Latest news with #TheCradle


Al Manar
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Yemeni Missile Attack Triggers Sirens Across Occupied West Bank
The Israeli occupation army announced, early Tuesday morning, that it had detected a missile launched from Yemen, claiming to have attempted to intercept it. Panic gripped illegal Israeli settlements across the occupied West Bank as sirens blared, warning of an incoming missile. Residents of numerous settlements east of the city of Nablus were abruptly awakened at dawn and rushed to take shelter, as the wailing sirens pierced the early morning calm. BREAKING | Sirens sound across several Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank after a missile launched from Yemen was detected. — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 27, 2025 The Israeli settlements affected included Gilgal, Shomron, Amichai, Achita, Itamar, Shvut Rachel, Adei Ad, Kida, Masua, Argaman, Yafit, Ma'aleh Ephraim, Hamra, Tomer, Gitit, Beka'ot, Petza'el, and Mekhora. Startled settlers scrambled out of bed and herded their families into safe rooms and bomb shelters, waiting anxiously for the all-clear. Israeli occupation forces later claimed that the incoming missile, which military sources confirmed originated from Yemen, was successfully intercepted. No casualties or damage were reported. However, the attack rattled Israeli settlers illegally occupying Palestinian territory in the West Bank. This latest incident comes just two days after a similar Yemeni missile launch triggered warning sirens across the southern West Bank and Beit Shemesh area west of Jerusalem.


Al Manar
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed in Shooting outside Capital Jewish Museum
Two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed Wednesday evening while leaving an event at a Jewish museum in the nation's capital, and the suspect yelled, 'Free, free Palestine' after he was arrested, police said. 'Free, Free Palestine!' Two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, shouted 'Free Palestine' during his arrest and had no prior police record, according to authorities. — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 22, 2025 US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the deaths in an X post, saying, 'We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share.' Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy, confirmed that the two staff members were shot 'at close range' while attending the event. Local media reported that a man and a woman were killed, without releasing their names. Washington police chief Pamela Smith said a single suspect who was seen pacing outside the museum before the event was apprehended. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriquez of Chicago, Illinois, 'chanted 'Free, free Palestine,' while in custody,' she added.


Al Manar
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Ex-US Ambassador to Syria Reveals Role in Rebranding Ahmad Al-Sharaa
Former US Ambassador to Damascus Robert Ford disclosed a behind-the-scenes Western role—particularly American—that indirectly facilitated Ahmad Al-Sharaa's path to power. Speaking earlier this month at the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs, Ford confirmed that the United States played an indirect role, beginning with a series of meetings in 2023 when Al-Shara was still leading Hayaat Tahrir Al-Sham under the alias 'Abu Mohammad Al-Joulani,' up until his eventual rise to the presidency of Syria. He noted that a UK-based non-governmental organization, specializing in conflict resolution, invited a European team—of which Ford was a member—to guide Al-Shara into the political arena, rather than allowing him to remain within the framework of armed groups. These efforts, according to Ford, were part of a broader Western strategy for political rehabilitation. The video below, edited by The Cradle, shows the ex-ambassador's remarks. 'The first time I heard of him was during my time in Iraq between 2000 and 2003, where he was a prominent figure in al-Qaeda's operations in northern Iraq,' Ford said. 'In 2023, I received an invitation from a British NGO to help extract him from the world of terrorism and prepare him for a political role.' According to Ford, his first meeting with Al-Sharaa took place in March 2023 and was followed by a second in September. Their third and final encounter occurred in January of this year—inside the presidential palace in Damascus—after Al-Sharaa had assumed power. Ford noted that the three meetings were not, by themselves, sufficient to politically legitimize Al-Sharaa. Rather, they marked the culmination of a longer process that began in 2016, when Al-Sharaa formally cut ties with Al-Qaeda and 'began presenting a more moderate image within the context of the Syrian opposition movement.'


Al Manar
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Trump: Very Close to a Nuclear Agreement with Iran and Massive Gulf Investments
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that his country is 'very close to reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran,' noting that 'the negotiations are aimed at achieving sustainable peace.' During a speech delivered to Qatari and American businessmen in Doha, Trump said that Washington 'wants to succeed in the negotiations with Iran,' but that 'Tehran cannot be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.' Trump stated that Tehran 'has somewhat agreed to the terms of the agreement,' noting that 'the United States is very serious about these negotiations.' US President Donald Trump: 'We are negotiating with Iran to achieve sustainable peace,' Trump said, adding, 'I believe we are close to reaching an agreement… there is progress on the Iran issue and they have largely agreed to the terms of the agreement.' He reiterated… — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 15, 2025 In this context, the US President praised the mediation role played by the Emir of Qatar, saying, 'Iran is very fortunate to have the Emir of Qatar, who is fighting for us to reach an agreement with them and not to attack them.' He added, 'I think Iran should be very thankful for refusing to strike at them, while others would like us to strike them hard.' The US President stressed that Washington 'will protect the Middle East,' affirming that 'the relationship with Qatar is based on equality, and no one can break this relationship.' Regarding the war in Ukraine, Trump explained that his administration 'did not allow the Ukrainian president to receive massive sums of money, as had happened in the past, to wage war.' He noted that he 'would have liked to participate in the Russian-Ukrainian talks in Türkiye, but he didn't want to get ahead of himself,' explaining that 'Secretary of State Marco Rubio is there to follow up.' Trump also spoke about the Gaza issue, saying, 'I wanted to transform the land of Gaza from a land of death to a land of life and peace, and I will follow up on this issue.' Regarding Yemen, he said, 'What happened there is a great achievement, but we don't know where things will go.' Trump also confirmed that his Gulf tour 'could yield deals worth up to $4 trillion,' describing it as a 'record tour.' He said, 'No tour has ever raised $3.5 to $4 trillion in just four or five days.' Tour Concludes Today in UAE Trump concludes his Gulf tour today, Thursday, by heading to the UAE, after stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where he concluded deals and secured billions of dollars in pledges. Trump began his trip in Saudi Arabia, which promised $600 billion in investments, including a US arms deal that the White House described as 'the largest in history.' The generosity of Gulf leaders sparked controversy ahead of Trump's visit to Qatar, when Doha offered him a luxury jet for presidential and then personal use, in what his Democratic rivals deemed blatant corruption. Trump, who also chose Saudi Arabia as his first stop in his first term, did not hesitate to seek Gulf funds and praised their impact on job creation in the United States.


Al Manar
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Tensions Grow Between Trump and Netanyahu Over Gaza War and Iran Nuclear Deal
Relations between US President Donald Trump and Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have grown increasingly strained in recent weeks, amid deepening disagreements over the war in Gaza and Iran's nuclear program, NBC News reported Sunday, citing US officials, Middle Eastern diplomats, and sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, Netanyahu believes now is the ideal moment for a decisive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Trump, by contrast, argues that diplomacy can still prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons without resorting to military action. Gaza Ceasefire vs. Israeli Offensive As the Israeli occupation resumes its military operations in Gaza, Trump is pressing for a ceasefire and pushing forward his vision of post-war reconstruction, which he has described as transforming Gaza into the 'Riviera of the Middle East.' He also recently ended US military involvement in Yemen—a move that drew sharp criticism from Netanyahu, who responded by reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. NBC reported that these disagreements have placed the Trump-Netanyahu alliance—once one of Washington's strongest in the region—at a critical juncture. How the two leaders handle these disputes, the report said, could directly shape major pillars of Trump's foreign policy agenda. Disagreements 'straining' Trump & Netanyahu's relationship, according to NBC News: – Trump is pushing for a ceasefire and postwar reconstruction plan in Gaza, while Netanyahu has launched a new offensive that Trump privately called a 'wasted effort.' – Netanyahu wants military… — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 11, 2025 Netanyahu Frustrated Over Iran Stance Sources told NBC that Trump made two public statements last week that particularly angered Netanyahu. One, delivered Wednesday, suggested he had not yet decided whether to allow Iran limited uranium enrichment as part of a new nuclear agreement. Netanyahu, sources say, was also frustrated by Trump's disapproval of the Israeli enemy's renewed offensive in Gaza, which the former president reportedly called a 'wasted effort' that could undermine reconstruction efforts. Iran Nuclear Deal Remains Flashpoint While Trump's administration is pressing both Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire, NBC sources said the Iran nuclear issue remains the most contentious. All six sources interviewed confirmed that Netanyahu has grown increasingly disillusioned with Trump's rejection of a military strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The Israeli occupation government has expressed strong opposition to any agreement that allows Tehran to retain uranium enrichment capabilities. Trump, however, is reportedly open to a civilian nuclear program in Iran, as long as clear safeguards are in place to prevent any military application. A third US official told NBC that Trump's team is in constant contact with Israeli counterparts, keeping them updated on ongoing negotiations and coordinating over key elements of any potential deal.