Donald Trump criticised Israel’s bombing of entire apartment buildings in pursuit of Hezbollah fighters, in a rare public rebuke of the US ally’s military tactics in Lebanon.
He said it was “unnecessary” to destroy residential blocks to hunt individuals, a departure from typical US presidential rhetoric regarding Israeli operations.
Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Mr Trump expressed his displeasure over Israeli attacks in Beirut, which he suggested could jeopardise his peace deal with Iran.
He also asserted that Israel had been fighting the Lebanese group for “too long”. “Too many people have been killed. You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they’re not all Hezbollah,” he said.
His remarks highlight rising tensions with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite their long-standing political alliance.
Israeli officials are reportedly frustrated with Mr Trump’s Iran deal, while the US president is growing impatient with Israeli attacks on Beirut which previously triggered Iranian retaliation and threatened his diplomatic efforts.
Mr Trump claimed a “great relationship” with Mr Netanyahu but added that the Israeli leader should be “more responsible” with Lebanon.
“Without us, without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel, because no other president was willing to do what I did,” he said.
The White House later posted a video of Mr Trump’s specific remarks on social media, though it did not explain the decision.
A White House official affirmed the strong relationship between Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu and also described the Israeli military as “incredible partners”. “There has been no greater friend to Israel and a fighter for peace than president Trump,” the official added. “Americans and our allies around the world are already safer for the United States and Israel’s bold actions to deny the Iranian regime the ability to develop a nuclear weapon.”
Despite Mr Trump’s public criticism, there is no indication his comments will translate into meaningful policy changes compelling Israel to enhance civilian protection.
Israel has faced mounting international condemnation, particularly for its war on Gaza, which has killed at least 73,000 Palestinians, injured hundreds of thousands, and displaced almost the entire population of over 2 million.
A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington declined to comment.
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