Axios: Trump Wants to End the War.. While Netanyahu Seeks to Resume It

SadaNews - A report from the American site Axios revealed an increasing gap between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Lebanon.

Two senior American officials told Axios that Trump wants to end the war, while Netanyahu seems to want to resume it.

The report clarified that Trump and Netanyahu have coordinated very closely regarding Iran and speak almost daily, but officials from both sides were aware that a moment might come when their interests and goals diverge, and some close to Netanyahu fear that moment may have arrived now.

Netanyahu had pledged to carry out significant strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut before being forced to back down due to Trump's anger, who is much more focused on the deal with Iran than with Lebanon.

When Trump reprimanded Netanyahu during a phone call Monday and halted plans to strike Beirut, he also sparked a political storm within Israel.

The call between Trump and Netanyahu came after Iran threatened to abandon negotiations with the U.S. due to Israeli actions in Lebanon and to launch missiles at Israel.

An Israeli source stated, "It was a very bad call. Trump scolded Bibi harshly and demanded he immediately withdraw from the plan to strike Beirut to avoid inflaming the situation in Lebanon, and thus the negotiations with Iran."

Netanyahu did not deny that Trump described him as "crazy" or said he would go to jail without his help. Instead, the Prime Minister told CNBC that they have disagreed in the past, but have always maintained their close partnership.

Similarly, Trump confirmed to the New York Post what Axios reported regarding the call, adding that he likes Netanyahu and that they have worked well together.

Although the call may be just a bump in their personal relationship, their disagreements over the final phase of the war with Iran appear to be more profound.

One of the American officials stated, "Sometimes Bibi doesn't know when to stop."

Netanyahu's swift reversal of his plan to strike Lebanon and his efforts to contain any impression of a rift demonstrate how his military actions and political standing are subjected to Trump's influence.

An Israeli source who regularly speaks with Netanyahu and his close advisors mentioned that the Prime Minister is worried that the tense call is a prelude to additional American restrictions on Israel's operational freedom in Lebanon.

The source added that Netanyahu fears the U.S. will impose stricter criteria on Israeli strikes in Lebanon, not just in Beirut, before granting it the "green light."

On Wednesday, after two days of talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats in Washington, the two countries announced a plan for a comprehensive ceasefire, conditioned on steps from Hezbollah.

It was not immediately clear whether the group would accept the new terms.

If a stable ceasefire is not reached, and Hezbollah continues to fire at Israel, Netanyahu may be able to persuade Trump to eventually allow him to bomb Beirut.

On Wednesday, Trump stated that he is trying to separate the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah from the war with Iran, and he believes that a deal with Iran may be reached as soon as this weekend.

Netanyahu remains skeptical of the policy of restraint in Lebanon and of any agreement with Iran, with both issues representing a political burden on him. U.S. officials have expressed concern that he might attempt to undermine diplomatic efforts on both fronts.

However, what he cannot afford is to enter into an open break with Trump just four months before the elections.