Trump Urges 'Softer Touch' on Hezbollah as Israel Strikes Lebanon Again
Trump Urges 'Softer Touch' on Hezbollah as Israel Strikes Lebanon Again
US President Trump presses Israeli PM Netanyahu for restraint in Lebanon amid ongoing strikes, despite criticism. Tensions flare in the region, raising concerns over a potential US-Iran deal.
US President Donald Trump has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a "softer touch" when dealing with Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, even as fresh Israeli strikes have been reported in the region. Trump's comments come amidst escalating tensions and continued military action between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.
The US President's plea was made on Wednesday, with Trump expressing his belief that Netanyahu "gets a little excited sometimes" but remains "a good man." These remarks follow Trump's earlier criticisms at the G7 summit in France, where he stated that Netanyahu needed "to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon," arguing that Israel has been fighting Hezbollah for "too long and too many people are being killed."
Despite Trump's direct appeals for restraint, Israeli forces have reportedly carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's National News Agency reported drone strikes injuring several people in Mansouri and Aaziyyeh, along with jet attacks on Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit on Wednesday. While Israel's military has not directly commented on these specific incidents, it previously acknowledged five soldiers were injured in a drone attack in Lebanon attributed to Hezbollah.
The ongoing conflict unfolds against the backdrop of a potential US-Iran deal aimed at ending the war, with mediator Pakistan suggesting Lebanon's inclusion in any resolution. An Israeli airstrike on Beirut, in response to a cross-border rocket attack by Hezbollah earlier, had complicated efforts to finalize the deal.
Trump, while emphasizing his "great relationship" with Netanyahu, also voiced disapproval, saying he "didn't like that he did an attack... that was too much." He notably added a strong assertion of US support for Israel, claiming, "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."
In response to the volatile situation, Netanyahu had stated on Monday that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon "for as long as necessary." Iran's top military command also issued a stark warning to Israel on Tuesday, after Lebanese media reported fatalities from Israeli strikes, threatening a "harsh response" if Israel did not cease its "malice" in southern Lebanon. The aerial exchanges and diplomatic pressures highlight the complex and dangerous dynamics in the Middle East.
