The Trump administration has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a ‘madman’ for his aggressive policies in the Middle East, according to Axios. Recent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian government targets and the bombing of a Catholic church in Gaza have drawn strong criticism from U.S. officials, who argue that Netanyahu’s actions are undermining U.S. diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives.
White House officials have expressed alarm over these incidents, with one official describing Netanyahu’s actions as reckless and disruptive to Trump’s vision for Middle East peace. The U.S. president reportedly called Netanyahu immediately after the attacks to address the situation. Netanyahu’s office has acknowledged the strike on the church, calling it a tragic error and pledging to investigate the incident. The Israel Defense Forces has stated that the Syria strikes were aimed at protecting the Druze community, who have been targeted by Bedouin militias.
Despite the truce, U.S. officials have become significantly more alarmed by Netanyahu’s behavior and policies, Axios reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The White House has confirmed that Trump was caught off guard by both the strikes in Syria and the recent attack on the Gaza church, with the president quickly contacting Netanyahu to rectify the situations. This has fueled concerns that Netanyahu’s actions may be at odds with U.S. strategic interests in the region.
Netanyahu’s office said on Thursday that it deeply regrets the strike on the Holy Family Church, which killed three people, and pledged to investigate the incident. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes in Syria were intended to protect the Druze population from atrocities. Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab noted that the Internal Security Forces succeeded in calming the situation in Suwayda Province following their deployment in the northern and western areas.
The U.S. stance on these actions has raised questions about the administration’s approach to Middle Eastern diplomacy, with some analysts suggesting that the Trump team’s growing frustration with Netanyahu could affect broader U.S. strategy in the region. While the White House has not openly condemned the strikes, its internal concerns highlight the tensions between Israel’s military actions and U.S. diplomatic goals in the ongoing conflict.
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