Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
It is 6.30 in the morning, but the small group of Red Cross workers and journalists is already buzzing with energy as they prepare for the journey from Beirut to Lebanon's deep south where border communities have been shattered by months of Israeli attacks.
“Don't worry,” Roy Al Chidiac says as he hands out a security waiver. “This is how we'll protect you,” he adds, pointing to his International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) badge with a wit that the early hour has obviously not dulled.
The small group is about to participate in one of the biggest humanitarian campaigns launched by the ICRC in Lebanon, in collaboration with the Lebanese Red Cross, since the border conflict between Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and the Israeli military began eight months ago.
The month-long initiative, launched at the end of May, aims to give food parcels to about 8,000 families across 51 locations in southern Lebanon within 5km of the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated border between Lebanon and Israel.
Hezbollah opened a front on Israel's northern border in support of the Palestinian group Hamas, its ally, on October 8. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas after its deadly attack on southern Israel a day earlier, which sparked a deadly Israeli retaliation that has left the territory in ruins and killed more than 36,700 people.
Since then, Hezbollah have traded fire almost daily, mostly confined to the border area. The attacks have killed at least 455 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but including 88 civilians, according to an AFP tally.
At least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in Israel's north, according to the military. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the border.
But some have stayed behind.
Cut off in a war zone
About 60,000 people still live within about 10km to 15km from the border with Israel, according to Simone Casabianca-Aeschlimann, the head of the ICRC delegation in Beirut who was taking part in the aid delivery trip.
They are the targeted beneficiaries of ICRC's humanitarian campaign. “We're focusing on the population who have been directly affected by the eight months of hostilities,” she said.
The Red Cross workers will assess the needs of the people in the area to help them more effectively in future campaigns.
Some villages close to the border have not been targeted directly, or only occasionally, making it possible for residents to stay. But after eight months, living conditions in the border areas are getting worse.
Help so far has been scarce as Lebanon, grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis since 2019, is unable to provide citizens with basic social support.
'Dead' economic life
The ICRC convoy halts midway for a debrief. The first distribution will take place in Borj El Mlouk, a village of around 2,000 inhabitants and part of the so-called "Christian corridor", which has been relatively spared from hostilities.
In contrast, Khiam, the second stop, has been targeted by Israeli shelling. For safety reasons, only one of the team will go to the village to hand over the parcels to the mayor.
Humanitarian workers are not immune from attack. In March, an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers at an emergency centre in south Lebanon,.
“We have what we call a duty of care, obligation towards our team. So if we cannot go, then we will not go,” Ms Casabianca-Aeschlimann said.
“But there is never zero risk because it's unfortunately the nature of our job.”
Upon arrival in Borj El Mlouk, the ICRC team is joined by the Lebanese Red Cross. The distribution is co-ordinated with the municipality.
The mayor, Elie Sleiman, told The National that the help is “much needed”.
“People live off their savings and the aid they are receiving; all the youth are unemployed, and all the shops are closed,” Mr Sleiman said.
“Economic life is dead.”
Farmers have been particularly affected in a region where agriculture is usually the mainstay of most households' livelihoods.
“Farmers have been unable to access their land because it's too dangerous. We used to cultivate olives, pine nuts, tobacco, we use to make honey … it has all completely stopped,” Mr Sleiman said.
Wafa Raghda, 42, a single mother of three, is one of the 500 beneficiaries that day. She said the bombings had damaged her house but she cannot afford to pay rent elsewhere.
“There is no work, no schools; the kids are learning online. We get scared if someone gets sick. We don’t know where the situation is going and for how long it will continue.”
With the conflict escalating in recent weeks and diplomatic efforts stalled, the future prospects for southern residents like her are bleak.
“This question of the day after is really something that keeps us awake at night because there is no answer,” Ms Casabianca-Aeschlimann said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
Price: from Dh199,900
On sale: now
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
QUARTER-FINAL
Wales 20-19 France
Wales: T: Wainwright, Moriarty. Cons: Biggar (2) Pens: Biggar 2
France: T: Vahaamahina, Ollivon, Vakatawa Cons: Ntamack (2)
The view from The National
The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Pathaan
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Company%20Profile
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Scores in brief:
Boost Defenders 205-5 in 20 overs
(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
(Rob O’Donnell 67 not out, Kyle Abbott 3-21).
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
