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Middle East conflict

Ball in Hamas’ court in terms of Gaza talks, Israeli PM’s advisor tells TASS

Dmitry Gendelman stressed that "Israel has not in the least departed from the plan that was supported by US President Joe Biden"

TEL AVIV, July 15. /TASS/. It is up to the radical movement Hamas to take the next step with regard to the talks on the draft agreement on Gaza proposed by US President Joe Biden, Dmitry Gendelman, an advisor to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told TASS.

"It is up to Hamas to take the next step as they should accept the deal supported by the US," he said. This includes "Israel’s right to continue the war until all of its goals are achieved," "the prevention of arms smuggling from the Sinai Peninsula" to the Gaza Strip, "the return of as many surviving hostages as possible in the first phase of the deal" and "a ban on Hamas militants’ return to the north of the Gaza Strip," Gendelman specified.

He added that "Israel has not in the least departed from the plan that was supported by President Biden." In particular, Israel "has neither added or removed a single condition," Gendelman said, noting that his country "will not allow Hamas to make any changes in the plan." Netanyahu’s advisor also said that "Hamas tried to introduce 29 changes to the plan presented [by Biden]," but the Israeli premier "rejected them."

On May 31, US President Joe Biden announced a three-phase plan aimed at peacefully resolving the situation in Gaza. The first phase, which is supposed to last six weeks, includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas and the liberation of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. In addition, the parties are expected to begin talks during this phase, with the ceasefire remaining in effect until they reach an understanding. The second phase envisages the release of all hostages, including service members. The third stage will focus on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the handover of the remains of the dead Israelis to their families.

Middle East conflict

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Kiev troops will be forced to retreat from Russia after attack on Kursk region — expert

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The West, according to Zakharova, must push Kiev to stop committing terror attacks on critical infrastructure in Russia

Lukashenko says draft dodgers from Ukraine fleeing to West via Belarus

"98% is men who run from the war and do not want to carry on war," Lukashenko added

Russian air defenses down drone over Oryol Region

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Apty Alaudinov noted that the attack involved all that the Ukrainian army "could gather," including tanks and armored vehicles

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Russian law enforcers probe into actions of US journalists in Sudzha — MFA

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Russia declares Clooney Foundation for Justice undesirable organization

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Over 1,700 people evacuated from border areas of Kursk Region in 24 hours

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Russian grenade launchers take it to enemy troop clusters near Kursk

Operators of grenade launchers open massive fire to hit the enemy

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According to the official, the forced resettlers were being taken either to their relatives or temporary accommodation centers

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Strong military and diplomatic pressure are the way to secure the release of our hostages, he stressed

Russian consulate general’s office may be opened in Azerbaijan, says ambassador

This issue is in the stage of discussions

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According to Ulyanov, Grossi responded to Russia’s invitation to visit the Kursk NPP promptly

Russia’s Battlegroup West seize 30 Ukrainian army’s strongholds over past day

Battlegroup West’s motor rifle units improved their forward edge positions

Zelensky wouldn’t have dared to attack Kursk Region if US hadn’t asked him — Lavrov

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Russian troops destroy Ukrainian sabotage group, capture two servicemen — fighter

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Kiev raising stakes with Kursk Region, says Lukashenko about Ukraine's raid

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Murat Zyazikov recalled that years-long comprehensive cooperation with Russia had been dividends for Cyprus and giving jobs to Cypriots

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Russian Lancet munition destroys Ukrainian combat engineer vehicle at Kursk Region border

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Robinder Sachdev added that information on Ukraine’s involvement in the attacks on gas pipelines "may lead European leaders, especially in Germany, to reconsider their support for Ukraine"

Belarus reinforces troops near border with Ukraine

Troops have already been reinforced

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Marina Degtyareva called on people to be patient

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IAEA confirms Russia’s non-involvement in fire at ZNPP — Russian diplomat

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Minsk, Moscow see from where in West aggression against Common State may come — Lukashenko

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Europeans turning blind eye to Ukraine’s Nazi ties as they support Kiev — expert

Caroline Galacteros lambasted the renewed use of those symbols as "sinister and absolutely hideous"

French politician calls on EU to stop helping Kiev if it is behind Nord Stream blasts

A theory that the act of sabotage at the gas pipelines had been committed by a group of six Ukrainians without any external support "looks improbable", Florian Philippot said

Berlin exchanges Nord Stream explosion data with Moscow — German foreign ministry

The investigation continues and therefore German authorities believe that interim results should not be reported, the spokesperson noted

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"Most of the troops that tried to advance yesterday were eliminated, as well as some of their equipment," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

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Putin, Russian troops "to sweep Ukrainian military" in Kursk Region — Lukashenko

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Irina Volk noted that Leo and Chantel Heyer were born and raised in New York

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The US Secretary of State arrived in Israel the night before

Kiev’s plans and Ukrainian losses: latest update on situation in Kursk Region

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Russia continues to suppress Ukrainian breakthrough attempts in Kursk area — top commander

The enemy is trying to break through into our territory around the clock, Apty Alaudinov said

Ukraine launching decoy missiles toward Crimea to probe into its defenses — official

The enemy is again probing into the peninsula’s defenses, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said

EU keeping quiet about Ukraine's Kursk attack for fear of negative consequences — media

According to the unnamed European diplomat, the EU leaders’ silence is rooted in "curiosity multiplied by trepidation and anticipation" of the consequences of the Ukrainian attack

Russia blacklists 32 British think tank experts — Russian Foreign Ministry

The list includes nine structures - Forward Strategy Limited, Institute for Statecraft, Media Diversity Institute, Toro Risk Solutions, Chatham House, Open Knowledge Foundation, Privacy International, Peace Child International, Aga Khan Foundation - and 32 of their employees

Russian troops repulse 20 Ukrainian attempts to penetrate LPR over week — expert

"Over the reporting period, Ukraine’s armed formations lost about 10,040 Ukrainian militants and mercenaries or 890 more compared to the previous period under review," Andrey Marochko said

Putin states positive development of economic cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan

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Putin, Aliyev set for extensive dialogue in Baku, says ambassador

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NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

"No NATO ally would ever receive the copious amounts of [funds and weapons] that non-member Ukraine has," Maria Zakharova argued

Russian forces clear Martynovka in Kursk Region of Ukrainian troops — commander

It is noted that the Ukrainians had been pulling "everything they could" to those settlements with a view to breaching the Russian defenses and establishing a route to push deeper into Russia as they realized that Russian forces had been holding them off

Belarus withdraws some 20,000 troops from Ukrainian border in July, says president

According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus requested clarifications from Ukraine

Baku says Armenian troops shelled Azerbaijani positions in Nakhichevan

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Much-vaunted Patriots can’t even defend themselves

In the course of the special military operation, it was confirmed that Russian air defense systems have the potential to repel strikes by all types of enemy air attack capabilities

Germany must answer all questions from Russia regarding Nord Stream pipelines — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that the Ukrainians would not have been able to carry out the attack against the Nord Streams without US support

Ukrainian forces unprepared for Russia’s resistance in Kursk Region — Chechen commander

Apty Alaudinov noted that Ukrainian combat hardware is currently under attack by a large number of Russian units

Russian forces repel attacks on three settlements in Kursk Region in past day

As a result, the Ukrainian armed forces lost a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored combat vehicles and over 25 troops

No formal request yet from Russia for military assistance over situation in Kursk — CSTO

The Collective Security Treaty Organization emphasized that it closely monitored the developments

US is plotting another pandemic — Russian Defense Ministry

"We do not rule out the United States may use so-called defensive technologies for offensive purposes, as well as for global governance by creating crisis situations of biological nature," lieutenant general Igor Kirillov stressed

Ukraine fires over 150 projectiles at Belgorod Region over day

The Borisovsky, Volokonovsky, and Prokhorovsky districts were attacked with ten munitions and three UAVs

Ukrainian troops in Kakhovka hurting for ammunition, Russian serviceman says

"The adversary is still trying to break through to the islands from the right bank," according to the report

Bridge across Seim River destroyed in Russia’s Kursk Region — official

According to the report, overland evacuation from a part of the Glushkovsky District is now cut off

Kiev begins preparation of attack on Kursk nuclear power plant — Russian Foreign Ministry

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry warned that Moscow will immediately use harsh response measures

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts damage on Ukraine’s nationalist Azov special force

Ivan Bigma noted that "in counterbattery fire, Russian forces destroyed Ukrainian Gvozdika and Krab motorized artillery systems, one M198 howitzer, one FH70 towed howitzer, one M119 artillery gun as well as 17 mortar detachments"

US sees ex-Ukrainian interior minister as replacement for Zelensky — Russian intelligence

According to the SVR, White House officials believe that the move "will allow the West to better prepare for possible talks with Russia on resolving the conflict"

Trump warns of potential US failure if Harris wins presidential election

The US will hold its presidential election on November 5

Press review: Berlin's Nord Stream probe smells fishy and Putin tables peace proposal

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 15th

Russian authorities looking into presence of US reporters in Sudzha — diplomat

"Russian law enforcement officers are looking into the facts surrounding the activity of the US journalists," Maria Zakharova explained

Russian paratroopers destroy Ukrainian mortar team, infantry in stronghold in DPR

Active operations by assault groups of Tula paratroopers are supported by armored groups on BMD-4M fourth-generation airborne assault vehicles

Russia’s Battlegroup Center liberates Artyomovo community in DPR over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 570 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Putin arrives in Azerbaijan on state visit

His talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are expected to focus on the current state of and prospects for the further development of bilateral relations, as well as pressing issues on the international and regional agenda

Belarus hopes to receive more Russian helicopters, fighter jets next year

We received another batch of Mi-35M helicopters this spring, Andrey Lukyanovich said

Putin’s proposal on Ukraine valid, talks impossible at this time — Kremlin aide

The timeframe for any potential talks "depends on the situation, including on the battlefield," Yury Ushakov said