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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

HAMAS leader in Gaza to reject deal with Israel without due guarantees — WSJ

According to the newspaper’s sources, Yahya Sinwar’s primary objective is to release hundreds or even thousands of Palestinians from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages held by HAMAS

NEW YORK, May 3. /TASS/. The top leader of Palestine’s radical movement HAMAS in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, will not accept a ceasefire deal with Israel if it does not contain "a credible path to ending the war," the Wall Street Journal wrote.

According to the newspaper’s sources, Sinwar’s primary objective is to release hundreds or even thousands of Palestinians from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages held by HAMAS. He expects the deal to end the war and ensure Hamas’s survival, and is expected to reject any deal that doesn’t include "a credible path to ending the war," the article says. The movement also demands international guarantees for a ceasefire. At the same time, Hamas believes that the current group of guarantor nations - Egypt, Qatar and the United States - is not enough, the newspaper quoted mediators as saying.

Officials mediating a ceasefire deal added that it was hard to negotiate with both Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netantyahu.

"He only has one aim and that’s his political survival and that dictates everything. And that means there won’t be any cease-fire-hostage deal if it’s up to him," the Wall Street Jouranl quoted Alon Pinkas, a former senior Israeli diplomat, as saying. "He’s in a bind right now."

Meanwhile, Sinwar believes that he has already won the war, regardless of whether he manages to survive it or not, "by opening the world’s eyes to the suffering of Palestinians and bringing the conflict to the forefront of global affairs."

They added that in the long-term perspective, the HAMAS leader in Gaza expects to lift Israel’s siege on Gaza, end Israeli military pressure and secure the survival of his movement.

On April 27, Egypt had handed over to Hamas a proposal, agreed upon with the Israeli side, that provided for the release of from 20 to 40 hostages held by radicals in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a ceasefire in the enclave. According to an Al-Qahera al-Ekhbariya source, the deal with Israel is likely to be reached "within several days, even despite some reservations.".

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

US Congress considers sanctions against ICC — House Speaker Johnson

"The ICC has no authority over Israel or the United States, and today's baseless and illegitimate decision should face global condemnation," the speaker said

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On May 19, a helicopter carrying the Iranian president crashed in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province

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The Russain leader "stressed that he knew Ebrahim Raisi well and thought highly of him as a reliable partner who made an invaluable personal contribution to expansion of friendly relations between Russia and Iran"

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The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

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The powers of the current Ukrainian president under the current Constitution expire on May 21

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ICC prosecutor requests arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders — statement

The prosecutor also requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant

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Despite intensive strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and artillery, the Ukrainian military is still attempting to redeploy reserves to the town’s eastern part, according to the report

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"We sincerely thank our Chinese friends for their cordiality and hospitality, for the warmth we felt throughout the trip, and for the excellent organization," Russian foreign minister added

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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that "much more US military assistance" is on its way to Ukraine

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The prime minister cited intelligence data indicating that the situation on the border is unchanged

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The intelligence sources insist that Russia is purportedly planning to create a 1.5 mln-strong regular army by 2026 because it expects a standoff with NATO

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Netanyahu accuses ICC of anti-Semitism, distorting reality

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According to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first state visit to China at the start of his new presidential term was "a complete success"

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According to Miroshnik, the Russian foreign ministry calls for bringing Ukraine’s leadership to responsibility "for violating the norms and principles of humanitarian law"

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DPR’s head calls for eliminating Western combat vehicles supplied to Ukraine

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International Criminal Court requests arrest warrants for Israeli PM, defense minister

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Negotiations being held with several countries

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On May 19, a helicopter carrying the Iranian president crashed in Iran's Eastern Azerbaijan Province

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Israel Katz also noted that he plans to get in touch with his counterparts from leading countries to recruit their support against the ICC

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Lavrov to attend meeting of SCO foreign ministers

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Russian court seizes Deutsche Bank’s assets under RusChemAlliance’s claims

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Slovak PM Robert Fico’s condition improving — doctors

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Netanyahu's threat of ICC warrant points to collapse of world judicial system — president

Isaac Herzog pointed out that he found it unacceptable to compare Israeli political leaders with leaders of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, whom the ICC prosecutor also wants to arrest

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

US Congress considers sanctions against ICC — House Speaker Johnson

"The ICC has no authority over Israel or the United States, and today's baseless and illegitimate decision should face global condemnation," the speaker said

Russian troops destroy 9,700 artillery guns in Ukraine operation — top brass

Russian Battlegroup North units kept advancing deep into the Ukrainian army’s defenses in the Kharkov area over the past day

Zelensky usurps power in Ukraine, Medvedev says

The constitutional powers of the current Ukrainian president expire on the night of May 21

Moscow expects implementation of agreements with Tehran — senior Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Russia and Iran would continue to develop their relationship gradually, including in terms of the tasks of "strengthening security"

Russian army engineers remotely destroy over 70 Ukrainian boats in Kherson area

It is reported that the Ukrainian military uses the Ptakhi Madyara group of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) operators who try to remove discovered mines from rivers

China appreciates Putin's position on Taiwan — Foreign Ministry

As Wang Yi clarified, Putin reaffirmed his commitment to the "One China" principle in a speech after his election victory

West alarmed over plummeting support for Zelensky — Russian intelligence

The press bureau drew attention to the fact that history has shown time and again that attempts to retain power using lies and intimidation do not work

Raisi's death positions Khamenei's son as likely successor — Politico

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow at Washington’s Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that the deceased president was exactly the kind of person Khamenei wants running the country

Russia’s upgraded T-80BV tank to feature capability of firing depleted uranium shells

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Russia urges US to abandon destructive policy course on CTBT — Zakharova

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Kronshtadt submarine joins Russian Navy

The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Yevtukhov, Northern fleet Commander Alexander Moiseyev, and representatives of the United Shipbuilding Corporation and the shipyard

US should explain to Ukraine that military aid won’t last forever — magazine

According to article, a security agreement between Washington and Kiev would prolong the fighting in Ukraine and could become "a liability for the United States"

Sending NATO instructors to Ukraine without Russia’s consent dangerous — expert

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FACTBOX: Iran confirms death of President Raisi in helicopter crash

All passengers and crew of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi were killed in the crash, according to Iranian Red Crescent Society head Pir Hossein Kolivand

Russian troops destroy Ukrainian Baba Yaga drones more effectively with thermal imagers

According to CEO of Laboratory PPSh Denis Oslomenko, the Baba Yaga drone flies through Starlink and cannot be supressed

Russian forces cut off ammunition supplies to Ukrainian forces in Volchansk — lawmaker

Viktor Vodolatsky also said the liberation of Staritsa would make it possible to reduce to a minimum and later completely remove the threat of bombardments for the Belgorod Region

ICC not to stop Israel, Netanyahu says

The document said that based on the evidence gathered, the prosecution has reasonable grounds to believe that both "bear criminal responsibility for the <…> war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine (in the Gaza Strip) from at least October 8, 2023"

Ukraine’s real losses should be counted in millions — ex-Polish army general staff chief

"The Ukrainians are losing this war," Rajmund Andrzejczak said, describing the situation as "very, very dramatic"

China ready to closely cooperate with Russia to develop SCO — top Chinese diplomat

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for joint efforts in the interests of "fairer and more reasonable global governance"

Kiev deems dead fighters missing to avoid removing bodies from battlefield — Ukrainian POW

According to Andrey Lazarkevich, in the current situation Ukrainian servicemen prefer to surrender as prisoners of war

Turkish drone discovers potential fragments of Raisi’s helicopter — Anadolu

The IRGC Commander Lieutenant General Hossein Salami confirmed it

T-80 tanks help Russian troops advance in Avdeyevka area

"Tanks delivered fire from a distance of 800 meters under constant enemy shelling," Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Raisi’s death to cause no change in Iran's domestic policies, Russian senator says

Vladimir Dzhabarov noted that "after the overthrow of the Shah, when Ayatollah Khomeini and then his followers rose to power in Iran, the situation in the country stabilized"

Russian forces reach Gulyapole’s suburbs in Zaporozhye Region

Russian force have advanced to about 1.5 kilometers and are now in Gulaypole’s suburb

US confirms its intention to militarize space — Russian envoy to UN

"The United States and its allies with their typical cynicism were loudly proclaiming their adherence to peaceful space," Vasily Nebenzya said

Kazakhstan regards Russia as strategic partner, ally — Tokayev

Bilateral trade between the two countries is successfully developing, "having hit a record figure of $27 bln, though there is more to come, of course," the Kazakh leader said

Russia’s UN envoy calls on world community to put pressure on US, Israel

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the chances of moving the conflict into a diplomatic domain "look elusive"

Afghanistan ready to sign agreement on transit of goods with 3 countries, including Russia

Acting Industry and Trade Minister Nooruddin Azizi noted that Afghanistan could become a convenient point for the transit of goods to the states of South Asia

Borrell reacts to call to arrest Israeli PM

"All states that have ratified the ICC statutes are bound to execute the Court’s decisions," top EU diplomat said

UNSC fails to adopt Russia’s draft resolution on preventing arms race in outer space

Seven out of 15 UN Security Council members, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the resolution, while seven voted against and Switzerland abstained

Number of people injured in Bishkek unrest rises to 41 — government headquarters

Clashes erupted in Bishkek on the night of May 18 between local residents, sparked by a fight on May 13 involving Indian and Pakistani students and locals in one of the capital's districts

Contact established with two passengers of Raisi’s helicopter — vice president

According to Mansouri, there were three helicopters and radio contact was lost with the one carrying the president

Russian stock indices in the red as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

The dollar-to-ruble rate went down by 0.22% to 90.75 rubles, the euro-to-ruble rate fell by 0.11% to 98.63 rubles

Lai Ching-te takes over top office in Taiwan

More than 500 foreign guests attended the inauguration of 64-year-old Lai Ching-te, including representatives from 12 countries that recognize Taiwan as a separate state

Protests in Iran after president's death possible, but system will endure — expert

Vladimir Sazhin noted that the struggle for the leverage of power in the country following Raisi's death could begin in the camp of conservatives, whom the late president represented

Raisi's death won’t affect development of relations between Russia and Iran — expert

According to Boris Dolgov, relations between Iran and Russia are developing steadily in terms of cooperation