An Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank that killed at least 11 Palestinians and wounded more than 100 others was “worth the risk”, Yaakov Amidror, the former head of the Israeli National Security Council, told The National on Thursday.
The operation was launched in the city of Nablus against three suspects “planning attacks in the immediate future” and the threat was “neutralised”, the Israeli Defence Forces and Israel Security Agency said.
The death toll was the highest for a single raid since the Second Intifada, or uprising, ended in 2005.
It was described as a “massacre” by top Palestinian official Hussein Al Sheikh, who called for “international protection for our people”.
But despite heavy Palestinian losses, Mr Amidror said the operation was “clearly worth the risk”.
He added that the operation was “a decision that could not be postponed”.
“The information was that there was a terror group very ready for an attack,” he continued.
“The decision was based on assessing the risk of losing the operatives. In the end, the risk of going into Nablus was less than letting them go out and hide somewhere else.”
He played down fears that the operation might escalate tension, leading to a new intifada.
“As far as we understand the situation in the West Bank today, the risk of a new intifada is very limited,” he said.
“Hamas and Islamic Jihad have less influence on the ground than they used to.”
But escalation seems to be occurring regardless. Before dawn on Thursday, Palestinian militants fired rockets from Gaza at Israel, prompting air strikes by the army on several sites in the coastal enclave.
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rockets, after saying one of its commanders was killed in the Nablus raid.
The Israeli army said it had intercepted five rockets, while a sixth struck an uninhabited area.
Two hours later, Israeli air strikes were launched against a “weapons factory” and a “military camp” run by Gaza's rulers Hamas, the army said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned those firing rockets into Israel: “Whoever tries to attack us will pay the price”.
International actors have called for an end to the violence. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the “immediate priority must be to prevent further escalation”, describing the situation as “its most combustible in years.”
The UN's Middle East envoy travelled to the area on Thursday.
The US said it was “extremely concerned by the levels of violence” and called for de-escalation.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
