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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️United Arab Emirates initiates secret diplomatic channel between Israel and Syria
The UAE has launched a secret diplomatic channel between Israel and Syria following Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit on 13 April. The talks focus solely on security and counterterrorism issues, excluding Israeli military activity in Syria. The channel involves UAE, Syrian, and former Israeli intelligence officials.
❗️Sudan announces it is cutting diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates
In a televised address on Tuesday, Sudanese Defense Minister Yassin Ibrahim declared that Sudan was “severing diplomatic relations with the UAE” and withdrawing its ambassador, accusing the UAE of violating Sudan’s sovereignty by backing the RSF “proxy."
❗️"Yemen is actively working to uphold international law by pressuring Israel to end its violence against the Palestinian people."
Yemeni activist and political commentator Hussain al-Bukhaiti states that his country will not halt its attacks on Israel until the blockade on Gaza is lifted and Israel's genocide on Gaza is brought to an end.
❗️Israeli ambassador to India Reuven Azar says that Israel supports India’s “right for self defense.”
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⭕️ The Foreign Ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain issued a joint statement expressing concern over Israel’s brutal war and prolonged war on Gaza.
"We, the Foreign Ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain express our grave concern about the reported Israeli plans to expand its military operations in Gaza and to establish a prolonged Israeli presence in the Strip. This would mean crossing yet another line, marking a dangerous new escalation and jeopardizing any prospects of a viable Two-State solution."
❗️Egyptian president Sisi arrives in Athens for official visit
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi arrived in the Greek capital, Athens, today for an official visit to the Hellenic Republic. During the visit, Egypt and Greece are set to sign a "strategic partnership" agreement on Wednesday, aimed at deepening political coordination between the two countries.
"Our relations are traditional and historic. We have the foundation to further strengthen this relationship," Sisi said during a televised meeting with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas in Athens. "Today, we will have the opportunity to sign a joint declaration for a strategic partnership."
UPDATE | The death toll from the Al-Karama School massacre in Al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City has risen to 19 Palestinians.
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❗️The Israeli army announced this morning that it intercepted a drone that was "launched from the east."
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❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
"38 martyrs (including 4 recovered) and 145 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
"The death toll and injuries since March 18, 2025 has reached 2,545 martyrs, and 6,856 injuries."
❗️Qassam Brigades Statement | Southern Lebanon:
The Qassam Brigades have announced the death of field commander Khaled Ahmed al-Ahmad, known as Abu Ibrahim, originally from the occupied Palestinian town of Nahf in the Acre District. He was killed at dawn today, Wednesday, in an Israeli airstrike targeting the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon. The assassination took place during ongoing operations related to the Battle of Tufan al-Aqsa.
"He rose as a martyr at dawn on Wednesday, 09 Dhul-Qi'dah 1446 AH, corresponding to May 7, 2025, during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, following an assassination carried out by treacherous Zionist aircraft targeting the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon.
As the Qassam Brigades mourns the heroic martyr, Engineer Abu Ibrahim, we recall his unique contributions to the path of jihad, resistance, and confronting the Zionist enemy."
❗️US President Donald Trump says that there are now 21 Israeli captives alive in Gaza. Israel disagrees with Trump, with officials stating that the number is still 24.
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❗️Qassam Brigades announces that its fighters successfully detonated a pre-planted minefield targeting an Israeli armed force, causing casualties between dead and wounded on Al-Awda Street, east of Al-Farahin area, east of Khan Yunis. Following the explosion, its fighters shelled the location with several mortar rounds, and also observed the towing of a destroyed vehicle and the landing of helicopters for evacuation.
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⭕️ Germany's new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, voiced alarm over Israel's intention to assume control of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza and announced that his newly appointed foreign minister would visit Israel this weekend.
"It must be clear that the Israeli government must fulfil its obligations under international law and that humanitarian aid must be provided in the Gaza Strip," he told ARD television on Tuesday night.
"We view the developments of the last few days with considerable concern," he added, emphasizing that while Israel has the right to defend itself, it must also uphold its humanitarian responsibilities.
❗️At dawn, Israel attacked a vehicle in Saida, south Lebanon, killing one person.
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BREAKING | CNN reports that the USS Truman aircraft carrier has lost an F-18 fighter jet, marking the second such incident in less than two weeks.
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⭕️ Israeli lecturer Dr. Kfir Teshuba tells Israeli newspaper Maariv that the creation of a “David Corridor” – a land route linking the occupied Golan Heights to Syria’s Druze region, then to the US presence in the tri-border area, and onward to the Kurdish-controlled northeast – is a strategic solution to Syria’s post-Assad reality. He says the corridor would help break the isolation of the newly formed Druze autonomy in "Jabal al-Druze" (Suwayda) and secure a direct alliance between Israel, the Druze, and the Kurds.
According to Teshuba, the corridor would block Iran’s land bridge to Lebanon, curb Turkish influence in the region, and open vital oil and trade routes from Kurdish areas to Israel. Despite what he describes as potential threats from Sunni militias in Deraa, he suggests local cooperation and partial Druze control could safeguard the route.
For Israel, he says, this is a rare opportunity to reshape its northern frontier into a zone of stability, influence, and economic benefit.
The idea is not new. The so-called David's Corridor, rooted in the vision of Greater Israel, refers is an age-old Israeli project to establish a land corridor stretching from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights through southern Syria to the Euphrates River.
❗️Syrian self-appointed interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has reportedly requested US security guarantees ahead of his visit to Iraq for the upcoming Arab League summit in Baghdad.
According to Iraq’s Shafaq News, Sharaa seeks protection from a US-based private security firm in addition to assurances already provided by the Iraqi government.
Ahmad al-Sharaa is responsible for terror attacks against civilians in Iraq as former Al-Qaeda chief following the 2003 US invasion.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani announced on 2 May that the presence of the Syrian President at the upcoming Arab League summit in Baghdad is important because he represents the Syrian state regardless of how power was transferred.
While Baghdad has offered multiple guarantees to secure Sharaa's visit, the Syrian government has reportedly dismissed these as inadequate.
Trump to rename Persian Gulf 'Arabian Gulf' during Saudi visit
Iran's foreign minister said the change, which goes against international consensus, indicates 'hostile intent toward Iran and its people'
❗️Sanaa airport suspends flights after severe damage from Israeli strikes
Sanaa International Airport in Yemen has suspended all flights until further notice following "severe damage" from Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday. The airport’s director, Khaled al-Shaief, confirmed the suspension due to the impact of the attacks.
❗️Egypt and Qatar mediate Gaza humanitarian relief
Egypt and Qatar announced their continued mediation efforts to address Gaza's humanitarian crisis, working closely with the US to "ensure civilian protection and resolve the situation."
Since 2 March, Gaza has faced a severe US-backed Israeli blockade, with essential supplies running low, while Israel resumed its brutal war on 18 March, collapsing a brief ceasefire.
⭕️ French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that his country would not offer Syria a “blank check” and that Paris would assess Damascus based on its actions.
In an interview with the French channel TF1 today, Barrot said France wants to ensure that Syria is committed to combating impunity, curbing sectarian violence, and confronting the Islamic State (ISIS).
He warned, “If Syria collapses today, it would be like rolling out the red carpet for ISIS.”
Interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa is traveling to France today at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
❗️Palestinian journalist Nour al-Din Matar Abdo was killed by Israeli warplanes while covering Al-Karama School massacre in Gaza City.
This brings the number of journalists killed by Israel since 7 October, 2023 to 213.
⭕️ The Lebanese Association for Prisoners and Freed Prisoners has announced the death of former detainee Adnan Harb, also known as Abu Hassan, who was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Kfar Reman on Tuesday evening.
Harb had previously been imprisoned in the Ansar detention camp, where he endured severe torture by the Israelis before being transferred to Israel's Atlit Prison. He was released as part of the 1985 prisoner exchange deal.
Pakistan blames India for deadly Balochistan roadside bombing
Tensions have flared between the two South Asian nations since a massacre of tourists in Kashmir last month that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad
❗️Reports indicate that a new 'security incident' occurred in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, and Israeli helicopters evacuated dead/wounded soldiers.
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⭕️ In Pictures | Central Gaza:
Palestinians hold funeral prayers for the victims of yesterday’s Israeli airstrike on the Abu Hmaisa School, which had been sheltering displaced families. The Israeli attack claimed multiple lives, including several children. The school, located in central Gaza, had served as a refuge for civilians amid ongoing bombardment.
❗️Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has voiced strong opposition to US President Donald Trump's plan to officially change the name of the Persian Gulf, calling the move pointless and deliberately provocative to Iranians around the world. He added that he is certain Trump is aware the name is centuries old and has been used officially and legally in international relations for generations.
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❗️Israel has killed a total of 16 Palestinians in two separate attacks on Al-Karama School in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
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⭕️ According to AP, US President Donald Trump is expected to announce that the US will officially refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia during his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia.
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Tensions escalated after cross-border strikes hit nine locations in Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, with New Delhi claiming it targeted terrorist infrastructure in a limited, non-escalatory operation. Islamabad says the strikes killed at least three people, including a child, and damaged civilian sites such as mosques and a religious school.
Pakistan says it has already retaliated, as heavy shelling continues across multiple areas in Kashmir.