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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️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.
⭕️ Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of today's cabinet session, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi voiced optimism that the US and Iran could soon begin discussions on the framework of a possible agreement.
In response to Witkoff’s comments about ending Iran’s nuclear enrichment, the senior Iranian diplomat criticized the conflicting statements and emphasized that the official US stance is conveyed during negotiations.
He underscored the clarity of Iran’s position and conduct, stating that applying pressure would be ineffective.
He further stated that Iran’s enrichment activities are a recognized and established fact, noting the country’s willingness to build trust to alleviate any concerns—while maintaining that enrichment itself is not up for negotiation.
When asked about his upcoming trip to Russia, Araghchi said he would be delivering a message from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali Khamenei to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(IRNA)
Blocking humanitarian aid Israel’s ‘main tool’ in Gaza: Katz
All border crossings into Gaza have remained shut as a severe humanitarian crisis continues to worsen
⭕️ Reports claim the US military has started its evacuation from the Conoco gas field base in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria, as part of a gradual withdrawal.
According to sources close to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cited by Al-Araby al-Jadeed, the first convoy of over 70 vehicles left the base ten days ago, followed by another convoy of more than 200 vehicles. The surveillance balloon that had been monitoring the area has not flown over the base in over a week, and the departing troops are heading toward Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan region.
Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth reported that US defense officials have informed Israel that the US plans to begin the gradual withdrawal of its forces from Syria within the next two months.
❗️Al-Masirah:
"Saudi rocket and artillery shelling targets border areas in Yemen’s Saada province."
WATCH | Quds Brigades fighters shelling Israeli vehicles in the "Netzarim Corridor," and capturing two Israeli drones.
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UPDATE | Lebanese Health Ministry:
"At least one person was killed in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Wadi al-Hujayr, southern Lebanon."
❗️Israeli War Minister Katz stated that the army currently has no plans to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, emphasizing that the man-made starvation and blockade remains a key strategy of the military.
"As I mentioned in my statement, Israel's policy is clear and no humanitarian aid is about to enter Gaza," Katz said.
❗️Quds Brigades - Jenin:
"Our fighters engaged a Zionist infantry force that had surrounded a house in the town, confronting them with intense and precise gunfire.
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.
BREAKING | A citizen was reportedly injured in an Israeli airstrike on a motorcycle being targeted in Hanin, southern Lebanon.
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⭕️ Autopsy reports obtained by The NYT show that most of the paramedics and rescue workers killed by Israeli forces during the 23 March massacre died from gunshots to the head or chest.
On 6 April, the Israeli military reversed its initial account of the killing of 14 Palestinian medics and one UN employee in Gaza, after cell phone footage emerged that clearly contradicted its earlier claims.
Initially, the military stated that it had opened fire on the rescue workers in Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood because their vehicles were “advancing suspiciously” toward nearby troops without headlights or emergency signals.
Israeli troops reportedly buried most of the victims in a mass grave and destroyed the ambulances, a fire truck, and a UN vehicle, burying those as well.
INFOGRAPHIC | Total US tariff rates imposed on select goods imported from China.
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"Where's my mother?"
Civil defense crews in Gaza claw through rubble with their bare hands to save a child wounded in an Israeli airstrike on her home.
Syrian state forces continue sectarian killings of Alawites
Over 40 Syrian Alawites have been killed in the past two weeks, while over a dozen young women have been abducted and remain missing
Israel continues deadly attacks on south Lebanon
South Lebanon has come under several Israeli attacks in the last 24 hours, including one targeting a civil defense center in Tayr Harfa
⭕️ Israel’s War Minister Israel Katz says troops will remain in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely.
“Unlike in the past, the (Israeli military) is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized ... [it] “will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and (Israeli) communities in any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza — as in Lebanon and Syria.”
(AP)
⭕️ The Federation Council of Russia has approved the ratification of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Iran.
Moscow now expects Tehran to do the same, "as soon as possible," though Iranian parliamentary procedures may delay the process. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Iran has expressed readiness to accelerate approval.
The 20-year agreement establishes a legal framework for long-term cooperation and strategic partnership across sectors including defense, counterterrorism, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science, and technology.
(TASS, APA)