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Middle East conflict

Hamas accepts US-proposed Gaza Ceasefire plan — TV

According to the source, the US initiative envisages the cessation of hostilities in the enclave and gradual return of displaced persons

© AP Photo/ Ohad Zwigenberg

CAIRO, March 12. /TASS/. Hamas has accepted a US-proposed ceasefire plan for the Gaza Strip, the Al Arabiya television channel reported, citing a source in the Hamas leadership.

According to the source, the US initiative envisages the cessation of hostilities in the enclave and gradual return of displaced persons.

The Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo within days to discuss details of the deal.

The source said that Hamas has received an offer to have the truce extended in exchange for the release of some of the hostages held in the Palestinian enclave. As part of the proposal formulated by several countries, Hamas is to release minor hostages, as well as women and elderly Israelis it holds captive. No information has yet been given on whether the movement has accepted the initiative. The countries that took part in drafting the proposal have not been named either.

No official comments from Hamas are available so far.

Cairo hosted multilateral consultations on Gaza from March 3 to 7. The talks however yielded no agreements between Hamas and Israel. The Al-Qahera al-Ekhbariya television channel said on March 7 that the Cairo talks would be resumed "within days."

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

In late November 2023, Hamas announced an agreement with Israel, which was brokered by Egypt and Qatar, on a four-day humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip, which took effect on November 24. The sides extended the ceasefire several times but on the morning of December 1 the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Hamas had violated the truce in Gaza and opened fire on Israeli territory, thus prompting the IDF to resume combat operations in the Gaza Strip. Palestine’s authorities blamed the United States for the resumption of Israel’s combat operations.

Middle East conflict

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Austria ready to host Ukraine talks — chancellor

According to reports, US president-elect Donald Trump mentioned Nehammer's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place shortly after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine supplies terrorists in Mali with white phosphorus munitions — website

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According to the report, the attacked building had earlier been turned into a shelter for internally displaced person

Ukrainian front collapsing due to lack of willing soldiers, Russian offensive — magazine

Additionally, Ukraine "does not have enough weapons, munitions or hardware," the news outlet said

Talk of halting Ukraine conflict related to Russia’s initiative on battlefield — SVR

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According to Dmitry Peskov, the position of the Russian Federation was outlined quite clearly by President Vladimir Putin

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

Iran ready to escort foreign ships in Red Sea — navy commander

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US no longer objects to use of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey, Defense Minister says

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Israel’s national security minister calls ceasefire in Lebanon ‘historic mistake’

Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the agreement fails to fulfill the goal of this war - the safe return of northern dwellers to their homes

UN secretary-general welcomes ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon

Antonio Guterres also urged the parties to undertake immediate steps towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

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UK delivered dozens of Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev weeks ago — news agency

Bloomberg pointed out that the missiles were sent before the US and UK authorization to use long-range precision-guided weapons to launch strikes from Ukrainian territory deep into Russia

US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

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

No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

When asked if the 1998 Russian-US memorandum of understanding on notifications of missile launches remained in effect, Sergey Ryabkov answered in the affirmative

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Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

It is specified that the Ukrainian army’s losses in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North in the Kharkov Region over the past 24 hours amounted to 30 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and four motor vehicles

Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

This engagement allows to begin critical preparations for transition of power

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Blinken says hopes US support for Ukraine will continue under Trump

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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

UK ambassador to Russia gets note of protest over false info on embassy’s officer

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Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Moscow, Astana working to expand branch of North-South route via Kazakhstan — Putin

The list of parties to the agreement expanded to 14

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

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

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