Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Hundreds of Palestinians marched through the streets of Ramallah on Wednesday to protest against Israel’s aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
As the crowds streamed away from Al Manara Square, in the centre of the occupied West Bank’s administrative capital, many chanted “America equals terrorist” and other anti-West slogans.
A day after an Israeli air strike killed at least 500 people at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, Palestinians across the West Bank voiced their anger by protesting in the streets of major cities.
The Israeli military has denied responsibility for the strike but that has done little to ease Palestinians' fear and anger.
“It's horrible, it's unbelievable,” said Nisren Salim. “No human could believe that would happen to their family and friends in Gaza.”
A Melkite priest who helped to guide protesters through the city, said: “It’s a tragedy, it’s a genocide.”
Ramallah, normally a bustling city, was eerily quiet save for the hundreds of protesters. Shops were closed and the streets were mostly devoid of people and traffic.
Toddlers sat on their fathers' shoulders waving Palestinian flags as the crowd marched.
Many of the children joined in their parents' chants of “Netanyahu is a terrorist” and “Gazans are not terrorists”. The rhetoric, particularly against the western allies of Israel, was notably angrier than usual.
One woman sported a Hamas banner wrapped around her white hijab, but political allegiances were mostly invisible. The protesters were far more focused on justice for Gazans.
A black-and-white chequered kaffiyeh hung loosely around Ms Salim’s neck. The commercial manager, 42, brought her daughter, 11, and son, seven, to the protest.
She said she wanted her children to experience the march, “to learn how we are as Palestinians in the West Bank and to support our friends and our families in Gaza”.
US President Joe Biden travelled to Israel on Wednesday in a show of solidarity with the country following an extensive attack launched by Hamas on Southern Israel that killed 1,300 people on October 7.
Washington has said it is ready to defend Israel. The US sent two aircraft carriers to the region and has stationed thousands of US sailors at the ready off the coast.
Mr Biden said he would ask Congress for an “unprecedented” military package to help Israel.
“I say to all of Israel, the United States isn't going anywhere either,” he added.
“We're going to stand with you, we will walk beside you in those dark days. We'll walk beside you in the good days to come and they will come.”
The US leader also announced $100 million in new funding for humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
The announcement comes as many Palestinians feel overlooked and betrayed amid Washington’s strong support of Israel.
“It's unfair for Palestinian people,” Ms Salim said of the US's response so far to the conflict.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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
