LATEST: Arab nations heap criticism on Netanyahu for 'new stage of genocide'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel has no choice but to “complete the job” and defeat Hamas and that the new offensive planned in Gaza aims to eliminate the two remaining strongholds of the Islamist movement.
Israel’s security cabinet on Friday approved a plan to seize control of Gaza city, escalating military operations in the devastated Palestinian territory.
The move drew renewed criticism at home and abroad, as concerns mounted over the nearly two-year-old war.
“This is the best way to end the war and the best way to end it speedily,” Mr Netanyahu told journalists. He added that “our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza”.
“Israel has no choice but to complete the mission and eliminate Hamas in light of the movement's refusal to lay down its arms,” he said.
The goal, he added is to disarm Hamas and “establish a non-Israeli civil administration in Gaza, not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
“We do not want to see Hamas or the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, but rather a peaceful civil administration.”
The Israeli leader, who has been facing mounting pressure at home and abroad, said that the new operation set to be launched by the military in Gaza city will be on a “fairly short timetable”.
“I don't want to talk about exact timetables, but we're talking in terms of a fairly short timetable because we want to bring the war to an end,” the prime minister said.
He hit back at the wave of criticism of the new plans, saying the country was prepared to fight without the support of others.
“We will win the war, with or without the support of others,” said the Prime Minister.
A top UN official said on Sunday that Israel's plans for the next military phase in Gaza will “trigger another calamity” in the enclave.
If Israel's plans are implemented, the effects will reverberate “across the region, causing further force displacement, killings and destruction, compounding the unbearable suffering of the population”, Miroslav Jenca, UN assistant secretary general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, told an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council on Sunday.
Mr Netanyahu also said he had directed Israel’s military in recent days to “bring in more foreign journalists” – which would be a striking development as they have not been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds.
He also promised that Israel “will designate safe corridors for the passage and distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip.”
On Saturday, Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he no longer had faith Mr Netanyahu was able to lead the army to a “decisive victory” in Gaza, calling for the annexation of large parts of the enclave.
Mr Smotrich called on Mr Netanyahu to aim for a complete victory in which Hamas would either surrender and release all hostages or be defeated. This would include the “annexation of large parts of the Gaza Strip and opening its gates to voluntary migration”, he said.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
