As the situation in Israel and the Palestinian areas has deteriorated in the past week, Lebanon's Hezbollah has watched developments closely. The party welcomes much of what has happened, but it is too early for it to celebrate. Palestinian gains are more likely than not to affirm Hezbollah's limited appeal.
Hezbollah's assessment will be primarily focused on what the conflict has meant for Iran and its regional allies, rather than on how it has advanced the interests of the Palestinian people. Hezbollah will have welcomed Hamas's ability to bring Israel to a relative standstill while continuing to fire at Israeli targets, despite the ferocious bombardment of Gaza.
Much like Hezbollah in the Lebanon war of 2006, Hamas's ability to hit Israel has represented a moral victory to its supporters, regardless of Israel's more massive destruction of Palestinian areas. There has also been an improvement in the quality and range of Hamas's weapons, so that the organisation has inflicted damage as far away as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, even forcing Israel to close its international airport.
Hamas’s potency signals the group’s full reintegration into the “resistance axis", the coalition of Iranian-led countries and armed groups opposed to Israel and the US. The ties between Hamas and Hezbollah, which had deteriorated during the Syrian conflict, improved markedly in 2017. The latest round of fighting in Gaza takes the reconciliation process a step further.
Hezbollah will have also welcomed that Hamas largely sidelined the Palestinian Authority in the clash with Israel over its storming of Al Aqsa Mosque last week. After the expulsion efforts in Sheikh Jarrah, it was Hamas that bombed Israeli targets. Though this condemned Gazans to new destruction, politically it underlined the ineptitude of the Ramallah-based Palestinian leadership, which had already discredited itself by postponing legislative elections on April 30.
A third development Hezbollah will have watched with satisfaction is that the Palestinians of Israel joined the protests against the Israeli government, creating the semblance of a broad Palestinian front in favour of Palestinian rights. To Hezbollah, this suggests that Israel's contradictions are coming to the fore, which in the party's eyes confirms its argument that the country is not viable.
And fourth, Hezbollah, like Iran, will probably have regarded Hamas's strikes against Israel as payback for Israel's bombing of Iranian combatants and proxies in Syria. Tehran can claim that it has imposed a deterrence relationship with Israel. Hamas cannot retaliate for each Israeli attack on Iranian or allied forces in Syria, but the effect of what is happening in Gaza on Israel's domestic stability is more potent than the domestic consequences of what Iran has suffered in Syria.
Despite all this, Hezbollah should be careful about claiming victory too soon. There is little doubt that the latest Gaza war, because it was coupled with protests inside Israel’s 1948 borders, has represented an important new turn in the Palestinian-Israeli relationship. Moreover, the emotions provoked regionally have shown that “Palestinian resistance", which Iran and its regional allies claim to champion, continues to pack a powerful punch, particularly in the face of Israel’s injustices.
However, precisely because of that, Palestinians will take their actions as a continuation of generations of national struggle, in which Iran’s and Hezbollah’s roles are only secondary. Nor is Hamas seen by most Palestinians as a vanguard in their fight for self-determination. In a poll by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research last March, prior to the expected elections, only 22 per cent of respondents (15 per cent in the West Bank and 33 per cent in Gaza) wanted Hamas to lead the next Palestinian Authority government.
Palestinians will take their actions as a national struggle in which Iran's and Hezbollah's roles are secondary
One can expect Palestinian citizens of Israel to take an even dimmer view of Hamas. Palestinian national liberation remains primarily a secular and nationalistic phenomenon, with few ties binding it to Iran’s regional agenda.
Nor has the "resistance axis" been able to transform the fighting in Gaza into a weapon to place its Arab rivals on the defensive. The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation immediately condemned Israeli actions last week and held a foreign ministers' meeting on Sunday. At the virtual gathering, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, described Israel's "systematic crimes" and notably reaffirmed the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which Israel has largely ignored.
The fighting also failed to have an impact on the agreements last year between several Arab states and Israel. This suggests that the long-term significance of the Gaza fighting is more likely to be felt internally and in the occupied territories, affecting Israel’s relations with Palestinians at home and under Israeli rule, than to transform the relationship between Israel and regional actors.
While Hezbollah may relish the fact that the weapons of the “axis of resistance” are causing more damage in Israel, it should remember that in any war Israel is far more capable of escalating to higher levels of devastation than its enemies. In Hezbollah’s case, the party’s challenge will be containing the popular backlash after any war, because few Arabs are willing to lose everything on Iran’s behalf.
Michael Young is a senior editor at the Carnegie Middle East Centre in Beirut and a Lebanon columnist for The National
A man watches a factory in the northern Gaza Strip burn after it was hit by what witnesses said was an Israeli artillery bombardment. Reuters
Israeli army tanks fire shells from a position by the border into the Gaza Strip. AFP
Palestinian firefighters douse a fire at the Foamco mattress factory following an Israeli air strike to the east of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. AFP
A Palestinian firefighter takes part in efforts to put out a fire at a factory in the northern Gaza Strip after it was hit by Israeli artillery shells. Reuters
Palestinian firefighters at a factory in the northern Gaza Strip that witnesses say was hit by Israeli artillery shells. Reuters
Fire and smoke rise over Gaza city as Israeli warplanes attack the Palestinian enclave. AFP
Smoke and flames rise above a building during Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza city. Reuters
Seen from Ashkelon in Israel, a missile from Israel's Iron Dome air defence system leaves a bright trail as it moves to intercept rockets launched from the Gaza Strip. Reuters
Israeli soldiers next to an ammunition carrier at their position by the border with the Gaza Strip. AFP
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
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.
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg. The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company. When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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.
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close Pakistan 227
(Babar 62, Asad 43, Boult 4-54, De Grandhomme 2-30, Patel 2-64)
What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
Laura Shapiro
Fourth Estate
$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.”
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
