The ceasefire intended to end the 12-day war between Israel and Iran has faltered, with Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, ordering “forceful strikes” against Tehran. This decisive action follows Israel’s claim that Iran violated the US President’s ceasefire declaration by launching missiles.
Air raid sirens blared in northern Israel around 10:30 am, indicating the alleged Iranian missile attack, approximately two and a half hours after the ceasefire was announced. Israeli reports confirmed the interception of two missiles, prompting Katz to issue immediate orders for retaliation.
Katz’s statement left no ambiguity, asserting his directive for the military to respond “forcefully to Iran’s violation of the ceasefire with powerful strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran.” This signals a clear intention to continue military operations despite the announced truce.
The US President had announced the ceasefire on social media early Tuesday, urging both sides not to violate it. While both parties had signaled acceptance after an intense pre-truce exchange, the swift resumption of hostilities highlights the immense challenges in de-escalating the long-standing conflict.