Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Gaza's few remaining hospitals have warned they will go out of service unless they receive urgently needed fuel as Israel maintains its blockade of the strip.
Israel's closure of the Rafah border crossing has cut off Gazans from food, fuel and aid while also preventing injured and sick Gazans in dire need of medical assistance from receiving treatment abroad.
“The movement of patients and injured individuals seeking treatment is hindered, and they face the risk of death if they cannot leave Gaza for medical care,” said Ismael Thawabta, the director of the government media office in Gaza.
The shortages came as Palestinians mark Nakba Day on Wednesday - reflecting on the catastrophe in 1948 when they were forced from their homes and land by Israeli settlers.
Most of Gaza's 36 hospitals have been destroyed or are no longer functioning after more than seven months of war in which over 35,100 Palestinians have been killed.
The remaining hospitals are barely functioning and are in urgent need of supplies.
The European Hospital in Rafah announced on Tuesday morning that will go out of service soon if it does not receive fuel.
“Due to the fuel shortage, we regret to inform you that the main generators will stop at 10am,” a statement released by the hospital's administration said.
“We will switch to the lower-capacity generator, meaning that more than 70 per cent of the European Hospital's loads will be disconnected, and entire departments will be affected by the total shutdown.”
Makeshift field hospitals have been set up in the enclave since the outbreak of the war, but they are struggling to cope as Israel expands its military operations in both southern and northern Gaza while preventing aid from entering the enclave.
“The closure of borders leads to a catastrophe affecting 350,000 patients suffering from chronic diseases who require medication and treatment,” Mr Thawabta added.
Last week, medics, patients and displaced people were told to leave Abu Yousef Al Najjar hospital in Rafah.
Hospital director Marwan Al Hams said the facility had been placed in the “red zone” and that staff were threatened with death if they did not comply with Israel's orders to evacuate.
“The Israeli occupation army directly targets hospitals in Rafah, and Israeli forces target anyone moving in the vicinity of the hospital,” Dr Hams said.
The Israeli army issued the first evacuation order for eastern parts of the city a week ago, affecting more than 100,000 people. It later expanded that order to include western parts of the city.
The Kuwaiti Hospital has been ordered to evacuate, Medical Aid for Palestinians confirmed on Monday, adding that staff and patients have been told to move to northern Rafah and central Gaza.
The army has instructed displaced civilians to leave for Al Mawasi, a narrow coastal strip near Khan Younis, which aid officials say is unable to host fleeing Palestinians - especially those in need of medical treatment.
Kiryn Lannying, team lead for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in the occupied Palestinian Territories, said there is “no space” to accommodate more people fleeing to Al Mawasi, with makeshift shelters spilling onto the streets and lining the beach.
“The health system has been completely decimated, so any facilities that will need to shut down or begin evacuation due to insecurity in the area reduces access and service provision to a population that really needs those services. We can't afford to have any facilities shut down," she told The National.
During a visit to the area last week, Ms Lanning said she had not seen any new tents or aid in Al Mawasi, where the Israeli army said it had directed increased humanitarian aid and established field hospitals before sending evacuation orders to hundreds of thousands of civilians in Rafah.
“Tents structures have been erected in Khan Younis. So it does seem that there are some sort of plans for shelter arrangements in that area. Although to my knowledge, there's no humanitarian assistance being provided in those sites,” she added.
At least four air strikes hit the area during her visit, she added, despite its designation as a "safe zone" by the Israeli army.
In Rafah, a field hospital has been opened by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and 11 Red Cross organisations to “help address the overwhelming medical needs” in the overcrowded city.
The 60-bed hospital will provide emergency surgical, obstetric, gynaecological, maternity and paediatric care and an outpatient department, the ICRC said in a statement.
The ICRC warned that it has seen a rise in communicable diseases “which could lead to potential outbreaks”, as well as complications from treatable illnesses.
“Amputations are common, as well as acute respiratory infection, gastrointestinal illness and skin diseases which are spreading rapidly through displaced communities due to a lack of clean water, sanitation and access to food,” the ICRC said.
Other chronic illnesses are also not being treated as patients with life-threatening conditions are being prioritised.
“The ICRC reiterates its call for the protection of medical facilities under international humanitarian law. No patient should be killed while lying in a hospital bed. No doctors, nurses, or any medical professionals should ever die while working to save lives,” the organisation said.
Match info:
Portugal 1
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Morocco 0
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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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
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
