Israel-Gaza fighting enters fifth day as truce effort falters


  • English
  • Arabic

Rocket alarms sounded in towns near Israel's border with Gaza early on Saturday, after the Israeli military carried out overnight strikes on the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group.

The exchange of fire between the Israeli military and the militants continued for a fifth day amid reports that both sides were considering a new ceasefire proposal by Egypt after an earlier plan fell through on Friday.

The Israeli military said on Twitter that several PIJ targets in Gaza were hit during the night, including rocket and mortar launching sites and two command centres operated by senior militants identified as Mohammed Abu Al Ata and Khaled Azzam.

The Twitter posts were accompanied by grainy black and white footage showing explosions and clouds of smoke rising from bombed sites.

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said on Saturday that Israel's top priority was maintaining its attacks on the Gaza militants.

"We're not holding ceasefire talks," Mr Hanegbi said at a municipal event near Jerusalem.

Six PIJ commanders have been confirmed killed since Tuesday, when Israeli forces launched a campaign against the group, accusing it of planning attacks.

PIJ, the largest armed faction in Gaza after the ruling Hamas group, has since fired almost 1,000 rockets, some deep into Israel. One woman was killed on Thursday when an apartment was struck by a rocket in a Tel Aviv suburb.

At least 33 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including women and children, according to health authorities.

Israel says four Palestinians were killed by misfired Gaza rockets, which the PIJ has denied.

  • A structure in Ashkelon, Israel destroyed by a rocket fired on Wednesday from the Gaza Strip. AP
    A structure in Ashkelon, Israel destroyed by a rocket fired on Wednesday from the Gaza Strip. AP
  • Palestinians survey the damage of an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
    Palestinians survey the damage of an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
  • A car in Ashkelon damaged by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants. AP
    A car in Ashkelon damaged by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants. AP
  • Damage from an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
    Damage from an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
  • Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip. AP
    Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip. AP
  • Damage from an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Reuters
    Damage from an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Reuters
  • Israeli security forces cordon off a neighbourhood in Ashkelon hit by a rocket. AFP
    Israeli security forces cordon off a neighbourhood in Ashkelon hit by a rocket. AFP
  • A demonstration in support of the Gaza Strip near the Israeli Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv. AFP
    A demonstration in support of the Gaza Strip near the Israeli Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • Israel's Iron Dome defence system intercepts rockets in Ashkelon. AFP
    Israel's Iron Dome defence system intercepts rockets in Ashkelon. AFP
  • The father of Palestinian girl Lianne Mdoukh, who was killed in Israel-Gaza fighting, carries her body during the funeral in Gaza. Reuters
    The father of Palestinian girl Lianne Mdoukh, who was killed in Israel-Gaza fighting, carries her body during the funeral in Gaza. Reuters
  • Smoke rises over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli air strike. AP
    Smoke rises over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli air strike. AP
  • Palestinians inspect a house damaged in an Israeli strike. Reuters
    Palestinians inspect a house damaged in an Israeli strike. Reuters
  • Israel's Iron Dome air defence system intercepts a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip. AFP
    Israel's Iron Dome air defence system intercepts a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip. AFP
  • Rockets are fired from Gaza into Israel. Reuters
    Rockets are fired from Gaza into Israel. Reuters
  • A rocket from Israel's Iron Dome defence system. AFP
    A rocket from Israel's Iron Dome defence system. AFP
  • Palestinians mourn for a man killed in an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. AP
    Palestinians mourn for a man killed in an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. AP
  • A building damaged in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip. AFP
    A building damaged in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip. AFP
  • Rescuers pick through debris in the aftermath of the strikes. Reuters
    Rescuers pick through debris in the aftermath of the strikes. Reuters
  • Children survey the damage. Reuters
    Children survey the damage. Reuters
  • An Israeli drone flies over Khan Younis after the attack against members of militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Reuters
    An Israeli drone flies over Khan Younis after the attack against members of militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Reuters
  • A woman looks out from her damaged building. AFP
    A woman looks out from her damaged building. AFP
  • A members of the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, secures the Gaza Strip area of Rafah. AP
    A members of the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, secures the Gaza Strip area of Rafah. AP
  • Fire burns at a Gaza city apartment. AP
    Fire burns at a Gaza city apartment. AP
  • Men mourn outside Al Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip. AFP
    Men mourn outside Al Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip. AFP
  • Palestinians inspect damage to their home. AP
    Palestinians inspect damage to their home. AP
  • Relatives of Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Jihad Ghannam, who was killed in the strikes, mourn at Al Najjar hospital in the Rafah refugee camp. AFP
    Relatives of Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Jihad Ghannam, who was killed in the strikes, mourn at Al Najjar hospital in the Rafah refugee camp. AFP
  • Fires burn soon after the pre-dawn strikes. Reuters
    Fires burn soon after the pre-dawn strikes. Reuters

There was cautious optimism that a truce might be reached on Friday, with a PIJ source saying a deal drawn up by Cairo had been circulated among the group's leadership.

But the source subsequently said Israel was “disrupting Egypt's efforts for a ceasefire”.

Late on Friday, a Palestinian source said Egypt had circulated a new ceasefire formula. “The Palestinian side is going to study it,” the source said, adding that Egypt was also waiting for Israel's response.

Israeli public television meanwhile said an “improved” Egyptian ceasefire proposal had been handed to Israel.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that under the new offer, the PIJ was no longer demanding that Israel permanently end assassinations of its commanders, or hand over the body of Khader Adnan, a member of the group whose death while on hunger strike in Israeli custody precipitated the current round of conflict.

The exchange of fire across the Israel-Gaza border extends more than a year of resurgent Israeli-Palestinian violence that has claimed the lives of more than 140 Palestinians and at least 19 Israelis and foreigners since January.

On Saturday, Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinian men during a raid on the Balata refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Three Palestinians, including an elderly woman, were injured but in stable condition, Wafa said, citing the Palestinian Health Ministry and the Red Crescent.

It said the men killed, identified as Saed Jihad Masheh, 32, and Adnan Wasim Araj, 19, were shot in the head.

Israeli forces have launched repeated raids targeting suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank since a spate of attacks in Israel early last year.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0DMain%20Event%0D%3A%20Lightweight%20Title%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAmru%20Magomedov%20def%20Jakhongir%20Jumaev%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-Main%20Event%0D%3A%20Bantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERany%20Saadeh%20def%20Genil%20Franciso%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20150%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWalter%20Cogliandro%20def%20Ali%20Al%20Qaisi%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERenat%20Khavalov%20def%20Hikaru%20Yoshino%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVictor%20Nunes%20def%20Nawras%20Abzakh%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EYamato%20Fujita%20def%20Sanzhar%20Adilov%20-%20Round%201%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullo%20Khodzhaev%20def%20Petru%20Buzdugen%20-%20Round%201%20(TKO)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20139%20lbs%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERazhabali%20Shaydullaev%20def%20Magomed%20Al-Abdullah%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ECong%20Wang%20def%20Amena%20Hadaya%20-%20Points%20(unanimous%20decision)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKhabib%20Nabiev%20def%20Adis%20Taalaybek%20Uulu%20-%20Round%202%20(submission)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20Heavyweight%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBartosz%20Szewczyk%20def%20Artem%20Zemlyakov%20-%20Round%202%20(TKO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

War and the virus
UAE v Ireland

1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets

2nd ODI, January 12

3rd ODI, January 14

4th ODI, January 16

Top financial tips for graduates

Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:

1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.

2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.

3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.

4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.

Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Confederations Cup Group B

Germany v Chile

Kick-off: Thursday, 10pm (UAE)

Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan

Watch live: Abu Dhabi Sports HD

What is an ETF?

An exchange traded fund is a type of investment fund that can be traded quickly and easily, just like stocks and shares. They come with no upfront costs aside from your brokerage's dealing charges and annual fees, which are far lower than on traditional mutual investment funds. Charges are as low as 0.03 per cent on one of the very cheapest (and most popular), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, with the maximum around 0.75 per cent.

There is no fund manager deciding which stocks and other assets to invest in, instead they passively track their chosen index, country, region or commodity, regardless of whether it goes up or down.

The first ETF was launched as recently as 1993, but the sector boasted $5.78 billion in assets under management at the end of September as inflows hit record highs, according to the latest figures from ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm.

There are thousands to choose from, with the five largest providers BlackRock’s iShares, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisers, Deutsche Bank X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.

While the best-known track major indices such as MSCI World, the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, you can also invest in specific countries or regions, large, medium or small companies, government bonds, gold, crude oil, cocoa, water, carbon, cattle, corn futures, currency shifts or even a stock market crash. 

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Updated: May 13, 2023, 1:00 PM