President Trump proposed Tuesday that Israel let Syria handle Hezbollah, saying Syria would do a better job. 'I am not disappointed in Netanyahu, but if Israel cannot do the work without killing everyone, Syria should do the work,' Trump said, according to his remarks.
President Donald Trump clarified Tuesday that he is not disappointed in Prime Minister Netanyahu, even as he reiterated his proposal that Syria handle Hezbollah instead of Israel. 'I am not disappointed in Netanyahu, but if Israel cannot do the work without killing everyone, Syria should do the work,' Trump said. The clarification follows a series of remarks throughout the day in which Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Israel's pace and conduct in Lebanon, and praised Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa as 'highly talented.'
The desk has been tracking the development since 12:57 Jerusalem, when Trump first told Israeli public broadcaster KAN 11 that Israel should have 'finished' Hezbollah quickly and that it 'takes them forever.' By the same hour, multiple Israeli journalists and media outlets reported Trump suggesting Israel let Syria 'take care of Hezbollah.' The president also added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured him Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons — warning that 'all hell will break loose' if Tehran does. A thread item at 12:57 Jerusalem also noted analysts warning that Trump's proposal could lead to massacres of Lebanese Shiites, Christians, and Druze.
As The Zioneer previously reported, Trump had already endorsed a more 'surgical' approach to Hezbollah in a June 7 interview with NBC, and had called for an end to IDF strikes in Beirut on June 14. On Monday, Trump said he hopes the Lebanon situation can be resolved and acknowledged dialogue with Hezbollah is needed. The president has also framed Israel's existence as dependent on his actions, and described the Iran deal as 'good and fair,' as reported in earlier bulletins.
What remains unclear is the specific context of Tuesday's remarks — whether from an interview, a public appearance, or social media — as the available reports have not specified the venue or timing of the statements beyond the broad afternoon window.
14 developments
- StrongTrump blasts Netanyahu's Lebanon policy, urges Israel to let Syria handle Hezbollah
- ConfirmedTrump denounces IDF strikes in Beirut, calls for cessation of attacks on Hezbollah
- DevelopingTrump, in NBC Interview, Endorses 'More Surgical' Strikes on Hezbollah and Praises Syrian Leadership
- DevelopingTrump sends tough messages to Iran, warns Tehran would bear blame for escalation
Source and signal
- Internal intake