WHITE HOUSE ADMITS STRIKES IN GAZA AND SYRIA CAUGHT TRUMP “OFF GUARD”
In a rare and candid admission, the White House has acknowledged that recent U.S.-backed Israeli strikes in Gaza and allied operations in Syria caught former President Donald Trump “off guard,” sparking a political and diplomatic controversy. The strikes, which resulted in significant regional escalation, occurred amid growing tensions in the Middle East and have drawn sharp international criticism.
According to a senior White House official speaking under condition of anonymity, Trump — though no longer in office — had been in direct talks with regional actors regarding a potential ceasefire framework before the strikes were executed. While the current administration, under President Joe Biden, has maintained strong ties with Israel, it has also been navigating intense diplomatic channels involving Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. Trump, meanwhile, has continued to position himself as an influential voice on U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.
The recent military actions in Gaza led to the deaths of several dozen Palestinians, including children, while the strikes in Syria targeted alleged Iranian-linked weapons facilities. The operations were launched with what Pentagon sources described as “pre-existing intelligence and authorization,” yet apparently without Trump’s knowledge despite his ongoing unofficial communications with conservative Israeli officials and regional allies.
White House Press Secretary Karen Jean-Pierre confirmed during a briefing that Trump was not informed in advance about the strikes. “The former president does not hold any official role in U.S. foreign policy, and while he remains an influential figure, it is not standard protocol to brief him on sensitive, time-critical military operations,” she said. However, she added, “We understand that he was surprised by the timing and scale of the operations and has since sought clarification from both American and Israeli channels.”
Political analysts suggest that the statement indicates growing friction between the Biden administration and Trump’s informal diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East. Trump’s supporters have claimed that his Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, established a more stable regional order. The new escalation, they argue, undermines those achievements.
Internationally, the strikes have reignited condemnation from human rights groups and several European nations, who accuse Israel of using disproportionate force in Gaza. In Syria, the strikes have led to renewed calls from Russia and Iran for the U.S. to withdraw its military presence. The United Nations has called for restraint on all sides and emphasized the need for immediate humanitarian access to affected areas.
Meanwhile, Trump, in a brief statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, said, “Peace was breaking out in the Middle East when I was president. These reckless strikes weren’t necessary, and I was not told — which speaks volumes.”
The incident has sparked debate over the extent to which former presidents should be involved or informed about international military actions, especially when they continue to wield significant political influence. As tensions remain high in Gaza and Syria, and U.S. political divisions continue to deepen, the White House’s admission has added yet another layer to an already volatile geopolitical landscape.