Trump Aides Fume, Call Netanyahu ‘Madman, Child' Over Syria Strikes: Report
White House firmly opposed Israel's latest bomb strike on Syria and the shelling of the only Catholic church in Gaza this week. Reportedly, White House believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'has been acting like a mad man' and he undermines President Donald Trump's efforts to achieve peace.
As per a report by Axios, an unnamed White House official referred to Netanyahu's nickname and said, 'Bibi acted like a madman, he is bombing everything all the time." Another official was quoted by Axios as saying, 'Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won't behave."
The report cited six US officials saying that the White House is alarmed by Netanyahu's policies because even after US-brokered ceasefire Israel continues bombing.
Israel, on Tuesday, bombed a convoy of Syrian army tanks en route to the city of Suwayda. The tanks were going in respond to violent clashes between a Druze militia and armed Bedouin tribesmen, which had killed over 700 people.
Israel claimed the convoy crossed into a zone of southern Syria it demands be demilitarized.
Netanyahu Admitted Mistake
After bombing the Church in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted the mistake during a call with US President Donald Trump, the White House said. During a press briefing on Friday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump held a phone call with Netanyahu to address the strike. According to the statement Trump was not at all positive about the incident.
'It was not a positive reaction. He called Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning to address the strikes on that church in Gaza. And I understand that the Prime Minister agreed to issue a statement. It was a mistake by the Israelis to hit that Catholic church. That's what the Prime Minister relayed to the President. You should look at the Prime Minister's statement," Leavitt stated during the briefing.
After the call, Israel expressed 'deep regret" about the attack. 'Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful," the statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office read. 'We are grateful to Pope Leo for his words of comfort. Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites," it added.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
July 20, 2025, 19:41 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 minutes ago
- First Post
Freedom Flotilla's Handala approaches Gaza, faces Israeli navy threat
An aid vessel launched by the Freedom Flotilla, carrying 19 activists and two journalists, is nearing Gaza in defiance of Israel's blockade. Named Handala, the boat could face interception like its predecessor Madleen, as tensions mount over humanitarian access. read more The Freedom Flotilla ship "Handala" as it leaves for Gaza at a port in Syracuse, Sicily, southern Italy. AFP The activist group Freedom Flotilla announced Saturday that its latest aid boat dispatched to Gaza was approaching the territory and planned to land there the following morning in defiance of an Israeli blockade. The vessel, named the Handala after a popular Palestinian cartoon character, was just 105 nautical miles (194 kilometres) from its destination, organisers said – closer to Gaza than its predecessor the Madleen was when it was intercepted in June. The Israeli navy said it would likewise block the new vessel from reaching the war-torn Palestinian territory. 'The [Israeli army] enforces the legal maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with directives of the political echelon,' an army spokesperson told AFP on Saturday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Carrying 19 activists and two journalists from various countries, the Handala first set sail from Sicily on July 13 in a bid to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza and deliver aid to its population. The territory is facing severe shortages of food and other essentials, with the United Nations and NGOs warning of an imminent famine. The Handala's crew said in a post on X that they would go on a hunger strike if the Israeli army intercepted the boat and detained its passengers. The last boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters on June 9 and towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod. It carried 12 campaigners on board, including prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
No proof Hamas routinely stole UN aid: Israeli military officials
JERUSALEM: For nearly two years, Israel has accused Hamas of stealing aid provided by the United Nations and other international organisations. The govt has used that claim as its main rationale for restricting food from entering the Gaza Strip. But the Israeli military never found proof that the Palestinian militant group had systematically stolen aid from the United Nations, the biggest supplier of emergency assistance to Gaza for most of the war, according to two senior Israeli military officials and two other Israelis involved in the matter. In fact, the Israeli military officials said, the UN aid delivery system was largely effective in providing food to Gaza's hungry population. Now, with hunger at crisis levels in the territory, Israel is coming under increased international pressure over its conduct of the war in Gaza and the humanitarian suffering it has brought. Israel has largely brushed off the criticism. David Mencer, a govt spokesperson, said this past week that there was "no famine caused by Israel." Instead, he blamed Hamas and poor coordination by the United Nations for any food shortages. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo Israel moved in May toward replacing the UN-led aid system, opting instead to back a private, American-run operation guarded by armed US contractors in areas controlled by Israeli military forces. Some aid still comes into Gaza through the UN and other organisations. The new system has proved to be much deadlier for Palestinians. According to the Gaza health ministry, almost 1,100 people have been killed by gunfire on their way to get food handouts under the new system, in many cases by Israeli soldiers who opened fire on hungry crowds. In the latest such incident, three people were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid in three separate incidents in northern, central and southern Gaza, said the civil defence agency on Saturday. In total, at least 25 people were killed, reports AFP. The military officials who spoke to The New York Times said that the original UN aid operation was relatively reliable and less vulnerable to Hamas interference than the operations of many of the other groups bringing aid into Gaza. Hamas did steal from some of the smaller organisations that donated aid, according to the senior Israeli officials and others involved in the matter. But, they say, there was no evidence that Hamas regularly stole from the UN, which provided the largest chunk of the aid.
News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
MoS Margherita says India, South Africa relations based on mutual trust
Last Updated: Johannesburg, Jul 26 (PTI) 'Relations between India and South Africa are based on shared history, mutual trust and goodwill," said Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita in South Africa on Saturday. 'India's engagement with Africa, including South Africa, is guided by the principles of Prime Minister Modi. Our engagement with Africa is not transitional; it is transformational," he said while addressing a gathering of Assamese expatriates and Indian-origin South Africans here. Margherita said that India regards its diaspora as one of its greatest assets while seeking their support 'to strengthen the India-South Africa relationships." He urged the diaspora to continue to launch new ventures, initiate joint projects, create more jobs and explore new markets together in India, South Africa and beyond. Margherita wrapped up his 10-day visit to three southern African countries–Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa–on Saturday and left for Dubai. Earlier this week, Margherita participated in the 4th meeting of the G20 Development Working Group, held in the iconic Kruger National Park, hosted by South Africa, which currently holds the G20 Presidency. PTI FH RD RD RD Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
