US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him ungrateful and accusing him of escalating tensions with Lebanon. According to a report by Axios, Trump told Netanyahu during a heated phone call that without his support, the Israeli leader would have been imprisoned. The exchange occurred as Israel expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon and threatened airstrikes on Beirut.

The Axios report said Trump intervened to halt Israel’s planned strikes on Beirut, warning Netanyahu that such actions would isolate Israel globally and endanger ongoing US-Iran peace talks. US officials cited Trump’s concern over civilian casualties and his opposition to Israel’s strategy of destroying entire buildings to target a single Hezbollah commander. Following the call, an Israeli official confirmed that Israel had suspended plans for attacks in Beirut.

Trump later described the conversation as productive, announcing that Israeli troops would not advance toward Beirut. Netanyahu confirmed the call but framed Trump’s remarks as a caution rather than an obstruction, saying Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon if Hezbollah attacks persisted.