RAMALLAH // Hamas security forces killed the leader of a radical Islamist group in Rafah in fighting yesterday and Friday that claimed the lives of 22 people.
More than 150 people were also wounded in seven hours of fighting that erupted Friday evening after Abdel Latif Mousa declared Rafah to be an Islamic emirate and took over a mosque with some 100 followers of his group, Jund Ansar Allah, or Soldiers of the Companions of God.
By Saturday, the Brazil refugee camp in Rafah, right on the border with Egypt where the fighting took place, was closed to the media and public as Hamas security forces swept the area. Hamas officials said order had been restored and that most members of the group had been arrested or killed.
"This gang has been active for three or four years and adopted the ideas of radical groups like al Qa'eda," said Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas official from Rafah.
Hamas officials have blamed the group for a string of violent incidents in the Gaza Strip over the last year, including the firebombing of DVD shops and internet cafes as well as the bombing last month of a wedding of a relative of Mohammad Dahlan, a senior Fatah leader and former Gaza security chief, in which over 50 people were wounded.
Mr Hamad said Hamas had now sent a "strong message" to similar groups that "it is better to live peacefully with others in Gaza and not use violence".
Jund Ansar Allah had accused Hamas of being too liberal and wanted a strict enforcement of Islamic law in the Gaza Strip. Mousa was also unhappy that Hamas has maintained an unofficial ceasefire with Israel since January and urged his followers to engage in a global jihad, in contrast to Hamas, which maintains its struggle is solely against the Israeli occupation.
Mr Hamad said Hamas had tried to mediate with Mousa since Tuesday, to ask him to stop inciting against Hamas and the government in Gaza. But in his Friday sermon, Mousa declared Rafah an Islamic emirate that would now follow strict Islamic law and, with some 100 armed followers, he took over the mosque in the Brazil camp.
Hamas forces surrounded the area and deployed rocket-propelled grenades and other heavy weaponry against houses in the Brazil camp that had been taken over by Jund Ansar Allah fighters, themselves heavily armed. Six civilians, including an 11-year-old girl, as well as seven Hamas troops were among the dead.
Reports suggest that Jund Ansar Allah had headquartered itself in the camp because it had its own smuggling tunnel there under the border to Egypt. Hamas has prided itself on restoring order to what had been frequently lawless streets in Gaza before the movement ousted Fatah-affiliated security forces in June 2007. It has subsequently shown little tolerance for armed groups that have defied its ban on carrying weapons in public or have used them for anything other than against Israeli targets.
In September 2008, 11 people were killed when Hamas forces overran a stronghold for the Doghmush family in Gaza, a powerful tribe with both criminal and jihadist links. Members of the Doghmush clan, the so-called Army of Islam, had in 2007 abducted Alan Johnson, a BBC journalist, an incident that served as the first test of Hamas's ability to impose order.
Under British pressure, a deal was struck for the journalist's peaceful release, but there was little doubt that Hamas was biding its time before clamping down on the group.
The clashes with Jund Ansar Allah reveal some of the friction that has arisen between Hamas and radical Islamic groups who believe Hamas has allowed itself to be a nationalist movement first and an Islamic movement only second. It also shows that Hamas is willing and able to crack down on these groups if it feels its authority is threatened.
"We tried to defuse this situation, but Mousa did not listen to anyone," said Mr Hamad.
"Hamas cannot accept any group that promotes such radical ideology. Hamas is a moderate force. This is something that must be understood by the international community."
@Email:okarmi@thenational.ae
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
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Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
Results
Men's finals
45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.
51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.
57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.
63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.
71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).
81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.
91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.
Women's finals
45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.
51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.
57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.
63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
THE CARD
2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
MATCH INFO
France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
RESULT
Bournemouth 0 Southampton 3 (Djenepo (37', Redmond 45' 1, 59')
Man of the match Nathan Redmond (Southampton)
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
