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Sunday, June 14, 2026
Report: Israeli officials ‘stunned’ by Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu; president floated Lebanon pullout as part of Iran deal
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
Israeli officials were left “stunned” by US President Donald Trump’s public criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s decision to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut. They are increasingly concerned that a prospective US-Iran agreement could sharply restrict Israel’s military freedom of action in Lebanon, Channel 12 reports.
A senior Israeli official close to Netanyahu tells the Hebrew network that officials in Jerusalem were taken aback by Trump’s remarks, which included accusing the premier of having “no fucking judgement,” saying: “Trump’s statement is a resounding slap in the face. The restrictions [on Israel] have been taken to another level. The expectation that we will not strike anywhere in Lebanon is incompatible with the behavior of a strategic ally.”
The report adds that, during one of his recent conversations with Netanyahu, Trump proposed that Israel withdraw physically from southern Lebanon as part of the broader understandings being discussed with Iran. Netanyahu reportedly rejected the idea outright, arguing that it would serve neither Israeli nor American interests.
The report says that the primary concern within the political and security establishment is currently that Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon could be significantly curtailed by Washington if the Iran agreement includes a complete halt to Israeli military activity throughout Lebanon, not just in Beirut, as Tehran insists it will.
According to the Hebrew network, officials in Washington have spent recent hours pressing Israel not to escalate tensions with Iran, while promising to do everything possible to prevent Iranian attacks on Israel. The American message, according to the report, is that even if Iran does strike, Israel should avoid any response that could jeopardize the memorandum of understanding being negotiated between Washington and Tehran, which Trump says he expects to be signed in the coming hours.
Israel’s political leadership has been briefed on a the “credible possibility” of upcoming missile fire from Iran, perhaps before midnight, according to the report.
The Times of Israel Community.