It is a ‘Catch-22’ situation for Israel if it sends troops into Gaza, which is densely populated and where dozens of Israeli citizens are believed to be held hostage by Hamas militants, a former Israeli intelligence officer said.
A ground offensive will increase the risks to the hostages while also giving Israeli forces the location of those citizens and soldiers kidnapped by Hamas, Avi Melamed, who has served in intelligence field positions for Israel, told The National.
Israel has ordered more than a million people from northern Gaza to flee to the south ahead of an imminent ground offensive into the Hamas territory, which the UN said “defies the rules of war and basic humanity.”
It follows a surprise October 7 attack by Hamas into Israel, killing about 1,300 people, mostly civilians. Israel responded with a ferocious bombardment of the heavily populated Gaza enclave, home to 2.3 million people, killing at least 2,200 people, also mostly civilians.
“When Israel is present on the ground, it will have accurate information and intelligence to find where the hostages are and in what condition,” said Mr Melamed, who is the author of the book Inside the Middle East.
“But we are also aware that the ground operation also could increase the chances of jeopardy for hostages.”
In the past if Israel avoided ground invasion because of concerns about casualties among Israeli soldiers, he said, but this time, the story is “totally different.”
Israel lost 67 soldiers and suffered hundreds wounded during the last major ground incursion into Gaza, in 2014.
“It is no longer relevant because the Israeli army has already lost hundreds of soldiers and civilians,” he said of the attack by Hamas, which killed 264 soldiers.
Israel said more than 1,000 Hamas fighters were killed in the fighting.
“Israel is determined to destroy Hamas’s and (Palestinian) Islamic Jihad’s military and organisational capacities. And wipe it out completely from Gaza so that they will not play a disruptive role in Gaza and in the wider region.”
Gaza tunnels will aid Hamas
Military analysts think a ground offensive would mean maximum casualties on both sides, but the extensive network of tunnels dug by Hamas will come to their aid.
Riyadh Kahwaji, a UAE-based security and defence analyst, told The National that a ground offensive is “very risky” for Israelis.
“Gaza is known to have a lot of tunnels which they (Israelis) don’t know the details about. This will enable Hamas fighters to move without Israeli soldiers spotting them, and strike.
“Invading a city means, street-to-street and door-to-door fighting where Hamas is strongly entrenched. They are experienced guerrilla fighters and have shown sophistication in their use of weapons, anti-tank, rockets and drones,” said Mr Kahwaji.
To reduce the casualties, he said its is likely Israelis will be “pounding everything”.
“They will be using a scorched earth tactic. So, it will be horrendous and utter destruction of Gaza, and civilians in the area will pay a heavy price. It is going to be really ugly for both sides.”
Civilian casualties the biggest challenge
While going ahead with a ground offensive, Israel will have to try to minimise as much as possible death and injury to civilians, according to Mr Melamed.
“And we know that Hamas is using civilians in Gaza as a human shield, so that will make the ground offensive a complex task,” he said.
Hence, a significant component of Israel’s military planning before a ground invasion, he said, will include how to take care of people of the Gaza Strip.
“So, I would expect for example, that Israel will very quickly ensure a humanitarian corridor that will enable the civilians that are not involved in the fight to move to safer areas.”
Hezbollah’s involvement
If the Iran-backed Hezbollah becomes directly involved in the Gaza conflict, Mr Melamed said it can cause “severe damage to Israel.”
“Hezbollah’s military capabilities have doubled or even quadrupled in the last few years. All these rockets, missiles and drones and special units they have, that can storm into Israeli territories, this is a significant threat.”
Hezbollah is thought to possess about 150,000 rockets and missiles, around 10 times what they possessed in the last Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006 – if estimates are correct.
But considering the stern warning from the US and the severe economic and political situation in Lebanon, he said Hezbollah may not decide on full-scale war.
“In the current conditions, I think that the Hezbollah will be hesitant.”
After the complete elimination of Hamas and dismantling of its military infrastructure and organisational capacity, Mr Melamed said Israel will not be interested in staying in the enclave, from where it pulled out its forces in 2005.
“Of course, Israel does not want to stay in Gaza forever. Hamas has to be made irrelevant in the sense that it will not be any more able to dictate the agenda of Gaza Strip, the agenda of Israel, and the agenda of the region. That is the main objective.”
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.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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