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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
⭕️ Netanyahu fully drops the mask:
"We are demolishing more and more houses, they have nowhere to return to ... The only logical outcome would be the desire of the Gazans to emigrate abroad. Our main problem is finding countries willing to receive them," he said while speaking to Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
"For the first time, Netanyahu said in the committee, while referring to the humanitarian aid distribution plan in Gaza, that receiving the aid would be conditional on the Gazans who receive it not returning to the places from which they arrive at the aid distribution sites. The explanation: In the places from which they came, they are mixed with Hamas members."
(Maariv newspaper)
❗️Two senior Hamas officials to Asharq:
– Progress has been made on allowing aid into Gaza, securing a two-phase prisoner exchange deal, and reaching a ceasefire.
– The movement’s leadership has been holding direct talks for several days with official US envoys in Doha.
– The talks have covered a 70-day renewable truce in exchange for the release of 10 living Israeli captives.
– Discussions have also addressed US guarantees to prevent Israel from resuming military operations.
❗️Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha to Al Jazeera:
– "The release of soldier Edan Alexander is aimed at stopping the aggression on Gaza, allowing aid in, and launching negotiations for a comprehensive deal."
– "We expect a US announcement soon regarding the start of comprehensive negotiations that will lead to an end to the war."
– "Details of Alexander’s release will be announced in the coming days by the negotiating team."
– "We call on the US to pressure Israel and ensure it abides by what was agreed upon with Hamas."
❗️According to Barak Ravid for Walla News, US envoy Steve Witkoff informed the family of US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander that Hamas will soon issue a statement regarding their son's release.
Israeli PM Netanyahu said earlier in a closed session that Edan Alexander's release was an imminent possibility.
❗️Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement (PIJ) Dr. Mohammad al-Hindi:
– "The Palestinian resistance will not release any more captives held in Gaza unless the US forces Israel to implement a ceasefire.
A ceasefire must include a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Strip and a halt to ongoing military aggression.
– "We are ready to carry out a comprehensive deal that includes the release of all prisoners in exchange for ending the war and a full withdrawal from Gaza."
– "The resistance prefers an all-for-all exchange but is also open to a phased implementation of a clear and comprehensive agreement."
– "Israel has deliberately flooded the Egyptian and Qatari mediators with impossible demands as conditions for ending the war."
– "Among Israel’s demands are the disarmament of the resistance and the expulsion of its leaders from Gaza—conditions the occupation knows full well the resistance will reject."
– "Disarmament is Israel’s biggest demand and is categorically rejected by the resistance and the Palestinian people."
– "If the resistance is dismantled and weapons are surrendered, forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza will be the next step."
– "Israel is trying, through negotiations, to retrieve its captives without ending the war."
– "It is as if Israel is saying: 'We’ve sentenced Gaza and the resistance to death—we just want to recover our captives in order to carry out the execution.'"
– "Netanyahu’s statements about defeating Hamas and forcing the resistance to surrender are pure fantasy."
– "The crimes in Gaza and the West Bank may appear as tactical victories in Netanyahu’s project, but they conceal fires yet to ignite."
– "The resistance is deeply rooted in the Palestinian people’s consciousness, and a day may come when Israel will start longing for Hamas (meaning the resistance that follows will be fiercer)."
– "The accumulated anger among people in Gaza, the West Bank, and the diaspora is enormous—and may erupt at any moment."
❗️Senior Hamas official to Al Jazeera:
Negotiations with the US administration have been ongoing for days and are looking into allowing aid into Gaza and halting the war.
Trump seeking $1 trillion in Saudi investments during Riyadh visit: Report
Israel-Saudi normalization negotiations have reportedly been 'de-linked' from Washington's talks with Riyadh due to Netanyahu's refusal to reach a Gaza ceasefire
BREAKING | Israeli army announces the withdrawal of the Paratroopers Brigade from Syria and its redeployment to the Gaza Strip.
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Sectarian massacres continue in Syria as government-affiliated groups kill several in Latakia
One of the victims was a 13-year-old boy, and two were found decapitated, as sectarian killings in the country continue under the government of President Ahmad al-Sharaa
❗️Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Sunday that Turkiye is ready to host renewed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, following Putin’s televised proposal for direct negotiations.
Erdogan welcomed the initiative and stressed that a comprehensive ceasefire would be essential for creating the conditions for a lasting resolution.
❗️The moment Israel bombed the Islamic University building in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.
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❗️Updates from south Lebanon – Al-Manar correspondent Ali Shoeib:
– A hostile Israeli drone dropped a bomb between the towns of Yarin and Dhayra.
– The Israeli army shelled the “Hayy al-Randa” area on the eastern outskirts of Aita al-Shaab with several shells.
– A civilian was moderately wounded by Israeli gunfire, and his wife was hit by a rubber bullet while inspecting their destroyed home in the Maroun al-Ras plain.
⭕️ Jerusalem Center President claims Israel's ties with Trump strong despite media buzz over rift
Dr. Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, says Israel is coordinating on all important matters with the US, first and foremost ensuring that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.
According to him, relations with Trump are actually close, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has no reason to worry—in fact, he is the only foreign leader who has met with Trump twice since his return to the White House.
Although Diker admits there are “several concerning issues important to Israel’s security,” such as the potential establishment of a Palestinian state, he is confident that Trump understands the post–7 October regional reality.
“Trump wants to go down two separate tracks—one with Israel and one with Mohammed bin Salman, and this isn’t about screwing Israel, but about managing things outside the box. That’s classic Trump.”
Diker says that between massive Saudi investments and Israeli technology, it’s possible Trump is simply maneuvering on all fronts at once.
❗️Israel has killed at least 13 Palestinians, 5 of them children, in strikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today.
(Medical sources to Al Jazeera)
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health, 11 May, 2025:
– Severe shortages in medical supplies worsening rapidly.
– 43% of essential drugs completely depleted (up 6% from last month).
– 64% of medical disposables at zero stock.
– Emergency, surgery, and ICU units running on exhausted supplies.
– Kidney, cancer, heart, and chronic patients most affected.
– Healthcare may halt if urgent supplies remain blocked.
BREAKING | Israel commits massacre in north Gaza's Jabalia al-Balad, targeting the Fatima Bint Asad School, which houses displaced people, killing at least 15 Palestinians in a single attack.
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❗️Israeli Prime Minister’s Office:
"The United States has informed Israel of Hamas’s intention to release soldier Idan Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward the Americans, without any compensation or conditions.
The US told Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of hostages based on the original Witkoff framework, which Israel has already accepted.
Israel is preparing for the possibility that this move will materialize.
In line with Israel’s policy, negotiations will take place under fire, with a continued commitment to achieving all the objectives of the war."
BREAKING | Hamas confirms communication with the US via mediators and agrees to release Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as part of ceasefire efforts.
The movement expressed readiness for intensive talks on ending the war, a prisoner swap, and independent governance in Gaza.
BREAKING | Israeli military announces that it will bomb Ras Issa Port, Hodeidah Port and Salif Port in Yemen.
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❗️Axios, citing an informed source:
Steve Witkoff is holding talks with Israel, Qatar, and Egypt, and through them with Hamas, regarding a deal for the release of captives and a broader peace agreement.
❗️The fourth round of Iran-US talks has concluded in Oman. Oman's foreign minister said the talks included useful ideas that reflect a desire to reach an honorable agreement, and that the next round will be held after both sides consult with their leaders.
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi told Iranian TV that talks with Washington were more serious than previous rounds.
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "19 martyrs and 81 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "The death toll and injuries since March 18, 2025 has reached 2,720 martyrs, and 7,513 injuries."
❗️Disagreements 'straining' Trump & Netanyahu's relationship, according to NBC News:
– Trump is pushing for a ceasefire and postwar reconstruction plan in Gaza, while Netanyahu has launched a new offensive that Trump privately called a “wasted effort.”
– Netanyahu wants military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites; Trump prefers a diplomatic deal to block Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
– Trump said he hasn’t ruled out allowing Iran limited civilian enrichment, while Netanyahu strongly opposes any enrichment.
– Trump halted US military action after Ansarallah stopped attacking US ships; Netanyahu was blindsided, especially after a Yemeni missile struck Ben Gurion.
– Israeli officials believe Trump’s negotiations are wasting a rare strategic opportunity to strike Iran and its nuclear facilities while it is weakened.
– Despite frustration, Netanyahu is unlikely to confront Trump publicly due to Trump’s popularity with his right-wing base.
– Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE next week, but is not scheduled to visit Israel.
BREAKING | Palestinian Authority (PA) cuts the monthly salaries of at least 1,612 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, based on 'security recommendations,' Ahmad Islim, spokesperson for the Committee of Exiled Freed Prisoners, tells Al-Resalah.
For years, the PA has offered financial support to prisoners and their families. The cuts come amid growing pressure from Israel, the US, and the EU to halt these payments.
❗️Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says Israel fully supports US President Donald Trump’s Gaza aid plan, known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Trump recently reaffirmed Washington’s pledge to deliver food to Palestinians, with a US-backed mechanism expected to take effect soon, according to the US envoy to Israel.
However, multiple aid groups and Palestinian factions have condemned the plan, with UN agencies describing it as a weaponization of aid, and even the UAE reportedly refusing to participate.
❗️Fourth round of talks between Iran and the US begins in Muscat, Oman.
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⭕️ The actual number of passengers at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday dropped by 26% compared to pre-booked reservations, and the number of flights declined by 34% from the scheduled bookings, due to last week's Yemeni missile.
(Walla News)
❗️Israeli warplanes bombed the Islamic University building southeast of Khan Yunis.
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⭕️ Iraq has raised the new Syrian flag in Baghdad ahead of the upcoming Arab League Summit on 17 May, despite uncertainty over whether Syria’s self-appointed transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa will attend.
While Sharaa has reportedly requested US security guarantees and may arrive discreetly, most Arab leaders have confirmed their participation.
Government spokesperson Basem al-Awadi denied claims of any withdrawals, countering reports that Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE would not attend.
(Shafaq News)
⭕️ Israel recovers soldier’s remains from 1982 battle in Syria during ‘covert recovery mission’
After over four decades, Israel has recovered the remains of Sgt. First Class Zvi Feldman, missing since the Battle of Sultan Yacoub during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
The Mossad and Israeli army announced the operation as a covert recovery mission inside Syria, carried out using “precise intelligence.” No further details were disclosed.
Feldman was one of three soldiers lost in the fierce clash between the Israeli and Syrian armies in the Bekaa Valley, where 21 Israeli soldiers were killed and dozens injured. The battle erupted on 10 June, 1982, as Israeli forces pushed to cut the Beirut–Damascus highway.
It remains one of the most damaging confrontations for the Israeli military during what Israel calls the ‘First Lebanon War.’
PM Benjamin Netanyahu praised the “decades-long effort” to retrieve Feldman and vowed that Israel “will not rest” until the final missing soldier from that battle, Yehuda Katz, is also returned.
In 2019, the remains of the third missing soldier, Zachary Baumel, were recovered from Syria through a Russian-mediated effort.