Hello from The National in Abu Dhabi. Here is your morning newsletter with all the top stories from the Mena region.

GAZA/ISRAEL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected criticism that he is not planning for the post-war era in Gaza, following remarks by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israelis for the deadlock in ceasefire talks, saying their amendments have led the negotiations into a stalemate. A number of Palestinians were killed and others injured in Israeli air strikes and gunfire in the Gaza Strip last night. The EU said the operation in Rafah would put a heavy strain on relations with Israel. Follow the latest developments here.

Egypt’s government has given a panel of international law experts the job of identifying and assessing the ramifications of further punitive action against Israel in response to military operations in Rafah, sources told The National. They said the panel also included top constitutional experts, as well as senior members of the nation’s intelligence services.

Leaders arrive today for the Arab League summit following a unanimous vote to adopt the “Bahrain declaration” calling for a peace conference on the conflict in Manama, a Bahraini official confirmed. EU presidency holder Belgium is advocating a total ban on the export of weapons to Israel but is opposed by some members of the bloc, Belgian Development Co-operation Minister Caroline Gennez said.

Senior Hamas officials met Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah at an undisclosed location in Beirut to conduct “an in-depth assessment” of developments related to the war.

The US military has finished construction of a floating pier that will enable offshore humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, but poor weather is hampering the final placement of the facility. Another member of the US government – the first Jewish-American political appointment – has resigned over America's support for Israel during its deadly military operations.

"Now all we feel is fear": Elderly Palestinians say Gaza war worse than 1948 Nakba.

EGYPT

Egypt has received a second payment of $14 billion from the UAE to develop the coastal city of Ras Al Hekma. The allocation is the second tranche of the $35 billion deal signed in February with a consortium led by Abu Dhabi's investment holding firm ADQ.

SYRIA

Why Syria's conflict still matters to the Arab League: The continuing crisis in the country was discussed at the Arab foreign ministers' meeting in Manama.

YEMEN

Yemen is suffering “one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises”, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said as Britain pledged £140 million ($178 million) in the coming year to help starving people in the country.

QATAR

Qatar will sign more long-term liquefied natural gas contracts this year as demand for the supercooled fuel grows in Asia and Europe, the country’s Energy Minister said.

UAE

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a 10-year Blue Residency visa for people who make “exceptional contributions” towards protecting the environment.

PLUS …

'We want to see Palestinians play football - not die in war': The Nakba survivors supporting their granddaughter playing for the national team.

Our editorial team asks, can the Middle East handle the growing threat of heatwaves?

AND …

Thirteen films from the Mena region showing at Cannes 2024.

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