Relations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have become strained, according to sources communicating with NBC News. Trump expressed frustration over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Netanyahu wants to eliminate Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, Trump seeks to negotiate a nuclear agreement to manage the Iranian threat, as noted by U.S. officials and diplomats.
The American president deemed Israel’s military operations a “wasted effort,” conflicting with his goal of a ceasefire.
Their relationship initially involved alignment on confronting Hamas and Iran. However, recent disagreements arose as Trump advocates diplomacy and ceasefire plans while Netanyahu favors military action. Trump eased arms restrictions for Israel, backed its actions in Gaza, but deemed the new offensive counterproductive, and ceased U.S. military actions against the Houthis, catching Netanyahu off guard.
Trump stated, “We haven’t made that decision yet” regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment and described Gaza as a “Riviera of the Middle East” during discussions on reconstruction.
The strain risks altering U.S.-Israel collaboration as the president advances Middle East diplomacy, excluding Israel, and Netanyahu resists delaying military action, impacting regional security dynamics.
