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Middle East conflict

Russia, Vatican engage in dialogue on Middle East issue — ambassador

"The current situation in the Gaza Strip is clearly of concern to both Russia and the Holy See," Ivan Soltanovsky underlined

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russia and the Vatican are concerned about the situation in the Middle East and are conducting a dialogue on this issue, Russian Ambassador to the Vatican Ivan Soltanovsky told TASS in an interview.

"For the Vatican, issues related to the situation in the Middle East have always been a priority. Special attention is also paid to this issue in the Russian-Vatican dialogue. Our positions coincide in many respects," he said in response to a question. "The current situation in the Gaza Strip is clearly of concern to both Russia and the Holy See. We have prospects for further dialogue on this issue," the ambassador emphasized.

Earlier, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the Holy See was ready for any mediation necessary for a settlement in the Middle East. He condemned the Hamas attack while noting that Israel's "legitimate self-defense" should not endanger the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip. The official also authorized Vatican mediation in talks for the release of hostages.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 240 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians before the crisis, and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes have also been reported on the West Bank.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

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Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russian official describes OPCW note on use of chemicals in Ukraine as absurd

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "any escalation scenarios, if they start to materialize, will be a direct consequence of the reckless" and "inhumane policy that is pursued by Washington and leading European countries"

US 'stains' reputation by vetoing UNSC resolution on Middle East — Russian diplomat

Russia "will continue insisting on the most resolute measures to stop the bloodshed in Gaza," Dmitry Polyansky added

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia has its underlying security interests "that will be ensured by every means that we have at our disposal"

Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

Top Israeli defense official announces construction of fence on border with Jordan

"We are going to do it very quickly," Israel Katz said

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

London intensifies anti-Russian campaign in face of impending ‘Ukrainian project’ failure

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