The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on March 21. Reuters
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on March 21. Reuters
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on March 21. Reuters
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation Reem Al Hashimy, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo on M

MENA

How Arab states helped bring about Gaza ceasefire resolution

Security Council vote came days after Blinken visited Cairo for talks with regional officials

Khaled Yacoub Oweis
Khaled Yacoub Oweis
Amman

March 26, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

In the months leading up to the UN Security Council's vote on the Gaza ceasefire resolution, key Arab countries consistently advocated for an end to the fighting in the Palestinian enclave.

Qatar hosted indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the UAE's mission in New York was vocal in its calls for a ceasefire, while Egypt and Jordan frequently communicated with the administration of US President Joe Biden urging to back the resolution.

This co-ordination reflects a multifaceted approach by Arab states, each using their unique diplomatic channels and relationships to bring about a truce in the Gaza Strip, where more than 32,400 Palestinians have been killed since the war broke out on October 7.

The Security Council's vote on took place on Monday, just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Cairo for talks with officials from the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Officials from Egypt and Jordan have told senior members of the Biden administration, including National Security Council Co-ordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “had to be restrained”, sources told The National.

The White House was warned that Mr Netanyahu had become too unpredictable since the war began, and his actions could jeopardise stability in Jordan and Egypt.

“The Americans got the message that once Rafah is invaded there is no longer a way to control the course of the war,” one source said.

Israel has repeatedly voiced its intention to launch an incursion into Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, where more than a million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge. Egypt is particularly concerned that such an operation could result in people attempting to cross the border into the Sinai peninsula, which would exacerbate an already tense and complex situation.

More than one million displaced Palestinians are living in makeshift camps in Rafah, only metres from the border fence with Egypt. Reuters
More than one million displaced Palestinians are living in makeshift camps in Rafah, only metres from the border fence with Egypt. Reuters
The border looms large in the everyday lives of Palestinians in Rafah. AFP
The border looms large in the everyday lives of Palestinians in Rafah. AFP
Conditions on the border are dire as Palestinians living in tents not only face starvation, but also lack fuel and electricity. Reuters
Conditions on the border are dire as Palestinians living in tents not only face starvation, but also lack fuel and electricity. Reuters
Egyptian authorities fear that an Israeli assault on the border city could force increasingly desperate Palestinians to seek safety by entering Egypt. AFP
Egyptian authorities fear that an Israeli assault on the border city could force increasingly desperate Palestinians to seek safety by entering Egypt. AFP
More than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people is already pushed up against the border. AFP
More than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people is already pushed up against the border. AFP
Rafah is the main entry point for aid into Gaza, as the enclave's only border crossing that does not involve travel to or from Israel. Reuters
Rafah is the main entry point for aid into Gaza, as the enclave's only border crossing that does not involve travel to or from Israel. Reuters
Large convoys of lorries carrying aid are frequently stuck at Rafah as a result of Israeli restrictions on how much aid can enter Gaza since the outbreak of the war in October. EPA
Large convoys of lorries carrying aid are frequently stuck at Rafah as a result of Israeli restrictions on how much aid can enter Gaza since the outbreak of the war in October. EPA
Egyptian authorities have ordered the construction of a logistics zone they say is to receive aid in Rafah. Reuters
Egyptian authorities have ordered the construction of a logistics zone they say is to receive aid in Rafah. Reuters
Satellite images show construction on the Egyptian side of the border. Maxar Technologies via Reuters
Satellite images show construction on the Egyptian side of the border. Maxar Technologies via Reuters
Sources say authorities are constructing a walled area on the Egyptian side of the border to prepare for a potential influx of Palestinians. Reuters
Sources say authorities are constructing a walled area on the Egyptian side of the border to prepare for a potential influx of Palestinians. Reuters
A satellite image shows the construction of a new wall along the Egypt-Gaza border. Maxar Technologies via Reuters
A satellite image shows the construction of a new wall along the Egypt-Gaza border. Maxar Technologies via Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has repeatedly said that Egypt will not readily accept the displacement of Palestinians into Egypt. Reuters
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has repeatedly said that Egypt will not readily accept the displacement of Palestinians into Egypt. Reuters

In Jordan, the threat of a direct refugee crisis is perceived as less severe, as long as the neighbouring occupied West Bank remains stable. However, with much of Jordan's population being of Palestinian origin, there is widespread anger towards Israel.

“Biden had to try to trim the claws of Israel, for his own considerations and for the sake of America's allies,” one source said.

During a visit to Amman on Monday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said any ground operation in Rafah “would be a catastrophic humanitarian disaster”.

The Security Council's ceasefire resolution passed with 14 votes in favour and one abstention from the US. It was the first time the council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.

Last month, the council adopted a resolution aiming to increase the delivery of aid to Gaza and setting the conditions for a reduction in violence. After four postponements, the resolution, which was drawn up by the UAE, received 13 votes in favour and two abstentions from the US and Russia.

“It is certain that Qatar, the Gulf states and the countries participating in the negotiations to stop the war in Gaza made diplomatic efforts and pressed for this decision,” a Qatari source said, referring to the ceasefire resolution.

“The UN Security Council praised the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar, along with the United States of America and the Arab Republic of Egypt, to achieve a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, release detainees, and expand the scope of relief aid.”

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinFlx%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amr%20Yussif%20(co-founder%20and%20CEO)%2C%20Mattieu%20Capelle%20(co-founder%20and%20CTO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%20in%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5m%20pre-seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venture%20capital%20-%20Y%20Combinator%2C%20500%20Global%2C%20Dubai%20Future%20District%20Fund%2C%20Fox%20Ventures%2C%20Vector%20Fintech.%20Also%20a%20number%20of%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

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

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

What is THAAD?

It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.

Production:

It was first created in 2008.

Speed:

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.

Abilities:

THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".

Purpose:

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.

Range:

THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.

Creators:

Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.

UAE and THAAD:

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.

MATCH INFO

Burnley 0

Man City 3

Raheem Sterling 35', 49'

Ferran Torres 65'

 

 

57%20Seconds
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Updated: March 26, 2024, 6:04 PM
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