Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
A four-day pause in the fighting between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip has begun, with the agreement set to allow the release of dozens of Israeli hostages held by the militant group, as well as Palestinians detained in Israel.
More than 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza have faced heavy and continuous Israeli air strikes and ground assaults since the October 7 attack by Hamas.
The group killed about 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostage. Israel's retaliatory attacks on the enclave have killed more than 14,500.
The temporary truce, mediated by Qatar, will allow more aid to reach the millions of Palestinians trapped in the enclave.
On Thursday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said the pause would begin at 7am local time (9am UAE time) on Friday.
Mr Al Ansari said the two sides exchanged lists of those to be released, with the first group of 13 women and children held by Hamas to be freed at 4pm on Friday.
Under the deal, Israeli aircraft are to stop flying over the southern Gaza Strip and will halt operations in the north Gaza, including Gaza city, between 10am and 4pm.
Three Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, will be released for every hostage, Mr Al Ansari said.
It is expected that 50 Israeli hostages – women and children under the age of 19 – will be released by Hamas and between 200 and 300 aid lorries, eight carrying fuel and cooking gas, will enter the enclave, Mr Al Ansari said.
In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be released by Israel.
Indonesian Hospital stormed
Less than an hour before the pause began in Gaza, Israeli forces reportedly stormed the Indonesian Hospital in the northern part of the strip, the Gaza Health Ministry was quoted as saying.
One woman was killed in the assault and three other people were injured, said Dr Munir Al Bursh, director general of the ministry.
Weeks of aerial bombardment has reduced most of Gaza to rubble and the Israel military has pushed deep into the enclave, with a ground incursion aiming to unearth infrastructure and underground tunnels used by militants.
The Israeli bombardment has hit hospitals, schools, refugee camps and UN shelters.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
