President Donald Trump confirmed that he referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'f***ing crazy' during a phone call regarding Israel's military actions in Lebanon. This acknowledgment highlights a rare public disagreement between the two leaders, who have historically been allies. The conversation centered on Israel's military campaign against Hezbollah, which has been escalating amid ongoing rocket and drone attacks from the group. Israeli officials assert that their operations aim to weaken Hezbollah's capabilities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Lebanese officials communicated to the U.S. that Hezbollah would cease missile attacks if Israel refrained from striking Beirut, suggesting a potential ceasefire. However, this arrangement fell apart when Hezbollah launched further attacks, prompting Israel to continue its military operations.
Iranian officials have connected the situation in Lebanon with U.S.-Iran negotiations, warning that Israeli actions could complicate diplomatic efforts. During the call, Trump expressed concern over Israel's military actions, stating, 'At some point I said, 'Bibi, we've got to stop this. We gotta stop it.' He later claimed that his conversation helped prevent a larger Israeli operation in Lebanon.
Netanyahu, in a subsequent interview, acknowledged having 'tactical disagreements' with Trump but emphasized their friendship. Some Israeli officials have urged Netanyahu to disregard Trump's advice and continue military actions against Hezbollah. Rubio noted that Israel's ongoing military campaign could jeopardize U.S. efforts to negotiate with Iran, as tensions in the region remain high. The Trump administration has been working on negotiations with Iran to extend a ceasefire and address issues related to Iran's nuclear program, amid increased Israeli military operations against Hezbollah.