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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️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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⭕️ 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
❗️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.
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.