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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️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.
❗️The fourth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States will begin at noon local time in Muscat, Oman.
(Iranian Foreign Ministry)
⭕️ Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
Borrell called Israel's war “the largest ethnic cleansing operation since the end of the Second World War.”
Speaking in Spain on Friday while accepting the Charles V European Award, Borrell condemned Israel’s actions and described its intentions as turning Gaza into “a splendid holiday destination once all the millions of tonnes of rubble have been cleared… and the Palestinians have died or gone away.”
He cited Israeli leaders’ rhetoric as “clear declarations of genocidal intent,” and said, “seldom have I heard the leader of a state so clearly outline a plan that fits the legal definition of genocide.”
Borrell criticized the US and Europe for their complicity, stating, “Half of the bombs that are falling on Gaza are supplied by the Americans,” making it impossible for Washington to claim neutrality.
“Nothing has been getting into Gaza. Nothing: no water, no food, no electricity, no fuel, no medical services,” he said, adding that “three times more explosive power has been dropped on Gaza than was used in the Hiroshima bomb.”
As for Europe, he said it “has the capacity and the means not only to protest… but also to influence [Israel’s] conduct. But it is not doing so.”
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 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.
❗️New footage shows the level of destruction due to Israel's deliberate erasure of homes in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
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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.