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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, reportedly stated during a meeting with the families of Israeli captives:
“We want to bring the hostages home, but Israel is not prepared to end the war. Israel is prolonging the war, even though we do not see where further progress can be made.”
(Israel’s Channel 12)
❗️Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, speaking after a meeting in Ankara with his Turkish and Syrian counterparts:
– “Our meeting today reflects our unified position in supporting the security, stability, and sovereignty of our brothers in Syria.”
– “We stand with Syria in confronting all threats to its security and stability.”
– “Stability in Syria is a pillar of stability in the region.”
– “Today we discussed practical steps to support our brothers in Syria.”
– “We discussed mechanisms to combat ISIS and terrorism in general in Syria.”
– “There are challenges in Syria, but there are also opportunities.”
– “One of the most important challenges facing Syria is Israel’s aggression and its attempts to incite strife.”
– “Israel has no right to push for tension and division in Syria.”
– “Israeli intervention in Syria will only bring destruction.”
– “We are coordinating with the international community to stop Israeli interference in Syria.”
– “Our goal is for Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory and stop its interference in Syrian affairs.”
– “The Israeli aggression on Gaza must stop and will only lead to more tension in the region.”
– “Israel violates international conventions and humanitarian values.”
– “The release of Eden Alexander is a step that must lead to a comprehensive agreement in Gaza.”
– “There is no lasting peace that does not meet the rights of the Palestinian people.”
❗️Israeli Army Radio:
– "Israel keeps trying to reassure the public that there is no ceasefire and no halt to fighting, claiming it's not a party to the agreement. This is not true."
– "Forces on the ground report that a significant number of military operations have indeed been halted. There are no airstrikes in Gaza, aside from a few attacks, and no drone reconnaissance flights over the Gaza Strip."
❗️Syrian Finance Minister Mohammad Yusr Barniyeh: “A presidential decree has annulled precautionary asset seizure orders that targeted 100,000 Syrians. These orders were originally issued by the former regime.”
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❗️Israeli army sources told Maariv that preparations are underway to receive freed soldier Edan Alexander, who is expected to be handed over to the Red Cross east of Khan Yunis within the hour.
Israeli forces, including tanks and a special police unit, are on standby in case of complications. Upon his return, Alexander will undergo medical and psychological evaluation before being airlifted to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
⭕️ Syria’s oil imports have undergone notable shifts since December 2024, with Russia emerging as the primary supplier of crude oil and petroleum products, replacing Iran as the main source. In April 2025, Syria imported 61,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 8,000 barrels per day of petroleum products, totaling 70,000 barrels per day. This marked a significant increase from the previous months, following a period of disrupted imports. The country resumed importing petroleum products in February 2025, with daily imports rising from 14,000 barrels in February to 33,000 barrels in March.
The change in Syria’s oil supply sources is also evident in the week ending 5 May, 2025, when Syria imported 146,000 barrels per day of petroleum products, following recent tenders. These imports came from Russia, Georgia, Greece, and Turkiye, with no oil shipments from Iran during this period. This shift in Syria’s energy imports highlights the country’s growing reliance on Russia and regional suppliers, marking a stark contrast to the previous year, which was dominated by crude oil imports alone.
(Attaqa)
❗️Israel's Channel 13:
"In the next few minutes, US envoy Steve Witkoff will begin meetings with senior Israeli officials, including the prime minister."
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– “33 martyrs — including 29 newly killed and 4 bodies recovered — and 94 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals in the past 24 hours.”
– “Since March 18, 2025, the death toll has reached 2,749 martyrs and 7,607 injuries.
❗️Syria’s self-appointed interim president offers to build Trump Tower in Damascus as part of proposed deal with Washington:
Reuters reports that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is pursuing a commercial and political deal with the United States that includes constructing a Trump Tower in Damascus, in exchange for US access to Syrian oil and gas, reduced tensions with Israel, and cooperation against Iran.
The proposal is said to be part of a broader strategy to secure a meeting with Donald Trump during his Gulf tour this week. Pro-Trump activist Jonathan Bass, who met with Sharaa in Damascus on 30 April, told Reuters the Syrian leader “wants peace with his neighbors” and believes the offer would be “good for the region and for Israel.”
❗️Palestinian Red Crescent issues urgent appeal: “We call on the international community to immediately intervene and ensure protection for medical and relief workers in Palestine.”
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❗️Several displaced Palestinians were shot and injured by Israeli forces while they were searching for food this morning as they attempted to return to what remains of their homes in Al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City.
The area is now treated as a no-go zone by the Israeli army, with troops opening fire on anyone who dares to approach, including unarmed civilians desperate for survival.
❗️Following Hamas’s announcement, Trump confirms that Israeli-American prisoner Edan Alexander will be released soon, calling it “one of the first final steps” toward “ending the brutal war.”
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❗️Senior Trump administration official: “Other countries will normalize ties with Israel before Saudi Arabia.”
A senior official from the Trump administration has revealed that several nations are set to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel before Saudi Arabia does. His claim comes amid former President Donald Trump’s upcoming tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, scheduled to start on 13 May, where he aims to bolster regional investments and diplomatic ties.
Trump’s son-in-law and former Middle East negotiator, Jared Kushner, is reportedly advising the team on how to approach sensitive talks with Saudi leaders. While Kushner won’t join the trip, insiders say his influence is key in pushing Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, toward formalizing ties with Israel.
❗️Israeli forces demolish a house in the town of Idhna, west of Al-Khalil (Hebron) in the occupied West Bank.
(Al Jazeera)
❗️The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced its dissolution, declaring that it has fulfilled its mission. The group stated that Kurdish political parties will now take on the responsibility of advancing Kurdish democracy and ensuring the formation of a democratic Kurdish nation.
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⭕️ “When we came to the soup kitchen, we waited four or five hours under the sun—only to leave with nothing. It’s exhausting.”
A Palestinian woman describes the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where, for the third consecutive month, Israel continues to block the entry of food, critical aid, and supplies.
Hamas to release US-Israeli captive in bid to revive Gaza ceasefire
Hamas agreed to release Eden Alexander, an Israeli with US citizenship, in a good faith gesture ahead of President Trump's visit to the region
❗️Israel's Channel 12:
“The Israeli government’s proposal to call up reserve soldiers was rejected by the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.”
Breaking | British Special Forces murdered civilians in their sleep, former members accuse SAS of decades of war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Over 30 British veterans have accused the UK’s Special Forces (SAS and SBS) of executing unarmed civilians, including children, during night raids in Iraq and Afghanistan. In testimonies to the BBC’s Panorama, they described a decade of war crimes, including killing detainees and injured fighters at point-blank range, and planting weapons on bodies.
“They handcuffed a young boy and shot him,” one former SAS member said. “He was clearly a child, not even close to fighting age… This didn’t just happen once.” He added that troops would shoot handcuffed detainees, then remove the restraints and plant a pistol to justify the killing. “The killing of detainees became routine,” he said.
(The Telegraph)
❗️Israeli officials: “The growing Israel-skeptic wing of the Republican Party presents a new challenge for Israel.”
(Washington Post)
❗️A UK-based pro-Israel group is facing intense backlash after its CEO, Jonathan Turner, suggested that weight loss caused by the ongoing genocide in Gaza could result in increased life expectancy by decreasing obesity.
Turner’s remarks, made in the context of growing warnings from aid organizations about the threat of famine in Gaza, have been widely condemned. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) called the comments “sickening.” Turner made the statement in response to a motion set to be discussed at the Co-operative Group’s annual general meeting, which calls for the company to cease selling Israeli products.
(The Guardian)
❗️Remains of 30 people found in Syria in joint Qatar-FBI search operation (AP)
The remains of 30 individuals believed to have been killed by US-backed ISIS have been discovered in a remote Syrian town during a search operation led by Qatari teams at the request of the FBI, according to a statement from Qatar’s internal security forces on Monday.
DNA tests are underway to identify the victims. The statement did not specify who the FBI is seeking, but the search is believed to be linked to the killings of foreign nationals, including journalists and aid workers, by US-backed ISIS during its control of parts of Syria and Iraq.
❗️A Palestinian man sits in shock beside the bodies of several of his family members killed last night in an Israeli airstrike on Fatema Bani Assad School in Jabalia, northern Gaza. The school had been serving as a shelter for displaced families.
At least 15 civilians were killed during the Israeli attack.
❗️Earlier this morning, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement emphasizing that Israel had not agreed to a ceasefire or the release of Palestinian prisoners, saying the only arrangement in place was a temporary corridor to allow for the release of Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander.
Netanyahu added that negotiations would continue “under fire,” as Israel prepares for a further escalation in its assault on Gaza.
Yesterday, Hamas had announced it would release Alexander as a step toward reviving stalled ceasefire talks.
❗️A missile fired from Yemen fell on its way to Israel.
(Israel's Channel 12)
❗️US and China agree to drastically roll back tariffs in major trade breakthrough
US Treasury Secretary: “We have agreed with China to reduce mutual tariffs by 115%.”
❗️Donald Trump is set to hold a high-stakes meeting in Riyadh with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Lebanon to discuss the possibility of US recognition of a Palestinian state, according to Israel’s public broadcaster, Kann.
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Breaking | Abu Obeida: “The Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to release the Israeli soldier, Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, today.”
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❗️14 elderly Palestinians have died across Gaza in the past week from hunger, malnutrition, and a lack of medical care, as Israel’s blockade enters its third month amid ongoing bombardment of the besieged enclave.
(Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor)
⭕️ The death toll in Gaza may be significantly higher than official figures suggest, according to a statistical analysis by The Economist circulating on social media. The estimate indicates the true number could be double or more than the current count.
University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau shared the data on X, noting The Economist’s findings suggest the toll may actually be undercounted—potentially ranging from 77,000 to 109,000 deaths.