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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar in an affidavit to the Supreme Court accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of corruption following efforts by the premier to fire Bar, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth:
– "The Prime Minister spoke to me repeatedly about his expectation that the Shin Bet take action against civilians involved in protests against the government. I was told to provide details about the identity of civilians, activists in the protest movement, who had been following elected officials."
– "The expectation that I would surveil 'funders of the protests' was made clear to me. It was also made clear, in discussions on the protests, that if there was a constitutional crisis, I was to obey the prime minister and not the Supreme Court."
– On the Shin Bet having knowledge of Operation Al Aqsa Flood prior to 7 October: "I will stress that no none estimated such an attack would take place, certainly not at that time."
⭕️ The first-ever bilateral air force drill between China and Egypt, named "Eagles of Civilization 2025," took place with the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) deploying its KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to Egypt.
This marks a significant step in China's overseas air operations, as the KJ-500 makes its international exercise debut.
The KJ-500, one of PLAAF's most advanced platforms, is equipped with a modern phased-array radar system and is based on the Y-9 medium transport aircraft. It offers 360-degree radar coverage, capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets at extended ranges, making it vital for network-centric warfare. The KJ-500's role includes acting as a flying command and control node, essential for coordinating complex operations.
(Global Defense News)
Hundreds of PA officers to ‘undergo training’ in Egypt for post-war Gaza plan: Report
Israel has repeatedly rejected the idea of PA governance in Gaza, a crucial element to Egypt’s post-war plan for the strip
BREAKING | Yemeni Armed Forces announces two military operations: Its drone air force targeted Israeli sites in Ashkelon and Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), while missile and naval forces targeted US aircraft carriers Truman and Vinson in the Red and Arabian Seas.
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❗️Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (Kan):
"Due to a shortage of soldiers, soldiers from the Golani and Givati Brigades (elite forces) joined the army four months ago, did not complete their training, and are being sent to the Gaza Strip."
❗️The Israeli army released a statement today regarding the paramedics and rescue workers it massacred on 23 March.
According to the statement, "the incident occurred in a hostile and dangerous combat zone," and the army claimed that Hamas frequently uses ambulances to "transport terrorists and weapons."
The statement further adds that "the troops did not engage in indiscriminate fire but remained alert to respond to real threats as identified by them," and that Israeli forces initially targeted a vehicle they had identified as a "Hamas vehicle."
The army admitted in the statement that there was no attempt to conceal the massacre, and that those responsible have been dismissed from their positions.
BREAKING | US warplanes bomb Kamaran Island off the coast of Hodeidah, west of Yemen.
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❗️The Israeli army arrested a group of Israeli settlers who attempted to cross the border into the Gaza Strip and transferred them to the police for investigation.
This is not the first time Jewish settler groups enter Gaza in an attempt to realize their dreams of illegal resettlement of the strip.
Israel ramps up attacks on south Lebanon, killing and wounding several
Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon over 2,700 times since November 2024
Iraqi lawmakers seek to block Syrian interim president's visit to Baghdad
Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former Al-Qaeda commander, was invited by the Iraqi Prime Minister to visit the country next month for the Arab League Summit
❗️At least four people were killed, among them Lebanese army soldiers, and four others injured on the Qusaiba-Braikeh road, when an unexploded ordnance left over from the Israeli aggression exploded while being transported in a vehicle belonging to the Lebanese Army's Engineering Regiment, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.
At least six people have been killed in south Lebanon today.
❗️More Israeli bombardment reported in the area between Jbaa and Basaliya, and Iqlim al-Tuffah, in south Lebanon.
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BREAKING | Reports of Israeli strikes on Arnoun, south Lebanon.
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⭕️ A Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report published earlier this week claims the US has issued the following demands for Syria in exchange for a limited easing of sanctions:
– Crack down on extremists operating in Syria.
– Expel Palestinian militant groups from the country and prevent them from raising funds there.
– Secure Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile and work with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
– Secure highly-enriched uranium and appoint a liaison to locate 14 Americans missing in Syria.
– Issue a public declaration against extremist groups.
– Take steps to prevent Syria from becoming a foothold for extremist organizations like ISIS.
– Implement measures to rebuild Syria’s economy and support the return of refugees.
If Syria meets these conditions, the US would reportedly then consider renewing diplomatic relations, removing terrorist designations from members of the new government, and extending existing sanctions waivers to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.
❗️Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"Since the start of the war, we have heard calls for its conclusion – for its conclusion by surrender. These calls have increased of late.
Were I to have given in to these calls: We would not have entered Rafah. We would not have seized the Philadelphi corridor.
We would not have carried out the pagers operation. We would not have eliminated Sinwar, Deif, Haniyeh or Nasrallah. We would not have created conditions for the fall of the Assad regime and a harsh blow to the Iranian axis. We would not have changed the face of the Middle East.
Therefore, I would like say a few words to you about Iran: I am committed to preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons. I will not give in on this; nor will I slacken or retreat on this, not even a millimeter."
❗️Israeli settlers set fire to an agricultural facility in the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.
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❗️The Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that "39 martyrs and 62 injuries arrived at hospitals in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours."
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❗️The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced on Monday the seizure of a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including missiles, inside a vehicle intended for smuggling into Suwayda.
The ministry stated, "The driver of the vehicle was arrested while attempting to smuggle it into Sweida province."
The seized items included anti-tank missiles, heavy machine guns, Katyusha rockets, and large quantities of ammunition.
⭕️ A security source revealed to Ultra Palestine on Sunday that 300 Palestinian Authority (PA) security personnel will be sent to Egypt this week as part of an agreement between the Egyptian leadership and the Palestinian Authority, based on the Egyptian plan presented at the Arab Summit.
The group includes 100 police officers, 100 National Security personnel, 50 Preventive Security personnel, and 50 intelligence officers.
The personnel will undergo two months of training in Egypt, with strict instructions issued to them, emphasizing the importance of the mission and forbidding any refusal to participate under penalty of liability. The personnel are required to be graduates of Egyptian police colleges, and their tasks remain unclear, though there is speculation about the Palestinian Authority taking control of Gaza's Rafah crossing.
Additionally, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on March 17, restructuring the General Administration of Border Crossings into the General Authority of Border Crossings, granting it a legal and financial role under the Ministry of Interior.
UPDATE | Since midnight, US warplanes bombed Marib, Saada, and Amran Governorates in Yemen.
An initial death toll of the US attacks on Sanaa reports at least 12 killed and 30 injured.
UPDATE | US warplanes bombed Marib and the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
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WATCH | Hamas's armed wing the Qassam Brigades publishes footage of its fighters targeting invading Israeli vehicles on the outskirts of Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
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❗️Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office announces the death of the injured prisoner, Nasser Khalil Rdaida (49 years old), in Hadassah Hospital after being transferred from Israel's Ofer Prison yesterday.
He was detained after being injured by Israeli army gunfire on 18 September, 2023 and had remained in prison ever since, subjected to torture and medical neglect.
Rdaida is the second Palestinian prisoner whose death has been announced in Israeli prisons within four days.
This raises the number of Palestinian detainees killed in Israeli prisons since 7 October, 2023, to 65.
❗️Israel has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its occupation of southern Syria, with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir emphasizing the strategic importance of the area.
During a 'field tour,' Zamir said Israeli forces "entered here because Syria fell apart, and therefore we hold key points and are on the front line to best protect ourselves."
He said that the area offers a "strategic point" with "extremely important security significance."
Among those killed in the army vehicle explosion caused by unexploded ordnance left behind by Israel, are Lebanese army soldiers Jawdat Noura and Ali Ahmad.
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Hamas turns ‘military disadvantage into opportunity’ in Gaza: Report
An Israeli soldier was killed and others wounded over the weekend for the first time in months, as Hamas’s armed wing works to save its strength through hit-and-run guerilla tactics
⭕️ Hamas's Qassam Brigades confirms in a statement that its fighters carried out the "Breaking the Sword" ambush east of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday. During the ambush, an Israeli military "Storm" jeep was targeted with an anti-armor shell, resulting in confirmed casualties. When a support force rushed to assist, it was hit by an anti-personnel explosive device, causing further deaths and injuries. The Brigades also targeted a newly established Israeli position with RPGs and mortar shells.
This follows yesterday's announcement about targeting a Merkava 4 tank and a D9 military bulldozer with two Al-Yassin 105 shells east of the al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
⭕️ What appears to be a leaked memo published by The Media Line reveals that Iraq’s Parliament has requested the arrest of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as "Abu Mohammad al-Jolani," due to his past involvement with Al-Qaeda in Iraq and his role in committing massacres there.
This request, sent to Baghdad's Public Prosecutor, comes as part of efforts to prevent Sharaa from attending the Arab League Summit in Baghdad next month.
The letter, sent by Iraq’s Council of Representatives to the Office of the Public Prosecutor in Baghdad, calls for an investigation and possible arrest of Sharaa if he enters Iraqi territory.
❗️Bread and blood: A photo captured from the site of Israel's recent attack on a gathering of civilians in Al-Shati' refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, which killed and injured several Palestinians.
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❗️Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"We consider the occupation’s practices against Christians to be racist and discriminatory, falling within the broader context of targeting Jerusalem and its Christian and Islamic holy sites.
In a dangerous precedent, the occupation prevented the Vatican’s ambassador to the State of Palestine from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Holy Saturday.
We call on the international community to break its silence and make a genuine effort to protect Jerusalem and its holy sites, as they are an inseparable part of the land of the State of Palestine."