Trump aides directed “torrent of insults” at Netanyahu recently, says Axios

• Naoum Barnea says 'Israel’s' justification for the assassination was rejected within Trump’s circle.
• The killing risks deepening tensions as Washington pushes for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire.

An ‘Israeli’ analyst said aides close to US President Donald Trump reacted angrily to 'Israel’s' assassination of Raed Saad, a senior commander in Hamas’ armed wing, directing what he described as a “torrent of insults” at ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Axios.

Naoum Barnea, a veteran political analyst, said 'Israel’s' explanations for the killing “made no sense” to Trump’s inner circle and triggered sharp backlash in Washington.

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Saad, a senior figure in Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in an ‘Israeli’ airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday, according to Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya. ‘Israel’ had confirmed the strike, claiming Saad was a long-standing target.

Barnea said ‘Israel’ justified the attack by citing a roadside bomb incident that wounded two 'Israeli' soldiers and by arguing that Saad had been on a target list for years. However, he noted that US officials close to Trump viewed the strike as unnecessary and destabilizing.

Trump’s aides believe the assassination was not part of ‘Israel’s’ talks with Hamas but rather part of a broader political message directed at the US administration, according to Barnea.

‘Israel’ acknowledged that it did not coordinate the strike with Washington.

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Barnea said Trump is eager to advance talks toward the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, warning that Netanyahu’s actions could obstruct that goal and lead to direct political confrontation.

A meeting between Trump and Netanyahu is scheduled for late December. Barnea said the ‘Israeli’ prime minister should expect a difficult reception, suggesting relations between the two leaders are entering a colder phase.

‘Israel’ has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement, resulting in the killing of hundreds of Palestinian martyrs and injuries to many others, while also restricting the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.