"Trump May Announce Ceasefire This Saturday" … Israel: Destroy Iran as Much as Possible Within 48 Hours
¬ Media in Israel and NYT cite high-ranking officials' statements ... Experts also predict: Trump is about to "announce a ceasefire"
On the 25th, according to news from Israel's Channel 12, Israeli officials are concerned that U.S. President Donald Trump might announce a ceasefire with Iran this coming Saturday. It is reported that Israel has repeatedly conveyed its stance to the United States regarding ceasefire negotiations with Iran, emphasizing that these talks must not be "rushed." Meanwhile, Israel is intensifying its military operations, aiming to strike Iran as much as possible before Trump announces a ceasefire.
Channel 12 cited remarks from senior Israeli officials stating that Israel fears the U.S. may suddenly declare a ceasefire on Saturday, before finalizing an agreement on the 15-point plan proposed to Iran. In response, Israel’s Defense Command hastily formulated a military operation to significantly increase attacks on Iran’s key facilities, aiming to secure "maximal achievements" (maximal outcomes), ahead of any potential American request for Israel to halt attacks.
The New York Times (NYT) also quoted statements from four Israeli senior officials and other sources, reporting that due to concerns over Trump abruptly ending the war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military: "Within the next 48 hours, destroy as many of Iran’s industrial facilities as possible." Netanyahu does not believe the 15-point plan put forward by Trump can dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Israeli officials told Channel 12: "It is unlikely that the U.S. and Iran will reach an agreement on detailed and comprehensive terms, but there could be consensus on a general framework. Israel needs to prepare for such a possibility." However, the U.S. government told the media: "There is currently no plan to announce a ceasefire."
In response, The Times of Israel reported: "The Iran war enters its fourth week this weekend," while the White House had initially set the operation timeframe at "4–6 weeks." On the 25th, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated during a press briefing: "The operation is progressing faster than expected, achieving significant results," and "the core objectives are very close to being achieved."
Experts also believe Trump is about to "announce a ceasefire." Political analyst Ilya Magnier, speaking to Al Jazeera, said: "For someone like Trump, who seeks political and psychological gains, it’s essential to distinguish between the loser and the winner." He added: "He won’t launch a full-scale offensive; instead, he needs a spectacular, low-risk, low-cost, highly visible campaign to dramatically shift the balance of the current situation." According to Magnier, Trump might announce victory after occupying a small island in the Strait of Hormuz, followed immediately by declaring a ceasefire.
Rob Guest Pinfold from King’s College London, speaking to Al Jazeera, referenced media reports about Israel’s claim of a "ceasefire announcement this Saturday," saying: "Now might be a good time to end the war." He noted that the U.S. could use striking images of destroyed Iranian navy vessels and damaged military installations and nuclear facilities to package the outcome as a victory. He added that if Trump declares a ceasefire, Israel would "reluctantly but inevitably" join in.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original: toutiao.com/article/1860689664792714/
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