Israeli troops travel to the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
Israeli troops travel to the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
Israeli troops travel to the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
Israeli troops travel to the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Reuters

Israeli forces withdraw from Jenin after two-day assault


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Israeli troops began withdrawing from the West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday night after a two-day assault that killed at least 10 Palestinians and injured more than 100.

"Israeli forces have started withdrawing from Jenin camp," an army spokesman told AFP late on Tuesday night, without further details.

It came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military was "completing the mission".

Fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in the city and its refugee camp continued throughout Tuesday, as the military continued its "counter-terrorism" operation against militant groups.

“At this moment we are completing the mission and I can say our widescale action in Jenin is not a one-time thing,” Mr Netanyahu said during a visit to a military post near the city in the north of the occupied West Bank.

Footage shared on Twitter by Israeli channels later on Tuesday showed convoys of armoured vehicles withdrawing.

"In the past two years [Jenin became] a factory for terror. In the past two days, this ended," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said.

The military sent about 1,000 troops and launched more than 20 air strikes during the operation, which drew widespread condemnation for endangering civilians in the densely populated camp.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the use of air strikes was "inconsistent with rules applicable to the conduct of law enforcement operations".

An Israeli army spokesman on Tuesday morning told The National that forces had arrested 120 suspected terrorists of the 160 that were being pursued.

The death toll stood at 10 Palestinians, with more than 100 wounded, 20 critically, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group said four of the dead were its fighters.

  • A gunman shoots into the air during the funeral of Palestinians killed during an Israeli raid, in Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
    A gunman shoots into the air during the funeral of Palestinians killed during an Israeli raid, in Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
  • Palestinian Samah Sabagh shows her hands after the two-day Israeli raid in Jenin. Reuters
    Palestinian Samah Sabagh shows her hands after the two-day Israeli raid in Jenin. Reuters
  • Jenin residents flee as tear gas is fired. Reuters
    Jenin residents flee as tear gas is fired. Reuters
  • A damaged vehicle left in the street in Jenin. EPA
    A damaged vehicle left in the street in Jenin. EPA
  • It was Israel’s biggest West Bank incursion in two decades. EPA
    It was Israel’s biggest West Bank incursion in two decades. EPA
  • A Palestinian woman surveys the damage after the Israeli army's withdrawal from Jenin. Reuters
    A Palestinian woman surveys the damage after the Israeli army's withdrawal from Jenin. Reuters
  • Wrecked cars in an alleyway in the occupied West Bank city. AFP
    Wrecked cars in an alleyway in the occupied West Bank city. AFP
  • The Israeli army has declared the end of a two-day military operation in the area. AFP
    The Israeli army has declared the end of a two-day military operation in the area. AFP
  • Jenin from above after the Israeli raid. EPA
    Jenin from above after the Israeli raid. EPA
  • A Palestinian sorts through aid donations. AFP
    A Palestinian sorts through aid donations. AFP
  • Vehicles destroyed during the raid. EPA
    Vehicles destroyed during the raid. EPA
  • The sun sets after a violent day. AFP
    The sun sets after a violent day. AFP
  • Water is handed out to people in Jenin. Reuters
    Water is handed out to people in Jenin. Reuters
  • An emergency services vehicle passes by as Israeli troops start withdrawing from Jenin, in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
    An emergency services vehicle passes by as Israeli troops start withdrawing from Jenin, in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
  • Smoke rises above coloured lanterns. EPA
    Smoke rises above coloured lanterns. EPA
  • A burnt-out building after the Israeli assault. Reuters
    A burnt-out building after the Israeli assault. Reuters
  • An Israeli police officer shouts at a Palestinian. Reuters
    An Israeli police officer shouts at a Palestinian. Reuters
  • A man wears a mask for protection from tear gas. Reuters
    A man wears a mask for protection from tear gas. Reuters

Hamas, the militant group that rules the Gaza Strip, claimed one of the dead, but the identity of the others was not clear.

Israeli officials said they were not aware of any civilian deaths, but Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the UN's humanitarian office, said three children were among those killed.

“We are alarmed at the scale of air and ground operations that are taking place in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, and air strikes hitting a densely populated refugee camp,” Ms Huguenin said.

An Israeli soldier was killed after being shot in Jenin on Tuesday evening, the military said.

It said the soldier was treated at the scene, before being taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

In Cairo, permanent representatives to the Arab League met in an emergency session requested by the Palestinian delegation to discuss the operation.

The envoys resolved to send letters urging UN Security Council members to work towards halting Israeli aggression against Palestinians.

They also urged the International Criminal Court to complete its investigation into what it referred to as war crimes by Israel against the Palestinian people.

The World Health Organisation said first responders had been prevented from entering the refugee camp, leaving some critically injured without care.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said its team had been working for 15 hours “and patients keep coming in”.

“Raids on Jenin camp have started to follow a familiar pattern – ambulances have been rammed by armoured cars and patients and healthcare staff have routinely been denied entry and egress to the camp,” said Jovana Arsenijevic, MSF operations co-ordinator.

“This is an unprecedentedly long military operation and yet there are still victims that cannot be reached. Healthcare staff must be allowed to access patients unhindered.”

MSF said it had treated at least 55 people for gunshot wounds.

Ms Arsenijevic called Israel's use of “attack helicopters and drone strikes” in populated areas “nothing short of outrageous”.

'Terrifying' strikes

On Monday, Mr Netanyahu named the raid “Operation Home and Garden”, speaking at the US embassy's Fourth of July ceremony. It will go on “as necessary”, he said.

“In recent months, Jenin has become a safe haven for terrorists," he said.

Israel claims it seized a cache of weapons belonging to the various armed groups in Jenin, as residents began to flee their homes.

Deputy governor of Jenin Kamal Abu Al Roub told AFP that about 3,000 people had fled their homes since the beginning of the raid on Monday.

Residents evacuate the Jenin refugee camp during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank. AFP
Residents evacuate the Jenin refugee camp during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank. AFP

“The strikes are terrifying. We were informed to leave by the paramedics,” an elderly woman told local outlet Quds Feed.

“We didn't take anything. We just got dressed and left.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's spokesman said he was “deeply concerned about the developments in Jenin”.

Farhan Haq said Mr Guterres “affirms that all military operations must be conducted with full respect for international humanitarian law”.

“Israel is able to carry out security operations, it has to do so in such a way that avoids civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure,” he said, responding to a question about Israel's right to defend itself.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he was suspending security co-ordination with Israel.

Israel had earlier said that it had co-ordinated with Palestinian intelligence on the operation.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

F1 drivers' standings

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281

2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

Tuesday results:

  • Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
  • UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets

Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong

HOSTS

T20 WORLD CUP 

2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland 

ODI WORLD CUP 

2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh 

CHAMPIONS TROPHY 

2025: Pakistan; 2029: India  

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456hp%20at%205%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E691Nm%20at%203%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14.6L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh349%2C545%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ashes 2019 schedule

August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston

August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's

August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley

September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford

September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval

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 specs

Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)

Engine 2.4L four-cylinder 

Gearbox Nine-speed automatic 

Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm

Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

PRESIDENTS CUP

Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:

02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland

Visa changes give families fresh hope

Foreign workers can sponsor family members based solely on their income

Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of Dh 4,000 or Dh 3,000 plus accommodation.

Attested original marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child, ejari or rental contract, labour contract, salary certificate must be submitted to the government authorised typing centre to complete the sponsorship process

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any profession related to the medical sector and her monthly salary is at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.

In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in the above categories she can get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than Dh 10,000 and with a special permission from the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai.

To sponsor parents, a worker should earn Dh20,000 or Dh19,000 a month, plus a two-bedroom accommodation

 

 

 

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.

There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.

Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.

People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.

There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.

The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.

 

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

The biog

Age: 30

Position: Senior lab superintendent at Emirates Global Aluminium

Education: Bachelor of science in chemical engineering, post graduate degree in light metal reduction technology

Favourite part of job: The challenge, because it is challenging

Favourite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” Gandi

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):

Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE

Match will be shown on BeIN Sports

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

AndhaDhun

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan

Rating: 3.5/5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Updated: July 05, 2023, 5:22 AM