Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed reports of a rift with US regime leader Donald Trump, who recently confirmed he called Netanyahu 'f***ing crazy' during a phone call. In an interview with CNBC, Netanyahu rejected any shift in their ties, calling Trump 'the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.'

Netanyahu acknowledged 'tactical disagreements' but stressed mutual respect and common goals. 'We always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends,' he said. The comments follow Trump's revelation to the New York Post that he berated Netanyahu over Israel's escalation in Lebanon.

Trump said he was 'a little bit perturbed' by Netanyahu's constant fighting with Lebanon, which risked derailing US-Iran talks. Despite the apparent disagreement, Trump later praised Netanyahu, saying 'I like Bibi a lot' and that he 'works well' with him.

Netanyahu insisted they share the objective of disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon, claiming the country is 'taken hostage' by the group. However, Israel's military campaign has displaced hundreds of thousands and destroyed entire towns. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz previously outlined plans to occupy southern Lebanon and build settlements.

Netanyahu called for 'peace' with Lebanon but demanded the disarmament of Hezbollah and the demilitarization of the entire country, a new condition that could affect the Lebanese Armed Forces. Talks in the US have so far failed to produce a ceasefire.

Source: www.aljazeera.com