Washington: Israeli strikes in Syria have raised concerns within the Trump administration about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies in the Middle East, according to Axios. The US-based news site reported skepticism about Netanyahu's approach, describing it as potentially disruptive.
According to Anadolu Agency, White House officials expressed alarm over Israel's recent bombings of critical locations in Syria, including the presidential compound, general staff headquarters, and defense ministry. The unpredictability of Netanyahu's actions has reportedly unsettled US officials, with one senior official noting the constant emergence of new issues.
Some officials criticized Netanyahu's aggressive actions, with one describing him as a "madman" who indiscriminately bombs various targets. There is concern that Netanyahu's tactics could undermine President Donald Trump's initiatives in Syria and strain US-Israeli relations.
A particular incident that caught the US administration off guard was the bombing in Syria, which contradicted Trump's efforts to establish peace in the region. A US official emphasized the president's disapproval of unexpected military actions in countries where he seeks stability.
A recent Israeli attack on a church in Gaza prompted Trump to reach out to Netanyahu for an explanation, highlighting the growing skepticism within Trump's team. Officials likened Netanyahu's behavior to that of a child who refuses to follow rules.
Despite these tensions, neither Israeli nor US officials have publicly responded to the report. The backdrop to these developments includes recent clashes in Suwayda, southern Syria, between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze groups. The violence escalated, prompting Israeli airstrikes, ostensibly to protect the Druze community, though most Druze leaders in Syria have rejected foreign interference.
In a bid to de-escalate the situation, all parties in Syria agreed to a ceasefire as of 5 pm Damascus time, announced by Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria.