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
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
THE SPECS
GMC Sierra Denali 1500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
if you go
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Company%20Profile
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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
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
Step by step
2070km to run
38 days
273,600 calories consumed
28kg of fruit
40kg of vegetables
45 pairs of running shoes
1 yoga matt
1 oxygen chamber
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
