US President Donald Trump Spars With Netanyahu Over Israeli Strikes On Lebanon

2nd June 2026 at 10:00 AM

1 minute read

New York : US President Donald Trump reportedly erupted at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a profanity-filled phone call over Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon. The extraordinary exchange came after Israel ordered strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs and expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, moves that raised fears of a wider regional war and prompted fresh warnings from Tehran.

Two US officials and another source briefed on the call said Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” and complained that the Israeli leader was acting without regard for the consequences. One US official quoted Trump as telling Netanyahu: “You’re f*g crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.” The confrontation followed a sharp escalation on Monday after Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered attacks on Hezbollah-controlled areas of Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, citing repeated Hezbollah violations of a ceasefire and attacks on Israeli territory.

US officials said Trump understood Israel’s argument that it was responding to Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks, but believed Netanyahu was escalating the conflict disproportionately. The call appeared to have an immediate impact. An Israeli official told Axios that Israel no longer planned to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Trump said he had spoken to Netanyahu and that Israeli troops heading toward Beirut had been turned back.

He also claimed Hezbollah, through intermediaries, had agreed to halt attacks on Israel.The clash highlighted growing strains between the two leaders despite close coordination on Iran and regional security issues. One US official described it as one of the most contentious conversations between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump returned to office.’