FnF News
Confusion Reigns as White House Says Israel Approved Proposal, Netanyahu’s Office Stays Silent
By Khadija Khan | FNF News | May 29, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Conflicting messages from Washington and Jerusalem have thrown diplomatic observers into uncertainty after the White House claimed Israel had approved a key proposal — only for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office to decline confirming it.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said:
“The Israeli government has signed off on the proposal. We are now waiting on Hamas to respond in good faith.”
Leavitt did not provide details on the nature of the proposal, but multiple sources familiar with the matter indicated it was related to a framework for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, combined with a possible phased release of hostages.
The White House statement followed closed-door briefings with national security officials and direct conversations between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli officials earlier this week.
Netanyahu’s Office Silent, Raises Eyebrows
Despite the confident remarks from the U.S. side, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office declined to confirm that Israel had approved the terms.
“We have no comment on the specifics of the diplomatic conversations at this time,” a senior Israeli official told Haaretz on condition of anonymity. “Israel’s security needs remain the top priority.”
The lack of affirmation from Jerusalem sparked speculation that internal divisions within Netanyahu’s government — particularly from far-right members of his coalition — may be delaying or complicating the endorsement of the deal.
According to The Times of Israel, both Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have voiced opposition to any ceasefire or hostage deal perceived as too lenient on Hamas.
U.S. Pushes Forward, Frustrated by Mixed Signals
The Biden administration, keen to demonstrate progress in the stalled diplomatic efforts, appears eager to move the process forward — even if the Israeli government has not publicly signed on.
“The president is committed to ending the hostilities and bringing the hostages home,” said Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor, during a panel at the Brookings Institution on Wednesday. “We have assurances from key Israeli channels, and we expect implementation to begin soon.”
However, experts warn that overplaying U.S. confidence without matching clarity from Israel could backfire.
“If Netanyahu’s office isn’t on the record, then there’s either a breakdown in communication or political hedging happening,” said Aaron David Miller, a veteran State Department Middle East negotiator and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Either way, it signals fragility in the agreement.”
Political Dynamics at Play in Jerusalem
Netanyahu is currently navigating a political minefield. With thousands of Israelis protesting weekly for new elections and accountability for the October 7 Hamas attack, the Prime Minister’s political future remains precarious.
In the Knesset, hardline members of Netanyahu’s ruling bloc are threatening to bolt the coalition if he accepts a ceasefire deal without the complete destruction of Hamas.
“There can be no agreement with terrorists,” said MK Tzvi Sukkot of the Religious Zionist Party. “Any deal that leaves Hamas breathing is a betrayal.”
Still, moderate voices in Israel — including opposition leader Yair Lapid — have urged Netanyahu to prioritize the return of hostages over coalition stability.
“The government must act in the interest of the nation, not in the interest of political survival,” Lapid said in a televised address.
Hamas Yet to Respond
As of Thursday morning local time, Hamas had not officially responded to the proposal. According to reporting by Al Jazeera, a senior Hamas official in Doha said:
“We are reviewing the contents. Any agreement must include a full cessation of aggression and guarantees for reconstruction.”
U.S. and Qatari officials are said to be working behind the scenes to pressure Hamas to accept a deal, emphasizing international support and potential incentives for post-conflict rebuilding.
Previous Proposals Collapsed
This is not the first time a deal has come close to the finish line.
In January 2024, a proposed 30-day pause in fighting collapsed after disputes over the timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. A second attempt in March unraveled after Netanyahu publicly disavowed a document that his own security chiefs had reportedly helped draft.
“There’s a pattern here,” said Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel. “Israel’s government says one thing behind closed doors, but political backlash at home often causes them to back away before anything is signed.”
Conclusion
The latest round of negotiations between Israel, Hamas, and international mediators has again hit a moment of ambiguity. With the White House claiming progress — and Netanyahu’s office staying silent — analysts fear that the fragile momentum could collapse if public confirmation doesn’t follow soon.
For now, all eyes are on Jerusalem: will Netanyahu break the silence — and at what political cost?
Sources:
- White House Press Briefing, May 28, 2025
- Haaretz, “Israeli Officials Decline to Confirm Proposal Approval,” May 28, 2025
- The Times of Israel, “Far-right Coalition Threatens Collapse Over Ceasefire Terms,” May 28, 2025
- Al Jazeera, “Hamas Reviewing Ceasefire Framework,” May 28, 2025
- Brookings Institution Event Transcript, May 28, 2025
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Commentary, May 2025