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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
Hamas, Israel deny reports of ‘breakthrough’ in Gaza ceasefire talks
The UN has warned that the food crisis in Gaza is worsening due to Israel’s brutal war and siege
⭕️ A Turkish court has ordered the pre-trial detention of 18 Istanbul municipality employees on corruption charges, according to reports from state-run Anadolu and other media outlets, amid an ongoing crackdown targeting the city's imprisoned mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Broadcaster NTV reported that 34 of the 52 individuals detained over the weekend as part of the investigation were released under judicial supervision.
Those taken into custody included the municipality's secretary general, Imamoglu's chief of staff, the chairman and deputy chairman of the city's water and sewerage authority (ISKI), along with a department head at ISKI.
❗️Israel has killed at least 19 Palestinians in strikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today, most of them in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip.
(Medical sources to Al Jazeera)
❗️BREAKING | Pakistan's Information Minister says Pakistan has reliable intelligence that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the coming 24-36 hours.
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❗️BREAKING | US warplanes launch six airstrikes on Sanaa governorate, Yemen.
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Jordan's Brotherhood crackdown: Will Amman's 'security' measures backfire?
Jordan’s decision to ban the Muslim Brotherhood marks a decisive shift in its security policy, but risks alienating key segments of its population and exacerbating political divisions ahead of the crown prince’s succession.
⭕️ "There will be no absolute victory."
The US once believed that mass killing and destruction would break the Viet Cong.
Today, Israel believes the same about the Palestinian resistance.
A Maariv op-ed by Ephraim Ganor warns: Israel’s war on Gaza is heading toward ‘Vietnamization.’
BREAKING | US warplanes perform 6 airstrikes on Al-Jawf Governorate, Yemen.
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UN probes UAE arms transfers to RSF militia in Sudan
Khartoum accuses the UAE of complicity in genocide for supporting the Rapid Support Forces militia in its war against the Sudanese army
Shops in Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank remain closed in protest against the ongoing 93-day long Israeli siege imposed on the city and its refugee camps.
The Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce has backed the strike, framing its support for local merchants as both a moral duty and a collective responsibility.
❗️The moment 10 Palestinian detainees from the Gaza Strip arrived via the Kissufim checkpoint after being released from Israeli prisons.
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❗️Ten Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons arrived in Gaza and were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
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❗️A delegation of Syrian Jews from the US held prayers at Al-Franj Synagogue in Old Damascus.
Led by Rabbi Henry Hamra and joined by community members including Victor Kamil, the visit aims to prepare for larger future delegations and promote heritage tourism.
During a trip to New York, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held a meeting with members of the Syrian Jewish community based in the city. According to SANA, the discussions focused on “the importance of strengthening bridges of communication and understanding.”
⭕️ Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Rome on Tuesday for talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The leaders will discuss the wars in Ukraine and West Asia ahead of a summit expected to produce agreements on energy, defense, and other sectors. Key topics include migration and collaboration on unmanned aerial systems. The two nations will also enhance cooperation in transport, infrastructure, space, and sport, as they prepare to co-host Euro 2032.
Bilateral trade reached $32.2 billion in 2024, making Italy Turkiye’s second-largest European trading partner.
(AFP)
❗️Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on X:
"I concluded my diplomatic visit to the United States, on Capitol Hill, in important meetings with a number of senior members of Congress. They expressed to me their full support for the State of Israel.
Between meetings, several pro-Palestinian protesters began shouting pro-Hamas and Gaza slogans at me. I responded by saying that they were supporting the murderers, just like on 9/11 - we will defeat them!"
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "35 martyrs and 109 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "The death toll and injuries since 18 March 2025 has reached 2,308 martyrs and 5,973 injuries.
❗️Local sources in Syria report that armed clashes have been ongoing for around 12 hours in Sahnaya, Damascus countryside, between armed factions affiliated with Syria’s security forces and members of the Druze community.
The violence was triggered yesterday by a leaked voice note in which Druze leader Marwan Kiwan allegedly insulted the Prophet Mohammad—an accusation he has denied.
An initial investigation by the Syrian interior ministry showed that Kiwan was not responsible for the recording.
❗️Sham TV correspondent reports heavy Israeli reconnaissance flights (Hermes 900) over the city of Sanhaya in the Damascus countryside.
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❗️Local Palestinian sources report that a young man was shot by Israeli occupation forces while trying to cross the separation wall. He was transferred to Thabet Thabet Hospital in Tulkarem, West Bank.
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Syrian govt forces move to take control of strategic Tishreen Dam
The Kurdish-backed SDF is merging forces with the Syrian army following a 10 March agreement with Damascus
Iraqi MP files lawsuit against Syrian president over 'terrorist' past
Iraq extended an invitation for the former Al-Qaeda leader to attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad next month
Pakistan downs Indian drone as officials warn of 'imminent' incursion by New Delhi
Islamabad is planning legal action against New Delhi in response to its suspension of a water treaty between the two countries
❗️Israeli Finance Minister and extremist settler leader Bezalel Smotrich:
"We will end this campaign with Syria dismantled, Hezbollah severely beaten, Iran stripped of its nuclear threat, Gaza cleansed of Hamas, and hundreds of thousands of Gazans on their way out to other countries."
While violent clashes erupted between Syrian security forces and Druze armed groups in Jaramana, in the southern countryside of the Syrian capital Damascus, a video was released showing extremist militants in Idlib calling for more violence against the Druze people.
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⭕️ Iraq has attracted proposals from multiple international firms for initiatives aimed at expanding its railway infrastructure, according to an official statement.
The Transport Ministry has outlined plans to upgrade and extend much of the country’s railway system, along with building 115 new train stations, according to Maytham Safi, the Ministry’s information director.
Speaking to the official Iraqi newspaper Alsabah on Sunday, he noted that the projects span over 2,200 kilometres of railway lines across different regions of Iraq.
“We have started to receive bids from global companies for these projects…. We have chalked out a comprehensive strategy to develop Iraq’s rail networks,” he said.
ICC bars chief prosecutor from publicizing arrest warrants against Israeli suspects
Judges at the court are reportedly ‘frustrated’ with Karim Khan’s approach, which they view as a deviation from his predecessor’s discretion
❗️Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, speaking to a delegation of researchers from the Middle East Institute (MEI) in Washington, led by retired US General Joseph Votel, reaffirmed that the decision to ensure the state's exclusive control over weapons is final and non-negotiable.
He emphasized that disarmament would not trigger security instability but would instead be achieved through dialogue with stakeholders who are equally committed to stability, civil peace, and the authority of the central state. Aoun added that recent regional developments continue to support the pursuit of peaceful solutions, even if the process requires time to avoid potential setbacks.
(Lebanese National News Agency)
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "51 martyrs (including 1 who was recovered) and 113 injured arrived at Gaza hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "The toll from the Israeli aggression has risen to 52,365 martyrs and 117,905 injured since 7 October 2023."
– "The toll since 18 March 2025 has reached 2,273 martyrs and 5,864 injured."
BREAKING | A factory warehouse in Isfahan, Iran, exploded killing at least 3 people in an initial death toll.
(ILNA)
❗️Israel targets the Al-Attara area in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip.
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