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Middle East conflict

Updated at:

Israel rejects swap deal similar to Gilad Shalit agreement — TV

According to the report, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have approved a list of 500 Palestinian prisoners they would like to release as part of the exchange, but the Israeli authorities refused to meet such conditions

DUBAI, December 21. /TASS/. The Israeli side has refused to hold a hostage-for-prisoner swap deal similar to the agreement on the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011, when 1,027 Palestinians were released, the Al Hadath TV channel reported, citing its sources.

According to the channel, the radical Palestinian organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad have approved a list of 500 Palestinian prisoners they would like to release as part of the exchange, but the Israeli authorities refused to meet such conditions.

Hamas, for its part, demanded that the mediators put pressure on Israel to stop the detention of Palestinians by its military. Hamas officials stressed that this must be done before any ceasefire negotiations could begin.

On December 18, Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official and a top member of the movement's political bureau, announced that the movement had proposed a prisoner swap deal with Israel along the lines of the 2011 agreement, when Shalit was released. He had been held by the radicals for more than five years.

Hamas still holds 126 Israelis and 11 foreigners; 110 of the hostages have been previously released as part of a humanitarian ceasefire. On December 17, Reuters reported, citing sources in the Egyptian security services, that Israel and Hamas were ready to agree on a new ceasefire, but that this was hampered by disagreements between the parties over the details of a future deal.

Middle East conflict

Death toll from Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip exceeds 41,400 — health ministry

More than 95,800 people being wounded

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Russia says its Iskander missile destroys US-made HIMARS in Sumy Region

The crew of an Iskander tactical missile system of the Russian Armed Forces carried out a missile strike on the position of an M142 HIMARS of Ukrainian forces in the settlement of Shaposhnikovo

As many as 1,200 people evacuated from municipality in southern Russia after drone attack

Two unmanned aerial vehicles were downed outside Tikhoretsk this morning

Russia says drone shot down over Kursk Region

The Kiev regime made an attempt to carry out a terrorist attack with a fixed-wing drone on sites on the territory of the Russian Federation

Senior Russian lawmaker warns that calls for long-range strikes open way to nuclear war

Vyacheslav Volodin commented on a recent resolution of the European Parliament to allow strikes inside Russia with Western weapons

Conflicts in space to increase over time, German general predicts

"The enemy views our space capabilities, both civilian and military, as targets," Michael Traut, the head of Germany's Military Space Command, noted

Battlegroup North liberates two settlements in Kursk Region this week

Apart from that, according to the report, Russian aircraft struck areas of deployment of manpower and weapons of the Ukrainian army’s three mechanized, one tank, and two assault brigades

Press review: Israel declares new phase of war and Russia boosts drone production

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 20th

6-magnitude earthquake rocks Argentina

The epicenter was located 158 km northwest of the city of San Luis

US coalition’s aircraft violated Syria's airspace 12 times over past day

At the same time, no bombardments of Syrian government forces' positions by terrorist groups were recorded in the Idlib de-escalation zone

At least 30 people died in Gaza in 24 hours due to Israeli strikes — Al Jazeera

This includes 22 people who became victims of the Israeli attack on a school building in the Az-Zeitoun area

Ukraine puts pressure on FIDE General Assembly over admission of Russians — source

The General Assembly, which will consider the issue of the full-fledged return of Russian and Belarusian players, is being held on September 21-22

Kerimov transfers his stake in Polyus to Foundation for Support of Islamic Organizations

Polyus ranks first among the world's gold mining companies in terms of gold reserves and fourth in terms of production

Russian science remains open despite CERN’S unfriendly stance — science ministry

"At its 214th session, held on December 15, 2023, the CERN Council decided to discontinue CERN agreements on international cooperation with Russia upon their expiration in November 2024. We believe that this decision was taken under political pressure," the press service said

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 13th

Press review: US shifts rhetoric on Ukraine and walkie-talkie explosions rock Lebanon

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 19th

Russia, Belarus remain faithful allies and partners, Russian deputy defense chief says

I would like to note that we and our Belarusian counterparts have been and remain faithful allies and reliable partners

Putin, Berdimuhamedow discuss partnership, international meetings

Putin earlier sent a message with birthday greetings to the Turkmen president

Russia, China launch joint naval exercise in Vladivostok — Pacific Fleet

A joint group of warships from the Pacific Fleet and China’s PLA Navy has departed from Vladivostok to conduct Russian-Chinese naval maneuvers

Hezbollah attacks Israeli Ramat David air base for second time

Movement used two types of rockets: Fadi-1, with a range of 80 km, and Fadi-2, with a range of 105 km

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

Scholz says Germany not to send Kiev missiles ‘capable of reaching as far as Moscow’

German Chancellor emphasized the need to explore ways in order to peacefully resolve the Ukraine conflict

German authorities say escalation of Middle East conflict can be avoided

"The devastation resulting from such a confrontation would be catastrophic," the Cabinet’s spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said

EU will grant loan to Kiev that will be paid from frozen Russian assets — EC president

Ursula von der Leyen stressed that 35 billion euros is the part which the European countries will contribute to the 45 billion euro loan approved by the G7 in Italy in the summer

Ukrainian troops retreat from village near Artyomovsk in DPR — Russian officers

The enemy fled from near Andreyevka where it has long been holding positions, it has retreated, law enforcement officers said

Ukraine’s forces in Ugledar virtually encircled — sources

"Most positions around the city, including those at the most important sites and heights are Russian, the whole city is exposed to fire," the sources explained

Lavrov says he agrees with Trump about destructiveness of sanctions for US dollar

The Russian foreign minister stressed that, despite the continued dependence of many economies on the dollar, the risk of this phenomenon has already been recognized

Sixteen drones eliminated over Russia’s Bryansk Region

Governor Alexander Bogomaz said earlier that the Russian Defense Ministry’s air defense forces were repelling a massive drone attack

Military record launch of 10 shells at northern Israel from Lebanon

According to its information, the shells were launched in the direction of the Jezreel Valley in the Lower Galilee

Russian Su-34 bomber destroys Ukrainian manpower, equipment in Kursk area

After receiving a confirmation from reconnaissance that the Ukrainian army’s temporary disposition location had been destroyed, the crew safely returned to the airfield of departure

Attempts made to provoke Hezbollah with aim of US interference in war — Lavrov

Lavrov pointed put that without this, recurrent outbreaks of violence will never stop in the Middle East

Putin highlights importance of efforts to develop relations between Russia, Armenia

The Russian President congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Armenia’s Independence Day

Erdogan says ready to meet with Syria’s Assad, waiting for response from Damascus

We have said that we would like to hold a meeting with Bashar Assad to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria, Erdogan said

CERN's turn away from Russian scientists has positive aspects — Kurchatov Center chief

This is quite obviously a positive development for us in some respects, Kovalchuk said

Kremlin spokesman says West ‘obsessed’ with fighting Russia until Ukraine runs out of men

Peskov was commenting on NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's recent statement that there is no need to be afraid of using Western weapons for strikes deep inside Russia

Over 30 foreign leaders invited to BRICS summit in Kazan, 18 RSVP — Kremlin

"We have not organized such a large-scale international event in quite a long time," Yury Ushakov underlined

Russia fully ready to defend its interests in Arctic — Lavrov

The minister to say that NATO is becoming increasingly interested in the Arctic region

PREVIEW: Summit of the Future opens in New York ahead of UN high-level week

The two-day event is expected to set the direction for future action in the field of sustainable development, security and human rights

Russia's newest satellites to change course of Ukrainian conflict — former UN inspector

According to Ritter this conflict would become "unsustainable for the Ukrainian sometime by the end of summer, early fall"

Evacuation starts in Kuban settlement due to explosion after drone fragments fall

Two unmanned aerial vehicles have been downed near Tikhoretsk

Kadyrov send two more Cybertucks to special military operation zone

"The electric car’s mobility, comfort and maneuverability are what is needed here," the Chechen leader said

Press review: Hezbollah pagers attack threatens wider war and Russia ready to test nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 18th

Hezbollah handing out pagers hours before their detonation — agency

The sources said that the Shiite movement did not have any specific suspicions about these pagers and their "checks had been part of a routine 'sweep' of its equipment to find any indications that they were laced with explosives"

Some 101 Ukrainian drones intercepted in Russian regions, Azov Sea overnight — ministry

Air defenses eliminated UAVs over eight regions, Defense Ministry said

Russia will not 'shoot itself in the foot' by halting gas supplies — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, for many decades, since the times of the Soviet Union, since the 1970s, Moscow has been establishing mutually beneficial cooperation in gas supplies

Israel wants no war with Lebanon — ambassador to UN

Unless de-escalation is reached through diplomacy, Israel will have no other choice except to use all means for protection of its citizens, Danny Danon said

Hezbollah reports rocket attack on Israeli Air Force Ramat David airbase

The Israel Defense Forces press service previously reported shelling of northern regions of the country

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry sapper dies in Kursk Region during mine clearance

Vyacheslav Tsoffka had to his credit than 10,000 detected and neutralized explosive items

Ukraine spends over $150 billion on military needs, but it's not enough — Defense Ministry

Rustem Umerov did not specify for what period exactly the specified amount was spent

Russia keeps balance in relations with Muslim countries — Muslim Board

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin added that Russia was originally formed in the bosom of three monotheistic religions and for more than 1,000 years has continued and consolidated the tradition of communion, good-neighborliness and brotherhood of religions

Press review: Russia moves to boost its army and Zelensky to present victory plan to Biden

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 17th

Israeli army declares strikes on 180 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

"The Israel Defense Forces have completed a series of strikes on southern Lebanon," the army’s press service said in a statement

Kremlin slams Poland's idea to revise Crimea's status 'absurd'

"Russian territory and Russian regions cannot be the subject of any discussion or transfer to anyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Hollywood action star Jackie Chan says he loves Russia, thanks his fans

The actor wished that the friendship between China and Russia would last forever

Russia’s Akhmat special force destroys military storage facility in Kursk direction

Akhmat also eliminated one armored personnel carrier and one self-propelled artillery weapon, the deputy chief of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces Apty Alaudinov said

Bundestag members address Cabinet with query regarding Ukraine’s attack on Kursk Region

The legislators are asking whether German weapons are used by the Ukrainian forces in their incursion into the Kursk Region

Ukrainian troops captured: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost over 11,800 servicemen since fighting began in the region

Neglect of Russia’s interests makes lasting settlement in Ukraine impossible — MFA

At the same time, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova explained that Russian representatives "have not participated in any meetings within the framework of the ‘Buergenstock process’ and are not going to participate in any

Russia, China do not need to create military alliance — Lavrov

Those relations are the best in the whole history of ties that existed between two countries, Foreign Minister added

Russia to push for multipolar world order jointly with global majority — diplomat

The event will be held in New York on September 22-23 in the runup to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

Physicists from Russia to be banned from Large Hadron Collider from December 1 — Nature

At the same time, CERN will continue to work on projects already underway with about 270 employees of the Russian Joint Institute for Nuclear Research

Russia says battlegroup West struck 4 Ukrainian brigades

Enemy lost up to 420 troops

Russia welcomes normalization of Iran’s relations with Arab countries — Lavrov

It is in the interests of both Iran and its Arab countries to establish "friendly, normal, goods relations," Russian Foreign Minister added

UN General Assembly adopts resolution on Golan Heights — results of vote

5.1 magnitude earthquake registered off the coast of El Salvador

There were no reports of casualties, and no tsunami threat was declared.

Iran's supreme leader calls on Islamic countries to sever economic ties with Israel

"The Zionist regime is committing crimes shamelessly and without hiding it," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said

Russian forces strike Ukrainian energy facilities, troops last night — top brass

Overnight, the Russian Armed Forces launched a group strike on energy facilities that supply electricity to Ukrainian defense plants and drone production cites as well as Ukrainian troops

Putin has no plans to attend Mexican president's inauguration — Kremlin

Earlier, the Mexican embassy in Moscow stated that the Russian president had received an invitation to Sheinbaum's inauguration ceremony

Russia’s air defenses repel massive attack on Bryansk region, taking down over 50 drones

Russian Defense Ministry’s air defense forces intercepted or destroyed 53 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Top brass proposes specifying state borderline in Russia’s westernmost region

"This will alter the Russian state maritime border due to a change in the territorial sea’s external bounds," it says

Russia ready to help Brazil with hosting BRICS Games — head of Duma’s sports committee

Oleg Matytsin hopes that the BRICS Games will be held in an open format

Russian prime minister says Islam is integral part of national historical heritage

Mikhail Mishustin called "invaluable" the contribution made by the Spiritual Board Russia’s Muslims to improving the inter-religious dialogue

Israeli air force attacks 290 Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon in 24 hours

According to IDF, 180 targets were hit

Explosions in Lebanon pose interest for Russian intelligence — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow has not discussed the events in Lebanon with regional actors

Middle East to see no big war, but confrontation will continue — expert

The main external actors of the Middle East situation are the United States and Iran, Boris Dolgov, a leading research fellow of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies, says

Russia says 15 drones shot down over 5 Russian regions, Sea of Azov overnight

Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev said the situation didn’t warrant a drone attack alert

Anura Kumara Dissanayake leads vote count in Sri Lankan presidential election so far

The inauguration of Sri Lanka's next president will take place on Sunday, after the official results are announced

Russia ready for talks with Turkey on Su-35, Su-57 fighters

Russia earlier noted its readiness to participate in the program of developing the Turkish TF-X fifth-generation fighter

Report on alternative payment systems will be prepared by BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also drew attention to the growth of trade in national currencies between Russia and other countries

Second rocket attack launched on Israeli territory from Lebanon — TV

According to Al Jazeera TV channel, the target of the shelling were cities in the northern part of the Jewish state

Russia wants no nuclear war — Lavrov

The foreign minister still assured that Russia possesses weapons "that will have serious implications for the handlers of the Ukrainian regime"

Ukrainians sustain over 300 casualties in Kursk area in past day, Russia says

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian losses have amounted to over 300 troops and nine units of armored hardware, including an infantry fighting vehicle, two APCs, six armored combat vehicles, as well as six artillery guns

QUAD leaders oppose unilateral actions that hinder peace in the Middle East

"We underscore the need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spilling over in the region," said a joint statement by the leaders

Poll reveals what Russians think about office love, polyamory

It is noted that opinions are changing not only about relationships with colleagues, but also about romance between a subordinate and a supervisor

Israel wants to drag whole region into war, engages in terrorism, says Erdogan

The Turkish President said he would address the UNGA to ask the participants to remember "the need for taking action against genocide in the Gaza Strip and Israel's aggressive policies"

US carries out mock electronic launch of Minuteman III ICBM

Such test deployments of Minuteman III missiles without an actual launch are being carried out twice a year at various air bases, the statement says

Ukrainian minister says West pledged funds for making missiles, drones in Ukraine

We have developed a missile program, Ukrainian Defense Minister said

Iran Air asks passengers not to take pagers and walkie-talkies on flights to Beirut

According to PressTV, this measure was introduced after the Lebanese authorities banned such devices from being brought into Beirut airport and transported by air

More than 100 rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon on Sunday morning — Israeli military

Some of them was intercepted, according to the statement

Four people dead, dozens injured in Alabama shooting — report

According to the report, two men and a woman died at the scene

PREVIEW: Elections to legislative assembly to be held in Brandenburg in eastern Germany

As the results of the latest polls show, an extremely tough fight is expected between the Social Democratic Party of Germany and the Alternative for Germany

Russian Baltic Fleet's patrol ship ends visit to Dar es Salaam

The ship's crew replenished water, fuel and food supplies and conducted technical examination of the ship

Zelensky says Ukrainian troops in extremely difficult situation in two DPR areas

The situation on the frontline remains extremely difficult, Ukrainian President said

IAEA inspectors briefed on consequences of Ukraine’s attack on Zarya substation — ZNPP

The Zaporozhye NPP reported that the nearby city of Energodar had come under a repeated drone attack

Russian aviation hit 20 areas of deployment of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region

Russian warplanes hit 13 settlement in the Sumy Region as well, the Russian defense ministry said

Nazi Germany’s Gestapo officers accompanied Katyn commission

Аs follows from testimonies by a laboratory technician, the German Army’s Senior Ensign Ludwig Schneider, contained in the declassified FSB archive materials

Theft of Russian assets to nullify trust towards EU — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the European Union had lost independence

FSB declassifies testimony Nazis forged forensic examination in Katyn case

Ludwig Schneider explained that such a percentage of iron oxide was to certify that the knife had remained in the grave for much longer than the true results of the analysis indicated

Russia cautions Chisinau against involvement in Ukrainian conflict — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the speculations about Romania's plans for redirecting to Moldova the mobile maintenance stations for F-16 fighter jets received by Bucharest for their subsequent deployment at the Marculesti airbase

Modi, Biden discuss cooperation between India, US

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which includes Australia, India, the United States and Japan and is also known as QUAD, in Wilmington, a city in Delaware