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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Hamas plans to swap prisoners for Palestinians held in US prisons

Hamas spokesman Ali Barakeh also said the militants were ready for "all scenarios" of the conflict, including a "long war"

© AP Photo/ Fatima Shbair

TASS, October 10. Hamas plans to use captured Israelis in negotiations for the release of Palestinians detained in the US and Arabs held in Israeli prisons.

"There are Palestinians held in America [on charges of financing Hamas]. We will ask for their release," Hamas spokesman Ali Barakeh told the Associated Press. He added that Hamas would seek the release of all Arabs detained in Israel.

He also said the militants were ready for "all scenarios" of the conflict, including a "long war." According to him, since the 2014 escalation in Gaza, Hamas has been training its own fighters and producing its own rockets.

Barakeh pointed out the reason for Hamas's large-scale attack is the Israeli government's actions toward the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the center of Jerusalem and the increased pressure on Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated on October 7 with an attack by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip on Israeli territory. According to the latest official figures, nearly 700 Palestinians were killed and over 3,700 wounded in clashes and shelling, while about 800 Israelis were killed and over 2,000 wounded.

Hamas said the attack was in retaliation for Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israel has declared a state of war and a total blockade of the Gaza Strip.

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Palestine Israeli-Palestinian conflict

China wants to work with Hungary to ensure global stability — Xi Jinping

The Chinese president said he is eager to bring relations between Beijing and Budapest to a qualitatively higher level

Putin ends talks with Pashinyan, starts meeting with Uzbekistan’s president — spokesman

Putin’s meeting with Pashinyan lasted a little more than an hour

Belgium explains absence of ambassador at Russian president’s inauguration ceremony

The European Parliament adopted a resolution at a plenary session in Strasbourg on April 25 alleging that the recent presidential election in Russia was undemocratic

Armenian PM tells Putin he wants to discuss bilateral relations

The Armenian prime minister thanked the Russian leader for the warm reception and perfect organization of the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union

Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 7th

FACTBOX: What is known about string of blasts at Ukraine’s power facilities

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

NATO wants Ukraine to fight until victory, it is unrealistic — Hungarian foreign minister

Peter Szijjarto pointed out that NATO is crossing its own red lines by stating that "the war in Ukraine is our war"

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

According to Euroclear's new chief executive Valerie Urbain, the likelihood that the depository will win these cases is quite low

Armenia’s CSTO membership not discussed at EAEU summit — acting Russian deputy PM

"The CSTO is not a topic for the EAEU, which deals with purely economic matters," Alexey Overchuk said

Belarusian president urges faster implementation of decisions within EAEU amid sanctions

Taking into account the introduction of a new mechanism for financial support for industrial cooperation, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Eurasian Economic Commission to proactively get involved in this work and organize interaction "both across industries and with the involvement of business associations and unions of EAEU member states"

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

Problem of protectionism on EAEU markets requires urgent solution — Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the government procurement system in the markets of the EAEU countries

Russia vows not to deport Ukrainian citizens missing ‘green card’ deadline

The Interior Ministry said that this procedure does not cover the citizens who were released from imprisonment, who pose a threat to national or public security, who presented forged IDs or reported false information

Biden says US to halt supplying some weapons to Israel if it starts Rafah operation

The president noted that Israel has not yet crossed the red line in the Gaza Strip conflict as it has not started the operation in Rafah

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova said veteran organizations in unfriendly countries weren’t affected by the decision not to invite officials

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

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Lukashenko, Putin talk ahead of EAEU summit

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Dmitry Peskov noted that it was impossible to combat the deepfake technology

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According to the Miguel Diaz-Canel, it is necessary to improve coordination of actions to give impetus to joint projects in areas of mutual interest

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Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

Moscow condemns Berlin’s ban on symbols connected to Russia, Soviet Union

Maria Zakharova called Germany’s decision to ban the symbols of the Victory "a most shameful page" in the republic’s history

Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

US war veteran says he would like go to Victory Day parade in Moscow

"If I were 10 years younger, I’d go right away," 98-year-old Frank Cohn said

Xi arrives on state visit in Hungary

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Putin calls EAEU’s activities to combat climate change ‘promising’

According to the Russian leader, the development of unified approaches to solving pressing problems in this area has begun at the expert level

Putin’s inauguration speech evokes key principle of Peace of Westphalia — analyst

"It is of existential importance that President Putin reiterated, in his inauguration speech, his openness to have a dialogue with the West," Helga Zepp-LaRouche said

US plans to return to previous schedule of weapons deliveries to Ukraine

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller had no specific announcements to make

EAEU proves its effectiveness in the face of sanctions challenges — Putin

According to the president, the EAEU institutions and mechanisms are constantly fine-tuned, which makes it possible to adapt to changes and develop dynamically despite the crisis phenomena in the global economy

US losing favor around world, while Russia's image improving — poll

The US’ image saw the biggest dip in the Middle East and North Africa (12 percentage points on average), as well as in Europe (seven percentage points)

Press review: Vladimir Putin sworn in for fifth term and EU, Ukraine talk arms deal

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 8th

FSB declassifies documents about Nazi Germany’s crimes in Crimea

As part of the No Limitations Period project, the FSB department for Crimea and Sevastopol declassified archival documents about the Great Patriotic War, including reports, reconnaissance data, protocols of interrogations of German captives

Ukrainian army leaving positions near Avdeyevka over Russia’s incessant gunfire — POW

The escape gives only a few a chance to survive as frequently incessant Russian artillery accurate strikes rule out this option for Ukrainian troops, Yury Yurechko noted

Putin may hold bilateral meeting with Lukashenko in Kremlin later on Wednesday

Before the EAEU summit, the two leaders held a brief conversation

Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

Project 22800 ships with Kalibr missiles are brown-water multirole missile-artillery boats designed to destroy surface warships and boats and repel air attacks

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Over 882,000 Ukrainian men now EU refugees — statistics agency

Most Ukrainian refugees live in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic

CSTO aware of Armenia's decision to stop funding organization — source

Armenia remains a member state of the CSTO, the source stressed

Chinese diplomat comments on Blinken’s warning on support to Russia

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed out that the US was supplying Ukraine with arms and ammunition and at the same time making unfounded accusations regarding trade between China and Russia

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

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"Armenia’s trade with the EAEU countries has rocketed 14-fold," the president said

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EAEU establishes itself as one of centers of emerging multipolar world — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the current summit was dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the signing of the treaty establishing the Eurasian Economic Union

Grossi says IAEA concerned about Russia’s plans to hold nuclear exercises

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Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

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There are no dates for the event on its official website

Polish judge asks for political asylum in Belarus

Tomasz Szmydt noted that he currently considers returning to Poland impossible, including due to safety reasons

Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

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Ukraine loses several hundred servicemen near DPR’s Novopokrovskoye due to lack of defense

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More than 90% of payments in EAEU are carried out in national currencies — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the combined GDP of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, according to available estimates, increased from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion

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Israeli forces eliminate commander of Hamas' naval unit in Gaza City

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About 15,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 — authorities

At least 30 children died of malnutrition

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Cosmonauts congratulate Russians on Victory Day from onboard space station

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NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

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Russian battlegroup Dnepr destroys two Ukrainian boats on Dnieper — spokesman

According to Roman Kodryan, enemy losses totaled up to 55 servicemen over the past day

Russian canoeist Pavlov bared from 2024 Olympics for clicking Like under Putin’s video

Canoe rowers Mikhail Pavlov and his teammate Zakhar Petrov were scheduled to participate in the 500-meter distance Olympic qualifying distance race for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games

West should engage in dialogue with Russia — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, the world is on the verge of a most serious conflict while "NATO is conducting massive war games"

Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

According to Maria Zakharova, it is shocking that the statement was made by a European official who "in general speaks on behalf of the entire European Union"

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace ten times in past day

No shelling attacks on the positions of government forces were reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Multiple documents adopted during EAEU summit in Moscow

One document marks the beginning of negotiations on a trade agreement with Mongolia

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

Arms supplies to Kiev unlikely to drastically change situation on battlefield — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's assertions, "Ukraine is not going to drive every Russian soldier from the country"

London blatantly lies to justify anti-Russian steps, including expulsion of attache — MFA

We have to state that not only does the UK government intend to abandon its policy of provoking Russia, but it also exerts substantial efforts to raise the degree of confrontation, Maria Zakharova said

FACTBOX: Key facts and figures about Russia’s Victory Day

Festive processions, gatherings, assemblies and reception ceremonies are held across Russia on May 9 to honor veterans of the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War

Cuba thanks EAEU countries for support amid US blockade — president

We are a small country, which has been under the [US] economic, trade and financial blockade for more than 60 years, Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Parades, concerts across Russia to mark Victory Day on May 9

In Moscow, the celebration will open with a ceremonial parade on Red Square at 10 a.m.

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Putin to nominate candidate for prime minister when he deems necessary — spokesman

According to the law, within two weeks after the inauguration, the president must submit to the State Duma a nominee for prime minister

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

Christelle Neant said that the Ukrainian armed forces is drafting people with no military experience as part of its mobilization campaign and sends them to the frontline after "just two or three weeks of training"

Kiev forces view journalists wearing 'press' vests as primary target — war reporter

Christelle Neant recommended using small "press" labels in order to help Russian troops identify media workers

Putin begins his first international meeting after inauguration - EAEU summit

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Russia expanded its force of radar-evading ICBMs over past year, US general says

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