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Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
Witkoff and Huckabee to enter Gaza as anger over famine mounts
US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee plan to enter Gaza on Friday to inspect aid distribution sites, as global rage mounts over the looming famine in the Gaza Strip. "Tomorrow, special envoy Witkoff and ambassador Huckabee will be travelling into Gaza to inspect the current (aid) distribution sites and secure a plan to deliver more food and meet with local Gazans to hear firsthand about this dire situation on the ground," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday. The visit will be Witkoff's second to Gaza and the first visit from a US ambassador to the enclave in over two decades. It reflects mounting pressure by Trump to address the enclaves' starving Palestinians, as resentment grows not only among US allies but within his own MAGA base. Trump dispatched Witkoff to Israel on Thursday, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The death toll in the Gaza Strip has passed 60,000, mainly women and children, as Israel continues to pummel the enclave with no ceasefire in sight. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Palestinian health ministry said on Wednesday that at least 154 people, including 89 children, have died from hunger since the war started in October 2023. Backlash to Gaza famine Those seeking aid have been met with bombardment and gunfire from Israeli soldiers and American mercenaries. The US and Israel sidelined the United Nations in Gaza and established the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to distribute aid at four sites for Gaza's two million-strong population. The images of starving Palestinians running through cage-like structures in a barren desert to pick up packages of meagre food have started to filter out to the US public and are causing backlash. Tony Aguilar, a former Green Beret and contractor who worked for GHF, has shared with US media harrowing stories of atrocities committed by US mercenaries and Israeli soldiers at the sites. This week, he appeared in an interview with Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson. Why Trump has little interest in delivering a ceasefire in Gaza Read More » Earlier this week, for the first time, a majority of Senate Democrats and two Independent allies voted to block the sale of $675m in weapons to Israel. The measure was defeated, and all Republicans voted against the resolutions. But Trump's base of "America First" conservatives is also turning against Israel's war on Gaza. This week, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump supporter, became the first Republican member of Congress to declare Israel's war a genocide, joining dozens of human rights groups and scholars, including two prominent Israeli ones, to do so. The conservative podcaster Carlson has run a series of back-to-back interviews critical of Israel's war on Gaza and the US's involvement in the scandal-ridden GHF. Analysts told MEE that Trump has been forced to manage the ugly realities of the Gaza famine because he has decided not to extend political capital to push Netanyahu into a ceasefire and permanent end to the war. On Thursday, Trump reiterated previous comments that the humanitarian crisis would end if Hamas releases the captives, but he did not spell out a permanent end to the war. "The fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND FREE THE HOSTAGES!!!" Trump said on Thursday in a social media post. US isolation deepens The US has become more isolated on the world stage as it faces pressure from European and Arab partners to rein in Israel. In Egypt, Arab officials tell MEE there is growing alarm that Israel will use Gaza's famine to implement a forced displacement of Palestinians to Sinai. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made a rare video address to Trump this week, calling on him to end the war after an Egyptian police station was stormed by protesters angry over Gaza. Former Gaza contractor says Israeli soldiers were ready to shoot starving children Read More » Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and France jointly hosted a UN conference that called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the creation of a Palestinian state along the lines of the 1967 border, also known as the green line, which includes Gaza, the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. The UK announced this week that unless a ceasefire in Gaza is reached by September, it will recognise a Palestinian state. Canada and Portugal have joined the UK in announcing plans to recognise a Palestinian state. Germany's top diplomat, Johann Wadephul, who met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday, warned before setting off that "Israel is finding itself increasingly in the minority". So far, the US is doubling down. The US State Department announced it would deny visas to officials from the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and which the US's Arab allies want to govern Gaza after the war.
Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Al Etihad
UAE's Advertiser Permit to boost content creators' credibility, drive sector growth
1 Aug 2025 00:10 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Content creators in the UAE have started applying for the Advertiser Permit launched on Wednesday, embracing it as a crucial step towards legal clarity and professional recognition in the fast-growing content by the UAE Media Council, the permit will take effect in three months and applies to anyone engaged in paid or unpaid promotional work online, including apply to those promoting their own products, services, or company, and to under-18s engaged in educational, athletic, cultural, or awareness permit is free for the first three years, and holders must display their permit number on all social media accounts and platforms. Speaking with Aletihad , Ahmad Al Jamal, a UAE-based entrepreneur, content creator, and economic expert, noted that this regulatory move would ultimately support sustainable growth in the content economy. 'The content economy is globally promising, and the government's proactive approach in regulating this industry will ensure its sustainability and position the UAE as an attractive destination for content creators and entrepreneurs,' he Jamal noted that licensing boosts the credibility of content creators, earning them audience trust and professional recognition, which leads to more collaboration opportunities and increased income. The Advertiser Permit establishes clear standards and expectations for digital advertising in the UAE, according to Al Jamal.'When applying for the permit, creators are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the country's media rules and best practices, with guiding videos they must watch to move to the next step in the application,' he explained. This licensing process benefits regulators, creators, and viewers by creating a healthier, more sustainable industry, added Al entrepreneur and content creator Yousuf Saleh Abdulla also believes that the permit will open new doors for entrepreneurship in content creation. 'With a clear and official framework now in place, content creators in the UAE can work with more confidence and earn greater trust from public and private entities,' Abdulla told Aletihad . Abdulla believes that this regulatory move reflects a government vision to transform digital creation into a real thriving economy, underpinned by professionalism and transparency.'From my own experience, the industry has become more organised and business-focused. Regulation and licensing elevate content creation from a hobby to a serious profession, creating new growth opportunities.' Abdulla noted that licensing shows that the UAE recognises content creators as key players in shaping its media landscape, not just as entertainers, but as contributors to the country's digital image and public dialogue.
Hi Dubai
2 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Summer Sale Sees 40% Digital Sales Surge and Rise in Cross-Border Orders
Despite the low season, the Dubai Summer Sale is going to be a new Black Friday for the summer months in the UAE, driven by cross-border orders and promotional discount campaigns from brands. Flowwow, a UAE-based gifting marketplace, and Admitad, a global performance marketing company, conducted a joint e-commerce research, analysing over 2 million online orders during the summer season from June 27 to August 31 in the UAE and MENA. With the Dubai Summer Surprise (DSS) 2024 campaign (also known as Dubai Summer Sale), the merchandise revenue grew by 15% with a 40% share of mobile commerce orders. UAE Summer Sales Insights Flowwow's summer gift sale in 2024 saw a significant year-over-year boost, with GMV up by 160.2% and the number of sales increasing by 162% in the Emirates. According to Admitad data for e-commerce orders, in the UAE, the number of online orders grew by 12%, and Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) increased by 15%. Accompanied by a rise in average order value from $69 to $75, this growth was fuelled by mobile shopping, cross-border orders during the holiday summer season, and Gen Z's highly digital habits. Sales in the low season are being boosted by the Dubai Summer Sale in both online and in-store shopping, as UAE brands work to maintain growth during the off-season by offering special deals, discounts, and promotional campaigns like 'Shop, Scan & Win'. Analytics forecast a further 15% rise in online orders for the Dubai Summer Surprise 2025. Mobile commerce kept growing in MENA, with the share of purchases made on mobile devices increasing from 39% to 40% in the summer. Smartphones contributed 79% of 2024 sales in total, confirming mobile's primacy in the UAE e-commerce market. According to Flowwow and Admitad analysts, the share of mobile orders will continue to grow by 10% in 2025. MENA Regional Summer Trends The UAE and Kuwait were leading the region in summer shopping, recording the highest average order values (AOV) during the 2024 season. Kuwait topped the list with an AOV of $120, followed by the UAE at $75. Other key markets included Jordan ($55), Saudi Arabia ($52), and Qatar ($50), all showing healthy levels of consumer spending across various retail categories. Across the MENA region, online sales experienced notable year-on-year growth: the number of orders during summer increased by 12%, while Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) rose by 21%, with part of this growth attributed to inflation. The Average Order Value (AOV) in MENA saw a rise from $30 to $36. Saudi Arabia also saw positive dynamics, with an 8% increase in order volume and a 16% boost in GMV in 2024. During summer, the average order value in the Kingdom climbed from $48 to $52. This rise is partially attributed to inflation and increasingly digital consumer habits, especially among Gen Z consumers. Data shows that approximately 60% of UAE consumers have made at least one online purchase from an international retailer. Moreover, over 80% of the UAE online shoppers buy from international websites via global e-commerce platforms like Amazon and AliExpress. These global e-commerce giants and niche marketplaces are driving cross-border orders to and from the UAE, underscoring the growing popularity of shopping across international markets. Flowwow internal data proves this trend and shows a 20% increase in demand for cross-border gifting during the summer season of 2024. While many UAE residents travel abroad during the summer, more and more people are ordering gifts online — either from other countries to the UAE or from the UAE to loved ones abroad. Leading countries in this trend include the United Kingdom (17%), the United States of America (15%), Russia (12%), Saudi Arabia (10%), Germany (5%), France (5%), the Netherlands (4%), Kazakhstan (4%), Spain (4%), Turkey (4%), Italy (3%) and several others. This rise in cross-border gifting reflects broader patterns. International travel bookings by UAE residents surged by 35% in July and August 2024 compared to the previous year, according to travel agencies. Europe accounted for 65% of all UAE visa requests in Q2, highlighting a strong seasonal trend as millions of UAE residents travel abroad during the summer. 'The growth in cross-border orders shows just how open and globally connected the UAE market is. During the Dubai Summer Sale, we see people not only shopping for themselves, but also sending gifts abroad — connecting with friends and family across different countries. With its diverse, multicultural population and strong e-commerce market, the UAE has become a key destination for international shopping. At Flowwow, we're proud to support that by making cross-border gifting easier and more convenient.' — said Slava Bogdan, CEO at Flowwow. Leading Summer Categories Summer 2024 shopping data reveals clear category preferences across the MENA region, with Fashion leading the way at 21% of total purchases. Home & Garden (19%) and Electronics (18%) follow, showing that consumers remain focused on both lifestyle upgrades and tech essentials. 'Dubai Summer Sale, one of the leading shopping moments of the year, shows strong interest in fashion and high demand for seasonal clothing and accessories in the UAE. Fashion leads with 28% of all e-commerce purchases in the country: local consumers are buying fashion items both in malls and online, using global e-commerce platforms for cross-border orders. The sales season is also driving increased interest in car products among UAE consumers and the growing influence of seasonal sales' — Anna Gidirim, CEO at Admitad, commented. Among other leading categories in the UAE, Electronics (17%) and Home & Garden (14%) also remain popular, while increased spending on Car Products (11%) and Toys & Hobbies (7.5%) points to a broader focus on home life, family, and mobility. Flowers (60%), cakes and bakery products (15%) became the leaders of gifting orders in the UAE, alongside edible bouquets of strawberries (5%), balloons (4%), and houseplants (3%). Saudi Arabia shows a similar pattern, with Fashion (22%), Electronics (19%), and Home & Garden (15%) topping the list. Car Products (10%) and Toys & Hobbies (7%) continue to draw consumer interest during the summer season. The Dubai Summer Sale is changing the way people shop in the summer, driving a wave of online spending, cross-border gifting, and mobile-first purchases, helping the UAE's e-commerce market, now worth over $8.80 billion, to grow.
