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Middle East conflict

Israel’s position complicates evacuation of Russians from Gaza Strip — diplomat

According to Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia has evacuated more than 1,200 people from the Gaza Strip

MOSCOW, February 16. /TASS/. Israel’s position poses problems for the evacuation of the remaining Russian nationals from the Gaza Strip, Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told TASS.

"There are more Russian citizens who want to leave the area. We are having problems with the Israeli authorities as they claim that some of them are linked with extremists and terrorists," he said, adding that such allegations "sound off." "Because in recent decades the only government [in Gaza], as a matter of fact, has been Hamas. Everything there is linked with Hamas: water supplies, all services, schools, kindergartens," he stressed.

"Families of many evacuated people are divided today: wives and children have been evacuated while the fathers stay there," he noted. "From the very beginning, we have been saying that the war must be stopped, that it is necessary to focus on hostage release and complete the evacuation," Bogdanov said.

According to the senior Russian diplomat, Russia has evacuated more than 1,200 people from the Gaza Strip.

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Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Russia's opponents see Finland as springboard in case of open conflict — politician

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Russian scientists to develop computer working at ‘speed of light’ by 2027 — researcher

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Chad severs defense cooperation agreement with France — AFP

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Kiev can only produce 'dirty bomb,' Russia to give appropriate response — Putin

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Russia launches 100 missiles at Ukraine in past two days — Putin

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Putin believes that US President-elect Trump’s life may be in danger

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Iran informs IAEA of plans to install more uranium enrichment units — report

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Over 400 terrorists from Jabhat al-Nusra group wiped out in Aleppo, Idlib in past day

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Clashes between protesters, police break out in Georgian capital

Police officers are using tear gas, trying to push protesters back

Lavrov clarifies Russia's position on Ukraine crisis to foreign diplomats — MFA

"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

Root causes need to be addressed to settle Ukrainian conflict — Kremlin spokesman

"Everything here is much deeper than a decision to send a peacekeeper mission," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfields, manpower in 146 areas over past day

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Ukrainians facing critical battlefield situation amid manpower shortages — CNN

Earlier reports indicated that an official in the Biden administration had surmised that Ukrainian forces need more manpower

Israel ready for all-out war should Lebanon ceasefire be disrupted, PM says

"If the agreement is violated, we will proceed to an all-out war," Benjamin Netanyahu told

Strike on NATO bases possible in case of escalation, Medvedev says

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Russia’s SVR chief questions role of NATO membership for Finnish people

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US mercenary in-absentia arrest, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 340 troops, an armored personnel carrier, an armored combat vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, an artillery piece and six mortars

Putin concludes state visit to Kazakhstan

Before leaving, the Russian president was answering journalists’ questions on various subjects for almost an hour

US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

Ukrainian forces follow Russian troops’ example to use fiber optics drones, Putin says

The head of state is confident that there will be a quick response from the Russian side

Russia winning in Ukrainian conflict, Polish national security chief says

"The Russian side unquestionably holds both the initiative and the advantage on the battlefield," Head of the Polish National Security Bureau Jacek Siewiera said

Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

"We urge Syria’s authorities to reassert control and restore constitutional order as soon as possible," Dmitry Peskov stressed