War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

Jun 24

After 12 days of fighting, a ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United States and Qatar, was reached between Israel and Iran in the early hours of this morning. While both sides said they were committed to the agreement, breaches by Iran put the deal in doubt. Tragically, at least five Israelis were killed in last-minute, multi-barrage missile attacks by the Islamic Republic on the Jewish State.

Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel office has activated its emergency protocols and is in close contact with the government, the military, missions, and partners on the ground to report and assess the situation.

Iran Attacks on US Bases

In the evening hours, local time, yesterday, Iran launched some twenty missiles against US bases in the Middle East.
Numerous missiles were fired at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar, which is used by Qatari forces as well as American, British, and other foreign troops. Al Udeid is the largest US base in the Middle East, home to CENTCOM’s forward command headquarters and around 10,000 US troops.
An additional barrage was fired at a US base in Iraq.
No injuries or major damage were reported in either attack, with all troops taking shelter in bunkers before the strikes.
In a subsequent statement, US President Donald Trump confirmed that Iran had provided advance warning before launching the attack.
The strikes came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution, in light of threats from Iran. Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates also temporarily closed their airspace during the attack, and several airlines canceled flights amid the escalation.
The US military said there was no impact on the Al Udeid air base. Iran, however, claimed that six missiles struck the site.
US President Donald Trump mocked the attack as a “very weak response” to the “Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities… which we expected, and have very effectively countered.”
Some Israeli media called the entire event “a charade,” claiming there was agreement by both Iran and the United States (as well as Qatar), that a minor attack would be tolerated to help Iran save face and be able to claim that it retaliated for the heavy US strikes on the Islamic Republic the day before. Those attacks are believed to have destroyed – or greatly set back – the country’s nuclear weapons development.

Ceasefire

In the hours following the Iranian attacks on US bases, a ceasefire aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and Iran was brokered by Qatar and the United States.
US President Donald Trump announced, and took credit for, the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli officials have said that Israel’s primary goals of the war have been met: Preventing the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons, seriously hampering the country’s ballistic missile capabilities, and destroying significant parts of its air defenses. Israel was also able to show that it can easily challenge Iran in the future, if needed. This process was sped up considerably by the involvement of the US military, ending the fighting even sooner.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the Security Cabinet last night, together with the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief-of-Staff, and the Director of the Mossad, to discuss the ceasefire and report that Israel has “achieved all of the objectives of Operation Rising Lion, and much more.” In a statement, the government said:

“Israel has removed a double existential threat – on both the nuclear issue and regarding ballistic missiles. The IDF also achieved complete air superiority in the skies over Tehran, struck a severe blow to the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of Iran's principal regime targets.

“In the last several days, the IDF has also severely struck regime targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminated hundreds of militants from the Basij, the terrorist regime's instrument of repression, and eliminated an additional senior nuclear scientist.

“Israel thanks President Trump and the US for their defensive support and for their participation in removing the Iranian nuclear threat. In light of having achieved the objectives of the operation, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel agrees to the President's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire.

“Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire.
“Our hearts are with the families that have lost loved ones and we send our best wishes for a full recovery to those who have been wounded.

“In Operation Rising Lion, the State of Israel made great historic achievements and placed itself in the first rank of the world's major powers. This is a great success for the people of Israel and its fighters, who removed two existential threats to our country, and ensured the eternity of Israel.”

There is some discussion of trying to extend the ceasefire to Gaza. Reports suggest that numerous parties are trying to convince Hamas that all of its allies have been defeated, and that it should strike a deal now to end hostilities and return all of the remaining 50 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. There is no word, yet, on any progress towards such a deal, but earlier today the Qatari prime minister said that talks between the two sides will take place in the coming days. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum noted that ending the military operation against Iran without taking the opportunity to secure the release of the hostages held in Gaza would be a “grave diplomatic failure.”

Early Morning Strikes

In the hours before the ceasefire came into effect, Israel continued to hit military targets in Iran. At the same time, the Islamic Republic fired several significant barrages of missiles against the Jewish state.
At least six volleys, totaling 20 missiles, were fired at Israel between 5:00-7:20 am local time. The ceasefire was set to begin at 7:00 am.
One missile hit a residential building in Be’er Sheva, in Israel’s south, killing at least five people and wounding 20. They were the first Israelis to be killed by an Iranian missile since June 16. The missile directly hit the safe room in an apartment on the building’s sixth floor, killing the occupants. See video of rescue workers on site hereand photos here. The Home Front Command says that bombproof rooms are still the safest place to be during ballistic missile attacks.
Israel continued to hit strategic military sites in Iran until the ceasefire came into effect. Targets included missiles and their launchers, and underground military infrastructure used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Later, three hours after the ceasefire began, sirens again sounded across the north of Israel as further Iranian missiles were fired, even though Tehran denies that it breached the deal. Israel had said it would retaliate, leaving the durability of the agreement in doubt.
President Trump then warned both sides against further breaches of the agreement, and told Israel to “turn the planes back.” The President spoke to Netanyahu, and then posted on social media that Israel will not be bombing Iran, but will do a “plane wave” and then return its pilots. Reports suggest that Israel then bombed a radar site in Tehran, in a gesture that was more symbolic than significant. Commentators agree that the ceasefire will likely hold if Iran does not respond now.
Listen to this just-released recording from earlier in the war, of an Israeli official calling a senior Iranian general and warning him and his family to flee his position.

The Home Front

As of the time of writing, the IDF Home Front Command’s directives remain in place, banning non-essential businesses from operating, closing schools, and preventing any gatherings of more than 30 people. Many, if not most, of these restrictions will likely be lifted as early as tonight.
The Minister of Education has said that schools will likely recommence tomorrow, even though there is only a week left of the academic year for elementary schools, and middle and high schools have already begun summer vacations.
Ben Gurion Airport has announced the gradual resumption of full operations. The number of flights will increase significantly today. While most foreign carriers have not resumed flying to Israel, Fly Dubai said it will recommence operations to the Jewish state, with eight daily flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai, beginning tomorrow.

Summary and Analysis

One Israeli television commentator spoke of the “historic proportions” of Israel’s victory, placing it as equal in importance to the Six-Day War.
Nonetheless, victory came at a cost to Israel: 30 civilian deaths, 2,500 injuries and 10,000 displaced citizens. Despite this, remarkably, not a single Israeli was killed in battle over Iran, and not one jet was lost.
As of June 24, 2025, 201 injured individuals are still hospitalized, three in serious condition. The average number of daily injuries is 280, the highest since October 2023. The cities that had the highest number of hospitalized individuals were Bat Yam (255), Tel Aviv (239), and Haifa (162).
More than 10,996 people were forced to leave their homes — some temporarily until repairs could be made, and others permanently due to the need to demolish the structures, which were no longer habitable. At least 35 buildings were damagedbeyond repair.
Some 38,700 claims have been filed for property tax compensation. Most of the damage was caused by impacts on buildings.
In addition to residential buildings, the missiles launched from Iran also targeted public buildings and facilities. Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva sustained a direct hit, causing significant damage to one of its wards. Another essential facility that suffered direct damage was the Bazan Oil Refineries plant in Haifa Bay — a strike with serious environmental risks. At the Weizmann Institute of Science, three research buildings were hit by a missile (including a ground-breaking cancer research center), and extensive damage was caused to other structures in the compound. The damage to residential buildings and public facilities (including Bazan, the Weizmann Institute, and Soroka Hospital) is estimated at over $2 billion.
Total war expenses amount to approximately $6 billion, which could reach at least $12 billion if the cease-fire does not hold. These costs were not included in formulating Israel’s national budget for 2025. The increase in spending due to the prolonged fighting in Gaza represents an overspend that will force the government to update the State budget for 2025.
The war is also affecting public consumption patterns. In the first week of the war, credit card purchases decreased 27% compared to the previous week. An exception is the food sector, where purchases increased 21% (presumably from citizens stocking up on supplies).
More than 120,000 Israelis were abroad at the start of Operation Rising Lion and could not return to Israel due to the closure of Israeli airspace. By June 21, 2025, 64,000 Israelis had returned to Israel, including 36,000 through land border crossings, 23,000 via airports, and 5,000 through seaports.

(Source: Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel)

Veteran Israeli journalist Amit Segal wrote the following summary of what he sees as the unequivocal Israeli victory in the war:

“History will remember these eleven days as one of the greatest diplomatic and military achievements in Israel’s history.
“This morning’s murder of the four civilians in Be’er Sheva leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, just as the murder of 25 peaceful civilians who paid with their lives, and the thousands left homeless or severely affected, does.
“But in terms of results, the nuclear threat that loomed over Israel — one that would have certainly led to the Jewish state’s destruction — has been eliminated.
“Because a regime willing to target civilians with conventional explosives would have done so without hesitation using a nuclear missile. And it was accomplished without a single aircraft being downed, with all our planes returning safely to base — contrary to all forecasts.
“The number of casualties on the home front was 97% lower than initial estimates, thanks to the practical dismantling of the ballistic missile system, which will take years to rebuild.
“Those who experience a miracle don’t always recognize it as such, especially not in the hours when survivors are still being searched for under the rubble. But with time, the historical significance of what happened here will become clear. And so will the fact that Israel stood firm on the Begin Doctrine: never to allow any country to acquire nuclear weapons — even if it’s a regional power brought to its knees.
“In Lebanon, I held the same view. Back then too, there was bitterness and resentment — stemming from ceasefires in the past that served only to strengthen the enemy and close our eyes to reality.
“It took a month for everyone to understand.
“This time, I believe it won’t take that long.”

Read about Jewish Federations of North America’s latest emergency allocations as a result of the war with Iran here.

Alyssa Goldman