Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
US President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday after Israel carried out airstrikes in Beirut, accusing the Israeli leader of poor judgment at a critical moment when Washington says it is close to securing a deal with Iran aimed at ending months of regional conflict.
Trump Reportedly Tells Netanyahu He Has ‘No F*ing Judgment’ as Beirut Strike Threatens Iran Deal**
US President Donald Trump reportedly launched an extraordinary verbal attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, accusing the Israeli leader of having “no f***ing judgment” after Israeli forces carried out strikes in Beirut while Washington was attempting to finalize a peace agreement with Iran.
According to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, who said he spoke directly with Trump, the president expressed anger over the Israeli operation and questioned the timing of the attack as US negotiators worked to secure what could become a landmark regional agreement.
The unusually sharp criticism highlighted growing tensions between the White House and Israel’s government as diplomatic efforts intensify to stabilize the Middle East following a period of escalating military confrontations involving Iran, Israel, Hezbollah and other regional actors.
According to comments reported by journalist Barak Ravid following a conversation with Trump, the US president expressed anger over Israel’s decision to strike targets in Beirut, saying Netanyahu had shown a lack of judgment by launching military action while negotiations were approaching a decisive stage.
Trump’s frustration emerged just hours after Israel attacked Hezbollah-linked targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs following rocket fire from Lebanon toward northern Israel. Israeli officials described the operation as a response to what they called a violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah.
The Israeli military said several projectiles had been launched toward communities in northern Israel earlier in the day. In response, Israeli forces carried out what they described as precise strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in the Dahiyeh district, a southern Beirut area considered a stronghold of the group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the operation, saying Israel would continue to respond forcefully to attacks originating from Lebanese territory.
The strikes came at a particularly sensitive moment for US diplomacy. Washington is attempting to finalize an agreement with Iran that American officials believe could open the door to broader regional de-escalation and potentially end the latest phase of confrontation between Tehran and its adversaries.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump argued that the Beirut attack risked undermining progress toward peace. He said Israel had the right to defend itself but suggested the incident that triggered the retaliation was too limited to justify a strike that could complicate negotiations.
The US president urged all parties to exercise restraint, calling for an end to attacks by both Israel and Hezbollah. He described the current diplomatic opportunity as a chance to achieve a wider peace arrangement that could benefit not only Israel and Iran but also Lebanon and neighboring countries.
American media reports indicated that the administration still expects an agreement with Iran to be finalized. While details remain unclear, officials have signaled that a formal understanding could be announced before the end of the day. Reports also suggested that Iran had not yet completed all final signing procedures.
The latest developments underscore the delicate balance facing the Trump administration as it attempts to combine support for Israel’s security with efforts to prevent another major regional escalation.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, though the group did not immediately comment on Israel’s strikes in Beirut.
Lebanese media reported that one of the Israeli attacks struck a residential apartment in the Ghobeiry area of Beirut’s southern suburbs. Images circulating from the scene showed smoke rising above damaged buildings while residents searched through debris.
The exchange of fire renewed concerns that the Israel-Hezbollah front could once again become a major flashpoint despite ongoing diplomatic efforts elsewhere in the region.
The developments unfolded as Trump marked his 80th birthday in Washington. The president was scheduled to attend a high-profile UFC event hosted on White House grounds later Sunday, where thousands of guests were expected to gather for celebrations and sporting events.
Despite the festivities, the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East remained at the center of the administration’s attention as negotiators worked to secure what could become one of the most significant diplomatic agreements of Trump’s second term.
