Evian : US President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a more restrained approach in military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, expressing concern over the scale of destruction and civilian casualties caused by the ongoing conflict.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Trump described Netanyahu as “a good man” but remarked that the Israeli leader sometimes becomes overly aggressive in responding to security threats. Trump revealed that he had advised Netanyahu to take a “softer touch” and avoid demolishing entire buildings during operations targeting specific individuals.
The US President acknowledged that while the alliance between the United States and Israel remains strong, differences have emerged over the manner in which Israel has conducted its campaign against Hezbollah.
A day earlier, Trump had openly criticized Israel’s handling of the conflict, stating that the operation should have been completed more quickly and efficiently. He argued that the prolonged hostilities have undermined broader diplomatic efforts in the region, particularly as Washington moves closer to a peace agreement with Iran.
Trump also expressed dissatisfaction over an Israeli strike on Beirut that reportedly took place just hours before the United States was scheduled to finalize a major accord with Tehran. According to him, such actions risk complicating delicate diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions across the Middle East.
Highlighting the growing civilian toll in Lebanon, Trump said Israel’s military campaign has continued for too long and has resulted in excessive loss of life. He emphasized that entire residential buildings should not be targeted when pursuing a limited number of militants, noting that many innocent civilians live in those structures.
In a notable policy suggestion, Trump proposed that Syria could play a greater role in containing Hezbollah. He expressed confidence in Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing him as capable of managing the challenge more effectively while avoiding widespread civilian casualties.
As the United States and Iran prepare to sign a peace agreement later this week, Tehran has reiterated that stability in Lebanon is essential for achieving broader regional peace.
Meanwhile, G7 leaders have reportedly linked future assistance to Lebanon to a complete cessation of hostilities and the dismantling of the military capabilities of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.