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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
Syrian president calls to 'redefine' Russia–Syria ties in first Moscow visit
The former Al-Qaeda chief vowed to respect all past agreements with Russia, hailing 'serious bridges of cooperation' between the two countries
❗️Israel's Channel 13, citing the Israeli army, says Hamas will hand over the bodies of two Israeli captives tonight.
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‼️ The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip is expected to reopen for passenger movement on Thursday, with an EU mission preparing to deploy at the site, two sources told Reuters.
The sources did not clarify what restrictions would apply to travelers.
❗️Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem:
"Hamas is following up on the implementation of what was agreed upon regarding the handover of the bodies of the Israeli soldiers held captive by the Qassam Brigades as part of its commitment to the agreement to cease the war on the Gaza Strip.
The enemy committed a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by killing civilians in Shujaiya and Rafah, and we call on the mediators to compel the enemy to adhere to its commitments stipulated in the agreement."
Baghdad sets 2028 deadline to end Iraqi dependence on Iranian gas
The Iraqi government has faced intense pressure from the US in recent months to disengage from Iran
‼️ Pakistan's Foreign Ministry announces a temporary 48-hour ceasefire with Afghanistan, effective from 6:00 PM local time.
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BREAKING | Israeli drone drops explosives east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, causing injuries.
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New airstrikes hit Kabul as Afghanistan–Pakistan border clashes reignite
Both sides accused each other of instigating the renewed fighting, which killed over a dozen people
❗️Palestinian National Campaign to Recover the Bodies of Martyrs and Uncover the Fate of the Missing:
– “We have submitted an official request to the Israeli attorney general through the campaign’s lawyer and the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center, demanding the immediate release of all detained martyrs’ bodies, following the removal of the legal pretext used by the occupation for their detention — namely, the presence of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip.”
– “The continued detention of the bodies constitutes a crime in violation of international humanitarian law and even exceeds the Israeli Supreme Court’s rulings, which only permitted such detention for the purpose of exchanges.”
– “Keeping the bodies in occupation refrigerators and in the ‘cemeteries of numbers’ is a blatant violation of the rights of Palestinian families and the dignity of the martyrs.”
– “We call on local and international human rights organizations to take urgent action to pressure the occupation authorities to end this unethical policy.”
– “We stress that the handover of the bodies must be conducted in a manner that preserves the dignity of the Palestinian martyrs, ensuring that each identified body is returned respectfully and without the degrading practices witnessed in some of the early handovers in Gaza at the start of the war.”
❗️Palestinian Authority says it is ready to operate Rafah crossing
The Palestinian Authority (PA) announced today that it is ready to manage the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza.
"Now we are ready to engage again, and we have notified all parties that we are ready to operate the Rafah crossing," said Mohammad Shtayyeh, special envoy to President of the PA, Mahmoud Abbas.
BREAKING | New Pakistani airstrikes reported in Kabul, Afghanistan.
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❗️Gaza of Ministry of Health:
"25 martyrs have arrived at Gaza hospitals (16 recovered from the rubble, 1 died from injuries), and 35 injuries were reported in the past 24 hours."
❗️Turkiye, UAE advance $1B joint solar project
Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are poised to expand their strategic partnership in renewable energy, with a $1 billion joint solar power project nearing completion, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Tuesday.
Bayraktar made the announcement following a meeting in Ankara with Mohamed Jameel al-Ramahi, CEO of the UAE’s state-owned energy firm Masdar, and his delegation to review joint energy ventures.
In a written statement, Bayraktar said Turkiye is in the final phase of an investment to construct a 1,100-megawatt solar power plant with integrated energy storage in Bor, a district of Nigde province in central Turkiye. He added that the project will stand among the largest single renewable energy investments in the nation’s history.
❗️Freed Palestinian detainee Dr. Mohammad Hameed Abu Mousa recounts his ordeal inside Israeli prisons:
– "I was abducted last year while at work and subjected to severe abuse."
– "During my captivity, I endured torture, deprivation of food, and denial of medical care."
– "Although I am glad to be free, my happiness is tempered by the devastation in Gaza, yet leaving prison is the greatest relief."
– "When I returned to Gaza, I feared hearing that a family member had been killed."
– "I asked repeatedly about my mother, and in the end, I learned that she had been killed [by Israeli airstrikes] along with my sister."
Dr. Abu Moussa’s 7 year old son, Yousef, shown in the photo, was killed in the first week of the Israeli genocide on Gaza.
❗️Israeli protesters gather against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the courthouse as he attended another corruption hearing.
Netanyahu, charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, requested to shorten his testimony citing a “persistent cold.” His doctor reportedly advised him to limit activity.
The move has fueled public skepticism, with many viewing the health excuse as another attempt to stall proceedings in a trial repeatedly delayed under various pretexts, including so-called diplomatic obligations.
❗️A leadership source in the Palestinian resistance to Al Jazeera:
– "The body the enemy claims is not Israeli belongs to a soldier captured in a resistance operation."
– "The capture of the soldier and the transfer of his body into a tunnel were carried out by the Qassam Brigades during an operation in Jabalia Camp in May 2024."
BREAKING | Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man on Red Cross street, east of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
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❗️The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that it received 45 bodies of Palestinian prisoners from the Red Cross today, bringing the total number to 90.
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Israel delivers Palestinian bodies shackled, showing signs of execution
Dozens of Israeli ceasefire violations have been recorded since the deal was reached, and Tel Aviv is preventing the required amounts of aid from entering Gaza
⭕️ Turkish intel chief playing key role in Gaza ceasefire negotiations
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth published an in-depth analysis highlighting the pivotal role of Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin in the ongoing Gaza negotiations.
The paper noted that Kalin is well acquainted with Mossad chief David Barnea, former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and Israel’s National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi. It said Kalin had closely followed former Israeli ambassador to Ankara, Irit Lilian, and frequently invited her to large meetings.
While Erdogan maintains a confrontational public stance toward Israel, the paper wrote, Kalin views the situation with “more complexity,” adopting his president’s political position while reportedly showing “genuine concern” for Israeli captives held in Gaza.
The report emphasized Kalin’s active and quiet coordination with Israeli intelligence officials, pointing to a warm embrace with General Alon, head of Israel’s Hostages and Missing Persons Center, during the recent Sharm el-Sheikh summit as proof of ongoing professional ties.
Yedioth Ahronoth also quoted Kalin saying, “We will be in Gaza to help sustain the agreement,” adding that Turkiye is preparing to deploy hundreds of workers to Gaza for reconstruction efforts.
The analysis suggested that Kalin is seeking a gradual normalization of relations with Israel, including the exchange of ambassadors, the resumption of flights, increased tourism, and expanded trade.
According to the newspaper, Kalin’s direct contacts with Hamas leadership in Qatar and inside Gaza have made him a key intermediary in the negotiations, with sources confirming that Turkiye has exerted heavy pressure on Hamas leadership in recent days.
The report further claimed that Kalin’s delegation lobbied for Netanyahu’s attendance at the Sharm el-Sheikh 'peace' summit, reportedly to avoid giving the Israeli leader a pretext to skip the signing of ceasefire documents.
❗️Sharaa pledges to honor deals with Russia, securing Moscow’s military bases in Syria
Syrian self-appointed Ahmad al-Sharaa assured Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that Syria will honor all previous agreements with Moscow, signaling that Russia’s key military bases in the country remain secure.
Speaking during his first visit to Russia since assuming power, Sharaa said, "There are bilateral relations and shared interests that bind us with Russia, and we respect all agreements made with it. We are working on redefining the nature of relations with Russia."
Putin responded that Moscow is ready to support "many interesting and useful beginnings" discussed for renewing ties and congratulated Sharaa on Syria’s recent parliamentary elections, calling them a step toward consolidating society and strengthening cooperation among political forces.
(Reuters)
⭕️ Israel targets US Christians with paid pastor campaign and church geofencing: Responsible Statecraft
A newly formed firm, Show Faith by Works, has launched a $3.2 million “geofencing” campaign to target Christian churches and colleges across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado with pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian messaging, according to filings under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The firm plans to “geofence” the perimeters of major churches and Christian colleges during worship times, track attendees’ mobile devices, and deliver follow-up ads, all on behalf of the Israeli government.
The campaign also includes paying pastors stipends to record and distribute pro-Israel messages, along with touring “Mobile Museum” exhibits that showcase 7 October attack footage and Israeli military narratives.
Many of the targeted churches told Responsible Statecraft they were unaware of the initiative. Privacy experts warn that geofencing, long used by corporations to push targeted ads, becomes especially dangerous when used by foreign governments for political influence.
Megan Iorio of the Electronic Privacy Information Center described the practice as “incredibly invasive,” noting that it allows precise tracking and messaging without users’ consent. Some states, including Oregon and Maryland, have already taken steps to restrict this kind of location data collection.
The campaign is being overseen by Eran Shayovich, Chief of Staff at Israel’s Foreign Ministry, as part of “Project 545,” a broader push to strengthen Israel’s influence operations in the US. It also involves coordination with former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale. Critics, including churchgoers who discovered their congregations on the target list, have accused the effort of religious manipulation and propaganda, warning that foreign-funded messaging risks compromising the independence and integrity of religious communities.
❗️At least 36 Israeli violations of Gaza ceasefire documented
The Gaza Center for Human Rights reported that the Israeli military committed 36 violations of the ceasefire since it took effect on 10 October, resulting in the killing of at least seven Palestinian civilians and the injury of others.
The violations included aerial and artillery bombardments as well as live fire, concentrated in the eastern and northern areas of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli drones targeted residents inspecting their homes in the Shujaiya neighborhood, killing five people, while additional strikes in Khan Yunis, Jabalia, and Rafah caused further casualties.
The center stressed that these attacks were carried out without any military justification, aiming to maintain an atmosphere of fear and terror in the Strip. It also noted Israel’s continued control over aid entry, allowing only 173 aid trucks in out of 1,800 expected in recent days. The organization warned that restricting essential supplies constitutes an extension of genocidal policies through starvation, in violation of international humanitarian law, and called on the international community to pressure Israel to fully implement the ceasefire and investigate war crimes and acts of genocide.
‼️ The Red Cross received the bodies of dozens of Palestinian prisoners and it is transferring them to the Gaza Strip.
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❗️Statement by the Central Command of the Alliance of Palestinian Forces:
"The factions of the Alliance of Palestinian Forces salute the national and sincere efforts made by the Palestinian Ministry of Interior in the Gaza Strip, represented by the Palestinian Police, during this sensitive and critical stage faced by our steadfast people under aggression and siege.
The Alliance highly values the intensive and organized deployment of Palestinian police forces across the streets and intersections of the Gaza Strip, which enhances security and stability and brings reassurance to citizens living under the harshest conditions as a result of the ongoing aggression.
The Alliance also commends the measures taken by the ministry to protect humanitarian aid convoys, ensure they reach those in need, and prevent any assault or tampering with them — all within a framework of transparency, national responsibility, and humanitarian duty.
We fully support the steps taken against criminals, thieves, and those who violate the law — especially those proven to have collaborated with the Zionist occupation or attempted to destabilize the home front — and emphasize the need to hold them accountable in accordance with the law to preserve the unity and dignity of our people.
The Alliance calls for continuing this prudent security policy that balances the protection of the home front with the preservation of public freedoms, stressing the importance of maintaining civil peace and strengthening the spirit of solidarity and unity among the people in the face of aggression.
Finally, the Alliance of Palestinian Forces reaffirms its support for the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and all security agencies, emphasizing that internal unity and the protection of the home front remain among the most important factors of steadfastness and victory in the battle to defend our people and their national rights.
Glory to our great people
Eternal life to our righteous martyrs
Freedom to our heroic prisoners."
❗️Putin receives Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly Abu Mohammad al-Julani, in Moscow:
– “We maintain close relations with the Syrian people and seek to develop our ties with Damascus. The joint Russian-Syrian governmental committee will resume its work.”
– “I welcome President Ahmad al-Sharaa. We have maintained strong relations with Syria for more than 80 years.”
– “Russian-Syrian relations are built on friendship. Russia’s ties with Syria were never tied to political circumstances or narrow interests, but to mutual interests and the well-being of the Syrian people.”
❗️Israeli army claims one of the bodies returned by Hamas is not a captive
"Following the completion of examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages. Hamas is required to make all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages."
‘Disarm or be disarmed by force’: Trump issues new threat to Hamas
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested using the Northern Ireland model to convince Hamas to surrender its arms
⭕️ Tehran pushes oil production toward 2024 highs with Russian and Chinese support
Despite enduring international sanctions and a recent US-backed Israeli war, Iran is pressing ahead to restore the record oil production levels it achieved in 2024. Official figures and industry sources indicate that the Islamic Republic produced about 4.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil last year, along with 725,000 bpd of other liquids, the highest output since 1979.
A senior oil industry insider who has worked closely with Iran’s Petroleum Ministry told OilPrice.com last week that the country is ramping output back to last year’s highs and could even exceed them.
“Assistance has come from Russia, on the ground and from equipment and technology, and China is still a big buyer, in keeping with the long-term agreements done [by Iran] with both,” he said.
❗️Syrian delegation headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa arrives in Moscow.
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