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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
Trump ‘waved off’ Israeli proposal for joint attack on Iran: Report
One of Tel Aviv’s suggestions included an Israeli ground operation against Iranian nuclear facilities with US air cover
⭕️ According to Lebanon's Minister of Information Paul Morcos, Israel has violated the 'ceasefire' with Lebanon at least 2,740 times.
The agreement went into effect on 27 November 2024, but Israel has kept up its incessant attacks on the country.
Iran urges UN nuclear watchdog to ‘act professionally, keep away from politics’
Tehran and Washington are due to hold a second round of nuclear talks this weekend, coming as Iran faces heavy sanctions and the continued threat of a bombing campaign
❗️Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani
arrives in Russia on an official visit. His plane landed at the Vnukovo airport in Moscow.
He is set to hold talks with Vladimir Putin.
Israel committed a massacre in south Gaza's Khan Yunis, targeting the tents of displaced Palestinians, which went up in flames, killing at least 15 people.
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❗️The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced in a statement that its Intelligence Directorate, in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces and General Security, identified the group responsible for the "two rocket launches at the occupied Palestinian territories on March 22 and 28, 2025."
Several members of the group, consisting of Lebanese and Palestinian individuals, were arrested following raids in several areas, and the equipment used in the attacks was seized.
According to the statement, investigations are ongoing under judicial supervision, with efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.
❗️Hamas on the occasion of Palestinian Prisoners' Day:
– "The liberation of prisoners from Zionist occupation prisons will remain at the top of our priorities in the Al-Aqsa Flood exchange deal, in loyalty to their sacrifices and steadfastness."
– "The crimes of the occupation against our male and female prisoners will not succeed in breaking their willpower. The perpetrators will not escape accountability, and their crimes will not be forgotten regardless of how much time passes."
– "We hold the occupation fully responsible for the lives and well-being of the thousands of abducted individuals from Gaza since October 7, 2023, and for all our prisoners in the occupation’s prisons. We condemn the international silence over the continued executions and deliberate killings they are being subjected to."
– "The world has seen how our movement treated the enemy’s prisoners with care, humanity, and civilized values—while the fascist occupation government commits the most heinous forms of torture, intentional murder, and crimes against our prisoners, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law and all international norms and conventions."
The US–Israeli strategy to weaken Arab armies
For decades, Washington has ensured Israel’s military dominance by systematically weakening Arab armies. Lebanon is the most current and obvious example of this doctrine in practice.
By Mohamad Sweidan
❗️Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
– "The Lebanese President's use of the Popular Mobilization Forces as an example of a Lebanese internal crisis was not appropriate."
– "The Popular Mobilization Forces are an important part of Iraq's military security system."
❗️Iran's ISNA news agency:
The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has arrived in Tehran at the head of a technical delegation to meet with officials.
❗️Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs summons Lebanese ambassador over Lebanese president's remarks regarding the Popular Mobilization Forces.
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"To our people in Gaza, we will meet in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque. May God grant you victory."
These were the words of 19-year-old Palestinian youth Marouh Khazimiya after his release from Israeli prisons as part of the prisoner exchange deal between Palestinian resistance in Gaza and Israel nearly a year ago.
Khazimiya was killed earlier today after being besieged by Israeli occupation forces along with several of his comrades.
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "25 martyrs (including 3 recovered martyrs) and 89 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "The death toll from the Israeli aggression has risen to 51,025 martyrs and 116,432 wounded since 7 October 2023."
– "The death toll and injuries since 18 March 2025 has reached 1,652 martyrs and 4,391 injuries."
⭕️ "The West as we knew it no longer exists," says Ursula von der Leyen.
In an interview with German weekly Die Zeit, the president of the European Commission pointed out that Europe doesn't invade or punish its neighbors like the US does. After Trump's tariffs, von der Leyen has been reaching out to countries like Norway, Canada, New Zealand, and even China, hinting at a possible improvement in EU-China relations.
She claimed that Europe's global connections are growing in response to the shifting world order.
⭕️ Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold talks with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Moscow, with discussions expected to cover Ukraine and developments in the Middle East, the Kremlin announced today.
"There will definitely be an exchange of views between Putin and the Emir of Qatar on Ukrainian affairs," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "There will also be an exchange of views on regional affairs."
Peskov noted that "the region is replete with conflict potential" and highlighted Qatar’s "very big and important role in attempts to resolve many situations."
The Emir is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Wednesday, with his meeting with Putin planned for Thursday.
⭕️ On 16 April, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on a Chinese refinery for purchasing over $1 billion in Iranian oil, accusing it of supporting Tehran’s government and its 'proxies.'
The sanctions target several companies and vessels involved in the shipments as part of a broader effort to disrupt Iran's oil trade. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that any entity facilitating Iranian oil exports faces serious risks.
(AP)
❗️Lebanese Ministry of Health reports one person killed in an Israeli raid on the town of Aitaroun in the south of the country.
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BREAKING | Israel bombs the UNRWA-run Al-Ayyoubiya School in north Gaza's Jabalia, housing displaced Palestinians.
Several casualties reported, among them children.
❗️Saudi Defense Minister Khaled Bin Salman arrives in Tehran, Iran, and is set to partake in several meetings with officials to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
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❗️Summary of Hamas official Hussam Badran's comments:
– Hamas denies seeking any special privileges in negotiations, stating its only goal is to alleviate Palestinian suffering.
– The group rejects all proposals demanding the disarmament of the resistance, calling such demands counterproductive.
– Hamas is working to form a national-consensus government for both Gaza and the West Bank, without factional quotas.
– It is ready to hand over Gaza’s administration once a national agreement is reached.
– Hamas proposed creating a National Support Committee made up of 40 non-Hamas national figures to help resolve internal divisions.
–The priority, according to Hamas, is not the specific administrative model but addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and ending the aggression.
BREAKING | US aircraft launch a series of airstrikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa and Al-Jawf Governorate.
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Tariff Wars: Who will last longer, China or the US?
Watch on YouTube
Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen border areas hours after intense US airstrikes
UAE-backed militias in southern Yemen are reportedly preparing a 'ground offensive' against Ansarallah with the support of the US
The moment of the siege and assassination of Mohammad Zakarneh and Marouh Khazimiya by Israeli occupation forces in one of the caves of the West Bank town of Qabatiya this morning.
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❗️Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad al-Sudani announced that Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Julani) has also been invited to the Arab League Summit, which will be held in Baghdad next month.
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Iranian foreign minister says uranium enrichment ‘non-negotiable’ in US talks
US envoy Steve Witkoff called on Iran to end its enrichment and said Trump has ordered a ‘tough deal’
❗️Israeli Army Radio:
"Israeli military assessments: Hamas is operating according to a 'preservation of force' strategy, avoiding direct contact with IDF forces during ground operations in the Gaza Strip.
Since the resumption of fighting, there have been only a few clashes between Palestinian militants and army forces.
Last week, in the Morag Axis area, a group of militants emerged from a tunnel and exchanged fire with a force from the Golani Brigade. During the clash, a company commander was wounded. The second incident occurred yesterday in the northern Gaza Strip, when militants emerged from a tunnel and fired an RPG at IDF forces from close range.
In the remaining incidents, Hamas is trying to increase its fire with long-range rockets, mortar shells, sniper attacks, and mainly anti-tank missiles.
Senior Southern Command officials estimate: 'Hamas is preparing for the major maneuver the IDF will conduct in the Gaza Strip, and is therefore investing primarily in planting explosive devices.'"
Jordan foils Muslim Brotherhood-linked plot to 'sow internal chaos'
Security services said they found rocket and drone manufacturing facilities outside the capital, Amman
Pentagon to 'consolidate presence' in Syria, slash troops by half: Report
Israeli media reports that Tel Aviv is trying to dissuade Washington from reducing its presence in Syria, fearing that 'Turkiye will fill the vacuum'
Two Palestinian youths - Mohammed Zakarneh, 23, and Marouh Khazimiya, 19 - were killed by Israeli forces after a prolonged gun battle in a cave south of Jenin, in the occupied West Bank.
The two youths were reportedly involved in a resistance operation months ago.