US President Donald Trump has harshly criticized Israel’s handling of the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon
He claims the conflict is dragging on too long and causing an excessive number of deaths, including civilians who are not part of the terrorist group.
Trump stated that Israel doesn’t need to destroy entire buildings to hit specific targets and that the operation should have been concluded more quickly.
In statements made during the G7 summit in France, Trump proposed that Syria, under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, take over the fight against Hezbollah in Israel’s place.
He praised al-Sharaa as capable and trustworthy, suggesting that Syrian forces could do the job more efficiently and with less collateral damage.
This position from Trump comes at a delicate moment in negotiations between the United States and Iran.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to extend a ceasefire and pave the way for a broader agreement on the Iranian nuclear program.
Trump warned that if Iran attempts to develop, purchase, or acquire a nuclear weapon, it will face “definite consequences.” He also emphasized that without American intervention, Israel “would have been wiped off the map.”
However, reports indicate that al-Sharaa is reluctant to confront Hezbollah.
Syrian sources claim that a military intervention against the group could be seen in the Arab world as a way of defending Israel, which would damage the image of the new Syrian leader.
Al-Sharaa reportedly demanded, as a condition, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Syria, conquered after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The Syrian president has emphasized that his priority is protecting the border with Lebanon and preventing arms smuggling to Hezbollah, but rules out, for now, a broader military action in Lebanese territory.
Israel, for its part, maintains troops in southern Lebanon and continues to conduct operations against the Iranian-backed group.
This shift in positions reflects the complex negotiations underway, which involve not only the future of Hezbollah but also the balance of power across the region.
Trump is pushing for a quicker solution, while Israel and other actors express reservations about Syria’s ability and willingness to effectively disarm the group.
Published in 06/17/2026 11h00
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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