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Middle East conflict

Hamas seeks release of 50 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli servicewoman — report

The first phase should include the pullout of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, including from the coast, so that displaced persons can return to their places of residence unhindered and get access to humanitarian assistance

CAIRO, March 15. /TASS/. Hamas wants 50 Palestinian prisoners released for every Israeli servicewoman it lets out of the Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera television reported, citing Hamas sources.

Of every 50 prisoners that would be released, at least 30 should be people that are sentenced to life in prison in Israel. Hamas’ truce proposal comprises three phases, each of which would last 42 days, but the radicals would be ready to release Israeli soldiers only after a complete ceasefire is announced.

The first phase should include the pullout of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, including from the coast, so that displaced persons can return to their places of residence unhindered and get access to humanitarian assistance. During the second phase, a ceasefire would be set, followed by the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. During the third phase, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would begin and the siege of the Palestinian enclave would end.

Hamas has not yet officially commented on this report.

Earlier on Friday, Reuters reported, citing a Hamas proposal, that as part of the first phase of the potential truce in the Gaza Strip the group is ready to release women, children, elderly and injured hostages, as well as Israeli servicewomen that were captured in the attack on Israel. In exchange, Israel would have to release between 700 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners that are held in the Jewish state’s prisons. The list of prisoners includes inmates that are serving life sentences. After the completion of the first phase, Hamas is proposing to agree on a date for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian enclave. The second phase would include the release of all hostages.

Hamas said on Thursday that its representatives provided their vision of a future truce agreement in the Gaza Strip to mediators. As conditions, Hamas demands a complete pullout of Israeli forces from the enclave, supplies of humanitarian aid and the return of displaced persons to their places of permanent residence. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the demands as unrealistic.

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Russia acted responsibly in warning US about Oreshnik missile launch, Kremlin says

The US was notified automatically 30 minutes before the launch by Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center

Putin appoints envoy for international criminal and legal cooperation

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British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

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Alexey Erkhov also recalled Russia's interest in participating in the implementation of the second NPP in Turkey

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Many experts believe this is the best tank of our time, compared to Western counterparts in particular, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council said

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No one was injured in the fire, the company said in a press release

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

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

"The enemy positioned in the fortified area in Velikaya Novoselka in the south of the DPR is already trapped in a kill zone," the source said

Russian official describes OPCW note on use of chemicals in Ukraine as absurd

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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 national Nikita Zhuravel sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason

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FACTBOX: What is known about Russian flight incident at Antalya Airport

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by the Azimuth airline caught fire as the plane landed at Antalya Airport on Sunday, TASS has compiled the key facts about the situation

Conflict in Ukraine no longer regional war — German defense minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on November 21 that strikes on Russian territory with Western long-range missiles had made the conflict in Ukraine a global one

Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

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

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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

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

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

Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Veronika Skvortsova noted that parallel studies are being conducted on vaccines for various cancers, including melanoma, skin cancer, and glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor

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Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

Russia to develop bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan — Shoigu

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French politician calls for protests against deployment of Western troops to Ukraine

Florian Philippot called on his supporters to rally "in support for peace and against this madness" on December 1

US did not contact Russia after use of Oreshnik missile — Deputy Foreign Minister

In his televised address to the nation on November 21, Putin stated that the United States and its NATO allies had authorized the use of long-range high-precision weapons before US and British missiles struck Russian military facilities in the bordering regions of Kursk and Bryansk

Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

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

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Kremlin refrains from predicting outcome of Romanian elections

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia is well aware of Romania’s current government’s policy

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

According to al-Maliki, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the only obstacle to a ceasefire in Gaza

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

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Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

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Kremlin spokesman says missiles like Oreshnik are developed in secrecy

Dmitry Peskov said that he himself did not know about this work before Russian President Vladimir Putin announced it

Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

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

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Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

It is noted that Russia has about three times as many men as the Ukrainians in the Kursk Region and six times as many explosive drones

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

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FACTBOX: Cargo aircraft crashes into apartment building in Vilnius, Lithuania

Twelve local residents have been evacuated from the scene