Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
The UN Secretary General on Monday said a UN protectorate was not the solution for the administration of Gaza once the war between Israel and Hamas is over.
“It is important to be able to transform this tragedy into an opportunity," Antonio Guterres said.
"And for that to be possible, it is essential that after the war, we move in a determined and irreversible way to a two-state solution,” the UN chief told reporters in New York, underscoring the importance of bolstering the Palestinian Authority to assume responsibility in Gaza.
“We will need a multi-stakeholder approach in which different countries, different entities, will co-operate.
“For Israel, of course, the US is the main guarantor of its security. For Palestinians, the neighbouring and Arab countries of the region are essential.”
Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza are growing questions over the future administration of the enclave once the fighting comes to an end.
According to Politico, Germany has put forth a proposal suggesting the UN assumes control over the Gaza Strip when the war ends.
Germany's two-page proposal, dated October 21, outlines the idea of a carefully co-ordinated transition towards Palestinian self-governance through elections, with international support ensuring security during this process.
Richard Gowan, UN director at the international Crisis Group, told The National officials were “nervous” about the idea of the world body governing Gaza in the way that it previously governed Kosovo and East Timor.
“There are obvious security risks,” he said. "The UN would look like Israel's proxies. There would be a high risk of protests and terrorist attacks targeting the UN.
“The risks are too high.”
Mr Gowan said there is a great deal of discussion about the need for a transitional period in Gaza – but nobody wants to take responsibility for such a transition.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi rejected the idea of sending Arab peacekeepers to Gaza after the war ends to prevent the resurgence of Hamas and provide overall security.
“There will be no Arab troops going to Gaza, none,” he said.
A plan to station Arab troops in Gaza after the war sends Israel the message that it has free rein to destroy the enclave, Mr Safadi said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted Israel indefinitely maintains security control over Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken firmly rejected any notion of the Gaza Strip being reoccupied by Israel during a meeting of foreign ministers in Tokyo on November 8.
Mr Blinken outlined his comprehensive vision for the future of Gaza, emphasising the importance of a Palestinian-led government and the unification of Gaza with the currently occupied West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
“These must include the Palestinian people’s voices and aspirations at the centre of post-crisis governance in Gaza,” he said.
Omri Brinner, an Israel and Middle East analyst at the International Team for the Study of Security Verona, told The National the Israelis will not allow Palestinian Authority rule in case of a subsequent loss to Hamas, as happened in 2006-07.
"Now is not the time for wishful thinking and disconnected promises," said Mr Brinner.
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
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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.
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Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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