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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
❗️US President Donald Trump accused Harvard University of being "antisemitic" and blamed it for allowing "radicalized lunatics" and "troublemakers" into the country.
He also stated that he is considering revoking $3 billion in grant funding from the university, claiming that Harvard is deliberately delaying the release of its list of foreign students.
❗️A video posted by an Israeli soldier documents the destruction of the Al-Shaer mill in the Morag area, south of Khan Yunis.
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Iran, China launch new commercial railway bypassing US sanctions
Iran is part of China's 'One Belt One Road' initiative, which seeks to re-establish overland trade routes once known as the 'Silk Road'
BREAKING | Israel bombs the outskirts of Brital, in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
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❗️Israeli army orders mass displacement in southern Gaza
The Israeli military has ordered residents of Khan Yunis, Bani Suhaila, Abasan, and Al-Qarara to evacuate immediately, marking a new wave of forced displacement in southern Gaza.
In a statement on X, spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the military had launched “an unprecedented attack” to destroy the capabilities of Hamas and told residents to leave for the Al-Mawasi area along the coast.
The so-called safe zone of Al-Mawasi has repeatedly come under Israeli fire with humanitarian organizations stressing that there is nowhere safe in Gaza.
Israel rejects ceasefire proposal as troops expand occupation of Gaza
The Israeli army’s plans will see Gaza’s whole population displaced and confined to a mere 25 percent of the strip
⭕️ The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in coordination with the international coalition, launched a targeted airdrop operation early Monday in Wadi al-Rabeeh, within the town of al-Koum in eastern Homs countryside, as part of ongoing efforts to suppress ISIS activity in the Syrian Badia. The operation, which involved raids and intense clashes, destroyed the home of the Bani Shuwaikh family—allegedly used by ISIS elements—to prevent its reuse as a logistical base. Joint operations to dismantle ISIS sleeper cells and prevent the group's resurgence continue across the region.
(Source: Roz Press)
Trump says fifth round of nuclear talks with Iran ‘very, very good’
Recent reports say Israel is betting on the talks to collapse and is making preparations for an imminent strike on Iranian nuclear facilities
UPDATE | Israel rejects US-mediated prisoner-exchange deal, dismissing Hamas demands as unacceptable
Israel has rejected a new prisoner exchange deal proposal delivered via US channels and mediated by Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who has unexpectedly become a key backchannel between Hamas and the Trump administration.
The proposal, coordinated with US envoy Steve Witkoff, was based on the Witkoff outline and called for a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 living captives would be released in two phases. It also included negotiations over Gaza’s post-war governance and Hamas’s commitment to halt military activity. According to Channel 14 and Israel Hayom, Israeli officials dismissed the plan outright, saying no responsible government could accept it and that Hamas has shown no genuine willingness to compromise. Israel objected in particular to Hamas’s demand for a symbolic public handshake between senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and Witkoff, and the proposal’s call for a military withdrawal and massive humanitarian access.
According to Al Mayadeen, Hamas’s own counterproposal called for a 70-day ceasefire with the release of five living and five deceased captives in the first week, as well as the daily entry of 1,000 aid trucks.
UPDATE | The death toll from Israel’s massacre at the Fahmi al-Jarjawi School in Gaza City’s Daraj neighborhood has risen to 36, with many victims burned alive.
Half of those killed were women and children, and eleven members of a single family lost their lives in the attack.
⭕️ Israel’s National Security Council has raised its travel warning for Canada to level 2, citing a rising threat of 'attacks against Israelis and Jews,' including shootings, Molotov incidents, and violent rhetoric around protests.
Israelis in Canada are advised to conceal identifying symbols and exercise heightened caution, especially around pro-Israel events in cities like Toronto and Waterloo, where anti-Israel demonstrations are expected. The shift marks a notable change in Israel’s view of Canada’s security environment, once considered safe, amid growing hostility since 7 October, 2023.
⭕️ A new commercial rail route connecting China to Iran has officially launched with the arrival of the first Chinese cargo train at the Aprin dry port near Tehran on 25 May.
The shipment originated from Xi’an, China, and marks the beginning of direct rail transit between the two countries. Aprin’s CEO highlighted the port’s strategic role in lowering transport costs and reducing reliance on coastal freight hubs.
On 12 May, railway officials from Iran, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey met in Tehran to advance a transcontinental rail network linking Asia to Europe. The six nations agreed on competitive tariffs and operational standards to streamline regional rail services and boost trade connectivity.
(Tasnim News)
CEO of US-Israeli aid scheme announces resignation, citing ethical concerns
The GHF said the resignation was ‘disappointing’ and condemned those who have been critical of the controversial plan, which aims to further displace Palestinians in Gaza
❗️US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack announced “the end of Western intervention in the region,” claiming future solutions will be regional and “rooted in mutual respect.”
In a post on X, Barrack admitted that Syria’s collapse stemmed from imperial projects like Sykes-Picot, imposed by the West for its own gain, and vowed “not to repeat such errors”. Ironically, He praised transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa’s “serious steps,” including efforts to address foreign fighters and normalize ties with Israel—moves widely seen as aligned with US interests. During a meeting in Istanbul, Barrack confirmed Washington’s intent to ease sanctions, including suspending the Caesar Act for 180 days, to facilitate foreign investment under the guise of reconstruction and peace.
⭕️ Trump hints at progress in US-Iran nuclear talks
US President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that American negotiators held “very good” talks with an Iranian delegation over the weekend, signaling a potential breakthrough in long-stalled efforts to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Speaking from Morristown, New Jersey, before returning to Washington, Trump said “actual progress” had been made during the Rome-based talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian officials, though he offered no further details. “I have a feeling I might tell you something good in the next couple of days,” he added.
BREAKING | Hamas accepts Witkoff Gaza ceasefire proposal
A Palestinian official close to Hamas told Reuters that the group has agreed to the US envoy Steve Witkoff proposal, which includes a 70-day truce and the release of 10 Israeli captives in two phases.
The official added that negotiations would continue during the truce, with the goal of reaching a permanent ceasefire backed by US guarantees.
⭕️ The Palestinian delegation won the right to raise its flag at the World Health Organization (WHO) following a vote today, a move their representative hopes will pave the way for broader recognition at the United Nations and internationally.
The resolution was adopted with 95 votes in favor, four against, cast by Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Germany, and 27 abstentions.
(Reuters)
❗️German Chancellor: Israeli attacks can no longer be justified as fight against Hamas
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly stated that Israel’s recent escalation in Gaza has crossed a line, saying the humanitarian toll on civilians “can no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism.”
Speaking to broadcaster WDR, Merz said, “Harming the civilian population to such an extent, as has increasingly been the case in recent days, is indefensible.” He added that he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week to urge restraint, though he acknowledged that Germany’s criticism remains cautious “for historical reasons” compared to other European nations.
❗️UN: Only 4.6% of Gaza’s farmland remains usable amid forced starvation threat
A joint assessment by UNOSAT and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that just 4.6% of Gaza’s cropland is currently cultivable, as widespread destruction and access restrictions decimate the enclave’s food production.
The report found that over 80% of farmland, more than 12,500 hectares, has been damaged, and nearly 78% is inaccessible to farmers. Greenhouses and water sources have also been devastated, with 71% of greenhouses and 83% of agricultural wells damaged or destroyed.
FAO’s deputy director-general, Beth Bechdol, called the destruction “a collapse of Gaza’s agrifood system and lifelines,” warning that rebuilding will demand massive investment and long-term international support. The findings come as famine looms over Gaza’s 2.1 million residents, following 19 months of war, siege, and mass displacement.
❗️A new ceasefire proposal, building on US envoy Steve Witkoff’s plan, was recently presented to Hamas. According to a Palestinian source speaking to AFP, it includes the release of 10 Israeli captives in exchange for a 70-day truce, a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences.
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❗️A number of Israeli settlers assaulted a young man at Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, where they have begun gathering in preparation for the launch of the Israeli 'Flag March' under heavy police protection.
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❗️Israeli forces have surrounded the Indonesian and al-Awda hospitals in northern Gaza, according to satellite images reviewed by Al Jazeera. Military vehicles are stationed just 60 to 100 metres from the Indonesian Hospital, where medical staff, patients, and civilians remain trapped inside. Nearby, al-Awda Hospital in Tel al-Zaatar is also encircled and under continuous attack.
A fire broke out in al-Awda’s only medicine warehouse and burned for days before civil defense teams were permitted to intervene. The area has been under heavy Israeli bombardment and ground incursions for over two weeks, raising further concerns about Israel’s systematic targeting of Gaza’s remaining healthcare infrastructure.
❗️German MP Says Public Criticism of Israel Has 'Zero' Impact on Gaza War
Armin Laschet, head of the foreign affairs committee in Germany’s Bundestag, told broadcaster ZDF that public condemnations of Israel’s actions in Gaza by Western allies have had “zero” effect in curbing the violence or protecting Palestinian lives. He dismissed last week’s joint statement by the UK, Canada, and France as ineffective, arguing that Germany’s “quiet diplomacy” is more productive than “pithy slogans.”
Laschet defended Germany’s pro-Israel stance, but noted that supporting Israel does not preclude criticism. “You can criticize the prime minister, the war aims, and demand aid deliveries,” he said. Germany has faced mounting criticism for silencing pro-Palestinian voices, banning protests, and distancing itself from artists who speak out.
❗️Israel's Channel 14 correspondent says army's goal is to 'destroy' south Gaza's Khan Yunis
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Channel 14 correspondent Hallel Biton Rosen announces Israeli forces from the 98th and 36th divisions have begun maneuvering in Khan Yunis, the objective:
"The destruction of the 'terror city' modeled after Rafah. Estimated duration – several weeks."
⭕️ Israel summons Ambassador to US over controversial comments on Netanyahu critics
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has summoned its ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, for a disciplinary hearing after he accused opponents of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of spreading “blood libels” during a podcast with right-wing US outlet PragerU.
The recall, initiated by the Civil Service Commission's Discipline Department, follows criticism of Leiter’s politicized remarks—unusual for a diplomatic role—where he denounced Israeli media and left-wing critics as extremists trying to oust Netanyahu. Leiter, a political appointee and former adviser to Netanyahu, also dismissed claims that the prime minister is prolonging the Gaza war to stay in power as “insanity.”
(AFP)
❗️Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa mosque under police protection
In a provocative move, groups of Israeli settlers entered the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Monday, escorted by Israeli police. Video footage shows settlers singing during the incursion.
❗️The Israeli army announced Monday that it struck over 200 targets in Gaza within the past 48 hours, claiming they included “terrorists, weapons depots, sniper and anti-tank positions, tunnel shafts, and other terrorist infrastructure.”
Among the targets was the Fahmi al-Jarjawi school-turned-shelter in Gaza City, bombed overnight, killing at least 30 people, many of them children, some reportedly burned alive.
❗️US is pressing on Israel to end Gaza war: Haaretz
Haaretz reported Monday that the United States is ramping up pressure on Israel to bring the war in Gaza to an end, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the report, US pressure was conveyed in part by Steve Witkoff, an envoy of former President Donald Trump, during a meeting in Rome with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer over the weekend.
⭕️ US citizen arrested over attempted attack on embassy building in Tel Aviv
The US Justice Department has charged Joseph Neumeier, a 28-year-old dual U.S.-German national, with attempting to firebomb a US embassy-affiliated building in Tel Aviv using Molotov cocktails. Prior to traveling to Israel in April, Neumeier posted threats online, writing “Death to America” and vowing to burn the embassy. On 19 May, he approached the site with a backpack, spat on a guard, and fled, leaving behind three incendiary devices.
He was tracked to a hotel, detained by Israeli authorities, and deported to the US, where FBI agents arrested him at JFK Airport on Sunday. His posts also included threats to assassinate former President Donald Trump. US Attorney Pam Bondi said Neumeier faces charges carrying 5 to 20 years in prison and pledged to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.
❗️New ceasefire proposal under review by Hamas and Israel, mediated by Edan Alexander Negotiator
Hamas and Israel are reviewing a new ceasefire proposal submitted by Palestinian-American activist Bishara Bahbah, who previously mediated the release of Israeli captive Edan Alexander, according to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen. The plan reportedly includes the release of 10 Israeli captives (five living and five bodies) in two stages over a 70-day truce, with releases scheduled on the first and seventh days. In return, Hamas is demanding the daily entry of 1,000 humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip.
The proposal also calls for Hamas to refrain from military action and rearmament, with US-guaranteed negotiations to end the war. According to Haaretz, discussions are expected to cover the formation of a transitional government in Gaza, long-term rebuilding efforts, and the possibility of extending the truce if negotiations continue.