Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Israel launched its war on the Gaza Strip after a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The US has proposed a deal for a 60-day ceasefire to halt the conflict, which Washington says Israel has agreed to. Hamas is studying the terms of the deal.
Israel's assaults have killed more than 54,000 Palestinians since the start of the war. But the impact of the devastating conflict has not been limited to the enclave and Israel - it has sent shockwaves across the region, with Israeli forces having fought on several fronts against other Iran-backed groups allied to Hamas.
Here are important moments in the conflict:
October 7, 2023: Hamas fighters infiltrate Israel and carry out an attack that shocks Israeli society. More than 1,200 people, including soldiers, are killed and 240 are kidnapped and taken into Gaza as hostages.
Retaliatory Israeli strikes against the Gaza Strip begin, marking the start of a devastating military campaign.
October 8, 2023: Lebanon's Hezbollah launches rockets towards Israel, saying it has entered the war in support of Palestinians in Gaza, sparking concerns of a new front.
Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq begin launching drones towards Israel on October 17 in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
October 19, 2023: US warships intercept missiles and drones launched towards Israel by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis begin increasing attacks against Israel and on targets claimed to be affiliated to the country in the Red Sea, threatening shipping lanes and global trade.
October 27, 2023: After besieging the Gaza Strip and displacing the vast majority of the population from the north to the south, Israel begins its ground offensive.
November 15, 2023: Israeli forces enter Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical centre, laying siege to the building and killing a number of people. Officials and the hospital's director at the time tell The National they prepared a mass grave for 179 people, including babies.
Within weeks, all hospitals in the Gaza Strip will have been attacked.
November 24, 2023: A week-long truce comes into effect and involves the release of 105 hostages, including Thai workers, in exchange for 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. But the war resumes on December 1, with attacks expanding into southern Gaza.
January 26, 2024: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) orders Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza.
February 29, 2024: At least 120 people are killed and hundreds injured when Israeli forces fire on civilians queuing for aid, in one of the deadliest incidents of the war.
March 7, 2024: Following increasing political pressure over famine in Gaza and the lack of aid, US president at the time, Joe Biden, announces a pier will be set up in the Mediterranean Sea to deliver supplies. Lasting until July, the pier will be dogged by controversy.
April 1, 2024: The Iranian embassy in Damascus is hit by a suspected Israeli strike that kills military officers, including a senior general.
Seven aid workers from the US charity, World Central Kitchen, are killed in a strike Israel calls a "tragic mistake".
April 13, 2024: In its first direct attack on Israel, Iran launches a barrage of drones and missiles in retaliation for the strike on its diplomatic mission in Syria.
May 6, 2024: Hamas says it has accepted a ceasefire proposal but Israel says it has not agreed to the text.
July 20, 2024: Israel begins attacks on Yemen, bombing the port of Hodeidah in response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv.
July 31, 2024: Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, is killed while on a visit to Iran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. In December, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz acknowledges for the first time that it was behind the killing.
August 1, 2024: The Israeli military says it killed Hamas's military chief, Mohammed Deif, in an air strike on July 13 in Al Mawasi. Hamas does not confirm or deny his death.
August 23, 2024: The World Health Organisation confirms the first case of poliovirus in Gaza in 25 years after a baby is paralysed.
September 27, 2024: Israel escalates its strikes on Lebanon and kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in southern Beirut, days after hundreds of sabotaged pagers and walkie-talkies used by the group explode, killing 39 and injuring thousands.
Days later, Israel begins its invasion of Lebanon.
October 1, 2024: Iran fires a barrage of missiles at Israel in response to the killings of Nasrallah and Haniyeh.
October 5, 2024: Israel begins its siege on northern Gaza, focusing on Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia. The relentless attacks in the area continue until a temporary ceasefire begins, emptying the north of people while infrastructure is razed.
October 16, 2024: Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the attack on October 7, 2023.
October 26, 2024: Israeli air strikes hit military targets in Iran in response to the missile attack on October 1.
November 21, 2024: In a landmark ruling, the International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Deif of Hamas, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ruling comes days after a UN Special Committee says Israel's war on Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of genocide.
November 27, 2024: Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon, where the war has killed more than 4,000 people since October 2023. The fragile truce is breached several times, with both sides blaming each other.
An offensive by rebels in Syria leads to the toppling of Iran-allied president Bashar Al Assad in December, with Israel then conducting numerous strikes on military sites. Israeli troops also enter the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights.
January 15, 2025: Negotiators reach a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar. The truce comes into effect on January 19, on the eve of the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who warns there will be "hell to pay" in the Middle East if a deal is not reached.
March 2, 2025: Israel imposes a total humanitarian aid blockade to put pressure on Hamas to release its remaining hostages.
March 18, 2025: Israel resumes military operations in Gaza as a six-week temporary ceasefire collapses.
March 21, 2025: Mr Katz says the Israeli military has been instructed to seize more territory as it expands its ground assault in Gaza. It comes as at least five UN staff are injured in an Israeli attack on central Gaza.
April 2, 2025: Israel's aid blockade enters its second month, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians having little or no access to food and water.
April 16, 2025: Israel says it controls nearly 30 per cent of land in Gaza, which is under operational buffer zones. The government says it does not plan to allow aid to enter besieged enclave.
May 16, 2025: Israel's aid blockade continues and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, says the escalation of attacks in Gaza and blockade of aid "tantamount to ethnic cleansing".
May 18, 2025: No hospital in northern Gaza is operational, health authorities say. Beit Hanoun and Kamal Adwan Hospital have been destroyed and the Indonesian Hospital is under siege by Israeli forces.
The army says a ground offensive, known as Gideon's Chariots, has began in Gaza.
May 19, 2025: Mr Netanyahu says Israel will allow a "basic amount" of aid to enter Gaza. It is reported that only five lorries have entered the enclave.
May 30, 2025: A 60-day ceasefire is proposed by the US. Israel has accepted the terms, but Hamas is reviewing the deal.
All Blacks line-up for third Test
J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).
Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, M Fekitoa.
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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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FA Cup semi-finals
Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)
Matches on Bein Sports
All the Money in the World
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer
Four stars
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
