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Russia Hits Odesa And Chornomorsk Ports, Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Strike On Sevastopol
On the night of April 26, the Armed Forces of Russia delivered a combined strike on targets in eight regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force recorded the launch of 144 UAVs from Russian territory.
Odesa region was the main target. The "Geran" strikes hit the port infrastructure of Illichivsk (Chornomorsk) and Odesa. In Illichivsk, warehouses, fuel reservoirs, administrative buildings, and cargo vehicles were destroyed. A vessel flying the flag of Palau, which was in port being loaded, was damaged. In Odesa, the port infrastructure that handles cargo loading and unloading was hit.
In Kharkiv region, in the Shevchenkivskyi district, an industrial zone was attacked. In Dnipropetrovsk region fires at oil depots continued for the second day. Targets in Kryvyi Rih were also struck — no details on the targets have been disclosed, but the scale of the fires (involving dozens of fire trucks) suggests fuel reservoirs.
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Military Situation In Ukraine On April 26, 2026 (Maps Update)
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Russian Advance Igla-S MANPADS Makes Surprise Appearance In Iran
The advanced Russian-made 9K338 Igla-S man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) has made a surprise appearance in Iran.
The MANPADS appeared in a photo released by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency on April 22. The photo was taken at a gathering by Basij volunteers in the city of Ahvaz in the western Iranian province of Khuzestan. The news agency said that the gathering was held “in support of the leadership and the armed forces.”
The Igla-S is the latest version in the Igla family of MANPADS, which first appeared in the Soviet Union. It features a longer range — up to six kilometers — a more sensitive infrared seeker, improved resistance to latest countermeasures, and a heavier warhead weighing 2,5 kg.
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Ukrainian Bridgehead On Vovcha River Faces Destruction
In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops advanced up to 900 meters in the Vovchansk sector. They captured Bochkove and consolidated their position in the Severodonetskyi nature reserve. This created a bridgehead on the southern bank of the Vovcha River.
In the Sumy direction, Russian troops advanced 500–700 meters and engaged in intense combat in Myropillia, Novodmytrivka, and Taratutyne.
In the Slaviansk direction, Russian troops are advancing toward Rai-Oleksandrivka. They are fighting in forested areas near the Siverskyi Donets–Donbas Canal and crossing the canal toward Malynivka.
In the Dobropillia sector of the Druzhkivka direction, units of the "Center" grouping took control of Bilytske and attacked the "Bilytska" mine and Shevchenko.
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Exchange Of Strikes: Russia Launched 666 Missiles And Drones At Ukraine, Ukraine Attacked The Urals
Nine days after the previous massive raid, on the night of April 25, 2026, Russia launched a new combined strike against Ukraine, employing a total of 666 aerial means of attack: 47 missiles and 619 drones. Ukrainian attack drones, meanwhile, reached the Urals for the first time, shifting the geography of the conflict another 2,000 kilometers eastward.
Most of the Russian missiles and drones were directed at Dnipro in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where strikes hit both oil depots and oil refining facilities, as well as the industrial zone housing warehouses of weapons, equipment, and other material resources of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Satellite data from NASAFIRMS records a large-scale fire at the "Alians Syntez" oil depot, a fire at "Object 100" of the "Yuzhmash" production association, and a fire at the "Neftek" LLC oil storage facility. Witnesses report more than 20 explosions in the area of the industrial zone, where one of the largest oil refineries is located, with the glow from the burning oil visible for tens of kilometers.
Beyond Dnipro, strikes were recorded in several regions. In Zaporizhzhia, the Transformer Plant burned. In Shostka and Romny, the "Svema" park, the "Impuls" plant, and facilities linked to the Korzhevske oil field were hit. In the Chernihiv region, targets included a locomotive depot of the South-Western Railway, a communications center and headquarters coordinating the launch of Ukrainian drones, as well as old workshops of the former "Agat" plant used as warehouses and workshops. In Snovsk and Nizhyn, fires and secondary detonations were recorded. In Horodnia, a communications center and a local headquarters coordinating the targeting and launch of Ukrainian drones were destroyed.
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Islamist And Separatist Militants Launch Unprecedented Offensive In Mali (Videos)
Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and possibly other armed factions launched an unprecedented attack across Mali on April 25, in an apparent attempt to take over all of the country.
The towns of Kidal, Gao and Sevare have come under attack at the same time. Fighting has also been reported in the capital, Bamako, and in a nearby garrison.
In a statement, the Malian military said that "fighting is ongoing", adding "our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers".
Videos circulating on social media suggest involvement of JNIM and FLA militants. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the latter, said in a statement posted to social media that its forces had taken control of several positions in Gao and Kidal.
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Iran To Make One Last Offer For U.S.
President Donald Trump told Reuters on April 25 that Iran plans to make an offer aimed at resolving United States demands.
“They’re making an offer and we’ll have to see,” Trump said during a phone interview.
Military Situation In Ukraine On April 24, 2026 (Maps Update)
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Kuwait Says Drones Guided Via Fiber-Optic Caples Struck Border
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense announced on April 24 that two northern land border posts were targeted in a drone attack that caused material damage but no casualties or injuries.
A ministry spokesperson, Col. Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, said in a statement the attack involved two explosive-laden drones guided via fiber-optic cables that entered Kuwaiti territory from Iraq.
Kuwait was a prime target of retaliatory strikes before a ceasefire halted the American-Israeli war on Iran. Not all strikes came from the Islamic Republic, however. Many were in fact launched from neighboring Iraq by Iran-aligned armed factions.
Bases hosting or supporting the United States military were struck, in addition to several energy facilities and other infrastructure.
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Ukraine's Unwanted Legacy: How FPV Mercenaries Are Fueling Conflicts Across Africa
The situation for foreign mercenaries fighting in the Ukrainian army is deteriorating each month. The disbandment of the International Legion at the end of 2025 stripped them of their elite status when the unit's subunits were transferred to the brigade's assault regiments. There, the mercenaries became ordinary assault infantry and were sent to the most critical sectors. Because of this, their chances of returning home plummeted to nearly zero. Most of the “soldiers of fortune” no longer suited this situation. The prospect of easy money for rare, targeted missions has given way to the harsh realities of frontline combat against swarms of Russian drones. They had no option to terminate their contracts at any time. Unwilling to die for a foreign country in senseless, head-on attacks, most of the mercenaries began looking for ways to escape the Ukrainian army's ranks. Soon, such an opportunity arose.
For the past few weeks, Global Security Services Group (GSSG) employees have been recruiting in Kyiv. GSSG is an Abu Dhabi-based private military company. They are looking for Colombian FPV drone operators who have experience on the Ukrainian front lines. GSSG job openings have become a loophole for mercenaries seeking to leave the Ukrainian army. There is evidence that this private military company (PMC) has direct contacts with the Ukrainian leadership. GSSG is prepared to offer large bribes to influential officials to secure the specialists they need. This allows applicants to bypass all necessary laws and terminate their contracts with the Ministry of Defense in the shortest possible time. This active recruitment is linked to the possibility of an armed conflict escalation in a region far from Ukraine.
The Battle for the Dark Continent
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Global Security Services Group has been in the industry for 10 years. The company currently specializes in the Security and Investigations area. Its headquarters is located at UAE. The estimated number of employees - 217. At its core, GSSG is a private military company that specializes in operations in the Middle East and Africa. The conflict in Ukraine has become a gold mine for GSSG, allowing the company to recruit well-trained mercenaries to carry out private contracts around the world. Thus, GSSG contributes to the escalation of tensions in various regions by facilitating the deployment of combat-experienced personnel.
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Three‑Day Exchange Of Strikes: Russia Hits Railroads And Ports, Ukraine Targets Oil Refining
Over three days, Russian forces conducted several series of coordinated strikes. The targets covered the Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, and Odesa regions.
The main focus was on railway junctions. At the "Sumy" station, a ChME3 shunting locomotive was hit — the strike landed on the diesel-generator unit and the control cabin, making restoration impossible. The station's administrative building was also damaged.
In Zaporizhzhia, the "Skhodna" station on the territory of the "Zaporizhstal" metallurgical plant came under attack. Two shunting locomotives, used for supplying raw materials and shipping finished products, were completely burned out as a result of the fire. At the "Zaporizhzhia-Leve" station, another shunting locomotive was hit — its diesel engine, generator, and control systems were damaged.
Also in Korosten, Zhytomyr region, a Geran drone struck a locomotive, and explosions occurred at the "Mudrenaya" railway station in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region.
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U.S. Developing Attack Plans Targeting Hormuz With Three Carriers
The United States military is developing new battle plans to target Iran’s capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported on April 24, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The report comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran at the request of Pakistani mediators, who said more time was needed for Iran to formulate a proposal to permanently end the war.
According to CNN, the Pentagon is reviewing several attack plans, including an option that would include strikes against Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz, the southern Arabian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman.
On the same day as the report, the U.S. military announced that a third aircraft carrier had arrived in the Middle East, the highest number of American carriers deployed to the region in more than 20 years.
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Israeli Air Force Technicians Who Spied For Iran Charged
Two technicians of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) have been charged with spying on behalf of Iran, Israeli authorities announced on April 23.
An indictment filed by military prosecutors accused the two, who served technicians for American-made F-15 fighter jets at the Tel Nof Air Base, of a series of “security offenses on behalf of Iranian intelligence elements.”
One soldier was charged with aiding an enemy in wartime, providing information to an enemy, facilitating contact with a foreign agent, and additional offenses. Meanwhile, the second soldier was charged with contact with a foreign agent, providing information to the enemy, and additional offenses.
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France And Poland Discuss Joint Nuclear Exercises And Boost Defense Ties
Joint military exercises between France and Poland that include elements of nuclear deterrence are a dangerous step toward further escalating tensions with Russia. These activities cannot be viewed solely as deterrence, but as provocative moves, since, as the only nuclear state in the European Union, France is trying to position itself as the leading military power in the bloc and, based on its nuclear status, acts as an equal partner in dialogue with Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the idea with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during talks in Gdansk on April 20, when the two leaders also explored closer cooperation in trade, investment, and defense.
“Among the options we will consider are information sharing, joint exercises, and the possible deployment of forces,” Macron told a joint press conference when asked about nuclear cooperation.
Tusk said that discussions on nuclear security cooperation were being held discreetly, adding that Poland had joined “an exclusive group that understands the need for European solidarity and sovereignty” by accepting France’s invitation.
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Russian Advance In Western Konstantinovka Endangers Key Ukrainian Supply Lines
▪️In the Konstantinovka direction, the situation is most difficult in the eastern and central sectors, where Ukrainian forces have amassed substantial reserves. Russian troops are advancing on the city's western edge and have reached the outskirts of Semyvetrivka. Further advances will enable them to cut the O-0520 road — a key supply route for Ukrainian units in Illinivka.
▪️In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian troops are engaging in localized clashes along the entire front line. They are bypassing and clearing the outskirts of settlements that have already been captured. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are attempting to infiltrate the Ternovate–Velykomikhailivka sector in small groups.
▪️In the Sumy direction, Russian troops advanced 550 meters and engaged in intense combat in Myropillyia, Kondrativka, and Korchakivka. They also repelled counterattacks by the 425th Assault Regiment in Taratutyne.
▪️In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops advanced 550 meters in the Vovchansk sector and are fighting in Pokaliane and Losevka. They also advanced 650 meters in the Velykyi Burluk sector.
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Iranian F-5 Jet Bombed Key U.S. Base During War
United States bases and equipment in the Middle East took “extensive” damage as a result of Iranian retaliatory strikes after the start of the American-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic, NBC News reported on April 24.
The report cited three U.S. officials, two congressional aides, another person familiar with the damage, in addition to an assessment by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington.
NBC News said that the damages from Iranian retaliatory strikes against U.S. military bases in seven Middle Eastern countries were “far worse than publicly acknowledged and is expected to cost billions of dollars to repair”.
It added that Iran used missiles, drones and even fighter jets to target U.S. bases in the region, despite previous claims by the U.S. military that the Iranian air force had failed to use fighter jets against American targets.
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Trump Claims Iran Submitted Improved Offer
United States President Donald Trump claimed on April 25 that Iran submitted a response to Washington’s latest proposal for a nuclear deal minutes after he announced that his top envoys would not be making the trip to Pakistan to meet with Tehran’s negotiators.
Trump told reporters that the latest Iranian proposal was much better than the previous one, but still not good enough for the U.S.
“The Iranians gave us a paper that should have been better and interestingly, the minute I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better… They offered a lot but not enough,” Trump said.
Earlier, Trump confirmed in a post on Truth Social that he decided to cancel U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s trip to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, for talks with Iran, but noted that Tehran could still “call” Washington.
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Israeli Troops Stole Crucifix To Replace One They Destroyed In South Lebanon
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said on April 21 that it had replaced a crucifix in southern Lebanon after its troops smashed it down over the weekend, but the new one was apparently taken from a church in the region.
The incident, which took place in the Christian village of Debel, caused a backlash against Israel, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to condemn it.
The IDF announced later that the soldier who smashed a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Debel, along with another soldier who photographed the act, have been dismissed from combat duty and sentenced to jail.
The military said that troops went to Debel to replace the damaged statue with a new one. However, the crucifix brought by the IDF was then removed, and replaced by one sent from Italy.
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U.S. Military Build Up Detected In UAE’s Dhafra Air Base
The United States military has deployed additional warplanes at Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, satellite images shared on social media on April 24 and 25 revealed.
Dhafrah is considered critical for the operations of the U.S. military in the Middle East. The base hosts advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft.
The recent deployment at the air base includes at least 12 F/A-18A/C/D Hornet fighter jets from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 of the U.S. Marine Corps, in addition to a number of A-10C+ Thunderbolt II attack jets from the U.S. Air Force.
At least seven aerial refueling tankers from the air force were also spotted in the satellite images, taken by the European Sentinel-2.
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Blockade Of Strait Of Hormuz Increases Risk Of Hunger And Poverty For Tens Of Millions Of People
Despite the temporary ceasefire, the aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran threatens to plunge 32 million people in 162 countries around the world into poverty, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) warned in a policy note. Although the risk is concentrated in the nations directly affected by the conflict and those that depend on imported energy, the analysis predicts a significant long-term negative impact on the poorest countries, even those farthest from the war.
The effects of the conflict are shifting from an acute phase to a prolonged phase despite the over two-week pause in hostilities. The longer this situation continues, the greater the risk of an accelerated rise in poverty in the most vulnerable countries, including those in the Gulf, Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and small island developing states.
“For these countries, the crisis forces impossible trade-offs between stabilizing prices today and funding health, education, and jobs tomorrow,” said UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Says It Seized U.S.-Linked Ship
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on April 25 that its naval forces had seized the Liberian-flagged container ship Epaminondas over suspected cooperation with the United States military.
In a statement, the IRGC Navy said that its intelligence monitoring over the past six months showed the ship had made multiple trips to U.S. ports and ignored warnings before being seized.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Vanguard Tech reported that the Greek-owned Epaminondas was attacked by IRGC gunboats three days earlier. It was reported by Iranian media soon after that the ship was seized by the IRGC Navy.
At the time, the Greek Ministry of Shipping denied that the Greek-owned ship Epaminondas had been seized, but confirmed that the container ship sustained "extensive damage" after being attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.
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Russian Troops Advance In Forests To Reach Krasnyi Lyman
In the direction of Slavyansk, Russian units are engaged in fierce fighting on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets, repelling attempts by small Ukrainian groups to infiltrate tree lines. Ukrainian activity remains high and there are extensive 'grey zones' near Stavky, Drobysheve, Yarova and Svyatohirsk.
In the Kupyansk area, Ukrainian forces have scaled back their operations, prioritising logistics and infantry accumulation. Meanwhile, Russian Aerospace Forces aviation is intensifying strikes on facilities in the Zakhidne–Tyshchenkivka–Velyka Shapkivka region.
In the direction of Kostiantynivka, Russian troops are attempting to infiltrate the flanks of Ukrainian formations, fighting in Novodmytrivka and the city center, where the positioning resembles a 'layered cake'.
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THE EU PAYS, RUSSIA DESTROYS. THE VICIOUS CYCLE CONTINUES
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Israel Threatens Iraq Over Alleged Iranian Sabotage Plot
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed on April 24 it had uncovered an Iranian “sabotage plot” involving coordination with Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq, adding that it is closely monitoring these networks and will act against them when necessary.
Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, accused the intelligence branch of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of “advancing plans aimed at targeting Israelis inside and outside Israel amid the ongoing conflict.”
He revealed that the Israeli military, in coordination with the Shin Bet security agency and the Mossad spy agency, has targeted individuals allegedly involved in these activities, including Majid Khademi, described as head of the unit, and Mohsen Souri, identified as head of sabotage operations and a key figure in advancing the plans.
Khademi was killed during the American-Israeli war on Iran, specifically on April 6.
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Hezbollah Shoots Down Israeli Drone After Ceasefire Extension (Videos)
United States President Donald Trump announced on April 23 that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been extended by three weeks.
Trump made the announcement after participating in the second round of talks between Israel and Lebanon at the White House.
“The meeting went very well!” Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social.
“The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah,” he said, without elaborating.
“The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS,” he continued.
Russian Army About To Hit Ukrainian Logistics In Zaporizhzhia
In the Zaporizhzhia area, Russian troops are advancing to surround Charivne and moving toward Huliaipilske. They are also crossing the Vovcha River in several places to create a bridgehead and strike the supply routes of Ukrainian units.
In the Sumy region, Russian troops advanced 650 meters and are engaged in intense combat in Myropillya. The Ukrainian command is redeploying units from the 68th Air Assault Brigade to reinforce the forces in the Donbas region.
In the direction of Dobropillia, after clearing Hryshyne, units of the "Center" grouping have reached the immediate approaches to Myrne and are continuing to fight in Novooleksandrivka and at the "Vodyana" mine.
In the Burluk area, Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Bochkove and are expanding their presence along the Vovcha River.
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Israel Waiting Green Light To Target Iran’s New Supreme Leader: Katz
Defense Minister Israel Katz during a security assessment on April 22 said that Israel is ready to resume war against Iran.
“Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran. The IDF is ready in defense and offense, and the targets are marked,” Katz said.
Katz added Israel is “awaiting a green light from the United States, first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty, the initiator of the extermination plan against Israel, and the successors of the successors of the leadership of the Iranian terror regime, and in addition to return Iran to the age of darkness and stone by blowing up central energy and electricity facilities and crushing national economic infrastructure.”
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly since he was appointed, with reports stating that he was severely injured in the strike that killed his father.
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Iran Receives First Payment From Hormuz Toll, U.S. Seizes Another Tanker
Iran has collected its first revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20 percent of global oil and liquid natural gas shipments, Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei announced on April 23.
The development came just two days after United States President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire with Iran following a request from Pakistan, saying it would remain in place until Tehran presents what he described as a “unified proposal.”
Earlier, Reuters revealed that the U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
A four tanker was later seized in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. The Defense Department releases video footage of American forces on the deck of the Guyana-flagged oil tanker Majestic X.
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Mossad Acknowledges Elite Agent ‘Mem’ Was Killed In Italy Boat Incident
An elite agent of the Israeli Mossad spy agency who died in an apparent boat accident in Italy around three years ago led operations that contributed to Israel’s recent successes against Iran, spy chief David Barnea revealed on April 21.
The agent, identifiable only by the first Hebrew letter of his name, “Mem,” was among four people who drowned when a boat capsized in Lake Maggiore in Italy’s Lombardy region
The incident took place on the evening of May 28, 2023. At the time, regional officials claimed that a “whirlwind” made the 52-foot boat overturn and sink, while Italian investigators said a sudden change in weather appeared to be the cause of the accident, ruling out any foul play.
The survivors either swam to shore or were rescued by other boats. Ten serving Israeli intelligence agents were evacuated from hospitals and put on a military plane back to Tel Aviv.
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