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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
⭕️ The United States is preparing to present Saudi Arabia with an arms deal exceeding $100 billion. The package is expected to be announced during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May.
(Reuters)
❗️The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza:
– "18 hospitals have gone completely out of service in the Strip.”
– "The occupation is deliberately targeting hospitals and health centers.”
– "50% of today’s martyrs are women and children.”
– "350,000 people with chronic illnesses are deprived of healthcare.”
❗️Al-Mayadeen correspondent:
"The explosive drone was launched from the western Homs countryside, and the Lebanese army is sending reinforcements as the sounds of gunfire are heard."
Puntland, a de facto autonomous region of Somalia, operates independently despite nominal federal oversight.
Two Somali sources stated that Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni authorized the radar deployment without consulting Somalia’s federal government or Puntland’s parliament.
A third source with direct knowledge of the arrangement described it as a “secret deal,” adding that even senior Puntland officials—including cabinet members—were unaware of the agreement.
❗️Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told officers in Gaza today that the military will escalate its offensive on the strip if a prisoner exchange deal is not reached soon.
"We are continuing with the operational pressure and tightening the ring around Hamas as needed, and if we see no progress in the the return of the hostages, we will expand our activities to an intense and even more significant move, until we reach the defeat [of Hamas]," Zamir said.
"Hamas is responsible for the start of this war. It now holds the hostages cruelly and is responsible for the difficult state of the population in Gaza. Hamas is mistaken when it comes to our abilities, intentions and determination, just like Nasrallah and his top command," he added.
⭕️ Walla News, citing military sources, reports that the Israeli occupation army has reinforced its military positions in Gaza amid rising concerns over a potential escalation in resistance operations against its forces.
The move follows an ambush last Saturday that killed one Israeli soldier.
Pakistan shuts airspace to India as tensions surge over Kashmir attack
The nuclear-powered neighbors have exchanged escalating measures in response to a terror attack in the Baisaran Valley of Indian-administered Kashmir
Palestinian journalist Saeed Amin Abu Hassanein, his wife, and daughter were killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck their tent in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Abu Hassanein had worked for nearly two decades with Al-Aqsa Radio, specializing in audio engineering and radio mixing.
Turkiye expands military occupation of northern Iraq: Report
Turkish forces occupy Iraq under the pretext of combatting the Kurdish PKK group, which recently declared a ceasefire after its leader issued a call to disarm
🇾🇪 Ansarallah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi (2/2):
– "Despite the US conducting over 1,200 air raids and naval bombardments since the resumption of its aggression, its failure is undeniable."
– "US aggression has been ineffective in limiting our capabilities or pressuring the will of the Yemeni people."
– "Our path is one of progress, marked by the continued development of military capabilities, the acquisition of advanced technologies, and the accumulation of greater experience."
– "The more the US escalates, the stronger our position becomes, further accelerating the development of our military capabilities."
BREAKING | Israel announces it will carry out severe attacks on north Gaza's Beit Hanoun and Sheikh Zayed areas in response to the resistance operations against invading Israeli ground forces in Beit Hanoun earlier today.
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❗️Medical sources report that the death toll has risen to 44 in ongoing Israeli airstrikes since dawn today on several areas in Gaza.
(Al Jazeera)
❗️A Lebanese Civil Defense member was injured by an Israeli drone attacking near the Civil Defense Center in Mays al-Jabal, south Lebanon.
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⭕️ 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)
Gaza Update by RT correspondent Saed Swerki as of Friday, 25 April, 9:30 am
82 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since Thursday morning:
North Gaza (35 killed):
– 32 killed in a strike on a police center and a home sheltering displaced people in Jabalia.
– 3 killed and others injured in a strike on a tent for displaced families at the Safatawi junction west of Jabalia.
Gaza City (28 killed):
– 6 killed in a strike on the al-Sarafiti family home in Sheikh Radwan.
– 2 killed in Wadi al-Arais, Al-Zaytoun neighborhood.
– 5 bodies recovered from a strike on al-Tuffah neighborhood.
– 15 killed in a strike on an apartment in Al-Siddiq Tower, behind Al-Sahaba complex.
South Gaza (12 killed):
– 2 killed in a strike on the al-Najjar family home in Khan Yunis.
– 2 killed in a tent for displaced people in al-Mawasi area, Khan Yunis.
– Abdul Aziz Adel Abu Hani died from wounds after a previous strike on a tent in Khan Yunis.
– Asif al-Najjar killed and others wounded in a strike in Khan Yunis.
– 15-year-old Karam Raed Harb Abu Kawarik killed near al-Nasr Municipality in Rafah.
– 5 people from the Abu Taimeh family, including three children and a pregnant mother, killed near Al-Aqsa University in Khan Yunis:
Central Gaza (7 killed):
– 3 killed in a strike on a displaced family’s tent in al-Sawarha, west of Nuseirat.
– Ayman Mahmoud Basheer killed near Al-Bukhari Mosque in Deir al-Balah.
– 3 killed, including a child, in a drone strike on al-Zawaida.
BREAKING | International Criminal Court (ICC) reverses its November 2024 decision (ruling against Israel's objections to arrest warrants for PM Netanyahu and ex-defense minister Gallant) in favor of Israel.
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BREAKING | Eight injured after an explosive drone struck a farm on the Lebanese side of the town of Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali on the Syrian border.
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⭕️ According to an MEE report, the UAE deployed an Israeli-made military radar in Somalia’s Puntland earlier this year to defend against potential operations launched by the Yemeni Armed Forces (1/2)
Satellite imagery from March identified the radar as an ELM-2084 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array Multi-Mission Radar, manufactured by Israeli state-owned weapons manufacturer ELTA—a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
Sources told MEE the UAE intends to use the radar to protect Bosaso Airport, which Abu Dhabi has used to arm Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF has been accused of committing genocide against the non-Arab Masalit tribe in Darfur’s western region.
A source explained: “The radar’s purpose is to detect and provide early warning against drone or missile threats, particularly those potentially launched by the Yemeni Armed Forces, targeting Bosaso from outside.”
UPDATE | Medical sources to Al Jazeera:
"61 martyrs in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since dawn today, 46 of them in Gaza City and northern Gaza."
BREAKING | Local Palestinian sources report that an Israeli settler kidnapped Palestinian farmer Abdel Hadi Khawli while he was herding cows on the outskirts of the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit in the occupied West Bank.
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UPDATE | At least 15 Palestinians have been killed and others wounded as a result of the Israeli airstrike on a home in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
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Return of the Ikhwan: Erdogan reboots the Muslim Brotherhood in West Asia
With Damascus fallen and Sanaa under bombardment, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seizing a renewed opportunity to reassert Muslim Brotherhood influence across the Arab world – from Syria and Lebanon to Jordan and Yemen.
By Musa Ozugurlu
BREAKING | A number of casualties in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
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🇾🇪 Ansarallah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi (1/2):
– "We carried out nine engagements this week with US naval forces, using 27 cruise missiles and drones."
– "Our forces continue to prevent ships of the Israeli enemy, as well as those of the US, from passing, as the US has entangled itself with the Israelis."
– "There are tangible results in the improved capabilities of our air defense forces and the effectiveness of their operations."
– "This week, our air defense forces successfully shot down three US MQ-9 drones over the skies of Sanaa and Hodeidah governorates."
– "The seventh US drone shot down this month is the 22nd downed since the beginning of our support operations."
– "The US enemy has targeted civilians in more than 260 airstrikes using bombers and other aircraft."
BREAKING | At least 7 Palestinians killed in an Israeli attack on a residential apartment on Gaza City's Yarmouk Street.
The intensity of the explosions caused children's bodies to fly out of the targeted building.
Senior Israeli officers leak classified data, including ‘preparations’ for Iran attack
Members of the air force’s elite Squadron 69 uploaded the documents onto a file management system available to hundreds of thousands of reservists and recruits
UK lifts Syria sanctions amid rash of killings, kidnappings
Syrian government forces killed over 1,700 civilians from the Alawite minority sect in a series of brutal massacres on the country’s coast last month
🚨 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.