US President Joe Biden onboard Air Force One. Reuters
US President Joe Biden onboard Air Force One. Reuters
US President Joe Biden onboard Air Force One. Reuters
US President Joe Biden onboard Air Force One. Reuters

Biden says Egypt’s Sisi has agreed to open Gaza border for aid convoy


Jihan Abdalla
  • English
  • Arabic

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah El Sisi has agreed to open the Rafah border crossing into Gaza to allow in 20 lorries with humanitarian aid.

Mr Biden said on Air Force One that he spoke to Mr El Sisi after visiting Israel, where leaders agreed to allow the aid in.

Mr El Sisi agreed to "let up to 20 trucks through to begin with", the US President told reporters.

He said it might take until Friday before the aid made it into Gaza, due to the poor condition of roads.

Mr Biden has finished a short visit to Israel, where he reaffirmed US commitment to Israel's security and called for humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza.

Lorries carrying critical aid to the besieged Gaza Strip have been stuck on the Egyptian side of the border for days, waiting for a diplomatic breakthrough that will allow them to enter.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not allow aid to enter through its borders with Gaza, but would not stop it coming in through Egypt's Rafah crossing.

Mr Biden's trip to Israel was upended after a strike on a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday killed hundreds of people who had been sheltering there.

Palestinians and Arab nations blamed Israel for the blast, but Israel said the strike came from a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad militant group.

A planned summit of Arab leaders in Amman that was set to include Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Mr El Sisi was called off afterwards.

The hospital attack drew worldwide condemnation and protests in major capitals.

Twenty lorries is a limited amount of aid, as Gaza is home to 2.3 million people who have been living under a land, air and sea blockade since 2007, when Hamas took over the territory.

Israel tightened its blockade of the tiny enclave on October 7, after Hamas gunmen launched a surprise attack on parts of southern Israel, killing 1,400 people and taking about 200 others hostage.

Israel responded by bombarding the Gaza Strip with air strikes that have killed about 3,500 people so far, Gazan authorities say.

Israel also blocked the entry of water, electricity, food and medicine, drawing international condemnation and concerns from the UN over a humanitarian crisis.

The aid is set to go to humanitarian organisations for distribution.

Israel had told of concerns that Hamas might confiscate aid.

If that were to happen, Mr Biden said: “It will end.”

Protests erupt after Gaza hospital strike kills hundreds - in pictures

  • Protesters gather outside the US consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in support of Palestinians after an air strike on a Gaza city hospital killed hundreds earlier this week. EPA
    Protesters gather outside the US consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in support of Palestinians after an air strike on a Gaza city hospital killed hundreds earlier this week. EPA
  • Protesters gather near the US embassy in Tokyo, Japan, to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. AP
    Protesters gather near the US embassy in Tokyo, Japan, to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. AP
  • Protesters wave Palestinian and Syrian opposition flags in support of Gaza residents, in the rebel-held town of Atme in Syria's Idlib province. AFP
    Protesters wave Palestinian and Syrian opposition flags in support of Gaza residents, in the rebel-held town of Atme in Syria's Idlib province. AFP
  • Protesters take part in a pro-Palestinian rally near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, amid global outrage over the air strike on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. EPA
    Protesters take part in a pro-Palestinian rally near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, amid global outrage over the air strike on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. EPA
  • Thousands of pro-Palestinian and Palestinian Americans march towards the Israeli consulate in Chicago during a protest. AP
    Thousands of pro-Palestinian and Palestinian Americans march towards the Israeli consulate in Chicago during a protest. AP
  • Jordanians protest outside the Israeli embassy in Amman following an Israeli air strike which ripped through a Gaza hospital, killing hundreds. AFP
    Jordanians protest outside the Israeli embassy in Amman following an Israeli air strike which ripped through a Gaza hospital, killing hundreds. AFP
  • A rally in support of the people of Gaza after hundreds of Palestinians were killed in a blast at Al Ahli Arab Hospital for which Israel was blamed, though it denied responsibility, in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
    A rally in support of the people of Gaza after hundreds of Palestinians were killed in a blast at Al Ahli Arab Hospital for which Israel was blamed, though it denied responsibility, in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Reuters
  • Hezbollah supporters take part in a demonstration after the horrific blast, in southern Beirut. Reuters
    Hezbollah supporters take part in a demonstration after the horrific blast, in southern Beirut. Reuters
  • People gather in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to protest against Israel after it bombed Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing more than 500. Aymen Al-Ameri / The National
    People gather in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to protest against Israel after it bombed Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing more than 500. Aymen Al-Ameri / The National
  • Thousands of people in Iraq, Iran and Jordan rallied to show their outrage in the aftermath of the Israeli air strike. Aymen Al-Ameri/ The National
    Thousands of people in Iraq, Iran and Jordan rallied to show their outrage in the aftermath of the Israeli air strike. Aymen Al-Ameri/ The National
  • Protesters set fire to a Lebanese security building outside the US embassy in Beirut. Reuters
    Protesters set fire to a Lebanese security building outside the US embassy in Beirut. Reuters
  • A wounded protester is carried away outside the US embassy in Beirut. Reuters
    A wounded protester is carried away outside the US embassy in Beirut. Reuters
  • Protesters gather in front of the US embassy in Beirut to demonstrate against an Israeli air strike on Gaza's Al Ahli Hospital. Reuters
    Protesters gather in front of the US embassy in Beirut to demonstrate against an Israeli air strike on Gaza's Al Ahli Hospital. Reuters
  • The blast drew condemnation across the Arab world, and protests were also staged at Israel's embassies in Turkey and Jordan. Reuters
    The blast drew condemnation across the Arab world, and protests were also staged at Israel's embassies in Turkey and Jordan. Reuters
  • People clash with riot police outside the Israeli consulate during a protest to show solidarity with Palestinians, in Istanbul. AFP
    People clash with riot police outside the Israeli consulate during a protest to show solidarity with Palestinians, in Istanbul. AFP
  • Palestinians protest against an Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza, in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus. EPA
    Palestinians protest against an Israeli strike on a hospital in Gaza, in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus. EPA
  • Palestinians take part in a protest in Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
    Palestinians take part in a protest in Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
  • Pro-Israel counter protesters are kept away by police officers as people participate in a candlelight vigil organised by NYU students in support of Palestinians in Washington Square Park in New York. AFP
    Pro-Israel counter protesters are kept away by police officers as people participate in a candlelight vigil organised by NYU students in support of Palestinians in Washington Square Park in New York. AFP
  • A pro-Israel counter protester wrapped in the Flag of Israel is escorted away from a vigil organised by NYU students in support of Palestinians in Washington Square Park in New York. AFP
    A pro-Israel counter protester wrapped in the Flag of Israel is escorted away from a vigil organised by NYU students in support of Palestinians in Washington Square Park in New York. AFP
  • Iranian students and demonstrators throw eggs at the French embassy in Tehran. AFP
    Iranian students and demonstrators throw eggs at the French embassy in Tehran. AFP
  • Several people demonstrate in support of Palestine at the Palestinian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. EPA
    Several people demonstrate in support of Palestine at the Palestinian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. EPA
  • Protesters wave Palestinian and Moroccan flags as they gather in front of Parliament Square in Rabat, Morocco. EPA
    Protesters wave Palestinian and Moroccan flags as they gather in front of Parliament Square in Rabat, Morocco. EPA
  • Protesters burn an Israeli flag as they gather in front of Parliament Square. EPA
    Protesters burn an Israeli flag as they gather in front of Parliament Square. EPA
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

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)

Expert input

If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

 “I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
EPL's youngest
  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
    15 years, 181 days old
  • Max Dowman (Arsenal)
    15 years, 235 days old
  • Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
    15 years, 271 days old
  • Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
    16 years, 30 days old
  • Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
    16 years, 68 days old
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60

Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ethree%20three%20212.7kWh%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2C000bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%2C600Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20530km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh500%2C000%2B%20est%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eearly%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

THE BIO

Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist

Age: 78

Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”

Hobbies: his work  - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”

Other hobbies: football

Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club

 

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.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)

Engine 5.2-litre V10

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch

Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est) 

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

Combating coronavirus
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Znap%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarted%3A%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Uday%20Rathod%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%241m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EInvestors%3A%20Family%2C%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The UN General Assembly President in quotes:

YEMEN: “The developments we have seen are promising. We really hope that the parties are going to respect the agreed ceasefire. I think that the sense of really having the political will to have a peace process is vital. There is a little bit of hope and the role that the UN has played is very important.”

PALESTINE: “There is no easy fix. We need to find the political will and comply with the resolutions that we have agreed upon.”

OMAN: “It is a very important country in our system. They have a very important role to play in terms of the balance and peace process of that particular part of the world, in that their position is neutral. That is why it is very important to have a dialogue with the Omani authorities.”

REFORM OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL: “This is complicated and it requires time. It is dependent on the effort that members want to put into the process. It is a process that has been going on for 25 years. That process is slow but the issue is huge. I really hope we will see some progress during my tenure.”

Updated: October 20, 2023, 12:57 PM