Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
There is a sense of relief on the streets of Gaza on the second day of the ceasefire, as lorries loaded with essential supplies begin to reach the besieged region. Thousands of Palestinian police officers are on duty to manage traffic and help with the delivery of aid.
Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, said that more than 630 aid lorries entered Gaza on the first day of the ceasefire, delivering food, medical supplies, and other essentials to address the shortages caused by 15 months of conflict.
The initial days of the ceasefire have brought stability to Gaza. Residents are beginning to experience a return to normality. The combined efforts of local authorities, security forces, and international organisations in co-ordinating aid convoys are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who have suffered for so long.
An official from Gaza’s Ministry of Interior said that it had devised a comprehensive plan to ensure aid reaches the people.
“We sent security forces to escort all aid convoys to their final destinations, including warehouses and distribution points,” the official told The National. “Our goal is to prevent any disruptions and ensure the smooth flow of aid to the citizens.”
He also noted the improved security situation under the ceasefire. “During the conflict, the ministry couldn’t guarantee the safety of aid entering Gaza due to ongoing Israeli attacks. Now, however, the ceasefire allows us to provide the necessary security for these convoys.”
In response to the urgent need for aid, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency UNRWA has mobilised its teams to deliver supplies to shelters and those in immediate need.
“We are ready to deliver life-saving aid as soon as it is allowed into Gaza,” said Inas Hamdan, a representative of UNRWA in Gaza. “The people of Gaza are in desperate need of everything, and even small improvements will make a significant difference in their lives.”
Since yesterday, we’ve seen a significant flow of trucks into both northern and southern Gaza
WFP employee
The World Food Programme also began setting up aid distribution immediately after approval. A WFP employee said that the organisation had prepared for large shipments of supplies well before the ceasefire, creating lists for distribution across the population.
“Since yesterday, we’ve seen a significant flow of trucks into both northern and southern Gaza,” the employee told The National. “We’re updating our distribution plans, especially with the anticipated return of displaced persons. We’re co-ordinating closely with Gaza’s security forces to ensure aid reaches its intended recipients.”
For many Gaza residents, the arrival of aid has brought a glimmer of hope. Mohammed Al Shobaki, 35, expressed his gratitude after receiving a food parcel from the Ministry of Social Development.
“For a long time, I hadn’t received any aid, so when I got a message to collect assistance, I was relieved,” he told The National. “The food parcel contained essential items that are critical to our survival right now.”
He is cautiously optimistic. “This aid is just the beginning. We need more supplies to address the catastrophic situation we’ve endured—war, famine, and shortages. Hopefully, this marks the start of better days ahead.”
While challenges remain, the arrival of aid and the drop in prices offer a hopeful sign for a population that has endured months of conflict, hardship, and uncertainty. With continued support, Gaza’s residents are hopeful that their lives can slowly begin to recover.
Mohsen Badr, 32, a resident of Gaza City, also noticed positive changes in the local market. “Since the truce began, prices have dropped significantly, especially for basic goods like flour, sugar, and cooking oil,” Mr Badr told The National.
“The market is now filled with goods, which wasn’t the case during the war when supplies were scarce. The influx of trucks into northern Gaza has really helped replenish the market,” he added. “Yesterday, aid trucks kept arriving in large numbers — something we’ve never seen before.”
Mr Badr, who visited Al Sahaba Market, noted that prices were now reasonable and that new items had arrived. “I expect the situation to continue improving as aid and goods continue to arrive. People are eager to buy everything they can after everything we’ve been through.”
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
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
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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