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Middle East conflict

Hamas accuses Blinken of 'greenlighting' Israeli actions in Gaza

"The issue of swapping hostages and prisoners is impossible to resolve with active combat underway, first it is necessary to stop aggression, then to trade POWs," the Hamas official noted

BEIRUT, December 1. /TASS/. The radical Palestinian movement Hamas thinks that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has "greenlighted" Israel to resume combat in the Gaza Strip, member of the movement’s Political Bureau Khalil al-Hayya said in an interview with Qatar’s Al Jazeera.

"Every time before any new aggressive act we always see how the US Secretary of State 'greenlights' Israel to perpetuate its crimes, provides it with aid and every political protection," the Hamas official noted. Earlier on Friday, Israel’s Kan Radio reported that Blinken had completed his visit to Israel and left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) "mere minutes" after combat in the Gaza Strip resumed following a violation of a truce by Hamas.

"The issue of swapping hostages and prisoners is impossible to resolve with active combat underway, first it is necessary to stop aggression, then to trade POWs. We cannot conduct negotiations on releasing the adversary’s captured soldiers in the midst of its military operations, so we initially agreed to release civilians, as well as women and children. <...> Any talks of releasing troops in our captivity should be held only under the conditions of a complete ceasefire," he stressed.

"We notified intermediaries that we are ready for talks on releasing the civilians held by us in order to achieve a full-fledged truce," the Hamas official added.

On December 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and announced renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip. Not long before that, the army press service twice reported air raid sirens going off in locations near the embattled enclave and air defense systems intercepting at least one projectile fired from Gaza at Israeli territory. It marked the first time air raid alerts had sounded in areas adjacent to the Gaza Strip since November 24.

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US missile defense base in Poland to defend US, Europe alike — Polish foreign minister

Radoslaw Sikorski also expressed hope that the base will never go into action

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At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

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

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The Russian Defense Ministry said it excellently performed in combat

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

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

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Russian PM to attend UN Climate Change Conference in Baku

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

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

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German chancellor against Kiev using Western weapons for attacks deep into Russia

Olaf Scholz once again stood firm on his decision not to supply Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine

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

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

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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

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Russian Security Council secretary meets with senior Chinese official

The meeting involves consultations on security, justice and public order

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Russian emergencies chief visits Cuba

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

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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

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In some African states, such as South Sudan, for example, the Russian side reached an agreement at some point to open an embassy, though "it has not been done for a variety of reasons," Mikhail Bogdanov noted

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

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 450 troops, two tanks, three IFVs, two M113 armored personnel carriers, 33 armored combat vehicles, five artillery pieces, including a Krab self-propelled howitzer, a Crotale multiple rocket launcher, and 49 motor vehicles

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

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

Ukraine moves medics, non-combat personnel to infantry to counter Russian advance

According to a Ukrainian army spokesperson, more medical personnel is being sent to the frontline, although pilots and military engineers "remain in their specialized positions"

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"

African countries interested in joining work in BRICS format — Russian MFA

The first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum was held on November 9-10 in the Sirius Federal Territory on Russia’s Black Sea coast

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

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

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

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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

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"

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

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"

Bulgarian president calls for using all diplomatic opportunities to end Ukraine conflict

According to Rumen Radev, Europe wants the conflict in Ukraine "to finish as soon as possible"

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

Europeans seek Russia’s help in securing release of hostages held by Hamas — envoy

According to the latest updates from Israel, the Palestinian militant group is still holding 101 people hostage in Gaza

DPR head Pushilin visits Ugledar, says town badly destroyed

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

West to face 'devastating' response if it allows Kiev to strike deep into Russia — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, Ukrainian social media accounts are meanwhile speculating that the Zelensky regime plans to present the received Western missiles as Ukrainian, changing the labels to use the weapons to attack Russia

Russian Su-34 bomber strikes Ukrainian troops in borderline Kursk area

Russian tactical aircraft pilots conduct sorties at any time of day or night in any weather conditions, using various armament

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"

FSB foils attempted terrorist attack on power station in Nizhny Tagil

It was revealed that the detainee had materials for producing an improvised explosive device and had been communicating with Ukrainian security services via Telegram

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

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"

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"

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"

Russia says its FPV drones disrupted Ukrainian troops rotation in Sumy Region

The ministry provided live-recording footage showing direct hits on Ukrainian military vehicles

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

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

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

Russia demonstrates Il-76MD-90A(E) airlifter to 11 foreign customers this year

The latest modification is distinguished by new equipment, including a glass cockpit, modern PS-90A-76 engines, a modified wing and reinforced chassis

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

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"

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

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

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

Africa to become advanced continent, Russian diplomat says

The continent’s development processes are gaining momentum, Mikhail Bogdanov noted

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

Ukrainian General Staff reports difficult situation along entire frontline

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

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%

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"

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

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