Beersheba, Israel, June 24 (AP) — A tentative truce orchestrated by President Donald Trump is on the verge of collapse after Israel announced that Iran launched missiles into its airspace less than three hours after a ceasefire took effect, prompting threats of retaliation.
Explosions rocked northern Israel on Tuesday morning as sirens warned of incoming attacks, despite both nations accepting the ceasefire to end a 12-day conflict destabilizing the Middle East.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared the missile launches a breach of the truce and ordered the military to resume aggressive actions against Tehran to destroy targets associated with the regime and its terror infrastructure.
The fragile ceasefire was introduced early Tuesday after Iran conducted a limited retaliatory missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar a day earlier.
In the prelude to the ceasefire, Israel initiated a series of aggressive airstrikes on Iranian targets, which were met by a barrage of Iranian missiles that resulted in four Israeli casualties on Tuesday morning.
Israel reported intercepting the midmorning missile salvo, which occurred just hours into the supposed truce.
“Tehran will tremble,” declared Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich on X following the missile attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier confirmed Israel’s acceptance of the ceasefire in coordination with Trump, claiming all military objectives in the conflict had been met, including neutralizing threats from Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
Netanyahu warned, “Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire,” as intensive strikes continued in Iranian cities until shortly before 4 a.m.
As the deadline for halting hostilities passed, Trump posted on Truth Social, urging adherence to the ceasefire, though Iranian media reported its onset at 7:30 a.m., while Iranian officials were silent on Trump's declaration.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X, stating, “As of now, there is NO agreement on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations.”
Before the truce, Iran launched 20 missiles towards Israel, striking densely populated areas in Beersheba, resulting in at least four deaths and numerous injuries.
Emergency workers continued to search for more potential victims amid the debris and destruction.
Trump announced a “complete and total ceasefire” after Iran’s prior limited attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which had no casualties due to prior warning.
The ceasefire, ushered in around midnight Washington time, marked an “Official END” to the hostilities, which Trump labeled the “12 Day War,” evoking memories of the 1967 Mideast war.
Trump engaged directly with Netanyahu to facilitate the ceasefire, with senior U.S. officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio mediating discussions with Iran.
The Iranian missile assault temporarily closed Israeli airspace to emergency flights, forcing airlines to reroute over the Mediterranean.
Qatar Airways resumed flights early Tuesday following the re-opening of Qatari airspace as tensions eased.
The 12-day conflict resulted in significant casualties: at least 28 Israelis and over 1,000 injured, while Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 974 people, including civilians and security personnel, as reported by Human Rights Activists.
The U.S. evacuated 250 American citizens and family members from Israel during the hostilities, a State Department official confirmed.
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