• Trump "caught off guard" by Israeli bombing in Syria and Gaza.
• Concerns about increasing death toll and hostages in Gaza expressed.
• Calls made to Israeli PM Netanyahu to discuss the situation.

US President Donald Trump was "caught off guard" by Israel's recent military actions in Syria and the bombing of a Catholic church in Gaza. Following these events, the White House reported that Trump reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the concerning developments. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated, "The president was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of the Catholic Church in Gaza," adding that concerns were raised regarding the escalation of violence in Gaza, which Trump views as "prolonged and increasingly violent" according to aa and trtglobal.

Leavitt emphasized Trump's desire to see an end to violence and a negotiated ceasefire, reflecting a rare public expression of discomfort regarding Israel's actions, despite his historically strong support for the country. Reports indicate a rising death toll in Gaza, prompting significant international criticism of Israel’s military campaign. In the context of ongoing military engagements, the US has provided substantial financial support to Israel, which raises questions about its role in the conflict and its implications for US foreign policy, according to Channel News Asia and trtglobal.

Despite the tension, Trump maintains a close relationship with Netanyahu, as evidenced by their recent communications following the strikes. Netanyahu expressed regret over the Gaza church incident, attributing it to a "stray missile." The ongoing situation underscores the complexity of US-Israel relations amidst evolving military conflicts in the region, especially with the backdrop of historical tensions in Syria, as noted by aa and Channel News Asia.