Five months on from an 11-day bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces, the clean-up continues.
The estimated 1,500 strikes on the enclave killed more than 260 people, including 66 children. Fire by Hamas killed 10 people in Israel.
In the wake of the conflict, Hamas – who govern the strip – said it would co-ordinate donations from states and NGOs and hand out the cash for reconstruction.
Hisham Al Sousi said he incurred costs of about $200,000 when his fashion shop, Action, was destroyed in the bombing. Located in the heart of Gaza city, the building was destroyed completely, including his family home and two floors of shop space.
He says he could not afford to wait for promised compensation to arrive.
“I was sure that I would not be compensated, people who were affected from the previous war didn’t get any compensation yet, so I didn’t wait and reopened my store again,” Mr Al Sousi told The National.
Just 100 metres from the rubble-strewn site of his old shop, Mr Al Sousi has reopened, selling accessories and bags on the first floor, and scarves and slippers on the second.
To catch the Eid trade and back-to-school crowds, he borrowed $100,000 from fellow traders and family members with a promise to repay within a year.
“I have a good name at the market so I don’t want to lose my customers, I started immediately after the war to prepare the new store," he said.
He spent 15 years building his business, and has carried on despite numerous stoppages caused by war.
“Unfortunately, there is no ambition in Gaza. We live without hope because at any time a war could happen again and we lose everything in an eye blink, but we are a strong nation and we don’t stop,” he said.
A rapid damage and needs assessment conducted by the World Bank Group, United Nations and the European Union in the month after the conflict ended, estimated the value of the physical damage caused by the conflict at between $290 million and $380 million. Recovery needs are estimated at up to $485m during the first 24 months.
The damage and rebuilding have compounded Gazans' suffering. Recurrent hostilities over the past three decades, restrictions on the movement of people and commercial goods at border crossings, limits to fishing off Gaza’s coast, and the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic were already pushing the population of two million to the brink.
Yasser Al Sadawi, 45, estimates he lost $90,000 when an air strike hit the building next door to his clothing store, destroying the building and his stock.
“I was shocked when I heard that the building would be targeted, but after a while I thanked my God that we are OK and I can re-build everything from the beginning” he said.
Mr Al Sadawi submitted a claim to Gaza's Ministry of Economy, including receipts for stock and estimated repair costs for the store, but has heard nothing of any incoming cash assistance.
“I can’t wait till I take any compensation, there are people waited for two years and didn’t get any compensation till now, so I rent new shop and started from the beginning,” Mr Al Sadawi said.
He borrowed money from other traders to restart the business, a sum he estimates will take three years to repay.
“I have been 12 years in my previous location. I feel so depressed when I pass there and see what happened to the area,” he said.
Mr Al Sadawi moved to the next block in the Al Remal neighbourhood but said his loyal customers do not know where to find him.
The Ministry of Economy said rehousing those who lost their homes has taken precedence over businesses.
“A committee was formed and gathered the ministry of economy, the UNDP, UNRWA and the Union of Industrialists and made plans for rehabilitating the industrial sector that was affected by the last war and previous wars, and offered it for the donors," said Osama Nofal, general manager of studies at the ministry.
“Until now we haven't received any answers regarding the economic sector because the donors, specially the Arab countries such as Qatar and Egypt, are focusing on housing sector," he said.
Mr Nofal said the ministry has tried to ease the pressure on the traders by exempting them from industrial and commercial licence fees. he said the 11 days of conflict could cost the sector $74m.
Taxi driver Mahmoud Al Khodari's vehicle was hit by an Israeli missile while he was transporting a group of journalists working for Turkey's Anadolu Agency. The cost of repair was $9,000, but when he submitted a claim to the Ministry of Transport and Communication, they estimated his loss was just $4,000. Even this sum he has not yet received.
“I kept going to ask for any compensation but I don’t get any answer,” he said. Like Mr Al Sousi and Mr Al Sadawi, Mr Al Khodair was forced to take matters into his own hands and fix the car himself.
“This car is the only source of living for me, how will I feed my family if I wait for compensation,” he said
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
$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.”
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
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
Living in...
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.
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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UK%20record%20temperature
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RESULTS
5pm: Watha Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Dalil De Carrere, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Pharitz Al Denari, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mahmood Hussain
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Oss, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: AF Almajhaz, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: AF Lewaa, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud.
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
More coverage from the Future Forum
