Trump ‘Caught off Guard’ by Israel’s Syria Strike, Aide Says

WATCH: Donald Trump was “caught off guard” by Israel’s bombing of Syria, the White House said Monday. Joumanna Bercetche reports.Source: Bloomberg

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By Hadriana Lowenkron

July 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM UTC

President Donald Trump was “caught off guard” by Israel’s bombing of Syria, the White House said Monday, amid reports that the US president was increasingly concerned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive military efforts.

Trump “enjoys a good working relationship with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and stays in frequent communication with him,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday. “He was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of the Catholic Church in Gaza.”