Israel on Saturday destroyed another high-rise building in Gaza city that the military said was being used by Hamas to monitor its troops during an escalating offensive to take control of the area and recover hostages held by the militant group.
An air strike flattened the last standing building of the Al Sousi complex in Al Sinaa district, three of which had been destroyed in earlier attacks since the war began in October 2023.
The attack was launched soon after the military issued an eviction warning to residents and people in the area to leave. The building was surrounded by people living in tents who had been displaced or whose homes had been destroyed in the war.
Israel launched an air-and-ground offensive late last month to seize control of Gaza city, which the government said was essential to defeating Hamas and recovering about 50 hostages held by the group.
In its warning before Saturday's strike, the military said Hamas had installed intelligence-gathering equipment in the Al Soussi building and planted explosives around it, while directing attacks on its troops from tunnels nearby. The military made similar claims before destroying Al Mushtaha Tower, a 12-storey residential building in the west of the city, on Friday, and has threatened to destroy more buildings.
The Gaza government's media office rejected the military's claims in a statement issued after the Al Sousi building was destroyed, saying residential buildings were being destroyed “as part of a systematic forced displacement plan”.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted a video on X of the Al Sousi building being destroyed with the caption: “We continue.”
The Israeli military ordered the city's residents, estimated to number about one million – or half of Gaza's population, to leave and move south as it began its offensive.
A spokesman said on Saturday that a “humanitarian space” had been created in the southern province of Khan Younis to accommodate them, with “essential humanitarian infrastructure such as field hospitals, water lines and desalination facilities”. Food, tents and medical supplies were being delivered there in co-ordination with international agencies, and would be increased in parallel with the expanding operation in Gaza city, he said.
The Gaza government media office said there were 51,544 buildings, apartments and residential towers city and refuted Israel's attempts to justify attacking them on the grounds that that they contain “terrorist infrastructure”.
“We affirm, with the testimony of the residents themselves, that these towers are strictly monitored, entry is permitted exclusively for civilians, and the resistance does not operate from these residential towers in any form,” it said.
“They are completely free of any equipment, weapons, or fortifications, and all floors are exposed and visible.”
Gaza Health Ministry said the death toll from Israeli attacks rose 64,368 on Saturday – the 700th day of the war – with another 162,367 wounded.
The ministry said the number of deaths due to malnutrition rose by six to 382, including 135 children. The UN last month declared a famine in Gaza city as a result of Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid, including two months of a total blockade earlier this year.
Egypt rejects 'voluntary displacement'
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, whose country is a leading mediator in efforts to end the Gaza war, said on Saturday that describing the displacement of Palestinians as voluntary was “nonsense”, in reference to Israeli comments made earlier, as its forces advance deeper into the enclave’s largest urban area
“If there is a man-made famine [in Gaza], it is to push residents out of their land. It is nonsense to say that this is voluntary displacement,” Mr Abdelatty said at a joint press conference with the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has supported the idea that Palestinians in Gaza should be allowed to voluntarily leave and suggested that other countries should accept them.
Mr Netanyahu drew strong condemnation from Egypt and other Arab countries on after suggesting in an interview that Gazans wanted to leave their homeland to flee the war but could not do so because Egypt would not let them enter. His office said on Friday that he had spoken about the basic human right of every individual to choose where they live, particularly during times of war.
On Saturday the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the country's support for Egypt and condemned Mr Netanyahu's statement. The UAE reiterated its categorical rejection of all attempts at displacement or undermining the Palestinian cause, affirming that safeguarding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people is no longer a political choice, but a moral, humanitarian, and legal obligation, Wam reported.
Mr Adbdelatty also said he spoke with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday and discussed intensifying efforts to implement the latest ceasefire proposal that Hamas has accepted.
He blamed Israel for what he described as its intransigence over the delay in reaching a ceasefire.
Hamas agreed in August to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel that included the return of half the hostages held in Gaza and Israel's release of some Palestinian prisoners.
An Egyptian official source said the proposal accepted by Hamas included a suspension of Israeli military operations for 60 days and outlined a framework for a comprehensive deal to end the conflict.
Mr Netanyahu said days later that Israel would immediately resume negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the war, but on terms acceptable to Israel.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
