Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Fears are growing over a looming Israeli attack on Rafah, the only city in Gaza not yet targeted by the Israeli ground offensive. It is providing refuge to more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million population.
At least 25 people were killed in a morning strike on a home in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, Palestinian media reported, which came just a day after 42 people were killed in Israeli strikes and raids on the city.
“During the past week, we have witnessed an intensification of Israeli air strikes on the city of Rafah. Many densely populated areas with refugees are extensively targeted, resulting in the daily killing of dozens of residents,” Maha Hussaini, the strategy Director of Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, told The National.
The US warned Israel that an invasion of Rafah would be a “disaster”.
The UK expressed it is “deeply concerned” for Israel's apparent planning of the military operation in Rafah, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Saturday.
The UAE, Spain, Germany and Jordan have all also expressed worries that Israel's plan is a crisis-in-waiting.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned “another bloodbath in Gaza cannot be allowed”, in a post on X.
“Since the first day of this attack, we have witnessed frequent air strikes on densely populated residential areas. The only difference today is that the army has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees from various areas of the Gaza Strip to Rafah,” said Ms Hussaini.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday ordered the military to prepare to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of an expanded offensive against Hamas, despite concern it will worsen an already critical situation for Gazans.
Mr Netanyahu told military and security officials to “submit to the cabinet a combined plan for evacuating the population and destroying the battalions” of Hamas, his office said on Friday.
“Most of them say they will stay in Rafah even if they are killed because there is no safe place after Rafah,” said Ms Hussaini.
The city had a prewar population of about 280,000 but now hosts about another 1.4 million people who fled fighting elsewhere in the territory, the UN said.
I was displaced from my home and forced to flee on foot to the south, and now Rafah could be invaded. Where are we supposed to go?
Amna Ghaban,
displaced Gazan in Rafah
Aid groups warned it is not possible to evacuate everyone from the city.
Amna Ghaban, 46, is a resident of Al Shatee camp who fled to Rafah with her family. They are currently staying in an empty shop because there are no vacant rental houses left in Rafah.
“We are experiencing the worst time anyone can live through,” Mrs Ghaban told The National.
“I was displaced from my home and forced to flee on foot to the south, and now Rafah could be invaded. Where are we supposed to go?” she added.
The Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has warned against any military operation in Rafah saying there is no other place for people to evacuate to.
“People are currently not allowed to return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, and also, most residential units in the north have become destroyed,” Tamara Al Rifai, the representative for UNRWA said, on Sunday.
The military operation in Rafah would lead to “the same consequences we have witnessed before”, she said, “meaning the killing and displacement of more people”.
Prices of items have more than doubled Gazans say, and they are unable to buy even the most basic necessities to survive. “I keep telling my 12-year-old child to wait until we go back home, but I fear that when we return, our home will be destroyed,” Mrs Ghaban said.
“We deserve dignity; we are human beings and have struggled enough,” she added.
Most of the people in Rafah have been displaced by fighting in other parts of Gaza and are living in tents.
“My son heard the news and came to ask me if we are going to move again because the Israeli army is expected to come here. I don't know how to answer him. This child should be spending his time playing, not worrying about safety,” Yosef Ouda, 35, from Gaza city who is now living in a tent in Rafah, told The National.
Rafah is the only crossing point between Gaza and Egypt.
The Israeli army advanced towards the border city at the end of last week, warning that its army might imminently enter the city.
Much of northern and central Gaza has been reduced to ruins by sustained Israeli bombardment since the war began on 7 October.
More than 28,100 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza and another 67,611 have been wounded and thousands more are missing.
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
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
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
