Latest news with #Manal
Qatar Tribune
10-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Israeli strike kills children queuing for supplements in Gaza, says hospital
Agencies At least 15 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, have been killed in an Israeli strike while queuing for nutritional supplements in front of a clinic in central Gaza, a hospital says. Video from al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah showed the bodies of several children and others lying on the floor as medics treated their wounds. US-based aid group Project Hope, which runs the clinic, said the attack was a blatant violation of international law. The Israeli military said it struck a 'Hamas terrorist' and regretted any harm to civilians. Another 37 people were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes elsewhere in Gaza, as Israel and Hamas continued talks on a ceasefire deal. Despite optimism expressed by the US, which is acting as a mediator along with Qatar and Egypt, they do not so far seem to be close to a breakthrough. Project Hope said Thursday morning's strike in front of its Altayara health clinic in Deir al-Balah happened as patients had gathered outside, awaiting its opening to receive treatment for malnutrition, infections, chronic illnesses and more. 'Suddenly, we heard the sound of a drone approaching, and then the explosion happened,' witness Yousef al-Aydi told AFP news agency. 'The ground shook beneath our feet, and everything around us turned into blood and deafening screams.' Graphic footage posted on social media, which was verified by the BBC, showed the immediate aftermath of the attack, with adults and young children lying in a street, some severely wounded and others not moving. At the mortuary of nearby al-Aqsa hospital, relatives of those killed wept as they wrapped the dead children in white shrouds and body bags before performing funeral prayers. One woman told the BBC that her pregnant niece, Manal, and her daughter, Fatima, were among them, and that Manal's son was in the intensive care unit. 'She was queuing to get the children supplements when the incident happened,' Intisar said. Another woman standing nearby said: 'For what sin were they killed?' 'We are dying before the ears and eyes of the whole world. The whole world is watching the Gaza Strip. If people aren't killed by the Israeli army, they die trying to get aid.' Project Hope's president and CEO, Rabih Torbay, said the aid group's clinics were 'a place of refuge in Gaza where people bring their small children, women access pregnancy and postpartum care, people receive treatment for malnutrition, and more'. 'Yet, this morning, innocent families were mercilessly attacked as they stood in line waiting for the doors to open,' he added. 'Horrified and heartbroken cannot properly communicate how we feel anymore.' 'This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, and a stark reminder that no-one and no place is safe in Gaza, even as ceasefire talks continue. This cannot continue.' The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it struck a member of the elite Nukhba forces of Hamas's military wing who had taken part in the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Elsewhere, five people were killed when an Israeli drone struck tents in the coastal al-Mawasi area, in southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. It posted a video showing first responders recovering the bodies of three young children buried beneath sand and debris. The attacks happened as mediators attempted to build momentum towards a ceasefire deal at indirect proximity talks in Doha. However, significant gaps between Israel and Hamas appear to remain. On Wednesday night, a senior Israeli official told journalists in Washington that it could take one or two weeks to reach an agreement. The official, who was speaking during a visit to the US by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also said that if an agreement was reached on a 60-day ceasefire, Israel would use that time to offer a permanent end to the war that would require Hamas to disarm. If Hamas refused to disarm, Israel would 'proceed' with military operations, they added. Earlier, Hamas issued a statement saying that the talks had been difficult, blaming Israeli 'intransigence'. The group said it had shown flexibility in agreeing to release 10 hostages, but it reiterated that it was seeking a 'comprehensive' agreement that would end the Israeli offensive. The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 57,762 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Most of Gaza's population has also been displaced multiple times. More than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed; and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. 'The IDF is aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals in the area. The incident is under review,' it added. 'The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals.'
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Gaza strike kills children waiting for food, as Israel targets Hamas fighter — bodies line hospital floor as ceasefire hopes dim
At least 15 Palestinians including eight children and two women were killed in an Israeli airstrike near a medical point in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, hospital officials report. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirmed the victims had been waiting in line for nutritional supplements. Hospital footage shows medics treating injured individuals and bodies of children and adults lying on the ground. Israeli military claims militant target, regrets civilian harm The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated it struck a member of Hamas's elite Nukhba forces, who had participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The IDF acknowledged reports of civilian injuries, expressed regret for collateral impact, and confirmed the event is under review. 'The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals,' its statement said. Families react as funeral rituals begin amid civilian toll Relatives at the hospital morgue wrapped the deceased children in white shrouds and performed funeral prayers. One woman told the BBC that her pregnant niece, Manal, and her daughter, Fatima, were among the deceased, while Manal's son is currently in intensive care. 'She was queuing to get the children supplements when the incident happened, I don't know what happened after that,' she said. Another mourner questioned, 'For what sin were they killed?' and remarked on the high civilian toll: 'We are dying…If people aren't killed by the Israeli army, they die trying to get aid.' These children were waiting for food supplements before they were killed in cold blood by an Israeli missile at a medical point on Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. The death toll of the attack was 13 with the majority being children and women. Director General of the… Ongoing ceasefire talks and wider casualties The strike comes amid indirect ceasefire and hostage release negotiations in Doha involving Israeli and Hamas delegations, with the US, Qatar, and Egypt mediating. Neither side has reported a breakthrough. The UK mentioned that closing the gap could take one to two weeks. Israel is seeking a 60-day ceasefire, during which it would push for Hamas disarmament—or resume military operations if that fails. Hamas described the discussions as difficult and criticized Israeli 'intransigence,' though it expressed flexibility by agreeing to release ten hostages so far. Broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza On the same day, other strikes across Gaza reportedly claimed 26 additional lives. Since the October 7 attack in southern Israel, about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Gaza has seen approximately 57,680 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The war has driven multiple displacements, destroyed an estimated 90% of homes, and caused collapses in public infrastructure healthcare, water, sanitation—leaving residents facing shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.
Saudi Gazette
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Children queuing for supplements killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
JERUSALEM — At least 15 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, have been killed in an Israeli strike near a medical point in central Gaza, a hospital there says. Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said the strike hit people queueing for nutritional supplements in the town of Deir al-Balah. Graphic video from the hospital showed the bodies of several children and others lying on the floor as medics treated their wounds. The Israeli military said it targeted a "Hamas terrorist" in the area. It said it "regret[ted] any harm to uninvolved individuals" and that the incident was "under review". Another 26 people were reportedly killed in strikes elsewhere in Gaza on Thursday, as Israeli and Hamas delegations continued negotiations for a new ceasefire and hostage release deal at indirect talks in Doha. Despite optimism expressed by the US, which is acting as a mediator along with Qatar and Egypt, they do not so far seem to have come close to a breakthrough. At al-Aqsa hospital's mortuary, relatives of those killed wept as they wrapped the dead children in white shrouds and body bags before performing funeral woman told the BBC that her pregnant niece, Manal, and her daughter, Fatima, were among them, and that Manal's son was in the intensive care unit."She was queuing to get the children supplements when the incident happened, I don't know what happened after that," Intisar woman standing said nearby said: "For what sin were they killed?""We are dying before the ears and eyes of the whole world. The whole world is watching the Gaza Strip. If people aren't killed by the Israeli army, they die trying to get aid."The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it struck a member of the elite Nukhba forces of Hamas's military wing who had taken part in the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel."The IDF is aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals in the area. The incident is under review," it added. "The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals."The attack happened as mediators attempted to build momentum towards a ceasefire deal at talks in significant gaps between Israel and Hamas appear to Wednesday night, a senior Israeli official told journalists in Washington that it could take one or two weeks to reach an official, who was speaking during a visit to the US by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also said that if an agreement was reached on a 60-day ceasefire, Israel would use that time to offer a permanent end to the war that would require Hamas to disarm. If Hamas refused to disarm, Israel would "proceed" with military operations, they Hamas issued a statement saying that the talks had been difficult, blaming Israeli "intransigence".The group said it had shown flexibility in agreeing to release 10 hostages, but it reiterated that it was seeking a "comprehensive" agreement that would end the Israeli Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken least 57,680 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health of Gaza's population has also been displaced multiple times. More than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed; and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. — BBC
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dubai school fees soar by up to Dh5,000: How are parents coping with the hike?
As Dubai school fees increase by up to Dh5,000, parents are adjusting by paying upfront for discounts or considering school transfers. A wave of school fee hikes has been announced across Dubai, leaving parents to either adapt to the higher costs or consider alternative schooling options. While some families are grappling with increases of up to Dh5,000 annually for each child, others are managing more modest hikes of a few hundred dirhams. Despite the widespread rise in fees, many parents are exploring ways to cope, from paying annual fees in lump sums to researching more affordable institutions. Fee Hikes: What's Driving the Increase? In May 2025, Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) approved a 2.35% increase in the Education Cost Index (ECI) for private for-profit schools for the 2025-2026 academic year. This decision allows schools to adjust their fees based on individual school grades, as determined by the results of the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) and the ECI. The change impacts families across Dubai, who have started receiving notifications about the fee increases. The adjustment is part of a broader effort to account for inflation, rising operational costs, and other financial pressures faced by schools. However, while some parents are facing steep increases, others are relieved by more manageable hikes. A Mixed Reaction from Parents Many parents are already feeling the financial strain of the fee hikes. For example, Manal, a Dubai resident with children attending an Indian syllabus school in Al Quoz, shared that her family's total fee increase will amount to Dh400 per year for both of her children. 'I am very glad that the increase is manageable and not a huge burden,' Manal said. 'We had budgeted for an increase this year so we were not caught off-guard,' Khaleej Times reported. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In contrast, some families are facing much steeper hikes. Vivek, an Indian expat with two children enrolled in a premium school, revealed that his children's school fees currently range from Dh87,000 to Dh92,000 annually. The recent fee hike will cost him an additional Dh10,000 per year for both children. 'However, our school gives the option of paying the entire year's fees in one go,' Vivek said. 'This has given us a lump sum discount, so the total fee increase for me has come to about Dh3,000 per year for both children. ' Meanwhile, other parents like German expatriate Greta, whose three children attend a British syllabus school in Jumeirah, are feeling the squeeze. 'I got the email yesterday that my school fees have been hiked by Dh2,000 per child per annum,' Greta shared. 'That's a total increase of Dh6,000 per year in school fees alone. The books, uniforms, and other study material are not included in that.' Greta admits that she cannot consider switching schools because her eldest child will be entering Year 11 in the upcoming academic year. Instead, she and her husband are adjusting by cutting back on some extracurricular activities to offset the additional costs. The Growing Need for Affordable Options For some parents, the fee hikes have become too much to bear, prompting them to consider transferring their children to more affordable schools. Mohammed Iqbal, whose children attend a British syllabus school in Qusais, expressed relief as his school's increase was relatively modest, Dh1,200 annually. 'I was expecting a little more than that, so I am very happy,' he remarked. On the other hand, parent R.M., whose children attend another British syllabus school, has seen fee increases two years in a row. 'Last year, our school increased fees by 4.55%, and this year again, they announced a 2.35% hike,' R.M. explained. 'While I understand that the cost for businesses is going up, it puts a burden on parents because unfortunately, salaries don't increase at the same rate as the costs. I began researching schools as soon as I heard about the fee hike, but then soon realized that changing schools would bring with it a fresh set of challenges. So we decided to stay put at our current one.' Umm Mohammed, another Dubai parent, decided to move her daughter to a more affordable school before the fee hike was announced. 'We were paying over Dh55,000 in annual fees at our previous school,' she recalled. 'It was already the higher upper limit of what we could afford. So last year, we decided to move her to another school. Now we pay Dh30,000 inclusive of school fees, uniforms, and books. When the announcement of the school fees came, I was relieved. At our previous school, the fee increase would have been really difficult for us. But now, the fee increase is about Dh1,000 per annum. It is very manageable for us. I think it was the best decision to move her," she added. The Bigger Picture: Dubai's Expanding Private School Sector Dubai's private school sector has been booming, with a 12% increase in student enrollment recorded in the 2023-2024 academic year. As of the latest figures, Dubai has 227 private schools serving 387,441 students from 185 different nationalities. The rise in student numbers has likely contributed to the increased demand for private education and the subsequent fee hikes. Despite the challenges, many parents still find value in Dubai's private education system, with some schools offering flexible payment options to help mitigate the financial strain. The diverse offerings of schools, from international curricula to specialized programs, also give parents more choices, though finding an affordable option in the current climate can be challenging.
Khaleej Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai schools hike fees: Parents pay up to Dh5,000 more, consider affordable academies
Dubai parents have begun receiving school fee increase notifications after regulators allowed a hike earlier this year. While some will have modest fee increases of just Dh200 per year for a child, parents of more premium schools will see their fees go up almost Dh5,000 annually for one child. To offset the cost, some parents are opting to pay an entire year's fees in one go, while others are looking to move their children to cheaper schools. On the other hand, some parents are happy that their fee hikes have been minimal and affordable. For Dubai parent Manal whose children study at an Indian syllabus school in Al Quoz, the total fee hike for both her children will be Dh400 per annum. 'I am very glad that the increase is manageable and not a huge burden,' she said. 'We had budgeted for an increase this year so we were not caught off-guard.' In May this year, Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) approved an Education Cost Index (ECI) of 2.35 per cent for for-profit private schools in the emirate for academic year 2025-2026. This allows schools to increase their fees based on their individual school grade as per the results of the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB), and the ECI. Indian expat Vivek has two children studying in an outstanding premium school in the emirate. The current yearly school fees for his children range between Dh87,000 to Dh92,000 and he would have to shell out an additional Dh10,000 per annum for both children together. 'However, our school gives the option of paying the entire year's fees in one go,' he said. 'This has given us a lump sum discount so the total fee increase for me has come to about Dh3,000 per year for both children.' 'No other option' German parent Greta said that she will 'feel the pinch' of the school fees increase but has 'no other option' as all schools have hiked their charges. 'Three of my children go to a British syllabus school in Jumeirah and I got the email yesterday that my school fees have been hiked by Dh2,000 per child per annum,' said Dubai resident Greta. 'That is a total increase of Dh6,000 per year in school fees alone. The books, uniforms and other study material are not included in that. However, changing the school is not an option for us because my eldest will be going to Year 11 in the next academic year and I don't think it is wise to change him now. Maybe next year, I might look into it.' However, she added that she discussed cutting down on some extra-curricular activities and her husband to offset the cost of school fees. Dubai currently has 227 private schools serving 387,441 students from 185 nationalities. The sector recorded an unprecedented 12 per cent increase in student enrollment in the 2023-24 academic year. For Mohammed Iqbal whose children study at a British syllabus school in Qusais, the increase has been manageable. 'My children are both in secondary school and the total fee hike has been Dh1,200 annually,' he said. 'I was expecting a little more than that so I am very happy.' Second year in a row Parent R.M. whose children attend a British syllabus school in Dubai said she has been hit with fee increases for two years in a row. 'Last year, our school increased fees by 4.55 percent and this year again, they announced a 2.35 percent hike,' she said. 'While I understand that the cost for businesses is going up, it puts a burden on parents because unfortunately salaries don't increase at the same rate as the costs. I began researching schools as soon as I heard about the fee hike but then soon realized that changing schools would bring with it a fresh set of challenges. So we decided to stay put at our current one.' Meanwhile some parents foresaw the fee increase and moved their children ahead of time. Umm Mohammed said that she decided to move her daughter from an expensive school in Dubai to a more reasonable one. 'We were paying over Dh55,000 in annual fees at our previous school,' she said. 'It was already the higher upper limit of what we could afford. So last year, we decided to move her to another school. Now we pay Dh30,000 inclusive of school fees, uniforms and books. When the announcement of the school fees came, I was relieved. At our previous school, the fee increase would have been really difficult for us. But now, the fee increase is about Dh1,000 per annum. It is very manageable for us. I think it was the best decision to move her.'
