Fragile Ceasefire Holds Amidst Renewed Israel-Iran Hostilities on June 24, 2025

A precarious US-brokered ceasefire between longtime adversaries Israel and Iran officially took effect early Tuesday, June 24, 2025, aiming to halt a dangerous escalation in direct hostilities. The phased 24-hour truce, however, was immediately marred by accusations and counter-accusations of violations from both sides, underscoring the deep mistrust and volatility of the conflict.

Negotiated under the auspices of the United States, the agreement was intended to provide a window for de-escalation after days of intense strikes and counterstrikes across the region. Yet, moments after the ceasefire commenced around 04:00 GMT, reports emerged of breaches.

Immediate Violations and Accusations

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, was quick to accuse Iran of initiating the first violation of the truce. Citing alleged Iranian actions, Minister Katz issued orders for “intense strikes” targeting areas in Tehran. This directive signaled Israel’s readiness to respond forcefully to any perceived breach of the agreement.

Iran swiftly denied the Israeli accusation, maintaining that its forces had respected the terms of the ceasefire from the outset. Despite the initial order, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately acceded to a demand from US President Donald Trump to cease further offensive attacks, according to statements from the Prime Minister’s office.

Netanyahu’s office further stated that Israel’s military had earlier destroyed a radar installation located near Tehran. They presented this strike not as a violation of the ceasefire itself, but as a necessary retaliation for earlier Iranian missile strikes that had targeted Israeli territory prior to the truce taking effect.

Iran’s Account and Pre-Truce Actions

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued its own account of events leading up to the ceasefire. The IRGC reported that it had launched a barrage of 14 missiles aimed at military centres across Israel just moments before the truce officially began. The IRGC framed these launches as a direct response to what it described as deadly Israeli strikes conducted in the preceding days.

This exchange of fire immediately preceding the ceasefire’s start, coupled with the swift accusations of violations, highlights the razor-thin margin for error and the high potential for miscalculation that characterizes the current state of the conflict.

Mounting Humanitarian Toll

The recent surge in hostilities has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides, adding to the already heavy humanitarian toll of the prolonged tensions.

Iran has reported multiple casualties stemming from Israeli military actions. Among the confirmed deaths are four ambulance workers – Mojtaba Maleki, Mehdi Zartaji, Amirhossein Jamshidpour, and Yasser Zivari – whom Iran alleges were killed by the Israeli military while performing their duties. Additionally, Iran reported that several employees and visiting family members died during an Israeli attack on Evin Prison on Monday, the day before the ceasefire.

According to Iran’s Health Ministry, the cumulative death toll from Israeli strikes over the preceding 12 days had reached 610 people, painting a grim picture of the impact on civilian populations and infrastructure.

Israel has also suffered casualties from Iranian fire. The Israeli military identified one soldier killed by a missile launched from Iran as 18-year-old Eitan Zacks from Beersheba. The military statement added that three other individuals also perished in the same missile attack, further illustrating the deadly nature of the direct confrontation.

Uncertain Future for the Truce

The fragile ceasefire, brokered amidst intense international pressure, faces significant challenges in holding. The immediate violations and conflicting narratives surrounding their timing and justification demonstrate the deep-seated animosity and lack of trust between Israel and Iran.

As the 24-hour period unfolds, international observers remain cautious, recognizing that the success of the truce hinges not only on restraint from military forces but also on de-escalation in rhetoric and a commitment to finding a path away from direct military confrontation. The role of the United States in maintaining pressure on both sides appears critical to preventing a renewed outbreak of widespread hostilities in the coming hours and days.