A “very senior” Israeli official has accused the US government of seeking to topple Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister.

The official, who was not named, hit back at a US intelligence report published overnight that warned the eligibility of Mr Netenyahu’s government “may be in jeopardy” amid criticism over how it has managed the war in Gaza.

“Those who elect the prime minister of Israel are the citizens of Israel and no one else,” said the official in a statement issued to Israeli media. “Israel is not a protectorate of the US but an independent and democratic country...We expect our friends to act to overthrow the terror regime of Hamas and not the elected government in Israel.”

The US report on Israel said: “Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections. A different, more moderate government is a possibility.”

Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 said the statement came from “the most senior Israeli political source you can imagine,” and added that the report had left Mr Netenyahu “fuming”.

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