Confidence is growing that Hamas is close to accepting a temporary ceasefire in Gaza and a release of Israeli hostages, western security officials have told The National, as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hoped Egypt and Qatar could get an agreement over the line.
It is also understood that Hamas is now seeking aid flows into the territory to ensure it is not losing control and influence over the Palestinian population.
“We are aware from Qatari sources that the picture is changing and in the last few days that Hamas have become more willing to compromise and agree to a temporary ceasefire,” an official said.
“There is also greater willingness to release hostages, the leadership has shifted on that too.”
The assessment was hinted at by Mr Sunak on Tuesday when he called on Hamas to “work with countries like Egypt and Qatar to unconditionally release the hostages”.
He spoke minutes after deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell told MPs that “there is an urgent demand for the unconditional release of hostages and Hamas must act on this now”.
Any hostage deal will almost certainly involve the release by Israel of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners it currently holds.
Hopes for an end to the fighting that has claimed more than 32,400 Palestinian lives according to the Gaza Health Ministry, have come after the US abstained from a UN Security Council resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire”.
A significant drive is now being made to step up aid to the near-starving Palestinians with Mr Mitchell telling parliament that it is coming “via land, sea and air” following a successful RAF parachute drop of 10 tonnes of aid.
“We want to create irreversible momentum towards lasting peace,” Mr Mitchell said. “We want to lift people’s eyes up to a political track once this catastrophe is over.”
But he added that Hamas’s capacity to launch attacks against Israel meant that it could not remain in power in Gaza, with greater support needed to be given to the Palestinian Authority instead.
Countries drop aid into war-torn Gaza - in pictures
Mr Sunak, who was being questioned by the liaison committee of senior MPs, said that “an immediate and sustained humanitarian pause” was needed that would allow for the safe release of hostages and more aid into Gaza providing “the platform for a more long-term ceasefire”.
The desperate requirement for food aid is said to have been a significant factor in getting Hamas to concede on its demand for a permanent rather than temporary ceasefire.
“There is a suggestion that Hamas are anxious to get aid into Gaza because they are losing control over the population,” the official told The National.
That desperation was highlighted after 12 people drowned trying to retrieve aid dropped over the sea and six others were killed in “stampedes” waiting for relief supplies dropped over the enclave, Gaza’s media office said on Tuesday.
The UN resolution, which passed with 14 votes in favour and one abstention from the US, is the first UN resolution on a ceasefire since the war began on October 7, in which about 1,200 Israelis were killed.
Rather than abstaining, as it has done on other ceasefire resolutions, Britain chose to support the most recent UN statement.
“We will continue to do everything we can to ask Israel at all levels to comply with international humanitarian law and approve the provision of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” said Mr Mitchell.
TV (UAE time);
OSN Sports: from 10am
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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Race%20card
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More on Quran memorisation:
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
