U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show greater responsibility in handling the conflict with Hezbollah.
Speaking to reporters during the G7 summit in France, Trump said that although he has always maintained a strong relationship with Netanyahu, Israel must be more mindful of the consequences of the conflict in Lebanon.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now he needs to be more responsible regarding Lebanon,” Trump said.
The American president expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s approach toward Lebanon and Hezbollah, arguing that the conflict has become prolonged and continues to cause significant casualties.
Trump emphasized that military operations should avoid harming civilians and suggested that destroying entire buildings is not always necessary to target specific military objectives.
While reaffirming his support for Israel and highlighting the longstanding role of the United States in Israel’s security, Trump warned that continued fighting in Lebanon could undermine broader diplomatic efforts in the region, including recent understandings involving Iran.
He also revealed that he had suggested Israel allow Syria to take a larger role in confronting Hezbollah, arguing that Syria might be more effective in dealing with the Iranian-backed group.
The remarks are notable because public criticism of Netanyahu from Trump has been relatively uncommon and may reflect growing concern within Washington about the regional consequences of the ongoing conflict.
