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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
US abandons 'Hamas disarmament' demands in Gaza truce talks: Report
A reported rift between Trump and Netanyahu continues to widen ahead of the US president's first visit to West Asia since regaining power
Pakistan, India announce immediate ceasefire after 'largest dogfight since WW2'
Islamabad says it shot down five Indian warplanes, including three French Rafales, utilizing advanced Chinese fighter jets and surface-to-air batteries
Pakistan, India announce immediate ceasefire after 'largest dogfight since WW2'
Islamabad says it shot down five Indian warplanes, including three French Rafales, utilizing advanced Chinese fighter jets and surface-to-air batteries
⭕️ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:
"From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sweden's decisions are neither understandable nor justifiable."
⭕️ Germany’s new foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, left for Israel today as part of a Middle East tour, during which he said "critical discussions" are anticipated. "In both of our democracies, critical discussions about the policies of one's own government and friendly nations are part of this," Wadephul stated before departing Berlin.
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Office said Wadephul is set to hold meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In Ramallah, he will meet with Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa for discussions.
❗️Italian airline ITA has suspended all flights to Israel until 19 May, citing security concerns. The airline stated, “All flights to Israel canceled until May 19.”
The move follows intensified regional responses to Israel’s war on Gaza, mainly Yemen’s effective air blockade, which has disrupted commercial aviation and challenged Israel’s claims of control.
❗️Israeli warplanes targeted the tent of an elderly Palestinian volunteer, Um Firas, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, injuring her and her son and killing young photographer Ahed Shatat.
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❗️Israeli army announces that it bombed "approximately 60 targets" in the Gaza Strip within the past 24 hours.
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⭕️ Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa (Al-Julani), was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain at Al-Sakhir Palace today.
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⭕️ Jonatan Urich, senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, is now considered the main suspect in the 'Qatargate' scandal after reports by Channel 12 and Channel 13 revealed he received payments from Qatar shortly after Israel's brutal war on Gaza began.
Urich initially denied involvement but later admitted to assisting with Qatar’s 2022 World Cup. According to Channel 13, police possess documents, messages, and bank records confirming the payments.
⭕️ Citing US officials, NBC reported that the war against Yemen has cost the United States over $1 billion since March. The report suggests the US administration was actively seeking an exit strategy.
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BREAKING | The Israeli army announces that its 'combat operations' in Rafah, southern Gaza, are now concentrated in the Jenina neighborhood, stating that "it is the last location where combat against terrorists is taking place in Hamas’ Rafah Brigade area."
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❗️Israeli gunboats opened fire on Gazan fishermen this morning, killing two and injuring others near the shore.
Israel’s blockade by land, air, and sea continues to starve Gaza’s population. As residents turn to sea turtles and marine life for survival, they are met with point-blank fire from Israel.
❗️Tulkarem Media Committee: “The Israeli occupation continues its assault on Tulkarem and its refugee camps for the 104th day (91st in Nour Shams) marked by intensified raids, demolitions, and forced evacuations.”
Key updates:
– New evacuation orders issued for homes near Tulkarem camp, including Abu Safieh and Abu Aql residences.
– Explosions, gunfire, and drone activity reported overnight.
– Demolitions intensified in Nour Shams neighborhoods: Al-Manshiyah, Al-Maslak, Al-Jami’, Al-Iyada, Al-Shuhada.
– Plan underway to demolish 106 structures in both camps.
– Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali detained; surveillance cameras destroyed near Dhannaba schools.
– 13 killed, including a child and two women (one 8 months pregnant); dozens injured and arrested.
– Over 25,000 displaced; 400+ homes destroyed, 2,573 damaged; camps sealed off and isolated.
❗️On the occasion of National Workers’ Week, Imam Khamenei met with Iranian laborers on 10 May at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah. He condemned global efforts to distract attention from Gaza and stressed that the Palestinian cause must remain a core priority for the Muslim world. Key points from the speech:
– Biased global policies are attempting to erase Palestine from public focus. Muslim nations must not be swayed by rumors or distractions.
– Minds must not be diverted from the Palestinian cause.
– The Zionist regime’s crimes in Gaza and Palestine cannot be ignored.
– The world must take a firm stand against these atrocities.
Iran FM visits Saudi Arabia ahead of new round of US nuclear talks
Oman is set to host the fourth round of indirect nuclear and sanctions removal talks between US and Iranian officials
❗️IDF Reserve Major General Yisrael Ziv: “Hamas has adapted and advanced its combat tactics, sending large forces into Gaza now carries a heightened risk of injuries and casualties.”
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❗️Members of the Syrian-Druze community protested in Suwayda today, demanding Israeli protection.
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⭕️ A 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center shows that support among Israelis for Israel governing Gaza has declined, dropping from 40% in 2024 to 33%.
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❗️Local sources in Syria report that Israeli reconnaissance aircraft are flying in circles above Damascus.
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⭕️ On 9 May, 2023, Israel launched strikes on Gaza, assassinating three top Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commanders, Tariq Ezz el-Din (also the leader of the Jenin Brigade in the occupied West Bank), Khalil Bahtini, and Jihad Ghannam, triggering the 5-day battle dubbed “Revenge of the Free” by the The Joint Room of Palestinian Resistance Factions.
This came 6 days after the PIJ’s Al-Quds Brigades responded to the death of hunger-striking Khader Adnan in Israeli prisons with barrages of rockets.
A significant shift occurred here. Despite the initial heavy blow of losing three of its leaders, the PIJ’s response was purposefully delayed for around 35 hours. This tactic confused Israeli calculations.
Israel then continued its assassinations, killing key figures such as the commander of the missile force in the Quds Brigades, Ali Hassan Ghali, and his deputy, Ahmed Abu Daqqa, followed by the assassination of Operations Staff Commander Iyad al-Hassani on the fourth day.
After each assassination, Al-Quds Brigades intensified its strikes and introduced new tactics.
The Israeli security establishment's assessment was that the retaliation would not surpass what was witnessed in the previous rounds. It viewed the PIJ as incapable of waging a prolonged battle.
According to Israeli statistics, PIJ alone fired about 1,500 rockets, "which completely paralyzed the cities of the south, and caused the evacuation of 12,000 settlers."
Israel failed to isolate the PIJ, as other factions stepped up to play a role, including Hamas’ Qassam Brigades through the use of anti-aircraft weaponry. The PIJ exhibited discipline and patience, not taking the bait for a protracted war, which it was fully capable of doing.
Losses did not stop the PIJ from retaining its upper hand, demonstrating its capabilities, or achieving tactical triumphs. Most importantly, this battle serves as the prime example of how “eliminating” the resistance’s chain of command has no impact on the fate of the battle or the steadfastness of the fighters.
⭕️ Kremlin spokesman: “We’re used to sanctions.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has grown accustomed to sanctions and no longer fears them.
“Trying to scare us with sanctions is pointless and a waste of time,” he stated.
❗️Israeli forces have closed the entrance to Thabet Thabet Government Hospital in Tulkarem, occupied West Bank, and are heavily firing stun grenades.
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❗️Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived at Jeddah this morning at the head of a diplomatic delegation to meet with senior Saudi officials and hold talks on bilateral issues as well as regional and international developments.
Later this evening, the Araghchi will also travel to Doha to participate in the Iran–Arab World Dialogue Summit.
❗️Footage captures the moment Israeli forces blew up a residential building during today’s raid on Nour Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.
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⭕️ A Tel Aviv University study found that 1 in 8 Israeli soldiers who fought in Gaza is mentally unfit to return to service.
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BREAKING | US President Donald Trump announces "FULL AND IMMEDIATE" ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
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❗️Israel has killed at least 13 Palestinians in strikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today.
(Medical sources to Al Jazeera)
❗️Co-Secretary General of the Transatlantic Parliamentary Group (TAG), Walid Phares, says that a new Syria deal is circulating among US congressional staff.
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⭕️ On 9 May, 2025, Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré stood alongside global leaders at Moscow’s Victory Day parade—not just in commemoration, but in defiance. His presence signaled Africa’s growing break from western dominance.
Traore, who rose to power after ousting France-backed elites, joins Mali and Niger in rejecting neocolonialism—military bases, the CFA franc, and foreign control—in favor of sovereign partnerships.
His visit underscores Russia’s strategic pivot to Africa, offering military, economic, and diplomatic ties without the strings of western aid.