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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
UPDATE | Israel has killed at least 66 Palestinians in ongoing Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip since dawn today.
(Medical sources to Al Jazeera)
❗️Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Farid al-Mezhan, also known as "Caesar," whose testimony led to the US sanctions that targeted Syria.
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❗️Israeli media reports that a missile launched from Yemen exploded and fell before crossing the border.
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⭕️ Netanyahu and Putin hold first phone call since 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation in the Middle East and bilateral ties in a phone call on Tuesday, the Kremlin said.
❗️Qassam Brigades announces operations under the title of Gates of Hell:
– Qassam fighters successfully lured an Israeli foot patrol consisting of 10 soldiers and two military dogs into a pre-planned ambush rigged with multiple explosive devices. As the unit entered the kill zone near Al-Mashrou junction, east of Rafah in southern Gaza, the explosives were detonated, resulting in several Israeli casualties. Fighters observed an Israeli helicopter landing to evacuate the wounded, and clashes in the area were ongoing at the time of reporting.
– In a separate operation, Qassam fighters targeted an Israeli infantry unit sheltering inside a house near Al-Mashrou junction. They struck the building with two TBG shells, causing deaths and injuries. The fighters then advanced on the house and engaged the remaining soldiers at close range with light weapons, neutralizing the rest of the force.
❗️Israel has killed at least 49 Palestinians in strikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today.
(Medical sources to Al Jazeera)
❗️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."
❗️Local sources in south Lebanon report that Israeli warplanes bombed the village of Majdal Zoun.
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❗️UK maintains weapons exports to Israel despite ban
A wide array of UK-made military equipment—including parts for F-35 fighter jets used in Israel’s war on Gaza—continued to be exported to Israel even after the British government suspended 30 arms export licences in September, according to Israeli import data cited in a report released Wednesday.
The report, published by three campaign groups, indicates that F-35 components were delivered as recently as March—five months after the UK announced the suspension over fears the weapons could contribute to serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Dozens killed as India, Pakistan exchange heaviest fire in decades
Pakistan says its armed forces downed five attacking Indian planes and drones
❗️Self-appointed Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrives in Paris, France.
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Israel massacres entire families during attacks on Gaza schools
Israel has escalated its violence in Gaza since announcing plans to 'conquer' the entire strip and forcibly displace the population on Monday
❗️The National Gathering of Palestinian Tribes, Clans, and Families in Gaza:
– "We reject the occupation’s plan for aid distribution and refuse to take part in it."
– "We will not allow a new crime against our people under the guise of humanitarian aid. The occupation’s plan is merely a cover to control and humiliate our people."
– "We call on the United Nations and the international community to assume their responsibility in delivering and distributing aid to our people in Gaza."
⭕️ 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