Israel Vows Forceful Response to Iran’s Ceasefire Breach

Israel has pledged to launch a forceful response following what it calls a serious breach of a newly agreed ceasefire by Iran, reigniting tensions just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a truce to end the 12-day war.

“In light of the severe violation of the ceasefire carried out by the Iranian regime, we will respond with force,” said Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff, during a situational assessment, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The ceasefire, announced by President Trump at 06:08 BST on June 24, was intended to halt days of airstrikes and missile exchanges that had killed more than 400 people in Iran and at least 28 in Israel. The conflict began after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13, targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites.

However, shortly after Israel and Iran confirmed their acceptance of the truce, the Israeli military reported new missile launches from Iranian territory. The IDF claimed the missiles were intercepted over northern Israel at around 08:30 BST.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Iran of violating the ceasefire and ordered continued military strikes on Tehran, saying the country would “continue high-intensity operations targeting regime assets and terror infrastructure.”

Iran, meanwhile, denied firing missiles after the ceasefire had come into effect. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council claimed Israel had been forced to “unilaterally accept defeat” and said Iran remained prepared to retaliate against any further aggression.

Iranian state media reported multiple Israeli strikes overnight that killed at least nine people in northern Iran, including a nuclear scientist. Tehran residents told BBC Persian they experienced one of the “heaviest” barrages of the conflict.

In Israel, a residential building in Beersheba was hit before the ceasefire announcement, killing four people. Twenty-two others were reported injured, according to emergency services.

The U.S. confirmed that Iran had launched missiles at American bases in Qatar and Iraq in response to weekend airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. No casualties were reported in those retaliatory attacks, as Qatar said all incoming missiles were intercepted.

President Trump had warned both parties not to violate the truce and later expressed optimism on social media: “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel had achieved its strategic objectives during the conflict. “Israel has removed a dual immediate existential threat—both in the nuclear and ballistic missile fields,” his office said, also thanking the U.S. for its role in the military campaign and diplomatic efforts.

Despite the renewed hostilities, there were signs of public relief across the region. Many residents expressed hope that the ceasefire, even if fragile, would hold long enough to end the direct conflict.

Update: Tehran denies missile launch, accuses Israel of fabricating breach to prolong war

Iranian officials said no missiles were fired and accused Israel of using false claims to justify continued aggression. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned of a “decisive response” to any further attacks, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran never agreed to a truce and would cease fire only if Israel halted its offensive. The Israeli military previously reported intercepting two Iranian missiles.

“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, without any trust in the words of the enemy and with their hands on the trigger, are ready to deliver a decisive and deterring response to any violating act by the enemy,” the council said.