broke, waves of Iranian missiles streaked across the sky, forcing thousands of Israelis into bomb shelters and shattering any sense of fragile calm.
What was meant to be the quiet before peace instead became a stark reminder of how quickly hope can collapse into fear.
Around 4 a.m. local time (7:30 GMT), Iran launched a barrage of missile strikes across multiple areas of Israel—just hours before an anticipated halt in hostilities. Iranian officials had previously signaled they would stand down if Israel ended its air operations, but the early-morning assault suggested either retaliation, a final act of pressure, or a grim attempt to shape the terms of any ceasefire.
The attacks sent families scrambling for safety as air-raid sirens wailed through the darkness. For nearly two hours, Israelis sheltered underground. Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency rescue service, reported multiple casualties and at least eight injured, with numbers still being updated as the situation unfolded.
These strikes followed another escalation the day before—when Iran targeted a U.S. military installation in Qatar in what it described as a response to American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The rapid back-and-forth only intensified global concern, as international leaders urged restraint and accelerated diplomatic efforts.
Later on Tuesday, Israel announced it had agreed to a ceasefire, stating it had “achieved all objectives” in its confrontation with Iran. The announcement coincided with former President Trump’s declaration that a “complete and total ceasefire” had been reached. Yet the timing of the Iranian barrage—just hours before the truce—underscored how precarious the path to peace remains.
Conclusion
The early-morning missile strikes served as a stark illustration of how fragile ceasefires can be in high-stakes conflicts. Diplomatic agreements may be signed, but the shadow of escalation lingers, putting civilians at risk and leaving the world questioning whether peace will take hold. True stability requires not only written agreements—but sustained vigilance, accountability, and commitment from all sides.