US President Donald Trump lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon, two US officials and a third source told Axios.This comes as Iran threatened to suspend negotiations with the US over Israel’s actions in Lebanon. According to US official, Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” and accused him of ingratitude. The sources also said Trump blocked Israel’s plan to strike Beirut.“You’re f****** crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your a**. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” Trump said, as quoted by the US official.Another source briefed on the call said Trump was angry and repeatedly challenged Netanyahu over Israel’s actions.According to US officials, Trump acknowledged that Hezbollah had been firing at Israel and that Israel had a right to defend itself, but believed Netanyahu had escalated the conflict disproportionately.The officials also said Trump was concerned about civilian casualties in Lebanon and objected to strikes that caused extensive destruction while targeting individual Hezbollah commanders.An Israeli official told Axios that Israel no longer planned to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut.Trump and Netanyahu have had several tense conversations in the past, but this was among their most difficult exchanges since Trump returned to office.After the call, Trump posted on Truth Social that talks with Iran were “continuing, at a rapid pace.”Netanyahu later said he had informed Trump that Israel would strike targets in Beirut if Hezbollah continued attacking Israel and that Israeli operations in southern Lebanon would continue.“Our position remains the same,” Netanyahu said.A second US official told Axios that Trump had effectively overruled Netanyahu during the call and that the Israeli leader ultimately backed down.According to Axios, the memorandum being negotiated between the US and Iran includes provisions calling for an end to the fighting in Lebanon, an issue that has previously caused friction between Trump and Netanyahu.
