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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
VIDEO | Footage documenting another flagrant breach by Israel of Lebanese sovereignty as Israeli forces are seen erecting a concrete wall behind the Blue Line at the border opposite the towns of Maroun al-Ras and Aitaroun, and behind the newly established military site on Jabal al-Bat.
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❗️Ongoing talks aim to resolve fate of Qassam fighters in Rafah
Al-Araby al-Jadeed reports that negotiations between Hamas and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye remain centered on the fate of Qassam Brigades fighters stationed in Rafah. Sources confirm that relocating them abroad is off the table, with talks instead focusing on security arrangements and international guarantees to ensure their continued presence in Gaza.
The issue has become the final obstacle to advancing the US-led 'peace' plan announced at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit. Mediators are working to secure Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire terms, while Hamas’s decision to hand over the body of Israeli officer Hadar Goldin, reportedly influenced by Ankara, was aimed at removing Israeli pretexts for delay. The next phase of the plan would expand the "Board of Peace" authority, increase humanitarian aid, and initiate joint security arrangements under international supervision.
❗️Israel seeking to permanently seize 50 ships used in Global Sumud Flotilla
According to Israel National News, Israel's State Prosecutor's Office has asked the Haifa District Court, which also serves as the national Maritime Court, to permanently seize 50 vessels linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The petition claims, without evidence, that many of the vessels were linked to the Hamas, which then ostensibly permits states to confiscate ships attempting to breach a maritime blockade. It further asserts that courts have the authority to approve such confiscations.
The prosecutor's office has attempted to characterize the Global Sumud Flotilla as extraordinary in both scale and coordination, thereby insisting that the ships presented a deliberate operational challenge to the Israeli Navy, with Hamas centrally involved in orchestrating the effort.
After being detained by Israel, members of the Sumud flotilla's crew were subjected to aggressive physical violence, intimidation, and forced deportation.
Taliban rejects 'unreasonable' Pakistani demand for security guarantees
Kabul has accused Pakistan of weaponizing trade routes and refugee expulsions
❗️Report: Israel continues systematic attacks and blockade in Gaza despite 'ceasefire'
Over a month after the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel continues to impose conditions that devastate the lives of more than two million Palestinians. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reports that the Israeli army has killed 242 civilians, including 85 children, and injured around 619 others since 10 October, averaging more than eight deaths and 20 injuries per day.
These attacks, combined with aerial and artillery bombardment, home destruction, and restrictions on movement, medical care, and reconstruction, indicate a sustained policy targeting Gaza’s population while exploiting the absence of international oversight.
The blockade continues to prevent essential humanitarian aid, with roughly 70% of required goods blocked and vital food and medical items restricted. Chronic hunger, rising child malnutrition, and shortages in vaccinations highlight the humanitarian crisis.
Israel also controls crossings such as Rafah, limiting the movement of civilians, including the sick and wounded, effectively maintaining a state of controlled deprivation and obstructing the second phase of the ceasefire. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor argues that these actions contribute to dismantling Gaza’s geographical unity and risk forced displacement of its residents.
‼️ Iraq freezes payments to Russia’s Lukoil amid US pressure, sanctions fallout
Russia’s Lukoil has declared force majeure at Iraq’s giant West Qurna-2 oilfield following Washington’s October sanctions, part of its campaign to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
Iraq has since frozen all cash and crude payments to Lukoil, while its state oil marketer canceled multiple shipments for November.
(Reuters / Bloomberg)
❗️Israeli bulldozers are raising earthen barriers around the town of Saida al-Hanout village in the Quneitra countryside, southern Syria.
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❗️Israel is carrying out demolition operations of residential buildings in Gaza City's Al-Tuffah neighborhood.
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UAE balks at joining Gaza 'stabilization force'
The UAE and other regional states fear their troops would be used to confront Hamas
BREAKING | At least two Palestinians killed, including a child, after Israeli air raids target the eastern and southern areas of Gaza City.
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VIDEO | Footage taken by Al-Manar correspondent Ali Shoeib showing the explosive material left behind by Israeli soldiers in the southern Lebanese village of Houla. Israeli soldiers planted explosives in two homes, and detonated them in the village last night.
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❗️An exchange of fire erupted between ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants on the outskirts of Syria’s Flita, opposite Lebanon’s Arsal, according to Al-Nashra. The Lebanese army reinforced its positions and deployed reconnaissance aircraft to prevent any militant infiltration across the border.
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❗️Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR):
"An Israeli force surrounded the western neighborhood of Mariya village in the Yarmouk Basin area in the western Deraa countryside, starting a search campaign."
❗️Senior Hamas official Ali Baraka:
• “The second phase [of the ceasefire deal] will begin after the crossings are opened and the terms of the first phase are implemented.”
• “Eight Palestinian figures, including one woman, have been agreed upon to lead the committee, chaired by Mr. Amjad al-Shawa.”
• “Global sentiment is shifting toward sympathy with and support for the Palestinian people.”
• “Normalization serves the occupation and does not benefit the Palestinian cause.”
⭕️ According to an article written by Steven Erlanger for The New York Times, a next round of confrontation between Israel and Iran is inevitable. Months after US President Donald Trump claimed that US strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, uncertainty continues to surround the country’s uranium stockpile and capabilities.
The 2015 nuclear deal has expired, sanctions have been reimposed, and negotiations remain dead. Iran has denied inspectors access to suspected sites, allegedly including a new underground enrichment facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, leaving the extent of its program unknown.
The report notes that Israeli officials see Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as an unfinished threat, while Tehran is accelerating missile production and preparing for a far larger response than in previous wars. With no negotiations, no inspections, and growing regional hostility, The New York Times depicts a "dangerous stalemate" that could soon erupt into another destructive war.
Lukoil declares force majeure at major Iraqi oil field due to new US sanctions
Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft have been facing significant disruptions in their operations due to a recent escalation of US sanctions
❗️IAEA inspectors visit Iranian nuclear sites amid calls to 'seriously improve' cooperation
Inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited several Iranian nuclear sites last week, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson stated today. The visit came a week after the agency urged Tehran to "seriously improve" its cooperation.
"As long as we are a member of the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons), we will abide by our commitments, and just last week, IAEA inspectors visited several nuclear facilities, including the Tehran Research Reactor," Esmaeil Baghaei said.
(Mizan)
⭕️ UAE aims to finalize trade deal with Chad by year-end, minister says
The United Arab Emirates may finalize negotiations for a bilateral trade deal with Chad before the end of the year, the Gulf nation’s trade minister announced today.
These trade, investment, and cooperation pacts, known as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA), form a central part of the UAE’s strategy to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels and promote sustainable growth.
"We are building on a strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and Chad," Thani al-Zeyoudi said during the UAE–Chad Trade and Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi.
"Hopefully we're going to conclude before the end of the year and then we will see the right occasion to do the signing," he added, noting that talks had progressed to the stage of market access discussions.
❗️Israel PM Netanyahu is currently meeting with Jared Kushner in Jerusalem on Gaza ceasefire and remaining Israeli captives.
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VIDEO | An Israeli settler is filmed rampaging through Palestinian land north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.
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MbS seeks 'explicit' US support for Palestinian state before Israel normalization: Report
US President Donald Trump has recently expressed hopes that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords 'very soon'
VIDEO | Footage showing Israel's targeting Al-Jarmaq, south Lebanon, in a series of intense airstrikes.
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❗️Gaza Electricity Distribution Corporation Public Relations Director Mohammed Thabet:
"The occupation destroyed about 75% of the electricity companies’ equipment during the aggression and refuses to allow equipment into the Gaza Strip from the West Bank."
BREAKING | Israel continues bombarding south Lebanon, now targeting Al-Jarmaq and Jabal al-Rafi' area.
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VIDEO | A low flying Israeli drone spotted in Dahiye, Beirut's southern suburbs.
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❗️Israel advances bill allowing easier arrests of Palestinian citizens over social media posts
The Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee has approved a bill proposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s party that would make it easier for Israeli police to arrest Palestinian citizens with Israeli citizenship (those living in the areas occupied in 1948) over social media activity.
The bill, passed by a single vote after MK Mansour Abbas’s absence, removes the need for prior approval from the Attorney General.
During Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, more than 1,400 Palestinians with Israeli citizenship were arrested for online posts, most later released after the detentions were deemed unlawful.
❗️Lebanese journalist Khalil Nasrallah:
"Israeli soldiers entered the Subeih hill in northeast Hula [south Lebanon], planted explosives in two homes, and detonated them. The hill is near a Lebanese army checkpoint, where several soldiers stand with one or two vehicles.
It is the only checkpoint. The army personnel are not to be blamed under any circumstances. Believe me, those who know the area know what I mean.The army personnel are not weak, and their blood is not cheap to us, but precious. The blame lies with those who gave the army orders to confront without reinforcing it and strengthening its presence in many sensitive areas near the border."
BREAKING | Israeli airstrikes hit east of Khan Yunis city, south of the Gaza Strip.
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❗️ BBC director general & news chief resign amid bias allegations
BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness have both resigned following accusations of “serious and systemic” bias in the network’s coverage of Donald Trump, Gaza, and trans rights.
The claims were made by Michael Prescott, a former adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, prompting a parliamentary inquiry and a looming BBC apology over its editing of a Trump speech. Davie described his resignation as a personal decision but acknowledged the “intense professional demands” of leading the broadcaster during turbulent times.
❗️ Israel's Channel 12 reports that the Israeli army will begin a three-day military exercise tomorrow in the Jordan Valley area of the occupied West Bank.
During the drill, there will be heavy movement of troops and military vehicles in the area.