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Middle East conflict

Death toll among West Bank Palestinians reaches up to 300 since October 7 — UN

According to the report, 291 Palestinians, including 79 children, were killed by disproportionate or unnecessary use of force by the IDF or security units in the West Bank between October 7 and December 27

GENEVA, December 28. /TASS/. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called on Israel to investigate all cases of violence by Israeli security forces and Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to a report published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Some 300 Palestinians, including 80 children, were killed in the region from October 7 to December 27.

"I call on Israel to take immediate, clear and effective steps to put an end to settler violence against the Palestinian population, to investigate all incidents of violence by settlers and Israeli Security Forces, to ensure effective protection of Palestinian communities against any form of forcible transfer," the UN high commissioner said. He called on Israel to allow OHCHR representatives access to the country.

According to the report, 291 Palestinians, including 79 children, were killed by disproportionate or unnecessary use of force by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or security units in the West Bank between October 7 and December 27. Violence perpetrated by Jewish settlers resulted in the deaths of eight Palestinians, including one child. The report noted that another Palestinian was killed either by Israeli security forces or by settlers, bringing the total number of victims of violence to 300.

The document cites daily mass arrests carried out by Israeli security services in the West Bank. The detainees "were spat at, slammed against walls, threatened, insulted, humiliated and in some cases subjected to sexual and gender-based violence." Since October 7, 4,700 Palestinians have been arrested.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants of the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from Gaza, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 200 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ aggressive actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started a military operation there. The IDF is also striking parts of Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for attacks originating from these countries. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

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The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

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Sergey Naryshkin recalled that the only way to ensure peace is to eliminate the root causes that triggered the Ukrainian conflict

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Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

Andrey Kartapolov also noted that the enemy currently has no defenses against the Oreshnik.

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The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

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Alexander Sternik noted that Moscow was closely watching how relations among NATO, the European Union and the states directly adjacent to Russian territory were developing

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Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

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NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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Ukrainian forces indiscriminately shoot Selidovo passers-by — Russian envoy

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No shelling attacks recorded in DPR for first time this year

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Lithuania open to sending European troops to Ukraine — foreign minister

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Russian military engaged in tough battles with Ukrainians in Kharkov Region — official

"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

NATO expanding presence in Arctic, Baltic, Black Sea, Caspian regions — FSB chief

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West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Proposal to give Kiev nuclear arms highly extremist — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that this is an absolutely irresponsible line of reasoning from those with a poor grasp of reality

Press review: Israel approves US ceasefire agreement and Georgia's new parliament convenes

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 26th

Iran challenges US, UK, France military capabilities, IRGC general says

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Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

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West wants to use Kalinousky Regiment to destabilize Belarus — Russian intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that now this nationalist group was fighting together with the Ukrainian army along with the Russian Volunteer Corps (recognized in Russia as a terrorist organization) and the Georgian Legion (the paramilitary group Georgian National Legion is blacklisted as terrorist and banned in Russia)

Ukrainian forces attempt to assassinate Novaya Kakhovka head, his deputy with drones

Ukraine tracked two service cars and dropped munitions on them after the vehicles approached the administration building

West attempting to stage color revolution in Georgia, Lavrov warns

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Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

Moscow concerned with outgoing US President Biden’s escalation strategy — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov’s statement comes in the wake of US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby who said earlier that the American administration had provided the Ukrainian armed forces with instructions on selecting targets for strikes using American ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

Netanyahu may accept ceasefire in Lebanon to stop Hezbollah bombings — diplomat

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Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development