The Israeli military said on Monday it was fighting a “war of attrition” in Gaza and that a ground invasion remains possible.
Over the past week, 200 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli air strikes and eight people in Israel killed by rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave, according to medical officials.
Although there have been international calls for an end to the daily bombardment, neither side has talked publicly about a ceasefire.
“This is a war of attrition, the IDF [Israeli military] can go on with this forever and they [Hamas] can go on with their rockets, sadly, also for a very long time,” an Israeli military official told journalists.
"The price they are paying is rising higher and higher," the military official said, referring to the Hamas militant movement which controls Gaza.
“[We] are providing the political level with the conditions to talk about, with whoever will broker such a deal with Hamas, for a diplomatic end for this fighting,” he added.
Hundreds of Israeli strikes on Gaza have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, with roads leading to hospitals hit and sewage spilling out onto the streets in some areas, after pipes were destroyed.
The UN said Gaza residents are currently receiving only around six to eight hours of electricity daily.
More than 3,150 rockets have been fired from Gaza over the past week, according to Israel, some of which have hit buildings and roads.
Israel said it is targeting Hamas military targets, including an extensive network of tunnels that is used to transport fighters, weapons, fuel and food.
“We’re not trying to destroy hundreds of kilometres, we’re trying to create these choke points in order for the rest … being irrelevant,” the Israeli military official said.
In a Sunday strike which Israel said was targeting tunnels, 42 people – including 10 children – were killed when their homes collapsed.
"The foundations of these buildings was hit in a way that made these buildings collapse," the military official said.
“This is very unfortunate and we are very sorry for any loss of life that happened.”
There have been fears the conflict could further escalate into a ground war, last seen in 2014, when a 50-day conflict left a devastating toll.
In 2014, at least 2,104 Palestinians – including 1,462 civilians, according to the UN, and 66 Israeli military personnel and seven civilians were killed.
Israeli troops have massed on the border for days and used tanks to strike Palestinian territory, accompanying intense shelling.
"I would not rule anything [out], including a ground forces attack, at this point," said the military official.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is clinging to power after failing to form a coalition government this month, has not openly called for a ceasefire.
"We are continuing to take action, even at this hour, as long as necessary to restore quiet and security to you, citizens of Israel. It will yet take time," he said on Sunday evening.
Mr Netanyahu said Israel had received "very serious backing" from the US, whose envoy Hady Amr arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday.
Washington has so far avoided using the term "ceasefire" in public statements, although diplomatic sources told The National that US officials are pushing for an end to the hostilities.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
More on Quran memorisation:
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 qualifying, 10:15am
Formula 2, practice 11:30am
Formula 1, first practice, 1pm
GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm
Formula 1 second practice, 5pm
Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm
