Israel Denies Agreeing to Trump's Ceasefire Deal bringing the '12 Day War' to an end - Tells ministers to avoid public comment...

JERUSALEM, June 24, 2025 — Israel has not yet officially confirmed a ceasefire agreement with Iran, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a deal aimed at halting the 12-day conflict between the two nations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet ministers to refrain from commenting on the matter, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.

The ceasefire, brokered by Trump in a call with Netanyahu on Monday, was intended to take effect in stages, with Iran ceasing missile launches first, followed by Israel 12 hours later, as per Trump’s statement. However, Israeli authorities have remained tight-lipped, with no immediate confirmation from Jerusalem. A senior White House official noted that Israel agreed to the ceasefire on the condition that Iran halts further attacks, a sentiment echoed by reports indicating Tehran’s willingness to comply.

Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting that extended into the early hours of Tuesday morning, signaling the gravity of the discussions surrounding the ceasefire. The Jerusalem Post reported that the prime minister explicitly directed ministers to avoid public statements, a move seen as an effort to maintain strategic ambiguity amid ongoing tensions. This directive follows Israel’s recent military operations, which included strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and ballistic missile programs, objectives Netanyahu claimed were “very, very close” to being achieved.

While a senior Iranian official confirmed Tehran’s agreement to the ceasefire, Israel’s silence has fueled speculation about the deal’s implementation. The Jerusalem Post highlighted that Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli appeared to endorse the ceasefire, praising Trump and Netanyahu for their “bold decision” in a post on X, though no formal government statement has been issued.

The conflict, which began with Israeli airstrikes on June 13 targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, has resulted in significant casualties, with 24 Israelis and over 800 wounded in Iranian retaliatory attacks, alongside at least 224 deaths reported in Iran. As the region watches closely, Israel’s next steps remain uncertain, with Netanyahu’s government balancing military objectives and diplomatic pressures.

Source: The Jerusalem Post, “Israel yet to confirm Iran ceasefire, Netanyahu asks ministers to avoid comment,” June 24, 2025.