President Trump reportedly called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu “f****** crazy” in a phone call between the two leaders, shortly before the White House claimed a ceasefire had been agreed between Israel and Lebanon.
Citing “two US officials and a third source briefed on the call,” Axios reported that Trump took Netanyahu to task over recent escalations in the war against Hezbollah, which have included the IDF seizing territory beyond the Litani River and a threat to strike the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
While Israel agreed a ceasefire with the Lebanese government in April, it has continued to strike areas it claims are controlled by Hezbollah, which itself has consistently launched rocket attacks on northern Israel.
"You're f****** crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass,” Trump reportedly told Netanyahu.
“Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
Another source told the outlet that the president was “pissed” with his Israeli counterpart and yelled at him: “What the f*** are you doing?”
But Israeli journalist Amit Segal, citing a source in Netanyahu’s team, reported: “Trump did not make personal remarks about jail or claim Netanyahu is hated globally.
“Instead, the tense call focused on conflicting social media posts: Trump felt Netanyahu implied the war was continuing at full intensity, while Netanyahu felt Trump implied a total ceasefire.
“Trump did note that defending Israel’s global position is difficult and breeds hatred. Ultimately, the call ended with an understanding: Israel will hold off on striking Beirut as long as it is not attacked within its own borders.”
And, in a public statement following the call, Netanyahu said he had told Trump that the IDF would strike Beirut if Hezbollah did not halt rocket launches, and insisted it would continue its military operation in southern Lebanon.
However, several hours later, the White House unexpectedly announced a ceasefire had been agreed with Hezbollah.
Trump posted on social media that there would be no Israeli forces “going to Beirut, and any troops that are on their way, have already been turned back”.
"[Hezbollah] agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel,” he wrote.
Yet, despite the announcement, Hezbollah later confirmed it had targeted Israeli tank regiments in the towns of Haddatha and Bayada, while Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported a number of Israeli strikes had affected southern regions
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