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Middle East conflict

Iranian president urges Egypt to open Rafah crossing at border with Gaza

Earlier, Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and began delivering missile strikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria

DUBAI, October 19. /TASS/. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has urged the Egyptian government and OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) member states to open the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt as soon as possible.

"We expect from the Egyptian government and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that the Rafah border crossing will resume its operation as soon as possible and assistance will be provided to the oppressed Gaza people," Raisi said on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when militants from the radical Palestinian Hamas movement staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem. Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and began delivering missile strikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria.

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US Presidential Election 2024

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Russia files terrorism charges against Ukrainian militants, reports enemy losses in Kursk

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Moscow to respond promptly if London inflates British diplomat’s expulsion issue

British Ambassador to Moscow Nigel Casey was summoned earlier in the day by the Russian Foreign Ministry, where he was handed a note of protest

NATO pledges to continue supporting Ukraine following Russia’s launch of Oreshnik missile

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Russia expects US to continue warning about ballistic missile launches as well — diplomat

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Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

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Ukrainian forces attempt to assassinate Novaya Kakhovka head, his deputy with drones

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Ukraine requests UN Security Council meeting on November 27 — Russian mission

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Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

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UK ambassador to Russia gets note of protest over false info on embassy’s officer

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Mideast situation keeps deteriorating due to Israel’s aggressive policies — Lavrov

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Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

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No further details were provided

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Alexander Stepanov pointed out that "this also applies to intermediate-range high-precision systems such as the Tomahawk and other weapons that NATO countries may provide to Ukraine"

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

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Iran challenges US, UK, France military capabilities, IRGC general says

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Israel’s national security minister calls ceasefire in Lebanon ‘historic mistake’

Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the agreement fails to fulfill the goal of this war - the safe return of northern dwellers to their homes

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Press review: Russia to avenge Kiev's new strike as experts analyze US-EU trade risks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 27th

Ukraine launches second strike on Novaya Kakhovka after emergency services arrive

According to Governor Vladimir Saldo, two vehicles have been damaged

Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

This engagement allows to begin critical preparations for transition of power

Moscow, Astana working to expand branch of North-South route via Kazakhstan — Putin

The list of parties to the agreement expanded to 14

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Hamas ready for ceasefire in Gaza following truce in Lebanon

Earlier, the Israeli war cabinet approved a plan for a ceasefire in Lebanon

Russian troops liberate Novaya Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

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FACTBOX: Overview of Ukraine's ATACMS strikes on Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces have delivered two strikes using Western-made long-range missiles on sites in the Kursk Region over the past three days

Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

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US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Russian troops liberate Kopanki community in Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 440 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots

Work continues on placing the Sarmat missile complex on combat duty — commander

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US no longer objects to use of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey, Defense Minister says

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West acts irresponsibly by discussing transfer of nuclear weapons to Kiev — Indian general

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Ukrainian front collapsing due to lack of willing soldiers, Russian offensive — magazine

Additionally, Ukraine "does not have enough weapons, munitions or hardware," the news outlet said

Lebanese premier approves roadmap for ceasefire with Israel

The implementation of the agreement will help to bring stability to the region, Najib Mikati said

Russia rejects Korean scenario for freezing Ukraine conflict — foreign intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that the only way to ensure peace is to eliminate the root causes that triggered the Ukrainian conflict

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

Ukraine is a failed state, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

Sergey Naryshkin stressed that Moldova is "following in its footsteps"

Russia’s top diplomat says ‘still a long way to go’ to diplomatic solution in Ukraine

According to Sergey Lavrov, 'carrying out strikes deep inside Russian territory contributed to this escalation'

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