Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
The White House on Wednesday said the US wants to see a credible plan from Israel that addresses three main “realities” before it launches a major military operation on the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden's administration is having “intensive” conversations with the Israeli government on the safety of civilians, access to humanitarian aid and the potential that Palestinians would be pushed into Egyptian territory.
“We need answers to the question, not only where do people go, but how do they get a sustained level of aid, food, medicine, water and shelter,” Mr Sullivan said during a briefing at the White House.
“And then, the third reality is that this is pressed right up against the Egyptian border. And you've heard directly from the Egyptians – they're concerned about what that could potentially mean on that border.”
The comments come as the Biden administration has been pushing for a six-week humanitarian pause during which aid could enter the besieged strip and hostages held by Hamas could be released.
Mr Sullivan said diplomatic efforts were still ongoing for a deal with “multiple phases” that would lead to hostages being released in increments, which would then open up “potential options for where things can go from there”.
Latest from the Israel-Gaza war – in pictures
Even before a major military campaign on Rafah, a shipment of much-needed flour has been blocked by Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, despite assurances to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that aid would flow through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
“That flour has not moved the way that we had expected would move and we expect that Israel will follow through on its commitment to get that flour into Gaza,” Mr Sullivan said.
“But we are asking the question, how do you do something like Rafah and sure all those innocent people are not only are protected physically but can have access to it?”
Mr Sullivan would not say what the Biden administration would do if Israel pressed forward with its military campaign in Rafah.
The comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to launch “powerful action” in Rafah after allowing civilians to leave, his government said on Wednesday.
Mr Netanyahu said he wants to press on with the war until Hamas, the group that attacked Israel on October 7, is eradicated.
But Israeli bombardments of the tiny coastal enclave by air, land and sea have killed more than 28,500 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians.
The Biden administration has strongly supported Israel's right to defend itself, but in recent weeks, it has been calling on Mr Netanyahu to conduct more surgical strikes and lower civilian casualties.
Mr Biden, who is running for re-election, has stopped short of condemning Israel's conduct in Gaza or placing conditions on military aid.
Gazans brace for Israeli invasion of Rafah – video
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
FIGHT CARD
Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)
Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)
Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)
Read more about the coronavirus
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
