Tensions Explode: Netanyahu’s Strikes Spark White House Fury

Tensions between Washington and Jerusalem have escalated sharply, as multiple senior officials in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration voiced deep concern over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent military decisions, particularly in Syria.

According to reports by Axios, administration insiders described Netanyahu as reckless and uncooperative, calling him “a madman” and “a child who just won’t behave.”

“Bibi acted like a madman.

“He bombs everything all the time,” said one White House official, referring to Netanyahu by his widely known nickname.

The source added that such actions risk undermining key diplomatic efforts the Trump administration was attempting to pursue in the region.

The backlash followed a series of Israeli military strikes.

On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Syrian troops moving into the southern city of Sweida, following reports that Syrian government forces were involved in a massacre there.

Then, on Wednesday, Israel escalated by striking critical infrastructure in Damascus, including military headquarters and sites near the presidential palace.

One senior U.S. official expressed growing exasperation with Israel’s unpredictable actions, particularly following an incident in Gaza where an IDF tank mistakenly shelled a Catholic church, killing three people.

“The feeling is that every day there is something new.

“What the f..k?” the official remarked.

Although Trump did not issue a public statement on the Gaza church shelling, he was reportedly furious in private.

According to sources, the former president held a heated phone call with Netanyahu, demanding that the Israeli leader issue a formal statement of regret. Netanyahu complied shortly thereafter.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that Trump’s reaction was “not a positive one.”

The events have fed into a broader sentiment of unease in Washington over Netanyahu’s judgment and political motivations.

A third official observed, “There’s skepticism now.

“Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won’t behave.”

It remains unclear whether these frustrations fully reflect Trump’s personal stance.

Still, this is not the first time the former president has been visibly annoyed with Israel’s actions.

Just weeks earlier, Trump lashed out when Israel prepared a large-scale retaliation against Iran, despite a ceasefire agreement being in effect after a 12-day conflict.

Further complicating matters, U.S. special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack reportedly requested that Israel pause its military operations to allow for diplomatic maneuvering.

Israel initially agreed but launched additional airstrikes the very next day.

These included targeting Syrian military infrastructure and areas near the presidential residence, actions that caught Washington off-guard.

According to Israeli officials, the strikes were intended to protect the Druze community, which forms a loyal and integrated minority in Israeli society, with many Druze serving in the Israeli military.

However, this rationale did little to calm tensions in Washington.

Both Saudi Arabia and Turkey also raised concerns with the White House, as did U.S. officials Tom Barrack and Steve Witkoff.

“The bombing in Syria caught the president and the White House by surprise,” said one administration source.

“The president doesn’t like turning on the television and seeing bombs dropped in a country where he just made a major peace announcement and offered help with rebuilding.”

Another official added, “Bibi’s political agenda is driving his decisions. Long-term, this could prove to be a serious miscalculation.”

Despite the criticism, one senior Israeli official claimed that Trump had earlier encouraged Netanyahu to maintain a stronghold in Syria and had not previously objected to military actions there.

The official emphasized that the IDF was acting out of responsibility toward the Druze population within Israel.

The violence in Sweida stems from ongoing clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribes, later joined by government troops.

Human rights observers and local reports detailed horrific scenes: regime forces allegedly executed civilians, looted homes, and humiliated Druze religious leaders.

In retaliation, Druze fighters reportedly beat captured soldiers and posed with their bodies.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated that over 1,000 people have died in the past week alone.

Among the dead are 336 Druze fighters, 298 Druze civilians, 342 members of the regime’s security forces, and 21 Sunni Bedouins.

Efforts to end the violence culminated in a ceasefire agreement announced on Saturday.

As of Sunday morning, AFP journalists near Sweida reported no further gunfire.

Government troops were seen stationed in the region to uphold the truce, and humanitarian aid was en route to the city’s predominantly Druze population.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook