Despite the declared truce, an air of uncertainty persists. Iran has stated its willingness to halt its responses if Israeli attacks cease, but Israeli officials have largely remained silent on the agreement’s specifics.
AMN / Web Desk
A fragile ceasefire has brought a much-needed reprieve to millions of civilians caught in the deadly crossfire of the Iran-Israel conflict, which has reportedly claimed close to 900 lives. U.S. President Donald Trump, who characterized the intense hostilities as a “12-day war,” announced that both nations had simultaneously sought his administration’s intervention for peace.
The truce was declared after Iranian state media reported that a ceasefire had been “imposed on the enemy,” following what Tehran described as a military response to “U.S. aggression.” This announcement came just hours after Iran launched missile strikes on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a retaliatory move that significantly escalated the conflict by directly involving American forces.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported a staggering toll of at least 865 fatalities in Iran as of June 22nd. This includes 215 military personnel, 363 civilians, and 287 unidentified individuals. More than 3,300 people have also been injured. These figures are considerably higher than those released by Iranian health authorities, which reported 224 deaths and over 2,500 injuries. Both sources, however, underscored that the majority of casualties were civilians.
The humanitarian crisis in Iran has deepened dramatically. Initially targeting military infrastructure, Israeli airstrikes increasingly struck residential areas and even prisons. This escalation has led to massive internal displacement, forcing millions to abandon their homes. Among the deceased were aid workers, children with disabilities, and nuclear scientists, highlighting the widespread and indiscriminate impact of the violence. Iran’s judiciary specifically noted that parts of Tehran’s Evin Prison, known for holding political detainees, were also targeted by Israeli forces.
In Israel, the human cost has also been severe. Iranian missile strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 24 civilians and nearly 600 injuries. The southern city of Beersheba bore the brunt of attacks in the final hours before the ceasefire, with emergency services confirming at least three deaths and multiple injuries. Rescue teams are currently sifting through rubble in damaged buildings, searching for survivors.
President Trump confirmed that his diplomatic and security teams worked tirelessly overnight to broker the truce, which reportedly took effect around 4 a.m. local time. Israeli strikes on Iranian cities ceased shortly before the ceasefire, despite a significant intensification of hostilities in the lead-up to the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to issue a public statement regarding the ceasefire. However, reports indicate that he convened an emergency meeting of the Security Cabinet, instructing ministers to refrain from public comments on the agreement’s terms.
The rapid escalation over the past 12 days has overwhelmed emergency services in both nations. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded, while rescue teams continue their efforts to clear debris and provide assistance to those affected. The UNHCR and other international humanitarian agencies have urgently called for immediate de-escalation, robust protection for civilians, and unhindered access for critical relief operations.
Despite the declared truce, an air of uncertainty persists. Iran has stated its willingness to halt its responses if Israeli attacks cease, but Israeli officials have largely remained silent on the agreement’s specifics. The conflict has starkly illustrated how quickly regional tensions can spiral into full-scale warfare, with ordinary citizens disproportionately bearing the devastating consequences.