June 25, 2025
WEB REPORT
A fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran remains in place, despite skepticism over its durability and mounting devastation in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli military operations continue unabated.
Both Iran and Israel have said they will uphold the truce, as long as the other side does not violate it. US President Donald Trump, who facilitated the agreement, has stated that Washington does not seek regime change in Tehran, citing a desire to avoid “chaos.”.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Remains Largely Intact
While Trump described recent US airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities as a major blow to Tehran’s atomic ambitions, early assessments from US intelligence agencies suggest otherwise. According to sources familiar with a classified Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report, Iran’s core nuclear infrastructure, including underground centrifuge facilities, remains largely intact.
The assessment concludes that the strikes may have set Iran’s program back by only a few months. Some centrifuges reportedly survived the attack, and key underground chambers were not destroyed, though access points were sealed off. The White House has acknowledged the existence of the report but publicly disagrees with its findings.
Focus Shifts Back to Gaza
With the immediate threat of a broader regional war temporarily eased, Israel’s military appears to be refocusing its operations on Gaza.
Since Israel’s offensive against Iran began on June 13, over 860 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, in what rights groups say is a continuation of one of the most devastating military campaigns in recent history.
On Tuesday, seven Israeli soldiers were killed by an explosive device targeting their armored vehicle in Khan Younis, underlining that fighting on the ground is far from over.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), confirmed the shift in military focus:
“Now the focus shifts back to Gaza, to bring the hostages home and to dismantle the Hamas regime.”
Hostages Forgotten, Gaza in Ruins
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged Israel and the international community to extend the Iran ceasefire to include Gaza. Fifty hostages remain in Hamas custody, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. However, Hamas has indicated that while it is open to negotiations, it is not willing to surrender arms.
Hamas said it is ready to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a permanent end to the war on Gaza, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened. Since October 7, 2023, more than 55,000 people have been killed, including 17,000 children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. With over 2.1 million residents under siege, aid agencies warn of a total collapse of basic services and governance.
Global Attention Elsewhere
As the geopolitical spotlight remains on Iran-Israel tensions, Gaza’s agony is increasingly being sidelined. Families of hostages, displaced Palestinians, and humanitarian workers say the world has turned its back on what remains the epicenter of suffering in the region.
The question now is not just whether the ceasefire will last, but whether the international community will act to prevent Gaza from becoming a permanent war zone. (ST)
