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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
Can Egypt rebuild Gaza without forcing Palestinians out?
As Gaza lies in ruins, Egypt is pushing a massive Arab-backed reconstruction plan—one that keeps Palestinians in place rather than displacing them. But with Hamas facing internal rifts, Israel tightening its grip, and Trump pushing his own agenda, can Cairo pull it off?
Israeli troops stole 'mountains of cash and gold' from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria
The 'Loot Unit' seized over 180,000 weapons, enough to establish a 'small army'
Baghdad says Kurdish crude exports to resume 'imminently' despite denials by private firms
Iraq is under pressure from the US to resume Kurdish oil exports via pipeline to Turkiye after a two-year halt
Israel pushes for six week 'extension' of Gaza ceasefire's phase one
Hamas has called on mediators and the international community to pressure Israel into committing to what was initially agreed upon
❗️Young people in Gaza generated an AI video in response to US President Donald Trump's disturbing AI generated video of Gaza.
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⭕️ Israel advancing 'Greater Jerusalem' plan
An Israeli ministerial committee is set to approve a bill on Sunday that would legalize the annexation of settlements around occupied East Jerusalem in an effort to establish a "Greater Jerusalem," according to a report by Haaretz. The bill, introduced by Likud MK Dan Iluz, aims to incorporate settlements such as Ma’ale Adumim, Beitar Illit, Givat Ze’ev, Efrat, and Ma’ale Mikhmas into a new administrative framework. If approved by the committee, the bill will proceed to the Knesset for a preliminary reading and, if passed, will require three readings before becoming law. Support for the bill is strong among both the government and some opposition factions, suggesting broad political backing for further annexation moves.
Haaretz quoted the left-wing Israeli association Ir Amim, which warned that the bill could pave the way for additional annexation in the West Bank and serve as a major obstacle to any future political solution. Iluz defended the measure, asserting that it is a necessary step toward full sovereignty over “Judea and Samaria” (the West Bank), comparing it to previous laws passed despite international pressure.
⭕️ Widespread attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank:
Settlers conducted several violent attacks against Palestinians in various West Bank areas today, including theft of livestock, destruction of tents, and physical assaults.
In Shalal al-Awja:
15 sheep were stolen, and an additional 5 were slaughtered at a gathering in Shalal al-Awja north of Jericho, belonging to citizen Hussein Dawood Tareef Rshaida.
East of Yatta:
Settlers, alongside occupation forces, attacked residents east of Yatta (south of Hebron), releasing stolen sheep into agricultural fields.
Three individuals (Hamad Yasser al-Adra and his two brothers, Hamouda and Mohammed Ali al-Adra) were detained and interrogated.
In Khallet Khidr:
Settlers used a bulldozer to demolish uninhabited tents in the northern valleys, part of a continuous campaign of tent theft and destruction.
Last month, a total of 375 attacks were recorded by settlers in the West Bank, with 105 incidents in Ramallah & Al-Bireh, 76 in Nablus, 55 in Hebron, and 31 in Qalqilya.
The Al-Baydar Organization reported an increase in assaults on shepherds in the valleys, involving beatings, forced removal from grazing lands, theft of sheep, and imposition of financial fines.
(Ultra Palestine)
The BBC’s board has issued an apology for the “significant and damaging” errors made in the production of its Gaza documentary.
The documentary was removed from BBC iPlayer on Friday, 21 February, after it was disclosed that its narrator, Abdullah al-Yazouri, was the son of Gaza Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Ayman al-Yazouri, who has a PHD from Huddersfield University.
According to a BBC spokesperson, the production company, Hoyo Films, informed the BBC that it had compensated the boy’s mother with a small payment for his narration, transferring the money through his sister’s bank account.
In a statement, Hoyo Films explained its intention to showcase voices that had not been represented on screen throughout the war, treating them with dignity and respect while highlighting the devastating effects of war on their daily lives.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented that meetings had been arranged between the government and the BBC, expressing his concern about the program in question.
“Us, through resistance, will get our land back.”
Lebanese man confronts Prime Minister Nawaf Salam over the situation in south Lebanon.
⭕️ Iraq to Resume Oil Exports to Turkiye Within Hours
Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani announced that Iraq will soon resume oil exports through the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) via the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
During a visit to the Khawr Al-Zubair port to oversee the gas pipeline connection operations, Abdul-Ghani stated that the initial export volume would be 185,000 barrels per day, with plans to gradually increase it to align with the federal budget's capacity targets.
In a related development, Iraq welcomed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disarm and dissolve, describing it as “a positive and significant step toward fostering regional stability."
❗️Hamas
○ "With the end of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirms its full commitment to implementing all the terms of the agreement in all its stages and details."
○ "We call on the mediators, guarantors and the international community to pressure the Zionist occupation to fully commit to its role in the agreement and immediately enter the second phase of it without any hesitation or evasion."
❗️Two Egyptian security sources to Reuters say that the Israeli delegation in Cairo is trying to reach an agreement to extend the first phase of the Gaza Ceasefire agreement for 42 days.
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Israeli occupation forces raid Jenin as the military operation in the area enters its 39th consecutive day.
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❗️Al-Akhbar's correspondent in southern Lebanon:
"The Israeli army is carrying out combing operations from the Al-Asi outpost toward the area between Mays al-Jabal and Blida."
❗️Israeli occupation forces continue their assault on the West Bank city of Tulkarem and its camp for the 33rd consecutive day, and on the Nour Shams camp for the 20th day, amid military reinforcements, raids and the burning of homes.
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“You're gambling with World War 3 ... You have to be thankful. You don’t have the cards, you’re buried there…”
US President and Vice President Donald Trump and JD Vance scold Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on live American TV at the Oval Office.
Knesset prepares 'Greater Jerusalem' mass settlement expansion plan
The bill is being pushed by a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and aims to annex the territory of several settlements surrounding occupied Jerusalem
❗️The Israeli occupation forces arrest a young man and assault him in Dura, south of Hebron, occupied West Bank.
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❗️Iranian Foreign Ministry:
○ “Ocalan's call for the PKK to lay down arms is an important step towards renouncing violence.”
○ “We welcome any operation that leads to stopping terrorism and enhancing security in the neighboring country Türkiye”
○ “We hope that this development will have positive effects on the regional level as well.”
"Are you scared of not pleasing the American ambassador?"
A Lebanese man questions Prime Minister Nawaf Salam after he thanked the army and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) while failing to mention the resistance and its sacrifices.
Ex-Israeli army chief met UK news editors to 'cultivate support' for Gaza genocide: Report
Several western media outlets, particularly the BBC, have shown blatant bias in favor of Israel throughout the course of its brutal war on Gaza
Israeli occupation forces bulldoze Mahyoub Street in the Jenin camp, occupied West Bank.
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❗️Times of Israel quoting a western diplomat:
○ "Israeli government still prioritizes dismantling Hamas’s ability as an authority in Gaza."
○ "There does not appear to be a strategic shift in Israel’s approach to developing an alternative to Hamas."
A large crowd gathered for the funeral of dozens of Qassam Brigades fighters who were killed during the war, held in the Al-Shati camp west of Gaza City.
The significant turnout reflects the people's determination to resist Israeli occupation and oppression, particularly as Israel continues to push for Hamas' disarmament and removal from power in Gaza.
⭕️ Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters warmly receive Israeli Channel 12 correspondent Itai Anghel in Damascus and tell him they have no issue with Israel.
The documentary on post-Assad Syria features conversations with HTS fighters who stated they have no problem with Israel, nor with making peace with Israel.
The Israeli journalist was welcomed in Damascus while working on the documentary, which aired on 25 February.
Lebanese PM visits southern villages as Israeli ceasefire violations persist
Residents of southern Lebanese border villages approached the prime minister and demanded firm action to end Israel’s occupation
Residents of Dhaira, Yarine, Bustan, and Marwahin, whose homes were destroyed during the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, protested in front of the Sour (Tyre) military barracks today, demanding compensation for the damages. The demonstration coincided with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's visit to the area.
Speaking to the public from the Benoît Barakat Barracks, Salam emphasized, "The army is entrusted with defending Lebanon. It is responsible for ensuring national security, protecting its citizens, and upholding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the country."
Addressing the protesters from the frontline villages, he expressed solidarity with their suffering, stating, "We share your pain and place the rebuilding of your destroyed homes and villages, as well as securing your dignified return, at the top of the government’s priorities." He reiterated that this was not merely a promise but a personal and governmental commitment.
❗️Israeli occupation forces burn homes in Nour Shams Camp, east of Tulkarem, occupied West Bank.
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❗️Palestinian Center for the Protection of Journalists (PJPS):
○ "Freed journalists reveal horrific details about the torture they were subjected to during their detention."
○ "Journalist Mahmoud Aliwa was subjected to double torture because he was a journalist, as one of the officers frankly told him that his profession was the reason for his increased suffering."
○ "Journalist Mohammad al-Sultan was subjected to harsh interrogation sessions, which included physical and verbal assaults and brutal treatment."
○ "Journalist Khodr Abdel Aal endured deprivation of food, medical care, and religious practices for ten months of detention in torture centers."
Khan Yunis Municipality is restoring and decorating streets and neighborhoods devastated by the Israeli aggression in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan.
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