Live updates: Follow the latest onIsrael-Gaza
Israel resumed ground operations on Wednesday and said it was retaking control of a key corridor that divides northern Gaza from the south as Defence Minister Israel Katz warned attacks would increase until Hamas frees Israeli captives.
The military said it retook part of the Netzarim Corridor where it had previously withdrawn from as part of the ceasefire that came into force on January 19 and was ended when Israeli air strikes hit the enclave on Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The army said it began “targeted ground activities” in central and southern Gaza aimed at expanding the “security zone and to create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza,” and that its troops had “expanded their control further to the centre of the Netzarim Corridor”. Hamas called the Israeli advance on the corridor a “new and dangerous violation of the ceasefire agreement” and reiterated its commitment to the deal.
“We affirm our commitment to the signed ceasefire agreement and call on the guarantor mediators to assume their responsibilities in curbing these irresponsible violations and breaches,” the Palestinian group added.
The 6km corridor – named after the former Israeli settlement of Netzarim in Gaza – was used as an occupation and buffer zone during Israel's 15-month war on the enclave. Israeli troops began their withdrawal in January and the first Gazans were allowed to walk back. A checkpoint run by Egypt and Qatar was overseeing the passage through the corridor.
Netzarim holds significant historic and strategic importance to Israel and was once described by former prime minister Ariel Sharon as having the same importance as Tel Aviv.
Israeli air strikes continued attacking the Gaza Strip overnight, killing dozens of people across the enclave. Eight people were killed in Al Fakhari town and at least 10 others east of Rafah. About seven others were killed in a strike on a house in Beit Lahia. “At least 10 civilians were killed and dozens more injured in Israeli air strikes that targeted six homes east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip,” the Gaza's civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said on Thursday.
More than 70 deaths were reported on Wednesday, the second day of the renewed strikes, including children, women and families, Mr Bassal said. The northern governorates recorded the highest number of deaths, with more than 50 killed in seven attacks. There were still people trapped under the rubble of homes, and the lack of heavy machinery is making it difficult for rescue crews to extract them, he said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for a full investigation after a UN international worker was killed and at least five people were seriously injured by an air strike on two guesthouses in Gaza.
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Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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COMPANY PROFILE
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Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports