Donald Trump reportedly confronted Benjamin Netanyahu in an angry phone call after the Israeli prime minister threatened to resume airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, according to Axios. The US president shouted, “What the fuck are you doing?” and added, “You’re fucking crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now.”
The call came after Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to bomb the Dahiya area of Beirut, targeting Hezbollah. The Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation warnings, causing thousands to flee. Iran subsequently announced it would suspend peace talks with the US over Israel's campaign in southern Lebanon, insisting that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire agreement.
Channel 12, an Israeli news network, contested the report, saying Trump did not attack Netanyahu personally and that the two agreed Netanyahu would refrain from attacking Beirut suburbs if Hezbollah ceased its attacks. The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has been strained, though Israel remains a key US ally.
Trump faces pressure from pro-Israel allies and those seeking a rapid end to the conflict before US mid-term elections. Netanyahu is also under domestic pressure, with Israel's parliament backing a bill to dissolve the Knesset and his corruption trial ongoing.
