The conflict between Israel and Iran has reached a critical juncture, with both sides trading fire and accusations. US President Donald Trump has stepped in, expressing his discontent with Israel’s actions.
According to Trump, both Israel and Iran have violated the ceasefire, but he is “really unhappy” with Israel. Trump urged Israel to stop dropping bombs, saying, “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”
The ceasefire, brokered by the US, aimed to put an end to the hostilities that began on June 13, when Israel launched an unprecedented aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
Trump claimed it was a “great honour” to “destroy” Iran’s nuclear facilities and then stop the war. However, the situation remains volatile, with Iran firing a salvo of missiles at a US military base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation for the attacks on its nuclear sites a day earlier.
The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides. Iran claims that over 400 people, including 13 children, have been killed and at least 3,056 others wounded since Israel launched its attack. In Israel, at least 28 people have been killed in Iranian strikes. The situation has sparked international concern, with leaders calling for de-escalation.
In a related development, the Israeli military has announced plans to demolish the home of Abdul Rahim al-Haimoni, a Palestinian accused of carrying out a deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv last October.
Rights groups have long criticized Israel’s policy of demolishing the family homes of Palestinian attackers as a form of collective punishment. This move is consistent with past actions, such as the demolition of Uday Tamimi’s home in the Shuafat refugee camp.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to renew hostilities against Iran if it tries to rebuild its nuclear program.
Netanyahu said Israel “will act with the same determination” if Iran tries to recover its nuclear program after the damage its facilities suffered from US and Israeli strikes. With the ceasefire only hours old, the situation remains precarious, and the international community is watching closely for any further developments.