Russia asks Hamas to release captive Israeli soldier

Seven Cabinet ministers and 20 lawmakers from Hamas were detained by Israeli authorities in a clear attempt to use them as bargaining chips to win the release of the soldier.

Photo: Russia asks Hamas to release captive Israeli soldier

Israeli tanks and troops on Wednesday entered southern Gaza and planes attacked three bridges and a power station, knocking out electricity in most of the coastal strip. Israeli warplanes on Wednesday buzzed the summer residence of President Bashar Assad of Syria, where Hamas' top political leader Khaled Mashaal lives, according to the AP.

Kamynin called the situation between the Israelis and the Palestinians "extremely serious." "It calls for immediate actions aimed at preventing a further dangerous destabilization of the entire region and for both sides to exercise restraint and wisdom," Kamyin was quoted as saying.