US President Donald Trump criticized Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah and suggested Syria should take responsibility for confronting the group. He said the prolonged conflict has caused excessive civilian casualties and complicated wider diplomatic efforts. The remarks are significant as Washington seeks to advance a broader agreement with Iran and reduce regional tensions.
Speaking to journalists during the G7 summit in France, Trump said Israel had been fighting Hezbollah for too long. He argued that military operations were causing unnecessary civilian deaths and questioned tactics that resulted in damage to residential buildings. According to Trump, not everyone living in targeted buildings could be linked to Hezbollah.
The US president also expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s handling of the conflict in Lebanon. He said the campaign should have been concluded more quickly and warned that continued fighting could negatively affect broader diplomatic initiatives. Trump linked the issue to ongoing efforts surrounding the emerging understanding between the United States and Iran.
Furthermore, Trump reiterated his criticism of an Israeli strike on Beirut carried out shortly before the announcement of the interim US-Iran peace agreement. He said he had informed Israeli officials of his concerns and did not approve of the timing of the attack. The strike, he argued, risked undermining sensitive diplomatic progress.
Trump also proposed that Syria be allowed to take a greater role in addressing Hezbollah’s presence. He praised Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and credited him with handling challenges responsibly alongside regional partners. The US president said he had advised Israel that Syria could potentially manage the issue more effectively, reflecting his preference for reducing direct military escalation in the region.