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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️Israel has killed at least 13 Palestinians in attacks across Gaza since dawn today, according to medical and press sources.
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❗️A US official to Lebanese news outlet LBCI:
The Lebanese government's decision today "seems relatively positive," and "we now await what the army's plan will present."
❗️Lebanese news outlet LBCI:
"Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri received the government proposal and the army’s [disarmament] plan positively. Neither specified a time frame for implementing the arms control plan, and both conditioned the implementation on Israel’s acceptance."
❗️Lebanese Minister of Information Paul Morcos:
– "We have received commitments from several countries to support the army, and no investments will come without weapons being exclusively in the hands of the state."
– "During today’s session, the Army Commander presented his plan to implement the decision to limit arms to the state."
– "The Council of Ministers decided to keep discussions on the Army Commander’s plan confidential."
– "The Lebanese Army will begin implementing the plan to extend state sovereignty according to available and limited resources."
– "The Lebanese government welcomes the army's plan to monopolize weapons and keeps the deliberations about it secret."
– "We have no interest in causing internal conflict."
The Persian Gulf push into strategic minerals: A plan for post-oil dominance
Arab states of the Persian Gulf are unleashing sovereign capital and forging south–south alliances to seize control of the world’s most vital minerals, positioning themselves to dominate the industries of the post-oil era.
By Mawadda Iskandar
BREAKING | At this moment, residents are evacuating Mecca Tower west of Gaza City as Israel prepares to demolish it, after demolishing Mushtaha Tower earlier today. This is part of a systematic campaign to destroy all high-rise buildings in the area and accelerate forced displacement.
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Israel leveled Mushtaha Tower in Gaza City today, after vowing to demolish all high-rise buildings in the area.
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❗️The Lebanese army chief left the presidential palace in Baabda after presenting the army's disarmament plan to the government.
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❗️Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar to Al-Manar
Our withdrawal aligns with our refusal to discuss the US paper.
We will wait to see what happens in the session before deciding, and any decision made without Shia representatives is unconstitutional.
We reached the army plan item after discussing the other four agenda points, then we withdrew.Читать полностью…
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "In the past 24 hours, 69 martyrs and 422 injuries were admitted to Gaza Strip hospitals."
– "Since 18 March 2025, until today, the total number of martyrs and injuries stands at 11,768 martyrs and 49,964 injuries.
– "In the past 24 hours, 6 martyrs and 190 injuries from aid distributions were admitted to hospitals, bringing the total of aid-seeking victims admitted to hospitals to 2,362 martyrs and more than 17,434 injuries."
❗️Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty speaking from Nicosia, Cyprus:
– "What is happening on the ground is far beyond the imagination. There is a genocide in motion there, mass killing of civilians, artificial starvation created by the Israelis."
– "Displacement is not an option and it is a red line for Egypt and we will not allow it to happen."
– "Displacement means liquidation and the end of the Palestinian cause and there is no legal or moral or ethical ground to evict people from their homeland."
❗️Trump set to reinterpret 1987 missile treaty to sell MQ-9 Reaper drones abroad
US President Donald Trump is anticipated to unilaterally reinterpret a 38-year-old arms control treaty to permit the export of advanced military drones, including Reaper-style UAVs.
This reinterpretation would clear the way for the sale of over 100 MQ-9 drones to Saudi Arabia, which requested them earlier this year, potentially as part of a $142 billion arms deal announced in May. Other US allies in the Pacific and Europe have also shown interest.
By classifying drones as aircraft, similar to the F-16, rather than as missile systems, the US would bypass the 35-nation Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) established in 1987.
Under this new policy, manufacturers such as General Atomics, Kratos, and Anduril would have their large drones treated as "Foreign Military Sales" by the State Department, simplifying their international sale.
(Reuters)
Washington sanctions Palestinian rights groups for aiding ICC in Gaza war crimes probe
The White House is covering for Israeli war crimes amid its operation to ethnically cleanse and demolish Gaza City
❗️Druze leader in Suwayda demands self-determination, thanks US and Israel for support following government massacres
The spiritual leader of the Druze community, Hikmat al-Hijri, reaffirmed his commitment to the right of self-determination, calling it a “sacred right guaranteed by all international conventions” that will not be abandoned “no matter the sacrifices.”
He thanked the United States and President Donald Trump, Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, European coalition countries, as well as Kurds and Alawites in Syria’s coastal region for their support, urging continued backing and the opening of international crossings to lift what he described as a “systematic siege” on the people of Suwayda.
In a statement Thursday, Hijri demanded the unconditional release of abducted Druze, describing the issue as “humanitarian before being political,” and pledged to “continue the struggle until achieving a safe, just, and dignified future.”
He stressed that the Druze community has proven itself “one body acting with organization and solidarity,” capable of managing its own affairs and establishing an independent entity that guarantees dignity “under the umbrella of international law.”
Hijri also called for the return of “usurped” lands and said the Syrian government is covering up violations against Druze villages through “burning, killing, destruction, and the use of internationally prohibited materials.”
His statement coincided with large demonstrations in Suwayda demanding self-determination, where protesters carried Druze and Israeli flags and openly called for independence from Syria.
❗️Israeli army announces it controls around 40% of Gaza City
The Israeli army announced on Thursday that it controls roughly 40 percent of Gaza City.
In a televised briefing, military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated, “we hold 40 percent of the territory of Gaza City,” and added that the offensive “will continue to expand and intensify in the coming days.”
❗️ Trump says US in ‘very deep’ talks with Hamas
US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that Washington is engaged in “very deep” talks with Hamas and called on the group to release all Israeli captives in Gaza.
Trump told reporters, “We are in very deep negotiation with Hamas,” warning that the situation could become “tough” and “nasty” if the captives remain in Gaza.
He continued, “We said let them all out, right now let them all out. And much better things will happen for them but if you don’t let them all out, it’s going to be a tough situation, it’s going to be nasty,” also noting that Hamas is “asking for some things that are fine.”
❗️Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam:
– "We welcomed, in the Council of Ministers, the army's plan to confine weapons throughout Lebanese territory and implement it within the framework set in the 5 August, 2025 session."
"We also decided to request the army command to submit a monthly report to the Council of Ministers regarding the progress in implementing this plan."
Belgian FM says EU credibility collapsing over Gaza genocide inaction
The comments from Brussels come as a top EU official calls Israel's campaign in Gaza a genocide
Ankara says SDF failure to merge with Syrian forces 'threatens Turkish security'
Syria's Kurds fear they will be massacred by Syrian government forces if they give up their arms
VIDEO | "Know this, Netanyahu – we are going to die here."
Following the destruction of the 15-story Mushtaha Tower, a citizen says he will not leave. Israel is erasing high-rise buildings to force Palestinians out of Gaza City ahead of its occupation.
India defies US pressure, doubles down on Russian oil purchases
New Delhi has declared it will do what ‘suits us best,’ dismissing US demands to halt imports of Russian oil
Putin says European troops in Ukraine to be considered 'legitimate targets'
French President Macron says a 'coalition of the willing' is planning to put troops in Ukraine as part of a post-war security guarantee
UPDATE | Israel has killed at least 54 Palestinians in attacks across Gaza since dawn today, according to medical and press sources.
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Finland, China endorse international push for Palestinian state
Israel is seeking to block the establishment of a Palestinian state by building more Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank
Hezbollah and allies withdraw from govt session on disarmament plan
The resistance is refusing to open dialogue on its weapons until Israel withdraws from south Lebanon and ends its daily attacks
UK anti-genocide activists face dozens of terrorism charges
After having their homes raided by UK authorities, six supporters of Palestine Action await proceedings under curfew
UPDATE | All Amal and Hezbollah ministers have withdrawn from the ongoing government session to address the Lebanese army's plan to disarm the resistance, which commenced at 3:00 pm.
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❗️Labour MPs urge Starmer not to meet Israeli President
The President of Israel is set to visit London next week, amid protests from Labour MPs who have urged Keir Starmer not to meet the delegation.
Herzog is scheduled to be in the UK on Wednesday and Thursday, marking the first visit by a senior Israeli leader since Foreign Secretary David Lammy met his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, on an unannounced trip earlier this spring.
Gaza genocide reaches 700th day as Israel steps up carpet bombing, forced displacement
Israel has killed over 1,000 Palestinians in the last three weeks as it prepares for its massive assault to occupy Gaza City
❗️A senior European Union official stated on Thursday that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, marking the first time a member of the bloc’s commission has made such a claim.
"The genocide in Gaza exposes Europe's failure to act and speak with one voice, even as protests spread across European cities and 14 UN Security Council members call for an immediate ceasefire," Teresa Ribera said during the opening ceremony of the academic year at Sciences Po University in Paris.