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.
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First Published:
July 20, 2025, 19:41 IST
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