In a heated phone conversation, former US President Donald Trump reportedly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him as “extremely erratic,” and demanded an immediate halt to planned strikes on Beirut. Trump expressed concerns that escalating the conflict could jeopardize delicate negotiations with Iran and worsen international animosity toward Tel Aviv.
Following the tense exchange, retaliatory attacks on a militia stronghold in Beirut were called off, and troops en route to Beirut were redirected, as per Trump’s statements. Trump claimed that after fruitful discussions with Netanyahu and militia representatives, an agreement was reached to de-escalate the situation, despite Tehran’s earlier ultimatum to suspend peace talks.
Behind the scenes, sources revealed a sharp deterioration in relations between the two leaders. Reports suggested that Trump accused Netanyahu of ingratitude, hinting at potential repercussions without American support, alluding to allegations of international misconduct and corruption.
Furthermore, Trump warned Netanyahu and his administration of growing disdain due to escalating civilian casualties and continuous military escalation. This rift emerges amidst shifting public sentiment in the US regarding ongoing financial and military aid to Israel, with critics questioning the ethics of funding military operations causing devastation and contributing to a humanitarian crisis.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, clashes resumed in southern Lebanon, with Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters engaging in renewed conflict, resulting in drone strikes that claimed eight lives, including those of a father and his two children. Tensions rose as Tel Aviv threatened strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, triggering panic and mass exodus, while rockets were fired into northern Israel.
Iran’s chief negotiator warned of halting talks and escalating towards direct confrontation if Israel persisted in its aggression against Lebanon, potentially shattering the fragile ceasefire. The unstable situation raised concerns as rockets struck northern regions, and border clashes persisted, with Tehran asserting that any broader ceasefire must encompass Lebanon to resolve the Iran conflict, threatening retaliation against northern Israel if Beirut faced further attacks.
The region’s volatility escalated on March 2 when Hezbollah retaliated for the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, drawing Lebanon into a larger conflict with Israel, sparking an ongoing military campaign that has claimed over 3,400 lives in Lebanon. There are fears that a breakdown in negotiations could reignite the Iran conflict, prompting Tehran to mobilize Houthi forces in Yemen, posing a threat to the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime route linking the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.
Trump’s public frustration with Netanyahu was evident previously, with his remark last June highlighting the prolonged and entrenched nature of the conflict between the two nations.
