really, the israeli forces reportedly striking to regions in western syria following a week of idea of attacks across the country after this saw the government's collapse. also a head on r t. the disturbing images out of gaza as is really forces bomb and unrest school killing at least 20 and wounding dozens and its attacks on the enclave. russian troops advanced and on vast and destroyed numerous nato tanks and the courage region despite heavy losses. ukrainian politicians automated zalinski snobs,

the christmas truce urged by the hon. gary and prime minister and german chancellor . all i've schultz is for the star which gambled so much i need crane is losing its shine as he faces a confidence both in the bonus tag with some predicting an end to his time in office. the you're watching r t international live in moscow. i'm rachel. ruble, we begin with syria where it is rarely our forces have reportedly struck the western regions of churches and lot the key overnight. a mazda of explosions fill the night skies, but there's been no confirmation yet from israel, which has been conducting continuous attacks over the past week. this comes after terrorist groups have seized power in war torn syria,

forcing former president assad to leave the country and seek asylum, and russia is really prime minister. netanyahu defended the military expansion, saying his goal is to reshape the middle east. there's one on a year ago, i made a simple statement. we will change the middle east and we are indeed changing it. syria is no longer the same syria, lebanon is no longer the same. loving on gaza is no longer the same garza and at the head of the axes, iran is no longer the same or on it to has felt the strength of our arms regarding syria. i want to clarify. we have no interest in confronting syria. israel's policy towards syria will be determined by the realities on the ground. i want to ensure that what happened before will not happen again. we have taken a series of significant actions in recent days. together with defense minister cats, i instructed the idea of to counter potential threats from syria and prevent terrorist entities from taking control near our border. it is really our forces

have struck across syria, including in the capital, damascus and the countries northeast. the idea has also launched ground operations expanding into the contested goal on heights, which is the militarized buffer zone established in 1974. the various militant groups have control in different regions of the country. areas in the north here, held bar held by the us back to u. s. d f, which is linked to purchase insurgency groups. well that says rival took us back to militants, have taken over the northwest city of man bridge. now all the rest is controlled by hyatt to we're all shawn or h t. s. a terrorist group that has a sewage power in damascus. a beret based journalist told us the as rarely, military expansion in syria, garza and 11 on, has only created vulnerability in the region. this will is like good, very good. so i think i got it got to do with the city and the nation. since the

saw the machine before the labs, there is a, the positivity for hulu, which is that disconnected. the military aid from a walk to his blog, which was the biggest shred, israel is the only nation, either on which uh, sites uh, security by uh, by putting mostly williams in the front lines. so this has never happened before. this, nothing happens today. no long civilians is the front lines to site most security for the country. this is only is man. so this is only a floyd uh idea as to what she that is waiting. we'll take that long take actually the parts of the parts of syria and the whole bunch of bodies thing worse. this is their view. they are taking supplements. i think in the future we have more conflict regarding this area. uh, even more events around they might look at night and sway dot also. this is,

i mean it's really angry and it would be more cool, but we will see how things were turned off. is the news of the city and go now to gaza, where distressing reports at least 20 people have been killed in and is rarely strike out of school being used as a shelter in con eunice. oh. 2 the dramatic footage circulating on social media shows the building in flames and engulfed in smoke with what appears to be multiple bodies lying and mid debris covering the floors. children are said to be among the victims and people are seemed desperately searching for survivors. amid the chaos many displays, the locals have been using the unrest affiliated school. a shelter from relentless strikes is really forces of also bond areas in the north and the central part of the enclave,

claiming even more civilian lives to the west bank. now where and is really planned to deploy automated weapons in the region to protect settlers has surfaced and local media reports say, remotely operated machine guns, will be used in order to quote, to prevent attacks. and while guns are being installed, these really settlers are sending a clear message to palestinians billboards across the west bank. read. there is no future in palestine and show pictures of this place. gardens walking among the rubble locals in the area. se israel's goal is to intimidate and terrorize palestinians. i see you how we're doing. they are trying to evacuate palestinian lands to intimidate and pressure citizens into migrating their terrorizing farmers, seizing lands and confiscating properties. these signs are left on palestinian roads to send a message to palestinians that these lands are now is really and that there was no

safe place for them in these areas, which they now consider settlement zones through iron gates, military checkpoints, land control and restrictions they attack homes, confiscate belongings and terrorized residents to empty palestinian villages and encouraged their migration from these palestinian areas. the recently we have seen banners and advertisements, whether in newspapers or on roads, were smote, rich, and the israeli government behind him pledge that there is no future for palestinians on their land smote. which has said this many times in the people of gonzo should go to egypt, the west bank to jordan, and the rest to exile. yeah, this is an old zionist plan, but it is now openly implemented with direct support from the israeli government. know me and i'm, i'm over, i am, every day lands are confiscated from citizens and people are attacked even in their homes. they aim to display citizens and the large portion of people are leaving their villages. and there is both internal and external migration happening. it is

clear what annexation means, we must understand its reality, and so i may think they will give us blue ideas to enter is real, but in truth, annexation means they will seize all the lands and displace their residence. of the messages, underscored by as rarely officials, including the controversial finance minister who insist any possibility of a palestinian state should be prevented once and for all we must end the policy of containment and defense and shift to initiative and all sense. we must dismantled terror hubs, strengthen jewish settlements and create facts on the ground that prevent the establishment of a palestinian state and remove this possibility from the agenda once and for all. the ministers comments have caused the outrage among palestinians in the west bank, who considers much rich, a leader of the so called settlement games. and one more smoked smoked rich is the leader of the gangs controlling the west bank. and is responsible for settlers who

daily attack citizens in their homes and fight them in their farms and lands. he is the main supporter of these gangs known as the price tag, gangs, as they call themselves. the situation is truly difficult, especially for marginalized villages. the villages in the south of nablus are in a very difficult situation. the settler's encroachment has reached the doors of our homes and we are left with nothing but the houses we live in as our lands have been confiscated. before the end of the supplement, we say to the occupation government that this is our state, we will remain on our land and we have we will continue to appeal to both as railey and international courts as citizens. we will exert every effort to preserve these lands and prevent this semester planned by smart rich and his supporters. small troops is implementing a government plan, not acting on his own. i mean, the far right government has clear goals to expel palestinians from their lands as well. coming up a little later in the program are 2 visits the historic city of tire and level not

no fern. it's centuries old fishing, traditions, people. they are trying to return to normal life after months of as rarely, bombing. and to overcome challenges from a ban imposed on ships approaching within 50 kilometers of its border. the now for the latest on the front lines of the ukraine and complex to our russian forces have taken 2 towns in the don't ask people's republic. the russian defense ministry has also released a video of damage to nato military vehicles in the cursed region. numerous times have been destroyed by russian troops in the town of nova, even of tub ortiz. either stand off brings us the details. basically the russian forces, they have some success in major bachelors all across the front line. the 1st being in the town of cut out how about which is just outside the town of denette square. i am right now and this a full, i'm a logistical hub for the ukranian. i mean now

a contested town is only controlled by the ukrainians. uh, basically only 20 percent of this place is controlled by the ukrainians right now according to the head of the didn't that's region at the same time. ukrainian sources have reported that the premium combined has re deployed from the high to cover the front a and the leads said brigade, a highly motivated brigade made out of and based and founded on the remains of the as of, of the infamous new nazi as of battalion it has been re deployed to the outskirts of a major town of but groves because the premium come on days, very wary that the full of that town is immune. and at the same time, the authorities and as it basically the cuban government, it remains very, very hostile to any idea of it could lead to a de escalation between russia and ukraine. apparently, according to the foreign minister of hungry, the ukrainian diplomats value have less basically they have allowed emotions to

slip through and take over their diplomatic educate. you have a listen. it just means that you were to start of the prime minister had phone conversation with russian president vladimir putin, which lasted for over an hour. i informed our ukrainian colleagues of this phone conversation and requested the prime minister have a phone conversation with the ukrainian president. however, in a gesture that is rather unprecedented in diplomacy, he rejected this. so indeed, unprecedented, this is how the top diploma of hungry chose his words to describe the response that hungry god. but he promptly personally got from t if now what he's talking about here is basically the idea that was revealed vice prime minister of a hungry that may be russia. and ukraine should have a christmas cruise followed by a massive prisoner exchange, a rather symbolic move. it would have been, and also not unheard of in the history of wolfe i had given even if the sides of

the was of adversaries and russia was open to that. russia even provided a list brushes, federal security service provided a list that could be use the list of names for the prisoners of war, swore between russia and ukraine during that christmas priest. but now, you know, in what fashion the ukrainians it shows to reject that offer. and indeed know that the prime minister of hungry knew the top diplomat was impressed with such response coming from ukraine to the peace efforts. we'll have to show up to him, i guess for which the possibility of a mass prisoner exchange and a christmas ceasefire is on the table. it doesn't matter how we got the it's here. now, you can do 2 things with this. accept or reject it. one party has accepted it while the other apparently rejects it successfully. yes, but you must about to we presented a christmas truce and a large scale prisoner exchange it to vladimir putin informed russian government

officials. and they received this proposal fundamentally, positively and openly showing readiness to consider it. unfortunately, the ukrainian president has rejected this negotiation opportunity. now russia and hungry went alone in this push to de escalate and to do something good. so for the bad to really to do something for the benefit of both russia and ukraine, president elect donald trump, also supported hungry is efforts and supported rushes readiness to well just to play along and to, to being so open to this idea. and this has happened against the backdrop of really rising voices. i mean the e u is that really a piece is full efforts should be intensified. the presidents of slovakia, for instance, has said that zelinski should maybe have a good hard look at what's going on on the ground, what state his army is in and start thinking about how they will be wrapping this

whole thing up. i've already told me that a, i think that you have to be very realistic. i certainly hope that nobody, at least know normal person in europe would think it's possible to establish peace without some partial territorial losses for ukraine. i'm sorry to say it's so bluntly, but it's my realistic view of things based on information about the development of the situation that i receive on a daily basis. for this message was also accurate in germany as the alternative for germany policy a step forward and said that it is simply counter productive to deny any more that russia has one in this complex ukrainian state tv channel has sparked outrage among the orthodox christian community after using the countries most sacred monastery is the set for a cooking show. the controversial episode shows the interior of the renowned camp. patricia cloud rise. seen in the background monastery is one of the most important

religious sites in the country. it was rated and taken over by ukrainian state authorities last year who claimed to have links to the moscow patriarch at the russian front ministry responded to the latest scandal and the key of picturesque lava. right. during the christmas fast the invaders stage, the tv cooking show about ukrainian cuisine. and why choose a shrine that's revered throughout the orthodox world as a filming location is a meaningless question. but the answer is obvious. it's the work of the devil. christian values in ukraine have long been destroyed, replaced by ultra nationalism and neo nazis them. and the television broadcast of the production of ukrainian sacred dishes against the background of the crucified christ is the best illustration of what is happening. in creating authorities have wage the campaign against the u. o. c. 4 months they have made arrest closed churches and tried to force clergy and parishes to submit to the jurisdiction of

the key of fact, orthodox church of ukraine. ukrainian lawmakers have passed a law that calls for ban on any religious groups suspected of having ties to russia, or she considers the persecution of the canonical orthodox church and un has said caps pushed to outlaw the u. a. c would violate religious freedoms. they also got reaction from reverend the dark over stuff to yoga professor at the faculty of apology at the university of eastern, sorry gabriel and republican service guy i used to uh when it did and i use the search and it shows so you might uh you you may see how difficult it is for me to see uh, most acreage chairs in which i written on monday may have it all the cuz you only can only control is not on the you find your home search, but also all the finale for choices you use to so define this as you're used to, so you creased and now it's a stage of cooking shop. it's a,

it's everything that is allows you to his name is all about. it's a mockery of christian heritage. is proud to be a few crazy people and it's very, it has everything to do about the culture of vandalism in the address. it's just this very uh, program of this destruction of authors destruction and mockery of christian heritage, which is implemented in western europe today in uh it did not this test also bought in in the ukraine today, which is unfortunate. i say very much in this mode of destructing. every traces of christian rosman ends a slow leak. uh, academy. it is. and really it's you can only you can only just cry and see, this is ms chance. it's unbelievable. from a transfer all off shelters,

efforts to aid ukraine during russia's special, military operation has shadowed his time in office. he's now set to face a confidence vote in the bonus tag on monday, setting a path for snap federal elections in the new year after the collapse of his coalition or the contributor rachel marston explores how the german chancellor thought to this political impass. the german chancellor all off sol, so set the call for a non confidence vote against himself on monday. officially asking the parliamentarians of the wound decide whether they might wish to do him the honor of drop kicking his political leadership career straight into the dumpster of history . now this is basically a case of political suicide by top. schultz. one's down to put his current mandate out of its misery because he's totally impotent. now, politically speaking, why is that? well, because the yellow light, centrist of his traffic, like coalition failed on him and he no longer has the majority needed to round

things through parliament. all of this came about because his finance minister, christian living or from that centrist free democratic party, decided back in november that he really wasn't interested in a career as a magician attempting to work a budget miracles with shots of spending priorities. germany virtue signal itself right into economic devastation. following along with you sanctions to impress their girlfriend zalinski. then schultz tells us finance minister. hey man, just missed your foot off off the debt break of it. so i can go on another 15000000000 euro spending joy ride for ukraine, and lender was like, i know how, but if you just desktop, some of those long range towers, massages you have over there in the closet and give those to your girlfriend instead. and schultz doesn't want to do that because it would mean babysitting. yeah, the. busy didn't start a 3rd world war against russia. so schultz and lynn are had a falling out over

a month ago. now they're ultimately led to a breakup with lender and his yellow light centers walking way from schultz. this coalition table, like a teenage clique in the school cafeteria to of, to, from federal minister linda has brought close in an improper manner too often. he is engaged in petty poverty, political tactics too often he has broken my trust with off show top loan of sholtes has long sailed to recognize the need for a new economic awakening in our country is long play down the economic concerns of our citizens. even now he is questioning the necessary decisions so that citizens can be proud of germany again. so this non confidence vote could officially dissolve salts as coalition government and make way for elections at the end of february, which shots only staying on and a care taker, roll into a new coalition is formed post selection and the new guy who could ultimately replace them as chancellor, that would be frederick murtz of the center, right?

establishment christian democrats. if current poles hold basically says good rants . the heads of state and government of the european union are speaking out publicly . the german government is there is no other way to put it. a total failure in brussels. unfortunately, it has to be said, the majority of european heads of state and government are simply fed up with meeting the german chancellor. the weather sits in silence for hours or lectures the world. but there is another possibility with this non confidence votes, schultz could end up being forced to stay put, or maybe even having to resign. that's what could happen if the right wing anti establishment alternative for germany or a f d party votes in support of schultz, along with his social democrats by the a f d model to do that. well, because some of them, as already said that they think murtz could be even more of a disaster than sholtes. he's already promised hand over the tires and missiles,

for example, and to even better coordinate with washington and brussels on ukraine because i guess that's worked out super well for germany. so far. germany basically has been ad on by washington this whole time. so putting washington in the driver's seat with germany riding shot gun and different and maybe even more can only spell disaster. nordstrom gets blown up. now berlin has to rely on a competitor the us already for even pricier energy to power. it's economic engine and europe's volkswagen is closing down plans for the 1st time in nearly a century of existence. and schultz apparently forgot which country he was supposed to be heading up these moments right now. at this moment, it is necessary to make a final choice whether the support of ukraine, whether what we are doing more for the security of our country will lead to that we do not have enough money for roads for rails, but housing pensions, a calf, a health but all that is important for the modernization of germany,

and i say this must not be a choice between one or the other. we have to do both at the same time and we can do this and also so that's a large network of more than 220 gym and ukrainian municipal partnerships has been established often with much support from private companies. and we also see that co operation between german companies and ukrainian energy supplies is increasing. i hope that many more companies will join because that is where we need a lot of private investments. cavity of coverage of my task is to make sure that you craniums on what's left alone. that's what my government has done and is continuing to do. and i also have the task of ensuring that there is no escalation, no rule between russia and nato. and the only thing that seem to say, schultz to the point where he started changing his tune was the rise of the anti establishment right and left, supported by voters wanting someone in charge. who would be maybe interested in putting them 1st. but uh mertz doesn't seem to be focused on that too much either,

which probably means more of this will be chewing up shortly. the so, you know, have trump coming back to run the us who's not exactly the kind of guy to be setting a table for to, but yeah, sure. give washington even more power over german decision making is what murtz is saying. maybe washington can advise berlin on nailed placement for its economic coffin to gunfire and pillars of flame libyan armed groups have clashed near the capital in aaa, leaving one reportedly killed and 10 wounded.

the fighting among local arms groups also set off a fire of the countries 2nd largest oil refinery. several of the plans tanks have been damaged by bullets causing operations to be temporarily suspended. casualties have not been officially confirmed yet. libya remains a battle ground with local arms, groups facing off around the country. like managers have asked the government and aaa to intervene and do everything in his power to end the fighting and return stability is really defense forces have confirmed the continuation of its operations in southern lebanon. and even under the formal cease fire agreement is presence could be rail the efforts of lebanese people trying to recover their lives and keep working. during the truce, archie is steve sweeney visited the city of tire and send us this report from a place no foreign journalists to set foot in since the fighting began. fishing is

central to the identity of the southern lovely city of ty, with a history that can be traced back to phoenician times approximately 700 fishermen wet from some 270 bodies mode and all that. but isabel sage, and bump up. and if the city left many to afraid to set out to see israel bought any boat so many heavy, a 50 kilometers from its border in october. and it remains unclear whether that morning is still in effect to publish city official. them were killed on the beach in the hours before the cx 5 came into effect. i would as well continue to breach the agreements. fishermen remain on the stand. the notice for life is slowly returning to the fishing hall, but many people are now able to attend to work for the livelihood, is going out to sea to fish that will somehow or the who did continue working, despite as well as bombardment of lebanon, probably to have a show next to the hall, but it's been in the family for generations and is now open for business again. so

i left him this to him. i've always faced with my grandfather and i'm the kind of person who is madly in love with my work. it is become an integral part of our lives. we've continued the business, passing it down from generation to generation, from my grandfather and father and uncle to me and then. and now my kids have joined and i have 3 children and i hope they grow up and carry on the business so that of course they are still getting their education and everything is fine. but we love what we do more if you pay attention all the people of tire and generals, or like a very fond of the sea and marine lions. that is why we have a special connection with as well. and we hold onto a boat or inactive of being prepared to set sail once more. we painted the boat before the war started and fixed what was needed. it cost us 2000 us dollars to do so. as soon as we got it back on the water, the war started. a lot of time has passed since then. and today was our 1st day back at sea. many slipped in that boats as well for us and whole streets, important people's homes. the old official might have seen the

o before they've been through civil war and previous is right. the was but many sites that the latest is why the aggression is of was a most disruptive they have see. then i thought i was calling them and we have never experienced such a tax and out town. not even during the 1982 invasion. so i heard stories from my grandparents about those events as i was born after that attack. but there was no destruction and brutality on that scale that we witnessed was in 1993 in 1996 in 2006. but there has been no such scale of aggression people. however, tuesdays relative to labor, the se, sum to destroy the cities culture, with fishing and tourism sense, which ties economy. but the boats are heading out to sea once more. i simple act of defiance as fishermen seek of attentive normality to protect that law. i do, it's this is steve sweeney for all the entire southern evidence. well, do stay with us here on our to international up next on moscow meals. my colleague shave bos looks at the post apocalyptic wasteland. the by the end administration is

determined to leave for donald trump the the k the

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