Trump's Verbal Attack on Netanyahu Over Lebanon Conflict

»You're fucking crazy« (roughly: You are totally crazy), Trump reportedly threw at Netanyahu, Axios reported, citing two US officials and a third source familiar with the conversation. The US President also accused him of ingratitude and said that without him, Netanyahu would have been in prison long ago. »I'm saving your ass«, Trump reportedly said. »Everyone hates you now«, Axios quoted further from Trump's phone call with Netanyahu. The US broadcaster CNN also reported on Trump's verbal attacks.

A corruption trial has been ongoing against Netanyahu for six years. Trump has advocated for his pardon. Circles around Netanyahu said there were no personal attacks; the conversation was tense but ended with agreements.

Israel continues to threaten

According to US media, the trigger for Trump's outburst was Israel's threats to attack targets in the Lebanese capital Beirut again, given an escalation in the conflict with the Hezbollah militia. Iran had subsequently threatened to break off negotiations with the US over a possible agreement to end the war. Trump announced an end to mutual attacks between Israel and Lebanon – while Netanyahu wrote on X that if Hezbollah did not stop its attacks on Israeli cities, Israel would attack »terror targets« in Beirut again. In parallel, Israel's army will continue its operation in South Lebanon as planned.

Uncertainty and skepticism prevail in Lebanon following the announcements. According to Lebanese reports, Israeli attacks continue in the south of the country. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, four people were killed near a hospital in the city of Tyre. In the attack near Jabal Amel Hospital on Monday, 127 other people were injured, including 39 clinic employees, the ministry announced on Tuesday.