US special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said the proposal presented on Wednesday was meant to extend the truce through the middle of April, after the end of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, to allow time to negotiate a permanent ceasefire.
It also called for the immediate release of dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, who is being held by Hamas.
Mr Witkoff was in Doha this week and met mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Israel to discuss ceasefire efforts, which the White House accused the Palestinian militant group of derailing.
"Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not," Mr Witkoff was quoted by his office as saying. "Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes."
The development comes nearly two weeks after a the first phase of the ceasefire deal in Gaza ended without an agreement on how to proceed.
Israel has stopped the flow of all food and electricity into war-torn Gaza, home to about two million Palestinians, to pressure Hamas into making concessions. The move has drawn accusations of collective punishment by the UN and other aid groups.
The war began on October 7, after Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people, with about 250 taken hostage. Israel responded by launching a punishing military campaign on Gaza that has killed more than 47,000 people. It has also levelled much of the territory.
Israel believes about 25 hostages are still alive and being held by Hamas and other groups. In the statement, the White House warned that Hamas should either release hostages immediately or be prepared to "pay a severe price".
President Donald Trump, who took office on the day after the ceasefire came into effect, has said that securing the release of hostages is a priority.
He has also floated a proposal to permanently resettle Palestinians from Gaza abroad, to make way for a plan to turn the coastal enclave into the the "Riviera of the Middle East". He appeared to walk this back somewhat this week, however, telling reporters that "nobody is expelling any Palestinians” from Gaza.
Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
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Biog:
Age: 34
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite sport: anything extreme
Favourite person: Muhammad Ali
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
More coverage from the Future Forum
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 5 -7
World Sevens Series Pools
A – Fiji, France, Argentina, Japan
B – United States, Australia, Scotland, Ireland
C – New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, Wales
D – South Africa, England, Spain, Kenya
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
