Trump vs Netanyahu ‘again’ : Israel’s Syria strike exposes a growing US-Israel rift

Jerusalem: Israel’s strike on a Syrian airbase has created a fresh challenge for the Trump administration, with Washington expressing concern over the attack even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended it as necessary to prevent a Turkish military buildup near Israel’s border.

Israel has told the Trump administration that its recent strike on a Syrian airbase was aimed at preventing a potential Turkish military buildup at the site, according to US and Israeli officials cited by Axios.

The attack has put the United States in a difficult position as Washington maintains close ties with Israel and Turkey while also pursuing its broader strategy towards Syria.

Why did Israel strike Syria?

The Israeli military carried out the attack early Tuesday at the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria, around 72 kilometres from the Turkish border.

At least eight bombs struck runways and several hangars at the facility, damaging recently rebuilt runways. No casualties were reported.

Israel later said the strike was intended to prevent Turkey from deploying forces and sophisticated weapons systems at the airbase.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, saying Israel would not tolerate a Turkish military buildup that could threaten its security.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Syria had been close to breaching an arrangement intended to maintain the security status quo by allowing Turkish troops to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo.

US expresses concern

The strike has created a diplomatic problem for US President Donald Trump, who has sought to maintain relations with both Israel and Turkey.

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as the US envoy for Syria, confirmed that Israel was responsible for the attack and said the Trump administration was “deeply concerned”.

He described the strike as an unnecessary escalation that did not contribute to regional stability.

The Syrian and Turkish governments also condemned the attack.

Turkey rejects Israel’s justification

A Turkish official rejected Israel’s explanation, saying there had been no Turkish presence at the airbase.

Turkey accused Israel of using pretexts to conduct attacks against neighbouring countries and destabilise the region.

US and Israeli officials said Israel had informed the White House about the planned strike roughly three hours before Trump spoke by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

It remains unclear whether the Syrian airbase was discussed during that conversation.

A new point of tension between Trump and Netanyahu?

The incident comes amid broader differences between Trump and Netanyahu over the direction of US policy in West Asia.

Trump has increasingly emphasised negotiations and efforts to end major conflicts, while Netanyahu has continued to stress military pressure and the elimination of security threats.

The disagreement is particularly significant because both leaders are operating in politically sensitive periods, with elections approaching in their respective countries.

The Syrian strike therefore adds another complication to Washington’s efforts to balance its relationships with Israel and Turkey while preventing further regional escalation.

Why does it matter?

The immediate dispute centres on the presence or potential presence of Turkish forces in Syria. Israel views any Turkish military buildup close to its northern security perimeter as a potential threat, while Turkey rejects the Israeli justification for the strike.

For Washington, the incident is particularly sensitive because Turkey is a NATO ally and an important regional partner, while Israel remains one of the United States’ closest allies in West Asia.

The strike also highlights a broader challenge for the Trump administration: maintaining influence over regional partners while preventing their competing security interests from triggering further conflict.

The latest episode does not necessarily indicate a complete rupture between Trump and Netanyahu. However, Washington’s public criticism of an Israeli military operation signals that the two governments may not always agree on how regional security should be managed.