Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Arab leaders meeting in Egypt on Tuesday endorsed a plan for Gaza that envisions technocratic control of the war-battered territory without Hamas members and a $53 billion reconstruction plan, according to a resolution adopted at the one-day summit.
The emergency summit of the Arab League's 22 member states was held to counter US President Donald Trump’s controversial vision for postwar Gaza and present a united front against displacement, giving the international community a credible alternative.
The eight-page resolution seen by The National said the summit "endorses the plan presented by the Arab Republic of Egypt in full co-ordination with the state of Palestine and Arab nations and based on studies carried out by the World Bank and the UN Development Fund concerning the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza as a comprehensive Arab plan and offer all kinds of financial and material support for its implementation".
Egypt's plan estimates rebuilding will take three to five years and, contrary to Mr Trump's vision, Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians will stay in the coastal enclave while the work is under way, instead of being forced to resettle in Egypt and Jordan.
The American president's plan also includes a US "takeover" of Gaza and developing it into a resort.
"The attempt to crush the aspiration of creating a Palestinian state or take away the land of the Palestinians will only result in more conflict and instability," said the resolution.
Addressing the summit's opening session, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said: “Egypt calls for the adoption of this plan and the mobilisation of regional and international support for it.” He said a peace process should be launched and pursued in parallel with the reconstruction plan until a “just and comprehensive” settlement of the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict is reached.
“Peace will never come through the use of force … the creation of a Palestinian state is a must,” said Mr El Sisi, who accused Israel of using force to empty Gaza of its inhabitants. "It's like giving the people of Gaza the choice between certain destruction and eviction."
Under the plan, nearly half of Gaza's residents will be moved to seven safe zones in the territory while work gets under way, according to an executive summary of the plan seen by The National, with the main points mentioned by Mr El Sisi. The plan's estimated cost is $53 billion, about the same as a UN forecast.
"We endorse the Egyptian-Arab-Palestinian Gaza reconstruction plan with our people continuing to live on their land, and we support its endorsement by this summit and enlisting international support for it," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the summit.
The plan also has political and security sections outlining how Gaza will be governed after the war. The political part envisages a committee of 20 independent technocrats to run the territory for six months, meaning Hamas will have to relinquish its authority, according to sources.
They said Palestinian factions have approved the nominated technocrats, despite them not being affiliated with any group. Mr Abbas must issue a decree to establish the new agency, which will be backed by local tribal chiefs and mayors.
“We have the names of the 20 members and we are waiting for President Abbas to give it his OK,” said one of the sources. “They are all without [direct] affiliation to any Palestinian faction, including Hamas.”
Under the plan, the committee would operate under the Palestinian Authority's umbrella and, in theory, pave the way for its return to governing Gaza, which it lost to Hamas in a brief civil war in 2007.
"It's important that the Palestinian Authority continues its efforts to take further steps to reform its institutions and agencies," said the summit's communique, making a thinly veiled reference to charges of inefficiency and corruption within the West Bank-based Palestinian government.
Commenting on the plan, Bassam Khalaf, member of the political leadership of Hamas in Lebanon, said his group has agreed “to step down from ruling Gaza, but it is necessary to clarify the proposal for the committee”. Hamas is “not committed to continue ruling Gaza”, he added.
“The nature of this mission must be clear and will reject any presence of the US to oversee it,” Mr Khalaf said.
The UAE's delegation to the summit was led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The future governance of the territory remains a central issue in continuing mediation efforts as Gaza's warring parties and negotiators seek a long-term solution that could transform the fragile ceasefire into a broader peace process.
The plan reviewed by the summit says that dealing with the weapons in the hands of Hamas and other groups is “possible” if the reasons behind acquiring them are removed “through a credible peace process that restores [Palestinian] rights”.
The Egyptian plan allows for the continued use of Gaza's existing police force and the provision of additional training by both Egypt and Jordan, according to an executive summary seen by The National.
It also envisages the posting of Arab and UN forces to monitor land crossings between Gaza and both Egypt and Israel, and a new port on the Mediterranean that would be built to receive construction material and equipment. The force would be mandated by a UN Security Council resolution, it said.
Most of Gaza's buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed in the 15-month war, during which about 48,400 Palestinians have been killed and more than twice that number injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The vast majority of Gaza's residents have been displaced.
The war started after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 people on the deadliest day in Israel since its creation in 1948. The attackers also took about 240 people hostage. Hamas is believed to be still holding about 60 captives.
The emergency Arab summit was held as the ceasefire that began on January 19 appears at serious risk of unravelling after Hamas rejected an Israeli offer to extend it until mid-April rather than negotiate the withdrawal of its troops and a permanent end to the war.
Under the truce agreement mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the US, Israel and Hamas were due to start talks early last month on ending the war and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. However, the talks never started and the ceasefire expired last week after Hamas had released 33 hostages in exchange for the freedom of about 2,000 Palestinians detainees.
“The resistance has prepared itself for war, even if this option is unlikely," Mr Khalaf said
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
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%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Seung-gyu%2C%20Jo%20Hyeon-woo%2C%20Song%20Bum-keun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Young-gwon%2C%20Kim%20Min-jae%2C%20Jung%20Seung-hyun%2C%20Kim%20Ju-sung%2C%20Kim%20Ji-soo%2C%20Seol%20Young-woo%2C%20Kim%20Tae-hwan%2C%20Lee%20Ki-je%2C%20Kim%20Jin-su%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPark%20Yong-woo%2C%20Hwang%20In-beom%2C%20Hong%20Hyun-seok%2C%20Lee%20Soon-min%2C%20Lee%20Jae-sung%2C%20Lee%20Kang-in%2C%20Son%20Heung-min%20(captain)%2C%20Jeong%20Woo-yeong%2C%20Moon%20Seon-min%2C%20Park%20Jin-seob%2C%20Yang%20Hyun-jun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStrikers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHwang%20Hee-chan%2C%20Cho%20Gue-sung%2C%20Oh%20Hyeon-gyu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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%3Cp%3EThe%20Royal%20Navy%20raid%20is%20the%20latest%20in%20a%20series%20of%20successful%20interceptions%20of%20drugs%20and%20arms%20in%20the%20Gulf%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMay%2011%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUS%20coastguard%20recovers%20%2480%20million%20heroin%20haul%20from%20fishing%20vessel%20in%20Gulf%20of%20Oman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMay%208%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20US%20coastguard%20vessel%20USCGC%20Glen%20Harris%20seizes%20heroin%20and%20meth%20worth%20more%20than%20%2430%20million%20from%20a%20fishing%20boat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMarch%202%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Anti-tank%20guided%20missiles%20and%20missile%20components%20seized%20by%20HMS%20Lancaster%20from%20a%20small%20boat%20travelling%20from%20Iran%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOctober%209%2C%202022%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERoyal%20Navy%20frigate%20HMS%20Montrose%20recovers%20drugs%20worth%20%2417.8%20million%20from%20a%20dhow%20in%20Arabian%20Sea%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESeptember%2027%2C%202022%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20US%20Naval%20Forces%20Central%20Command%20reports%20a%20find%20of%202.4%20tonnes%20of%20heroin%20on%20board%20fishing%20boat%20in%20Gulf%20of%20Oman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
England XI for second Test
Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings, Ben Stokes, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes (wk), Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, James Anderson
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL
Al Nasr 2
(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)
Shabab Al Ahli 1
(Jaber 13)
Take Me Apart
Kelela
(Warp)
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Borussia Dortmund, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
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
