Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Civilians in Gaza endured one of the bloodiest nights since the war with Israel began on Sunday, with more than 400 people killed in attacks by Israeli warplanes.
The attacks hit Jabalia and Beit Lahia in the north, Al Wusta and Al Rimal neighbourhood, Al Shati camp in the west and Khan Younis and Rafah in the south within the space of 24 hours, Palestinian news agency Wafa said on Monday.
Many of those killed and wounded were women and children.
About 5,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed in Gaza during Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the Hamas attacks on October 7, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.
Israeli jets bombed Al Shifa hospital complex in central Gaza city on Sunday. Al Shifa is sheltering civilians, most of whom are wounded and in need of treatment, as well as medical staff, according to Wafa.
The compound of Al Quds hospital in Tal Al Hawa district in west of Gaza was hit for a second time.
A doctor at the Al Aqsa Hospital said 65 per cent of the casualties taken to the hospital overnight were children, reports said.
Israeli warplanes were “aiming to cause confusion in the health system by directly threatening hospitals with evacuation and bombing, or by bombing nearby areas”, said Wafa.
Videos circulated on social media early on Sunday portraying the horrifying moments civilians were running for safety as Israeli war planes pounded various areas across Gaza.
The Israeli military said on Saturday that it would be increasing attacks on blockaded enclave as it prepared for what it called the “next stage” in the fight against Hamas.
Emergency departments across the majority of hospitals face a shortage of fuel, power and medical supplies, as well as doctors and health workers.
Close to 500 people were killed in an air strike on Al Ahli Al Arab hospital in northern Gaza on October 17, causing international outrage.
Before the attack, the hospital was operational, also housing internally displaced civilians seeking shelter from air strikes.
Hospitals in the north have faced evacuation notices by the Israeli army, although health officials and aid groups have said moving patients would be “impossible”.
“The order for evacuation has been impossible to carry out given the current insecurity, critical condition of many patients and lack of ambulances, staff, health system bed capacity and alternative shelter for those displaced,” the World Health Organsiation said last week.
At least 16 people were killed during an air strike that hit the St Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church complex on Thursday.
Those killed were seeking shelter in the church, part of which dates back to the fifth century.
At least 450 people had been sheltering at the church complex in Gaza city when it was hit.
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
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