Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Israel launched new strikes on the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday after ceasefire talks with Hamas stalled, killing more than 400 people and sparking fears of a return to all-out war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it had instructed the military to strike Hamas across Gaza, blaming the group for refusing to release hostages and rejecting all offers from the US envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators. The US said it knew about the strikes in advance.
In a post on Telegram, the Israeli army said it was “conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip”.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” the Prime Minister's office said. Sources told The National that Israeli negotiators had informed their Egyptian counterparts that Hamas was rearming, a claim the group strongly denied on Tuesday evening.
"The occupation’s claims that the resistance had made preparations to attack its troops are baseless and false pretexts to justify its return to the war and escalation of its bloody aggression," the group said in a statement.
The first phase of the ceasefire expired on March 1, but neither side made serious violations of its conditions until Monday. Hamas said it had "remained committed to the agreement until the very last moment, and was keen on ensuring its continuation", in a statement on Tuesday evening. It also accused Mr Netanyahu of continuing the war for his own political gain.
Two senior officials working with Gaza's Interior Ministry were among the fatalities. The ministry said in a statement that its undersecretary Maj Gen Mahmoud Abu Watfa, 58, and director general of the internal security service Maj Gen Bahjat Abu Sultan, 56, were killed in one of the strikes.
The strikes come after nearly two months after a ceasefire was agreed on to pause the 17-month war. Under the terms of the truce, dozens of hostages were released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
Ceasefire negotiations in Egypt were at a standstill on Monday, with neither side willing to make the compromises needed to reach a deal, sources told The National.
Following Tuesday's strikes, Hamas blamed Israel and Mr Netanyahu for breaking the ceasefire. “Netanyahu and his extremist government are making a decision to overturn the ceasefire agreement, exposing prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate,” the group said, demanding that mediators and the international community hold Israel responsible.
“Netanyahu not only prevented food and medicine from entering Gaza, but also bombed and killed children in their sleep. The enemy will not achieve through war and destruction what it failed to achieve through negotiations.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said “the gates of hell will open in Gaza” if hostages are not released. “We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals,” he added.
The strikes also come after Israel carried out attacks in Deraa, Syria. Two civilians were killed and 19 injured in the air strikes, Syrian state media reported.
The Israeli army confirmed the attacks, which were the latest on Syria's military infrastructure. It said it struck military headquarters and sites containing weapons and equipment.
Hamas also criticised the US administration's "unlimited political and military support" for Israel's deadly wave of air strikes in Gaza. The administration of President Donald Trump was consulted on Monday by Israel about the strikes, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.
"With its unlimited political and military support for the occupation [Israel], Washington bears full responsibility for the massacres and the killing of women and children in Gaza," the group said.
The strikes have drawn condemnation from UN officials and regional countries.
The UAE condemned the attack in the strongest terms and said it constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement reached in January, Wam reported on Tuesday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the consequences of any military escalation which threatens to cause further loss of innocent life and exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres's spokesman, said he was "shocked by the Israeli strikes, in which a meaningful number of civilians have been killed". Another UN spokesman, Farhan Haq, said Mr Guterres "strongly appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be re-established and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally".
UN human rights chief Volker Turk said he was "horrified" by the strikes. "Israel's resort to yet more military force will only heap further misery upon a Palestinian population already suffering catastrophic conditions."
Egypt called the strikes a "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire that took effect on January 19. The attacks constitute a "dangerous escalation which threatens to bring serious consequences for the stability of the region", said the Foreign Ministry, which brokered the Gaza ceasefire alongside Qatar and the US.
It called for giving the mediators the chance to continue efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire in the enclave.
Jordan, meanwhile, has been following "since last night Israel's aggressive and barbaric bombing of the Gaza Strip", government spokesman Mohammed Momani said, underlining "the need to stop this aggression".
Turkey said the strikes are "a new phase" in Israel's "genocide policy", saying the Netanyahu government has defied humanity through its breach of international law.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei called the strikes a "continuation of the genocide and ethnic cleansing" in the Palestinian territories and accused the US of "direct responsibility" in the attack.
Read next: Hamas-Israel ceasefire negotiations in Egypt at a stalemate
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Allardyce's management career
Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)
Countries (1) - England (2016)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
How Sputnik V works
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
Race%20card
%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%201%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20%2450%2C000%20(Dirt)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Dubai%20Racing%20Club%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20%24100%2C000%20(D)%202%2C410m%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Dubawi%20Stakes%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24150%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20Jumeirah%20Classic%20Trial%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20%24150%2C000%20(Turf)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%201%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Al%20Fahidi%20Fort%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(TB)%20%24180%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Ertijaal%20Dubai%20Dash%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20%24100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C000m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
