Egypt is pushing for a UN Security Council resolution “as soon as possible” to establish a peacekeeping force in Gaza, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told The National.
In an interview in Aswan, Mr Abdelatty laid out the foundations of the International Stabilisation Force and the main mandate of the proposed Board of Peace, which is to monitor the flow of aid funds.
He said, however, that “it will not be acceptable to have foreigners” running Gaza, insisting that the mission of the force and the Board of Peace should be to provide support for Palestinians to run their own affairs.
“We need first to have a Security Council resolution as soon as possible to endorse this plan and also to give legitimacy for this ISF, the International Stabilisation Force, and to identify its own mandate and its own mission,” said Mr Abdelatty.
“This is very, very important,” he emphasised, adding that Egypt is “standing ready to participate in all formats but within specific parameters” to be detailed in the Security Council resolution through a “clear-cut mandate”.
Sources told The National earlier that Cairo is expected to lead a four-nation Gaza stabilisation force made up of at least 4,000 troops from Egypt, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Indonesia.
Already, the sources said, it has been decided that the force will not have heavy weapons and will rely mainly on light firearms and armoured vehicles. It would initially be deployed in areas from which Israel's military had withdrawn under the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan.
“The mission should be peacekeeping, not peace-enforcing,” said Mr Abdelatty.
He explained that the force – as well as the Board of Peace that Mr Trump will lead, alongside other politicians such as former British prime minister Tony Blair – should also assist in providing basic services to the people in Gaza and support for the police officers through training and capacity building.
“It will not be acceptable, of course, to have foreigners running Gaza,” he added.
Keeping the US engaged
Mr Abdelatty said the Board of Peace is there to provide support, liaise with Israel, and “monitor the flow of money and funds for the humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza”.
“This money will come from donors, and they have the full right to make sure that there is a monitoring mechanism and supervision where the money will be spent,” he said.
While the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement has been largely implemented, the situation on the ground remains complex. Attention is now turning to the second phase, which would focus on the break-up of Hamas, ensuring Israel’s full withdrawal and determining Gaza’s governance, but worries over a collapse of the truce have emerged in recent days.
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaking the deal. At least 44 people were killed in dozens of Israeli air strikes across Gaza on Sunday, shattering a week of relative calm since Mr Trump’s truce was announced.
Israel said the series of strikes was provoked by Hamas militants firing gunshots and an anti-tank missile at its troops in Rafah, in southern Gaza, an attack that the group denied carrying out. The Israeli military said two soldiers were killed.
Many fear the escalating distrust could derail the agreement. Egypt, along with the US, Qatar and Turkey, has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the war.
“The challenges are there, but it’s all about both parties fulfilling their commitments, and, above all, keeping the Americans engaged. That's why we are in daily contact with them,” said Mr Abdelatty.
“We have to engage with the Americans because this is the main guarantee for the implementation of the Trump peace plan. And the only guarantee to make sure that the parties will uphold to their own commitments is the involvement and the engagement of President Trump himself as well as the United States.
“Without American involvement, without President Trump's involvement, it would have been very difficult to leverage [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and Israel to put an end to this aggression and the war on Gaza.”
‘Only game in town’
Last week, political leaders from around the world convened in the Egyptian leisure resort of Sharm El Sheikh for a ceremony to sign the ceasefire deal in Gaza. Mr Trump declared “peace in the Middle East” at the summit. The deal paused more than two years of war in Gaza that killed more than 68,000 Palestinians in Israeli attacks and left much of the enclave in ruins.
Under the agreement, Hamas must hand over all remaining Israeli hostages – living and dead. About 15 of 28 bodies are still to be returned. Israel blames Hamas for not doing enough to retrieve them, while Hamas says it is facing challenges in recovering all the bodies.
"The issue of the return of the remains of the deceased bodies is ongoing. It's not easy because you have huge debris and explosive devices, and that's why it will take some time,” said Mr Abdelatty.
“The second phase will be more complicated. But we have no other option. This is the only game in town. We will do everything in our power to start the negotiations for the second phase as well as to make them successful."
A Hamas delegation, led by chief negotiator Khalil Al Hayya, arrived in Cairo on Sunday to follow up on the implementation of the ceasefire deal with mediators and other Palestinian groups, Hamas said in a statement.
Mr Abdelatty noted that a conference on the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, which Egypt will host in November, will be “of great importance”.
“[It will be an] international conference under the co-chairmanship of Egypt and the United States – with full participation of many countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the European Union, the Gulf Co-operation Council, Japan, the United Nations and the World Bank,” he added. “We need to create more facts on the ground to make the option of returning to war more difficult.”
Asked whether Hamas would ultimately agree to disarm, Mr Abdelatty said: “There are obligations on both sides, and they have agreed to implement them. Hamas accepted the Trump peace plan and welcomed it.”
He said Israel, which has been using aid and food as bargaining chips in its negotiating strategy, must also meet its commitments, “especially regarding withdrawal from agreed lines and allowing the flow of humanitarian and medical aid, as well as construction materials”.
Mr Abdelatty noted that the number of aid lorries entering Gaza had increased. “We are pushing very hard to allow more trucks,” he said. “We need to flood Gaza with food and humanitarian supplies. We have nearly 50,000 injured people in Gaza who need urgent medical attention.”
Lebanon and Sudan
On Lebanon, Mr Abdelatty said Egypt has “full confidence in the leadership and wisdom” of President Joseph Aoun and “full faith” in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government. “They are moving in the right direction, and we believe that this is a very important opportunity,” he added.
Lebanon is under heavy pressure to disarm non-state actors, including the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah. This month, army commander Gen Rodolphe Haykal briefed the Lebanese government on efforts to disarm the militant group, a month after the cabinet approved the plan.
Israel has kept up regular strikes in Lebanon on what it says are Hezbollah targets despite a ceasefire reached last year, and has maintained its troops in five locations it deems strategic.
“We have, first of all, to end the Israeli occupation of the five locations in south Lebanon in order not to give any excuse for any party to say that we have to be there to fight and end the occupation,” said Mr Abdelatty.
"I had a very long discussion in Sharm El Sheikh with [US special envoy] Tom Barrack on that, and he is in agreement with me that the starting point is to put an end to the Israeli occupation" and violations of Lebanese airspace as well as releasing Lebanese detainees. He said Egypt is providing full support and training to the Lebanese army.
Another conflict in which Egypt is invested in helping to end is the war in Sudan. In September, at the invitation of the US, foreign ministers of the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE, known as the Quad, engaged in extensive consultations on the war. The new peace proposal called for an initial three-month truce followed by a return to civilian rule in which the Muslim Brotherhood is kept out of power.
The Egyptian official said he hopes the upcoming Quad conference will deliver tangible results. He did not specify when the meeting will be held.
“The Quad declaration of the 12th of September provided a road map for settling the conflict in Sudan through having humanitarian troops leading to a ceasefire, which will pave the way for an inclusive, transparent and comprehensive political process under Sudanese ownership,” he said. “We cannot tolerate having the whole city of El Fasher under siege for more than 550 days."
El Fasher, a city held by the Sudanese armed forces, has been besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since May 2024. Tens of thousands of residents have fled shelling.
Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
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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.
RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m
5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Abramovich London
A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.
A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.
Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.
Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
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Abu Dhabi race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
6pm: Liwa Oasis (PA) Group 2 | Dh300,000 | 1,400m
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 (PA) Group 3 | Dh300,000 | 2,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Sean Kirrane (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Arim W’Rsan, Dane O’Neill, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Kalifano De Ghazal, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Oud Al Touba – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Sieh bin Amaar – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Oxord, Richard Mullen, Abdalla Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
