Russian Jews who hold dual citizenship have expressed interest in returning to Russia. This was reported by Anatoly Viktorov, the Russian ambassador to Israel, during a briefing covered by lenta.ru.
The ambassador explained that the move is rooted in a desire among some people with Israeli citizenship to avoid compulsory military service. He noted that he preferred not to comment further on those concerns, as doing so could potentially affect the nation’s defense readiness.
On 7 October, Hamas launched a massive rocket campaign, firing thousands of missiles toward Israel and announcing the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Militant factions reportedly crossed into Israeli territory, seizing several military assets and taking more than a hundred hostages. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war.
In response, the Israel Defense Forces initiated an operation named Iron Swords, with the stated objective of dismantling Hamas. The Israeli Air Force targeted and struck numerous Hamas sites across the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s National Security Council announced measures to disrupt supply lines by cutting off water, food, goods, electricity and fuel to the Gaza Strip. On 13 October the UN warned that about 1.1 million Palestinians should be evacuated to southern Gaza within 24 hours prior to a potential ground operation in Gaza.
Previously, Iran’s Foreign Ministry commented on the escalation of the conflict, noting Israel’s continued strikes on Gaza and expressing concerns about regional stability. [ attribution: Reuters ]