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Middle East conflict

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Israel ready for temporary ceasefire in Gaza to release hostages — Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister added that Israel is ready to end combat in the embattled enclave if radicals release all hostages, the enclave is completely de-militarized

TEL AVIV, May 21. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted at a press conference that Israel is ready for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip within the framework of a deal on a hostage release.

He added that Israel is ready to end combat in the embattled enclave if radicals release all hostages, the enclave is completely de-militarized and the Gaza-based Palestinian movement Hamas is prevented from moving outside the enclave.

"I am prepared to end the war according to clear conditions: Hamas lays down its weapons, steps down from power, returns all the hostages, Gaza is demilitarized and we implement the Trump plan," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli prime minister emphasized that if there is an option for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages, Israel will accept that. According to him, 20 hostages confirmed to be alive still remain in Gaza.

On March 18, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed fighting in the Gaza Strip, launching massive strikes on the enclave and thus breaking the ceasefire established in January. Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel had restarted military operations in the enclave after Hamas rejected the US proposals put forward by mediators and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. The office claimed that the Israeli military had resumed strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza to advance the release of hostages and that the army would intensify its campaign in the enclave. The Gaza-based movement has blamed the United States for the renewal of Israeli aggression.

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Palestine Israel Gaza Strip Benjamin Netanyahu

Middle East conflict

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According to the The Jerusalem Post, the strike was made in the evening on June 14

Turkey maximized security measures in view of Israel’s attack against Iran

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Russia ready to mediate between Israel, Iran — Kremlin aide

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Russia boost exports by 20% last year, despite sanctions — Der Spiegel

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Israel prepared for possible full-fledged war with Iran — Netanyahu’s office

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Iran must agree to nuclear deal before too late — Trump

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Iran sent a relevant notice to carriers

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US officials have been told Israel ready to launch operation into Iran — CBS

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Iran attacked Israeli fuel, power supply facilities — IRGC

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EU transfers €1 billion in aid to Ukraine — von der Leyen

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UN General Assembly adopts resolution on ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s responsibility

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Press review: Moscow sees no peace intent in Kiev as US aids Ukraine strikes

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Israeli leadership responsible for aftermath of strikes on Iran — Russia’s envoy to UN

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Iran attacked key energy facilities in Israel — news agency

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Russian air defenses down Neptune missile, 1,582 Ukrainian drones in past week

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear program and warned that the strikes would continue

Israel should be excluded from UN following strikes on Iran — US expert

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First bus with Russian evacuees from Iran arrives in Azerbaijan — embassy

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Iran will not notify IAEA about its nuclear activities anymore — Foreign Ministry

Iran will not be able to cooperate with IAEA as before, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said

Four critical buildings at Esfahan nuclear site damaged in attacks — IAEA

The Uranium Conversion Facility and the Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant were among the damaged buildings, according to the agency

Putin condemns Israel’s military operation against Iran in phone talk with Trump — Kremlin

The Russian president "informed the American colleague about the telephone contacts with Israeli Prime Minister and Iranian President he held yesterday," Yury Ushakov added

Israel already destroyed a ‘large portion of Iran's missile arsenal — Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister also appealed to Iranians to begin the struggle to overthrow the government

Trump may ban entry to the US for citizens of 36 more countries — The Washington Post

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Musicians from Russia’s Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra taken to Tehran

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Iran retaliates by attacking dozens of targets in Israel — IRGC

Iranian military attacked military facilities and airbases in response to Israeli attacks on Iran’s territory

Trump stands ready to defend Israel if Iran retaliates — media

Unnamed US officials told Fox News that the US has in recent weeks increased its arsenal of missiles for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system

Jordan, Syria close airspace — air traffic controllers

Flights to country’s airports and transit flights are terminated provisionally

Putin, Trump note brotherhood in arms during WWII

"As in their previous conversation, both presidents noted the brotherhood in arms during World War II," the Kremlin official Yury Ushakov said

Russia says its battlegroup Center eliminated up to 580 Ukrainian militants

According to the spokesman, strikes were delivered on formations of a heavy mechanized brigade, three mechanized brigades, an airborne assault brigade, jaeger brigade and Ukrainian National Guard brigade

Lavrov expresses condolences to Iranian counterpart over victims of Israeli strikes

The Russian Foreign Minister and Abbas Araghchi have agreed to continue interaction on the situation with Israel

Trump says conflict in Gaza Strip close to end

"We have gotten many of the hostages back," the US President added

Trump says he discussed situation around Iran in detail with Putin, mentioned Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine are carrying out "the planned prisoner swaps - large numbers of prisoners are being exchanged," the US leader added

IN BRIEF: What is known about plane crash in India

There were 242 people on board the plane, including two pilots and ten cabin crew

Israel detects new missile launches from Iran

Defense systems are working to intercept the threat, the IDF said in a statement

Concert of US rappers staged in Moscow

Russian DJs and US rapper Richie Wess opened up the concert for artists

Twelve people wounded in latest Iran’s attack against Israel — newspaper

Loud explosions were heard all over the Central Israel during Iran’s missile strikes

PREVIEW: G7 summit kicks off in Canada

Main topics of the meeting are expected to be the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Asia-Pacific Region and the tariff policy of US President Donald Trump

Russia to stay in touch with Iran, Israel for conflict resolution — Kremlin

Kremlin’s press service said that after conversations of Russian President Vladimir Putin with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu

Putin holds phone conversation with Trump — Kremlin aide

This is the fifth phone conversation between the two leaders since the American president took office

IDF insists air defenses suppressed in Tehran

According to IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, more than 70 Israeli Air Force fighter jets participated in an overnight operation over Tehran, targeting over 40 sites, including air defense systems

Israel asked the US to join conflict with Iran over last two days — Axios

US President Donald Trump hinted in the recent conversation with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would do that in case of necessity, the US-based web portal said

Israel Defense Forces say Iran fired fewer than 100 rockets, most intercepted

"There were a few hits on buildings," Efi Defrin said

Russia insists on political and diplomatic solution of Iranian nuclear program — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov added that quite obviously, including the public platforms: "Everyone certainly turned attention to Americans' decision about withdrawing, as it is customary for them to say, non-critical personnel from military facilities and their family members"

Israel’s PM urgently calls military-political cabinet meeting

The Israeli army’s press service informed earlier that Israel’s fighter jets started strikes against military installations in Tehran

Russia calls on UN to give unambiguous assessment of Israel's strikes on Iran

"Well as call for an immediate end to any forceful pressure and an end to the practice of unilateral military steps," Vasily Nebenzya stressed

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

IN BRIEF: What to know about Iran’s strike on Israel

General Ahmad Vahidi, adviser to the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the Iranian retaliation will continue as long as necessary

Putin, Trump hold third telephone conversation in one month — Kremlin aide

The escalation between Israel and Iran was one of the key topics discussed