Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Abdulla Okal’s wife Haneen and their three young children – all American citizens – were at the Rafah border crossing on the verge of leaving Gaza on Tuesday when Israeli shells began to fall.
As the air strikes continued, Ms Okal realised she had little choice but to return to her parents’ house in the northern Gaza Strip.
It is a family's worst “nightmare”, Mr Okal said.
Encouraged by a recent Israeli decision to enable the entry of Palestinian Americans to Gaza, the New Jersey family decided to spend the summer in the enclave, partly so Ms Okal could give birth in her homeland, surrounded by her extended family, for the first time.
Mr Okal left Gaza on August 19 to return to the US and get his newborn son an American passport so the whole family could leave together. But before that could happen, Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, prompting Israel to declare war on Gaza.
The conflict has already claimed thousands of lives in Gaza and Israel.
“It’s very painful and I am under so much stress,” Mr Okal told The National from New Jersey. “I wish I was with them. At least we could die together. I am just constantly waiting for text messages to tell me they’re still alive.”
Ms Okal and her children, aged eight, two and two months, are among an unknown number of US citizens trapped in the Gaza Strip. They and their families back home are demanding that US President Joe Biden do more to stop the Israeli strikes and help them to leave Gaza.
“There is clear discrimination. There are many American citizens in Gaza – we’re just like everyone else,” Mr Okal said. He added that he has yet to receive any updates on the situation from the US embassy in Jerusalem.
“President Biden needs to listen to the other side, too.”
On Wednesday, US media reported that the US government was negotiating with Israel and Egypt to create safe passage for American citizens to leave Gaza.
“We do think it’s important that American citizens who are in Gaza be allowed to leave and it’s an issue that we are working on,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told CNN.
“We’re doing that quietly, like a lot of the diplomatic efforts we undertake. It’s not something that is productive to speak about publicly, but it is something we’re trying to achieve.”
Palestinians in Gaza have been struggling to find safety as Israeli warplanes bombard neighbourhoods, reducing them to rubble.
Israel has completely sealed off the tiny enclave, where 2.3 million people live, cutting off food, water, electricity, medicine and other supplies. The territory's only power plant ran out of fuel on Wednesday.
The White House on Wednesday said that US officials were holding discussions with Israel and Egypt to create a safe passage for civilians to leave Gaza.
"We support safe passages for civilians, civilians are not to blame for what Hamas has done," White House National Security spokesman John Kirby told journalists during a news conference.
"They didn't do anything wrong. And we continue to support safe passages."
On Tuesday, Mr Biden said a number of Americans are among the hostages that were taken by Hamas after the militants' surprise attack on Israel.
He said he was directing a team to share intelligence and send experts to help Israel in recovering the hostages. He made no mention of efforts to help Palestinian Americans leave the territory.
Dina Abu Dagga, another American citizen originally from Gaza, said she knows eight Americans who are currently trapped there.
Ms Abu Dagga says 17 of her family members, among them cousins and their children, have been killed in recent days.
“All the homes in my family’s neighbourhood were destroyed – there is no semblance of life left,” Ms Abu Dagga, who lives in Fresno, California, told The National.
“None of them are Hamas or support Hamas and the children, they’d done nothing wrong except to be born there. They just drank milk and wore diapers.”
Her 85-year old mother – who is in poor health – her brother and sister are still there, she said. They have had to move four times in search of safety.
“My husband and I sleep with our phones in our hands. I have the urge to scream,” Ms Abu Dagga said.
A day before, when she had not heard from her sister for several hours, she thought she had died.
“I feel powerless. I can’t do anything, and I don’t know if I will ever see my family again.”
Mr Okal said his wife and children have moved twice after being instructed to leave the Tel Al Zaatar neighbourhood where they had been staying.
They are now staying with a relative. If that neighbourhood becomes unsafe, they will have nowhere else to go.
“I am asking that my government stop this bloodshed and provide protection to the civilians and allow water, food and electricity to the people in Gaza,” he said.
Israel carries out strikes on Gaza's Rafah border crossing – video
Racecard
6pm: The Pointe - Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.35pm: Palm West Beach - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (T) 1,800m
7.10pm: The View at the Palm - Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.45pm: Nakeel Graduate Stakes - Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
8.20pm: Club Vista Mare - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: The Palm Fountain - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm: The Palm Tower - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE squad
Ali Kashief, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdelrahman, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Mohmmed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammad Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Eisa, Mohammed Shakir, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Adel Al Hosani, Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah), Waleed Abbas, Ismail Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai) Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Mahrami (Baniyas)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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.
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
Company%20profile
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
The biog
Born: near Sialkot, Pakistan, 1981
Profession: Driver
Family: wife, son (11), daughter (8)
Favourite drink: chai karak
Favourite place in Dubai: The neighbourhood of Khawaneej. “When I see the old houses over there, near the date palms, I can be reminded of my old times. If I don’t go down I cannot recall my old times.”
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
RACECARD
6pm Emaar Dubai Sprint – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
6.35pm Graduate Stakes – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm Al Khail Trophy – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 2,810m
7.45pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
8.20pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 2,000m
8.55pm Downtown Dubai Cup – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 1,400m
9.30pm Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,600m
10.05pm Dubai Sprint – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
