Israel Agrees to Ceasefire After Achieving Objectives in Operation Rising Lion

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The Israeli government on Tuesday morning confirmed its agreement to a ceasefire with Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, following what officials called the successful conclusion of “Operation Rising Lion.” Israeli leaders declared that the military campaign had met and exceeded its goals, though fresh missile attacks from Iran threatened to undermine the fragile truce.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “removed from itself a double existential threat” by eliminating key elements of Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. “The IDF achieved full air superiority over Tehran, struck dozens of key government targets, and delivered a historic blow to Iran’s military leadership,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet.

The ceasefire went into effect at 7 a.m. Israel time after a night of heavy exchanges. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported having destroyed critical Iranian infrastructure, including the SPND weapons development headquarters, and claimed the elimination of hundreds of Basij operatives and another senior nuclear scientist. Netanyahu thanked President Trump and the U.S. for their support in what he described as a “tremendous success for the people of Israel and its fighters.”

However, the truce was tested within hours. The IDF said Iran fired at least two missiles at northern Israel at around 10:30 a.m., just three hours after the ceasefire’s implementation. Both missiles were intercepted, but fragments landed in the Galilee. Earlier, a barrage on Beersheba just before the truce killed four civilians and wounded at least 20 others.

In response, Israel conducted what officials termed a “symbolic strike,” targeting an Iranian radar installation north of Tehran. The limited strike followed urgent talks between Netanyahu and Trump, with the U.S. president reportedly urging Israel to stand down from a broader retaliation. “Do not drop those bombs. If you do it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now,” Trump warned in a post on Truth Social.

Defense Minister Israel Katz initially ordered forceful retaliation, but the scale was reduced after consultations with Washington. Katz vowed that Israel would not tolerate violations of the truce, while IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the military remained on high alert and ready to respond to any future aggression.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and opposition leader Avigdor Liberman, called for tougher action in response to the ceasefire breaches. “Tehran will tremble,” Smotrich declared on X, while Liberman insisted Israel “must not accept” Iranian provocations.

The ceasefire, mediated with Qatari assistance, remains fragile. Netanyahu’s office stated that while Israel had agreed to halt its operations after achieving its war aims, it would not hesitate to act forcefully against further Iranian attacks. The IDF urged the public to continue following Home Front Command guidelines as the situation evolves.

Netanyahu is expected to address the nation later today to outline the government’s next steps amid ongoing uncertainty over whether the truce will hold.

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