President Trump reacts to surprise Israeli strikes as U.S.-Israel tensions grow during Gaza ceasefire efforts.
Trump Surprised by Israeli Strikes in Gaza and Syria, Urges Caution Amid Rising Tensions
Trump Caught Off Guard by Israeli Strikes
President Donald Trump was reportedly caught off guard by recent Israeli military actions in both Gaza and Syria. According to the White House, Trump personally called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week after Israeli airstrikes hit key areas — including Gaza’s only Catholic church and government sites in Damascus.
These conversations point to growing unease between the two leaders, even as the United States continues to support Israel publicly.
Gaza Church Strike Draws Immediate Response
On Thursday, an Israeli strike in Gaza hit the only Catholic church in the territory. The attack killed three people and drew a swift and negative reaction from Trump. He immediately called Netanyahu to express his concerns and pushed the Israeli leader to issue a statement calling the strike a mistake.
“The president enjoys a good working relationship with Bibi Netanyahu, and stays in frequent communication with him,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “He was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of a Catholic Church in Gaza.”
Leavitt added that in both cases, Trump moved quickly to “rectify those situations.”
Syrian Strikes Complicate U.S. Diplomatic Efforts
Trump was also surprised by Israel’s airstrikes in Damascus, which targeted government buildings. The timing was sensitive — his administration is currently working to stabilize Syria and support its new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been leading diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the region. The U.S. recently relaxed some sanctions on Syria in hopes of encouraging reconstruction and political stability.
Israel’s military action raised concerns in Washington that those efforts could be undermined.
A Complicated Relationship Between Allies
Trump and Netanyahu have had a long-standing but often complicated relationship. While they have worked closely on major regional issues, including Iran and Gaza, people familiar with the dynamic say the two are not personally close and that trust between them has sometimes been strained.
Earlier this month, during a White House visit, Netanyahu nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in a public gesture of support. The visit was seen as a chance to align on shared goals, especially on pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Trump had expressed hope that Netanyahu’s trip would lead to a major breakthrough, including the release of hostages held by Hamas and expanded humanitarian access into the Gaza Strip.
Ceasefire Talks Still in Limbo
Despite those hopes, Netanyahu left Washington without announcing a ceasefire deal. Nearly a week later, no agreement has been finalized. Mediators submitted a proposal to Hamas, but the militant group has yet to provide a formal response.
Hamas issued a statement on Monday saying they are “exerting all our efforts and energies around the clock” to reach an agreement.
Meanwhile, violence in Gaza continues. The strike on the Catholic church added to the growing death toll, and U.S. officials say Trump is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian cost of the conflict.
Trump Pushes for Peace and More Aid to Gaza
“The president never likes to see that. He wants the killing to end,” said Leavitt, referring to the ongoing civilian deaths in Gaza.
She highlighted the administration’s efforts to expand humanitarian aid into the region, even as criticism mounts internationally over the slow pace of deliveries. Ministers from 25 Western countries recently condemned Israel for “drip feeding” supplies into Gaza.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 1,000 people have died while seeking humanitarian relief since late May.
Leavitt defended the administration’s role: “The president is the reason that aid is even being distributed in Gaza at all. He wants to see this done in a peaceful manner, where more lives are not being lost.”
A Tense Moment in U.S.-Israel Relations
The recent developments highlight the growing complexity of U.S.-Israel relations under Trump’s leadership. While the president has backed Israel’s security goals, he’s also facing rising pressure to support a ceasefire and push for accountability in strikes that kill civilians.
“This is a very difficult and complicated situation that the president inherited because of the weakness of the last administration,” Leavitt said. “And I think he should be applauded. The president wants to see peace, and he’s been pretty clear on that.”
As ceasefire talks continue and humanitarian concerns grow, the coming weeks will test whether Trump and Netanyahu can stay aligned — or if their differences will push the two allies further apart.
Source: CNN – Trump ‘caught off guard’ by Israel’s actions in Gaza and Syria last week as skepticism of Netanyahu grows inside White House
