Netanyahu’s office fires back at The Atlantic’s claims of Trump’s growing frustration over Gaza, calling it “fake news” as both leaders publicly maintain their alliance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply dismissed a bombshell report published Thursday by The Atlantic alleging that former U.S. President Donald Trump is increasingly dissatisfied with Israel’s handling of the Gaza conflict.
Responding to the explosive claims, Netanyahu’s office issued a terse statement: “We don’t comment on fake news.”
According to The Atlantic, despite recent high-profile gestures of friendship—Netanyahu nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize and Trump publicly criticizing prosecutors in Netanyahu’s corruption trial—behind-the-scenes tensions have reportedly escalated.
Unnamed U.S. officials told the outlet that Trump has been alarmed by graphic images of starving children in Gaza and allegedly sent his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to urge Israel to step up humanitarian aid deliveries. The report also claimed Trump was infuriated by Israeli airstrikes in Syria and an incident involving a Catholic church in Gaza, supposedly carried out without prior coordination with Washington.
Perhaps most controversially, officials quoted in the report accused Trump of suspecting that Netanyahu might be prolonging the war in Gaza for political gain—an assertion that, if true, could strain the traditionally ironclad U.S.-Israel relationship.
However, both sides have publicly denied any major fallout. The White House reportedly insists there is “no significant rupture” in ties, while Trump himself has reaffirmed his unwavering support for Israel’s war aims.
Taking to Truth Social earlier today, Trump declared:
“The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!”
Neither Washington nor Jerusalem has offered further comment beyond Netanyahu’s blunt rejection of The Atlantic’s allegations.
