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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
⭕️ A weapon was stolen yesterday from an Israeli military position on the Lebanese border. Israel's Military Police Corps (MPCID) opened an investigation into the event. (Ynet)
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❗️Three Mossad operatives involved the Hezbollah pager terror attacks are expected to light the torch for 'Israel’s Independence Day' ceremony, honoring them for their "achievements against the Axis of Evil led by Iran."
(RT)
❗️Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters in Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday night.
“Water bottles were thrown” at Ben Gvir, his office said, as the minister exited a building where he had delivered a speech at Shabtai, a private Jewish society at Yale that is not officially affiliated with the university.
Footage shows dozens of protesters shouting and chanting as Ben Gvir leaves the venue, smiling and waving. “Minister Ben Gvir refused to leave the scene and made a V sign at them, as a sign of victory,” his office said.
Ahead of his speech, Yale University revoked recognition of the pro-Palestinian student group Yalies4Palestine after activists relaunched an encampment on campus Tuesday night in protest of Ben Gvir's visit.
⭕️ Britain on Thursday removed asset freezes on Syria’s defense and interior ministries, as well as several intelligence agencies, rolling back sanctions previously imposed under former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.
The Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, and General Intelligence Directorate were among 12 entities no longer facing asset freezes.
In March, the government also lifted asset freezes on Syria’s central bank and 23 other entities, including banks and oil firms.
UN warns of ‘dangerously low’ food supplies in Gaza due to Israeli siege
Israel has vowed to maintain the siege of Gaza, and has admitted publicly that it uses the blocking of aid as a ‘main tool’ in its war
❗️The Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that "50 martyrs and 152 injuries arrived at hospitals in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours," and that the casualty toll Israel resumed its war on Gaza (18 March 2025) has reached "1,978 martyrs and 5,207 injuries."
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⭕️ Iran must halt its uranium enrichment activities under any agreement with the United States and would only be allowed to import the necessary material for a civilian nuclear program, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of upcoming talks between Tehran and Washington.
"There's a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one," Rubio said on the "Honestly with Bari Weiss" podcast on Tuesday.
"But if they insist on enriching, then they will be the only country in the world that doesn't have a 'weapons program,' ... but is enriching. And so I think that's problematic," he added.
US West Asia envoy Steve Witkoff stated last week that Iran does not need to enrich uranium beyond 3.67%, prompting questions about whether Washington still seeks a full dismantling of Tehran’s enrichment efforts. The following day, Witkoff clarified that Iran must "stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment."
⭕️ The World Bank has approved a $250 million loan to Lebanon to help address ongoing electricity shortages, the finance ministry announced on Thursday. Lebanon has also received preliminary approval to raise the loan to $400 million as part of a broader $1 billion reconstruction program, with the remaining funds expected from international donors.
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⭕️ Cyprus will receive free portable desalination plants from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to address a water shortage, with units producing 15,000 cubic meters of water daily.
This comes after a fire disabled one of the island’s desalination plants, exacerbating water supply issues during the summer tourist season. Cyprus also plans to implement additional desalination plants and support hotel-level solutions to reduce the impact on tourism. (AP)
❗️Medical sources report that the death toll has risen to 20 in ongoing Israeli airstrikes since dawn today on several areas in Gaza.
(Al Jazeera)
Lebanon granted 'preliminary approval' for higher reconstruction loan from World Bank
Israeli attacks on Lebanon devastated large areas of the country, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and agricultural land due to the continued use of white phosphorus
Syria’s stolen daughters: The HTS campaign to enslave Alawite women
In post-Assad Syria, the mass abduction and sexual enslavement of Alawite women under Sharaa’s rule mirrors the darkest atrocities of ISIS—yet is met with global silence.
INFOGRAPHIC | According to figures compiled by Al-Manar, Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon at least 2,970 times, including 1,488 ground incursions, 1,411 airspace violations, and 71 maritime breaches. Israel has also killed at least 147 people and injured 343.
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❗️Israeli drones are flying low over Beirut despite strong winds and reduced visibility caused by a dust storm affecting the region.
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Massive fires have broken out in the Israeli settlement of Beit Shemesh and its surroundings, near occupied Jerusalem.
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🚨 Successive explosions and gunfire are heard across the northern Gaza Strip due to fierce clashes following a new security incident in the northern Gaza Strip. The intensity of bombing suggests the incident is in Beit Hanoun.
An IOF soldier was killed and several others were injured by an anti-tank shell and sniper fire in the incident.
The ambush targeted a group of soldiers from the 282nd Artillery Brigade of the 36th Division of the IOF. Warplanes and helicopters are still flying low for coverage, and the event is ongoing.
❗️Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated, raising fears of a potential full-scale war.
Following the Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists on Wednesday, India downgraded ties with Pakistan and announced the following actions:
– Immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
– Termination of travel privileges for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC visa exemption program.
– Cancellation of all previously issued visas to Pakistani citizens.
– Closure of the Attari border crossing.
– Expulsion of Pakistani military advisers from New Delhi, who have been declared “persona non grata” and given one week to leave.
– Withdrawal of Indian military advisers from its High Commission in Islamabad.
Pakistan has issued a strong response to India’s recent actions, warning that any attempt to block or divert water under the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an "Act of War" and met with force.
Key measures announced by Pakistan include:
– Rejection of India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, and a threat to respond forcefully if water flow is disrupted.
– Suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement, until India stops its alleged support for terrorism, cross-border killings, and violations of international law and UN resolutions on Kashmir.
– Immediate closure of the Wagah Border Post and suspension of all cross-border transit from India via this route.
– Suspension of all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme visas issued to Indian nationals, with a 48-hour deadline for their exit from Pakistan—excluding Sikh pilgrims.
– Declaration of Indian Defence, Naval, and Air Advisers in Islamabad as persona non grata.
– Reduction of the Indian High Commission’s staff in Islamabad to 30, effective 30 April, 2025.
– Closure of Pakistani airspace to all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines.
– Immediate suspension of all trade with India, including indirect trade through third countries.
⭕️ Spain's Socialist government faced criticism on Wednesday from junior coalition partners after reversing its decision to cancel a bullet procurement deal with an Israeli company, prompting some allies to consider withdrawing support.
Last October, the Interior Ministry announced it would cancel a contract worth 6.6 million euros ($7.53 million) for over 15 million 9-mm rounds from Guardian LTD Israel. However, on Wednesday, the ministry said it had been advised by the state attorney that terminating the deal would result in having to pay the full amount without receiving the ammunition.
Sumar, a coalition of left-wing parties holding five ministerial posts under Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz, criticized the ammunition deal on Wednesday, calling it "a flagrant violation" of the coalition agreement with the Socialists, and demanding an immediate rectification of the contract.
Lebanon granted 'preliminary approval' for higher reconstruction loan from World Bank
Israeli attacks on Lebanon devastated large areas of the country, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and agricultural land due to the continued use of white phosphorus
PA president demands Hamas release captives to 'remove Israeli excuse for war'
Israel's ethnic cleansing campaign spread deep into the West Bank this year, causing mass displacement and destruction akin to Gaza
⭕️ Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan held a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday, in what the Turkish Treasury described as a constructive discussion aimed at enhancing Turkiye-US ties.
"We touched on cooperation opportunities in the fields of investment and trade, transportation and energy, and emphasized the importance of lifting current restrictions to ensure cooperation in the defense industry," the statement said.
"We pointed out the need to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, and explained the contributions that Turkiye could provide to ensure a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine," it also said.
⭕️ The 'Planning and Building Committee' of the Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem is discussing the promotion of a new settlement plan aimed at expanding the "Gilo" settlement.
The plan includes the construction of approximately 1,900 new settlement units, which will be spread over an area of about 1,760 dunams, at the expense of the historical olive orchards and land belonging to the town of Beit Jala, southwest of Jerusalem.
⭕️ New Gaza ceasefire proposal
(according to sources who spoke to Asharq)
– A balanced proposal will be presented by Egypt, in coordination with Qatar and the US, at the end of the week to end the war and establish a 5-7 year truce with international guarantees.
– It aims to reach a 'comprehensive agreement' that will restore the field situation in Gaza to what it was before, halt military operations, and see Israeli forces withdraw according to their January 2025 positions (phase 1 withdrawal), while allowing humanitarian aid under international protocols.
– Hamas demands a comprehensive prisoner swap, releasing all Israeli prisoners in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.
– The deal is contingent on an immediate ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal, Gaza’s reconstruction, and lifting the blockade imposed since 2007.
– Hamas will commit to a 5-year ceasefire, with strong regional and international guarantees.
– The proposal addresses Israel’s demand to deal with the weapons of the resistance factions and ensure Hamas won’t participate in Gaza’s administration.
❗️Israel massacres at least 10 people in an air raid targeting a police station in Jabalia, north Gaza.
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Yesterday, 12 year old Mahmoud Abu al-Haija was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces during clashes in Yamoun, west of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
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Yemen launches hypersonic missile attack on Haifa for first time
A number of Israelis were injured while rushing to shelters, as sirens blared across Haifa and several northern settlements
WATCH | Qassam Brigades release a video of Israeli captive Omri Miran, who is celebrating his birthday for the second time in Gaza, with the following caption:
"Because of you, we are all here! You are pushing this country to collapse."
Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood for 'disturbing public order'
The ban comes a week after 16 people were detained in connection with a Muslim Brotherhood-linked arms production plot
⭕️ International Monetary Fund (IMF) appoints first mission chief to Syria in 14 years.
Ron van Rooden has been named head of the IMF’s mission to Syria, according to a written statement from Syria’s Finance Minister Mohammad Bernieh. He becomes the first mission chief assigned to the country in 14 years.