Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Gaza's hospitals have become battlegrounds once again as Israeli forces conduct deadly raids on hospitals where civilians are sheltering and patients are unable to access vital treatment with no fully functioning hospitals left in the enclave.
Israeli forces currently occupy Al Shifa Hospital after storming it on March 18, having previously besieged the complex in November, and have also recently raided Al Amal Hospital in the south.
These military operations in and around hospitals are "making an already tense situation even worse," said Arvind Das, Gaza Team Lead at the International Rescue Committee.
"Israeli attacks have injured more than 73,000 Palestinians in Gaza in just five months, including people with life-changing injuries, while simultaneously systematically dismantling the health system, leaving only 12 hospitals partially functioning and no fully functioning hospitals in Gaza," he said.
At least 170 people have been killed in the latest Israeli raid on Al Shifa in Gaza city, while in Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, more than 20 people have been killed. Dozens more have been injured and hundreds arrested across both facilities.
Israel accuses Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad of using hospitals as military bases. The Israeli military claims it has apprehended hundreds of "terrorists" and killed dozens more inside both the Al Shifa and Al Amal hospitals.
Israeli army spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari has accused members of Hamas of firing at Israeli forces from inside Al Shifa Hospital's emergency and maternity wards.
The Hamas-run government media office said they "categorically refute this".
"How can they claim this while their soldiers roam and frolic inside the complex with ease, conducting interrogations with displaced persons, patients, and the wounded," said the media office director Ismail Al Thawabta.
People inside Al Shifa and Al Amal say people are dying of hunger there. Eyewitnesses in Al Shifa said civilians, including medical staff, had been killed.
At least five people trapped in Al Shifa have died due to lack of treatment, food, water and the lack of power in the intensive care units, the Palestinian state news agency Wafa reported.
Witnesses have also accused the Israeli military of detaining, stripping, and beating detainees during the raids on hospitals.
Speaking to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euromed), an eyewitness said Israeli soldiers "detained me and handcuffed me in the hospital courtyard", leaving him "undressed for more than nine hours".
He said he saw Israeli soldiers bring detainees to the hospital morgue, then heard gunshots, and then saw the soldiers emerge without the prisoners.
The Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS), which runs Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, said at least two of its members were killed, and that those remaining inside the hospital include a displaced family with children with special needs.
"All of our teams are in extreme danger at the moment and are completely immobilised," it said, adding that PRCS members are unable to bury their colleagues in the hospital's backyard.
Nine patients and 10 of their staff remain inside the facility, the Red Crescent said.
The sieges and raids on hospitals are having ripple effects on other already overstretched facilities, rights groups said.
Following Israel's raid on Al Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, more casualties have been taken to the European Gaza Hospital (EGH).
Anaesthetist Dr Konstantina Ilia Karydi said the European Hospital already has 22,000 people displaced from other parts of Gaza. She said people are dying due to infections in the overcrowded hospital and the inability to provide post-operative care.
"This is due to the intense security situation that forced healthcare workers to evacuate hospitals and hindered their access," she said.
Restrictions placed by Israel on the aid entering Gaza have also left doctors unable to deal with the types of injuries associated with war.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Husam Basheer said he could not perform a standard plate and screw procedure for bone fixation because of a lack of equipment.
"Sometimes we’ve also lacked gauze, which is a basic supply for surgery," he said.
Earlier this month, UNRWA's Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said an entire lorry load of aid was returned because it contained scissors used in children's medical kits.
As of March 3, Israel had conducted more than 400 attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel in Gaza since October 7, the World Health Organisation said (WHO) in a situation report.
This means "every single hospital has been impacted," the International Rescue Committee said.
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
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
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
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
