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Middle East conflict

Updated at:

Hamas official accuses Netanyahu of blocking release of hostages holding dual citizenship

According to Osama Hamdan, Israel must stop "its ground offensive, release the Palestinian prisoners, allow the access of humanitarian aid, and end the siege" of the Gaza Strip

MADRID, November 9. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "blocked" the release of hostages with dual citizenship currently being held in the Gaza Strip, Osama Hamdan, a leader of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, said.

"We were ready to free the hostages that hold dual passports but Netanyahu refused at the last moment, as a mediator told us," Hamdan said in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

"We agreed to all talks but Netanyahu blocked a deal all of a sudden, a day before the start of the ground invasion," he noted. "We certainly want to release the hostages and our prisoners, but it is just a battle in the long fight against occupation," the Hamas political bureau member pointed out.

According to him, Israel must stop "its ground offensive, release the [Palestinian] prisoners, allow the access of humanitarian aid, and end the siege" of the Gaza Strip.

Hamdan also said that Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif had ordered the movement’s militants "not to attack women, children and the elderly" on October 7. "However, when we took control of military positions, a security gap emerged and things got out of hand," he added.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas staged a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from Gaza. 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. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria, and launched a ground offensive against Hamas’ strongholds in Gaza. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank. On October 27, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced the expansion of the Israeli ground operation in Gaza.

Natural disasters

Spanish meteorological agency issues red weather alert

Approximately 3,000 people have been evacuated from the Malaga province for safety reasons

What is known about Sevastopol car blast

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev did not rule out the possibility that the incident was the result of sabotage

German president approves date for snap parliamentary election

"Based on a current assessment," Steinmeier "considered February 23 as a realistic date for new elections," a presidential spokeswoman told journalists

Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Russia set to deepen cooperation with China in law enforcement — top security official

Russia is seeking to consolidate efforts toward fighting extremism, terrorism and transnational crime both bilaterally and multilaterally, Sergey Shoigu specified

Over 1,000 dead seals found on Caspian coast in Kazakhstan

Director of the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology Mirgaliy Baimukanov noted that traces of injuries were found on some of the dead seals, but, according to the specialist, this is not enough to determine a cause of death

Russian forces gain foothold near Kupyansk as Kiev begins to retreat

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted two significant blockages of Ukrainian troops near Kupyansk, involving more than 15,000 military personnel

Amount of Russian assets frozen in Switzerland unchanged since August — agency

"The total amount of the Russian central bank’s assets immobilized in Switzerland is CHF 7.24 billion," said a spokeswoman for the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

Russian engine maker unveils cutting-edge aircraft engine

"The state-of-the-art 177S engine for tactical aircraft boasts improved characteristics and is of the fifth generation class," the press service said

Russian Security Council secretary meets with senior Chinese official

The meeting involves consultations on security, justice and public order

Russian troops liberate Rovnopol community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroyed an UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) production workshop of the Ukrainian army and inflicted roughly 110 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day

Africa goes through second 'awakening,' now from neocolonial oppression — Lavrov

"Africa no longer agrees to remain a source of raw materials that are bought and exported mainly to the West," he said

Medvedev characterizes Great Britain as eternal adversary of Russia

"At least until such time as their arrogant, despicably dank island sinks into the abyss of the sea from a wave triggered by a cutting-edge Russian weapons system," the politician said

US State Department insists DPRK troops engaged in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Patel also insisted that "Russian forces have trained the DPRK soldiers in artillery, in UAV, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for frontline operations"

Senior Russian diplomat doubts Trump knows exactly how to end war in Middle East

Trump claimed during his election campaign that, if elected US president, he would be able to end chaos in the Middle East

Russia supports Mali's appeal to UN Security Council on Kiev's actions — MFA

In August, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger sent a letter to the chairman of the UN Security Council condemning Ukraine's open support of international terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region

FACTBOX: What we know about night-time drone attacks on Russian regions

Overnight, 29 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones were destroyed in the skies over the Kursk, Belgorod, Tver, Bryansk, Penza, and Voronezh regions, the Defense Ministry said

Lukashenko calls for support to developing nations in accessing green technologies

The Belarusian leader emphasized that global action to combat climate change requires a united international effort in practice

Moldova expresses displeasure about Georgian prime minister’s comments

Earlier, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters "gross violations" were committed during the presidential election in Moldova, but the country’s authorities were not investigating them

Explosion of Kurakhovo reservoir dam disrupts water supply

Roman Pukalov noted that the blast killed many fish in the reservoir, washed away fertile soil, and inundated potentially hazardous sites, including cemeteries, cattle burial grounds, and fertilizer depots

Medvedev warns that EU behavior in struggle with Russia fraught with 'bad scenario'

According to the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, European leaders are experiencing "autumn blues" after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election

Ukraine issue gets more attention at UN after Trump’s election win — Russian diplomat

"People started actively commenting behind the scenes, making forecasts about where things could go now," Dmitry Polyansky noted

Extension of conflict not in Ukraine’s interest — analyst

According to Sean Bell, the West provided a "huge amount" of weapons to Ukraine, but that didn’t help the government in Kiev

US delivers strikes on infrastructure of pro-Iranian militants in Syria — CENTCOM

According to the statement, the "strikes were in response to a rocket attack on US personnel at Patrol Base Shaddadi"

West attempted to prevent Russia-Africa ministerial meeting, diplomat says

African countries realized that "this pressure contradicts their own national interests", Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

Ukraine imposes sanctions on maintenance services of two Moscow airports

The decree, which lists a total of 63 legal entities, sets the restrictions for a period of 10 years

Russia supports new UNSC draft resolution on Gaza — envoy

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted that Resolution 2735 was only a tool to gain time for Israel

Russian politician condemns destruction of dam on Kurakhovo reservoir as Kiev’s terror act

Earlier, military sources told TASS that Ukrainian forces sank their own positions in a low-lying area near Kurakhovo as they blew up the dam, killing at least 10 Ukrainian soldiers

US intelligence agencies must prevent new attempts on Trump’s life — Kremlin aide

Trump survived two assassination attempts this year, one during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, when a sniper shot at him, grazing his ear, and a second in September, when a radical supporter of aid to Ukraine opened fire near Trump’s Mar-o-Lago residence in Florida

Trump to reverse Biden’s executive orders in first week in office — press secretary

According to Karoline Leavitt, the 94 executive orders that Joe Biden signed in his first week in office led "to a border crisis and the economic crisis"

Russian emergencies chief visits Cuba

The Russian Embassy in Cuba said on its Telegram channel that "the visit aims to strengthen Russian-Cuban cooperation in the sphere of alleviating the aftermath of natural disasters"

Detentions, blocking of roads: what is known about situation in Abkhazia

The prosecutor general stated that following the incident, four Abkhazian residents were detained: Garry Kokaya, Almaskhan Ardzinba, Omar Smur, and Ramaz Dzhopya

Russian advances, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Units of Russia’s Battlegroup North have continued their offensive, defeating Ukrainian formations near several settlements in the Kursk Region

China puts army on alert in South China Sea

On November 10, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a protest with the Philippines after Manila implemented a maritime law asserting its exclusive right to tap resources in a 370-kilometer zone off the country’s coast

More countries understand reasons for conflict in Ukraine didn’t arise overnight — Lavrov

Russia’s top diplomat pointed to many years of efforts in Ukraine to eradicate the Russian language in education, news media and culture, and to the recent law that bans the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Trump appoints Florida Rep. Mike Waltz National Security Advisor

A retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, Mike Waltz is "a nationally recognized leader in National Security," Donald Trump said

DPR head Pushilin visits Ugledar, says town badly destroyed

Denis Pushilin added that "it is almost impossible to find an undamaged building"

Breakthrough near Krasnoarmeysk could enable Russian push toward the Dnieper — expert

Markus Reisner noted that many of the Ukrainian units on this section of the frontline are understaffed by 50%

Climate policy should be based on common sense, not ideology — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister noted that the problem of climate preservation held a prominent place in the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness

Dagestani deminer holds stronghold on his own for several weeks

According to the statement the enemy shelled Zakaria Aliyev almost daily but the Dagestani man’s spirit "turned out to be stronger than any weapon"

Gaza militants release video of Russian ctizen held hostage

Alexander Trufanov said that his life was "constantly at risk due to the ongoing bombardment" of the enclave

US to continue arms supplies to Israel — news portal

According to Axios, "some of Blinken's senior aides and senior White House officials thought the ultimatum was effective and pushed Israel to change course"

Japan remains ready to sign peace treaty with Russia — top diplomat

After Tokyo imposed anti-Russian sanctions over the situation in Ukraine, Russia halted consultations with Japan on a peace treaty

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

Passenger car explodes in Sevastopol, kills serviceman

The governor urged residents and visitors of the region to remain cautious and report any suspicious individuals or objects

Ukrainian losses, Sudzhansky district head retirement: situation in Kursk Region

Units of the battlegroup continued offensive operations, defeating Ukrainian formations in the areas of the settlements of Daryino, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino and Novoivanovka

Trump's planned key appointments

Trump appointed Congressman Michael Waltz (Republican, Florida) as national security adviser

Mi-171A3 helicopter draws interest from partners in China — Russian Helicopters

The helicopter can fly in harsh conditions, particularly those inside the Arctic Circle, where satellite communication coverage is poor

Russia has written off $20 bln worth of African debts — MFA

Mikhail Bogdanov added that it allows using those debts "to implement socio-economic projects directly in the country"

Russia to ensure parity in response to US missile defense system in Poland — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that by placing the missile defense system in Poland, the United States is bringing its military infrastructure closer to Russia in an attempt to curb its potential

Press review: UK and French leaders discuss Ukraine as the dollar continues to climb

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 12th

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over past day

It is reported that the Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 765 personnel, an armored personnel carrier, a motor vehicle and two 122mm D-30 howitzers

Top Russian security official hails strategic cooperation with China

Sergey Shoigu noted that Russia-China ties were based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, trust, non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs and support for each other on the issues that the parties found important

Israel achieves its goals in conflict with Hamas, time to 'end the war' — Blinken

"Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself," the US Secretary of State noted

Hezbollah reports over 100 Israeli troops eliminated in south Lebanon since October 1

According to the Lebanon-based Shiite party, 1 000 more were wounded

Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

According to the plan, 360,000 people are to be mobilized in October; 325,000 and 300,000 in November and December, respectively

Ukraine retreating fast, delaying peace to result in lost territories — entrepreneur

"The simplest path to peace in Ukraine is to go back to the draft deal signed in Istanbul," David Sacks said

Russia’s Rubikon unmanned technology center team destroys Ukrainian armor in Kursk area

"The video shows a team of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Testing Center of Advanced Unmanned Technologies destroying Ukrainian armor by an FPV drone in the Kursk area," the ministry said

Police say Russian-made drone without explosives fell down in Moldovan territory

On the same day, the Moldovan foreign ministry accused Russia of violating its air boundaries, slamming this incident as an "unfriendly step"

Freezing conflict will only allow Ukraine to rearm itself, fight Russia anew, says expert

Ruslan Kalinchuk noted that Russia "will not negotiate on Donbass and Novorossia," while Vladimir Zelensky will not do any deals unless Russia makes concessions because "he would immediately be ousted in such an event"

Turkey not planning steps to restore relations with Israel, Erdogan says

The Turkish leader also gave assurances of Turkey’s support to Palestine "in its righteous course to the end"

Ukraine fires roughly 70 munitions at Russia’s Belgorod Region in last 24 hours

Ukraine attacked four settlements in the Belgorod district with 17 munitions and three drones, damaging one private house

Trump 'demonstrates affinity' for Russian President Vladimir Putin — newspaper

Former Trump advisers have already backed his idea of cutting aid to Ukraine to force Kiev into talks with Russia, according to The Hill

Trump to end NATO’s obsession to get on Russian territory — White House ex-strategist

Steve Bannon noted that Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement seeks to completely cut funding to Ukraine. According to Bannon, Europe, including Italy, will follow Trump’s lead, and, if "they [Europe and Italy] truly believe what they have been saying in recent years, they should be ready to pay"

Group plotting violent coup detained in Kyrgyzstan — interior ministry

According to investigators, the suspects, using a national sports match as a cover, planned "to call for violence, advance anti-constitutional demands, and destabilize the situation"

France to hand over six Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine — lawmaker

Frank Giletti asked to speed up the commissioning of previously ordered Rafale planes to the armed forces

Medvedev suggests that Elon Musk launch campaign to amend US Constitution

Article II of the US Constitution stipulates that: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President"

Thailand receives invitation to become BRICS partner country — diplomatic source

The BRICS group was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining it in 2011

US plans to remove 'arrogant' Zelensky and stage 2025 elections in Ukraine — SVR

"At the initial stage, it is planned to encourage entities within the Ukrainian civil society under their control, through US 'democratization' foundations and think tanks, to come up with a corresponding initiative," the statement reads

US hegemony ambitions led to global problems starting with Belgrade bombings — lawmaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, "it is very important to objectively assess the events that took place 25 years ago"

Russian senator slams candidate for German chancellorship’s remarks as irresponsible

Konstantin Kosachev also emphasized that talking to Russia in the language of ultimatums "is not only counterproductive, but also short-sighted, especially for Germany"

Ukrainian General Staff reports difficult situation along entire frontline

It also acknowledged the supremacy of the Russian army in equipment and personnel

Lavrov to lead Russia’s delegation to G20 summit in Brazil

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with heads of BRICS media outlets that he will not be attending the G20 summit in Brazil, scheduled for November 18 and 19

Russian PM indicates to Guterres that US visa restrictions hinder UN General Assembly work

Mikhail Mishustin noted that agreements on the status of the UN headquarters should be observed

Russian naval aircraft hit targets by missiles in drills over Barents Sea

The fighter jets launched air-to-air missiles against targets simulated by illumination air bombs

Russian troops secure supply route to Plekhovo in Kursk Region — commander

It is reported that fighting in the settlement itself is taking place at the moment

Countries will line up for Russian gas when US stops exporting LNG — Serbian president

According to Aleksandar Vucic, Washington will use LNG "for the growing consumption of artificial intelligence, electric charging stations and everything else"

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

Kiev wants to mobilize 160,000 people to survive until Trump's inauguration — MP

According to Alexander Dubinsky, the authorities in Kiev are primarily focused on securing more of the funds allocated to them

Ukraine’s troops south of Kurakhovo caught in pincers — military sources

Small groups of Ukrainian soldiers have been trying to leave the communities, but all roads are under the Russian army’s fire

Houthis say they attacked US aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

According to the movement’s military spokesperson, the Houthis place responsibility for "turning the Red Sea into a zone of military tension" and the impact on navigation in the area on Washington and London

Elon Musk should focus on Africa’s prosperity — senior diplomat

"Our Western partners have already turned their attention to Africa, but only from the perspective of extracting resources," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov noted

Ukrainians play 'radio games' with Russian recon to spread disinfo on attacks — LPR expert

It is reported that Ukrainian fighters have recently been sending false signals about an impending offensive or strikes allegedly being planned on unconfirmed targets

Two US military bases in Syria come under missiles attacks — TV

According to tAl Mayadeen, at least two attacks targeted a military facility near the Conico gas field in the Deir ez-Zor governorate in a span of one hour

Erdogan praises Russia, China for backing arms embargo on Israel

According to the Turkish leader, Israel "will become more and more aggressive if arms and ammunition supplies continue"

Baltic Sea will never turn into 'NATO lake' — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Baltic Sea "will always be a common space for all of the region’s countries without exception"

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian Stryker armored vehicle in Kharkov Region

The strike’s accuracy and efficiency were confirmed by data-recording equipment in real time

Russian PM meets with UN chief on sidelines of climate conference in Baku

Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Guterres on the sidelines of the BRICS group’s summit in the Russian city of Kazan on October 24

Some 300 Germans eager to move to Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Region — authorities

Among those who are ready to move are technical professionals in the metalworking industry

Kiev should sign peace treaty, but this will spell end of grift for many, billionaire says

"The longer the war goes on, the more territory Ukraine will lose," David Sacks added

Ukrainian forces ready to withdraw from Kurakhovo, but no order yet — serviceman

According to the report, the Russian army is "attacking from three sides"

Ukraine offers up to 750,000 dollars to Russian pilot for hijacking helicopter — TV

The correspondent also reported that the Ukrainian intelligence officer obtained the phone number of the pilot's wife and persuaded her to leave Russia before the helicopter was hijacked

Russian lower house passes third reading of bill banning child-free propaganda

The legislation stipulates preventing the distribution of information promoting voluntary childlessness online, through the media, movies and advertisements

Israel reports eliminating most of Hezbollah arms production sites near Beirut

The statement noted that "over the years, the Intelligence Directorate has developed a situational assessment of the locations of Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the area"

First S-550 air defense systems enter service in Russia — source

The source described the new system as "an absolutely new and unrivalled mobile system of strategic missile defense"

Russian PM to attend UN Climate Change Conference in Baku

The greater part of Mikhail Mishustin’s visit will be devoted to Russian-Azerbaijani ties

Czech intelligence warns of crime surge after Ukraine conflict ends

More than 380,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to the Czech Republic since February 24, 2022

Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli airbases near Haifa, Tel Aviv

According to the statement, Hezbollah units also delivered a missile strike on Israel’s Tel Nof airbase located 27 kilometers south of Tel Aviv

Kremlin spokesman denies media reports of phone call between Putin, Trump

Dmitry Peskov described the Washington Post and Reuters reports about the alleged telephone conversation as "the most remarkable example of the quality of the information that is published nowadays, sometimes even by quite respected outlets"

Houthis attack two US destroyers — Pentagon

Earlier, the Houthi movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said that the rebels had delivered rocket and drone strikes on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea