A defining characteristic of the bitter conflict that has racked the Middle East since October 7 last year is its sheer number of outrageous – almost unprecedented – incidents.
From an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria to Houthi drones and missiles travelling thousands of kilometres to land in Israel – not to mention Hamas’s attack on Israeli towns and the collective punishment of Palestinians still taking place in Gaza – barely a week goes by without another scarcely believable development.
Yesterday’s audacious – and indiscriminate – attack on Hezbollah’s pager network in Lebanon is another such incident. It is also another step on the road to an uncontrollable war.
As the devices exploded in homes, supermarkets and on the streets, it became apparent that this was quantitatively different to the kind of targeted assassinations often attributed to Israel’s intelligence services. Footage posted online showed devices blowing up beside Lebanese civilians going about their day. In addition to members of Hezbollah killed and injured, two of those killed were children.
The National spoke to one woman as she waited for news about injured relatives. The scenes she saw in Beirut’s Bahman Hospital were straight out of a film, she said: “There was blood everywhere, people without eyes, holes in their back and their hands covered in blood.”
There was a time when such incidents would have led to focused diplomatic efforts to contain and be analysed for weeks. Now, one startling event in this spiralling conflict is swiftly followed by another, leaving people in the Levant with the feeling that things are now utterly out of control. Lebanese civilians are living in terror, Gaza has been destroyed, the West Bank is under attack and Israeli civilians displaced from the north of the country are fearful of strikes from as far away as Yemen. Officials and humanitarians seem unable to stop this drumbeat of escalation.
Yet, that is exactly what must happen – and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, something demanded by the vast majority of the international community, should be the starting point. In his exclusive interview with The National published today, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that “we are seeing the risks of spreading this conflict to Lebanon, to other parts of the Middle East”. However, he also made clear that despite regional tensions, “hope is the last thing we should lose”, adding that “negotiations are going on and … problems that exist are relatively minor if there is political will to solve them”.
There was a time when such incidents would have been analysed for weeks. Now, one incredible event in this conflict is swiftly followed by another
Although that political will seems in short supply right now, events like yesterday’s mass bombing in Lebanon may leave the various protagonists with no option but to return to the path of peace. Hezbollah has little to show for its interventions since October 7 and a failure to respond will be seen as weakness. But a strong response could lead to Israel carrying out a more intense attack that could devastate Lebanon.
Similarly, Israel is under considerable pressure on several fronts – politically, militarily and diplomatically. Its apparent escalation in Lebanon invites an armed response that makes it less likely that it will achieve its stated war aim of enabling thousands of internally displaced civilians to return home.
Given the dizzying pace of incredible events and red lines being crossed in this war, it is more vital than ever that there is a ceasefire in Gaza, the remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees are released and that the political process be restarted with international support. The alternative is waiting for another attack – or mistake – that could tip the balance into full-scale war.
The view from The National
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
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The biog
Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.
Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.
Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.
Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
