Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A rift has reportedly emerged between former allies U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Trump expresses growing frustration over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and, more specifically, a recent Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar.
According to a Wall Street Journal report citing senior U.S. officials, Trump erupted in anger during a closed-door meeting following the surprise Israeli attack on September 9, declaring:
“He’s f*ing me**,” in reference to Netanyahu’s actions that he believes have undermined U.S. efforts in the Middle East.
The comments were allegedly made in a high-level meeting attended by top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as Trump evaluated the fallout of the Israeli operation, which targeted Hamas figures in the Qatari capital, a sensitive location given ongoing regional diplomacy and U.S.-led cease-fire negotiations.
Frustration Boiling Over
Trump’s outburst reflects broader tensions over Netanyahu’s aggressive military strategy, which U.S. officials say is jeopardizing Trump’s ambitions to stabilize the region and broaden the Abraham Accords, a centerpiece of his foreign policy agenda. The Israeli airstrike in Qatar reportedly blindsided the White House, with sources saying the U.S. only learned of the operation after missiles were already in the air.
Israeli officials claimed the Biden administration had prior knowledge, but this has been strongly denied by the U.S., with one senior official telling the Journal that the incident has only deepened the president’s frustrations.
“Netanyahu’s moves have prolonged the Gaza war, created trouble for Trump with other U.S. allies in the region, and made the expansion of the Abraham Accords excruciatingly difficult,” said Shalom Lipner, a former adviser to seven Israeli prime ministers.
The implications of Netanyahu’s hardline stance are now being felt across diplomatic channels. The strike in Qatar, an important U.S. ally and a key player in mediating with Hamas has complicated talks and angered Gulf partners Trump had worked hard to court during his May 2025 Middle East visit.
During that visit, Trump lauded Qatar’s ruling emir and his family as “tall, handsome guys,” a remark emblematic of his efforts to reset U.S. relations with Gulf monarchies. That delicate balance now appears shaken.
A “Heated Call” and a Fraying Alliance
Tensions between the two leaders reportedly peaked in a heated phone call shortly after the Doha strike. Trump was said to be furious over the strategic timing and location of the Israeli attack, viewing it as an act of disregard for U.S. diplomatic priorities.
While Trump’s rhetoric has grown harsher in private, his public stance toward Netanyahu remains measured, at least for now. Despite the frictions, the Wall Street Journal reports the overall relationship between Trump and Netanyahu remains “excellent,” driven by mutual political benefits and Republican interest in presenting a strong stance against Hamas.
“He’s under siege and makes mistakes. The only thing that’s really working for him is Trump’s support,” said Itamar Rabinovich, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.
Still, others argue Netanyahu operates on a different principle.
“He chooses to ask forgiveness, not permission,” remarked Damian Murphy, a former senior Democratic staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Invitation Amid Discord
Despite the behind-the-scenes fallout, Netanyahu revealed Tuesday that he had received an invitation from Trump to visit the White House at the end of September. According to the Israeli prime minister, Trump extended the invitation during a phone call on Monday, and described subsequent calls since the Qatar strike as “good.”
Whether this diplomatic olive branch will help ease tensions or simply paper over deeper divisions remains to be seen.
Strategic Fallout
The rift between Trump and Netanyahu highlights the delicate geopolitical balancing act underway in the Middle East. As Israel continues its intensified ground offensive in Gaza City, the humanitarian toll is mounting, and regional anger is swelling. Trump’s political calculus especially as he eyes a volatile U.S. election season, depends in part on keeping Arab partners engaged, cease-fire prospects alive, and the Abraham Accords expanding.
But with Netanyahu doubling down on military solutions over negotiations, Washington finds itself increasingly squeezed between its staunchest ally in the region and the broader Arab world.
In the words of one U.S. official:
“We’re trying to end a war. Netanyahu is trying to win one.”
