PARIS // As Israeli warplanes pound Gaza, the military has launched an unprecedented communications strategy on social networks by posting real time information about its assault on the Palestinian territory.
With live-tweets, videos on YouTube, updates on Facebook and graphics on blogging platform Tumblr, the tech-savvy Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have blanketed social networks with their take on the deadly assault.
The violence began yesterday afternoon with Israel's targeted killing of a top Hamas military commander, which kicked off a violent confrontation that has so far claimed the lives of 14 Gazans.
Since then, the army's Twitter account @IDFSpokesperson – which also exists in French (@Tsahal_IDF) and Spanish (@FDIonline) – has pushed out multiple updates on the operation using the hashtags #IsraelUnderFire or #PillarOfDefense.
"The IDF has begun a widespread campaign on terror sites & operatives in the #Gaza Strip, chief among them #Hamas & Islamic Jihad targets," it tweeted yesterday, before announcing it had targeted Hamas commander Ahmed Al Jabari.
Later, the IDF tweeted a picture of Mr Jabari on a red background with the word "Eliminated" splashed across it, alongside a description of several crimes of which Israel accused him.
It has also used Twitter to send a warning to Hamas.
"We recommend that no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead," read one of IDF's posts, which has been retweeted nearly 4,000 times (bit.ly/T3pI4x).
The tweet drew a near immediate response from @AlqassamBrigade, the Twitter account of the armed wing of Hamas, which accused Israel of having "opened hell gates on yourselves." (bit.ly/XFYzHi).
Hamas is also using this Twitter account to push out news of its activities and post photos of alleged child victims.
The IDF also linked to a video of the air strike which killed Mr Al Jabari.
And on YouTube, it has put up videos seeking to explain "what gives Israel the right to defend itself" (bit.ly/SrwDAe) or "how does the IDF minimise harm to Palestinian civilians." (bit.ly/TKRnVj).
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Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
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Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
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“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
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BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
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Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
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