US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Israel’s military tactics in Lebanon, saying it was unnecessary to destroy entire apartment buildings while targeting Hezbollah militants.
Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Trump said Israel had been engaged in fighting Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned Lebanese group, for too long and urged greater caution in its operations.
He said civilian casualties were becoming unacceptable, stressing that not all individuals inside targeted buildings were linked to Hezbollah. He added that military strikes should avoid endangering non-combatants during operations against militants.
Trump’s comments come amid rising diplomatic strain between Washington and Tel Aviv, particularly over Israeli airstrikes in Beirut that have drawn regional backlash and complicated ongoing peace efforts involving Iran.
Despite the criticism, Trump maintained that he still has a strong working relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although he suggested Israel should act more responsibly in Lebanon.
The remarks were later amplified by an official White House social media account, which reposted the president’s comments without explanation. A White House spokesperson later reiterated that the United States remains a strong ally of Israel and praised its cooperation in regional security matters.
The Israeli government has not issued a formal response to Trump’s latest remarks, although it has consistently defended its military operations, stating that its actions are aimed at eliminating militant threats while avoiding civilian harm.
The latest exchange highlights growing international scrutiny over Israel’s military conduct in the region, particularly amid ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and wider tensions linked to the Gaza war.
Despite the public criticism, there is no indication that US policy towards Israel will change significantly, with both countries continuing to maintain close strategic and military ties.
