(MENAFN) The administration of US President Donald Trump is increasingly viewing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “madman” whose actions are undermining Washington’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, Axios reported.

Last week, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Syrian government forces and military sites in Damascus, responding to violent clashes between the Druze and Bedouin communities in southern Syria. A ceasefire announced on Saturday seems to be holding. Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab said that the Internal Security Forces have managed to calm tensions in the affected areas.

Despite the truce, US officials have grown “significantly more alarmed” by Netanyahu’s conduct and policies, according to sources cited by Axios.

A White House official was quoted saying, “Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time. This could undermine what Trump is trying to do.” The official added that Trump dislikes seeing bombings in countries where he is pursuing peace and making major rebuilding announcements.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump “was caught off guard” by both the strikes in Syria and a recent Israeli attack on Gaza’s only Catholic church. In both instances, Trump promptly contacted Netanyahu to address the issues.

Netanyahu’s office expressed “deep regret” over the strike on the Holy Family Church, which killed three people, and promised to investigate. The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes in Syria aimed to protect the Druze community from atrocities.

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