Trump reportedly berates Netanyahu over Lebanon operation
Quick Look
US President Donald Trump reportedly had a tense phone call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing his military operations in Lebanon as "crazy" and "disproportionate," fearing it could derail US talks with Iran.
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Why It Matters
US President Donald Trump reportedly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday. The call occurred amid Israel's expanded military operations in Lebanon and concerns about US talks with Iran.
US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call on Monday, according to three people familiar with the exchange cited by the news website Axios.
The call came as Israel expanded its military operations in Lebanon and amid concerns that the escalation could derail ongoing US talks with Iran.
A US official told Axios that Trump told Netanyahu, "You're f****** crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your a**. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."
Another source quoted Trump as saying: "What the f*** are you doing?" and added that the US president was "pissed".
The White House has not publicly commented on the reported exchange.
US officials said Trump acknowledged that Hezbollah had launched attacks on Israel and that Israel had the right to defend itself.
However, they said he believed Netanyahu’s recent actions were disproportionate, citing the scale of civilian casualties and strikes on buildings to target individual commanders.
Open Questions
- Will the White House officially comment on the reported exchange?
- What is the current status of US talks with Iran?
- How will this reported exchange affect US-Israel relations?
- What are the specific details of Hezbollah's attacks on Israel?
