Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Gazans were defiant on Wednesday over any attempt to relocate them from the enclave, saying US President Donald Trump's plans to take control and redevelop the territory were “fantasies” bound to fail.
The president made a surprise announcement on Tuesday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will “take over” Gaza and send in troops if necessary, in an astonishing pivot in American policy that could reshape the Middle East.
“We're going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it'll be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of,” Mr Trump told a news conference in Washington. He did not say whether Palestinians would be allowed back to Gaza, instead saying “the world's people” would be welcome.
It was not clear whether Mr Trump will press ahead with the idea or if his remarks were a bargaining strategy.
Many Gazans reacted with incredulity to his proposal, telling The National that history had proved the territory would remain Palestinian, and it was Gazans who would rebuild.
“Yes, Gaza is destroyed and currently unliveable, but we, its people, are ready to rebuild it and restore it to an even better state than before,” said Yahya Abu Asi, a 37-year-old in Gaza city. “Trump's ideas and proposals are nothing but fantasies that will certainly fail in the face of the people's resilience, patience, and determination.”
Mohammed Al Rudai, a 28-year-old Palestinian from the northern city of Beit Lahia, also dismissed Mr Trump's remarks.
“This is our destiny, and this is our land,” he said. “My home is gone, and six members of my family were martyred, but I will never think of leaving this country or abandoning it. We are the rightful owners of this land, and Trump will fail.”
He said Gazans would accept “nothing less than a dignified life on our land, free from occupation” and was adamant that Palestinians would stay even if the war resumed.
Gaza has been left largely in ruins after more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and the Gaza-based militant group Hamas, with the territory subjected to heavy bombing on a daily basis.
The UN in a report last year estimated that clearing Gaza of rubble would take 15 years and cost $500 million to $600 million. Mr Trump has called the territory a “demolition site”.
But displacement is a highly sensitive issue among Palestinians and Arab countries. Many fear another Nakba, or catastrophe, referring to the movement of hundreds of thousands from their homes in the war of 1948 when the state of Israel was created.
Some Gazans told The National they were open to leaving the enclave temporarily to allow for rebuilding, but others said Mr Trump's proposal was a ploy to permanently rid Gaza of the local population.
“Gaza has become unliveable, and for now, living in another area might be a better option since everything is destroyed and there are no basic necessities for life,” said Mundher Al Sahhar, a 32-year-old resident of the Jabalia displacement camp.
“However, if such a move happens, it must be through Arab and international consensus, with the goal of reconstruction – not displacement and settlement, as is being promoted.
“Gaza belongs to us, with everything in it, and we will never give it up. Even if my family and I leave temporarily, it would only be a journey before returning once again.”
Aziz Al Massri, a 35-year-old from Gaza city who is living in Cairo after fleeing the war, said Mr Trump was trying to market the displacement plan under a humanitarian and ethical pretext.
“Even if we take this assumption in good faith, our experience with the occupation and the Americans teaches us that everything temporary becomes permanent, and their guarantees are nothing more than ink on paper. Those who leave will never return,” he said.
Mr Al Massri lost two nephews along with his home in the war. He said Mr Trump's proposal could be a bargaining chip in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to normalise ties with Israel. “Normalisation could be framed as a trade-off for halting forced displacement,” he told The National.
“However, displacement could still be implemented gradually, over the long term, without drawing immediate attention.”
He said strong Palestinian leadership was needed to thwart efforts to relocate the population, comparing the fight for Palestinian statehood to that of the Kurds, some of whom seek the creation of an independent Kurdistan carved from parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey.
“We cannot stand against these modern-day Mongols without a unified national leadership that governs all Palestinian territories with one voice, one vision, and one political decision,” he said.
“Otherwise, we will become the Kurds of the 21st century – and history will not forgive us.”
The National assesses US President Donald Trump's statement on taking control of Gaza
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
Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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.
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.
