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US President Donald Trump was reportedly “caught off guard” by recent Israeli military actions in Syria and the bombing of a Catholic church in Gaza, prompting direct calls to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address both incidents, according to the White House.
“The president was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of the Catholic church in Gaza,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters, as cited by Bernama-Anadolu. “In both accounts, the president quickly called the prime minister to rectify those situations.”
Tensions in southern Syria flared on 13 July following clashes between Bedouin Arab tribes and armed Druze factions in Suwayda. The situation escalated further on 16 July when the Israeli military launched airstrikes near the Syrian presidential palace and struck the General Staff headquarters and Defence Ministry.
In Gaza, Israel targeted the Church of the Holy Family last Thursday, killing three people and injuring ten others, including the parish priest. The attack has added to mounting criticism of Israel’s ongoing campaign in the enclave.
Reports by the US-based Axios outlet suggest the strikes have triggered “growing scepticism inside the Trump administration” about Netanyahu, with concerns that his policies in the region are “too disruptive.”
Leavitt added that the president is increasingly concerned by the scale of violence in Gaza. “The conflict has been going on far too long and has become quite brutal in recent days. The president never likes to see that,” she said. “He wants the killing to end, and he wants to negotiate a ceasefire in this region, and he wants to see all of the hostages released from Gaza.”
Since 2 March, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, restricting the entry of food, medicine, and humanitarian supplies. International aid agencies have issued dire warnings of a looming famine, though no easing of the siege appears imminent.
Israel's military campaign in Gaza, launched following the events of 7 October 2023, has drawn global condemnation. According to Palestinian authorities, more than 59,000 people — mostly women and children — have been killed since the offensive began. - July 22, 2025