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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israeli military says Hamas still holds 136 hostages in Gaza Strip

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7

TEL AVIV, December 2. /TASS/. Hamas continues to hold 136 hostages, including 17 women and children, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

"Hamas continues to mercilessly hold 136 abductees, including 17 women and children that were ruthlessly kidnapped from their homes," he said. "We will continue to do everything. Everything to get the abductees back by any means necessary."

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7, accompanied by killings of residents of Israeli settlements near the border and taking more than 200 hostages, including children, women and elderly people. Hamas has cast the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started a military operation there. Israel also strikes parts of Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for bombardments originating from these countries. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

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Israel HAMAS Gaza Strip Israeli-Palestinian conflict

French Foreign Ministry denies France sent troops to Ukraine

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops to Ukraine, citing a statement by former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen

Israeli forces face resistance in West Bank raids

According to the Al Jazeera TV channel, the raids took place mainly in the cities of Silwan, Tubas, Tulkarem and Hebron

Press review: Israel, Hamas inch closer to elusive truce and Xi tries to charm EU on visit

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day

Forty people, including 3 children, wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on Belgorod Region

Alexey Kuznetsov noted that Health Minister Mikhail Murashko was personally overseeing the medical care of the victims of the attack

Kenya flood death toll reaches 228

The situation is expected to worsen in lowland and coastal areas, and landslides and mudslides may also occur in areas with steep slopes and ravines, the country's Interior Ministry said

Kremlin refrains from speculating on preferred successor to Zelensky

Earlier, the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported the US was in contact with several Ukrainan political leaders as possible successors to Vladimir Zelensky

At least 20 missiles fired by Hamas, Hezbollah at Israel, several people hurt — media

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed reports about the shelling attack on Kerem Shalom

French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

Blasts reported in Kharkov

An air raid alert has been declared in the Kharkov Region

Czech government officially recalls ambassador from Russia — news agency

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Final report on 2019 Aeroflot Superjet 100 crash in Sheremetyevo complete — IAC

The Committee underscored that, during the investigation, all hazard factors are being forwarded to the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya), the designers, the producers and the users of this type of aircraft

Putin is holding closing meeting with outgoing Cabinet

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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

Immortal Regiment event held in Tokyo

The event included the official part, a concert of war-time songs and a procession

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

French envoy leaves Russian Foreign Ministry building

The diplomat spent slightly over 30 minutes inside the ministry

Infrastructural facility damaged after Ukrainian drone attack — official

Emergency teams will start recovering efforts after agreeing upon with the Russian Defense Ministry, Vyacheslav Gladkov noted

DPR city significantly damaged in fighting, leader reports

According to Denis Pushilin, the enemy has installed major fortifications in Ocheretino

Ukraine presumably used US-made Excalibur shell for strike at Tokmak

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

West’s latest escalation in Ukraine requires Russian response — Kremlin

"Deploying NATO soldiers to confront the Russian military in the latest escalation of tensions is an unprecedented move, and, of course, it requires special attention and special measures," Dmitry Peskov said

Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

Sergey Krivonos added that relocation of troops from one direction to another will not solve Ukrainian forces’ problems, and that each fighter should be used according to their specialization

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

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Russian troops to practice employing non-strategic nuclear weapons in missile drills

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French ambassador arrives in Russian foreign ministry

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier in the day that French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated a new spiral of tension and slammed his statement on a possibility of sending troops to Ukraine as a very dangerous rhetoric

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns troops about 'new round of war' coming

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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

US may send troops to Ukraine if Kiev defeated, Democratic leader says

The US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also pointed out that a pro-Russian faction in the Republican Party is gaining momentum, which he accused of delaying the approval of additional funding for Kiev's military needs

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

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Russian Interior Ministry declares ex-Ukrainian army chief wanted

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Lavrov characterizes Europe's economic problems due to US pressure as ‘monstrous’

Using Germany as an example, the minister recalled that the prosperity of the European industrial complex is largely based on Russian energy resources

New arms race in Europe already started, Ukrainian foreign minister believes

Dmitry Kuleba advocated switching to long-term contracts and planning in arms industry, for strengthening of cooperation of European and Ukrainian defense industry

Criminal case opened against Zelensky, arrest warrant issued — police database

According to the entry, Zelensky is wanted over a Russian Criminal Code article

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

Russian mortars destroy Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk area — top brass

After the first round, the drone operator made an adjustment, followed by the second and third rounds, and the target was hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Russian troops repulse over 120 Ukrainian attacks at LPR frontiers in April — expert

In April, Russian troops destroyed 29 Ukrainian tanks, 72 armored combat vehicles and 419 other vehicles, Andrey Marochko said

Russia working to bring senior Ukrainian officials before tribunal, diplomat says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "the official process is underway with the Russian Interior Ministry beginning to determine those to be placed in the defendant pool"

Ukrainian army last weekend tried to regain positions near LPR's Svatovo — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that on Easter Ukrainian troops opened fire on the territory of the LPR and positions of Russian troops

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 President Putin attends Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin attended the service together with Putin

Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians on Easter Sunday

Russian President also emphasized the "constructive, productive activity of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian confessions" that preserve Russia's historical, cultural and spiritual heritage

Russia's opponents tried to destroy it from within, but failed — Putin

The President stressed that the result of anti-Russian sanctions turned out to be "exactly the opposite of what was expected"

Kyrgyz president to attend SEEC meeting, Victory Day parade in Moscow

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Russia looking into reports about sending of French troops to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Israel neither confirmed nor refuted this information

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The SVR pointed out that the US does not care "who heads Ukraine"

West recognizes deteriorating situation in Ukraine — Lavrov

Western countries need to think how not to lose to Russia in the conflict, the minister said

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

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Ukrainian troops attack Easter procession near monastery in DPR

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Latvian Air Force chief says Ukraine could have to give up some territory for sovereignty

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Europe does not create preconditions for interest-based dialogue with Russia — Lavrov

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Moscow’s exhibition of captured Ukrainian combat vehicles enjoys high popularity — Kremlin

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Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

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Lavrov slams Europe’s striving to isolate Russia as silly

It demonstrates the quality of decisions passed by European politicians in the west of the continent, Russian Foreign Minister said

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US intensifying efforts to find replacement for Zelensky — SVR

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

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Macron’s remarks about troops in Ukraine mark unprecedented round of tensions — Kremlin

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Israeli army says three servicemen killed in southern Gaza Strip

Another 11 servicemen were wounded

Russia adds another former Ukrainian minister to its wanted list

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Algeria requests UNSC session on mass graves in Gaza — source

Earlier UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation into the tragedy

Ukraine hits Belgorod Region again to stymie first response efforts following first attack

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Russian troops liberate Ocheretino community in DPR — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours amounted to 380 personnel, a US-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a US-manufactured Bradley

Russia not initiating severing of relations with Baltic States — diplomat

"It is highly undesirable to come to this point," Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia would continue to use diplomatic measures of influence

Top UK diplomat knows nothing of repentance, Lavrov says

David Cameron "reiterated his position that British weapons can be used by the Ukrainians to attack any target on Russian territory," the minister emphasized

Death toll from drone attack on minivans in Russia’s Belgorod Region rises to seven

Also, 15 employees sustained wounds of varying severity

Holy Fire from Jerusalem delivered to Christ the Saviour Cathedral

The service is conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

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Russian troops seize Ukrainian T-64 tank near Ugledar in DPR

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Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Russian forces knock out Ukrainian troops from two strongholds in LPR — expert

The situation near Belogorovka remains "stably tense," Andrey Marochko said

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The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

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Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that Warsaw would continue providing military assistance to Ukraine, training its troops and supplying weapons as a member of various coalitions of Kiev’s Western partners

EU's handling of Ukrainian refugee issue could lead to new crisis, says Russian official

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, European Union countries would like "to get rid" of refugees because supporting them has taken a toll on the economy

Russian Foreign Ministry summons British ambassador

The ministry did not specify its reasons for summoning the envoy

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

Participants in the special military operation in Ukraine will also march across Red Square

US election results to not affect desire to inflict strategic defeat on Russia — Lavrov

No matter who wins the election, Russia is "by and large the enemy," the minister said

China calls on US to stop supporting Taiwan

Lin Jian stressed that the principle of one China is unwavering

Israeli army begins evacuation of civilians from Rafah

Civilians are being urged to move to an expanded humanitarian zone in the al-Mawasi and Khan Younis areas, the paper notes

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Talking about sending troops to Ukraine Macron diverts public attention — Donetsk leader

Denis Pushilin highlighted that France needs to restore order, to deal with the sentiments, protests, changes that are now taking place in France itself

UK ambassador leaves Russian MFA after being summoned

The diplomat, who spent more than 30 minutes at the ministry, provided no comment as he was leaving

Macron’s Ukraine troop talk ego-driven, not strategic — Marine Le Pen

The head of the parliamentary faction said she is convinced that the conflict in Ukraine "is not a war for France," and stated that she opposes the admission of Ukraine to the European Union and NATO

Russia puts Ukraine’s former top security official, ex-top diplomat on wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify the crime of which Alexey Danilov is suspected

Al Jazeera to continue covering Gaza conflict despite Israeli ban

The network also said that following searches by Israeli police at its offices in Jerusalem, "the channel went dark"

Niger says Russia supplied military equipment, humanitarian aid

According to the Tele Sahel TV channel, Russia has sent several instructors as well

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

Involvement of US nuclear potential in drills around DRPK affects Russia’s interests

Vasily Nebenzya noted the militarization of the region with direct involvement of Washington and other NATO member states, "located tens of thousands of kilometers away from North Korea"

Ukrainian authorities talk about negotiations guided by public sentiments — experts

Political researcher Oleg Posternak noted that the authorities constantly carry out sociological public opinion surveys, see the dynamic and adjust their statements in accordance with the poll results

Russian troops wipe out German-made IRIS-T air defense system over past day

The Ukrainian army lost over 350 personnel and several items of military hardware in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

China to look for ways of settling Ukrainian crisis jointly with France — Xi

Xi arrived on a state visit in France on Sunday