Iranian state media reports that a ceasefire with Israel was effected after Tehran had fired five consecutive waves of missile attacks at Israeli-occupied territory.
The truce, declared late Monday evening by United States President Donald Trump, called on Iran to cease its attacks at 4:00 am GMT on Tuesday, followed by Israel 12 hours later.
But hours before the ceasefire was to go into place, an Iranian missile hit a residential tower in Be'er Sheva, a city in southern Israel, killing at least seven people in the early hours of Tuesday. The assault followed after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that Iran would stop its attack if Israel halted its own air raids.
Video footage on the internet from Be'eer Sheva shows the destruction caused by the missile. The video shows a totally destroyed residential complex, with burnt-out cars and uprooted trees scattered around the area around the blast.
Iranian state television IRIB reported that five rounds of missile attacks were fired in the direction of Israel just before the predicted ceasefire. "The fifth wave of Iran's morning missile attack is heading towards the occupied territories," IRIB had tweeted on Telegram a few seconds before 4:00 am GMT.
The tensions between the two countries broke out following Israel's surprise "preemptive" air raids on Iranian military and nuclear sites on June 13. The actions prompted President Trump to issue warnings of the possibility of a "massive" war in the region.
Trump's Ceasefire Announcement
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military confirmed that it was actively trying to intercept Iranian missiles but failed to specify the timing of the launch.
"A few moments ago, sirens wailed in various locations across Israel after the detection of missiles fired from Iran towards the State of Israel," a statement from Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), posted on Telegram at approximately 5:00 am Iranian time (2:00 am GMT), read.
President Trump declared that the phased ceasefire will start with Iran suspending its military action at 4:00 am GMT, while Israel was set to abide by the truce starting 12 hours later.
Though Israel had not yet officially declared a suspension of military activities at the time of reporting, Iran's foreign minister restated Tehran's readiness to stop its attacks if Israel did the same.
Israel's Alert System for Civilians
In spite of daily missile exchanges, Israel's overall casualty rates have so far stayed low—mainly because of its strong civilian defense infrastructures. Officials have repeatedly urged people to find protection in specially designated safe areas.
Israeli citizens are given loud warnings through SMS during missile attacks, usually in the dead of night. These messages are followed by air raid sirens warning residents to rush into safety.
In cities where houses do not have secure areas, residents have turned more and more to underground safe places like subway stations and public parking lots for refuge. These have proven vital shelters since fighting increased on June 13.
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