An Israeli missile struck the gate of the white concrete house in Gaza, reducing it to rubble within an eye blink. Deafening silence. Stillness. And then the muffled screams began to emerge from beneath the wreckage.
Everything turned grey, except for the red blood dripping on to the faces and hands of the survivors crawling out from beneath, overwhelmed by shock and fear.
"Oh God," cried out one survivor.
Over a month, daily life in the densely populated Palestinian enclave has been marked by air strikes and death. What was once referred to as an "open-air prison" now looks like a giant graveyard for its two million inhabitants caught in a war that is expected to last for months.
10,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza, including an inconceivable toll of 4,000 children.
On the other side of the Israeli fence that has long encircled Gaza's borders, feelings of sadness, anger and despair are shattering the Israeli families of the 1,400 soldiers and civilians killed during and after the unprecedented October 7 attacks by Hamas, as well as the relatives of 240 hostages.
Many of their towns, farm lands and vineyards have been abandoned and now resemble ghost cities in the aftermath of the deadliest attacks in Israel's history.
The intelligence failure severely undermined confidence in the security apparatus, the backbone of the country's stability since its creation in 1948. It also deepened a political rift among members of the most extreme right-wing Israeli coalition, while Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving leader, faces a reckoning.
"It's absolutely clear that nothing like this has happened before in terms of magnitude and surprise," Ghaith Al Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told The National.
"I think no one took the information available and managed to link the dots and understand that Hamas was ready for a big fight."
Meanwhile, the conflict sent shock waves throughout the Middle East, triggering new areas of confrontation and risking an escalation that could potentially plunge the region into a broader war.
"All the pieces are in place for a major explosion in the Middle East," warned the Carnegie Middle East Centre in a recent report.
Air strikes and a fire spreading
For many, one thing is for sure: this war has changed the course of their lives.
"Our hands have been broken once and many times. How much is enough?" asked a tearful Helmi Nabil, 56, whose house in Gaza was destroyed a few weeks after he bought it with his life savings.
In 2005, Israel withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip after having occupied the 45 square kilometres of territory since 1967. It retained control of the airspace and maritime border and has maintained a blockade of Gaza since 2007, strictly controlling the passage of people and goods.
The current war is the fifth since Hamas scored a surprise victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 and then seized full control of Gaza, overthrowing forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas.
But it is the bloodiest of all.
"The number of people being killed is so staggering it cannot be collateral any more," the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. UNRWA has lost 72 staff members in Israeli strikes.
In its quest to "eradicate" Hamas, Israel has hammered Gaza with air strikes, street by street, claiming it was hitting military targets but striking houses, tower blocks, ambulances, hospitals, schools, cars and more.
Almost a quarter of Gaza buildings have been destroyed or damaged, according to the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. In the first five days of the war, Israel dropped about 6,000 bombs and published on its social media accounts photos of entire neighbourhoods razed.
"We will continue," its air force said on X.
The fire in Gaza is also spreading to parts of the West Bank in the occupied Palestinian territories. Tension in mixed communities inside Israel is also running high.
About 130 Palestinians have now been killed in clashes with troops or Jewish settlers in the West Bank since the Israel-Gaza war began.
Fear of displacement and 'apocalyptic' conflict
The level of human cost and destruction in Gaza has sent thousands of people on to the streets of Washington DC and other cities around the globe to demand a ceasefire that Israel is rejecting.
US President Joe Biden's administration has faced mounting domestic and global pressure to try to moderate Israel's deadly response.
After repeating that there is "no red line" for Israel's response, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a shift of focus, called during a tour in the region for a "humanitarian pause" and said maximum assistance must reach Gaza, arguing that a full ceasefire would enable Hamas to "regroup".
However, his tour had two other goals: to discuss what post-war Gaza would look like and ways to prevent a broader conflict.
Two Arab officials told The National that one of the scenarios is to hand over the authority in the Strip back to the Palestinian Authority "but only when Hamas has been entirely removed".
"Hamas isn't just an organisation but an ideology," argued Mr Al Omari.
"Hamas has assets elsewhere living comfortably in Doha, Qatar – in Lebanon, and this presence has deepened in recent months."
Meanwhile, Arab neighbours fear the Israeli invasion will spark a new permanent mass wave of displacement. Millions of Palestinians who were forced to flee more than seven decades ago have remained stranded as refugees in the countries that hosted them.
As the war in Gaza turns into urban warfare, attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq against US forces and border clashes between Lebanon militia continue to intensify. An off-script threat also emerged from Yemen after Houthi rebels attempted to target Israel from the Red Sea, posing a significant threat to the strategic route of oil tankers and trade.
Apart from the catastrophic expected loss of life, the economic impact of a regional war would have far-reaching implications for global long-term security and economic stability.
"The hydrocarbon sector will not be spared the economic ramifications," warned the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, as the global economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's war with Ukraine.
"The more Hamas is walled-in, the more we will see attacks by Iran-backed proxies. Any miscalculation could lead to a broader apocalyptic conflict," said one Arab diplomat in Beirut.
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
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The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Naga
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US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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.
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
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It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Marseille 0
Atletico Madrid 3
Greizmann (21', 49'), Gabi (89')
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
