More than 90% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, says the UN

Talks to extend the Gaza ceasefire have failed to reach an agreement, a Palestinian official has told the BBC, as the US accused Hamas of making “entirely impractical” demands at meetings in Qatar.

Negotiators have been trying to find a way forward after the first phase of the temporary truce ended on 1 March.

The US proposed to extend the first phase until mid-April, including a further exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

But the unnamed Palestinian official said Israel and Hamas disagreed over key aspects of the deal set out by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff at the indirect talks.

Israel is yet to comment, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he would receive a report from Israel’s negotiating team later on Saturday.

The White House accused Hamas of making “entirely impractical” demands in its response to Witkoff’s proposal.

It would extend the ceasefire into April but delay the negotiation of a permanent end to the war.

A statement from Witkoff’s office and the US National Security Council on Friday said: “Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not.”

“Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes.”

A Hamas statement seen by the BBC said negotiations had broken down.

Netanyahu’s office had earlier said Israel accepted the US proposal.

It said Hamas remained “firm in its refusal and has not budged a millimetre,” accusing the group of “manipulation and psychological warfare”.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal involving three stages in January, after 15 months of war.

In the first stage, Hamas returned 25 living Israeli hostages, the remains of eight others, and five living Thai hostages. Israel released about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

The deal says stage two will include the remaining living hostages in Gaza exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners.

But both sides currently disagree on the number of hostages due to be released next.

They also disagree on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which the original deal states should be happening by now.

Israel resists this point, while Hamas insists it should happen.

Earlier in March, Israel blocked aid shipments to Gaza and then cut electricity, saying it aimed to put pressure on Hamas.

It is believed that Hamas is still holding up to 24 living hostages in Gaza and the remains of 35 others.

As indirect talks continued on Friday, the group said in a statement it was ready to release the last living Israeli-American hostage it is known to be holding.

Edan Alexander, 21, was serving as an Israeli soldier close to Gaza when he was taken.

Under the terms of the original ceasefire agreement, it was expected that he would have been among the last hostages to be released.

The group also said it would hand over the remains of four other dual nationals captured during the 7 October 2023 attacks.

It did not give further details or make clear what it would demand in return.

Witkoff dismissed the offer, saying Hamas was trying to appear flexible in public while being impractical in private.

The attacks led by Hamas on 7 October 2023 killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel, mostly civilians, with 251 taken hostage.

The assault triggered an Israeli military offensive that has since killed more than 48,520 people, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry which are used by the UN and others.

Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million population has been displaced multiple times.

An estimated 70% of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, healthcare, water, and sanitation systems have collapsed and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter.

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is one of the most secretive and isolated countries in the world. Home to approximately 25 million people, the nation operates under a tightly controlled regime led by the Kim dynasty, where every aspect of life is influenced by the state. From peculiar propaganda stories to extraordinary military policies, North Korea often seems like a nation frozen in time, steeped in strict traditions, unique cultural practices, and an ironclad political ideology.

The global fascination with North Korea lies in its stark contrasts—an ancient Confucian culture juxtaposed with modern autocratic rule, a heavily militarized state, and a controlled economy. While much of its internal workings remain a mystery, certain facts about this nation defy logic and invite curiosity. From surreal laws to bizarre daily life experiences, North Korea offers a glimpse into a world that is completely unlike any other.

In this article, we explore some of the strangest and most intriguing realities of life inside this “hermit kingdom,” shedding light on a country that continues to captivate global attention.

1. Compulsory Loyalty Education
From childhood, North Korean students are taught an unwavering reverence for the ruling Kim dynasty. Their curriculum features propaganda-heavy materials, glorifying their leaders and emphasizing loyalty above all else. This contrasts starkly with global education systems, where diverse perspectives are encouraged.

2. Exclusive Tourism Policies
Tourists visiting North Korea must follow strict itineraries set by the state and are accompanied by government-assigned guides at all times. Photography is regulated, and visitors can only see a curated version of the country. Independent exploration is strictly forbidden, ensuring that the regime’s image remains controlled.

3. The “Single” State-Approved Haircuts
Rumors have circulated that North Korea offers a list of state-approved hairstyles for citizens, with women often required to choose styles reflecting their marital status. While some of these claims may be exaggerated, personal expression in fashion and appearance is minimal.

4. Technology Under Surveillance
North Koreans have access to only a government-controlled intranet, and mobile devices function primarily for calls within the country. Internet access is reserved for elites. Imported smartphones are modified to block external content, ensuring total control over digital communication.

5. The World’s Largest Stadium
North Korea boasts the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, the largest stadium globally, seating up to 150,000 spectators. This facility hosts mass gymnastics and propaganda events, showcasing the regime’s power and unity.

6. Unique Calendar System
North Korea follows the Juche calendar, starting in 1912, the birth year of Kim Il-sung. This makes 2024 the year 113 in North Korea. This calendar is used exclusively within the country, separating it from the rest of the world.

7. Military Dominance in Daily Life
Approximately 4.7% of the population serves in the military, one of the highest ratios worldwide. Military parades and events play a crucial role in showcasing strength and maintaining public loyalty.

8. The Arduous March and Its Legacy
The 1990s famine, known as the « Arduous March, » left an indelible mark on North Korea. Despite improved conditions in recent years, food scarcity remains a pressing issue. Citizens rely on government-controlled distribution systems, with many turning to informal markets.

9. Elite-Only Cities
Pyongyang, the capital, is home to North Korea’s elite. Ordinary citizens need government approval to live or even visit the city. This segregation highlights the stark divide between the privileged and the working class.

10. State-Orchestrated Celebrations
National events, such as the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung’s birthday), are marked with grand displays of patriotism, including parades, performances, and fireworks. Participation is mandatory, demonstrating collective loyalty.

11. The Propaganda Machine
From elaborate murals to operatic performances, North Korea uses art as a medium for political propaganda. Movies and plays glorify the Kim dynasty and depict the West as adversaries.

12. Iconic Architectural Oddities
The Ryugyong Hotel, an unfinished pyramid-shaped skyscraper in Pyongyang, is an architectural curiosity. While incomplete for decades, it symbolizes the country’s ambitious, albeit unfulfilled, aspirations.

13. Restricted International Interactions
Citizens cannot freely interact with foreigners. This isolation fosters a controlled worldview and limits cultural exchange. Keywords like “controlled diplomacy” or “restricted international access” resonate here.

14. Unique Fashion Codes
Clothing choices often reflect social status and conformity. Bright colors or Western-style outfits are rarely seen, as citizens adhere to the regime’s preferred aesthetic.

15. Strict Border Controls
Defection is dangerous, with severe penalties for those caught attempting to flee. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea remains one of the most fortified borders globally.

The Egyptian vision for Gaza, which is due to be presented at an Arab League summit on Tuesday, does not specify whether the proposal would be implemented before or after any permanent peace deal.

A plan for Gaza drawn up by Egypt as a counter to US President Donald Trump’s ambition for a Middle East Riviera would sideline Hamas and replace it with interim bodies controlled by Arab, Muslim, and Western states, according to a draft seen by Reuters.

The Egyptian vision for Gaza, which is due to be presented at an Arab League summit on Tuesday, does not specify whether the proposal would be implemented before or after any permanent peace deal to end the war triggered by the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Trump’s plan, which envisioned clearing Gaza of its Palestinian inhabitants, appeared to back away from long-standing US Middle East policy focused on a two-state solution and sparked anger among Palestinians and Arab nations.

Who will run Gaza after the conflict remains the great unanswered question in negotiations over the future of the enclave. Hamas has so far rejected the idea of any proposal being imposed on Palestinians by other states.
Cairo’s plan does not tackle critical issues such as who will foot the bill for Gaza’s reconstruction or outline any specific details around how Gaza would be governed, nor how an armed group as powerful as Hamas would be pushed aside.

Under the Egyptian plan, a Governance Assistance Mission would replace the Hamas-run government in Gaza for an unspecified interim period and would be responsible for humanitarian aid and for kick-starting reconstruction of the enclave, which has been devastated by the war.

“There will be no major international funding for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza if Hamas remains the dominant and armed political element on the ground controlling local governance,” a preamble outlining the draft Egyptian plan’s objectives said.

Details of Egypt’s proposed framework for Gaza’s future have not been previously reported.
Egypt, Jordan and Gulf Arab states have for almost a month been scrambling to formulate a diplomatic offensive to counter Trump’s plan. A number of ideas have been proposed, with Egypt’s considered the frontrunner.

Reuters was unable to determine whether Arab leaders would support the plan presented by Egypt.

The plan does not specify who would run the governance mission. It said it would, “draw on the expertise of Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere to help Gaza recover as quickly as possible.”

The plan firmly rejects the US proposal for mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which Arab states such as Egypt and Jordan see as a security threat.

The draft proposal was shared with Reuters by an official involved in Gaza negotiations who wished to remain anonymous because the draft has not yet been made public.

Stabilization force
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the group knows of no such proposal by Egypt.
“The day after in Gaza must only be decided by the Palestinians,” he said. “Hamas rejects any attempt to impose projects or any form of non-Palestinian administration, or the presence of any foreign forces on the land of the Gaza Strip.”

The Egyptian draft does not mention future elections.

Egypt’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the office of Israel’s prime minister, whose support for any plan is seen as vital to secure a commitment that any future reconstruction will not be destroyed again.

Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has ruled the coastal enclave since 2007. It launched the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and started the Gaza war.

A January 19 ceasefire brought a temporary end to the fighting but the first phase of the deal expired on Saturday with no sign of an agreement to move to the second phase.

The Egyptian draft does not tackle the issue of what actions could be taken if Hamas refuses to disarm or step aside from politics.

The proposal envisions an International Stabilisation Force drawn primarily from Arab states that would take over the role of providing security from the terrorist organization, with the eventual establishment of a new local police force.

Both security and governance bodies would be “arranged, guided and supervised” by a steering board. The draft said the board would comprise key Arab countries, members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the United States, Britain, the European Union and its member states, and others.

The plan does not detail a central governing role for the Palestinian Authority (PA), which opinion polls show has little support among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

A Palestinian official told Reuters that, like the West Bank, Gaza falls under the PA’s jurisdiction – and it must be run by Palestinians.

“We agreed with the Egyptians on a committee made of Palestinian experts that will help the Palestinian Authority in running the Gaza Strip for six months. The committee is made of Palestinian experts and coordinates with the PA, and doesn’t answer to non-Palestinian bodies,” said the official, who asked not to be named for sensitivity.

Reconstruction bill
Since Hamas drove the Palestinian Authority out of Gaza after a brief civil war in 2007, it has crushed all opposition there. Supported by Iran, it built an extensive security apparatus and terrorist organization based around a vast network of tunnels – much of which Israel says it has now destroyed.

The plan does not say who would pay to rebuild Gaza, a bill estimated by the UN at more than $53 billion. Two sources have told Reuters that Gulf and Arab states would need to commit at least $20 billion in the initial phase of reconstruction.

Egypt’s proposal envisions that states on the steering board could establish a fund to support the interim governing body and arrange donor conferences to seek contributions for a longer-term reconstruction and development plan for Gaza.

The plan does not contain any specific financial pledges.

Oil- and gas-producing Gulf Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates could be vital sources of funding from the region.

The United Arab Emirates, for instance, sees Hamas and other terrorist groups as an existential threat and is unlikely to offer any funding until Hamas has been sidelined.

The foreign ministries in Qatar and the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s international media office did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Egypt’s plan, or to questions about their willingness to commit funds to rebuild Gaza.

The draft plan also calls on the steering board to coordinate with a Civil Society Advisory Board, consisting of academics, NGO leaders and other notable figures.