US President Donald Trump delivered his latest public criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct in Lebanon during a press conference at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Wednesday. According to reports from Reuters, Trump stated 'We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say, 'You can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that's from Hezbollah.' The comments came amid mounting friction between Israel and the US over the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU). As per Reuters, Trump said 'You don't have to destroy an apartment building every time you're looking for someone, because there are a lot of people in those apartment buildings, and they're not all Hezbollah.' The Israeli leader helped convince Trump to go to war against Iran, according to U.S. and Israeli officials, and joined in attacks launched on February 28. However, Netanyahu has insisted Israel is not bound by any U.S.-Iran agreement in its fight against Hezbollah.
As reported by Reuters, Trump maintained a diplomatic tone while delivering his criticism, stating 'Bibi Netanyahu happens to be a good man, gets a little excited sometimes.' He called Netanyahu an 'amazing prime minister' despite the disagreement. Trump acknowledged the partnership dynamic, noting that 'it's been an amazing partnership,' and referenced Netanyahu's own assessment of their relationship, stating 'he will say (the US is) the big partner, and (Israel's) the very small partner, and that's true.' Speaking at the summit, Trump said he had a 'great relationship' with Netanyahu but added that the Israeli leader needed to show greater responsibility. 'Without us, without the United States, there would be no Israel. And without me, there would be no Israel, because no other president was willing to do what I did,' Trump declared. Trump also insisted he had sent Netanyahu a copy of the 'memorandum of understanding' the U.S. reached with Iran on Sunday, pushing back against news reports that the administration had turned down an Israeli request.
According to Reuters, Trump's most direct criticism focused on Israel's military approach in Lebanon, stating 'We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say, 'You can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that's from Hezbollah.' The comments reflect broader tensions between the two allies over Israel's military operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. As per Reuters, Trump said 'You don't have to destroy an apartment building every time you're looking for someone, because there are a lot of people in those apartment buildings, and they're not all Hezbollah.' Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration in recent days over Israeli strikes on Beirut, arguing they threatened the agreement reached with Tehran and suggesting Israel's campaign against Hezbollah had gone on 'longer than necessary.'
Israeli leaders have categorically rejected Trump's calls for restraint in Lebanon. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Israel's Channel 14 that 'Israel will not bow to external dictates. The military campaign in Lebanon will continue without concessions, and there will be no withdrawal from southern Lebanon, neither on Friday nor after Friday.' The comments came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz also ruled out an immediate withdrawal from areas occupied by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, as well as in Gaza and Syria, saying the military presence would continue for as long as Israel deemed necessary. On the ground, Israeli strikes continued across southern Lebanon, with Israeli drones striking two cars in the town of Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh district and a third vehicle hit in nearby Choukine, killing four people and wounding others. Lebanon's health ministry said the death toll from Israel's assault on Lebanon since March 2 had risen to 3,826 killed and 11,851 wounded. However, Reuters reports that hostilities in Lebanon have abated somewhat since Trump sharply criticized Netanyahu earlier this week.
