‘You don’t abandon a patient amid surgery’: Israeli politicians react to surprise ceasefire announcement & violation by Iran

Many Israelis, including politicians, were surprised by U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire early Tuesday morning. 

While the Israeli government for several hours didn't make any statement or indication that the ceasefire was legitimate, eventually the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement confirming Israel’s agreement to the ceasefire. 

“Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the Cabinet together with the Minister of Defense, the Chief of Staff and the head of the Mossad, to report that Israel has achieved all the objectives of Operation Rising Lion, and even much more,” the statement read.

“Israel has removed a dual immediate existential threat – both in the nuclear and ballistic missile spheres. The IDF achieved full air control over Tehran's skies, severely damaged the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of key Iranian government targets.” 

"In light of having achieved the objectives of the operation, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel agrees to the President's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire," the statement read.

Some Israeli politicians expressed support for the ceasefire as soon as it was officially announced, despite Iranian missile launches at the last minute. 

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich conveyed his condolences to the families of those murdered in the Beersheba missile strike this morning, while also praising the ceasefire. 

"I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those murdered this morning in Be'er Sheva. There is no doubt that this morning leaves a bitter taste, but despite all the sorrow, the truth is that, thank God, we achieved a resounding victory in the campaign against Iran, which will be recorded with pride in the pages of Israel's history,” Smotrich wrote. 

“We removed an immediate existential threat to the perpetuity of Israel and dealt a severe blow to the Iranian Ayatollah regime, including the destruction of dozens of targets in Tehran last night,” Smotrich wrote, before calling to finish the mission in Gaza “with full force.” 

“Now with full force to Gaza, to complete the task – to destroy Hamas, bring back our hostages, and ensure, with God's help, many years of security and growth for the people of Israel from a position of strength.” 

Opposition leader Yair Lapid posted a note to 𝕏, calling for another ceasefire agreement: “And now Gaza. This is the moment to close things there too, to bring back the hostages, to end the war. Israel needs to start rebuilding,” he wrote. 

Opposition MK Yair Golan, of the Democrats party, called the military campaign “a clear security achievement, which would not have been possible if Israel were not a democratic, strong, and united state.” 

He said the ceasefire agreement needs to be checked to ensure that it actually prevents Iran “from acquiring nuclear weapons,” and asked what sanctions it includes in the event of a violation. 

Like Lapid, Golan also called for the Iran ceasefire to be used to achieve a parallel ceasefire in Gaza. “This is the moment to complete the mission: To bring back all the hostages, end the war in Gaza, and permanently halt the regime coup that threatens to make Israel weak, divided, and vulnerable,” Golan tweeted. 

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum released a statement saying that a ceasefire with Iran which doesn’t include the hostages in Gaza “would be a grave diplomatic failure.” 

“The ceasefire agreement must expand to include Gaza; we call on the government to hold snap talks that will lead to the return of all the hostages and an end to the war. Those who can bring about a ceasefire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza,” the forum stated. 

“Ending the operation in Iran without using it to return all the hostages would be a grave diplomatic failure,” the statement added. 

Right-wing opposition MK and Israel Beitenu party leader Avigdor Lieberman condemned the signing of a ceasefire that does not completely remove the Iranian threat. 

While speaking of the IDF’s “incredible military achievements” in Operation Rising Lion, Lieberman said, "the final chord is particularly jarring and bitter.” 

“Instead of unconditional surrender, the world has entered into difficult and tedious negotiations, with the ayatollah regime having no intention of giving up – not on uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, not on the production and equipping of ballistic missiles, nor on supporting and financing terrorism in the region and around the world,” Lieberman stated. 

“Already at the beginning of the war, I warned that there is nothing more dangerous than leaving a wounded lion,” Lieberman continued. “A ceasefire without a clear and unambiguous agreement will certainly lead us to another war in two or three years, and under much worse conditions.” 

Institute for National Security Studies researcher Beni Sabti, an Iranian-Israeli, called the ceasefire a mistake, and argued that Israel needs to be willing to “cut off the phone to the Americans.” 

“A ceasefire in the midst of launches against Israel and also casualties, [is] an irrational decision that turned against ourselves. Iran will come out of this strengthened because for them, civilian lives and destruction don’t matter,” Sabti wrote on 𝕏. “Once, during the Yom Kippur War, we cut off the phone to the Americans, now everything hinges on their word…” 

Even before the announcement of the ceasefire, Sabti posted a message to 𝕏, warning against it. 

“I hear the whispers of a ceasefire with Iran and I say: We must not stop! The snowball is rolling, and anyone who tries to stop it will harm themselves.” 

“We cannot allow Iran to recover and come out stronger,” Sabti continued. “You don’t abandon a patient in the middle of surgery! Otherwise, it won’t be long before they inaugurate nuclear facilities and rebuild Hezbollah. And Hamas will refuse to return hostages. So think again!” 

Following the ceasefire violation by Iran at around 10:30 a.m., several Israeli politicians called for a resumption of strikes on Iran. 

Iranian state media reported that the Iranian military denied firing any missiles towards Israel.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced new military strikes on Iran: "In light of the complete violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States, by Iran and the launching of missiles at Israel, and in accordance with the policy of the Israeli government, as determined to respond forcefully to any violation, I have instructed the IDF, in coordination with the Prime Minister, to continue the intensive activity to attack in Tehran to thwart regime targets and terrorist infrastructures in Tehran."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a message to 𝕏, with two emojis, one showing the common Israeli hand gesture used to mean “wait,” along with an explosion. 

💥🤌🏻

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) June 24, 2025

Ben Gvir’s fellow Jewish Power lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech wrote a message asking, “Quiet will be answered with quiet, missiles will be answered with…?” 

Smotrich, who had previously praised the ceasefire, wrote, “Tehran will tremble” in a post to social media. 

Israel Beitenu party leader Lieberman also called for a quick response to the ceasefire violation. 

“Three and a half hours after the U.S. President announced a ceasefire, shooting from Iran toward northern Israel,” Lieberman wrote to 𝕏. “We must not absorb, we must not ignore, we must respond immediately.”