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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
EU unveils $200m ‘support package’ for Syria recovery
The EU, UK, and US have all recently provided Syria with relief from over a decade of sanctions, which were imposed on the country’s former government
Kim Jong Un reaffirms 'unconditional support' for Russia as Ukraine war escalates
Ukraine–Russian peace negotiations in Istanbul have reached a standstill following attacks on Russian infrastructure this week that killed seven
❗️Israel, Germany advance $4 billion Arrow 3 air defense agreement
In the lead-up to finalizing the largest defense agreement ever signed between Israel and another country, Israel and Germany have started laying the groundwork for delivering the Arrow 3 air defense system to the German armed forces.
A preliminary planning session was recently convened in Germany, bringing together senior defense officials from both nations. The meeting was led by Moshe Patel, who heads the Israel Missile Defense Organization within the Directorate of Defense Research and Development at the Israeli Defense Ministry.
German companies IABG and MBDA will contribute to system integration and the establishment of the operational framework within Germany.
(Israel Hayom)
❗️Qassam Brigades announces that its fighters pounded Israeli forces near Umm Habiba Mosque in the Qizan al-Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, with a number of 80mm mortar shells.
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❗️Qassam Brigades announced that its fighters targeted an Israeli D9 military bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell near the Murtaja junction in the Maan area, south of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
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⭕️ Germany to keep arming Israel despite Gaza criticism and settlement concerns
At a joint press conference in Berlin with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul voiced criticism of Israel's conduct in the Gaza Strip.
"That is also the prevailing international law," he said.
Wadephul also condemned the Israel's decision to authorize 22 additional settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning that the move further jeopardizes the viability of a two-state solution.
He stated that the European Union should continue to uphold its political and economic agreement with Israel, which was put under review last month due to developments in Gaza.
Wadephul also affirmed that Germany would maintain its arms shipments to Israel, emphasizing the country's right to self-defense.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla to be seized, activists arrested by Israel: Report
Israel had initially considered allowing the boat to dock, but decided against it so as not to create a precedent of breaking the siege against Gaza
❗️Killed while carrying a bag of flour.
Israeli forces bombed a group of civilians near the Burj al-Shifa intersection in Gaza's al-Nasr neighborhood. A man carrying a bag of flour was killed in the attack.
BREAKING | French President Macron: "We will decide in the next few days whether we need to further toughen our tone and take concrete steps against Israel."
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❗️Israeli Army Radio:
New details on Israel’s cooperation with the ISIS-linked "Yasser Abu Shabab" militia based in Gaza:
– Israel has transferred weapons to members of the militia, many of which were confiscated from Hamas or seized in the Strip, primarily Kalashnikov rifles.
– The militia operates mainly in the Rafah area, which the Israeli army has occupied and cleared. Abu Shabab’s men are now active there.
– The militia’s tasks include preventing humanitarian aid from entering Gaza and fighting Hamas.
– This initiative was developed in coordination with security agencies and presented to the political echelon, which approved the plan. According to informed sources, the decision did not require cabinet approval.
– The ISIS-linked Yasser Abu Shabab militia is currently the only group Israel is cooperating with. No other factions in Gaza are engaged in similar collaboration.
❗️The Israeli military censor admits that the army supplied Kalashnikov rifles to Yasser Abu Shabab’s criminal ISIS affiliated gang as part of a broader initiative to bolster Hamas opposition factions in Gaza.
(Times of Israel)
❗️UK PM Keir Starmer condemns recent Israeli actions in Gaza but resists arms ban
On Wednesday, Starmer described Israel’s recent conduct in Gaza as “appalling, counterproductive and intolerable,” following the deaths of dozens of civilians at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation food distribution sites in recent days.
Speaking to MPs on Wednesday, the prime minister said the UK is weighing the option of sanctioning Israeli government officials but has, for now, held off on calls for a full arms sales ban or the immediate recognition of Palestine.
WATCH | Israeli settlers torch homes with families inside in West Bank attack
Israeli settlers set fire to several homes with residents still inside in a village in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian media reported. The arson attack footage circulating online shows flames engulfing homes as panicked residents attempted to put out the fire and escape. The extent of casualties remains unclear.
❗️Israeli airstrikes kill Gazan boy Hussein on eve of Eid al-Adha
Palestinians mourn the death of a young boy named Hussein, killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, just one day before Eid al-Adha. Heart-wrenching footage shows relatives screaming in grief as they carry his lifeless body through the rubble.
Protesters gathered in Brussels yesterday to express solidarity with Palestine and call for an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
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Threats of another Israeli war in Lebanon are just noise
Despite media hysteria and political theatrics, Israel lacks the capacity, justification, and public will to launch a new war on Lebanon. When in doubt, always check out signals from the northern front.
By Qassem Qassem
❗️Lebanese army announces that it dismantled an Israeli spying device in the southern Lebanese town of Yaroun.
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❗️UN warns number of Palestinian children in Gaza facing malnutrition nearly tripled since March
The number of young children experiencing acute malnutrition in Gaza has almost tripled since February, according to data gathered by humanitarian organizations and published by the UN.
An assessment conducted by the nutrition cluster, a coalition of UN bodies and aid agencies, found that approximately 5.8% of nearly 50,000 children under the age of five screened in the latter half of May were suffering from acute malnutrition.
This marks a rise from 4.7% in early May and represents nearly a threefold increase compared to February.
The findings also indicated a rise in cases of severe acute malnutrition among children.
Trump re-imposes sweeping travel ban, excludes Syria
Syria’s quiet removal from the list signals a deeper US policy shift – normalization with Damascus, rapprochement with Israel, and a regional crackdown on Palestinian factions
❗️Isreal attacked farms and pastures with mortars in south Lebanon's Al-Wazzani area earlier today.
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⭕️ EU announces €175 million to support 'recovery' in Syria
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On Wednesday, 4 June, Self-appointed Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica in Damascus, as the European Union unveiled a €175 million package to aid Syria’s social and economic recovery following the lifting of EU sanctions.
Šuica’s visit marks the first by an EU Commissioner since the formation of the transitional government.
❗️The PIJ's Quds Brigades releases footage of its fighters, in coordination with fighters from the Al-Amoudi Brigade – Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, shelling invading Israeli soldiers in southeast Khan Yunis with multiple mortar rounds.
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Putin offers Trump help 'mediating' Iran nuclear deal
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has criticized a recent US proposal, which insists Iran give up its right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil
❗️Gaza's Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital doctor: ‘No choice’ but to keep working after eighth Israeli attack
Dr. Fadel Naim, speaking from Gaza City, said the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was struck by Israeli forces for the eighth time on Wednesday, just two weeks after it had resumed operations.
The drone attack killed six people, including three journalists and two of their relatives, and left around 40 others injured. “We suddenly heard a huge explosion,” Naim said, adding that despite the risks, the medical team is continuing its work. “We have no choice, we are the only functioning hospital left in northern Gaza.”
Israeli opposition leader says Netanyahu arming 'ISIS-linked gangs' in Gaza
Palestinian media reported last month that ISIS-linked bandit chief Abu Shabab has recently set up a fortified base in Israeli-controlled Rafah
❗️The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has condemned the massacre after an Israeli drone strike targeted the courtyard of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, killing three journalists.
Those killed were identified as Sulaiman Hajjaj and Ismail Badah of Palestine Today TV, and Samir al-Rifai of Shams News Agency. Several others were wounded in the attack, including Imad Daloul, a correspondent with Palestine Today TV, who remains in critical condition, and Islam Badr, a journalist with Al-Arabiya TV.
❗️Gaza Ministry of Health:
– "70 martyrs (including 3 martyrs who were recovered) and 189 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "Since 18 March 2025, the death toll has risen to 4,402 martyrs, with 13,489 others wounded."
⭕ Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office did not deny claims by MK Avigdor Liberman that the government is arming militias in Gaza that oppose Hamas, The Jerusalem Post reported.
In an interview on Thursday, Liberman said weapons were being sent to criminal groups linked to ISIS, possibly without cabinet approval. He said the Shin Bet chief was aware, but it’s unclear if the army chief knew. KAN reported the weapons were meant to help these groups fight Hamas. The Shin Bet did not respond.
⭕️ US approves potential $325 million sale to Kuwait for Abrams tank support
The US State Department has given the green light for a possible sale to Kuwait involving equipment and services to support the maintenance of M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, with an estimated value of $325 million, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.
General Dynamics has been named as the primary contractor for the deal, the Pentagon added in its statement.
❗️Israeli politician accuses Netanyahu of arming Gaza gangs linked to ISIS
Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman has exposed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the transfer of weapons to armed gangs in Gaza affiliated with ISIS, in an effort to loot humanitarian aid and counterbalance Hamas. Speaking to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the Yisrael Beiteinu party leader claimed the move was carried out without cabinet approval.
Lieberman added that it was unclear whether the Israeli army’s chief of staff was even informed, warning that the weapons could eventually be turned against Israel. The explosive accusation raises serious concerns over Netanyahu’s war-time decision-making and internal oversight.