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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Islamic Jihad says released several hostages under deal with Israel

This is the first time when Islamic Jihad announced its participation in the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel

CAIRO, November 28. /TASS/. Islamic Jihad, a radical Palestinian group, said on Tuesday it has handed over several hostages it held in the Gaza Strip under the prisoner swap deal with Israel.

"We handed over a number of Zionist detainees to us as part of the exchange deal agreement - the category of civilians," Al-Quds Brigades, the group’s armed wing, wrote on its Telegram channel.

This is the first time when Islamic Jihad announced its participation in the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel. Until today, only Hamas and its armed wing, Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, took part in the deal on the Palestinian side.

It was reported earlier in the day that Palestinian radicals released 12 hostages, of whom ten were Israeli nationals. Israel, in turn, is to release 30 Palestinian prisoners - 15 women and 15 teenagers - later in the day.

Hamas announced on November 22 that an agreement on a four-day humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip had been reached through the mediation of Qatar and Egypt. The agreement stipulates the release of 50 women and children under the age of 19 who are held in Gaza in exchange for the release of 150 women and children under the age of 19 from Israeli prisons. The ceasefire came into force in the Gaza Strip at 8:00 a.m. local time (6:00 a.m. GMT) on November 24 and the first group of hostages was released on the same day. Israel and Hamas, via mediators, reached an agreement on the extension of the ceasefire in Gaza from 7:00 a.m. local time (5:00 a.m. GMT) on November 28 for two more days.

Taher al-Nunu, a spokesman for senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh, told TASS on Monday that the new deal with Israel would be on the same terms, i.e. each Israeli hostage will be exchanged for three Palestinian prisoners.

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Military operation in Ukraine

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This decision must now be approved by the EU Council at ministerial level

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

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Russia holds final rehearsal of Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square

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Xi arrives on state visit in Hungary

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

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

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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

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Putin to participate in EAEU summit — his first international event of new term

A traditional friendly dinner for the heads of CIS delegations took place on Tuesday night

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

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Russian embassy expresses regret over London’s new restrictions

Earlier in the day, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly announced in parliament that the British authorities will expel Russia’s defense attache, impose new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas and remove diplomatic status from some Russian properties

Russia hammers Ukrainian energy, military sites in retaliatory strike — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kupyansk direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 55 personnel and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified

Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strikes also hit temporary deployment locations of Ukrainian neo-Nazi militias and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentrations of military vehicles

Russian Aerospace Forces received over 100 new aircraft in 2023 — Defense Ministry

Alexey Krivoruchko stressed that in 2023, "aircraft manufacturing enterprises continued to supply the troops with modern aviation systems with advanced functionality that have shown their effectiveness during the special military operation"

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

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

Moscow grateful to Abuja for Nigeria’s understanding about situation in Ukraine — Lavrov

The foreign minister also noted that during his talks with Nigeria’s top diplomat, he discussed the situation in the Middle East

Cuba intends to expand participation EAEU mechanisms — President

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Ukraine approves bill on drafting convicts for military service

279 parliament members had voted in favor of the document

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

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Russian tech firm ramps up production of glide bombs — CEO

Rostec is "building up the production of air bombs of all calibers and types," Sergey Chemezov said

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

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

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

According to the IDF, Ahmed Ali, who has been involved in steering operations of Hamas' naval unit in the Gaza Strip in recent years, was eliminated as a result of an air attack

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

Some countries reevaluating reliance on dollar over national security concerns — IMF

Meanwhile, "despite increased geopolitical risks, the latest data show that the US dollar remains dominant," Gita Gopinath noted

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

Polish judge asks for political asylum in Belarus

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

Bank of Russia raises dollar rate on May 9-13 to 91.82 rubles — regulator

The official yuan exchange rate was raised by 3 kopecks to 12.6243 rubles

Kremlins spokesman calls for vigilance over deepfake technology

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

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

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

EU envoys approve plan for Ukraine's obligations to carry out reforms

Payments under the 50 bln euro program will be issued to Kiev in stages, as its obligations are fulfilled

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

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.