Donald Trump warned Hamas it would meet a "fast, furious and brutal" end if it breaches the Gaza ceasefire deal, as his Vice President visited Israel to keep the truce on track.
JD Vance is expected to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow in a US push to move to the next phase of peace plan. Mr Vance said things were "in a very good place" despite a wave of Israeli air strikes at the weekend.
US troops are manning a new "co-operation centre" opened by Mr Vance in Israel, where he said they would help "begin the plan to rebuild Gaza". The next stages would involve ending Hamas rule in Gaza and handing power to a Palestinian committee.
The first stage, though, still requires Hamas to hand over the remains of more than a dozen hostages – with two more being transferred tonight. Israel has delayed opening aid routes into Gaza, with the World Food Programme warning on Tuesday that not enough supplies were arriving.
Mr Trump claimed US allies had offered to help "straighten out Hamas" if it breached the agreement. "There is still hope that Hamas will do what is right. If they do not, an end to Hamas will be fast, furious and brutal," he wrote on social media.
Mr Vance, though, said events since the truce took effect had given him "great optimism the ceasefire's going to hold". US envoy Steve Witkoff added: "We are exceeding where we thought we would be at this time."
A future peacekeeping force for Gaza is expected to include troops from Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Indonesia, but not the US. "There are not going to be American boots on the ground in Gaza," Mr Vance said. "The President of the United States has made that very clear."
Mr Vance’s trip comes days after the most dangerous breach of the ceasefire, in which at least 40 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks following a disputed incident when two Israeli soldiers died. The New York Times reported that Mr Trump's administration is concerned that Israel is trying to sink the peace deal.
Mr Vance's plans include a visit to Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv, a source told The National. He will meet Mr Netanyahu and then President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Senior Trump administration officials Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Monday. The pair have met Israeli former hostages and Mr Netanyahu.
In a further sign of pressure being applied to the Israeli leadership, Egypt's head of intelligence was also in the country to meet Mr Netanyahu and Mr Witkoff, Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera News reported.
Mr Trump has this month led a widely supported effort to end the war, which has resulted in the release of all living Israeli hostages held in Gaza in return for the freedom of almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. Efforts to retrieve the bodies of dead Israeli hostages are continuing, with Israel accusing Hamas of stalling.
The Red Cross said on Tuesday it enabled the transfer of the bodies of 15 Palestinians from Israel to Gaza as part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal, taking the total handed over to 165.
Hamas, which is working alongside a regional mission to repatriate the dead, says it is sticking by the ceasefire and that it is struggling to find bodies because Israel is not allowing heavy equipment into the strip. Other points of tension include Israel’s restrictions on aid entering Gaza and the status of the Rafah border crossing from Egypt.
About 990 aid lorries have entered the strip since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, according to Gaza's government media office. The office said 6,600 lorries were supposed to have entered by Monday evening under the truce agreement.
Mr Vance's trip comes as leaders in the region sound the alarm about the future of the peace deal. Sheikh Tamim, Emir of Qatar, a central mediator of the truce, accused Israel of breaching the agreement with its deadly strikes on Hamas positions on Sunday.
“We reiterate our condemnation of all Israeli violations and practices in Palestine, particularly the transformation of the Gaza Strip into an area unfit for human life and the continued violation of the ceasefire,” Sheikh Tamim said in an annual address to Qatar's Shura Council legislative body.
The UN's World Food Programme repeated calls for all border crossings into Gaza to be opened so more aid can enter. The UN has said there is famine in parts of the enclave.
“Sustaining the ceasefire is vital. Really, it's the only way we can save lives,” said Abeer Etefa, the agency's Middle East spokeswoman.
Company%20profile
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
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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
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THREE
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'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
