US President Joe Biden on Friday hailed the “start of a process” after 13 Israeli hostages and 39 Palestinian detainees were released on the first of a four-day truce in Gaza.
Mr Biden said the effort was the result of “extensive diplomacy” and that the US was determined to bring all hostages home.
“Today has been a product a lot of hard work and weeks of personal engagement,” Mr Biden said in remarks from Nantucket, Massachusetts.
“We expect more hostages to be released tomorrow, and more the day after, and more the day after that.”
The four-day truce is a temporary pause in a war that has gone on for seven weeks, during which more than 14,500 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and much of the coastal enclave has been reduced to rubble.
US officials say nine Americans have been held in Gaza since October 7, when Hamas gunmen launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostage.
“It is my hope and expectation” that the American hostages will be released soon, Mr Biden said, adding that their conditions and locations were still unknown.
“We will not stop until we get these hostages brought home and an answer to their whereabouts,” he said.
As part of the deal, 39 Palestinian women and minors held in Israeli prisons were released on Friday, the first of a total of 150 who were due to be freed from detention.
More than a hundred lorries carrying critical medical supplies, food and water entered the besieged Gaza Strip on Friday, the UN said, the biggest convoy since the war started.
Israel blocked the entry of food, water, medicine and fuel to Gaza on October 7, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
“I've consistently pressed for a pause in the fighting for two reasons: to accelerate and expand humanitarian assistance going into Gaza and to facilitate the release of hostages,” Mr Biden said.
Ten Thai citizens and one Filipino were also freed on Friday in a separate agreement, according to Qatar, which has been a critical mediator in the deal.
The Biden administration has so far opposed a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, saying it supports Israel's aim of eradicating Hamas.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
