'Bibi acted like a madman': Trump administration not happy with Netanyahu over Syrian strikes
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The White House is increasingly concerned about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military actions in Syria, with several senior US officials expressing frustration over what they describe as his unpredictable and aggressive strategy, Axios reported.Citing six US officials, Axios said the Trump administration -- despite a US-brokered ceasefire that ended last week's escalation -- ended the week more alarmed about Netanyahu's regional policies. While President Donald Trump has refrained from public criticism, it remains unclear whether he shares his advisers' concerns.Axios quoted one of the White House officials as saying, 'Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time. This could undermine what Trump is trying to do.' Another senior US official referenced Israel's shelling of a church in Gaza, saying it led President Trump to personally call Netanyahu for an explanation. 'The feeling is that every day there is something new.' the official reportedly said.A third official described growing skepticism toward Netanyahu inside the administration, 'Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won't behave.'Israel's response to the recent conflict in Syria has been a particular point of friction. On Tuesday, Israeli forces bombed a convoy of Syrian army tanks headed toward Suwayda, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The strikes followed violent clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, which reportedly killed over 700 people by Saturday.Israel claimed the Syrian convoy crossed into a demilitarised zone in southern Syria and that the Syrian military was involved in attacks on the Druze minority. Syria denied the allegations.Despite assurances given to US envoy Tom Barrack to pause military operations for diplomatic efforts, Israel escalated strikes the next day, targeting Syria's military headquarters and areas near the presidential palace.'The bombing in Syria caught the president and the White House by surprise,' Axios quoted a US official as saying. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly urged Netanyahu to stop the strikes, with Netanyahu agreeing on the condition of a Syrian military withdrawal from Suwayda.According to Axios, Turkey and Saudi Arabia also conveyed their displeasure over Israel's actions to the US administration. Officials, including Barrack and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, reportedly raised concerns directly with Trump.Some US officials believe Netanyahu's actions are driven by domestic political considerations, particularly pressure from Israel's Druze community. 'Bibi's political agenda is driving his senses. It will turn out to be a big mistake for him long-term,' one US official said.Israeli officials, however, denied that domestic politics influenced military decisions. A senior Israeli official told Axios that Israel acted to protect the Druze community in Syria. 'The US wants to keep the new Syrian government stable and doesn't understand why we attack in Syria. We tried to explain that this is our commitment to the Druze community in Israel,' the official said.Meanwhile, criticism also mounted over recent Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The killing of Palestinian American Saif Musallet by Israeli settlers last weekend prompted backlash from the Trump administration. Axios reported that US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, typically a staunch Israel supporter, called the attack 'terrorism' and demanded answers. Huckabee also criticized Israeli visa policies affecting American evangelicals.The Israeli Prime Minister's spokesperson Ziv Agmon did not respond to Axios' request for comment.As per US officials cited by Axios, there is a broader concern that Netanyahu's approach in Syria and Gaza could destabilize regional efforts toward peace and harm Israel's standing in Washington.(With TOI inputs)
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