Why did Trump rebuke Netanyahu over Beirut air strike plans?

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Trump rebuked Netanyahu over Beirut air strike plans due to concerns about international perception and the potential undermining of ongoing peace talks.

A leaked phone call revealed that then-US President Donald Trump expressed strong disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats to resume air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. Trump was quoted as stating that such actions would lead to widespread negative sentiment towards Israel, saying, "Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this." This rebuke came after Iran had warned that Israeli strikes in Lebanon were jeopardising efforts to end the conflict.
Concerns over Global Perception

Trump conveyed to Netanyahu that the international community's perception of Israel was being negatively impacted by the planned air strikes on Beirut. The sentiment expressed was that these actions were isolating Israel and generating widespread animosity. This direct criticism highlights a concern about the diplomatic fallout and the potential for increased international condemnation of Israeli military operations.
Impact on Peace Talks

The timing of Netanyahu's threats was particularly sensitive as Iran had indicated that Israeli strikes in Lebanon were hindering negotiations aimed at concluding the war. Trump's intervention suggests a desire to avoid actions that could derail these diplomatic efforts, particularly given the unpopularity of the war among American voters. The US president's statement implied that Israel and Hezbollah had reached an agreement to cease hostilities following their conversation.
Netanyahu's Political Vulnerability

The leaked call, which Trump later publicly confirmed, exposed significant strains in the relationship between the two leaders. Israeli officials acknowledged the call was one of the most heated between Netanyahu and Trump. The leak was seen as damaging to Netanyahu's political standing ahead of national elections, with opponents suggesting he had ceded Israeli sovereignty by agreeing to such US demands.

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Why did Trump rebuke Netanyahu over Beirut air strike plans?

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