In one of the most tense moments in the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, American and Israeli reports revealed that the US President launched a sharp attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a stormy phone call, against the backdrop of Israel’s plans to expand its military operations in Lebanon and target Beirut.
According to a report by journalist Barak Ravid published on the American Axios and Israeli N12 websites, Trump practically stopped an Israeli plan that aimed to carry out massive strikes in Beirut, considering that the Israeli escalation threatens to torpedo the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran and increases Israel’s isolation on the international scene.
The report quoted American officials and sources familiar with the communication as saying that Trump described Netanyahu as “crazy” and accused him of “ungratefulness,” in one of the harshest conversations between the two men since Trump’s return to power.
According to the American version, Trump told Netanyahu: “You’re crazy… You would have gone to prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving you now, and everyone hates you, and everyone hates Israel because of what’s happening.” Another source also reported that Trump shouted during the call, saying: “What the hell are you doing?”
The report indicates that Trump’s anger came after Iran had previously threatened to withdraw from negotiations with the United States due to the Israeli escalation in Lebanon. The US President also considered that implementing threats to bomb the Lebanese capital would lead to further international isolation of Israel.
According to an American official, Trump does not oppose Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of Hezbollah attacks, but he saw that Netanyahu went to a “disproportionate” escalation in recent days, especially with the expansion of ground operations in southern Lebanon and the threat to strike targets inside Beirut.
Another American official added that Trump expressed his alarm at the loss of large numbers of civilians in Lebanon, and objected to the policy of demolishing entire buildings in order to target a single Hezbollah leader.
Following the call, Israeli sources confirmed to Axios that Israel is not currently planning to carry out strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut, in a remarkable retreat from the threats issued during the past hours.
On the other hand, Netanyahu tried to maintain his position, issuing a statement in which he confirmed that he had informed Trump that Israel would attack targets in Beirut if Hezbollah continued to attack Israel, stressing that the Israeli army would continue its operations in southern Lebanon.
But an American official conveyed a different picture of what happened, saying that Trump “fully imposed his will” during the call, noting that Netanyahu ended up saying: “Okay, okay… just make sure things are dealt with.”
The report also pointed out that the tension between the two men is not limited to the Lebanese file, as the Trump administration fears that any new Israeli escalation will lead to the failure of the understandings being negotiated with Iran, which, according to Axios sources, include a special clause to stop the fighting in the Lebanese arena.
After the call ended, Trump was quick to announce on his “Truth Social” platform an understanding not to attack Beirut in exchange for a ceasefire by Hezbollah, in a move that reflected the extent of direct American intervention in managing the course of the confrontation on the Lebanese front.
This unprecedented debate reveals that the battle is no longer taking place only between Israel and Hezbollah, but rather extends to the heart of the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv, where the Lebanese file has become an essential part of the American calculations linked to Iran and the future of calm in the region.
