‘Child that won't behave', Trump shocked by Netanyahu's Damascus strike: US officials tell Axios
According to the report, six senior US officials expressed frustration over what they described as Netanyahu's increasingly aggressive behavior. One White House official told Axios, 'Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,' adding that these moves could undermine President Donald Trump's efforts in the region.
The report stated that tensions escalated this week after 'Israel' bombed a Syrian army tank convoy near Suwayda last Tuesday. 'Israel' claimed the convoy entered a demilitarized zone and was involved in attacks against the Druze minority. The strikes came amid ongoing clashes in southern Syria that have left hundreds dead.
US envoy Tom Barrack reportedly asked 'Israel' to pause the strikes to allow for a diplomatic solution. While 'Israel' initially agreed, Axios reported that it later expanded the campaign, hitting Syria's military headquarters and areas near the presidential palace on Wednesday.
A senior US official told Axios that the strikes 'caught the president and the White House by surprise.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio then asked Netanyahu to stop the attacks, which 'Israel' agreed to under the condition that Syrian forces withdraw from Suwayda.
The report also noted that 'Israel's' shelling of a church in Gaza this week prompted a phone call from President Trump to Netanyahu seeking an explanation.
In addition, Axios cited officials linking Netanyahu's actions to domestic political pressure, particularly from the Druze community in 'Israel'. One official said Netanyahu is 'driven by his political agenda.'
The article also highlighted friction over the recent killing of Palestinian-American Saif Musallet by 'Israeli' settlers and increasing concerns about settler violence. Former Governor Mike Huckabee, a longtime ally of Netanyahu, condemned the attack as 'terrorism' and criticized 'Israel's' treatment of American evangelicals seeking travel visas.
'Israeli' officials, according to Axios, were surprised by the US response. One senior 'Israeli' official told the outlet that Netanyahu's actions were motivated by intelligence on Syrian government involvement in alleged anti-Druze attacks, and denied any domestic political motives.
The Axios report said that despite the growing concern among officials, President Trump has so far avoided publicly criticizing Netanyahu.
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