Newsletters
U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly scolded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon, calling him "crazy" and telling him, "You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me," according to a report citing U.S. officials familiar with the call.
The heated exchange took place on Monday as Washington sought to keep negotiations with Iran on track and prevent a broader regional escalation. According to officials who spoke to Axios, Trump accused Netanyahu of jeopardizing diplomatic efforts and pushing Israel toward greater international isolation through its military actions in Lebanon.
Describing the call as one of the most contentious exchanges between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump's return to office, the U.S. officials quoted Trump as telling the Israeli leader: "You're crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving you. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."
Trump's remarks appeared to reference Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial in Israel, where the prime minister faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, allegations he denies.
The confrontation reportedly centered on Israel's recent military operations in Lebanon, including threats to strike Beirut and an expansion of ground activity in the country's south.
According to Axios, Trump believed Israel had the right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah but viewed Netanyahu's recent moves as a disproportionate escalation that risked destabilizing the region.
U.S. officials also expressed concern over civilian casualties in Lebanon and objected to Israeli tactics that allegedly involved extensive destruction to target individual Hezbollah commanders.
Trump's anger was reportedly fueled by fears that the fighting could undermine ongoing U.S. negotiations with Iran. Earlier Monday, Tehran warned that Israel's actions in Lebanon could threaten the diplomatic process.
Following the call, Israel abandoned plans to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut, according to an Israeli official cited by Axios. Trump later confirmed he had spoken with Netanyahu and described the conversation as productive.
In a post on Truth Social, the U.S. president said Israel would not send troops into Beirut and that any forces already heading toward the Lebanese capital had been ordered to turn back.
"There will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way have already been turned back," Trump wrote. Trump also announced an understanding between Israel and Hezbollah to halt attacks against each other.
The U.S. president said he communicated with Hezbollah through senior intermediaries and received assurances that hostilities would stop. "Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel," Trump wrote, while acknowledging uncertainty over how long the arrangement would last.
Netanyahu later confirmed speaking with Trump but maintained that Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon and reserved the right to strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks persisted. "Our position remains the same," Netanyahu said in a statement following the call.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
