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Middle East conflict

Only US can force Israel to stop Gaza massacre — Turkish expert

Huseyin Bagci added that no signs of a wish to achieve a settlement in Gaza has been seen in the US actions so far

ISTANBUL, August 23. /TASS/. Only the US, which blocks initiatives in the UN Security Council for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip using the veto right, is capable of stopping Israel, the head of the Ankara Global Advisory Group Huseyin Bagci believes.

"Unfortunately, the world today has become Israel’s hostage primarily due to the fault of the US. Only Washington can stop it. For this it should refrain from using the veto power in the UNSC. In that case, Israel will be forced to stop the crimes and massacres it is committing in Gaza," the leading Turkish expert on international security issues told TASS.

In his opinion, no signs of a wish to achieve a settlement in Gaza has been seen in the US actions so far.

"The US has not yet done so and will not do so. At least until the presidential election is over, it will have no such wish," the expert said. He added that both US presidential candidates - the incumbent Vice-President Kamala Harris and the former president, Donald Trump, have not shown any intention to put pressure on Israel in their campaign speeches.

"They act as if nothing is happening, well aware that if they take any action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this will affect domestic political processes," the expert said.

Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the UN, said on August 22 that Russia was addressing the UN Security Council members with a proposal for developing and adopting a new document on the Middle East settlement, which will make it possible to stop violence in Gaza.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated after the infiltration of armed supporters of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, accompanied by killings of residents of border settlements and the capture of more than 240 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military operation in the enclave with the aim of destroying the Hamas military and political structure and securing the release of all those abducted. The fighting in the Gaza Strip has continues to this day.

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

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US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

US officials believe that ramping up weapons supplies to Ukraine is unlikely to change the situation in the combat zone short term, but it may help Kiev strengthen its stance in case a truce is reached

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

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London intensifies anti-Russian campaign in face of impending ‘Ukrainian project’ failure

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'Western vector' leaves Ukraine poorest country in Europe — politician

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In recent months, the number of Ukrainian employees with exemptions from military service has increased from 900,000 to 1.6 million

US 'stains' reputation by vetoing UNSC resolution on Middle East — Russian diplomat

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Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

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Denmark, its neighbors hold talks with China about damaged cables under Baltic Sea-report

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Restrictions under New START treaty don’t apply to Oreshnik missile — Russian diplomat

"As for New START, you are well aware of our decision to suspend it," Sergey Ryabkov said

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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

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Twelve local residents have been evacuated from the scene

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Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

Russia delivers 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan over past year

Such work will continue, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said

Three Ukrainians almost freeze to death trying to flee into Hungary across Tizsa

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

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

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

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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

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

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Kabul counts on Moscow to help neutralize Western pressure

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Guterres condemns supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine

The UN Secretary-General urged world leaders to join the Ottawa Convention

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

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T-90M tank shows itself as best in the world in real fight — Medvedev

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British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

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Russia gave OPCW over 30 reports proving Ukraine used banned substances, official says

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

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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