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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israel looking for negotiating leverage as it seizes Hamas' 'strategic assets' — Netanyahu

This is another key to releasing our sons and daughters, Prime Minister said

TEL AVIV, March 28. /TASS/. Israel has seized "the strategic assets" of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas and plans to use them as negotiating leverage, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

"We have seized Hamas’ strategic assets. This is another key to releasing our sons and daughters. We have control of the northern [Gaza] Strip and Khan Yunis; we have divided the Strip and are preparing to enter Rafah. In order to bring not some but all [hostages] back, we need to use these assets wisely in the negotiations that I personally hold every day," he said at a meeting with the families of the Israeli hostages held by the radicals. However, Netanyahu did not explain what assets he was talking about.

"To date, we have brought 123 of those kidnapped back home, and it is my duty to bring every last one back. I won’t leave anyone behind. I am personally working on it day and night. The continued powerful military pressure that we have been and will continue exerting [on Hamas] is the only thing that has helped bring [some of] our abductees back and will bring back all [the rest]," the Israeli prime minister added.

Tags

Palestine Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict

Residents of Armenian border villages protest against their transfer to Azerbaijan

People are trying to prevent bomb disposal specialists from demining the territory, after which Azerbaijani security forces are to enter the area

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Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

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The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

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The law, introducing an extra coefficient to the mineral extraction tax for gold totaling 78,000 rubles ($848.8) per kilogram, will become effective at the same day

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Polish general expects Russia to continue wiping out Abrams tanks in Ukraine

Waldemar Skrzypczak underlined that "no tank is invincible"

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The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

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Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

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IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

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Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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Poland practices transfer of mechanized brigade to Lithuania's Suwalki Corridor area

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Police checks reports of bomb allegedly planted at Russian embassy in Brazil — newspaper

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Andrzej Duda slammed the reported instances of Russian missiles entering Poland's airspace as "a Russian provocation"

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Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

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Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

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Lithuania’s prime minister warns US may curtail aid to Ukraine

Ingrida Simonyte called for getting ready for such a turn of events right away, and not just watch and wait

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The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the situation is as though a year-long probe into a murder yielded a conclusion that "the victim was murdered"

Putin calls impending formation of new cabinet ‘crucial step’

The Russian leader pointed out that it is important to ensure stability and transparency in the Russian socio-political system

Ukrainian forces trapped on outskirts of Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky reported that the enemy "experiences problems with logistics and the supply of ammunition and essentials"

Diplomatic relations with Canada may be downgraded if Russian assets seized — ambassador

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One floor at Vnukovo airport evacuated due to bomb threat — police

"The premises and rooms are being checked for explosives," the source said

Medicine for Bekhterev’s disease may cause medical tourism to Russia — Health Minister

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Russia has many questions for UN chief, Russia’s envoy says

Vasily Nebenzya said that he has "good personal relations" with the secretary general

Russia proposes new rules for foreigners buying sim cards, requires biometric data

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Russia fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

According to the diplomat, Russia is engaged in "fierce battles on this issue in different committees of the General Assembly"

Bank of Russia keeps key rate at 16% per annum again

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Worst human rights situation currently observed in US, North Korean Foreign Ministry says

The spokesman also pointed out the claims of US officials about the "necessity of informational infiltration of Korea"

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

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Wreckage of US MQ-9 Reaper drone is of interest to Russian defense industry — Rostec

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Russian troops destroy 89 Ukrainian UAVs, 5 boats in Kherson area over past day

"Battlegroup Dnepr units conducted active counterbattery warfare and destroyed enemy drones, manpower and equipment on the right bank of the Dnieper River," Governor Vladimir Saldo said

Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

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UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

"If the UN did not exist, it should have been created," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

"It is very difficult to negotiate with those who are unable to make decisions, even if they want, they can’t, and only act as a side to a difficult conflict," Vladimir Medinsky explained

Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Belgorod Region leaves five civilians injured

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov specified that four people had been taken to the hospital

Hamas says it received Israel’s response to proposal on resolution in Gaza

The movement will analyze the Israeli proposal and will provide its own response afterwards, Hamas politburo member Khalil al-Hayya said

Insurers refuse to pay compensation for Nord Stream — Russian envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that insurers conclude on their own that the "explosion at the gas pipelines was made using an explosive devices, willfully and due to political motives," thereby confirming its terroristic nature

US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

US intel finds no proof of Russian leadership’s involvement in Navalny’s death — newspaper

"Some European intelligence agencies have been told of the US view," The Wall Street Journal added

Russia-Europe relations require fresh approach — Kremlin

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EAEU trade turnover reaches record high level of $8.7 bln in 2023 — Russian Prime Minister

The trade turnover between Russia and Belarus reached 4 trillion rubles ($43.8 bln)

Russia strikes major thermal power plant in western Ukraine — underground resistance

Five missiles hit Dnepropetrovsk while a strong blow with the subsequent detonation was registered in Krivoi Rog, the spokesman specified

TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

The company has two contracts for LNG supplies to Europe from the Yamal LNG project and one for Asia that requires closer consideration, CEO of the French energy company Patrick Pouyanne said

Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister said that the sides would exchange opinions on how to develop bilateral relations along the path outlined by Bolivian President Luis Arce and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

Most countries in Global South wary of growing NATO influence — Lavrov

"Those may be right who, instead of playing this geopolitical game which NATO views as a zero-sum game, prefer to handle their domestic affairs," the Russian foreign minister noted

Moscow to overcome possible EU sanctions against Russian LNG — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "the attempts to squeeze Russia out of energy markets continue"