Haifa residents weigh what comes next as Israel and Iran appear to pause strikes

(9 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Haifa, Israel - 9 June 2026 1. Wide of people sitting in cafe 2. Mid of people inside cafe ++QUALITY AS INCOMING++ 3. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Shaul Levi, Haifa resident: “This round is really what is called ongoing and ongoing. Somebody is taking care that it continues. And you know, we are soldiers in this whole situation and we are trying to adapt, to acclimate, and to manage a daily routine in the shadow of this thing. We are a special people. So really we have all the tools to deal with any possible situation, even if this current situation, yes, it's a kind of illusion. We are living in limbo." 4. Various of people at beach 5. Close of sea at beach 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Yehezkiel, Haifa resident: “I don't feel very good about the ceasefire. It's not good for us, for Israel. I don't think it's also good for the other side as well, because the only thing that can happen is in the future we'll have another round of battles. It's a sad affair, but (U.S.) President Trump calls the shots. He's the boss of the world, so we don't, (Israeli President Benjamin) Netanyahu doesn't exactly have a say in this. So we have to do what the boss says.” 7. Yehezkiel walking on beach 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael David Mostoslavsky, Haifa resident: “I'm very optimistic... feel fantastic. I'm sure you took the picture of how Haifa is this morning. It's beautiful weather. Everything is taken care of. Look at people meditating on the beach. People are going around their business. That's Israel for you. (Interviewer: that will last?) If the ceasefire will last? Only... the only one who knows is the almighty.” 9. Mostoslavsky reading book on beach 10. Various of person meditating on beach 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Erez Lipelis, Haifa resident: ++AUDIO QUALIY AS INCOMING++ “I think it's like a wave, I look at it as a tide of the ocean. So we need to check the moon, we need to look up in the skies and try to figure out whether we're going to enjoy some stability or something else is happening. I think that I believe there is progress, long-term progress. So in the long run, I think it will be better always.” 12. Wide of people sitting in cafe STORYLINE: Israelis in the city of Haifa showed conflicted emotions on Tuesday as Israel and Iran appeared to end the latest exchange of strikes; some expressed optimism, while others remained skeptical about what comes next. “I don't feel very good about the ceasefire. It's not good for us, for Israel. I don't think it's also good for the other side as well," said Jeff Yehezkiel, a local resident of Haifa. "It's a sad affair, but (U.S.) President Trump calls the shots. He's the boss of the world, so we don't, (Israeli President Benjamin) Netanyahu doesn't exactly have a say in this," Yehezkiel added. Israel and Iran appeared to be backing away from further strikes, just hours after they traded fire for the first time since the U.S. and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire two months ago. However, both countries warned Monday that they remain ready to launch retaliatory attacks if provoked. The renewed fighting raised concerns that the Middle East could be plunged back into a full-scale war. Iran's military said it has halted offensive strikes but will respond to aggression by Israel or its allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted the latest round of fighting is over. AP video shot by Moshe Edri =========================================================== Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...