As dawn broke across Israel and Iran on Tuesday, uncertainty loomed large over the region. Despite an earlier declaration of a ceasefire by U.S. President Donald Trump, both nations appeared to still be engaged in active conflict. Overnight, intense missile strikes rocked cities across both countries, leaving residents disoriented and terrified, and casting serious doubt on whether any ceasefire agreement had truly taken hold.
Bombardment in Israel: Civilian Casualties in Be’er Sheva
In Israel, the situation deteriorated rapidly overnight. Citizens who went to bed under the impression that hostilities were winding down were jolted awake by the blare of missile sirens. Four consecutive air raid alerts were issued early Tuesday morning, sending thousands fleeing repeatedly to bomb shelters.
One missile struck a residential building in the southern Israeli city of Be’er Sheva, causing extensive damage and resulting in three fatalities. The Israel Fire and Rescue Services confirmed the deaths, adding that several others were injured in the attack.
The strikes reignited panic and confusion across the country. Residents expressed frustration over conflicting reports, with many questioning whether the ceasefire announcement was legitimate or merely premature.
Tehran Under Fire: "Defenseless People," Citizens Say
On the other side of the conflict, Iranian cities, including Tehran, faced what many described as the heaviest bombardments since hostilities began. In the capital, explosions reportedly lasted for over an hour, shaking homes and lighting up the night sky.
"The bombardment tonight in Tehran was extremely intense," wrote one social media user. "For a full hour the explosions wouldn’t stop. We are a completely defenseless people." Videos and photos from Tehran showed plumes of smoke rising from residential neighborhoods and emergency vehicles racing through the streets.
Disputed Ceasefire Terms: Mixed Signals from Officials
The confusion stems largely from the nature and communication of the ceasefire deal. President Trump announced via social media shortly after midnight local time that a ceasefire had been brokered, describing a phased timeline: Iran was to halt attacks on Tuesday morning, followed six hours later by a halt in Israeli strikes. Twenty-four hours after that, the war was to be officially declared over.
However, no official statements from Israeli or Iranian leadership confirmed agreement to this timeline. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly denied the existence of any such agreement.
“There is no agreement on any ceasefire,” Araghchi posted on the social media platform X. He added, however, that if Israel stopped bombing Iranian targets by 4:00 a.m. Tehran time, Iran would reciprocate.
In a conflicting message, Iranian state television later reported that a ceasefire was imminent, claiming it was “imposed on the enemy” — a phrasing that further complicated interpretations of who had agreed to what.
Continued Violence Undermines Peace Prospects
Despite these reports, by mid-morning Tuesday, Israeli strikes on Iranian positions and Iranian missile fire into Israeli territory were continuing unabated. No clear evidence of a de-escalation was visible on the ground.
In the absence of official confirmation or enforcement mechanisms, experts warned that the so-called ceasefire might amount to little more than a diplomatic placeholder.
“This appears to be a ceasefire in name only,” said regional analyst Dr. Liora Shavit. “Without mutual recognition, verification, or a neutral broker to monitor compliance, such an agreement is unlikely to hold.”
Humanitarian Concerns Mount
The ongoing violence has raised renewed concerns among humanitarian organizations, especially regarding the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire. Both countries have reported casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools.
Aid agencies are urging for immediate, verified cessation of hostilities and access to affected areas to provide medical and humanitarian relief.
Conclusion
As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no official cessation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, and the region remained on edge. The situation is fluid, and diplomatic efforts — both public and behind the scenes — are reportedly ongoing. However, without a clear and mutual commitment to a ceasefire, the prospect of enduring peace remains uncertain.
Tags: Iran Israel conflict, Israel bombing, Iran missile strike, ceasefire confusion, Middle East war, Donald Trump ceasefire, Be’er Sheva attack, Tehran bombing, Domhnall Gleeson not relevant