Trump to Netanyahu Over Lebanon Strikes
Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone call on Monday, blaming him for increasing global hostility towards Israel, Axios reported.
The clash followed Iran’s warning earlier in the day that it might suspend diplomatic relations with Washington due to ongoing military operations in Lebanon. According to Axios, Trump reacted angrily and at one point asked Netanyahu, “What the hell are you doing?” he shouted.
A US official quoted by Axios said Trump was disappointed in the Israeli military’s disproportionate response to Hezbollah attacks. The president reportedly objected to the demolition of entire buildings to target a single Hezbollah commander and criticized Israel’s increasing threats to Beirut.
Another source familiar with the conversation told Axios that Trump said, “Everybody hates you now. That’s why everybody hates Israel.”
Following the call, Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying Israel’s position “remains the same.” But a US official told Axios that Trump effectively “stepped up” the Israeli leader during the debate.
Netanyahu responded, “Okay, okay, make sure everything is taken care of,” the official said, according to Axios.
Another administration official described the call as one of Trump’s worst conversations with Netanyahu since the beginning of his second term as president.
Following the meeting, Trump shared on Truth Social that Netanyahu “turned away his troops” after demanding that Israel “not launch a major raid on Beirut.”
In a separate post, Trump said negotiations with Iran were continuing at a “rapid pace,” signaling his intention to keep broader diplomatic efforts in the Middle East on track despite tensions with Israel.
