Kuya Food Express – Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly unleashed a torrent of anger on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a fiery phone call on Monday, local time. Trump allegedly accused Netanyahu of fueling global animosity towards Israel through the escalating attacks on Lebanon.
According to an Axios report, the conversation was particularly tense, especially after Iran threatened to halt negotiations with the United States following Israel’s military actions against Lebanon and the Hezbollah group.
During what was described as a highly emotional exchange, Trump reportedly yelled at Netanyahu, exclaiming, “What the f*** are you doing?” U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that Trump considered Israel’s response to Hezbollah’s attacks to be excessive. He strongly disagreed with Israel’s strategy of destroying entire buildings to target a single Hezbollah commander.
Furthermore, Trump reportedly voiced strong objections to Israel’s threats of expanding its offensive into Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. An Axios source quoted Trump’s scathing remarks to Netanyahu: “Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
Trump Accuses Netanyahu of Ingratitude
Beyond criticizing Israel’s military operations, Trump also allegedly launched a personal attack against Netanyahu. The report claims Trump accused the Israeli Prime Minister of being ungrateful for the political support Washington had consistently provided. One source even suggested Trump told Netanyahu he would likely be in prison if not for Trump’s continuous assistance.
This intense exchange reportedly marked one of the worst phone calls between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump’s return to office for his second term as U.S. President. Although Netanyahu publicly stated after the discussion that Israel’s position “remained the same,” a U.S. official indicated that Trump had, in fact, successfully pressured the Israeli leader. The official, as quoted by Axios, recalled Netanyahu saying, “Okay, okay, make sure everything is handled.”
Trump Claims Netanyahu Halted Major Beirut Offensive
Shortly after the contentious call, Trump posted a statement on Truth Social, claiming that Netanyahu ultimately canceled a major planned operation in Beirut after Trump urged Israel to exercise restraint. Trump explicitly stated that Netanyahu had “turned his troops around” following the request not to launch a large-scale attack on the Lebanese capital. This statement fueled speculation that Washington is now adopting a firmer stance on Israel’s military actions in the volatile Middle East. Concurrently, Trump also noted that discussions between the United States and Iran were rapidly progressing amidst the escalating regional tensions.
Summary
Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly engaged in a heated phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing Israel’s military operations in Lebanon. Trump expressed disapproval of the intensity of Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah, arguing that these actions have fostered global animosity toward the nation. Furthermore, he accused Netanyahu of being ungrateful for the consistent political and strategic support provided by the United States.
Following the intense exchange, Trump publicly claimed on Truth Social that his pressure successfully persuaded Netanyahu to cancel a planned large-scale offensive in Beirut. While Netanyahu maintained that Israel’s strategic position remained unchanged, sources suggest the Israeli leader conceded to Trump’s demands to exercise restraint. This interaction highlights a shift in the diplomatic dynamic as the U.S. seeks to manage escalating tensions in the Middle East.