No parent should ever have to see their child's ashen face in a body bag, or under the rubble of destroyed residential buildings. Neither should any child have to endure the injustice, hunger and misery of being orphaned, witnessing killing after killing and being robbed of a future, as thousands of children have for far too long in Gaza.
But the images and videos of yet another horrific Israeli attack on northern Gaza on Saturday, this time claiming at least 87 Palestinian lives in the residential area of Beit Lahia and wounding dozens more, has again provided a glimpse of the scale of human tragedy still unfolding a year after the heinous Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the subsequent start of the Gaza war. The attack on Beit Lahia, though, appears to have dispelled any notion of the war imminently coming to a halt.
After the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this was "the beginning of the end of the war". For the families in Gaza, however, it might appear that there is no such end in sight.
Israel's attacks on Saturday and Sunday on southern Beirut, where 36 people have been killed in 48 hours, have defied international calls for a ceasefire. Israeli aggression could even press on further, as it looks to capitalise on the momentum of the high-profile killings of its adversaries to retaliate against Iran's ballistic missile strikes on its territory this month or the Houthi attacks.
But instead of fanning a multi-front regional war, and following its assassinations of Sinwar and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last month, this should be an "inflection point" for Israel, as the US administration put it. Israel also ought to seriously examine whether its tactic of eliminating the heads of Hezbollah and Hamas can really put an end to these organisations' ideologies.
Even without a new leader as yet, Hamas could deliver respite to the suffering people of Gaza by working towards a resolution to end the war – to start with, by accounting for and returning the hostages to their families. Israel needs to pay serious heed to Washington's recent admonishments, and its 30-day ultimatum for Israel to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The starvation of Gazans is a development that demands urgent attention. Palestinians cannot afford to wait 30 days, even as Israel persecutes UNRWA, the UN agency that supports relief and human development of Palestinian refugees and ensures food supplies and aid reach Gaza. It is with due consideration of its indispensable work that more than 120 UN member states, including the UAE, on Thursday called for its protection of the agency.
Israel, too, is facing a ticking clock, low as it is on air defences and with its economy having suffered over the past year. Friends and partners have either suspended, or threatened to suspend, arms export licences to it. Its soldiers are fatigued, with many of its reservists having been on duty for more than 200 days. Mr Netanyahu should also factor in the voices of many of his compatriots, who want most of all the return of the Hamas-held hostages.
As much as Hamas must negotiate the safe return of these hostages and bring much-needed respite to exhausted, displaced and bereaved Palestinians, Israel must end its assaults on Gaza and Lebanon. The price of continuing to violate UN resolutions and international law would be too high, and one that will be paid, most unfairly, by grieving civilians on all sides.
Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
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The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
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Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
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