Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly taken to task by U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call on Monday over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.
The report said Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” and accused him of ingratitude. At one point during the call, Trump reportedly yelled, “What ….are you doing.”
The reported exchange came after Netanyahu had ordered the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. Thousands of people across southern Lebanon have been forced out of their homes as the Israeli military escalates its ground invasion, pushing deeper into Lebanese territory than it has in years.
Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday that he had ordered the army to “expand its ground manoeuvre in Lebanon”.
Israel also seized Beaufort Castle, which sits atop a strategic hill near Nabatieh, Lebanon’s fifth-largest city. The Israeli military previously captured the 12th-century fortress in 1982 and maintained control of it until withdrawing from Lebanon 18 years later.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israeli strikes in Lebanon violated the broader ceasefire framework agreed between Washington and Tehran on April 7.
“The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Araghchi wrote on X. “Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.”
Following the call, Trump described his conversation with Netanyahu as “productive” and said Israel would not launch a major operation in Beirut.
“I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi!”
Trump added, “I also had a conversation with Representatives of the Leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel, and its soldiers. Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long that lasts Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!”
Later, Netanyahu said he informed Trump “If Hezbollah does not cease attacking our cities and citizens-Israel will attack terror targets in Beirut.”
He added that the IDF “will continue to operate as planned” in southern Lebanon.
Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire since October 2023 despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.
