President Trump stated on Tuesday at the G7 summit in France that Israel has been fighting Hezbollah “too long” and that “too many people” are being killed.
“You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody. There are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they’re not all Hezbollah,” Trump said.
“I suggest that Israel let Syria take care of Hezbollah,” he added.
“To be honest with you, I think they’d do a better job of doing it,” he continued.
“If Israel can’t do the job without killing everyone else, he’ll do the job. Syria will do the job,” Trump said.
The president also noted that the attacks had placed a “negative light on the big deal” with Iran and warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he “has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”
“I did not like that, I let them know that,” Trump stated regarding Sunday’s strikes, which he called “too much.”
Iran has said Israel ending its attacks in Lebanon is a condition for any agreement to end the three-and-a-half-month war. However, Netanyahu claimed on Monday that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanese territory “for as long as necessary.”
Trump reiterated U.S. support for Israel, stating: “Without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel.”
The president also described having a “great relationship” with Netanyahu but emphasized that the prime minister “has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”
Trump’s comments followed reports he reportedly asked Netanyahu on Sunday: “what the f are you doing?” after this weekend’s strikes. Israeli officials confirmed troops would stay in Lebanon, stating that “Trump’s agreement does not bind us.” Iran’s foreign minister indicated any remaining Israeli forces would violate the fledgling deal.
