UAE's Sharjah bans New Year's Eve fireworks in solidarity with Gaza

An emirate in the United Arab Emirates, one of few Arab states that has official ties with Israel, has banned New Year's Eve fireworks this year as an expression of solidarity with the people of Gaza.

The decision was announced in a Facebook post by Sharjah police, warning that legal measures would be taken against those found violating the ban.

The ban is "a sincere expression of solidarity and humanitarian cooperation with our siblings in the Gaza Strip," Sharjah police said in the post.

Sharjah is the UAE's third-largest emirate by size and population behind Abu Dhabi and Dubai. There are seven emirates.

The UAE forged ties with Israel in 2020 in a move that paved the way for other nations to build relations with Israel.

The Gulf regional power has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the war in Gaza, however, condemning Israel's bombardment and invasion of the enclave.