US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan invited several leaders of Arab American and Muslim American groups to the White House on Friday to discuss the latest developments in the Israel-Gaza war, a source told The National.
Mr Sullivan and members of his team discussed the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip and helping civilians, including Palestinian Americans, to leave.
Mr Sullivan “basically said they're pushing for humanitarian aid”, a source told The National.
“He said they pushed back against Israelis for giving the Palestinians only 24 hours to move from the north to the centre [of Gaza].”
During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, Arab American figures also raised concerns about a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Arab sentiment in the US, the source said.
The meeting comes amid mounting concerns in Washington and around the world about the looming deadline that Israel gave more than one million Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip to flee.
The UN and other organisations warned of a humanitarian crisis that could impact the 2.3 million residents of the Strip after the Israeli government cut off water, electricity, food and medicine supplies to the Palestinian enclave.
They called on the siege to be lifted to allow in aid.
Israel has been bombarding entire neighbourhoods in Gaza since Saturday, after Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented attack on parts of Israel's south, killing about 1,300 people and taking scores of hostages.
President Joe Biden on Friday said it was a priority “to urgently address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” and that US teams were working with the governments of Israel, Egypt, Jordan and other Arab nations as well as the UN.
“We can't lose sight of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Palestinians have nothing to do with Hamas, and Hamas' appalling attacks,” he said during a visit to Philadelphia, “and they're suffering as a result as well.”
Israel-Gaza war latest – in pictures
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:
- Former first lady Hillary Clinton
- Former US president Barack Obama
- Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
- Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
- California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
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
The%20specs%20
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MATCH INFO
Watford 2 (Sarr 50', Deeney 54' pen)
Manchester United 0
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
EXPATS
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
SUZUME
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Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding