Israel and Iran Agree to Ceasefire After Intense 12-Day Conflict

Israel and Iran Agree to Ceasefire After Intense 12-Day Conflict

Beersheba, Israel: June 24 — Following President Donald Trump's proposal, Israel and Iran have accepted a ceasefire to conclude a 12-day war that unsettled the Middle East. The agreement came after Tehran's limited missile attack on a US military base in Qatar.

The ceasefire acceptance followed Iran's final missile assault on Israel early Tuesday that claimed at least four lives. Concurrently, Israel executed a series of airstrikes on Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's agreement to the ceasefire in coordination with Trump, stating Israel had achieved its objectives against Iran. Those objectives included eliminating threats from Iran's nuclear and missile programs, destabilizing Iran's military leadership, and instituting air control over Tehran.

"Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire," Netanyahu warned. Final Israeli airstrikes concluded around 4 a.m., and Iran's retaliatory missiles prompted Israelis to seek shelter as day broke.

Trump confirmed the ceasefire on Truth Social, urging no violations. Despite Tehran claiming the ceasefire started at 7:30 a.m., Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contradicted reports, suggesting no agreement had been reached yet, though indicating readiness to cease attacks should Israel halt its aggression.

Iran's missile strikes caused substantial damage in Beersheba, with 20 missiles hitting before the ceasefire. Four casualties were confirmed, alongside structural damage and several injuries.

Trump's ceasefire declaration followed Iran's response to US bombings of its nuclear sites, which resulted in an Iranian missile strike on a US base in Qatar, fortunately without casualties due to prior warnings.

Trump dubbed the conflict the "12 Day War," reminiscent of the 1967 Six-Day War. He and Israeli and US officials negotiated the ceasefire with indirect Iranian cooperation, brokered with help from Qatar.

Despite some uncertainty about Iran's leadership stance, Israel's skies were temporarily closed due to Iranian missile threats, causing flight disruptions.

The conflict escalated, with at least 28 Israeli fatalities and numerous injuries, while Iranian casualties reached 974, including civilians and security forces, as reported by the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group.

The US undertook evacuations of its citizens from Israel, amidst approximately 700,000 Americans residing there, predominantly dual citizens.

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