"Now the focus shifts back to Gaza": Israeli military chief after ceasefire with Iran

Israel’s campaign against Iran is “not over,” despite a US-brokered ceasefire taking effect, the country's military chief said on Tuesday.

Speaking during a situational assessment following the ceasefire, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir  declared the conclusion of a “significant phase” of the operation against Iran, but emphasised that Israel was now transitioning into a “new phase, based on the achievements of the current one.”

He acknowledged that challenges still lay ahead and urged the armed forces to stay focused, particularly as attention shifts back to ongoing operations in Gaza.

“Now the focus shifts back to Gaza, to bring the hostages home and to dismantle the Hamas regime,” Zamir said.

The statement comes amid efforts to stabilize the region following weeks of Israeli and US strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran and raised fears of a broader regional war.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has ruled out a return to negotiations with the United States, saying Tehran will not engage in dialogue while what he called American “aggression” against Iran continues.

Speaking to Al-Araby al-Jadeed, Araghchi said Iran had received messages from Washington and had responded “through intermediaries and indirect channels,” but stressed that meaningful talks were off the table under current conditions.

“As long as aggression against our country persists, there will be no negotiations,” he said.