The rescued hostages were taken to the Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv. EPA
The rescued hostages were taken to the Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv. EPA
The rescued hostages were taken to the Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv. EPA
The rescued hostages were taken to the Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv. EPA

US denies Gaza aid pier was used in deadly hostage rescue operation


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The US denied on Sunday that a pier in the Mediterranean Sea set up by its military for aid deliveries was used in the evacuation of four Israeli hostages rescued from Gaza on Saturday.

Gaza health authorities said 274 people, mostly civilians, were killed during the hostage rescue operation under the cover of Israeli air attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp, where the hostages were located. About 700 others were injured.

Israeli media said counterterrorism forces came under heavy fire after the rescue attempt, which led to the death of the Israeli commanding officer, and relied on air support as they fought their way to a helicopter landing zone.

The US statement comes after a video emerged on X, showing an Israeli Black Hawk helicopter close to the pier, picking up hostages and security forces before departing. The pier can be seen, along with an aid vehicle and military equipment, including a US counter-drone system.

A Palestinian at the site of an Israeli strike on buildings in Nuseirat refugee camp. Bloomberg
A Palestinian at the site of an Israeli strike on buildings in Nuseirat refugee camp. Bloomberg

“The humanitarian pier facility, including its equipment, personnel, and assets were not used in the operation to rescue hostages today in Gaza. An area south of the facility was used by the Israelis to safely return the hostages to Israel. Any such claim to the contrary is false,” said US Central Command, the US military headquarters in the Middle East.

“The temporary pier on the coast of Gaza was put in place for one purpose only, to help move additional, urgently needed life-saving assistance into Gaza.”

The attack on the Nuseirat camp has drawn international condemnation.

The United Arab Emirates denounced the "ongoing Israeli violations which has resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries of innocent civilians".

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reaffirmed the need for "an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life," it said.

"The immediate priority is to preserve the lives of civilians, and ensure the immediate, safe, sustainable, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian, and relief aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip," it added.

Turkey’s foreign ministry called the raid “a barbaric attack”.

“Israel has added a new one to the list of war crimes it has committed in Gaza,” it said.

Vice President of the EU comission Josep Borrell said: “Reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling. We condemn this in the strongest terms. The bloodbath must end immediately."

More civilians were killed on Sunday morning during Israeli strikes on Al Bureij refugee camp and Rafah, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, adding that Israel has intensified its attacks since Saturday's strikes.

Three people were killed in an attack on a home in Al Bureij, Wafa said, with two others killed in Rafah's Tal Al Sultan neighbourhood.

In northern Gaza, 50 malnourished children were admitted to a hospital in the space of a week, medical sources told Wafa.

As a result of fuel shortages, minimum medical services are being provided at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabilia refugee camp, where the children were admitted, Wafa reported, describing the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”.

More than 37 children have starved to death in Gaza, 30 of whom received medical treated at Kamal Adwan.

On Saturday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the US supported the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza – thought to be about 130, through “continuing negotiations or other means”.

Officials told CBS News on Saturday that the US had provided intelligence support for the hostage rescue.

On Sunday, the White House said it would continue to back talks to free the hostages, in exchange for a “ceasefire deal that is now on the table.” Such a deal would come with “security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza”, and had wide international backing from the G7 and regional countries.

Mr Sullivan's statement a day after the US resumed aid deliveries from its temporary pier, the country's military said after the structure suffered storm damage and underwent repairs in a nearby port.

“Today at approximately 10.30am (Gaza time) US Central Command began delivery of humanitarian assistance ashore in Gaza. Today, a total of approximately 492 tonnes of much-needed humanitarian assistance was delivered to the people of Gaza,” Centcom said on X.

“No US military personnel went ashore in Gaza,” it added.

More than two million pounds of humanitarian aid were delivered on the pier last month, but it was damaged by high seas around a week after deliveries began.

The pier was repaired in the Israeli port of Ashdod before being brought back to the Gaza coast and re-established on Friday.

Israel has been accused of delaying the entry of aid into Gaza, depriving the territory's 2.4 million people of clean water, food, medicines and fuel.

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Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

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Power: 671hp

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Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership

China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.

1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.

2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe. 

3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.

4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects. 

5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.

6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.

7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime. 

8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism. 

9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.

10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.

 

 

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

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

Rating: 4/5

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
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F1 drivers' standings

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281

2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56

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1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
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4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
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16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps

How to register as a donor

1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention

2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants

3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register. 

4) The campaign uses the hashtag  #donate_hope

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

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.

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Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

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Updated: June 09, 2024, 5:35 PM