President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the war in Lebanon is a secondary issue compared to the nuclear deal with Iran, and criticized Israel's conduct there. According to his remarks, Trump told Israel that the strikes in Beirut are unacceptable to him and that Prime Minister Netanyahu must act more responsibly toward Lebanon. He also revealed he suggested Israel consider having Syria handle the Hezbollah issue.
President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Israel's military operations in Lebanon on Tuesday, declaring the Lebanon front a secondary concern relative to sealing a nuclear deal with Iran. Trump's remarks, reported in real time as he spoke, frame Israel's ongoing campaign against Hezbollah as an obstacle to his diplomatic priority with Tehran.
Trump stated he told Israel directly that the strikes in Beirut are unacceptable to him and called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to act with greater responsibility toward Lebanon. The President also revealed he proposed an alternative strategy: having Syria handle the Hezbollah problem instead of Israel, arguing Syria would be better suited for the task.
This is Trump's most direct rebuke yet regarding Israel's Lebanon operations. As The Zioneer reported at 13:20, Trump characterized the fighting as having dragged on and suggested Syria handle Hezbollah. The statement follows a series of U.S. admonitions over recent weeks about IDF strikes in central Beirut and broader escalation on the northern front.
4 developments
- ConfirmedTrump denounces IDF strikes in Beirut, calls for cessation of attacks on Hezbollah
- StrongTrump: If Israel can't avoid killing everyone in Lebanon, let Syria do the job
- DevelopingTrump, in NBC Interview, Endorses 'More Surgical' Strikes on Hezbollah and Praises Syrian Leadership
- Confirmed"The Zioneer" — exclusive: Trump says Israel's Beirut strike was 'not coordinated' with the US, intends to call Netanyahu to urge restraint
Source and signal
- Internal intake