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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israel to intensify strikes on Hezbollah regardless of deal with Hamas — defense minister

In case a temporary pause is reached in the Gaza Strip, Israel will intensify fire in the north and will continue operations until Hezbollah is pushed off the border, Yoav Gallant said

TEL AVIV, February 25. /TASS/. Israel will intensify its strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, regardless of the potential deal with Hamas on a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.

"We plan to intensify fire efficiency against the Hezbollah movement, which cannot find a replacement to the commanders we eliminate. In case a temporary pause is reached in the Gaza Strip, we will intensify fire in the north and will continue operations until Hezbollah is pushed off [the border] and Israeli citizens return to their homes [in northern Israel]," he said while visiting the Northern Command of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

"If anyone here (on Israel’s northern border - TASS) thinks that when we reach an agreement [with Hamas] on the release of hostages and temporarily cease fire [in the Gaza Strip], it will ease the situation here [for Hezbollah], they are wrong. We will continue fire and will do this regardless of the situation in the south [in the Gaza Strip] until we attain our goals. The goal is simple - to drive Hezbollah off where it should be, either through a [diplomatic] agreement or by force," he said.

According to the IDF, Hezbollah’s military activity south of the Litani River in Lebanon, including the use and possession of weapons, constitutes a direct violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701.

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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

King of Bahrain announces intention to boost cooperation with Russia

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President of Slovakia confirms PM Fico’s assailant detained — report

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Putin arrives in Great Hall of the People in Beijing for talks with Chinese leadership

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European countries still look up to US — Kremlin

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Cuban president calls on US to remove Cuba from list of state sponsors of terrorism

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Putin signs law banning foreign agents’ participation in elections

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Czech president speaks out in favor of halting hostilities in Ukraine

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The suspected shooter has been apprehended

Kremlin clarifies Patrushev’s new appointment

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One of the missiles hit a three-storey house, killing two civilians, the Al Mayadeen television channel reported

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Russian MFA sees Western media focus on Georgian protests, silence on Armenian rallies

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US discusses deployment of Patriot systems in Kharkov with Ukraine — Blinken

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Ukrainian drone shot down over Bryansk Region — governor

No one was hurt, no damage was reported, the region’s governor Alexander Bogomaz said

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Russian forces advancing daily in special op, everything going according to plan — Putin

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Prime Minister of Slovakia shot by 71-year-old assailant — report

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Russia, China praise dialogue as best form of settling Ukrainian crisis — statement

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Russia hails any peace initiatives for Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

"We know the situation on the Ukrainian side, which excludes any talks for itself even from the legal point of view," Dmitry Peskov noted

What we know about attempt to assassinate Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico

Robert Fico was shot after a cabinet meeting in the city of Handlova in western Slovakia

Foreign mercenaries in Ukraine to inevitably become Russia’s targets — MFA

"Any weapons supplied to Kiev’s Nazi regime are considered by Russia’s Armed Forces as legitimate military targets and must be destroyed," Maria Zakharova stressed

Slovakia’s Fico suffers several wounds, in life-threatening condition — PM’s Facebook page

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Putin, Xi to discuss Ukrainian crisis, development of bilateral ties

Priority attention will be focused on trade and economic cooperation

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The attacker has been detained, AFR reported

Putin, Xi sign statement on deepening relations

The document was signed after extensive Russian-Chinese negotiations

US imposes sanctions against Russian police training center in Nicaragua

According to Washington, the training center "contributes to anti-democratic actions and repressions from the Ortega-Murillo regime"

General Lapin to command Leningrad Military District, General Kuzovlyov Moscow district

Colonel-General Alexander Lapin previously served as first deputy commander and chief of staff of the Ground Forces

Russia’s new defense minister should pay attention to strategic nuclear forces — expert

"In case of a first nuclear missile strike against Russia we should be able to destroy the aggressor with a retaliatory strike in a guaranteed manner," Igor Korotchenko noted

Afghanistan needs wheat and asks Russia to lower grain prices — minister

Nooruddin Azizi also said that he will work to ensure that exports from Afghanistan are subject to tariff preferences provided for least developed countries

Erdogan says government knows 'puppet master' behind reported conspiracy

The Turkish leader said it is unacceptable to break laws, and warned that "anyone who goes beyond the limits will be held accountable"

Moscow, Beijing seriously develop practical cooperation — Putin

The Russian leader named energy, industry and agriculture as priorities

Russian tech firm develops portable EW system to shield assault teams from drones

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Russia, China to continue strengthening military ties — joint statement

The two countries are also set to hold joint naval and air patrols on a regular basis

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

Russia-China relations not opportunistic, not directed against anyone — Putin

According to the Russian leader, Russia and China together uphold the principles of justice and a democratic world order that reflects multipolar realities and a world order based on international law